Van Nuys Auto Repair & Service Center

Have you noticed an increase in price when you get a flat fixed in Van Nuys or your tires rotated? It might be the result of your TPMS, or Tire Pressure Monitoring System. The federal government began requiring a TPMS system on 2008 model year passenger vehicles and light trucks. Some 2006 and 2007 models may have them as well. The system has a warning light that is mounted on the dashboard that will go on if one of the tires becomes severely under inflated. Why the new requirement? Because underinflated tires are the number one cause of tire failure. Tire blowouts cause dangerous and sometimes fatal accidents. Underinflated tires also need longer stopping distance and can skid, both of which also present dangers on CA roads. Many flat tires can also be prevented by proper tire inflation, and though this may seem an economic consideration, Van Nuys drivers who have changed a flat on the side of the road recognize that this has serious saf ... read more

Our vehicles are not massage chairs. While we may enjoy a good vibration in an overstuffed recliner, us Van Nuys auto owners generally want as smooth a ride as possible in our vehicles. One way to achieve this is to keep a vehicle’s wheels in balance. When a tire is mounted onto a wheel, it is usually out of balance. This means that as the wheel spins, there is a slight wobble to the path of the tire. For best handling performance and safety on the road, Van Nuys motorists want to minimize this wobble as much as possible. So we balance our tires. To balance a tire, your family AutoAid & Rescue tech spins it on a machine or drum to determine where it is off-balance. He then attaches weights that counter-balance the uneven weight. Most Van Nuys motorists are surprised at how much balancing improves the smoothness of their ride. High-quality tires generally hold their balance well. But over time, wear and tear take their toll and tires can become unbalanced. Va ... read more

From mainstay essentials to notable newcomers, here's the 2014 edition of our 50 Best iPhone Apps list. http://time.com/136073/50-best-iphone-apps/

If your summer vacation plans include a road trip, the last thing you want is to have unexpected car trouble to leave you stranded at the side of the road, ruining all the fun. A pre-trip vehicle check is the best way to be car care aware and ensure that your car is ready to get you to your destination, says the non-profit Car Care Council. http://tiny.cc/RoadReady14