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One thing we here at Fairfax Auto Repair caution our customers about is manufacturer estimated gas mileage numbers. Yes, your vehicle should get approximately the miles per gallon touted on the sticker and in your owner’s manual, but manufacturers can also inflate those numbers. If your vehicle isn’t getting quite the miles-per-gallon it should be,…

There are a number of reasons why your vehicle’s alternator will fail and one of them is age. As with any machine part, the alternator wears down over time and must be replaced. There’s no way around it. Still, its failure could be caused by other problems around it, and Fairfax Auto Repair is happy…

Your vehicle’s antifreeze plays a crucial role in your engine’s performance. The antifreeze prevents the vehicle from overheating in the summer and helps the engine turn over and run in the winter. Should your automobile overheat, you could damage the radiator and other engine components, and you don’t want to sit in your cold vehicle…

Don’t believe the hype! No fluid in your vehicle’s engine lasts a lifetime. Yes, modern automobile manufacturing technology has made it easier for fluids to last longer than they used to. For example, synthetic motor oil can last a long as 15,000 miles in some automobiles, but this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have your vehicle’s…

Though not a high-profile component, the fuel filter plays a crucial role in keeping your car healthy. It not only protects the oil from becoming crudded with debris, but it defends the fuel injectors and pump. Above all, it keeps the fuel economy in check.As a small but vital piece of an intricately-designed system, your…

Most drivers have dealt with the inconvenience of a dead battery; it’s almost a right of passage. And even for a car in otherwise perfect condition, it won’t move forward without battery power. You see, this vital component converts chemical energy into electrical energy to ignite the starter, and without sufficient voltage, you’ll hear nothing…

Thanks to more advanced technology, today’s cars contain high-level systems with various sensors that keep engines cool and running efficiently in any season. However, despite such modern sophistication, your car can still become overheated. Whether a gasket has sprung a leak or stop-and-go traffic (on a balmy summer day) stresses your vehicle’s engine, a perfect…

As one of the most important safety features on a vehicle, brake pads create the friction and force adequate to stop a car. Although they wear with time and use, you can make them last longer by following a few simple steps. Normal Wear on Brake Pads Since several factors affect a car’s wear–city vs.…

Modern cars use a variety of advanced safety systems whose sensors can get dirty and clogged during frigid winter weather. For example, life-saving features like automatic emergency braking (AEB) and forward-collision warning (FCW) use radar sensors mounted in the vehicle’s grille or on front bumpers. If these sensors can’t “see”–because ice or snow has built…

One of the primary benefits of buying a new or late model vehicle is the comfort that comes from a factory warranty. These built-in safety nets insulate you from untimely and expensive repair costs resulting from material or mechanical problems. Irrespective of the warranty, taking certain steps along the way can minimize your chances of…