Sparks Auto Repair

Category Archives: Automotive Tips, Transmission Tips

To 4 wheel drive or to not 4 wheel drive

Now that most of us have had a chance to drive in the snow this winter, a concern has come to my attention. We have had a few customers that needed to bring their vehicles to RPM Automotive due to improper use of 4 Wheel Drive. I must caution all drivers of 4WD or AWD vehicles, it is NEVER recommended to use 4LOW for town or freeway driving. 4LOW is only intended for extreme off road use. Using 4LOW in town or freeway driving can cause serious damage to your vehicle. On a similar note, at Scotty’s Transmission we have found AWD or 4WD vehicles with mismatched tires. On these vehicles it is critical that all 4 tires are the same circumference. Even though the tire size on the tires may match, there could be a small difference in circumference from one manufacturer to another. Also, should you have a blowout on one tire and replace it with a new one, there will be a difference between the worn tires and the new tire. Anytime an AWD or 4WD is operated with different size tires there i ... read more

Winter is soon to arrive!!

Don’t get stranded in bad weather. Your vehicle should be inspected and prepared for winter driving conditions. Start by supplying your vehicle with an emergency kit. Your emergency supplies should include the following items… First Aid Kit, Space Blanket, chemical hand warmers, chemical light sticks, a flash light, Safety warning triangles or flares, waterproof matches or a lighter. These items are available at most sporting/outdoor supply stores. Carry tire chains, an ice/snow scraper, extra gloves, a blanket, water and some nonperishable foods. Make sure you always take a coat for yourself and your passengers no matter how short your travel. You may have to leave your vehicle unexpectedly. It is difficult to see when driving in bad weather. Always completely scrape ice and snow from ALL the windows. Never drive with partially cleared or partially defrosted windows. With water and sand on the roads this will surely make a mess of your windshield. Replace your wiper blades and ... read more

Is summer ever going to arrive?

It seems like spring won’t let go and allow summer to take hold. I know you are as anxious as I am for the weather to turn warm so we can enjoy our great outdoors. Once it does warm up you will be relying on your vehicles air conditioning system to keep you cool during our hot summer days. Now is a good time to check the operation of your a/c system. When the a/c is on, the temperature of the air coming from the vents should be noticeably cooler than the outside air temperature. You can check this if you have a thermometer handy. The air coming from the vent should be a maximum of 45 degrees. Does the air switch from dash vents to floor vents? Does there seem to be sufficient air flow coming from the vents? If you notice any problems you can call RPM Automotive to perform a thorough diagnosis of your a/c system. RPM Automotive is now offering a complete a/c system diagnosis for only $59.95 (plus refrigerant). Visit our website at ... read more

Summer Vacation Trips Coming!

As summer is rapidly approaching, I know you are getting excited for your summer trips. I am sure some of you are going camping and exploring our great outdoors as others will make a trip to Disneyland or other fun places. Have you thought about your vehicle and how much you will rely on it to get you to and from your destinations? A vehicle problem would surely take some of the fun out of your trip. Bring your vehicle to RPM Automotive & Scotty’s Transmissions in Sparks, NV to have us perform a complete Safety Inspection to insure your vehicle is in tip top shape and won’t leave you stranded. See our Coupon page @ www.rpmautomotiveinc.com or www.scottystransmission.com to get your certificate for a free safety inspection

A BREATH OF FRESH AIR

When you turn on your heater or air conditioning, do you smell a foul odor coming from the vents? If so, this is an indication of unhealthy mold and mildew growing in your vehicles heating and ventilation system. These spores are know to cause chronic sinus problems. Not to worry. Inform your service advisor of these unpleasant odors during your visit and we can eliminate these odors during your routine maintenance. This service includes replacing your cabin air filter if applicable and performing an odor elimination service. This service will reduce mold and mildew and leave your heating and ventilation systems smelling like new again. Contact Scotty’s Transmission or RPM Automotive today