Mishawaka Auto Repair

Is Cabin Air Filter really necessary? If you own a car, it’s important to know what a Cabin Air Filter is and when you should replace it. A Cabin Air Filter helps keep the air inside your vehicle clean, free of dust, pollen, and other allergens. Replacing your cabin air filter regularly will help ensure that your passengers can breathe fresh, clean air while in the car. Here’s all you need to know about cabin air filters and when it’s time to replace them. What is a Cabin Air Filter? A cabin air filter is an air filter designed specifically for cars. It helps keep the air inside the car clean by trapping particles such as dust, dirt, pollen, and other allergens before they enter the interior of the vehicle. It also prevents debris from entering through the ventilation system and potentially damaging other components of the car. A cabin air filter is typically located behind the glove box or under the hood of your vehicle. When Should You Replace Your Cabin Air Filte ... read more

An Idle Air Control (IAC) Valve works by controlling the flow of air into the Intake Manifold. The IAC adjusts the amount of airflow entering the Engine to ensure that it can maintain its RPM level when idling. This process occurs in response to signals from Sensors located in various parts of the vehicle, such as the throttle position sensor or mass airflow sensor. When these sensors detect changes in conditions such as load or temperature, they send signals to the computer that controls the IAC valve, which then adjusts accordingly to maintain a steady idle speed. SYMPTOMS OF A BAD IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE (IACV) If your vehicle has a faulty or worn-out Idle Air Control Valve (IACV), there are several signs you might be able to spot that indicate something isn't quite right with your car's idle system. These include:  • Erratic Idle Speed – If your car's idle speed changes drastically or jumps around for no apparent reas ... read more

  Can a car run with a bad Radiator? The answer is, unfortunately, no. If your Radiator is leaking Coolant, it's likely not going to be able to properly cool your Engine, which can lead to all sorts of problems. The Radiator is one of the most vital component of your car's Cooling System, and its main purpose is to keep the Engine from overheating. It does this by circulating coolant through the Engine and carrying away the heat from the engine block. However, radiators can go bad for a number of reasons. Here are some of the most common culprits.  1. Lack of Regular Maintenance - Just like any other part of your car, the Radiator needs to be regularly maintained in order to function properly. This means Flushing out the old Coolant and refilling it with fresh coolant at least once a year. If you don't do this, the coolant can become stagnant and start to corrode the radiator from the inside out. 2. Leaks - Radiators can develop leaks over time, and these leaks ... read more

All About the Heater Blower Motor Resistor  When it comes to your car, there are a lot of intricate parts that work together to keep everything running smoothly. One part you might not have heard of is the Heater Blower Motor Resistor. In this blog post, we'll explore what a heater blower motor resistor is and what it does. We'll also touch on some common signs that your heater blower motor resistor might need to be replaced. Read on to learn more! What is a Heater Blower Motor Resistor? The heater blower motor resistor is a component in your car's HVAC system. Its primary function is to regulate the flow of Electrical current to the Heater Blower Motor. The amount of electrical current that flows to the heater blower motor affects how fast the blower motor spins. That, in turn, determines how much air flows through the Vents into the cabin of your car.  In short, the heater blower motor resistor is responsible for regulating the speed of the blower motor, whic ... read more

A car's Engine is a complex piece of machinery, made up of many different parts that all have to work together in order for the Engine to run properly. The Timing Cover Gasket is one such part, and it plays an important role in keeping the engine oil where it belongs—inside the Engine. What Does a Timing Gasket do? Before we get into the nitty-gritty of Timing Cover Gasket failures, let's first take a step back and explain what a timing cover gasket actually is. The timing cover is located on the front of the engine and covers the timing belt or chain (hence the name). The timing cover gasket is what seals the gap between the timing cover and the engine block, thus keeping oil from leaking out. How do I Know if my Timing Cover Gasket Needs to be Replaced? There are a few signs that you may need to replace your timing cover gasket: * You notice an Oil Leak or Coolant Leak coming from your engine * Your Check Engine Light is on * Your car's engine is running hot ... read more

