Mishawaka Auto Repair

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

“New Transmission or New Car” You get the news your transmission is bad. What next? Going forward, there are a few things to consider. You might just want to get a new car…let’s look at all the factors. You don’t want a large car payment. Will that transmission take care of all your problems? If that transmission is the major issue, once replaced. You’ll have a car, truck or SUV that drives like new again. If your vehicle is in poor shape, you might call it quits. What is the vehicle worth? Your car isn’t worth much with a bad transmission. Even if you traded it in, you will take a loss. If the car wouldn’t be worth much either way or the repair job costs more that the vehicle is worth. But if the body of the car is in good shape, replacing the transmission might be a good idea. Do you want to keep this vehicle? If knowing all the history and this has just been a reliable vehicle. If you need a second opinion because you just aren ... 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 a ... read more

 “When should I get another Car?” When you’ve got a problem with your vehicle’s engine, it could be any number of issues.  At Rick’s Auto Service, our expert Service Technicians will determine the problem. Explaining what needs to be done in clear terms. Allowing you to make an informed decision on how best to proceed.(to keep or to not keep your vehicle)  Our goal is keeping you and your family safe on the road. The key component in keeping your vehicle running well, is regular maintenance.   What are common engine problems? Overheating Check engine light is on(might just be loose gas cap) Low coolant Burnt out radiator. Clogged hoses or radiator Broken engine thermostat Loose or broken plugs Leaking coolant system Blown or cracked gasket   Conducting standard tune-ups are important (visual inspection of engine components, diagnostics, fuel pump, various filters, ignition module, emissions, tires, engine sensors, h ... read more

Mechanic Near Me Why is car maintenance important? Keeping up with the simple maintenance, will in the end pay off. Your vehicle will be less likely to serious problems in the future. Some simple things that even you can do:  check your tire pressure, checking other engine fluids.  if adventurous enough changing the oil. Some items that are considered regular maintenance: Checking your vehicles fluids: Oil, Transmission fluid, Radiator Fluid (ONLY CHECK WHEN COOL-BURNS WILL HAPPEN), Power Steering, Brake fluid, Air Conditioning operations, Getting your oil changed regularly. Checking tire pressure...not having the correct pressure can result in uneven wear or your tires wear quicker and loss of gas mileage. Here are some reasons as to why it is important: Saves you money. Your engine will run smoother It also affects all areas of your vehicle. Safety issue. Resale value. What would my schedule look like?  With an oil change at Ricks Au ... read more

  When to replace tires? Did you know that about 9%of vehicle crashes are tire related? This is a study done by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The only thing between you and the road are the four tires on your car. A very simple test you can do is with a penny! Put Lincolns Head down into the tread. If you see the top of the head of Lincoln. Your tires are in need of a change, try it in different areas of the tire. Does your vehicle track straight as an arrow? Are you drifting to the right or to the left? Is the air in your tires under or over inflated? Are there vibrations in your wheel (they are out of balance or bent-good ole potholes) or suspension is worn. Doesn’t mention in the vehicle manufactures guide. But if you are going straight as an arrow, no need for an alignment. Have it checked when you get the tires rotated. #tires #rotation #vibrations #drivability #safety