Mishawaka Auto Repair

JUNE SPECIAL $25.00 off of brake pads till the end of June! Have you wondered about the different noises the brakes may make look at the chart below: NOISE POSSIBLE CAUSE Grinding Stop Driving! Usually caused by a lack of brake pad. Thumping from rear Hard to diagnose, but usually the rear drums. Squeaking Either cheap brake pads or break wear indicator is hitting rotor. Thumping or squealing If car is parked outdorrs, probably caused by rusted rotors. Scraping You may have picked up a rock, or the pads need to be changed.   

  To Wash or Not to Wash Your Car! "Do I need to wash my car?" I hate to be the one to tell but washing your car yourself is the safest. Cars can be scratched, or as did happen to one of ours, it got parked to close and the machine took out our mirror. That was not cheap. So what will you need to clean your car: Use a Liquid Soap, in the powdered stuff, some of the crystals may not fully dissolve thus causing scratches. Don’t use Dishwashing liquid, make sure it’s for automotive use. A bucket, you see the one I used, couldn’t find our regular bucket so I grabbed a garbage can(this was a clean bucket, if you are grabbing anyone make sure it wasn’t used for something else, such as drain oil or chemicals. Get a good quality sponge or wash mit, using a mit over a clothe is it less likely to hit the ground and have dirt or rocks on it. If you are like us, and we get stuck driving where there is tar: get a good bug and tar remover. Try different ... read more

It's starting to get warm, we've already had a customer call and say "Why is my air conditioner blowing warm air?"  Don’t wait till the weather is unbearable , let us get you’re A/C Performance Checked today! The simplest solution is that your #A/C system needs to be serviced. Getting the system service about every 5 years or sooner if the summer has been brutal. With time condensation builds up inside the system, causing it to blow warm air instead of cool. To service your A/C: pulling out all of the refrigerant and storing it, then pressurizing the system making sure there are no leaks, then dry the system, and put the refrigerant back. Then you should get plenty of cold air. If we find leaks that could explain the warm air, because the refrigerant is slowly leaking out. Other times a part may fail, it could be the compressor, or the condenser, replacing the part should get you on your way. Give us a call so we can set an appointment and help you &l ... read more

Just an Oil Change? Not at Ricks Auto Service here in Mishawaka IN. While your car is in we do a 60+ check on your car.  We keep our customers informed, when we come across concerns that we see we prioritize the work and help our customers figure out how to get things done in a timely manner. Can’t wait, no problem we have free loaners. ASK ABOUT OUR LIFETIME OIL CHANGES (your lifetime not the cars) or our CarCareClub. #OilChange #Battery #Maintenance #FreeLoaners

Even though there is less traffic at night, there is a higher incident of accidents.I read that and wondered why, here are some of the answers: Fatigue: Not surprising to hear, especially  as Day Light Savings it doesn’t get dark till after 9pm. Darkness: Have you ever driven when it is pouring rain, yet the streets are so poorly marked that it is so hard to stay in your lane. Rush Hour Traffic: Between 4 and 7pm there are more cars on the road and less light. People want to get home and are not as alert as they should be. Impaired drivers: when you drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs increases nighttime accidents. What should you do to combat darkness? Get your headlights position right. Make sure your Headlights are clean Dashboard should be dim Don’t look directly at oncoming cars Do you wear glasses? They have anti-reflective lenses When was the last time you cleaned your winds ... read more

What better way to "spring" into Spring, then to make sure your car is running smooth, and will be able to take you into the hot summer months..Yes, even though we will be seeing the white stuff for a while longer Spring is here which will be usher in Summer. April is National Car Care month, don't be one of those 35% who allow their car to get totally run down. Be proactive call us today, start with an Oil Change, we do a free Health Assessment of your Vehicle, breaking down the "Yesterday", "Today", and "Future" needs of your car. Allow us to give you Peace in your travels. #Spring #NationalCarCareMonth #CarCare #HealthAssessment 

Transmission Repair in Mishawaka, Granger Or South Bend, IN The Check Engine Light will be on, you may hear strange noises, unusual or burnt smells. Is there a delay in acceleration , is your vehicle switching gears when it’s not suppose to? Having trouble or not able to reverse? Here is a quick list of causes: Low fluid levels—most common Damaged fluid Leaks-can be another cause, do you see red fluid on your garage floor? Worn or broken transmission bands Clutch problems Worn out gears Solenoid problems Torque converter issues We never recommend driving with a slipping transmission, as it compromises the vehicle’s safety. #safety #TransmissionRepair #TransmissionMaintenance #Mechanic

As we get closer to Spring/Easter break, and summer right around the corner here are a few ways to cut your car expenses: Drive sensibly: If you have a bad habit to speed and hard brake those are quick ways you can waste gas. That type of aggressive driving can lower gas mileage on highway 33% around town 5%, Adds up after a while. Cruise at 50 mph. In all honesty don’t know how you can do this one because in town the speed limit is way less than 50. The freeway is way faster than the 50 mph. It says roughly savings up to $477 a year, not milk change. Stop Idling. I am guilty of this, it says that you spend about $140 a year if you idle more than 2 hours a week. Embrace the heat. Someone from the west or lives in dry weather, not our Midwest weather, where you step outside and are dripping before you take two steps! You can save roughly $120 a year, sorry I will keep my A/C on well worth the $120!! G ... read more

SPRING IS REALLY GOING TO HAPPEN!!!   South Bend and Plymouth have seen hefty snow totals of more than 62.3”. LaPorte has seen a whooping 92.4”, while others have seen 58.2” and lower(still an amazing amount). So for sure Spring will be here, let’s start thinking about “Spring Cleaning” your car! When was the last time you had your wiper blades(are they cracked or streaking your windshield)? What about your tires? Do you see any bulges or bald spots? All the filters and fluids should be checked-don’t forget engine oil, transmission, power steering and brake fluids. Don forget your windshield wiper solvent and antifreeze/coolant. If your air filters are filthy they could cause the engine to lose power or can waste gas. Hoses  and belts with use can become loose,brittle, cracked or show signs of excessive wear. These are critical in the proper function of the electrical, power steering, air conditioning and cooli ... read more

      Any leak no matter where it is, is never ideal, especially if it is a vacuum leak. With leaking seals, the engine works harder, putting more wear and tear on the engine. The Valve Cover Gasket is made of rubber or cork, this seals the cover to the engine, keeping any oil from leaking out. If you are driving with a cracked or broken gasket, the oil will lead, your engine will not be properly lubricated, and then the engine can be damaged seriously. #ValveCoverGasket #seals #maintenance #RicksAutoService