Auto Center

Automotive Services

  • Over 700 locations
  • Trusted name in service
  • Open 7 days a week
  • ASE Certified Technicians
Signs You Need an Alignment
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Brake problems demand professional service –
it’s all about safety

Your brake light may be on or you may hear a screeching sound when you remove your foot from the pedal. Worse, you hear a metal grating sound when you apply your brakes. These are just a few signs that you need service. Since the safety of you and your passengers is contingent on brakes that work correctly for your vehicle, make sure to keep on top of maintenance and have them professionally checked.

What to look for

Noises may mean

  • Worn brake pads
  • Faulty brake hardware
  • Worn rotors
  • Sticking caliper
  • Worn parking brake
  • Worn bearings

Pedal/steering wheel vibration may mean

  • Worn brake pads
  • Warped rotor
  • Worn bearings

Weak/spongy pedal feel may mean

  • Low brake fluid
  • Contaminated brake fluid
  • Worn brake pads
  • Faulty brake hardware

Pedal to the floor may mean

  • Low brake fluid
  • Contaminated brake fluid
  • Worn brake pads
  • Faulty brake hardware

Pedal hard to push may mean

  • Faulty brake line

What we deliver

Our certified brake technicians can perform a complete brake system evaluation to inspect, measure and analyze (per original equipment manufacturer specifications) the following components:

  • Rotors and drums
  • Thickness and condition of
    pads and shoes
  • Calipers and wheel cylinders
  • Master cylinder
  • Hardware
  • Brake lines and hoses
  • Proportioning valve
  • And more

Check steering & suspension and drive confidently

You take steering for granted until something goes wrong. If you feel a lot of vibration through your steering wheel, lean or sway excessively when you turn, experience a rougher ride than usual or hear a lot of noise coming from under your vehicle – it’s time to visit a professional mechanic.

What to look for

Excessive play or vibration in steering wheel may mean

  • Worn tie rod end
  • Worn center link
  • Steering gear adjustment
  • Steering linkage

Uneven/Premature tire wear may mean

  • Out of alignment condition
  • Improper tire inflation
  • Toe or camber adjustment

Excessive lean or sway in turns may mean

  • Steering linkage issues
  • Loose rack mounting bolts

Rattling, grinding, popping or clunking noise under vehicle may mean

  • Steering gear adjustment
  • Steering linkage
  • Bad lower ball joint

What we deliver

Bring your vehicle in to Sears Auto Center once a year and we’ll perform a comprehensive systems check to improve handling and drive quality. The steering system works with the suspension system to provide directional control with a comfortable amount of steering effort. In addition, the suspension system works to absorb the impact of bumps and potholes and keeps your tires in contact with the road for better handling and braking. Sears Auto Center evaluates:

  • Strut mounts
  • Coil springs
  • Sway bars
  • Control arms
  • CV Shafts
  • Ball joints
  • And more

Make long-term maintenance & fluid checks a priority

Stay on top of maintenance and extend your vehicle’s life, make driving safer and more enjoyable and save money in costly repairs. Maintenance includes a routine check, change or flush of everything from your oil and air filter to brake, transmission, power steering and windshield wiper fluid. To make life easier, and ensure environmentally conscious disposal, work with certified maintenance pros.

Check oil level and fluids
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What to look for

Oil

  • Should be a light brown/gold color
  • Change it if it’s dark brown or black
  • Oil must be drained and disposed of responsibly; add new oil & filter

Air filter

  • Change every year/12,000 miles (see vehicle owner’s manual)
  • Helps you run at maximum horsepower
  • Benefits emissions control system and spark plugs

Antifreeze

  • Change based on vehicle owner manual
  • Should have high boiling point, low freezing point
  • Service checks for contamination & radiator corrosion

Other fluids

  • Power steering check
  • Transmission check
  • Air conditioner service
  • Windshield wiper replacement and fluid check

What we deliver

Instead of working on your vehicle, wouldn’t you rather drive it? Keep your engine humming, belts in shape and fluids topped off by setting up a regular maintenance schedule at your Sears Auto Center.

  • Oil changes improve gas mileage, extend the life of your engine and lower vehicle emissions
  • Fuel system cleanings wash away dirt and deposits that affect overall auto performance
  • A transmission fluid exchange can prevent a costly repair or breakdown
  • We keep your engine operating at its optimal temperature by checking your radiator for corrosion and proper coolant level
  • We can provide a complete evacuation and recharge of your air conditioning system to help you keep cool
  • And more

Vehicles run with professional starting & charging services

You turn the ignition and your car won’t start. Your dashboard light may signal a problem or a high-pitched squeal could be a clue. More ominous sounds may include sluggish cranking or loud grinding. These are all signs that could indicate something as simple as a low-charged battery to a damaged starter. Take your vehicle to certified mechanics at a reputable auto center to take care of these issues.

How to Jumpstart Your Car
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What to look for

Dash indicator light on may mean

  • Bad battery
  • Bad alternator/regulator
  • Bad connections/cables

Squealing may mean

  • Improper belt tension
  • Worn/damaged belt
  • Faulty belt tensioner
  • Defective alternator pulley or locked shaft

Sluggish cranking may mean

  • Discharged battery or defective battery
  • Bad alternator
  • Bad starter/solenoid
  • Bad battery connections/cables

Clicking noise on start/won’t crank may mean

  • Low/bad battery
  • Battery parasitic drain
  • Battery terminal corrosion
  • Bad/corroded battery cables
  • Bad starter/solenoid
  • Bad/corroded ground connections

Grinding noise on start may mean

  • Damaged starter flywheel
  • Damaged starter drive gear
  • Broken starter mount
  • Loose starter mounting bolts

What we deliver

Your starting and charging system turns the engine over and if something goes wrong, with that system, you’re not going anywhere. For professional service and maintenance advice come see us at your local Sears Auto Center.

  • Batteries need periodic inspection & cleaning to ensure proper operation
  • Fan/alternator and serpentine belts should be inspected for signs of wear and proper adjustment
  • Loose or corroded cable ends may prevent your battery from charging fully
  • Check battery every season: heat causes more damage but cold puts a bigger strain on battery when starting vehicle
  • And more

Automotive 101 Some helpful tips to keep your car at peak performance

Tip:

Schedule regular visits with ASE certified service technicians to ensure safer driving and see your costs go down at the pump. According to the nonprofit Car Care Council, simply getting your air filters replaced and your auto properly tuned up can save you more than $400 per year. Existing problems can also be identified during service visits. For instance, if a faulty O2 sensor is identified and replaced, you can improve fuel economy by as much as 40%.

Auto Tip Man

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