Albuquerque, Rio Rancho and Los Ranchos De Albuquerque Auto Repair

Now is a great time to show your Vehicle Some Love! Change your oil. We all should know the importance of regular oil and oil filter changes. Making sure to change the oil filter will keep the oil deposits and dirt and particulates out of the combustion chamber where they can cause damage.  How often should you change your oil? Consult your car owner’s manual, which should give a listing typically between 5000 and 7000 miles. Browns Automotive recommends changing your oil every 3000 miles on vehicles with over 150,000 miles or using a high mileage oil. Have an ASE technician inspect your vehicles. Getting your vehicle routinely inspected can save thousands in vehicle repairs by locating issues before they become a major problem. Un-expected breakdowns come at the most in-convenient times and if we can foresee a problem, you can schedule a convenient time to get the problem solved. Browns Automotive performs free digital inspections with ev ... read more

Preparing Your Vehicle for Winter With cold weather right around the corner, it is a good idea to be thinking about some important steps to take regarding your vehicle. Here at Browns Automotive, we like to keep people informed about proper car maintenance and repairs in Albuquerque, Los Ranchos, and Rio Rancho. Follow these three simple rules to ensure your car or truck will be dependable during the cold weather. Tires Check your tire pressure regularly. Tire pressure will decrease as the temperature decreases. Most modern vehicles are equipped with Tire Pressure Monitor systems that will indicate on the dash if the tire pressure is low. We get a lot of calls during the cold weather about this light. Oftentimes a simple tire pressure adjustment will cure the annoying warning indicator. Use the penny test to ensure you have adequate tread left on your tires. Place the penny head down in the tire tread, if you can see to the top of Lincolns head your tires need replacement. We ... read more

Guide to shopping for auto repairs in Albuquerque and Los Ranchos When your vehicle is need of repairs or service, it can be difficult to locate an automotive shop in Albuquerque or Los Ranchos. Browns Automotive Experts understands the stress and uncertainty that is associated with vehicle repairs. Often people will default to asking about prices on various repairs because that is what they know and understand. Investing in your vehicle is not the same as purchasing a product online. Yes, the price needs to be fair and reasonable, however, one will often find that the price for a service is about the same, give or take a small percentage. Remember the old saying ‘you get what you pay for’? That is especially true regarding servicing and repairing your vehicle. Be sure to keep the following in mind while shopping for car repairs in Albuquerque: Not all shops are equal. Repairing and maintaining vehicles to ... read more

In our fast paced lives, it’s easy to find distractions behind the wheel of your car. This month, in honor of National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, we want to take a moment to consider common distractions and their risks. We encourage you to be aware of these threats and make an effort to drive safely and distraction free! The most common distractions include using a cell phone, texting, eating and drinking, talking to passengers, reading (including maps), grooming, and watching a video. Even features of your car can be distracting, like using a navigation system, adjusting the radio, or adjusting the heater or air conditioning. Though all these distractions can pose a threat, the most dangerous by far is cell phone use and texting, so that’s going to be our focus today. Cell phones have become a ubiquitous part of everyday life. At any one time, 9% of drivers are talking on cell phones – making them 4 times as likely to crash. Technological advances like ... read more

Car polish and wax are among many products used to protect your vehicle and keep it looking its best. Unfortunately, there is a common misconception among car owners about these products and what they are used for. So what is the difference between a wax and a polish? And what’s right for your car? Polish A polish is used to give your vehicle a smooth, shiny surface. The primary purpose of polish is to remove imperfections from your vehicle’s paint or clear coat. Polish can clean off contaminants such as grease, dirt, and rust that normal washing cannot remove. It is also used to fix small scratches, scrapes, or swirls from the finish. There are two primary types of car polish: chemical polishes and abrasive polishes. Chemical polishes are used to clean the exterior, removing rust, grease, and stains that normal washing cannot remove. Abrasive polishes are used to fix imperfections in your car’s paint job or clear coat and smooth out small scratches or ... read more

Preventative maintenance is the single best way to keep your car running smoothly and save you money down the road in Albuquerque. By periodically checking the fundamental systems in your car, you can spot anything out of the ordinary before it becomes a bigger issue – and it is easy to do! Show your car some love this month with these preventative maintenance services: Read your owner’s manual – Every manufacturer includes a schedule of recommended maintenance for the vehicle, so check your manual for the proper maintenance intervals for your vehicle. Even if it doesn’t seem necessary, following this schedule can help to avoid bigger issues that stem from delaying these services. It is also a necessity for maintaining your manufacturer’s warranty. Check your oil and fluids – Most fluid or oil tanks have gauges or dipsticks to let you easily check the levels inside. If you are running low fre ... read more

Myths about European vehicles Whether you drive a state-of-the-art Mercedes or a vintage BMW in Albuquerque, your European vehicle is a finely-crafted machine. But does that craftsmanship require a special level of care and support? Let's take a look at three common myths about European vehicles, and how these myths could be affecting your wallet. Myth 1: There's no avoiding it -- You Have to go to the Dealership for Some Repair and Maintenance The first thing we should call attention to is the Magnuson-Moss warranty act: the law says you don't need to take your vehicle to the dealer for routine maintenance to maintain your warranty. As long as the maintenance is done according to the schedule in your vehicle's manual, the dealer can't void the warranty. And if the dealership can't hold your vehicle h ... read more

While many of the nation’s car owners are putting on their snow tires, Albuquerque drivers don’t need to worry about snow and ice as much. But just because we’re in a warmer climate doesn’t mean your vehicle is safe in the winter months. This month, our team is here to teach you how to protect your car from the sun’s UV rays. Just like the sun to your skin, your vehicle’s paint can be damaged by brutal UV rays. If you don’t protect your vehicle, these UV rays can fade the paint on your car’s exterior and even damage its interior as well. To avoid faded paint, corrosion, rust and cracking interior, follow these tips and keep your vehicle looking as good as new. Wash your car often - In warm climates, the longer you wait between car washes, the easier it is for the sun to affect your vehicle’s exterior. Adding a car wash to your weekly routine will keep your paint job looking fresh. Dry your vehicle thoroughly after a wa ... read more

With the header season right around the corner, our team at Donald Brown Parts and Automotive is getting into the giving spirit! We’re partnering with The Rio Grande Food Project and The Storehouse of Greater Albuquerque to organize a food and clothing drive to help the less fortunate in our community. Who We’re Supporting The Rio Grande Food Project provides emergency food relief to hungry individuals and families throughout the Albuquerque metropolitan area and is one of the longest operating food pantries in the state. The Storehouse of Greater Albuquerque has provided free food and clothing to the working poor of Central New Mexico and has served more than 17,000 families who are working but not earning enough to cover their family’s basic living expenses. Over the years, we have supported many organizations to better our community and now we’re giving you the opportunity to help us support ... read more

According to a 2012 AAA report, the number of Thanksgiving travelers has been steadily increasing since 2008. In fact, there were 43.6 million Americans traveling 50 miles or more during the Thanksgiving weekend, and 90% of those travelers (39.2 million) were making the trek by car. You can count on the roads throughout Albuquerque to be crowded this header season, so our team has some key tips to help you reach your destination safely! 1. Check your tire pressure: Tire pressure can easily be forgotten. If they aren’t properly inflated, you can decrease your gas mileage up to 0.6 MPG. Also, if you come across any inclement weather during your header travel, over or under inflated tires can cause a loss of traction and lead to an accident. Tires should be checked before your header journey to keep you safe. 2. Spark Plugs: When is the last time you checked or changed your spark plugs? A dirty, corroded or improperly installed spark plug can leave you stranded on t ... read more