76.9 Percent of Vehicles on the Road Have Potentially Dangerous Issues 

What Consumers Need to Know to Keep their Vehicle and Passengers Safe

(PHOENIX, Arizona) April 3, 2014— Last week a Gilbert man lost his whole family when the tire blew out on the vehicle they were driving, causing it to collide with an ongoing semi on I-10 between Tucson and Phoenix. While it’s not known at this point what was wrong with the tire, accidents like this are too common and many can be avoided by just taking some simple preventative measures.

It’s easy to understand why there’s so many vehicles with potentially dangerous issues.  According to the US Department of Transportation, there are 253 million registered vehicles on the roads in the United States. According to the Chicago Tribune, with the latest 4.8 million vehicle recall by General Motors, “in 2014 the automotive industry is on pace to surpass the historic high of 30 million vehicles recalled in 2004.”  That’s a shocking 11.8 percent of all vehicles in the US being under some sort of recall for potentially dangerous if not fatal, issues. And the problem is, according to Edmunds.com, millions of recalled cars with potentially dangerous issues are being driven on the roads today simply because the owners have no idea their vehicle has been part of a recall.

There are other issues with vehicles on the road as well

• 76.9 percent of vehicles on the road right now are in need of some sort of service
• 22% have low or incorrect engine oil
• 20% of vehicle have an issue with the engine cooling systems
• 18% of vehicles need brake service  (Source: Car Care Council)
• 80% percent of cars are driving on underinflated tires

Matt Allen, owner of Virginia Auto Service, an-award winning auto repair shop in Phoenix, Arizona, offers the following advice to vehicle owners who are concerned about keeping their vehicle (and passengers) safe while driving.

1. Check to see if your vehicle is on a recall list:  Go to the National Highway Traffic Safety website where you can search by the year, make and model of your vehicle to see if it’s on a recall list.
2. Check your tire pressure once a week. Make sure the tire pressure is the same pressure that’s written on the label inside of your car door, not the pressure written on your tires.
3. Follow your manufacturer’s recommended maintenance plan.  Preventative maintenance is one of the most important things you can do to maintain the safety of your vehicle by catching issues before the turn into full-blown problems.
4. Check your oil level once a week. Make sure you check it when the vehicle is cold, before you have started it up. Add the proper oil as recommended by your manufacturer.
5. Keep your vehicle clean and clear out the trunk. Believe it or not a clean vehicle is a safer vehicle. Washing removes obstructions to viewing. Extra weight in the vehicle can also be a hazard when driving.

To assist consumers in making sure their vehicle is safe, in honor of April being National Car Care Month, Allen is offering free vehicle safety inspections. Simply take your car to Virginia Auto Service, and they will check the recall list as well as do a complete inspection of your vehicle checking the problem areas such as brakes, tires, oil, and cooling systems. If your car is on the recall list, Virginia Auto Service will take it to the dealer for you.

The free safety inspections run through the month of April and no purchase is required. An appointment is required.  Contact Virginia Auto Service at 602-266-0200 for more information.

Virginia Auto Service has won numerous awards including Motor Age Magazine Top Shop, AZ Central’s Reader’s Choice for Best Auto Repair in Phoenix and the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce Impact Business of the Year for Response to Adversity. Owner, Matt Allen, has been an advisor on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Automotive Advisory committee since 2000 and served as the Chairman in 2008 and 2009. For more information visit www.virginiaautoservice.com.

Owner Matt Allen co-hosts the Bumper to Bumper radio show on Saturdays from 11 am. – Noon on KTAR 92.3 FM in Phoenix. Reach Matt at 602-266-0020 and [email protected].

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Auto Repair Phoenix|- What Repairs You Can Put Off and Which Should You Never Ignore

 (Phoenix, Arizona)  With high gas prices and a sluggish economy, many people are putting off car repairs. In some cases, a $100 fix that’s ignored can put your safety at risk and end up costing thousands. According to a December 2011 Consumer Reports survey, 40 percent of people say they’re postponing car maintenance or repairs.

Automotive Expert Matt Allen sees it a lot, “When we have to fix catastrophic damage because the car’s been neglected, it’s even more expensive because now we’re replacing several parts, not just the one that originally needed maintenance.”

Allen has at least one customer who practices what Matt preaches. His car boasts 279,000 miles and it’s never broken down because he stays current on maintenance.  A trusted mechanic will explain what issues you should address right away and what can be delayed without compromising safety.

Car repairs you might be able to put off:

• C.V. Boot
• Cabin Air Filter
• Fuel Injection Cleaning
• Some fluid flushes i.e. Power Steering

Car repairs you should never ignore due to safety and cost:

• Brake pads
• Oil change
• Air filter
• Transmission fuel leak
• Burned out lights

Allen suggest that auto owners establish a relationship with a trusted auto mechanic before you need them and they can help you determine which auto repairs you should make a priority.

