Mishawaka Auto Repair

What happens to cars in extreme cold? Battery - Ever wonder why it’s harder to start your car in extreme cold? The extreme cold actually pulls voltage from the battery. We do free battery check so you won’t be left in the cold… Your battery should last an average of three years, not sure bring it by. FLUIDS -  Check the oil, antifreeze, power steering, brake, transmission fluid and windshield wiper fluid(nice to have) With cold weather the fluids thicken making it harder for the car to run properly. Tires – Did you know you lose 1 pound per square inch(psi) with every 10f drop of temperature. When your tires are under-inflated they don’t drive well. Windshield and wiper blades – It’s the difference from seeing and not seeing having washer fluid and new blades..just make it a habit to replace every 6 months to a year. Spark Plugs – if you have a ... read more

How do I prepare myself for winter? Were you caught off guard? We can help.. But, here are some things that you can do without breaking the bank book. Keep gas tank full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines. Use a wintertime formula in your windshield washer. Do you have an emergency kit? Some ideas certainly not an exhaustive list: Cell phone, portable charger, extra batteries Blankets. Food and water – high protein food Flares, tire pump, booster cables, either sand or kitty litter(great traction) Flashlight, extra batteries First aid kit  

The holidays are right around the corner. No doubt you’ve already had plans in the works for quite some time. Destinations decided, hotels booked, and modes of transportation lined up.   The unexpected always pop up, be proactive this year! If flying: Shop around Plot connections carefully Leave early Pack wisely Plan ahead for parking Take advantage of shortcuts Travel early in the day Bring some creature comforts Keep cool, don’t lose your temper Put it all together : boarding pass sent to phone, leave early, don’t sweat the small stuff, travel light, go to and through security, arrive at gate early. If driving: Making sure your car is maintained and prepared for Holiday Travel. Some of the most important maintenance items to check off your list to do before travel include: Installing winter wipers Putting on your winter tires Check your tire pressure regularly Keep your gas tank at least half full at all times Ensure your rear window defr ... read more

     Your brake system is made of many components when working well,  your brakes seem to operate seamlessly. If one thing needs to be repaired, the whole system is compromised. Brake pads, rotors, hoses, calipers, and metal lines all play a part in stopping your car.      Our team is equipped to make sure all of those parts are in working order, so you can be safe on the road ahead.       It makes sense that brakes need to be serviced more often than other systems on your vehicle. If you think about it, it’s pretty incredible those 4 inch brake pads can stop the momentum of a ton of moving metal thousands of times with no issue. Given the amount of stress your brakes are under, when one component fails, it’ll lead to other failures if the issue isn’t addressed.      Bad pads lead to bad rotors, bad hoses lead to worn pads, etc...it’s much more cost effective to get any ... read more

Drivers: Halloween Safety  1. Use your headlights — Halloween nights can be foggy and dark. Always make sure you use your headlights so you are visible to pedestrians. 2. Speed control — Be extra cautious and alert when driving. Drive slower than the posted speed limit, especially in residential areas. Excited children not pay attention before darting or crossing the road. Drive slowly so you can respond quickly if you need to.  3. Don’t drive distracted — Keep your full attention on the road. Avoid using your phone and keep music at a level which enables you to hear horns and pedestrians around. 4. Exit driveways and pull onto streets with extreme caution

Why we use BG for our Brakes. BG Brake Fluid Conditioner slows corrosion in the Brake system. It maximizes brake fluid performance. Prevents corrosion in master cylinder. Cleans varnish from the brake system Removes air from the brake lines Replaces worn brake fluid with BG Heavy Duty DOT 3 or DOT 4 Brake Fluid (The DOT part refers to the U.S. Department of Transportation, which issues detailed standards for all motor vehicle brake fluids in the country. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 116 details three different classifications of glycol-based brake fluids, and one silicone-based brake fluid (SBBF) [source: USDOT].) More responsive brakes Increased vehicle safety Smoother stopping Quieter brakes

  IS A FUEL SYSTEM CLEANING NECESSARY? A Fuel System Service keeps your engine running smoothly and efficiently.  Knowing your Owner Manual mileage recommendations keeps you informed as how often it should be done. HOWEVER if you are experiencing any of the following changes in your engine, or you are just a hard driver. SYMPTOMS: Poor Fuel Economy Power Loss Increased emissions Pinging/Knocking Hard Starting Rough Idle WHAT A FUEL SYSTEM CLEANING DOES FOR YOUR ENGINE: Cleans Fuel Injectors Clean throttle body Corrects balance of fuel and air in system Removes combustion Chamber deposits Cleans plenum and air intake Cleans intake valves and ports OVERALL BENEFITS: Reduced harmful emissions Restores the power Your car performs better Fuel efficiency is restored

Winter Maintenance is just that keeping your car well maintained. Cars today aside from safety (which has vastly improved) are much better then say cars of the 70’s or 80’s. Cars today are more Durable. It wasn’t unusual for cars of the 1960-1970 era not lasting more then 100,000 mile with some major problems. Cars today go well over that. Functionality. Power Steering, ABS Brakes, and Power Windows are almost standard. Transmissions are better. Fuel economy is more than way better. And the vehicles we drive are more comfortable. Those of you who enjoy their entertainment, the radios, CD players are much better. Hooking up your phone to the car stereo and playing your music. Spotify and other cheap ways of playing your own music. You have CiriusXM radio. Making a hands free phone call is just as easy

Cooling System Power Back flush Why get a cooling system flush? On your vehicle the cooling system removes the tremendous heat generated by your Chevy, Honda, Ford and any car you drive. Over time the coolant mixture becomes contaminated with scale and rust, which clogs and damages the cooling system components. Checking this yearly is very important,  look on your vehicles manual if it states mileage.  What we check? Pressure conditions and coolant volume. Making sure the radiator cap fits correctly and is not cracked. The hoses need to be check on wear, are they cracked and disintegrating. The same goes for the Engine belts. What are the warning signs? Check engine warning light is on Low coolant warning light is on Engine is overheating How important is this service? As with all maintenance it is very important to keep your vehicle healthy and running longer

  What are brake Calipers and what do they do? What are the symptoms of a bad brake caliper? All components of braking system are important, the calipers work together with the brake pads and rotors. With the modern disc brake systems, Calipers force the brake pads against the rotors to slow the vehicle. Here are warning signs that Caliper is going bad: Brake Fluid leaks: with constant exposure the rubber seal and boot wear out and leak. When you have constant exposure to intense heat from the braking the seal wear out and leak. Reduced Braking Power: you may be feeling like braking takes extra effort. Brakes feel spongy the caliper won’t fully clamp down because of dirt and grime build up. Abnormal Sounds when Braking: Are you hearing high-pitched noises, thudding or impact sounds when braking. The caliper itself when compromised will not properly stop the vehicle which wears on other parts of the brake. Vehi ... read more