The thermostat within your vehicle maintains the engine's temperature and ensures it's operating with a range that's specified in your vehicle's owner's manual. Thermostats serve two main functions, to heat the engine and keep it consistently at optimum temperature. As you drive, the thermostat gets older and worn. A worn thermostat can get stuck open or closed, leading to an array of problems. It may not be easy to determine whether the thermostat is the main problem culprit when issues occur. Below we provide a brief overview of signs to look out for that indicate the thermostat needs to be replaced.   There's cold air blowing through the heater vents. If the thermostat is stuck open, the temperature within the engine will decrease.  The engine is overheating. If the engine is smoking and overheating, the thermostat may be stuck closed. A thermostat that is stuck in the closed position wi ... read more

It's late, and you're on your way home. The last thing you need is your battery dying or the tire going flat. Are you prepared for those circumstances if they happen? If you have roadside assistance, they may be your saving grace. While this option is reliable, emergencies can happen. Your cell phone battery can die, there may not be a dedicated phone signal, or assistance can be several hours delayed. An emergency kit stowed away in the trunk is a smart move to stay prepared for the unexpected. Below are a few suggestions on the best items to pack or include in your vehicle's emergency kit.  Portable battery charger If you're stranded several miles out away from the city, there may not be many other drivers nearby who can give you a jump. A dead battery can be resolved quickly with a portable charger because you won't need a second vehicle.  First Aid Kit A first aid kit will include Band-Aids, gauze, disposal gloves, adhesive tape, tweezers, medicati ... read more

You're on your way to work only to notice the engine won't turn over. There's nothing more frustrating than being in a rush and finding your car completely dead. For most people, driving is so routine; it's like you're on auto-pilot. You never realize how important your vehicle is until it stops working. Several different reasons can leave your car inoperable. Below are four of the most common reasons your car won't start.  The Battery Died One of the most common reasons an engine won't turn over is because the battery is dead. The battery provides electrical power not only to the electrical components but to the entire car. Driving allows your battery to charge sufficiently. If you've been self-isolating and haven't used your vehicle in a while, the lack of use could be the issue. Batteries are meant to last several years, but if you have left your headlights on or have any loose wires, it's time to consider a replacement.  ... read more

Wheel alignments are essential. There are not too many other vehicle maintenance services that extend tire life and improve handling and gas mileage. Long road trips are not the only way wheels can become misaligned. Bumpy roads, potholes, and uneven driving surfaces on the shortest drives can leave your wheels needing an alignment. Wheel alignments alter a vehicle’s suspension to correct the angles of the tires. Lex Brodie’s in Honolulu, HI, uses state of the art machinery to determine the proper angles at which your wheels should be placed. Driving with tires in an inadequate alignment takes away car balance, making the drive dangerous. If you pay special attention to your vehicle, warning signs will indicate that your car needs a wheel alignment.   The Steering Wheel is Vibrating. A steering wheel that is shaky and vibrating is a big indicator that the wheels may be out of alignment. The worse the shaking is, the sooner you should seek help. A vibra ... read more

Many drivers are abandoning their vehicles for the safety of their homes. It’s safer to work from home, do grocery pick-up, and fill your recreational time with activities that allow you to stay 6 feet apart. According to Inrix.com, a major traffic analytics company based in Washington, road travel was down by 38% during March’s last week. Cars are sitting around, not being driven. If your vehicle isn’t being driven, the gas inside your fuel tank can become stale and start to degrade. That leaves us wondering - why exactly does gas become stale? According to Greg Brannon, the Director of automotive engineering and industry relations for AAA, gasoline is a living chemical. Thus, with time, air, and condensation, it can break down and decompose. The lighter, volatile aspects of gas can evaporate, leaving the gas gummy in extreme cases. Gas can start to go bad after sitting for around three months. This gives room for alarm because if you ... read more

If you’re walking and notice your destination is directly across the street from you, but there’s no intersection, what do you do? You may consider just crossing the street. Depending on where you live, this occurrence happens more often than not. “Jaywalking” is a term that describes someone who crosses a road at a point where there isn’t a designated crosswalk. This is still an excellent term to describe that phenomenon; however, “jaywalking” has a more colorful history than you might expect. What is the history behind the word jaywalking?  Jaywalking has to do with pedestrian safety. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations show that a considerable amount of pedestrian deaths occurs due to jaywalking each year. The term jaywalking originates from the early 20th century from the colloquial word “jay.” Jay refers to a silly or goofy person and carries a history of holding a derogatory meaning. Before the automobile ... read more

While lines along the road are a regular occurrence for most drivers, they can indicate different rules. The white lines on the road can be solid, doubled, or broken, leading to confusion. Below is a description of the different types of white lines that can be found on the road and what they mean.  Solid white line:  These lines usually indicate where the road’s shoulder begins. They indicate areas where lane changes are discouraged because they may present a higher accident risk. Solid double line: These lines are very different from one solid white line and are usually separated by a few inches. A solid double line indicates that it’s illegal to cross them to change lanes or at any time.  Broken white line: A broken white line usually indicates an area where it’s considered reasonably safe to change lanes. Dashed white lines: A dashed white line may look similar to the broken white line, but the dashes are closer together. The dashes indicate tha ... read more

  The summer months are the perfect time to head to the beach for some fun in the sun. With kids and college students out of school and the perfect weather, chances are you'll be using your vehicle much more during the summer to have fun and enjoy yourself.    With using your vehicle more comes spending more money on gas, which means you may have to find some pocket change or find some ways in order to save money on fuel. We know that those gas costs can add up, and we want to help give you some tips and tricks that can make a difference when it comes to your vehicle's fuel efficiency.    Here are some of our top ways to help you save money on fuel this summer:    Driving safer and obey traffic laws. If you are constantly hitting the gas pedal, slamming on your brakes, or driving fast - you are using up more fuel than needed. By adjusting your driving habits, such as driving at the speed limit and allowing yourself plenty of time to ... read more

When it comes to owning a vehicle, the single most important thing that you can do is take care of your vehicle. Think about how much money you have spent on your car - most likely tens of thousands of dollars. Now, imagine blowing off a service because you don’t really think you need it, although it won’t cost you much and it actually will protect vital car components and extend the lifespan of your vehicle. Seems silly, right? Well, the truth is, a recent survey by the Car Care Council found that 89% of vehicles in use were in need of at least one service or repair. We understand that as a car owner, it can be difficult to bring your vehicle into a shop and trust that what the mechanics recommend is necessary to the overall integrity of your vehicle, and not just a way to get more money out of you. That is why it is so important to find an auto repair shop that you can actually trust and that will be 100% transparent with you. When you find a good auto repair shop, you&r ... read more

Here at LexBrodies, we understand the worry and uncertainty surrounding the current unprecedented times. The COVID-19 outbreak has continued to spread rapidly, and Hawaii residents have been order to stay at home when possible and to practice social distancing. This is all apart of an effort to stop the spread of the virus and minimize the amount of people who will required medical attention.  If you're working from home or your place of work is temporarily closed, now is a great time to take care of any overdue car services you've been meaning to get done but haven't had time for. LexBrodies is open and ready to serve you. We have made several adjustments to our service to abide by the CDC's regulations and recommendations to stop the spread of the virus and to keep our customers and staff members safe.  If your vehicle is due for an oil change, wheel alignment, brake service, or any other maintenance item or repair, give us a call today. We will get your s ... read more