About Virginia Auto Service:

AZ Central’s Reader’s Choice Best Auto Repair Shop Winner 2009, Motor Age Top 10 in the Nation 2010.  Virginia Auto Service has provided Central Phoenix with top-quality auto repair and service since 1995.  Specializing in Japanese and European Imports, Domestic Cars, Light Trucks & SUV’s, all Virginia Auto Service Technicians are certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). Virginia Auto Service is accredited by the Better Business Bureau and has an A+ Rating. Matt is also a Member of the BBB Automotive Repair Advisory Committee (ARAC) and is a past Chairman.

Owner Matt Allen co-hosts the Bumper to Bumper radio show on Saturdays from 11 am. –Noon on KTAR 92.3 FM in Phoenix. Reach Matt at 602-266-0020 and mallen ( at ) virginia-autoservice.com

Related articles

• Phoenix Auto Repair Shop Named 2012 MotorAge Magazine Top Shop
• State by State Car Repair Costs

Brake Safety Awareness Week Begins August 21 

PHOENIX, Ariz.- August 11, 2010 – Brake Safety Awareness Week will be held August 21-29, 2010, and Virginia Auto Service is providing free brake inspections for all consumers who wish to make an appointment.

“For very obvious reasons, it’s important to make sure your brakes are in good condition,” said Matt Allen, owner of Virginia Auto Service in Phoenix, Arizona.

“Many vehicles require service that the average person wouldn’t be able to detect from daily driving, making it even more critical to perform periodic safety inspections. Plus, it’s important to be aware of the condition of your brakes as they periodically wear out.”

The annual Brake Safety Awareness Week is being sponsored by the Motorist Assurance Program (MAP).

During Brake Safety Awareness Week, more than 8,000 MAP Participating Facilities will offer inspections, educatevehicle owners regarding key undercar systems, provide complimentary automotive troubleshooting materials andanswer consumers’ preventative maintenance questions. Consumers can look for a repair facility prominently displayingits “Motorist Assurance Program” decal near its entrance or customer waiting area, or they can find participating storesin a particular area by visiting the MAP website at www.motorist.org.

About Virginia Auto Service:

AZ Central’s Reader’s Choice Best Auto Repair Shop Winner 2010, Virginia Auto Service has provided Central Phoenix with top-quality auto repair and service since 1995.    Specializing in Japanese and European Imports, Domestic Cars, Light Trucks & SUV’s.

All of their technicians are certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).  Virginia Auto Service is accredited by the Better Business Bureau, and a member of the NAPA Auto Care Center, and NARPRO (Neighborhood Auto Professionals).

For more information contact Matt Allen at 602-266-0020;

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Phoenix Auto Repair Shop Owner Earns Accredited Automotive Manager Designation

Matt Allen one of less than 100 people to earn prestigious AAM designation this year. 

(PHOENIX, Ariz.)- October 15, 2012 – Matt Allen, owner of Phoenix auto repair shop, Virginia Auto Service was awarded the Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation during the Automotive Management Institute (AMI) graduation ceremony held during the Automotive Repair and Service Week (ASRW) Industry Awards, held on Friday, Oct. 12 at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. The annual awards event provides a platform in which a variety of mechanical and collision repair groups may acknowledge the achievements of some of their outstanding members, customers and industry partners.

Students earn the Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation after completing 120 credits of Automotive Management Institute (AMI) education and a requisite self-study course. Over the years, 1,646 individuals have earned the prestigious AAM designation, with approximately 100 new graduates each year.  Allen is also an ASA Certified Master Technician.

Matt Allen believes that in order to compete in today’s ever-changing and complex automotive industry technicians not only need to have the hands-on skills of auto repair, but they need to have the education and knowledge as well.  For that reason, Allen invests in training not only for himself but for his technicians too.  All of the technicians at Virginia Auto Service are required to be certified or going through the educational classes necessary for certification.

“It’s quite a commitment to earn these certifications, and it really makes a difference in our ability to fix today’s cars with their complicated systems.  You really need to know what’s going on,” says Allen.

About Virginia Auto Service:

Virginia Auto Service owned by Matt Allen, has provided Central Phoenix with top-quality auto repair and service since 1995.    They specialize in service and repair of Japanese and European Imports, Domestic Cars, Light Trucks & SUV’s including Mercedes repair, BMW repair, Toyota, Honda, and Audi.

All of their technicians are certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).  Virginia Auto Service is A+ rated and accredited by the Better Business Bureau, and is a NAPA Auto Care Center.  Matt Allen is a host of Bumper to Bumper Radio heard every Saturday morning from 11 am to noon on Phoenix’s Top Talk Station, 92.3 FM, KTAR.

For more information contact Matt Allen at 602-266-0020; https://automotiverepairphoenix.com.