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Courtesy Auto Service is the Tacoma Auto Shop for You

Courtesy Auto Service is the Tacoma Auto Shop for You

Your Tacoma auto shop is Courtesy Auto Service. Located in Tacoma, Washington, we are the premier one-stop shop for all your automotive needs. No matter if you need tires, various vehicle repairs or a new set of wheels and tires, you can count on...

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5 Warning Signs You Need a New Alternator

5 Warning Signs You Need a New Alternator

Is Your Alternator Going Out? Courtesy Auto Service and Tire of Tacoma sees many issues in their shop and a failing alternator is common. Having a failing alternator can cause many issues and there are warning signs to look out for. Sometimes, when...

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How to Tell If Your Timing Belt is Going Bad

How to Tell If Your Timing Belt is Going Bad

Do you have a timing belt issue? Courtesy Auto Tacoma can help! When your car starts to run slowly or it stops working properly, you may think it's time to replace your timing belt. This is a common problem in a lot of vehicles, and if it isn't...

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Signs of Radiator Issues

Signs of Radiator Issues

There are many things you can do to diagnose radiator issues. One of the main things is a smell. Don't go get a fancy freshener from Amazon, get help from a pro. After you decide it’s the radiator, the best thing to do is to repair a radiator. That...

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Why Should You Get Your Tires Rotated and Balanced?

Why Should You Get Your Tires Rotated and Balanced?

Proper tire maintenance dictates that you should rotate and balance your tires – and at Courtesy Auto Service and Tire of Tacoma, we agree! It is extremely important to practice proper tire maintenance and that includes rotation and balancing the...

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The Importance of Vehicle Alignment

The Importance of Vehicle Alignment

Getting a vehicle alignment is an important maintenance task and one that you should not overlook. It can help to prevent uneven tire wear and tire blowouts while also making it easier for you to steer. Wear and Tear on Your Tires Having the proper...

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How to Tell if your Car Heater is Failing

How to Tell if your Car Heater is Failing

Car heaters are one of the most important functions of a vehicle – and here’s why: Sometimes our most underappreciated vehicle functions fail in our vehicles, like car heaters. Those chilly mornings sneak up on us quickly, especially in the Tacoma...

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What Are the 4 Components of a Tire?

What Are the 4 Components of a Tire?

The best tire center Tacoma, WA has is Courtesy Auto and Tire Center. No matter if you need a vehicle service or tire service, they are the place to go! Tires are made of several different components and at Courtesy Auto and Tire Service of Tacoma,...

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Low Tire Pressure Season

Low Tire Pressure Season

It’s low tire pressure season! The sun is setting sooner, Halloween decorations are up, the leaves are turning a lovely orange and those TPS sensors are going off like crazy. Get in for you tire pressure checks today! Why Does Cold Weather Mean Low...

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Facts and Components of Tires: Learn About Your 4 Wheels!

Facts and Components of Tires: Learn About Your 4 Wheels!

There are so many common items that we see every day but never wonder about. For instance, tires are an integral part of a vehicle’s system of operation, but all we see are round, ridged circles that get us to and fro. Let’s dive deeper into the...

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Common Car Issues: 6 Expert Troubleshooting Tips

Common Car Issues: 6 Expert Troubleshooting Tips

Common car issues troubleshooting tips are important for anyone. Owning a car means fixing something at some point. There are several common car troubleshooting tips that you can try to solve a problem. Faulty ignition coils, wheel bearings and...

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How to Reduce Braking Distance

How to Reduce Braking Distance

Braking distance is the distance a vehicle travels when braking or stopping. There are many factors that can affect braking distance. Some of these factors include road conditions, car upkeep and reaction time. Regardless of the cause, you can...

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How Can You Protect Your Vehicle? 7 Tips!

How Can You Protect Your Vehicle? 7 Tips!

We have all asked ourselves “how can I protect my vehicle?” There are many things you can do to protect your vehicle in various ways. From parking indoors, to rolling up windows, there is no measure too small when it comes to ways you can protect...

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6 Ways How Cold Weather Affects Your Vehicle

6 Ways How Cold Weather Affects Your Vehicle

There are a variety of ways in which cold weather can affect your vehicle. Your car's behavior, performance and fuel efficiency may all change as the temperatures drop. Fortunately, there are ways to minimize the effects of cold weather on your...

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The 4 Most Popular Vehicle Modifications

The 4 Most Popular Vehicle Modifications

Body modifications are a great way to make your vehicle truly your own. While many pre-owned vehicles come with great standard equipment, it may not be exactly what you need or want out of your vehicle. That's where vehicle modifications come in....

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How Do you Change a Tire?

How Do you Change a Tire?

Step By Step Have you ever asked yourself how much you know about servicing your own vehicle, like how do you change a tire? When it comes to driving on the any road, highway or freeway, there are several important things to know to be a prepared...

