Rockville Auto Repair

When you own a vehicle, and you have for many years, you have visited a lot of different auto repair shop locations around Bethesda, MD and possibly even in other areas. You may have a set idea in your mind about what an auto repair shop experience is like. Instead of telling you all of the great things about Auto Clinic Care (and there are plenty to share!) we’re going to tell you some of the things our shop is NOT. -We aren’t out to get you and your money Auto Clinic Care offers every customer the same deal…honest jobs done the right way. We aren’t going to try to up sell you with services you don’t really want or need. And we aren’t going to tell you that you need new air filters or extra tune-ups unless your vehicle requires it. We want your vehicle to run at its highest level of efficiency. But we are going to be honest and upfront about every item. And we’ll check with you before we do anything at all. You get to say yes or no to every s ... read more

Auto Clinic Care wants you to take good care of your vehicle so it will last as long as possible. Our number one recommendation is to have regular auto service on your vehicle in order to prevent issues that can arise on vehicles in Chevy Chase, MD. Preventative maintenance is very important. It keeps your car running efficiently and can help prevent larger, more expensive issues from happening later. When you get auto service, you might wonder what all it includes. You know you need regular oil changes and many people are good at remembering that. What else will we do when you get an oil change auto service? Here are a few things. -Check Fluid Levels When you get your oil changed, we already know we need to get rid of the dirty oil and fill the vehicle with new oil to the proper level. But we will also check your other fluid levels including your steering, brake, transmission, windshield washer and antifreeze. When you leave after an oil chan ... read more

Brake pads, rotors, and linings are all a part of your vehicle’s brake system and they are situated next to each of your wheels. The parts push against each other to create friction, which in turn stops the car. There are two main kinds of brake systems: drum brakes and disc brakes. Disc Brakes These are the most common systems on vehicles today. They operate like hand brakes on a bicycle. When you step on the brake pedal in your vehicle, the brake pads squeeze a spinning disc rotor that is attached to the wheel. The friction that results from that action when you apply it to each wheel will stop the vehicle. Drum Brakes These brakes have brake shoes that push out against the spinning brake drum that is attached to the wheel. This friction also slows the vehicle. Both systems work through the use of friction and the brake parts that are included in creating the friction are all very impor ... read more

There are several ways cold weather can damage your car. When winter gives no sign of letting up any time soon, there are a few things you need to know. The cold weather can contribute to the condition of your rotors and brake pads to the point where you might need brake repair. The last thing you want is to be out on an icy road and have your brakes fail. Don’t get left out in the cold! Read more to find out what you should watch for and how to prevent problems. How Brakes Work There is a particular science to how the brakes on your car work. When you press on the pedal, hydraulic pressure squeezes the brake pads against the rotor. This slows down your vehicle and eventually stops it. Most modern braking systems are completely sealed hydraulics. You press the pedal and it activates a plunger, which applies pressure to the brake fluid equally in all directions. In return, the fluid applies pressure to the piston in the calipers, which presses ... read more

So much of your modern automobile is computerized. That means your car gives you access to a wide range of information. The pesky warning lights on your dashboard might be easy to disregard, especially when you are in a rush to get to your destination. However, while many warning lights do not require immediate attention, there are a few you shouldn’t ignore. These lights generally mean you need to get your car to a repair shop for immediate auto service. Those warning lights include: Check Engine This one is probably the least of your worries. When this light comes on, it means the engine computer has found an anomaly in the data it is receiving from one of the dozens of sensors. It can come on for any number of reasons, ranging from minor to serious. Have you ever left your gas cap off or not closed it tight? This small problem could trigger the check engine light. That said, most of the triggers for this light are of critical importance. Ge ... read more

At Auto Clinic Care, customer service is our number one priority. We provide honest service done the right way. Because we are a family owned and operated company near Chevy Chase, MD, all of our customers are important to us. You shouldn’t have to question your service or the quality of work you receive. Unfortunately, tales of crooked mechanics are rampant. As a result, most car owners are wary and defensive about visiting an auto repair shop—even ones with a good reputation. Your repairs and routine maintenance would be much simpler if you had a good relationship with your technician. Steps to Build a Better Relationship with Your Mechanic Here are a few tips to follow: 1. Show Your Loyalty It isn’t always beneficial to shop around for the best deal every time you need service. When you find an auto repair shop that gives you honest, quality work at a reasonable price, reward them with your loyalty. As a loyal cu ... read more

Can you think of the last time you had your wheels aligned? It usually happens when you purchase new tires, but have you thought of your wheel alignment since then? Proper wheel alignment is more important than you might realize. Here is what our auto repair shop experts think you need to know. How Does a Wheel Lose Alignment? The truth is, it doesn’t take much…pot holes, hitting the curb, bumping into a concrete parking stall, and regular wear and tear. Over time, the alignment will progressively get worse. Even a slight misalignment can cause problems for you and your car. Benefits of Professional Wheel Alignment Here are a few reasons you should get an alignment: Improved Fuel Efficiency When you tires are properly aligned it cuts down on unnecessary friction. Your engine does not have to work as hard to propel your car forward and as a direct result, you save on gas. Tire alignment fr ... read more

You probably check your tire pressure, change the engine oil, and switch out air filter regularly. But how often do you specifically request a brake repair and inspection in Rockville, MD? The brake system might be the single most neglected component in your car. It is also one of the most vital. The loss of brake fluid or any other malfunction with the system can render your car incapable of stopping. As you can imagine, brake failure is dangerous and can be a horrifying experience, especially while traveling on a freeway or interstate. At the first sign of brake trouble, you want to safely get off the road and call for a tow and brake repair. Here are a few things you should do instead of panicking: • Stay calm. Slowly work your car towards the right lane and if possible, to an exit. Do not be tempted, no matter how slowly, to continue driving your car without brakes. • If you need to ch ... read more

When you need to take your vehicle to an auto shop in Kensington, MD, you want to find a shop you can trust. There are plenty of bad auto repair shop options on the market and you have heard enough horror stories to believe they exist. So, how can you avoid them? Know the warning signs of a bad auto repair shop so you can take your vehicle elsewhere fast! Here are just a few warning signs to watch out for as you look for the right auto repair shop. Sign#1: No Certifications Any auto repair shop should have mechanics that are certified by the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence. It’s not required by law in every state, but this certification is considered a prerequisite for employment in any reputable auto repair shops. The certification is a safeguard for you. It shows that the mechanic has been professionally trained in the right areas. The certifications last for 5 years and mechanics ... read more

There are many working parts to any vehicle and the brakes themselves have a lot of little parts that work together. You want your brakes to work well at all times. That means you need to have brake service in Kensington, MD from time to time. So how often do you need brake service? There are plenty of answers to that question. Here’s a guide to help you out! -Brake Pads Brake pads are the portion of the brakes that most often go bad. They wear down and can create a dangerous situation if they completely wear out. You will want to replace and check the pads on a regular basis. How often? That varies depending on your vehicle and how much you drive. Heavy trucks wear through brake pads faster than light, compact cars, for example. The general rule is to change brake pads every 20,000-60,000 miles. Get brake service any time you rotate your tires so you can ensure the brake pads aren’t getting too worn ... read more