Graham Auto Repair

Are you ready for Thanksgiving and Black Friday driving? Thanksgiving is just around the corner! That means many of us are completing last-minute plans to gear up for holiday road trips. If you're visiting family or planning to shop for Black Friday deals--You want your vehicle in its best condition to ensure a safe, smooth journey without delays. At Graham Auto Repair we will have both of our shops closed on Thursday and Friday of Thanksgiving Week. It's a good idea to book any last-minute maintenance as early as possible. Keep reading for a few tips to help you prepare your vehicle for the rainy, windy, PNW weather! When is the best time to drive for Thanksgiving travels? If your travel time is flexible, planning your drive strategically can help you avoid the holiday traffic. The day before Thanksgiving is typically one of the most congested travel days of the year! If you're looking to skip the worst of the traffic, consider setting o ... read more

Preparing Your College Student's Car for the Journey Back to Campus The summer months are winding down and the excitement of a new school year is approaching! It's time to make sure your college student's car is ready for the road. A well-maintained vehicle is crucial for their safety and for your peace of mind. Whether you are driving them across the country, or waving good-bye as they take the journey on their own. We want to make sure breakdowns are crossed off the list this fall! Keep reading to find a checklist of services and safety checks, to help prepare your vehicle for the journey ahead. Bonus: If you complete an Oil Change Service at Graham Auto Repair, we will complete a free vehicle health inspection. Our team will inform you of any other necessary services. Giving you the opportunity to address any potential services before the first quarter begins! 1. Complete an Oil Change: Fresh oil is essential for the engine ... read more

Winter is here! Many of us are getting ready to travel for the holidays. You may be asking, "How do I prepare my car for winter driving? It can seem like a daunting task. But we're here to help you! With these 4 maintenance services, you will be better prepared on the road this winter. We also have 1 more bonus tip for you at the end! 1. Tire Rotation One of the most important services to prepare your car for winter is a tire rotation. When you don't rotate your tires, they wear down unevenly. This can lead to dangerous conditions while driving in the snow. It's super important to have good tire grip when driving on ice and in the snow! By rotating your tires every few months, you'll help them to wear evenly. This will prolong the life of your tires as well.   2. Change Your Air Filter & Cabin Air Filter Did you know that most vehicles have more than one air filter? There is the engine air filter and the cabin air filt ... read more

If you've ever had a dead battery then you've probably found yourself asking the question:   "How Do I Jump Start My Car?"   The first thing that you need to know is if your battery is actually dead. If you need help with this, check out our other post, “Why Won’t My Car Start?”   If you’ve already verified that you have a Dead Battery, it’s time to Jump Your Car.   Caution: If either vehicle has an Electronic Ignition System or is an Alternatively Fueled Vehicle, the use of Jumper Cables may damage it. Also, NEVER allow any of the Jumper Cable’s Clamps to touch each other while they are being used. This could result in an Electric Shock!   9 Steps To Jump Your Car   Step 1: Find a Vehicle With A Good Battery ... read more

Why Won’t My Car Start? or Why Won’t My Car Turn Over?   It can be pretty scary when Your Car Won’t Start or Turn Over! Thank goodness that today we can rely on a quick Google Search to find out some possible answers for why, or to find out what’s going on.   Here are some questions you can ask if you want help determining the problem yourself:   1. Can you turn the key in the ignition? If not, try one of these things:   - Make sure that your car is in park - Make sure that your foot is on the break - If the steering wheel won’t move, try jiggling the steering wheel back and forth to release it. - Try a different/spare key, in case the one you’re using is worn out.   Note: If you still cannot turn the key in the ignition, give us a call. We would love to help you diagnose your problem.   ... read more