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Catalytic Converters: What’s the Big Deal?

It’s a topic that is unavoidable these past few years – catalytic converter theft is rapidly rising in communities all across America. You’ve seen posts on your community Facebook pages, heard talk in line at the post office. Despite awareness,...

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What Does a Multi-Point Inspection Entail?

What Does a Multi-Point Inspection Entail?

We’ve heard it time and time again: the best way to prevent a problem is to catch the warning signs before it becomes a bigger issue. This applies to many things in life, an important aspect being your vehicle. Having a well-functioning vehicle is...

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3 Signs of Clutch Issues

3 Signs of Clutch Issues

For those of you who drive a vehicle with a manual transmission, you know how essential the clutch is to (literally) getting where you need to go. Your clutch is what allows the driver in a manual to shift gears. In an automatic, this process is...

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4 Signs of Radiator Issues

4 Signs of Radiator Issues

Your radiator is a key part of your cooling system that helps keep your car from overheating. If your radiator isn’t working, your cooling system will be unable to regulate internal temperatures. This can lead to an overheated engine, stalling, and...

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3 Reasons for Wheel Shaking

3 Reasons for Wheel Shaking

If you’ve ever driven down the freeway or a winding mountain road and your wheel begins to shake you know how concerning it can be. Whatever the cause, wheel shaking can be a sign of a serious issue with one or several components of your vehicle...

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Spring Safe Driving Tips

Spring Safe Driving Tips

It’s spring here in Tacoma! As we transition into a season marked by longer days and renewed activity, it’s important to make sure that you stay alert as a driver to new possible distractions and dangers in the environment and on the road. Here are...

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When to Change Your Fuel Filter

When to Change Your Fuel Filter

We all know that air filters and oil filters need to be changed every now and then to make sure your car is functioning properly. But how often should you change your fuel filters? What are fuel filters? Fuel filters are filters designed to filter...

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8 Deadly Driving Distractions 

8 Deadly Driving Distractions 

In driving school we learn lessons like defensive driving and being wary of drunk drivers. But in the modern era where time is limited and distractions abound, it’s important to understand how daily habits like applying makeup or responding to that...

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5 Things Every Driver Should Know How to Do

5 Things Every Driver Should Know How to Do

There are some thing that should definitely be left to the experts. But on the flip side, there are some things you can’t afford not to know. Having a little bit of car maintenance know-how isn’t just helpful for saving money; it can be a real...

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Replacing Tires: A Comprehensive Guide

Replacing Tires: A Comprehensive Guide

Our tires play the single most important role in connecting our vehicles with the road. Without them we quite literally wouldn’t be going anywhere. That’s why it’s so important to make sure they’re in great shape. It's also important to start...

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The Importance of Tire Rotation and Balancing 

The Importance of Tire Rotation and Balancing 

Tire rotation is an important part of tire maintenance and overall driving safety. In 2019 alone, the US saw over 600 deaths from tire-related crashes. Just like an oil change, tire rotation shouldn’t be seen as optional. Instead, you should plan...

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4 Simple Tips for Defrosting a Windshield

4 Simple Tips for Defrosting a Windshield

Winter is coming. As the weather begins to dip below freezing at night, you can expect to wake up to frozen windshield on cold winter mornings.  Not only are frosty windshields inconvenient, they can signifiants obscure your field of vision and...

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How Cold Weather Can Affect Your Car

How Cold Weather Can Affect Your Car

It’s officially winter next month and that means colder freezing temperatures, rain, and maybe even snow. And just like the summer season can affect how your car runs, cold weather can do the same. As we enter the coldest months of the year it’s...

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4 Great Tips for Dealing with Foggy Windshields

4 Great Tips for Dealing with Foggy Windshields

’Tis the season for pumpkins, sweaters, and holiday fun. But with the changing weather comes the nemesis of many: foggy windshields. Fogged up windows can be super annoying, especially in the morning when you’re running late and your car isn’t warm...

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Snow-driving in Western Washington

Snow-driving in Western Washington

Winter is on its way, and with it comes inclement weather and snow! While snow is a Winter Wonderland dream to some, it can be a nightmare for drivers unaccustomed to snow-driving.  Make sure you stay safe this winter with these snow-driving...

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Child Passenger Safety Week

Child Passenger Safety Week

Kids are the pride and joy of many of our lives.  This week is child passenger safety week, and our team here at Courtesy Auto and Tire Repair of Tacoma wants to highlight best practices for keeping our little ones safe. It can be easy to...

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4 Important Fall Maintenance Checks

4 Important Fall Maintenance Checks

Fall Maintenance Checks to Keep You Safe Fall is just around the corner here in Tacoma. You can feel it in the air. The weather is cooling down, the leaves are starting to get that faint red hue, and no doubt you’ve noticed buses are back on the...

