Albuquerque, Rio Rancho and Los Ranchos De Albuquerque Auto Repair

Many people fail to budget vehicle maintenance and repairs while creating an annual budget. Do not let vehicle repairs catch you off guard this year and follow these 4 simple tips for planning your vehicle maintenance budget. Have a complete vehicle inspection performed to understand the overall condition of your vehicle. Here at Browns Auto, we perform complete digital inspections that come with photos and educational videos. We can send the inspection to your email or smart phone. What we do is then help to priority any repairs or maintenance that needs to be performed in order of safety, dependability and preventative maintenance. Check your maintenance service schedule in your vehicle owner’s manual. Are you approaching a larger service interval such as 60,000, 90,000, or 120,000 mile service? Some of those services can be quite involved, and modern fluids are becoming expensive to change. We are happy to provide a free estimate on any ... read more

     Browns Automotive believes that giving back to the community we serve is important. We are blessed to be able to repair and maintain so many vehicles here in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho. We are proud of the community we belong in. That is why we have decided to focus our efforts on one organization that is special to us. That is the Albuquerque Christian Children's Home. They provide a safe place for displaced children to learn and grow. What they do for the children in their care is amazing and they have a proven track record of helping children grow up to be fantastic humans. They are a non-profit that does not receive any government funding, all its support comes directly from the community.      When people think of children's needs, they often think about school supplies, clothing, or toys. We have found that what the children's home needs the most are everyday items that we often take for granted. Soap, trash bags, tissue p ... read more

Now is a great time to show your Vehicle Some Love! Change your oil. We all should know the importance of regular oil and oil filter changes. Making sure to change the oil filter will keep the oil deposits and dirt and particulates out of the combustion chamber where they can cause damage.  How often should you change your oil? Consult your car owner’s manual, which should give a listing typically between 5000 and 7000 miles. Browns Automotive recommends changing your oil every 3000 miles on vehicles with over 150,000 miles or using a high mileage oil. Have an ASE technician inspect your vehicles. Getting your vehicle routinely inspected can save thousands in vehicle repairs by locating issues before they become a major problem. Un-expected breakdowns come at the most in-convenient times and if we can foresee a problem, you can schedule a convenient time to get the problem solved. Browns Automotive performs free digital inspections with ev ... read more

Preparing Your Vehicle for Winter With cold weather right around the corner, it is a good idea to be thinking about some important steps to take regarding your vehicle. Here at Browns Automotive, we like to keep people informed about proper car maintenance and repairs in Albuquerque, Los Ranchos, and Rio Rancho. Follow these three simple rules to ensure your car or truck will be dependable during the cold weather. Tires Check your tire pressure regularly. Tire pressure will decrease as the temperature decreases. Most modern vehicles are equipped with Tire Pressure Monitor systems that will indicate on the dash if the tire pressure is low. We get a lot of calls during the cold weather about this light. Oftentimes a simple tire pressure adjustment will cure the annoying warning indicator. Use the penny test to ensure you have adequate tread left on your tires. Place the penny head down in the tire tread, if you can see to the top of Lincolns head your tires need replacement. We ... read more

Guide to shopping for auto repairs in Albuquerque and Los Ranchos When your vehicle is need of repairs or service, it can be difficult to locate an automotive shop in Albuquerque or Los Ranchos. Browns Automotive Experts understands the stress and uncertainty that is associated with vehicle repairs. Often people will default to asking about prices on various repairs because that is what they know and understand. Investing in your vehicle is not the same as purchasing a product online. Yes, the price needs to be fair and reasonable, however, one will often find that the price for a service is about the same, give or take a small percentage. Remember the old saying ‘you get what you pay for’? That is especially true regarding servicing and repairing your vehicle. Be sure to keep the following in mind while shopping for car repairs in Albuquerque: Not all shops are equal. Repairing and maintaining vehicles to ... read more

In our fast paced lives, it’s easy to find distractions behind the wheel of your car. This month, in honor of National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, we want to take a moment to consider common distractions and their risks. We encourage you to be aware of these threats and make an effort to drive safely and distraction free! The most common distractions include using a cell phone, texting, eating and drinking, talking to passengers, reading (including maps), grooming, and watching a video. Even features of your car can be distracting, like using a navigation system, adjusting the radio, or adjusting the heater or air conditioning. Though all these distractions can pose a threat, the most dangerous by far is cell phone use and texting, so that’s going to be our focus today. Cell phones have become a ubiquitous part of everyday life. At any one time, 9% of drivers are talking on cell phones – making them 4 times as likely to crash. Technological advances like ... read more

Car polish and wax are among many products used to protect your vehicle and keep it looking its best. Unfortunately, there is a common misconception among car owners about these products and what they are used for. So what is the difference between a wax and a polish? And what’s right for your car? Polish A polish is used to give your vehicle a smooth, shiny surface. The primary purpose of polish is to remove imperfections from your vehicle’s paint or clear coat. Polish can clean off contaminants such as grease, dirt, and rust that normal washing cannot remove. It is also used to fix small scratches, scrapes, or swirls from the finish. There are two primary types of car polish: chemical polishes and abrasive polishes. Chemical polishes are used to clean the exterior, removing rust, grease, and stains that normal washing cannot remove. Abrasive polishes are used to fix imperfections in your car’s paint job or clear coat and smooth out small scratches or ... read more

Preventative maintenance is the single best way to keep your car running smoothly and save you money down the road in Albuquerque. By periodically checking the fundamental systems in your car, you can spot anything out of the ordinary before it becomes a bigger issue – and it is easy to do! Show your car some love this month with these preventative maintenance services: Read your owner’s manual – Every manufacturer includes a schedule of recommended maintenance for the vehicle, so check your manual for the proper maintenance intervals for your vehicle. Even if it doesn’t seem necessary, following this schedule can help to avoid bigger issues that stem from delaying these services. It is also a necessity for maintaining your manufacturer’s warranty. Check your oil and fluids – Most fluid or oil tanks have gauges or dipsticks to let you easily check the levels inside. If you are running low fre ... read more

Myths about European vehicles Whether you drive a state-of-the-art Mercedes or a vintage BMW in Albuquerque, your European vehicle is a finely-crafted machine. But does that craftsmanship require a special level of care and support? Let's take a look at three common myths about European vehicles, and how these myths could be affecting your wallet. Myth 1: There's no avoiding it -- You Have to go to the Dealership for Some Repair and Maintenance The first thing we should call attention to is the Magnuson-Moss warranty act: the law says you don't need to take your vehicle to the dealer for routine maintenance to maintain your warranty. As long as the maintenance is done according to the schedule in your vehicle's manual, the dealer can't void the warranty. And if the dealership can't hold your vehicle h ... read more

While many of the nation’s car owners are putting on their snow tires, Albuquerque drivers don’t need to worry about snow and ice as much. But just because we’re in a warmer climate doesn’t mean your vehicle is safe in the winter months. This month, our team is here to teach you how to protect your car from the sun’s UV rays. Just like the sun to your skin, your vehicle’s paint can be damaged by brutal UV rays. If you don’t protect your vehicle, these UV rays can fade the paint on your car’s exterior and even damage its interior as well. To avoid faded paint, corrosion, rust and cracking interior, follow these tips and keep your vehicle looking as good as new. Wash your car often - In warm climates, the longer you wait between car washes, the easier it is for the sun to affect your vehicle’s exterior. Adding a car wash to your weekly routine will keep your paint job looking fresh. Dry your vehicle thoroughly after a wa ... read more