Mishawaka Auto Repair

From the radiator to water pump your cooling system keeps your car running down the road. Driving your car, your engine produces lots of heat, and keeping that heat in check is the critical job of the cooling system. The cooling system is comprised of the following parts…. Water Pump, Radiator, Thermostat, Hoses, & Coolant. Common Problems cars have with the cooling system. Broken Hoses, Broken fan belt, faulty radiator cap,  water pump failure & Head gaskets of course with every day wear these items will break down. But Preventive Maintenance can save you $$$, by taking a little extra time and regular visits to your favorite mechanic(Rick’s Auto Service in Mishawaka) . Let your mechanic know if there is leaking, overheating or any coolant leaks. Check all belts and hoses regularly. (at oil change is a good time). Adjust as needed. Change your coolant every 2 - 3 years depending on the manufacturers recommendations. You can check the free ... read more

LIFETIME OIL CHANGE Fight inflation, as the price of oil and parts increase, it never will for you!!(THIS IS FOR YOUR LIFETIME, IF YOU BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE IT TRANSFERS TO THAT VEHICLE!). That's the beauty of this, no matter how many cars you may own over YOUR LIFETIME, it transfers. So the next time you are at  Rick's Auto Service here in Mishawaka, IN

Engine cranks but won’t start. It gets interesting, so a crank/no start is when you turn the key and you can hear the engine moving but it’s not catching and running.  You can first eliminate all the above causes in this article, you’ve confirmed that your starter, cables and battery connections are likely good. If they weren’t, you wouldn’t hear the engine turning over when you turn the key. There are a few causes of this type of no-start, but we will cover the basics. An engine needs three things to run: A fuel supply; without fuel, the engine won’t run. A spark(for gasoline-powered engines). The spark is delivered to the combustion chamber via the ignition system. If you have a fault here, the engine won’t start. Mechanical integrity. 2 parts to the timing: the correct ignition timing: spark plug needs to fire at the proper time, and you need the engine to be mechanically in time the piston and the valves need to be working in conc ... read more

The timing belt is the belt that controls the camshafts in your engine, opening and closing valves at just the right time for smooth operation. The timing belt has teeth that turn the camshaft in time with the crankshaft. Some cars and trucks use timing chains or gears, which are more durable. Typical Wear and Tear Key items that affect the replacement interval for belts and hoses: Vehicle age Electrolytic corrosion Mileage Oil contamination Belt tension Failed hose clamps Symptoms Squeaking noise from under the hood during start-up or operation Coolant leaks Dashboard light will illuminate A/C System may fail Engine overheating Smell of burnt rubber

    With October being "Brake for Breast Cancer" awareness, thought we would take a minute to inform you about your BRAKE SYSTEM. Your car’s brake system is its most critical safety system and you should check it immediately if you suspect any problems. A properly operating brake system helps ensure safe vehicle control and operation under a wide variety of conditions. When you push the brake pedal, the force generates hydraulic pressure in the master cylinder. This pressure flows through the hydraulic lines and hoses to the wheel cylinders and calipers, forcing the shoes against the drums (drum brakes) and the pads against the rotors (disc brakes). The resulting friction slows the vehicle and is relative to the amount of force applied at the brake pedal. Brakes are a normal wear item for any car and eventually they’re going to need replacement. Avoid letting your brakes get to the “metal-to-metal” point, which usually means expensive rot ... read more

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month For the month of October we are offering “Brakes for Breast Cancer Special” Receive $25.00 off of any brake repair For the month of October Additionally we will donate $25.00 To Breast Cancer Research Our goal is to raise and donate $1,000.00 for Research

"Have you been ignoring your Check Engine" light? So, you get in your car and the "Check Engine Light" is on, before you panic go to the gas tank: is the gas cap loose? Give cap a couple of turns to make sure it's on, is it cracked or broken? If that trick doesn't work, head on over to Rick's Auto Service, having the light on at this stage could be just minor fixes. However, the longer you wait the fix could become quite serious. The possible problems can be lengthy, here are some top culprits: Spark Plugs & Wires, Oxygen Sensor, Mass Air Flow Sensor are just a few to name. There are a multitude of reasons a check engine light appears on your dashboard. However the above four, plus a broken or loose gas cap, are the top five reasons for the check engine light. Please get your vehicle in to Ricks as soon as possible to avoid the bigger problems ahead. #CheckEngineLight #Maintenance  #SparkPlugs    

SHOCKTOBER IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER!!! So,” what are shocks and struts?” “Should I wait till they go out:?” “ How do I know when my shocks or struts need replacing?” Great questions, these are some of the questions asked by our customers.      You may be surprised – shocked even – to learn just how important automotive shocks and struts really are. If you need new shocks or struts, don't delay, because these are crucial safety items that help you maintain control behind the wheel.        Are you of the age where “a bouncy ride” was the norm and that the suspension was strictly a comfort feature? Remember those dog and hula figurines where they enjoyed the bouncy rides? Did you know that shocks and struts performing at 50% efficiency can add 12 feet of stopping distance for a car traveling 60mph? The SHOCK is essentially the thing that keeps the spring in ... read more

I have stressed the importance of maintaining your car. In the Midwest during winter, the road crews use a lot of salt, which can in the long run corrode away our cars. If you wash your car once a month, it extends the body of the vehicle, making resale easier. Here is a picture of a car that needs shocks and struts, because of corrosion we can’t put the shocks in. They would need extensive body work, because of the age and rust in car, we recommended buying a new car or a “new to you”. Check out Edmunds.com true cost to own, I was surprised after I looked this up ... read more

SEPTEMBER 17-23, 2017 IS CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY WEEK Car crashes are a leading cause of death for children 1 to 13 years old. Many deaths and injuries can be prevented by proper use of car seats, boosters and seat belts. Getting safety information and car seat instructions to parents and caregivers is crucial to saving young lives. Find free safety materials (in English and Spanish) to generate awareness about child car safety in your community during Child Passenger Safety Week and National Seat Check Saturday at: https://www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/get-materials/child-safety/child-passenger-safety-weekHERE IS A LIST IN THE SOUTH BEND AREA WHERE YOU CAN GO:    Clay Fire Territory, Station #1  18776 Cleveland Road  South Bend, IN 46601  **Dave Cherrone  574-272-3012  By Appoin ... read more