FAQ - Honest 1 Auto Care - Paradise Valley

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Living in Phoenix for many years I know that I rarely drive in “severe” winter weather conditions, but someone told me the other day that I do drive in “severe driving conditions”. I was so confused. What does this mean and does this change the way I maintenance my car?

Excellent question! In a recent study, AAA found that most motorists drive under severe conditions AND more than half of all motorists follow the wrong maintenance schedule. Yes, severe driving conditions can mean your car’s condition, not just road conditions.

Q: They may be little and possibly a bit cute, but boy are they costly! I just spent a lot of money repairing my car due to pack rat damage. What can I do to keep these unwanted critters from destroying the inside of my car?

A. Unexpected guests usually bring some challenges. However if that unexpected guest is a pack rat in your engine, those challenges can add up to some very costly repairs. Unfortunately it doesn’t take long for a pack rat to find a home. We see the damage by these pesky critters way too often!
Want to know some great ways to keep the pack rats away? We searched on-line and found this article by Mr. Pack Rat, a Tucson Pest Control Company, to be very helpful! Check it out!

Q: In honor of October being National Car Care Month, I figure it’s time that I get my older car in shape. Right now I have over 77,000 miles and I am planning on doubling, even tripling, that mileage in the future. What are some things I can do to keep my older car running and performing at its best?

A. Interestingly enough, we are seeing more and more cars reaching odometer readings well over the 100,000 mile mark and some over the 200,000 mile mark.
As the owner of an older car, there are things you can do right now to ensure that your car will continue running smoothly, safely and efficiently! However, being diligent about your car care and maintenance is an integral part of that plan.

Here are just 5 ways you can keep your older car performing at its best:

Q: Arizona and rain don’t typically go hand and hand, so why is it important for me to get my wipers changed? Do they wear out? What about these AutoTex Pink wipers you’re promoting?

A. Even though you probably don’t remember that last time your blades were replaced, you would not want to be stuck in one of our Monsoon dust storms or thunderstorms with ZERO visibility! Rubber subjected to the Arizona sunshine breaks down more quickly which means your wipers need replacing more often than you may think. So, how often should wiper blades be replaced in order to ensure you are driving safely?

Q:School will be in session soon and I want to be sure my breaks are in good shape. Are there any warning signs that my breaks may need servicing?

Drivers rely heavily on their brakes in every driving situation. Every driver should know the 5 warning signs that your brakes need attention.

Q:Traveling to Flagstaff this weekend, I counted 3 overheated cars on the side of the road. I don’t want to be one of those stranded motorists! How can I prevent an overheated engine? If it does happen, what should I do?

Besides air conditioning problems, overheated engines and coolant problems are one of the most significant summer heat issues. Your engine takes a lot of continued heating up and cooling down throughout the day. If just one part is not working properly, your engine can overheat causing many problems, not the least of which is costly repairs.

Q:Triple degrees, extreme heat warnings, “oven-like” temperatures…Can my car’s air conditioning system handle this Arizona summer heat? I definitely do not want to be caught driving without A/C!

Arizona summer and extreme heat go hand and hand. Luckily, there are a few simple ways to help determine if your car’s air conditioning system is operating to the best of its abilities and it is as easy as using just 3 of your five senses!

Q:We have some family road trips planned for the summer. Is there anything I can do right now to prepare my car for safe summer driving in the Arizona heat? I definitely don’t want to have any breakdowns while it’s 110 degrees out!

Good question! There are definitely some basic steps you can take to better prepare your car for the summer driving season. Here are 6 Basic Summer Preparation Steps you can do right now that will keep you and your car ready for driving the roads comfortably in the summer heat and not become stranded on the roadside!

Q:Someone told me that a cabin air filter change is just what I need to help my constant sneezing in the car. Is that true? What IS a cabin air filter and what does it have to do with my allergies?

As you drive, surrounding vehicles kick up all sorts of pollutants including road dust, soot, pollen, and other contaminants. Those pollutants, when left unfiltered, enter your car’s ventilation system, coming through the vents and into the car. They can cause fine layers of dirt and dust on you, your car’s interior and settle in the air you breathe. Yuck! So, how can you stop breathing in this dirt and debris?

Q:When I have been to Honest-1, the service writer frequently has recommendations for my car based on a comprehensive vehicle inspection plus other things. How do you come up with those recommendations and why are they important?

Have you ever gotten a physical? While at your physical, would you rather the doctor take time with you to hear your health concerns or come in, sign a paper and leave? Obviously the answer is you would like, and even expect, the doctor to give you time. You want to know everything you need to know to keep you as healthy as possible. Well, at Honest-1, we treat your car similar to a good doctor. We take time to learn everything about your car before it leaves our shop. Why do we do this and what are we looking for?

Q:With Valentine’s Day coming up, I know how important it is to add a little TLC into all my relationships. My relationship with my car is definitely something I want to keep running smoothly. What are some things I can do to show my car the love it deserves?

