Express Auto Electric Auto Repair 

News and Tips

When it’s time to have repair or maintenance work done on your BMW, bring your car to Express Auto Electric. Our team of Virginia Beach auto technicians specialize in all current and classic BMW models and have received the exact same factory training as your local BMW dealership service center. However, our quality work comes at a cost lower than what you expect at a dealership.

Whether you need a minor repair, oil change or alignment, your annual inspection or other maintenance on your BMW, our specialists are on the job. We are trained to work on any German make and model and will get you back on the road quickly and safely.

Steamy summer days can leave you stranded in the heat, so avoiding planning ahead and preparing for summer road trips is your prerogative. As your Virginia Beach auto repair center, we’re recommending a few preventative measures to keep your vehicle cool and running like a Jamaican bobsled team. Left to their own devices cars and trucks can start to look a little wilted. To avoid your vehicle looking like a melted Nestle Drumstick in the summer sun, follow these tips:

Check Fluids

If you think the inside of your mouth feels like the dessert – water would have a hard time quenching in this heat, just think what the fluids in your car are doing. Leaky radiators, low engine coolant, windshield washer fluid and motor oil all keep your machine running. When coolant levels are low, hoses crack, belts break, and radiators weep. Check your owner’s manual for a refresher while you wait for the engine to cool before taking a peek inside.

Maintain Air Conditioning

Next to a vehicle of passengers blissfully blowing in the wind inside closed windows on a hot day is someone who might have died from overheating. Avoid fellow travelers calling for help on your behalf just because your air conditioning is spewing hot air and it looks like you’ve passed out from the stagnation. Freon-free refrigerant is your best friend and deserves a rightful place on this list to keep at a proper level; the most common cause of malfunctioning air conditioning.

Roadside Emergency Kit

A vehicle is a complicated machine and so are we. Keep water on hand for both the radiator and yourself. Pack away a flashlight, flares and a first aid kit so breakdowns will merely be pit stops. Pops taught you well if you also pack away a few screwdrivers, jumper cables, car jack and blankets. Express Auto Electric is always there for you and can pick you up in case of emergency like a good auto repair shop. Have your emergency numbers programmed in your phone for when you need an auto electric repair shop in Virginia Beach or Norfolk, and your phones charged too.

Where the Rubber Meets the Pavement

It’s a tread life for tires and a recommended tire rotation every 5,000 miles helps with wear and tear. In summer, tires can become under-inflated. This causes bulging at the sides and is an easy way to tell if you need to check the air pressure.

As another month draws to a close, Express Auto Electric gears up for the usual rush of State Auto Inspections. The experienced technicians at Express Auto Electric know that vehicle inspection is nobody’s favorite chore. That’s why we strive to make the process as quick and pleasant as possible. There are, however, a few quick things you can easily check at home before your inspection to save time later on.

There are lots of small things that can cause a vehicle to fail inspection, costing you valuable time. By checking out your car ahead of time, you can often replace broken or missing pieces without much hassle, saving yourself the worry when Inspection time rolls around. At the very least, you won’t have to listen to that squeaky windshield wiper anymore.

Check over the essentials:

• Tire tread and wear
• Cracked or missing mirrors
• Windshield wipers
• Toot your own horn … just to test it, of course
• Test all seat belts in vehicle
• Test all windows in vehicle. The driver’s window is the most important in terms of passing your inspection.

  Lights

•     License plate tag lights
•     Reverse lights
•     Markers on the sides
•      Brake light third 3rd brake light
•      Headlights
•      Turn signals

The holidays are coming up and that means a lot of time, money and travel. Trust Express Auto Electric in Virginia Beach to make certain your vehicle is in Tip-Top driving shape! Enjoy the food, gifts and relatives worry-free this year.

There are a few aspects of winter car care that are especially important:

Get Your Oil Changed 

Everybody knows that you should have your oil changed between 3-5,000 miles in order to keep your engine running smoothly and efficiently. Neglecting this simple upkeep can result in irreparable damage to your vehicle. Schedule a quick oil change with Express Auto Electric today, and steer clear of any trouble this season.

