U Wrench It

4600 Buford Hwy. | Norcross, GA 30071  

Should I repair or replace my car?

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u wrench it engineIt can seem like a fine line between when your old, well-loved car is costing you more money than a new one would, but it’s not difficult to make the call here. A lot of it has to do with math. If it’s costing you more to hold onto your beloved car, then it may be time to replace it. The UWRENCHIT team has put together a short guide to help you determine if it’s time to replace or just repair your car. Take a look!

 

Perhaps the biggest question you should ask is how much are you paying in repairs? Even a couple hundred dollars in regular maintenance every several months is less than any new car payment would be, even if you bought a used vehicle (assuming you didn’t pay cash on it and buy it outright).

 

The picture gets a little murkier if your car isn’t completely paid off: if you’re still making car payments and you think that your maintenance costs are higher than another vehicle with a similar payment, you may be better off getting a new car, but you’ll lose any money you’ve already sunk into paying off your existing vehicle.

 

If you’re looking to save some cash on regular maintenance, the best way is to start doing some of it yourself. Simple things you probably pay a dealer or a mechanic for, like changing your oil, checking your fluids (and adding more when levels are low), changing spark plugs, replacing air filters, and more are all things you can easily do yourself with a little research first.
For more information about our products and services at UWrenchIt, visit our home page or give us a call at (404) 805-0900. Are you a current UWrenchIt customer? Rate and share your experience with us in the review section of our Facebook page today. We always enjoy hearing from you!

Tips For Pollen Removal

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Spring is officially here and that means that you may have noticed a greenish-yellow substance coating your car. ThPollen on Car Dash at’s right, it’s back – pollen. Check out some ways you can clean the pollen off of your car and protect your car from the pollen, brought to you by the UWRENCHIT team. Check it out!

Removing Pollen From Your Car

  • Wash your car and wax it as soon as winter ends.
  • Add in quarterly waxing to keep your car’s shine.

Keeping Your Car Clean of Pollen

  • Top off your windshield washer fluid.
  • Keep your windshield wipers clean.
  • Keep your car clean.
  • Check your engine’s air filter.
  • Check your interior cabin filter.

Waiting for mother nature to take its course when it comes to pollen can damage the paint, thereby reducing the value of your car. Be sure to take advantage of these key tips and take a look at our other blog discussing how to keep your car clean of pollen for more information on how to take the best care of your car this spring.
For more information about our products and services at UWrenchIt, visit our home page or give us a call at (404) 805-0900. Are you a current UWrenchIt customer? Rate and share your experience with us in the review section of our Facebook page today. We always enjoy hearing from you!

Changing Your Air Filter Just in Time for Spring

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air filterSpring is officially here and that means it’s time to check your air filter and make sure that it’s ready to take on spring’s fury. The UWrenchIt team has put together a short step-by-step guide to replacing your air filter. Check it out!

  1. Purchase your air filter. Figuring out what air filter to get for your car is easy. Simply check your user’s manual. Most air filters are pretty cheap. Between $10-$13 at an auto parts school.
  2. Open your hood and find the air filter box. It’s the black plastic box sitting on top of or to the side of your engine. The filter box usually has a giant hose sticking out of its side.
  3. Open the air filter box and take out the dirty air filter. Unclasp the big metal clips that hold the top down and open the box. Remove the dirty filter.
  4. Check the old air filter and make sure it needs to be replaced. Look inside the folds of your old filter. See a lot of dirt and gunk? Time to replace it.
  5. Put in the new air filter. Place your filter in the filter box. Make sure it sits snuggly in the box. Close the top of the box and snap the clips.

For more information about our products and services at UWrenchIt, visit our home page or give us a call at (404) 805-0900. Are you a current UWrenchIt customer? Rate and share your experience with us in the review section of our Facebook page today. We always enjoy hearing from you!

Keeping Your Car Clean Of Pollen

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pollenSpring is vastly approaching and that means one day you may walk out to your car and it may look like it’s been coated with greenish yellow tree pollen. From the car coatings to allergies, spring can be one of the peskiest seasons, but it doesn’t have to be.Find out some of the ways the UWrenchIt team suggests you protect your car from pollen this year.

  • Top off your windshield washer fluid. Making sure your windshield wiper fluid is full at the beginning of the season will ensure you have enough fluid to blast off the pollen all season long.
  • Keep your windshield wipers clean. Wiping off your wipers with a damp cloth will help to prevent the build-up of pollen paste on your wipers.
  • Keep your car clean. Spraying the exterior of your car off with water and thoroughly wiping down your windows will decrease the amount of pollen that finds its way into your car.
  • Check your engine’s air filter. After the pollen is done falling, check your engine air filter because a clogged filter may reduce your fuel economy.
  • Check your interior cabin filter. If your cabin air filter is dirty, replacing it yourself can be easy. Find the location in your owner’s manual, buy a new filter from the auto parts store, and replace.

For more information about our products and services at UWrenchIt, visit our home page or give us a call at (404) 805-0900. Are you a current UWrenchIt customer? Rate and share your experience with us in the review section of our Facebook page today. We always enjoy hearing from you!

How To: Changing Your Car’s PCV Valve

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car maintenance

The positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve is an important part of many cars’ emissions control systems. This valve, located in its L-shaped housing can usually be found sitting within a rubber grommet located on your vehicle’s valve cover. It can become clogged with sludge that forms from contaminants in exhaust fumes or it can become stuck in its wide-open position. When one of these things happen, your vehicle will usually have rough idle and the check engine light might come on.

Is it Easy to Replace a PCV Valve?

Replacing a PCV valve is a very easy repair to do. Often this task requires no tools at all, especially if the valve is held in place with only the rubber grommet. For PCV valves that screw into the base, you can use a crescent or adjustable wrench to hold the base to unscrew the valve if needed.

Have Your Parts Ready

Before replacing your PCV valve, you will want to have a replacement valve available, which can be purchased from UWrenchIt in Norcross, GA. You should also inspect the rubber hose and rubber grommet to make sure they are not brittle, soft, clogged or displaying signs of deterioration. Replace if needed along with any rusty hose clamps.

Replacing Your PCV Valve

Locate the PCV valve.
Loosen hose clamp (if present).
Pull the L-shaped housing off the valve.
Remove the valve.
Inspect the hose for clogs.
Replace hose, clamp or grommet (if needed).
Securely insert or screw in replacement valve if it is threaded taking care not to over-tighten.
Reconnect rubber hose to the PCV valve.
Start your engine and inspect for any leaks around the PCV valve.

Being able to make simple repairs on your vehicles with parts found at UWrenchIt can save you money in the long run.