Graham Auto Repair

What are the signs you need new brakes? We understand that maintaining you car can be both rewarding and puzzling. One crucial part of your vehicle that demands attention is your brake system. So we are here to guide you through 5 signs that your brakes need extra attention. To help ensure your safety and peace of mind on the road! 1. Squeaky Symphonies: Have you ever noticed a high-pitched squeal when you apply your brakes? This can be a clear sign that your brake pads are getting worn down. Most brake pads have built-in wear indicators that will emit a sound when the pads are worn down. This sound is to ensure you never miss the memo! To let you know it's time to replace your brakes, before it becomes dangerous to drive. 2. Vibrations and Shakes: Does your car shake or vibrate when you brake? Warped brake rotors could be the culprit. This not only affects your vehicle's performance. It also poses a safety risk! There are other things that can cause your vehicle to vibrate ... read more

Is it time for an Oil Change Service?  It's always a good idea to be prepared and up-to-date on your vehicle maintenance services. So if you're asking yourself, "Is it time for an Oil Change?" then the answer is most likely yes! Regular oil change services are essential in keeping your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently. For most vehicles, you should schedule an oil service every 3-4 months. Why? Oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle. It ensures that all of the vehicle components are properly lubricated. This helps to reduce friction between the moving parts, which can improve overall engine performance and efficiency. Keeping up on your maintenance services assists in preventing future breakdowns!  With every service at Graham Auto Repair, our Technicians will perform a digital vehicle inspection. This inspection is free! Why do we do this? Because it's our goal to keep you and your loved ones safe when you're on the road! We do this by inspect ... read more

Winter is here! Many of us are getting ready to travel for the holidays. You may be asking, "How do I prepare my car for winter driving? It can seem like a daunting task. But we're here to help you! With these 4 maintenance services, you will be better prepared on the road this winter. We also have 1 more bonus tip for you at the end! 1. Tire Rotation One of the most important services to prepare your car for winter is a tire rotation. When you don't rotate your tires, they wear down unevenly. This can lead to dangerous conditions while driving in the snow. It's super important to have good tire grip when driving on ice and in the snow! By rotating your tires every few months, you'll help them to wear evenly. This will prolong the life of your tires as well.   2. Change Your Air Filter & Cabin Air Filter Did you know that most vehicles have more than one air filter? There is the engine air filter and the cabin air filt ... read more

How do you know when to change brake pads? Knowing when to change your brake pads is important! Not only for your safety, but for the longevity of your vehicle. Brake pads are located between the caliper and the rotor. Their purpose is to create friction to help slow down or stop your car. Over time they will wear out, which will impact their performance and your safety. There are a few signs that indicate its time for a change! When Braking it Feels Spongy Pay attention to how the brakes feel when you use them. Does it feel spongy when you press down on the brakes? Spongy may feel like you're pushing against a spring. This may indicate there is air in your brake system or that you have contaminated brake fluid. You may also have a bulging brake hose or a sticking caliper. In some instances it can also mean that the brake pads have worn down and need to be replaced ... read more

The video above is meant to make you laugh! But expensive vehicle repairs are not fun! It is our job to partner with you in maintaining your vehicle. We know that you have places to go! You want to get there safely, preferably without any breakdowns. By completing Maintenance Services you can extend the life of your vehicle. How do maintenance services extend the life of your vehicle? When you keep the fluids inside your engine clean, they can do their job better. Their job is to protect your engine and keep your vehicle running smoothly. Performing maintenance services will reduce the wear and tear of the engine and it's components. In turn this extends the life of your engine, and keeps you on the road longer! There are many different Maintenance Services that should be performed on your vehicle. Which ones and how often will depend on many different factors. The year, make, and model of your vehicle is one part. It will also depend on how often you drive, th ... read more

  How Do I Save Money on Gas? With gas prices on the rise, we are all looking for ways to save money at the pump! Other than not driving or car-pooling (those aren't always options) what can we do?? I asked my team for help. Keep reading to find out some pretty simple tips we can follow in order to increase our fuel economy. Give us a call if you have any questions! Our Service Advisors will be happy to tell you which services are applicable to your specific vehicle. 1. Complete an Oil Change Service Engines are made up of many moving parts which need to be lubricated to avoid damage. By maintaining your vehicle with regular oil services you will improve your gas mileage and your vehicle's longevity. Ready this blog, " ... read more

Thanksgiving is coming up this week, and Christmas is right around the corner! A lot more people are planning to travel this year than last year. Keeping you and your family safe while driving is one of our top priorities! So today we want to give you a few safety tips before you hit the road.    Traveling with your family for the holidays can feel like a burden --- especially when the weather is dark or dreary. If you can find ways to make it fun, it will add to the holiday spirit! If you have kids, you can play driving games, listen to music, or listen to a book on CD. If you can use Bluetooth in your car, you can also listen to a Podcast. Be sure to bring things to entertain your youngest passengers. You can bring books, toys, or movies for children who may get bored. We all want to avoid the dreaded question, "Are we there yet?" If you have time, planning a few stops along the route can give you all something to look forward to! We hope this list helps you and ... read more

Why is My Check Engine Light On? We all know that the Check Engine Light means something is wrong! Unfortunately finding what is wrong can be difficult. Why? Because it could be so many different things! The check engine light can mean something simple like a loose gas cap. But it could also mean your engine is misfiring. There are many different things in between! My Check Engine Light is Flashing! You definitely shouldn't ignore any check engine light. But if the light is flashing it can mean something more serious. Please don't ignore it! At Graham Auto Repair we have trained and certified Automotive Technicians ready to help you diagnose your concerns. Give us a call as soon as possible!   When you call, the more information you can provide us the better! Let your Service Advisor know of any possible concerns you have been experiencing. Has your engine been making strange noises? Does it hesitate when you drive? Any details you can provide will help our Technicians ... read more

Why is My Car A/C Blowing Hot Air? There may be huge gaps in time when you don’t need the Air Conditioning in your car. Especially in Washington State! When it gets hot you finally reach for that A/C button … You wait expectantly for that refreshing cold air! If you are reading this blog you are probably not that lucky. You may be asking, "Why is my cars ac not blowing cold air??" There are multiple things that can cause your car's A/C to stop functioning properly. It could be caused by low Refrigerant (also called Freon) or by a breakdown of the Compressor. There could also be a problem in the Electrical System or with the Cooling Fan. These are just a few examples. To find out what's going on in your A/C System you can schedule an A/C Service with us at Graham Auto Repair. How Can We Help? At Graham Auto Repair we have an Air Conditioning Service to diagnose your A/C concerns. I will give you a quick run-down of the steps that are performed during t ... read more

How Often Should You Change Your Brakes? Brake Pads and Brake Shoes will wear out over time. The more often they are used, the thinner they will become. As they thin out they are no longer able to generate the same amount of friction and heat. This makes it harder for you to stop your vehicle quickly, which will increase the distance that’s required for you to stop. There are many factors that contribute to how quickly our Brake Pads or Brake Shoes need to be replaced. Our driving habits and the environments we drive in both make a difference in how fast they thin out. The material our Brake Pads or Brake Shoes are made from also makes a difference. Different materials have a different amount of durability. Let’s talk about the different warning signs that you can watch for, to know when it’s time to change your Brakes. 1. Vehicle Warning Light One sign you should watch for is the Brake System Warning Light. If this warning light comes on it could mean more t ... read more