Tacoma Auto Repair

Happy February to our Bristow's family! For February, we want to tackle a Pacific Northwest issue that, specifically, Washington Drivers have to deal with frequently. How to best prepare yourself & your vehicle for flooding roads & how to drive in the rain safely. Weather.com states that "Seattle experiences an average of 152 rainy days a year", which is a lot more than most states in our country. This is why it's so important to know how to drive in these PNW conditions! We know that driving in the rain -whether a sprinkle or a heavy downpour, can be one of the most challenging driving situations one can encounter. When you add darkness falling around 5 PM, it certainly doesn't help. It's crucial to keep in mind that wet roads & reduced visibility will affect how your vehicle enables you to drive safely in rainy conditions.  Your vehicle must be in prime working order before going in the rain. Make a point to make sure your headlights, taill ... read more

Whether you are driving a brand new Audi or a vintage Porsche, regular preventative maintenance is important for your European automobile. DO not underestimate the grave importance of keeping your vehicle's maintenance routine down-pat. You want to keep your engine and systems running at peak performance for as long as you can, and in this blog, we will go over the importance of having a professional auto mechanic (we prefer the term automotive technician) maintain your performance driving machine.    Who's ready to learn how to keep your European car running like new for many years?  Let's go! First, it's essential to understand the difference between preventative maintenance, scheduled service, and vehicle repair. They are all different but aim towards the same goal.    Preventative maintenance is knowing possible failures of anything related to your automotive or mechanical system. With this knowledge, you can be proactive towards prote ... read more

It is vital to understand the importance of tire rotation & balance to keep your vehicle running correctly & extend the life of your tires. When our trusted technicians rotate and balance your tires during an inspection, we manage the tread of your tire wear to extend the life of your tires. It’s important to note that tire balancing and tire rotation are different services, but people often think they are the same. We will break each different service down & explain the risks of not rotating your tires.   During a tire rotation, each tire is moved to a different position on your vehicle. For example, the tire under the left front may be moved to the back rear. This ensures that your tires wear more evenly, reduces noise & vibrations, & provides a better driving experience.    The consequences of not rotating your tires can be deadly. Without routine rotation, the tire treads can wear and cause unsafe driving situations in the form of hydrop ... read more

Happy September, Bristow's Auto Repair family! Given that the fall season is descending quickly upon us, it is a perfect time to talk about fall preventative maintenance tips for your vehicle.  Let's start by loosely defining preventative maintenance. Preventive maintenance refers to regular, routine maintenance/upkeep to help your vehicle stay up and running; by taking these measures, you prevent expensive downtime/costs from unanticipated equipment failure. Preventive maintenance involves carefully inspecting your vehicle's systems and equipment where potential problems are detected and corrected to avoid a breakdown. Preventative maintenance can include many different services, and our ASE Certified mechanics at Bristow's Auto Repair can help you extend the life of your vehicle. In this blog, we want to highlight the most common fall preventative maintenance tips for you and your car!    Vehicle Cabin Air Filter Replacement No one wants to get st ... read more

How many of you have ever been to or seen a Formula One race event? Unfortunately, not many of us will experience the thrill and high sensory events crowned the Formula One. Formula One (or F1) is defined as "the highest class of open-wheeled auto racing" by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the leading motorsport's world governing body. The word "formula" refers to a set of rules to which all participants and vehicles must conform. Maybe something more recognizable would be the name "Grand Prix," which stands for the F1 championship race, a phenomenal race held on built circuits, and in some extra-exciting cases on closed city streets! Imagine the top expert drivers from around the world, paired with the most technologically advanced racing cars on the planet, meeting for the ultimate goal of winning. There are two different annual leagues in this event, for the drivers (World Dri ... read more

