Auto Repair In Fairbanks

The tires on your vehicle and all the other ones on the road have come a long way. Here's some information on the history of tires and how they are being made today.   While the concept of the wheel dates back to ancient times, it wasn't until the mid-1800s when Robert William Thomson invented the first vulcanized rubber tire. The cost of making and buying it was too high, so no one was interested in picking up on the invention. It wasn't until the late 1800s when André Michelin and his brother Edouard thought of putting pneumatic tires on an automobile. Though their ideas were good, the tires were not durable. It wasn't until 1911 that someone found a way to maintain the air inside the tire and made it work for automobiles. Since then, technology has enabled the advancements of tires to go beyond what was imaginable in the early 1900s.   Tires are supposed to be made of strong, flexible rubber to provide proper traction on the road. In essence, it ... read more

Buying a used car can be tricky in this day and age, especially if done over the internet. When you're ready to make as big of an investment as a vehicle, the last thing you want to happen is to have a new car on your hands with various problems. So how do you dodge buying a vehicle that will cause you stress and headaches? The answer is easy: take the car to University Chevron for a pre-purchase inspection before committing to buy it. Why a Pre-Purchase Inspection Is Substantial When buying a used vehicle, people often look for reliability in a car. A pre-purchase inspection, despite the extra costs, can save you a bunch of money in the long run by ensuring confidence in your big purchase.  Used cars often have a handful of miles on them already, so it's nice to know things like if it has fallen out of warranty, if it has been through any accidents, if there are any underlying issues, etc.  With a pre-purchase inspection, you can better manage the expectations of ... read more

No matter how the age of your vehicle, all old and new cars have things in common: the same kind of warning lights that pop up on the dashboard. While your vehicle may be high-tech with bright touch screens, GPSs, and heated steering wheels, your car still needs the same level of maintenance as any other car. If your vehicle isn't well-kept, then you may need to start paying attention to your dash. Tire Pressure Warning Light What it Looks Like - A tire marked with an exclamation point or the words "low tire pressure."  What it Means - Whenever you catch this light on your dash, it means one or more of your tires have become deflated. Correct tire pressure is a massive contributor to the safety and efficiency of your vehicle. Insufficient tire pressure can drastically impact your fuel consumption from an efficiency standpoint. From a safety POV, deflated tires make the car more difficult to handle. Check Engine Light What it Looks Like - Yellow engine block What ... read more

If you're not new to Fairbanks, AK, you know that the winter weather is no joke with below-freezing temperatures every day. When you get into your car this winter, you should take a quick inventory. The weather will be snowy, icy, and unpredictable, which is why you must keep a few essential emergency items in your car. Here are eight must-have winter items you should keep in your vehicle! Portable Battery It's not unusual for everyone to keep a car charger in their cars nowadays, but do consider keeping a portable battery or power bank with you. Just in case you get stranded and your phone dies, you can power it up and call for help. Ice Scraper There's nothing more annoying than a frosted-over vehicle. To combat this problem, keep an ice scraper on hand, so you can quickly clear off your windows, mirrors, and lights before driving. Compact Shovel If your wheels get stuck in deep snow, a shovel can be your hero. You can dig out from around a tire that's spinning ... read more

Sometimes it takes more than a hand wash and dry to have a spotless car. In fact, many people happen to disregard those tough water spots on their car windows and windshield. Even if you're using generic Windex, it can be difficult at times to ensure that no streaks or dust is left astray. To get a spotless look, we recommend you try using a DIY cleaning solution. Ditching the commercial cleaner products and concocting your window cleaner is a lot easier and more effective than you think. You'll be happy to see your windows and windshield streak-free!   DIY Glass Cleaner Recipe 1 empty spray bottle 1 cup distilled water 1 cup isopropyl alcohol 2 tbsp distilled white vinegar Beginning with your empty plastic spray bottle, add in the cup of distilled water. Then combine with one cup rubbing alcohol and two tablespoons of distilled white vinegar. Once everything is in the bottle, please give it a good shake to mix the solution up. That's it - super easy, right? &nb ... read more

