Allston Auto Repair

The last thing you want to keep you away from a comfortable and safe driving experience is dirty or cloudy headlights. It's crucial for you to regularly clean your headlights. They help you see others and the road ahead of you, and they also let others see you.    To restore headlights back to their fresh and shiny look, follow these 4 methods below: If you’re trying to get rid of a light layer of dirt, you simply only need to use car soap. You’ll also need a soft cloth and warm water to wipe away the grime and residue. Apply steady pressure when scrubbing the headlight area. Rinse and dry. For the second method, you will need to grab some toothpaste and a brush. Toothpaste has great cleaning and shining agents that can restore your headlights. Again, use warm water and a cloth to rinse and dry the area. Another cleaning agent that you can use, that involves mixing common household items, is baking soda and vinegar. Apply the solution and rub in circular ... read more

Superior customer service is among one our top priorities at Ming’s Auto Service in Allston, MA. At our auto repair shop, we always think about the safety of our community's drivers. We specialize in all models of Audi, Volkswagen, BMW, MINI, Mercedes Benz, Land Rover, Porsche and Subaru vehicles, but we welcome most vehicle brands and models. Our team of experts are committed to giving you the braking service you need.    Typically, there are several signs that indicate you need to have the brakes of your car inspected and serviced by a certified mechanic: Grinding or squeaking noises when pressing on the brakes The brake warning light on the dashboard turns on Your vehicle takes longer than usual to stop or slow down The brake pedal feels soft or spongy The brake fluid level looks low There are brake fluid leaks under your parked car   When you encounter these warning signs, we welcome you to take your car to our certified and experienced auto techni ... read more

While the maple syrup smell is pleasant, it's not a good sign if it's coming from your car. Unless you have been eating waffles or maple donuts in your car or left a takeout box in your backseat, the maple syrup smell indicates an issue with your vehicle. If you are smelling something sweet like maple donuts in your car, the chances are that you are experiencing a coolant leak. Coolant plays a critical role in your car. It regulates the engine's temperature and prevents it from overheating. It also transfers the warm air to your cabin heating and defrosting system. Additionally, coolant prevents corrosion, ensuring your car parts remain healthy. Coolant fluid circulates through your car's engine, hoses, heater core and radiator. Why is the Maple Donut Smell Associated with Coolant Leak? Coolant has a pleasant sweet smell that compares to maple syrup donuts. So, if you find yourself sniffing this smell in your car, probably your coolant leaks somewhere. When there is ... read more

With gas prices soaring high throughout the country, many drivers are looking for ways to make their mode of transportation run more efficiently. Let's face it: you want to pinch a penny where you can. While there are tips that will replenish your gasoline without paying, there are some changes you can make to your car or driving that can you money in the long run: Start your engine and start driving: People often believe they need to warm up their engine before driving, but that is not the case anymore for vehicles today. So don't waste your gas by idling and go! Avoid riding your brakes: While it is good to be cautious, some of us can be over-cautious. You can increase your fuel economy by up to 30% if you refrain from riding your brakes. Instead, we recommend taking it slow and keeping a safe distance from  Don't make it a race: When you accelerate your vehicle, you must do so in a gradual manner. Quick jumps in speed can burn a significant amount of fuel, and yo ... read more

Potholes are a major threat to your vehicle as they can negatively impact your alignment, tire rims, suspension, steering, and more. Furthermore, they're everywhere! There's no end all be all answer to stop them from forming; however, you can do certain things to prevent pothole damage: Maintain a safe distance behind vehicles in front of you. Not only should you already be doing this to stay safe, but it will help you see a pothole in the distance. The sooner you spot one, the more time you have to react. Continue driving normally. Don't swerve off and out of your lane to dodge a pothole as it can be unsafe. Also, don't increase your speed either. Make sure your tires are properly inflated. Both under-inflated and over-inflated tires can increase your risk of internal damage or a blowout. Watch out for puddles. Many potholes get filled with water after it rains or snows. Therefore, beware of puddles on the road because you never know how deep they may go. Don ... read more