  We are so close to summer finally being here in the PNW! Given the pandemic and social distancing guidelines loosening up, we at Bristow's wanted to put together a summer weekend getaway for our customers. However, as you'll notice throughout this guide, we try to include primarily outdoor and socially distant activities for you and the family. Just a drive away from exploring what Washington offers in its warmer months! Let's go!     Do You Love Kites? Visit Ocean Shores   If you travel two hours West from our shop and stay on Highway 8, you might find yourself exploring Ocean Shores! While staying in the blissful and quaint town, some outdoor exploring is needed. Check out the North Jetty beach area, and you might spot some spectacular wave action from views on the beach, as well as checking out the tide pools for hidden marine life and shells. If you wanted to trade up transportation methods, try another ocean shore staple, horseback ridin ... read more

So you've decided to take a weekend trip around the tri-pass! These passes consist of Cayuse Pass, White Pass, and Chinook Pass. Your car is all gassed up and ready to go, and your first stop is Cayuse Pass on state route 410. Cayuse Pass is just 41 miles southeast of Enumclaw with an elevation of 4675 ft. Cayuse Pass is typically closed in November due to heavy snow and outstanding avalanche danger caused by the high elevation. It usually opens in May and is known to have a snow depth at the summit of up to 15 feet. Cayuse Pass is tucked away in the Cascade mountains consisting of windy turns intersecting state route 123 and 410 is the second-highest pass in Washington. Cayuse Pass is on the east side of Mt. Rainier National Park and is a backcountry skiing destination.    The next pass you'll be going through is Chinook Pass, which has an elevation of 5430 ft and is located on the crest of the cascade range just a few miles up from Cayuse Pass. It is also usually ... read more

  History of The 911   When the Porsche 911 first rolled off the production line, it had a 2.0-liter air-cooled flat-six engine in the boot. This engine design was in production until 1998. Not everyone knows that the 911 was initially called the 901. It turns out that Peugeot claimed the rights to cars with a three-digit number having a 0 in the middle, and so Porsche changed the name to 911.    Throughout the years, Porsche made a number of styling updates to the 911 and employed various technological upgrades. In '83, Porsche upgraded to a 3.2-liter engine in the Carrera 3.2, and in the 964, they put a 3.6-liter engine.    In 1967 Porsche believed that convertibles would be made illegal in the United States, which is why they initially designed the Targa, named after the Targa Florio race. It took until 1983 for Porsche to produce a full convertible.   1988 was a monumental year for Porsche because the 911 classic was replaced by the ... read more

  The Racing History of Porsche Within the automotive racing history, Porsche is a flagship racing icon. Their production car, stock comes ready to hit the track as a serious competitor. They are race-ready with their gorgeous lines and rumble under the hood. The most common race cars are the GT2 and GT3 models. Yes, even though they are a streetcar, it is most common to see these luxury vehicles tuned and stripped, ready for the track and performance racing. You are less likely to see them with added creature comforts on the road. These cars exist for the track, and we are lucky to drive them on the road.    Porsche has a history of reliability. Did you know that over 70% of Porsches are still roadworthy and driving to this day? Comparing that to production models of the common car, the percentage of roadworthy Porsches still driving today is astronomical. With this ratio, it is no wonder that most of Porsche's titles, winnings, and trophies are from long-distan ... read more

A tire blowout while driving can be a harrowing experience, especially while on a highway, interstate, or another high-speed road. Bristow's Auto Repair wants to make sure you are prepared and know how to handle an experience like this in the safest possible manner.   If you suddenly get a flat while you are on the road, it can be difficult to keep your vehicle going in a straight line. You will want to take hold of the steering wheel at the 10 and 2 positions, take your foot off the gas pedal and allow your car to reduce speed slowly. It is crucial to avoid slamming on your brakes; you want to let your vehicle slow down gradually so as not to further damage the wheel or create a traffic hazard.   Check your breathing; make sure you take long, deep breaths, full, slow inhale, and exhales to help stay calm and keep a clear mind. You have got this!   When you find yourself in a middle or left lane, you will want to carefully work your way toward an exit or a brea ... read more