Mishawaka Auto Repair

Keeping a dirty car. When you allow your vehicle to go to long without a wash, leads to buildup of damaging chemicals and dirt, increases the chance for rust from road salt and can interfere with proper visibility needed for safe driving. (windows). OK A LITTLE OVER THE EDGE!!!!!!  

Not following a service schedule. Because many car parts and components wear out or become damaged over time, vehicles need to be routinely serviced in order to perform optimally. Routine inspections and timely repairs will help keep your car running efficiently and will help you avoid more expensive repairs down the road. The Key to keeping vehicles running well-today and down the road-is rountine maintenance. 25% of cars had low or dirty engine oil 13%had low or contaminated brake fluid 18% had dirty air filters 17% had inadequate cooling protection or low coolant levels 16% needed new windshield wiper and 27% had low or contaminated washer fluid 18% needed new belts Overall, 89% of vehicles were in need of a least one service or repair.  

Your vehicle’s tires should be checked frequently for inflation and tread depth. Underinflated tires can wear out more quickly, needing to be replaced sooner, and can negatively impact safety, gas mileage and performance. Didn’t realize there were so many steps in just checking the tire, don’t you just look at it?! Understandin the primary function of tread on a tire: it is to divert water to improve traction and avoid hydroplaning on wet roads. Look at tread pattern. All tires have “tread wear bars”. Small bridges that form between treads, when tread bars are even with tire’s tread, replace your tires. Check with “penny or quarter test”, depending on tire size. If you see top of presidents head replace tire immediately. If only hair showing on presidents head time to go shopping for tires. If you can’t see hair on top of had, tires do not need to be replaced. Use a tread depth indicator or guage Know legal re ... read more

FAILING TO CHANGE FLUIDS Here are the 5 fluids that need to be changed in your car: Engine Oil-recommended that you check your oil every time you get gas, most modern cars though say once a month. Depending on car, manufacturer and year change oil every 3,000 miles or every 6 months. Transmission Oil-check monthly, typically change between every 50,000 to 100,00 miles but it does vary from car to car and depends on transmission type. Coolant-check twice yearly: before summer & before winter, replace every 2-3 years, again depending on how hard you drive your car and where. Power Steering Fluid-Check once a month, replace between 50,000 miles or never most car manual recommend keeping the power steering fluid levels topped off. Brake Fluid-Check every time you change your oil, replace about every 2 years, or as needed in your driving conditions.