Raleigh Auto Repair

Your vehicle’s timing belt might not be something you think about every day, but it keeps your engine running smoothly. If it fails, it can lead to severe engine damage and costly repairs. So how often should you replace your timing belt, and what signs suggest it’s time? Let’s break it down and help you stay ahead of one of the most important maintenance tasks your engine will ever need. What the Timing Belt Does The timing belt is a rubber belt that synchronizes the rotation of your engine’s crankshaft and camshaft. This ensures that the engine’s valves open and close at the right time during each cylinder’s intake and exhaust strokes. Essentially, it keeps your engine’s internal parts working in harmony. If the belt slips, stretches, or breaks, your engine’s timing becomes erratic, and that can result in anything from rough idling to a completely non-functional engine. How to Tell if the Timing Belt Needs ... read more

When your car starts drifting or pulling to one side while driving, it can make even a short trip stressful and potentially dangerous. A car that doesn’t track straight can affect your control, wear out your tires unevenly, and signal underlying problems that need immediate attention. Understanding the reasons behind this issue can help you act quickly to keep your vehicle safe and comfortable on the road. The Importance of Straight-Line Stability Your vehicle’s suspension, steering, and alignment systems all work together to help it travel in a straight line. When everything is properly adjusted and in good condition, you should be able to drive without needing to constantly correct the steering wheel. If your car starts pulling left or right, it means something in that balance has been disrupted. Uneven Tire Pressure One of the simplest and most common reasons for a car pulling to one side is uneven tire pressure. If one tire has sign ... read more

BMW owners enjoy a combination of luxury, performance, and technology, but that level of engineering comes with the responsibility of proper maintenance. While BMWs are built for long-term driving enjoyment, neglecting their service needs can lead to expensive problems that could have been avoided. Whether you drive a 3 Series, 5 Series, X5, or M model, staying proactive with care is the best way to extend the life of your vehicle. Here are six important maintenance tips that help prevent unexpected repairs and keep your BMW running at its best. 1. Stay Consistent With Oil Changes BMWs often come with extended oil change intervals, sometimes up to 10,000 miles, especially when using synthetic oil. However, this doesn’t always align with real-world driving conditions. Frequent short trips, stop-and-go traffic, and extreme temperatures can cause oil to degrade faster. In these situations, changing the oil every 5,000 to 7,500 miles is a safer choice. Regular oi ... read more

BMW is a name that’s become synonymous with performance, precision, and luxury. But long before the brand was building sporty sedans and powerful M models, its roots were tied to a completely different kind of machine—aircraft engines. The story of BMW isn’t just a tale of automotive engineering. It’s a story of transformation—from warplanes to race cars, from survival to success—and how the company’s past still shapes the way their vehicles are built today. It Started With Aircraft Engines BMW—short for Bayerische Motoren Werke, or Bavarian Motor Works—was founded in 1916, not as a car company, but as an aircraft engine manufacturer. In fact, the company’s first major success came with the production of a high-altitude aircraft engine during World War I. After the war, the Treaty of Versailles banned German companies from producing aircraft engines. So BMW pivoted, first to motorcycles and eventually to a ... read more

Car batteries are taken for granted—until something goes wrong. While it's rare, a car battery that overheats or catches fire is a serious risk. These types of failures don’t just kill the battery; they can damage your electrical system, start an engine fire, or put you in real danger. So, what actually causes a battery to get that hot? And how can you prevent something this extreme from happening to your vehicle? Let’s take a closer look at why batteries overheat and what steps you can take to avoid the worst-case scenario. Overcharging and Voltage Problems One of the most common reasons a car battery overheats is overcharging. When too much current flows into the battery—usually due to a faulty alternator or charging system—it produces excess heat. Over time, this heat can cause the battery to swell, leak, or even vent flammable gases. In severe cases, this buildup of gas and heat can result in a fire, especially if there’s ... read more