You’re running out the door for work. You head out to the garage to jump in the car. As you pull out you notice a huge puddle on the floor, right under your engine. How do you know what it is? How do you know if it’s serious? When your car leaks, the ominous […]
National car service chains, like Jiffy Lube or PepBoys, are often used for the occasional grease job and oil change. But using these businesses for maintenance and repairs is risky. Here’s why: 1) Their “technicians” do NOT have to be certified. Employees at these chains don’t have to have any prior experience, certifications, or even […]
It’s that time of year again! The cold is here, snow is coming, and your car needs a tune-up before holiday travel starts. Here are a few things to make sure your mechanic checks when you go in for service: Antifreeze and Radiator Make sure your antifreeze is topped off and ready to go with […]
The cold weather is here in full force, and it’s time to start thinking about end-of-season bike maintenance. Here’s everything you need to know about caring for your bike through the winter months. Cleaning and Drying Cleaning and drying your bike is especially important when preparing to store your bike for the winter. A lot […]
Mufflers are a required component on any vehicle that operates on roads in the United States. Mufflers serve two functions: (1) To reduce exhaust system noise that is directed from exhaust ports to the exhaust pipes (2) To help direct exhaust gases out of the engine Most people think that mufflers are also an important […]
Most people only see the mechanic when there’s a problem. They only stop by when they hear a noise when something feels off, or, worse, when they break down. This kind of unplanned, reactive maintenance has many costs that can be avoided with simple planning. Preventative maintenance extends car life, ensures your ride is safe […]
The most commonly overlooked safety feature on any vehicle is, undoubtedly, its tires. Tires are your car’s only point of contact with the ground. They control how well you can accelerate, steer and, most importantly, come to a stop. And drivers frequently forget that the performance of their tires are a large contributing factor to […]
Power steering affects every aspect of handling, whether it turns and curves or just staying on the straight and narrow. Power steering fluid is as vital to safe driving as oil is to continued engine prowess. Without this vital fluid, your power steering will fail. If you have a power steering leak, you may not […]
The valve cover is a metal cover that is found on very top of the engine, attached to the engine by a gasket made of rubber or cork. The valve cover and gasket seal the top of the engine and prevent oil leaks. These covers are removable so the mechanic can access the valves for […]
Your air filters play a big part in how your entire engine functions. Here’s why you should keep them clean: 1. Waste will corrode your engine. The air filter’s main use is to clean bugs bits, dirt, allergens, and other debris from the air before it gets into the car. But, as the air filter […]