Check your Tires

The colder temperature can change the pressure in your tires, which can make driving very dangerous. Additionally, you need good tread and proper alignment. Stop in at Express Auto Electric today and invest in a full new set to keep you on track this year.

Repair your Brakes

If the oil is the life-blood of your vehicle, and the tires are the hands and feet, then the brakes are the will power and self-control. Brakes that whine, squeal or don’t have the ability to stop themselves from going too far put your life at risk. Before you make that holiday pilgrimage over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s perfect turkey stuffing and pecan pie, bring your brakes to Express Auto Electric for a yuletide tune-up.

Everyone knows that feeling. You’re driving down Virginia Beach freeway, maybe on your way to work, when something catches your eye: a bright light, staring you down from your dashboard: the check engine light. 

Every driver’s worst nightmare, the engine light could mean anything from a loose gas cap to decreasing battery performance. Either way, it’s best not to take chances with your car; you’ll be regretting not getting an auto diagnostic when you’re asking your friends and family for rides everyday. 

So, next time the check engine light comes on, bring your care to the top electric auto repair center in Virginia Beach, Express Auto Electric. Our expert auto technicians offer a variety of services to help get you back behind the wheel in no time at all.

For those Virginia Beach costumers who are conscious of their own ecological footprint and prefer to drive hybrid vehicles, finding the right technician to fix that engine problem can be difficult. After all, a hybrid car does not run the same way as a regular vehicle and often requires special repairs and treatment. No one should have to sacrifice the quality of their auto service simply because of the car they drive. That’s why Express Auto Electric offers many services for hybrid repair in Virginia Beach. Whether you need a diagnostic, a repair, or a replacement of parts, Express Auto Electric can perform a full range of services.

Next time your check engine light comes on or your battery seems to be degrading, call Express Auto Electric. Conveniently located minutes away from Town Center in Virginia Beach, just minutes away from Norfolk, this one stop auto repair shop will take car of you no matter what kind of car you drive.

Call us today to learn more about new Honda hybrid batteries and how you can pay less than you’d pay at the dealership when you buy a new Honda battery!

Virginia Beach is famous for the warm weather, great outdoors, and, unfortunately, its peak traffic hours. Short trips with lots of stops often negatively affect the life of car your battery. It doesn’t get fully recharged which shortens your battery’s life overall.

Our Virginia Beach and Norfolk customers often ask us how to prolong the life of their car batteries. If you are among those who find themselves replacing their car batteries almost every year, the following tips may help you save time and money:

• Keep the battery terminals clean and inspect them regularly – Rusty terminals are often the reason for short battery life. Open the hood and make sure that the terminals don’t have signs of corrosion.
• Invest in an automatic battery recharger – Use from time to time to charge your battery. Charging it once a month should be enough during hot months, and every three months during cold season.
• Run your car before you drive – Try to keep your car running for several minutes before operating the car accessories and the vehicle itself, allow the battery to get topped off by the alternator which produces electricity and as a by-product charges the car battery after voltage drops in the battery.
• Avoid “killing” your battery – Watching DVD's, listening to music, leaving lights on when the car is off depletes your battery.
• Keep the battery secure – unnecessary vibration may damage your battery, and often damage other parts of your vehicle.

When you’re excited about traveling to a destination and all of the exciting things you’re going to do on a trip, car maintenance may not be at the front of your mind. But a flat tire or an overheated engine can ruin a road trip before you even get to your destination. Follow these tips to avoid an automotive disaster on your road trip.

Step one: Check your tires. Tire pressure is key to making sure that your car performs well in terms of gas mileage, but it’s also important for safety. When driving on long trips, tires can heat up. This can cause a blowout if you’re driving on worn-out tires. Use a tire gauge to check your pressure and add air if necessary, and use a penny in your tire treads to see if it’s time for new tires. If you can see Lincoln’s face, your tires are probably too worn to survive a long trip. Don’t forget your spare tire! Make sure it’s got adequate pressure and tread, and make sure you have the tools to replace it if needed.

