Sarasota Auto Repair

You should start by looking at the vehicle on a sunny day. Look at the paint color to make sure it matches, especially where the body panels meet. Look at the fender to door color match, also the fender to the bumper color match. Compare the front door gaps to fender to see if they have the same spacing or gap.  Also look at the overall gap on the fender to front door for the same gap at the bottom versus the top of the door. These are all signs of possible body repair done when the vehicle was in a accident. Make sure all the doors shut with the same force and sound the same. Inspect the trunk operation and make sure the hood will open and close easily also. The hood and trunk lines and gaps should also be checked for fit. You can ask for a Carfax; this will usually tell someone if the vehicle was in a accident or not....but not always.  Check for any moisture in the headlamps and tail lamps. These components could need to be replaced soon aft ... read more

Brakes for Breasts, along with the Cleveland Clinic, is a great cause to partner with as they are trying to find a vaccine to prevent breast cancer. Maybe you have lost a loved one to breast cancer, maybe you are the one fighting, or the one helping a loved one fight.  This is the second year our shop has partnered with the Cleveland Clinic and Dr. Vincent Tuohy.   In the spring of 2017, Dr. Tuohy's research program was awarded funding to launch a greatly anticipated clinical trial to begin testing the vaccine.  Brakes for Breasts is an organization that unites Independent Auto Repair Shops for a common cause, to find a preventive cure for breast cancer.  The customer gets free brake pads, up to a $79.99 value.  We donate 10% of the labor and any other parts needed to Brakes for Breasts/Cleveland Clinic Breast Cancer Vaccine Fund.  In 2018, We gave away 36 sets of brake pads and raised ... read more

                                                                     We are proud to be associated with Napa and what they stand for. The Napa brand symbolizes customer trust and quality.  Napa has been around since 1925.  They have over 14,000 independent repair shops that are affiliated with them. When a repair is done at a Napa Autocare you can been assured that the repairs done at that facility has a nationwide warranty. Most repairs are covered for 2 years/24,000 miles. If you have a problem within 25 miles from a Napa Autocare you simply go back to them.  If you are further away simply call the Napa warranty administrator at 1-800-452-6272 and you will find one close to where you are.  Napa offers training for service technicians as well and we send our technicians to the classes ... read more

R1234YF is the new refrigerant that is the automotive industry accepted solution for a low (GWP) global warming potential refrigerant. The R1234YF refrigerant has a 99.7% lower (GWP) than R134A Freon.  This means that it will dissipate and not stay in the atmosphere as long as R134A does.  When refrigerants stay in the atmosphere for a long time it is a known fact that it damages the ozone layer.  In order to service vehicles with R1234YF system, service technicians must be certified. All refrigerants used in automobiles/trucks must be recovered into approved containers and not vented into the atmosphere.  In the United States all new cars are suppose to have the new refrigerant R1234YF by the model year 2021. Some US manufactures have had the new freon put into production as early as 2013.  There are many vehicles that are on the road now that have the R1234YF refrigerant now.  The R1234YF and R134A freon are not interchangeable.  We have a new R ... read more

Most people do not realize or think of a wheel alignment as a maintenance item.  A vehicle should have a wheel alignment done as preventive maintenance to help ensure tires do not wear out prematurely.  We recommend a wheel alignment every 15,000 miles and every time the tires are replaced.  Visible signs that your wheels are out of alignment: the steering wheel is off-center and/or tire wear.  If your vehicle has rear independent suspension, there are usually adjustments to bring the rear of the vehicle back into factory specs. We have a Hunter alignment machine and can perform a four wheel alignment on your vehicle.  Also, the tire pressure should be checked once a month with a good quality air gauge when the tires are cold.  You can refer to the sticker on the drivers door jam/opening area that states the manufacturers recommended air pressure for your vehicle.  It is good to familiarize yourself with this information, as the manufacturer ha ... read more

Statistics show there are numerous things you can do to save on money on fuel costs by just doing  some engine performance maintenance and driving tips.  Did you know a vehicle could use 30% more fuel if proper maintenance is not performed.    Keeping engines properly tuned improves gas mileage an average 4%. Fixing a serious problem with a sensor in the engine like the oxygen sensor can improve mileage 40%. Proper tire inflation can improve gas mileage 3.3%.  Use the cruise control when you can, this can save you up to 6% on the highway. Don't idle for more than a minute in traffic. You can consume 1/2 to 1 gallon of fuel idling for a hour. Lighten your load in the vehicle, don't carry extra weight around if you don't need to. (Golf clubs, weights, etc.) You can improve fuel mileage by 1-2 % by using the manufacture recommended oil weight. Drive steady, don't tailgate people. Start slowing down before you come up to an intersection ... read more

October is National Auto Care Awareness Month. We are offering a FREE vehicle inspection with any repair or service performed. Here are some of the things that should be checked monthly: Tire condition and air pressure, light operation, fluid levels, wiper operation and condition. We can inspect a vehicle for you and advise on any possible repairs or needed services you would need.   

Brakes for Breasts is a fundraiser we are participating in for the entire month of October! We are offering FREE brake pads or shoes to our customers. The customer pays for labor and any other parts needed for the brake repair (rotors, calipers, hardware, etc.) Kaufman's Auto Repairs then donates 10% of each brake repair labor to the research for the Cleveland Clinic Breast Cancer Vaccine Fund.    Brakes for Breasts originated in 2011 and has raised just over $600,000 in 7 short years. 100% of every single penny raised goes directly to support research for the Cleveland Clinic Breast Cancer Vaccine Fund.     In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, come join the fight, get free brake pads/shoes and partner with us to put the brakes on breast cancer! Maximum value of $79.99. Offer not valid with other coupons during the month of October.    More information can be found at: www.brakesforbreasts.com  

An oil change sounds simple enough, but there are some pretty important things to know about preventing oil sludge. Changing your oil regularly can prevent parts from wearing out prematurely and preventing oil from getting to certain areas of the engine.  At Kaufman's Auto Repair, we recommend oil changes to be done generally at 5,000 or 7,500 miles. Depending on the age of the vehicle. The newer vehicles will need a full synthetic oil change done.    NAPA Auto Care Center has an article explaining the importance of oil change repairs and maintenance. Check it out here https://www.napaautocare.com/preventive-maintenance/oil-change.aspx