Mishawaka Auto Repair

We're all concerned about gasoline prices right now and how to save money on gas. There are a few things that everybody can do right away to help save some gas money... During every change of the season, the mix of gasoline and ethanol at the pump changes. This always causes problems, especially with your fuel filter. Check and replace your fuel filter and air filter. Service your Fuel and Induction systems. They work and get clogged like a spray paint can...a perfectly working system produces a fine spray, and a clogged system dribbles or globs. To clean these systems, I recommend going a preventative maintenance service called Motorvac, which cleans out fuel and air intake systems. At the very least I recommend using a good fuel injection cleaning. Get a maintenance tune-up. If it's been a long time since you've had your spark plugs replaced, make sure your technician evaluates their status, too

We have ALL experienced a dead battery, whether in the cold weather or not. Cold weather is the time most car batteries fail, but battery failure is not exclusive to the cold! A battery service and test is the best insurance you can buy to keep you form being stranded next winter! THE PROBLEM Extreme temperatures stress your car -- especially the starting system. In the winter, when you have a cold engine, cold oil and a cold battery...well, it's a bad combination. Weak batteries are caused by Corroded battery cables Lose alternator belt Leaving the lights on Age (average battery life is 4-5 years) THE SOLUTION Test and inspect the battery every fall Clean battery terminals and cable ends Clean the battery case Watch the acid though - it can burn your hands, and ruin your car paint If you get stuck with a dead battery... To jump start, connect ... read more

They sell you something you don't need. This is the worst kind of rip-off. This occurs regularly in certain shops. Protect yourself: Have them show you each needed item before and after repair; get written estimate; get second opinion before; verify repairs after; get old parts. They don't know what they are doing. Many unskilled techs are in the field due to a general shortage of technicians nationwide. You are paying for their incompetence: wasted diagnosis time, mistakes, and parts not needed. Protect yourself: Select a shop, which is accredited by AAA, ASE and ASA. Also make sure your tech is ASE certified in the specialty he's working in. Just because a tech is certified in one specialty, doesn't mean in all areas. Test their recommendations with a second opinion. They promote a price which isn't realistic. Cheap 4 wheel brake jobs: $99, but really averages $200-$300. Scheduled maintenance, tune-ups, and many othe ... read more

Basic Training - In addition to driver's education, teach them how things work and what to expect: Check tire pressure Check the gas gauge Under hood checks Oil level Washer fluid Coolant bottle level Change a flat tire You should also get a complete safety inspection on your new driver's car and go over it with them. They will gain more: Respect Appreciation Responsibility for taking care of the car Finally, talk about the What if's...what to do when the car stops running, when they become stranded on the side of the road: Jumper cables Flashlight Cell phone with all of the emergency and contact numbers

An easy way to tell how much a repair shop cares about its customers is the time its employees spend getting various certifications. Some of these certifications are more important to me than others

Any car dealer in the world would love for you to believe that you have to take your car back to them for maintenance. On the contrary, many independent repair shops can take care of the same repair needs that your dealer can. More often than not, you'll actually find more talented technicians at independent shops. For most new cars, scheduled maintenance should be done at 15k, 30k, 45k, 60k, and 90k miles. Be sure to check the owners manual for your car's specific requirements. Will this void your new car warranty? NO! The Magnuson/Moss Warranty Act prevents car manufacturers from forcing customers to get their scheduled maintenance from the dealers. Still worried about going for repairs and maintenance outside of your dealer? New car dealers can only service 57% of the cars they sell, so manufacturers were forced to give independent shops the technical info on their cars. Besides...do you really want the people who beat you up w ... read more

Many people don't understand the importance of reacting quickly to cars messages. Cars give messages to us by way of warning lights and gauges. How quickly you react to a check engine light can often determine the cost of repair! As a result of not reacting quickly to this warning light, a $150 valve cover gasket repair can turn into a $2500 head job. Think of your 'Check Engine' light as a stoplight. No light at all is like a green light...no problems, keep driving. A yellow/steady 'Check Engine' light is like a yellow light...take caution, as something needs attention. A red/blinking 'Check Engine' light is like a red light...stop driving as soon as possible and consult your owner's manual! For some vehicles, these lights can be related to maintenance and systems controls, but they are most often very serious signals from the vehicle, and are related to lubrication and temperature control systems. If these lights are, in fact, related to temperature o ... read more

A lot of people ask me, 'Do I need to winterize my cooling system this year?' and 'How long should my antifreeze or coolant last?' Most people think that the only thing they need to worry about when it comes to their coolant is AVOIDING FREEZE-UPS. There are 3 things we have to worry about with coolant: Protection against freezing and boiling Rust and Mineral Deposits P/H balance ProtectionA 50-50 mix gives protection to -34 degrees Rust.Rust will grow in the system over time. It's a living entity that eats things. P/H BalanceAcid eats: Radiators Heater cores Hoses Engine head gaskets Alkaline causes: Mineral deposits Clogged up radiators, thermostats, and heater cores What about these $19 or $29 Cooling System Services? A Radiator drain and fill doesn't really fix the big problems. The radiator will still ... read more

Retail value vs. Trade-in - Know right away: you are going to take a beating. You should only trade in if you just don't want the headache.Sell it yourself - Appearance is a big part of selling your car yourself. Have it detailed (usually less than $100), and make sure your car has good (and good-looking!) tires on. Maintenance - Keep good records of oil changes, repairs, maintenance, etc. Make sure there aren't any weird noises or vibrations. If helps if your fluids are topped off and clean, and make sure your car drives STRAIT! When you're preparing to sell it, know the value of your car using a NADA book and newspapers (The value is determined by miles, equipment and condition.). If you run a classified ad, price the car a few hundred dollars more than you want, so that you can negotiate with potential buyers

Because a car is mechanical, it can develop noises or vibrations when something is wrong. What kind of noise is your car making? Don't be afraid to make the same noise for your technician (even if it's humerous)...Clicky clicky, squeal, groaning, etc. The best solution is to note when it makes the noise or vibration... time temp speed bumps RPMs gear location while under power or coasting braking, etc. Go to the most reputable shop and get the tech or service writer to go for a ride with you and demonstrate the noise or vibration to them. They are blind without your help to identify the noise you're hearing. You know best what your car sounds like normally. And remember: Test-drive the car after you pick it up to make sure they nailed it