While vehicle maintenance is all-around super crucial in keeping your car safe and reliable, one particular system requires special attention: the cooling system. The cooling system serves to maintain and keep your engine temperatures at bay. If it is compromised, you risk overheating your engine, leading to the inconvenience of a breakdown and repairs. Thankfully, you can avoid this with quality cooling system maintenance.   How the Cooling System Works As you may know, the engine operates and produces a lot of heat. Fortunately, the cooling system helps prevent it from overheating by providing it with a constant stream of coolant fluid. The liquid antifreeze mixture (coolant) draws the heat away from the engine and the radiator.    How Overheating Happens Your vehicle's engine can overheat for many reasons. Poor habits like constantly getting stuck in traffic and idling for too long increase the likelihood of engine overheating. Hot summer weather can also in ... read more

You can tell that winter is coming when the temperature begins to fall. Even though the winter months bring with them freezing temperatures, ice, snow, and mud, that doesn't mean your automobile should sit in the garage until the spring to thaw. To help you get your car ready for the frigid winter, here are some helpful recommendations.   1. Get Your Tires Checked You'll notice that the air pressure in your tires drops as the temperature drops. According to Car Talk, tires lose pressure at a rate of one pound every 10 degrees Fahrenheit. It's critical to maintain your tires properly filled to avoid severely affecting your car's handling.   If you live in a region where the winters are exceptionally harsh, Car Talk suggests that you consider purchasing a pair of snow tires.   2. Check Your Vehicle's Exterior Make sure your car's headlights are operating properly by checking the exterior of the vehicle. The ... read more

We're all accustomed to turning on our car heaters during this time of year in Allston, MA, but can you imagine the days when vehicles didn't have it? The car heater is still regarded as one of the most famous experimental inventions considered most valuable today. In this blog, we will go over the brief history of car heaters and how it has been modernized throughout the years.   Car heater technology came about as early as 1838! A woman invented it by the name of Margaret A. Wilcox. She was born in 1838 in Chicago, and it wasn't until 1893 that she patented the car heater. Wilcox figured that she could make use of the engine's hot air by warming up the cabin - it was genius! Her car heating system was designed to direct the engine's warm air over to the cabin for warming the bodies of the wealthy of the 19th century. Many accepted her invention until it became somewhat of a safety hazard as people could not control the temperature.    Developmen ... read more

Fall is the perfect time of the year to inspect your car battery. Your vehicle has survived through months of heat and strenuous activity this past summer, making it susceptible to corrosion.  Corrosion on your car battery can be expected from wear and tear over time, but it can grow more intense with higher temperatures. Small amounts of decay can be easy to clean up, but large clumps of it can signal a significant problem.   What Causes Battery Corrosion? Batteries contain a combination of sulfuric acid and water. When the sulfuric acid leaks and comes in contact with metal on the outside of the battery. This is why corrosion is often found on the battery terminals since they are made of metal. Small gas leaks, loose connections, or general old age can also be the culprit behind the corrosion. If you notice a white, green, or blue substance forming around your terminals, it's most likely corrosion. A small amount of the matter is not a huge deal. However, too much ... read more

Question #1 - Is It Safe To Drive With My Check Engine Light On? In a few circumstances, a Check Engine light could represent something as minor as a loose gas cap or other problems that don't affect vehicle performance. It's impossible to be 100% unless you get your car diagnosed by a professional. Because of the check engine light's complexities, it is recommended that you limit your driving until the cause of the check engine light has been established. If this yellow warning light comes on your dash, please bring your vehicle to Ming's Auto Repair as soon as possible! Question #2 - Why Is My Check Engine Light Flashing? A flashing check engine light is different than a still check engine light. A blinking warning light may indicate engine problems that are far more severe and could shut down your engine entirely. If your check engine light is flashing, we highly urge you to refrain from driving the vehicle at all. You should call for a tow if you believe the cond ... read more