Do you ever wonder how your car troubles stack up against the problems other drivers face?

Chris Mitsos (pictured at left) is the Vice President of Mountain View Tire. I asked him for a list of the most common problems / car repair needs that his Los Angeles area customers describe when calling, dropping off a vehicle, or making online appointments.

How does his list (below) compare to the car troubles you’ve had over the years?

• A strange vibration.
• A hesitant or rough-running engine.
• Noisy brakes.
• A warning light is on.
• The car is overheating.
• There’s a noise coming from the front end.
• There’s a noise coming from the back end.
• There’s a noise coming from “somewhere.”
• The car is pulling in one direction.

Car Repair and Maintenance in Los Angeles…from the Expert’s Point of View

Mountain View Tire has served drivers in southern California since 1987, so I knew Chris would have more than enough experience to answer this question: “Which car repair and maintenance issues do drivers seem to neglect most often?” Here’s his top-five list:

1) “Many drivers aren’t aware that their car’s fluids break down. Engine oil, transmission fluid, coolant: they all become less effective over time and need to be changed in order for the vehicle to run its best.”

2) “Tire rotation. Every now and then we still need to convince customers of the need to rotate their tires. Different vehicles and the various wheel positions can place different demands and stresses on tires. By rotating the tires on a car, we’re distributing that stress across all the tires, so they’re more likely to wear evenly and last longer.”

3) “Proper tire inflation. This is such a simple fix, but so many drivers are riding around on underinflated tires. It’s dangerous, it lowers fuel economy, and it can shorten the service life of their tires.”

4) “Another thing drivers tend to neglect is shock absorbers. Worn shocks increase stopping distance. They can cause your tires to wear faster too. And, of course, they make for a pretty uncomfortable ride.”

5) “We also see a lot of brake pads that are past their prime. Obviously, this could have serious consequences. If you continue to drive when your car’s brakes are not functioning properly you’re putting yourself and others in real danger.”

If you’re looking for car repair in Los Angeles or the surrounding area, click here to schedule a service appointment at the Mountain View Tire location nearest you, or click here to request an estimate.