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S.O.S. What To Do When Your Car Starts Smoking

S.O.S. What To Do When Your Car Starts Smoking

It feels like the last few years these summers in Washington State have been characterized by smoke. But besides smokey weather, there’s something else that we all dread even more: when your car starts smoking. Smoke coming from your car is always...

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Identifying Different Smells Coming From Your A/C

Identifying Different Smells Coming From Your A/C

During these hot, hot days it’s always a relief to get in that car and crank the A/C to full blast. But have you ever gotten in your car and turned on your A/C just to be hit by wall of smells coming from your A/C? It can be horrible and quickly...

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Why Oil Changes Are Important

Why Oil Changes Are Important

Have you ever gotten busy with life and forgotten to change your oil? If you have, you're not alone. Depending on driving conditions, make, and model, oil changes should be between 3,000 and 10,000 miles. But what happens when you don't get an oil...

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Premium Gas: Does The Type of Gas You Buy Really Matter?

Premium Gas: Does The Type of Gas You Buy Really Matter?

With gas prices soaring to nearly 4 dollars here in Tacoma, you might find yourself wondering if that premium gas is actually doing anything to help save your tank. While there’s no question that strictly diesel cars should only use diesel and vise...

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Driving On a Spare Tire

Driving On a Spare Tire

Picture this: you're driving down I-5 at 10 pm through a downpour when you feel a pop and a bump. Your car slowly loses traction and you pull over to see that you've blown a tire. Luckily, you have your trusty spare tire in the back. With some...

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Cruise Control Not Working?

Cruise Control Not Working?

Are you living in the Tacoma area and experiencing issues with your cruise control? Here are some of the possible reasons why. What is Cruise Control? Cruise control is a helpful way for you to maintain speed while on the road. Your cruise gives...

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3 Signs of a Failing Transmission

3 Signs of a Failing Transmission

A failing transmission is never a good thing. Your transmission is the part of your car that allows the gears to shift as you drive. Whether automatic or manual, it is essential to making your car move and letting you control the speed you drive...

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A Helpful Guide to Navigating the Auto Service Menu

A Helpful Guide to Navigating the Auto Service Menu

It can be tricky trying to understand what what you’re actually getting when you look at the auto services menu. To make it easy on you, we’ve constructed this comprehensive list of what each of our auto services entail. What Our Auto Services...

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The Special Needs of Your Car

The Special Needs of Your Car

f you own an import, it’s important to know that for you, not all auto shops were created equal. European imports have specific maintenance and repair needs that you may not be able to get at the average repair shop.

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What Makes Hybrids Different

What Makes Hybrids Different

Hybrid cars are becoming a more and more attractive option for car-owners. With great mileage and low fuel consumption, hybrids save gas money and help reduce your carbon footprint. As a green business, we here at Courtesy Auto understand the...

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Extending the Life of Your Brakes

Extending the Life of Your Brakes

Like most things, your brakes will eventually have to be replaced. But if you're smart about how you drive and take care of your vehicle, you can make them last longer. Certain driving habits can lead wear your brake pads down quickly. Here are...

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Synthetic Oil Over Conventional Oil

Synthetic Oil Over Conventional Oil

If you haven’t heard, now is the time to consider using synthetic motor oil in your car. Why?  Synthetic motor oil maximizes engine power and fuel economy. Synthetic motor oil is a better alternative to petroleum based oil. It doesn’t gel or...

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Tacoma Drivers Severe Service Maintenance Schedules

Tacoma Drivers Severe Service Maintenance Schedules

Since driving requirements and lifestyles differ among Tacoma drivers, some vehicle manufacturers issue two auto maintenance schedules: the regular schedule and the severe service schedule. Which schedule should Tacoma auto...

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Clean Air For Your Engine

Clean Air For Your Engine

Every Tacoma car owner who has taken their car in for an oil change has been told that their engine air filter is dirty. But why does it matter anyway? Why a Clean Engine Air Filter Matter Think about a dirty furnace filter in your home. When it’s...

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Maintaining Your Older Car in Tacoma, Washington

Maintaining Your Older Car in Tacoma, Washington

Over the years, the price of a new car has skyrocketed. With new cars becoming more expensive, many people in the Pierce County area are driving their cars longer, making the knowledge of maintaining your older car vital. The average car household...

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3 Helpful Tips on How to Make Your Vehicle Last

3 Helpful Tips on How to Make Your Vehicle Last

Tips like changing oil regularly (seen above) are essential when learning how to make your vehicle last. Even though times have changed, sometimes fixing things is better than replace them. Knowing how to make your vehicle last can save you time...

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The Importance of Your A/C

The Importance of Your A/C

Your Air Conditioning unit is a vital tool in your car or SUV. While it provides a cool refuge on blazing summer days, it also serves practical and essential functions in winter months as well. The A/C unit is responsible for defrosting your...

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