There are times when it may seem like you can feel every single bump and crack on the road when you are driving. If you are feeling this more often than not, then you are probably dealing with a suspension problem. You can also treat this symptom with other repairs, including wheel alignment, brakes, and tires, so it's a good idea to have your vehicle inspected by a professional technician. Our expert team at University Chevron can get to the root of the problem quickly.   When it comes to suspension difficulties, it is often relatively minor. When your ride starts feeling bumpy or shaky when you drive (present at low or high speeds), it's worthwhile to have your car examined by someone who can correctly identify the problem. Some of the most common issues we see at our shop include a loose component or a hydraulic fluid leak. Often, you can check underneath your vehicle and see that the shocks or struts look greasy and dirty. "Oily" or wet shocks and struts is ... read more

Brake failure can bring about horrific vehicle accidents and even fatalities. As a result, we stress routine brake checks, maintenance, and repair. Your brakes must always be full-functioning to ensure a safe ride. As a vital car component, there have been significant improvements in the braking system over the last several decades. However, the most prominent types of brakes today are drum brakes and disc brakes.   Drum Brakes Drum brakes are a more old-fashioned version of brakes that feature a simple design with low production costs. They are usually made out of cast iron and function by applying two arched shoes. Whenever you apply these brakes, brake fluid is pushed into the drum brake constraining the pistons to press against the surfaces. This movement slows down the wheels and eventually brings your car to a complete stop.   Disc Brakes Disc brakes are more modernized in design and have more features than drum brakes. They are commonly used today. Disc brakes ha ... read more

Your tire tread is very telling on how your tires are holding up. If you notice that your tire wears in the center, edges, or on the outer, they need to be corrected somehow. By inspecting your tires frequently, you can catch any problems and determine whether you need service immediately. To help you interpret your tire tread, here is a short guide on the five most common types of wear patterns.   Patchy Wear Patchy wear usually suggests that your wheels may be out of balance. Regular tire rotations can also prevent a patchy tire. These maintenance services can prevent the wear from worsening in the future. As soon as you catch this on your tires, reach out to one of our mechanics for a consultation.   Center Wear If your tires look to be worn in the center, your wheels may be over-inflated. Overfilling your tires is strongly discouraged because it will make your tires wear faster. If you catch this, you should check the tire pressure. It would be best to match the pre ... read more

A significant number of car owners ignore taking their vehicles to an auto care shop for wheel alignment. It's a necessary safety precaution because bad alignment can be costly. After all, you'll have to replace your tires frequently due to uneven wear. Additionally, you risk causing an accident because the vehicle will pull to one side. The next time you notice such red flags, contact our automotive technicians to inspect them and align the wheels. The primary benefit of a wheel alignment is that you avoid unnecessary costly repairs because of uneven tire wear. With routine wheel alignment and balance, you'll protect your vehicle's brakes, suspension, and steering system. Below are other benefits of wheel alignment. Improved Fuel Efficiency Wheel misalignment means that the rims aren't moving in the same line. The power transmitted to each wheel will vary, causing the engine to work extra hard to meet the increased power demands. As a result, you'll need to ... read more

Whether yours is an old or new model, every vehicle needs a tune-up at one time or the other. Mostly a tune-up service involves you dropping your car at your trusted auto repair shop for a thorough inspection and preventative maintenance service. The inspection covers a visual check of the entire engine system, including the spark plugs, fuel pump, injectors, filters, engine fluid, among other components. This is to ensure that everything is in great shape and running smoothly. Suffice to say, the ultimate tune-up service will depend on the inspection report and may include anything from oil to spark plug and ignition timing replacement. So, How Can You Tell When Your Car is Ready for Tune-Up? You can save yourself a lot of trouble by understanding the common indicators that your car needs tune-up services. Some of them include: Engine Light Illuminates the Dashboard While these little engine lights do not always mean impending danger, they point to one thing - you need to drop you ... read more