Step two: Check and refill all fluids. Check and refill your brake fluid, coolant, engine oil, and window wash fluid. If you’re driving a car with a manual transmission, also check clutch fluid. Do any scheduled maintenance or tune-ups – if you’re close to needing an oil change, make sure that you have it done before you leave.

Step three: Make sure all of your lights are fully functional. Enlist a friend or family member and have them stand outside the car and tell you whether your headlights, high beams, tail lights, brake lights, reverse lights, and turn signals/emergency lights work. If they don’t, replace the bulbs. You could also possibly need a new fuse if a new bulb doesn’t do the trick.

Step four:  Check the engine air filter. Having an old, clogged air filter can have a significant impact on your engine’s performance over the course of a long trip.

Step five:  Test your heating/air conditioning. If you’re traveling somewhere with higher or lower temperatures than your hometown, you’ll probably need some temperature controls. You don’t want to drive to Phoenix in the summer with no air conditioning … or to Niagara Falls in the winter with no heat.

Step six:  Fill up your gas tank. It’s common sense, but you won’t get far without gas!

Balancing your day between work or school commute, grocery shopping, and numerous other things? With constant driving and frequent stops, your car works just as hard as you do. Your brake system takes good care of the safety of you and your passengers slowing down and stopping your vehicle.

Your brakes, being in constant use, slowly wear out. However, not everyone notices it on time. The brake system is an essential part of safe driving, and neglecting brake repair may lead to bigger problems (including accidents).

Are your brakes wearing out?

Do you hear a high-pitched squeal when you slow down or come to a stop? This sound indicates that your brakes need immediate attention. Brake pad manufacturers include a piece of metal to serve as an indicator on the pad. When there is only one fourth of the material left, the metal piece begins to touch the vehicle’s rotor, making the high-pitched sound. Stop by your local auto repair center to repair the brakes as soon as possible. Driving a car with such brakes may compromise your safety and the safety of your passengers.

Another way to determine that your brakes need repair is to pay attention to the length of time that your vehicle need to come to a full stop. If it takes longer to slow down, and your pedal travels farther that it used to, it is time to repair or change your brakes.

Be proactive!

You don’t need to wait until your breaks wear out completely to visit an auto repair shop. Be proactive and check the wear on your brakes to ensure the safe driving.

Those of us who aren’t savvy with cars may still detect when something needs repair. If we hear strange pings and the car just doesn’t “sit right,” it may be time for a trip to the garage. When it comes to your muffler, there are ways you can tell it’s time for a replacement. You may not be able to remove it yourself, but if you pay attention to how your car runs you can head off a problem that could increase if you were to ignore the signs.

How can you tell if your muffler needs replacing? As you drive, be aware of the following signs.

1) Pay attention to your gas mileage. It’s always a good idea, every time you fill up, to calculate your mileage from the last tank you gas you bought. This lets you know if your car goes the distance for the fuel it’s given. If you find you’re burning through gas more quickly than usual and you aren’t putting on more miles, you may want to check your muffler. A faulty one can contribute to poor gas mileage.

2) Watch for fumes. If one day you start to smell something unusual in your car, like a gassy stench or odor you’d associate with a faulty car, you should have it checked immediately. Intoxicating fumes can prove hazardous to your health, and rolling down the window won’t solve anything. Problems with your muffler may contribute to the increase fume output.

3) Listen for changes in your car when you start the engine. With a good muffler, your car’s motor should pick up and purr just fine. However, if it begins to wear you may detect a difference in your engine’s noise when you crank it. If the noise seems louder and not as smooth, it could indicate that your muffler needs to be checked. It would help, too, to have somebody stand outside while you start your car and look for anything unusual in the muffler area.

While all of these clues could imply a new muffler is needed, they may also hint at other problems with your car. For example, your muffler could be fine, but another car part may be responsible for the anomalies. Whatever the issue, you do not want to take chances with car problems. Waiting too long could result in repairs that cost even more to fix, or loss of your warranty protection.