Ramona Tire & Service Centers offer many kinds of car repair services at our various auto shops throughout Southern California, including our location in Palm Desert. Whenever you schedule an appointment for auto service, you can rest easy knowing our ASE-certified technicians are on the job.

These are just some of the auto repair services we offer at our Palm Desert location:

• Wheel balancing
• A/C service or repair
• Brake service
• Belt and hose replacement
• Fuel injection
• Tire rotation
• Wheel alignment
• Engine diagnostics
• Transmission repair
• Engine repair
• Battery service and replacement
• Oil changes

In addition to the services listed above, Ramona Tire & Service Centers can assist with many other repairs. When you’re ready to schedule an auto repair appointment at our Palm Desert location, be sure to browse our selection of coupons and specials.

Buying new tires can be expensive, so it’s wise to use them for as long as possible. The health of your tires is directly influenced by how well you maintain certain components of your car. Some key services you should never skimp out on include:

• Suspension maintenance and repairs. Your vehicle’s suspension impacts how your tires perform. As soon as a vehicle’s suspension struts wear out, the tires are forced to deal with extra pressure, which raises their rate of wear. Regularly checking your car’s suspension as part of preventative maintenance services significantly lowers the risk of running into this problem.
• Brake service. If your brakes are in poor condition, it’s more difficult for your tires to operate correctly. This means you shouldn’t postpone regular tire and brake inspections.
• Tire rotation and wheel alignment. In theory, your tires should all receive the same weight and pressure from your car, causing them to wear out evenly. In reality, this is rarely the case. Taking your car in for regular wheel alignment and tire rotation work is the best way to ensure your tires wear evenly.

By making these kinds of maintenance a priority and ensuring your tires are properly inflated, you can keep your tires in good shape for as long as possible.

Palm Desert drivers typically need oil changes every 3,000 to 6,000 miles. That’s not written in stone, so always refer to your car’s user manual to better understand how often you should schedule oil changes. When thinking about oil changes, remember that newer cars generally don’t require oil changes as frequently as older ones, and synthetic oil doesn’t need replacing as often as conventional oil.

Your vehicle’s user manual should list an ideal schedule for preventative maintenance work. If you stick to these guidelines, you can avoid major risk factors for car trouble. Once your preventative maintenance schedule is set, reach out to Ramona Tire in Palm Desert for any services you need to keep your vehicle running like it should.

If you notice any of the brake-related warning signs listed below, bring your vehicle to Ramona Tire for expert brake service immediately.

• Your vehicle swerves to one side once you brake.
• There is a grinding feeling in your vehicle’s brakes.
• You notice a “spongy” sensation in the brake pedal.
• Your vehicle squeals or makes other noises when braking.

With so many auto shop choices in the Palm Desert area, it can be challenging to know which are the most qualified to handle your car repair needs. A quick online search will give you options from national auto repair chains and dealerships to small, independent shops with just a few mechanics. To help narrow down your choices as you shop around for auto repair, look for the right combination of reliability and affordability. In addition, ask a few important questions:

• Do your mechanics have National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certifications? Do they continue their education with the ASE?
• Do you provide written estimates for approval before any work begins?
• What types of replacement parts do you use in your repair work?

If the auto repairs you need right now aren’t extensive, consider giving a mechanic on your shortlist a tryout before you trust them with any major repairs. You’ll be able to get an idea of the quality of their work and the level of customer service they provide.

Car maintenance tasks are different from car repair work. Maintenance tasks, such as oil changes and tire rotations, are usually performed before anything needs repair to keep your vehicle running well and extend its lifespan. Regularly scheduled (or preventative) car maintenance is the best way to avoid costly and/or major repairs down the road.

In general, the need for car repair work is unexpected, such as when your air conditioning and heating system suddenly stops working or your engine won’t turn over. Ideally, you’ll already have a relationship with a qualified mechanic in place when things like this happen to help ensure you’ll receive the right repairs at the right price.

A local Palm Desert auto repair shop that has ASE-certified mechanics can certainly provide the same level of service that a dealership can, and often do so for less than the dealership will charge. Keep in mind, though, that if you have a late-model car or truck that’s still covered by your dealership’s original warranty, repairs there will be done at no cost. In any case, you can trust a reliable auto repair shop to take care of your needs since you have the legal right to take your vehicle to any mechanic without affecting your warranty.

When you need to save money on car repair, take the time to get estimates from your dealership and a few local auto repair shops to find a price that works with your budget.

The key to keeping expensive repairs at bay is scheduling regular preventative maintenance. Many drivers think regular maintenance is too costly, but major repairs you’re not prepared for can cost much more. If, for instance, your vehicle runs out of oil and your engine seizes as a result, engine repair can cost $5,000 or more. While this is an extreme example, even less urgent repairs can cost $1,000 if extensive labor and expensive parts are needed.

Your vehicle’s manufacturer provides a maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual, but you do not have to go to your dealership for maintenance services.

The specific services you’ll receive at each of these intervals vary according to your total mileage but may include a combination of any of these services:

• Lube, filter, and oil change
• Tire inspection and rotation upon request
• Checks and fills of fluids
• Air filter replacement
• Checks of turn signals and lights
• Inspection of the brake system
• Battery check and service
• Belt and hose inspections
• Suspension check
• Fuel filter replacement
• Transmission fluid exchange
• Wiper blade replacement
• Winterization checkup
• Spring checkup

Even if you choose not to take advantage of the comprehensive maintenance program at our Palm Desert auto repair shop, we recommend that you make time for the following simple tasks at least once a month. Doing so can save you money and help prevent unexpected expenses.

Check your oil

Oil is the lifeblood of your engine. It lubricates moving parts, reduces the heat caused by friction, and removes dirt and debris, which are all important to your engine’s performance and longevity.

When your car’s oil gets too dirty and your oil filter becomes too clogged to clean and lubricate your engine, you run the risk of damaging engine components. If the oil level is too low or the engine runs out of oil altogether, the engine can fail. Without lubrication, metal parts will grind each other down and result in a seized engine.

Regularly checking your oil level and the oil’s condition will help ensure that low or dirty oil won’t cause any damage.

Check your tire pressure

Under- or overinflated tires can cause excess wear on your tires’ tread. Check your owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommended pounds per square inch (PSI) for your tires or ask one of our expert tire shop mechanics what your pressure should be.

Maintaining the proper PSI will not only prevent uneven and/or premature wear on your tires but will also improve your vehicle’s handling.

Inspect your tires

A monthly inspection of your tires is a quick and easy task. Look for objects embedded in the tread and check your tread depth. You can do this by inserting a penny into the tread with Lincoln’s head downward. If you can see his head, your tread has become too worn and it’s probably time to replace the tire.

The mechanics at our Palm Desert location will be glad to assess the condition of your tires and recommend any needed repairs or replacements.