  I know this has nothing to do with Auto Repair, but cooking is a terrific way to relax and just have some fun. As you can see from the pictures, we did not Spatchcock the Turkey and it took FOREVER. This is such an easy step. Our Turkey turned out wonderful. I think it would be better Spatchcock. Spatchcock is a technique where you remove the backbone of the turkey so it can lay flat while cooking. This allows for even cooking and crisper skin. What do you think?The Ultimate Guide to Smoking a Spatchcock TurkeyThanksgiving is just around the corner, which means it's time to start thinking about how you're going to cook your turkey. If you're looking for something a little different this year, why not try smoking a spatchcock turkey? Spatchcocking is a method of preparation that involves removing the turkey's backbone so that it can be flattened out before cooking ... read more

  What Does it Mean When You See Corrosion on the Positive Terminal of Your Battery? Have you ever noticed corrosion on the Positive Terminal of your Battery and wondered what it meant? The substance can be either greenish blue or white, depending on the type of metal of the terminal ends. If the substance is greenish blue, its copper sulfate. The copper from the terminal clamp reacts with the lead in the battery. If the clamps are aluminum, it’ll be whiter in color, creating aluminum sulfate. In either case, you may notice the battery quality start to degrade. What Causes Corrosion on Battery Terminals? There are a few things that can cause Corrosion on Battery Terminals:  - Overcharging: When you see corrosion on the Positive Terminal, this means the Battery may be overcharging. - Vibration: Automotive batteries are designed to withstand vibration, but too much vibration can still cause damage. - Environmental factors: Batteries are also susceptible to damage f ... read more

what do these Vehicles have in common? The Check engine light is on:  A Check Engine Light typically indicates that there's a problem with the vehicle. However, it could also mean that the Gas Cap is loose or that the car needs an Oil Change. Driving with the Check Engine Light on is never the best idea. Either way, it's best to take the car to a Mechanic to get it checked out. https://www.ricksautoservice.org/appointments   The Air Filter is dirty or clogged.   The Air Filter in my car is dirty or clogged. This can lead to reduced performance and fuel efficiency. It's important to replace the air filter regularly to keep your car running at its best. The Catalytic Converter isn't working properly. The Catalytic Converter is an important part of a car's Emissions system. Unfortunately, if it isn't working ... read more

  The Coolant Housing, also called the water outlet, is the connection point between the Engine and the upper Radiator Hose. The material used to make the coolant housing depends on the vehicle's manufacturer, but it is usually made of metal, plastic, or resin. The coolant housing serves an important function in keeping your Engine cool by circulating Coolant through the Radiator. The coolant housing is responsible for circulating coolant through the Radiator. As the coolant circulates, it absorbs heat from the engine and transfers it to the air passing through the radiator. This process keeps the Engine from overheating and ensures that it functions properly. When to Replace the Coolant Housing If your car starts to overheat, one of the first things you should check is the condition of your coolant housing. If the housing is cracked or damaged, it will need to be replaced. In some cases, you may be able to repair a cracked housing with epoxy. However, it is generally best ... read more

Your car's Headlights are one of the most important safety features. They allow you to see in the dark and help other drivers see you. However, over time, UV rays and road debris can cause your headlights to become faded and yellowed. This reduces their light output and makes them less effective at illuminating the road ahead. Additionally, it can make your car look old and rundown. In this blog post, we'll discuss the dangers of driving with faded headlights and how you can prevent them. which do You prefer? Faded or yellowed headlights can significantly reduce your visibility while driving, making it more difficult to see at night or in bad weather. This can lead to accidents or near-misses. Additionally, faded headlights can make your car less visible to other drivers, which increases the risk of being involved in a collision. To avoid these dangers, it's important to regularly clean and maintain your headlights. You should also have them professionally cleaned and po ... read more