Fairburn Auto Repair

Planning a road trip any time soon? We believe that the most important pre-trip measure you should take is a vehicle inspection. If you're heading out on the road for a long drive, the last thing you want is to be stranded in the middle of nowhere with a vehicle issue. Getting your car looked at is great for your peace of mind as well as your safety on the road. Before you embark on your trip, a vehicle inspection is highly recommended. A pre-trip check will inspect all safety components and major parts of your vehicle to ensure that your car is running at its best. This includes the braking system, your car battery, tires, fluids, filters, and more. If an issue is found, we will inform you of the severity of the issue and what problems it can cause on a road trip. If your vehicle does need service or repair, we will be sure to perform the fix quickly so that you can be on schedule with your trip. We recommend having your vehicle inspected at least a week before your trip - just ... read more

When your check engine light comes on, the first thing to remember is NOT to panic. The next thing you should check is the warning light's behavior. If the light is blinking, it is a much more serious problem that requires you to pull over and call for a tow. If the light is steady, you can proceed to drive for a short period. Nonetheless, you should check for a problem by starting with the gas cap. If there are no problems with your gas lid, you most likely need to take a visit to an auto repair shop for engine diagnostics. What Does It All Mean? The check engine light can mean many things, from a loose gas cap to a damaged misfiring engine. The check engine light is crucial for your automobile's onboard diagnostics system. Over the last few decades, computers increasingly have had a more prominent role in monitoring vehicle performance and regulating the variables involved, including ignition timing and air-and-fuel ratio. When the check engine warning comes on your dashbo ... read more

Your car battery needs to be in good working condition to start your engine. The battery is also responsible for providing a charge to all the electronic components in the car (radio, lights, power seating, electrical power steering, etc.). When your battery gets weak, you will likely notice some apparent indications. The lifespan of the average car battery can be up to 5 years. Depending on your battery model and usage, it may last longer or die out sooner.   Top Symptoms of a Dying Battery 1. Trouble Starting Car - This is typically the most obvious sign that you need to get your battery. 2. Flickering/Dimming Lights - Another characteristic of a weak-growing battery is that your lights may look dimmer than usual. They may also start to flicker. 3. Dashboard Warning Light -The battery dashboard warning light is one you can't miss. It is usually red and depicts the outline of a car battery, and it is put in place to warn you when there is a persisting problem with the el ... read more

Defensive driving is just a coined term for the performance of safe driving practices on the road. If you frequently drive daily and through heavy traffic, defensive driving is a great way to save yourself from tragic accidents. Defensive driving can start before you even get on the road. For instance, you can plan for your drive by looking up the weather and road conditions. Here are some other ways you can execute defensive driving:  Check your mirrors periodically while you drive to be aware of the other vehicles around you. Be considerate and allow plenty of space for other vehicles to switch lanes. Switching lanes amid traffic can be dangerous, and trying to fight others trying to do it puts you at an increased risk of a vehicle accident. If you want to change lanes yourself, don't forget to use your signals. Maintain a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you, just in case you have to brake abruptly. Be on the lookout for aggressive drivers who may n ... read more

A car breakdown can ruin someone's day, and it can happen in a blink of an eye. It can be dreadful and scary, especially if it's your first time and you have no idea what to do. And if you get in a frenzy at the moment, it can lead to larger issues and costly repairs. The first thing you should do at the first signs of a breakdown is to breathe and remain calm. Here are three simple steps to follow in this emergency:  Turn on Your Hazards In unexpected situations like a car breakdown, you need to alert others of your condition. This is what hazard lights are made to do. Flicking these lights on will communicate to other people on the road that something is wrong and you need to get past them.  Get Out of Traffic If you have some time before your car completely stops, you should try your best to get to the road shoulder. The shoulder is the safest spot to be in, and that's why you see most cars sit there. Once you get to the shoulder, you can call for roadside ... read more

