Graham Auto Repair

What Does a Red Ring on Spark Plugs Mean? Have you found a red ring on your spark plugs? Understanding the signs your engine is sharing is a crucial step to maintain your vehicle's health. At Graham Auto Repair we emphasize the value of regular maintenance for your vehicles. We want to ensure your cars are safe and reliable, to help you prevent future breakdowns. Before we dive into what can cause a red ring on your spark plugs, it's important to distinguish it from normal color changes. A brown or tan stain is generally considered normal. It is sometimes caused by oil and dirt particles, and is usually harmless. In contrast, a red ring can be a visible sign of a more serious condition. If you feel unsure which color you're dealing with, call and talk with our team. Our Service Advisors will be more than happy to help you! 1. Excessive Engine Heat: If your spark plug shows a red ring, it might be warning you ... read more

5 Signs of Low Transmission Fluid: What Every Driver Should Know Curious about the health of your car's transmission? Understanding the signs of low transmission fluid is crucial for maintaining your vehicle's performance. By keeping up-to-date with vehicle maintenance you can help prevent costly repairs down the road. Let's dive into the telltale indicators that your transmission fluid might be running low. Here are a few signs that your transmission fluid may be low, or may need to be replaced. 1. Delayed or Rough Shifting: Difficulty shifting gears smoothly, such as a noticeable hesitation or jerkiness when accelerating or decelerating. 2. Transmission Slipping: ... read more

Understanding the Importance of Transmission Fluid Maintenance In Your Vehicle Today, we're diving into an essential aspect of vehicle maintenance that often goes overlooked: transmission fluid. Many of us wait until something goes wrong with our cars before scheduling maintenance appointments. But understanding the significance of transmission fluid and regular servicing can save us from costly repairs down the road. Transmission fluid is a crucial component of automatic transmissions. It serves multiple functions, including lubricating moving parts, cooling the transmission, and maintaining hydraulic pressure. Essentially, it's the lifeblood of your transmission system. Here are a few reasons why it's important to complete regular maintenance of your Transmission Fluid: 1. Optimal Performance: Fresh transmission fluid ensures smooth gear shifts and overall performance of your vehicle. 2. Prevents Damage: Regular serv ... read more

Troubleshooting Common Questions About Your Vehicle's Cooling System Ensuring your vehicle's cooling system is in top condition is crucial for preventing costly breakdowns and maintaining optimal performance. Today we will discuss common questions and answers to help you understand and troubleshoot your cooling system. Please let us know if we missed any by sending us your questions through our Contact Page. 1. How often do you need to replace the coolant or antifreeze in your vehicle? Coolant or antifreeze should typically be replaced every 2 to 5 years or according to the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule. Over time, coolant can degrade, lose its effectiveness, and become contaminated with rust, debris, or other impurities. This compromises its ability to protect the engine from overheating and corrosion. Regular replacement helps ensure the cooli ... read more

Maximizing Fleet Efficiency: The Cooling System In today's competitive business environment, maximizing fleet efficiency and minimizing downtime are crucial for success. Regular cooling system services plays a vital role in achieving these goals. Here's why regular cooling system services are essential for your fleet:1. Prevents costly breakdowns: Overheating, corrosion, and other cooling system issues can lead to expensive repairs and unexpected vehicle downtime. 2. Ensures optimal performance: A well-maintained cooling system optimizes engine performance. This can lead to improved fuel efficiency and reduced operating costs. 3. Extends the lifespan of your fleet: Regular service not only prevents breakdowns but also extends the lifespan of your vehicles. This can greatly reduce your overall replacement costs. By investing in regular cooling system services for your fleet, you can sig ... read more

The Hidden Cost of Using Water In Your Vehicle's Cooling System Are you a company that manages a fleet of vehicles to keep your business running? As fleet managers, maintaining peak performance and maximizing cost-efficiency are top priorities. While water may seem like a readily available and inexpensive alternative to coolant, the potential consequences can be significantly detrimental to your fleet's health and budget. 1. Improper Temperature Regulation: Water lacks the heat transfer capacity of coolant. This can lead to potential overheating and engine damage. 2. Increased Risk of Freezing: Water's higher freezing point poses a risk of ice formation within the engine block during cold weather. This can cause cracks in your system, resulting in expensive repairs. 3. Accelerated Corrosion: Water lacks the anti-corrosion properties of coolant. This can lead to premature wear and tear on essential engi ... read more

Winter-Ready Vehicles: Navigating Safety With Our $199 Winter Service Special! As the winter chill sets in, we invite you to prioritize your safety on the road. Ensuring your vehicle is winter-ready is not just about vehicle performance. It's a critical step in securing your safety on the road! At Graham Auto Repair, our team is dedicated to your safety on the road. As part of our commitment to take care of our customers, we want to share our $199 Winter Service Special. But before we get into the details of this special, let's dive into some essential services that will prepare your vehicle for winter. 1. Tire Rotation: Tire rotations, which are included in our "Winter Service Special," are a proactive step to prevent uneven tire wear and to enhance tire grip on icy roads. Uneven tire wear poses additional risks in snowy & icy road conditions. A tire rotation is included in the regular cost of our " ... read more

2023 will be our fourth year participating in the Brakes for Breasts Fundraiser. In 2020 we donated $824.75; in 2021 we donated $1,345.90; in 2022 we donated $2,855.25. We can't wait to see how much money this year’s fundraiser will bring to fight breast cancer!! Call us to schedule an appointment today. If you'd like to learn more about Brakes for Breasts, read some quick FAQs in our blog below. You can also learn more on their website: www.BrakesforBreasts.com Want to know how to get Free Brake Pads at Graham Auto Repair? During the month of October, we are offering free brake pads to our customers with cars and light trucks. As our customer you will only pay for the labor costs and any other parts necessary to complete the brake service. HUGE thank you to O'Reilly Auto Parts for providing the free brake pads to ... read more

Graham Auto Repair is hosting a Mobile Blood Drive on October 14, 2023, 9am-2pm. We would love to have you come donate blood with us at Graham Auto Repair! Sign up using our link and we will see you there! Make sure that you eat a good meal, drink plenty of non-caffeinated fluids, and bring your picture ID. If you are under the age of 18, you must have a signed, "Parental Permission to Donate" Form. You can find that form on Cascade Regional Blood Services' website, or by clicking the link here. ... read more

What is SOCKtember? We are so glad you asked! September is the month we dedicate to collecting NEW SOCKS that we will donate to local charities in our community. Socks are one of the most high-demand items that are needed for people of all ages. Our Team will be competing with other teams throughout the world (yes, there are other countries competing!) to try and collect the MOST new socks for charity. This Annual Sock Raising Competition started in 2020. We joined Jon Isaacson's Team in 2021 & 2022. This year we started our own Team: The SOCK-et Wrenches! Who are The SOCK-et Wrenches? Our Team is made up of 10 Auto Repair Shops across the United States! How do we know each other? We met through ATI -- the Automotive Training Institute. Our group meets on a monthly basis to collaborate, learn, and grow together. This year we decided to team-up to collect socks together, across the country. At the end of the month, eac ... read more