How to diagnose some sounds a Subaru transmission makes when it is in need of replacement. If you plan to own your Subaru for a while, or if you plan to buy a pre-owned (used) Subaru, here are some transmission noises you should be aware of. Subaru All Wheel Drive is one thing that makes […]
Read MoreAuthor: Rebecca
Are these tires good for another winter?
It’s a good question! We have answers. Tread Depth This is just what it sounds like. The depth (or height depending on your perspective) of rubber poking out of the the tire surface above the tire casing. Essentially, we get tread depth by measuring the deepest groove in a tire. Tread depth can be measured […]
Read MoreIf you want to find a great mechanic you can trust, look for these two things.
Perhaps the oldest analytical devices humans have, curiosity and empathy are still the quickest, most effective methods we have in problem solving and in providing great care.
Read MoreAccurate Diagnosis is Vastly Less Expensive than The Educated Technician’s Guesswork
If I had one hour to save the world, I would spend 55 minutes defining the problem and five minutes finding the solution. Albert Einstein Einstein had it so right. Thoroughly understanding a problem is what builds a framework for the solution. Once we have illustrated problems in full color and from all angles, the […]
Read MoreWhy Mid-Winter Oil Changes are Critical
Almost none of the stuff we depend on is specifically designed for our climate. We usually have to DIY something to make it Fairbanks-durable. At METRO, we make it our business to design ways to care for cars so they perform and last. One of these designs is the mid-winter oil change and inspection. Regardless […]
Read MoreWinter Heaters Need Maintenance Twice a Year.
Why Do Winter Engine Heaters Need Routine Maintenance? Winter engine heaters are not stock. Vehicle manufacturers do not install engine heaters or even present the option to buyers. The most these manufacturers do to prepare mechanically for northern climates is to provide a receptacle on the engine that can receive an element style heater. There […]
Read More6 Vehicle Fluids You Need to Monitor
Some vehicle maintenance is obvious. You change your tires depending on the season and keep them rotated to get the best wear out of them. But maintaining your vehicle’s fluids may not be as obvious – both in what purpose fluid serves and in knowing what needs to be monitored. In this blog, we’ll go […]
Read MoreYour car AC unit and heater are one thing.
A car AC unit and heater are not independent systems like you would think. In theory their separation stands to reason. Since when is a fridge integral to your wood stove cranking out heat? It makes sense that systems so different in purpose would have little overlap in design. Climate Control, not Heat + Air […]
Read MoreGood Protein is Alaska’s New Gold Rush.
Good protein is Alaska’s new gold rush. Safe, truly nutritious protein is an elusive component of daily life in the American economy. It has never been as obvious to Alaskans as it is now that they enjoy an unusual marketplace of pristine meats. However, this protein is not sold in stores. It requires the initiative […]
Read MoreFrost Heaves and Potholes: How They Trash Your Car
When you are thrown by a frost heave or slammed into a pothole, does it ever make you wonder if your car is OK? So many key components are destroyed when vehicles encounter road damage as extreme as the frost boils and potholes that routinely surface on roadways every summer in Alaska. None of these […]
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