  Every car owner has their individual approach and vehicle maintenance methods; some have routine maintenance schedules that they follow religiously, while others may only attend to their car whenever they can get around to it. If car maintenance usually escapes you, it's not too late to break that habit. One of the most overlooked preventive maintenance items is tires. These can become worn quicker than most realize, especially if you drive on rough roads. Over time, wheels can become misaligned or imbalanced.    If your wheels are in proper working condition, then you should not feel any shakiness in your steering wheel. Usually, when wheels become imbalanced, they affect your tires' wear pattern. You may see uneven wear on one particular side of your tire. When the weight of your vehicle is inconsistent and not balanced, it creates a heavier wear spot on certain parts of your tire and causes your steering wheel to vibrate. If the problem is not tended to for ... read more

Autumn is essentially a pre-game to the freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall of the winter. As the temperature begins to drop again, you'll see increased wear and tear on your vehicle. While you may not be contemplating this in the remaining heat of September, now is the perfect time to schedule a fall visit to your local auto repair shop. Instead of experiencing a car failure on the road when the winter weather arrives, your car will be in optimal driving condition to get you through the brisk autumn and into the holidays. At Gowen's Automotive Repairs, we can handle these four fall maintenance necessities for your vehicle: Battery Check. Harsh fall/winter weather can be just as tough on a car battery as the summer months. A battery may be functioning fine in the late summer and early fall but may falter when the temperatures drop this winter. Please have a trusted tech check the battery connections to ensure they're secure, clean, and free of corrosion. You should al ... read more

We all panic whenever we see puddling near our vehicles. How do you know what type of fluid it is? And how do you determine if it's a dangerous leak or not? Here is our vehicle fluid guide to determine what's leaking from your automobile by the color of the fluid.   RED (OR PINK) FLUID: Red fluid usually indicates you've got a leak in your transmission or power steering system. This problem could result from a defective transmission seal or a hole in the return line that supports the fluid between systems.   ORANGE FLUID: Various problems will cause an orange puddle. If rust develops in your radiator, this can cause an antifreeze leak or make condensation appear orange. Transmission fluid can also appear orange, depending on its age.   YELLOW FLUID: A yellow fluid leak is typically a radiator coolant issue. This problem could be the outcome of a loose hose clamp or broken o-ring. Check your owner's manual when determining what type of coolant you ... read more

It's 2021, and gas prices are the highest they have been in years. As a result, some of us are pinching pennies to fill up. Many people will have their tricks and tips on how to save money on gas. Some try to save by buying a certain way, whereas others try to change their driving habits. These are our top 5 tips on how to save some cash on gasoline:   Compare gas prices using the Gasbuddy app. There are plenty of apps and websites out there that let you check gas prices at various gas stations near you. An excellent one for seeking out the lowest prices is Gasbuddy. These resources are free of use, and it uses your current location to filter out the best rates in your area. The rates are uploaded by other app or site users alike.  Go easy on the gas.  We advise you to cruise at a steady pace and not heavily to accelerate every chance you get. Especially on the highway, try to employ cruise control to get the most out of your gas. Don't carry heavy loads. You ... read more

  Have you accidentally hit a curb or a pothole, and next thing you know, your vehicle can’t drive straight? If yes, your vehicle has one or more wheels misaligned, meaning that you have one or more wheels pointing in the wrong direction. Not only will your vehicle be challenging to control, but more issues can arise from a misaligned vehicle. Overall, it is not safe to operate a vehicle that has been misaligned. Here are the signs that you are due for a wheel alignment:   Vehicle Pulling to One Side Your vehicle pulling to one side is the most significant sign that you need your tires realigned. If the road you’re driving along is flat and straight, your vehicle should continue to go straight. If you notice that it is veering off to the left or right, take it into an auto shop immediately. It is not safe to drive on the road when you exemplify this sign.    Steering Wheel Off-Centered Similar to the last example ... read more