Here are 5 ways you can give your car a little extra attention to keep it running at its best so it continues to be the LOVE BUG you deserve:

Q:In order for your car to operate properly, it relies on a variety of different fluids. These fluids lubricate and protect various parts and systems in your car and are integral to proper functioning of your vehicle. Although these fluids can take some wear and tear, over time they can break down or can become contaminated with dust and dirt making them essentially ineffective.

If you want your car to last longer, save on gas, and prevent costly repairs, fluid flushes are a necessary part of car ownership. But, how do you know when your fluids should be flushed?

Q:I know we don’t have “severe” winter weather like this in most parts of Arizona, but I have heard we might have “severe driving conditions”. What is the definition of “severe driving conditions”, does this really apply to Arizona drivers, and what does this mean for my car?

Q: My family is ready and excited to enjoy the Fall season! The last thing I want is an unexpected breakdown while enjoying our holiday events. Is there anything I can do to help prevent the “unexpected?”

Having to pay for unexpected car repairs in the middle of your holiday errands or family events can be frustrating and expensive. Consider the unplanned out-of-pocket expense, the loss of quality time with friends and family, the wear and tear of mental stress or the inconvenience of just being behind schedule.

Q: Changing my wiper blades is not something that I think of, especially living in Phoenix. We just don’t get a lot of rain. In our climate, how often should my wiper blades be changed?

If you are like most Phoenix drivers, changing your wiper blades is not a priority for you and your car. In fact, you probably don’t even remember that last time your blades were replaced. So, how often should your blades be replaced?

Q: Aren’t you just an auto repair shop? Why do you care about breast cancer?

We are MORE than an auto repair shop. We are your neighbors, your friends, and your community members. Our tagline states “The Most Important Part is YOU” and at Honest-1, we truly believe that while we take expert care of your car, we know that care expands to customer safety as well.

Everyone in our shop has been affected by breast cancer in one way or another and we assume that many of you have been, too. Because of that, we want you all to be informed of the risks, stats and facts. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc…

Q: Are oil changes really something I should get done regularly or can I skip them here and there?

A: Changing your oil is a necessity, not a luxury, and all automobile owners' manuals recommend regular oil changes for efficiency and proper function of your car. Why is oil necessary?

Q: What is it with the time of year? The highways seem littered with tire blowout debris. I do not want to be one of those people stuck on the side of the road with a tire blowout in the middle of summer! How can I prevent tire blowouts and what should I do if it happens to me?

A: As temperatures climb and road travel becomes more frequent, tire blowouts are definitely more common. In fact according to the National Transportation Safety Board “more than 600 people are killed and about 19,000 are injured in tire-related crashes each year.” In Arizona, you typically can’t go far without seeing tire debris or the unfortunate driver stuck by the side of the road. How can you prevent tire blowout from happening to you?

Q: School is out, summer is here, and I have a million and one things to do! What are some things I can do now to prepare my car for summer driving? The last thing I need is a breakdown in this heat!

A: There definitely are some basic steps you can take to better prepare your car for the summer driving season. Here are five that will keep you and your car ready for travel!

Q: Phoenix summers are way too hot for me! I plan on being gone at least a couple weeks to get out of the heat. How can I prepare my car for storage while I am gone?

A: Good question! Preparing your car for storage is not difficult, but is necessary to ensure that your car will be running properly when you return.

Q: It is only getting hotter these days and I don’t want to be caught in a sweat in my car without air conditioning. How can I tell if my car’s AC system is cool enough to handle the Arizona heat?

A: Determining if your car’s air conditioning system is working properly can be as simple as using your senses, but determining what is wrong when it is running warm needs expert attention. How do I check that the air conditioning service is working correctly?

Q: Why do you feel it is important to give my car a comprehensive vehicle inspection every time it comes into your shop for an oil change? Wouldn’t it be quicker without one?

A: That is a great question! At Honest-1 we liken our comprehensive vehicle inspection to that of a medical doctor giving a physical and we take our job just as seriously!

Q: I was in a hurry, as usual this morning, and staring at me from the dash is a check engine light symbol. What could be wrong with my car and does it need immediate attention?

A: A check engine light is a silent alarm from your car’s engine computer alerting you that the general health of the car’s engine is in jeopardy. Because this light could indicate a serious problem, it should never be ignored or just turned off.

Q: Every time the season changes and the nights get cooler, my car seems to become a hotel for some unexpected guests, PACK RATS! I know first-hand how costly repairs can be from pack rat damage. How can I get rid of these unwanted critters?

A: Unexpected guests usually bring some challenges, but if that unexpected guest is a pack rat in your engine, those challenges can add up to some very costly repairs. Unfortunately it does not take long for a pack rat to find a home and we see the damage by these pesky critters often!

Phoenix Auto Repair

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions