Mishawaka Auto Repair

   Is it cheaper to replace an Engine or get a new car?      Your car Engine is the heart of your vehicle, powering all its movements and ensuring it runs smoothly. However, like all things, it can eventually fail, leaving you with the question of whether to replace it or just sell the car for a new one. A car engine replacement is a significant investment, so it's important to understand whether it's worth it. Here, we explore the pros and cons of replacing your car engine to help you make an informed decision. Benefits of Engine Replacement:      Replacing your engine has numerous benefits, including better Fuel efficiency, improved performance, and reduced Maintenance costs. Additionally, a new engine can add value to the vehicle, meaning you can sell it for a higher price when it comes time to upgrade. When you replace your engine, you also have the peace of mind that comes with knowing it's new, reliable, and won ... read more

Have you cleaned your Car lately? Spring Vehicle Maintenance, Spring Clean your Car, click the link if you need to make an appointment:  https://ricksautoservice.org/ 5 Spring Cleaning Tips for Your Vehicle As the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, many of us start to feel the urge to declutter and deep clean our homes. But what about our Vehicles? Just like our homes, our cars and trucks could use a good spring cleaning. Here are 5 tips to help get your vehicle ready for spring: CLEAN THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR Wash and wax the exterior. Vacuum and shampoo the interior. Not only will this help your vehicle look its best, but it will also protect the paint from dirt, road salt, and other elements. Vacuum and shampoo the interior. Get rid of all the dirt, dust, and crumbs that have accumulated over the winter months. Don’t forget to vacuum under the seats! Feels good to Spring Clean your Car ... read more

What You Need to Know About a Failing Fuel Pump Is your car not running as smoothly as it used to? Are you having trouble getting it to start? If so, your Fuel Pump may be going out. Here’s what you need to know about the signs, causes, and effects of a failing Fuel Pump. How does a car act when the Fuel Pump is going out? When your Fuel Pump starts to go bad, you may notice that your vehicle has difficulty starting up. This can be due to a lack of fuel pressure or an inability of the Fuel Pump to deliver enough gasoline. Other symptoms include the car stalling or sputtering while you drive and the Engine not reaching its normal operating temperature. You may also hear loud noises coming from the tank area or smell gasoline in or around the car when you get out of it. Finally, if your check engine light comes on, this could also be a sign that your fuel pump is failing. What Causes Fuel Pump Problems? There are several reasons why a Fuel Pump might be failing. One common ... read more

Symptoms of a bad or worn Ball Joint: One of the Symptoms of a bad or worn-out Ball Joint, is your tire will show excessive wear on the inside or outside of the Tire.. Tires may also show wear from any problems with the Steering or it has been a while since you have had the Vehicle Aligned. You may also be hearing odd sounds such as a faint bang, grinding or popping noise coming from the corner of the Vehicle. With a worn Ball there is to much free motion. You may also feel the Vehicle pull from side to side, or a Steering Wheel shaking excessively. The Ball Joint connects to the Steering and Suspension. Any of these above signs may be a red flag, give us a call or go online to make an appointment so we can keep your family safe driving on the road

My car is overheating. Vehicles today have amazing cooling systems that have heat sensors run by a computer-controlled electric fans. With all that, your vehicle can still overheat. A leak or blockage in the engine cooling system or another part could be the problem. Parts may leak after regular wear and tear can be your: rubber hoses, gaskets, and water pumps. DON”T ignore. Some signs that your car is overheating: steam or smoke from under the hood. The temperature gage spikes to red or “H”. Leaking coolant can have a burnt odor, or a strange smell.  If you are not car savvy, give Ricks Auto Service a call in Mishawaka. Be cautious looking under the hood it can overheat to almost 230 degrees, hot water or steam may spray on you.  From preventive maintenance to major repairs, Ricks Auto Service at 405 W. Jefferson Blvd. Call 574-255-4724, or visit online: https://ricksautoservice.org/  ... read more

Thank you Sandy for your review. Getting your Nissan Cube in, we replaced your front rotors and pads. If you had noticed your alignment or steering of your Cube a little bit difficult, replacing the Sway Bar link and Strut assembly, will make driving so much smoother. Our 3-year 36,000 mile warranty ha you covered, so glad we were able to take care of your Nissans problem. 

How do I know when my Honda brakes need to be changed? Having your brakes regularly checked can make a difference between small brake job, to a large payment. Here are some of the things we check first: Sometimes steering wheel vibration is because your tires need balancing. Brakes squealing-could be dirt or water on your brake pads. Brake fade may be due to brake fluid contamination. It is serious, but doesn’t necessarily mean new brake. Those are real problems and do need to be checked. Honda brakes last a different length of time for different drivers. Do you mostly drive highway or in town?  Do you ride your brakes and stop sharply which means your brake pads could wear out thousands of miles sooner. And how you brake affects their life expectancy. Honda brakes last between 25,000 and 60,000 miles. If you have any questions or symptoms you might need new brakes, don’t chance it. Stop by anytime : Ricks Auto Service, 405 W. Jefferson Blvd, 574. ... read more

NO Crank/No Start or Crank/No Start? There are two types of No Starts/. With the start of the Cold season, we’ve got several calls with these problems. Generally, a “no-start” vehicle will either fail to crank or fail to start while cranking. No-start conditions can arise from many locations on the vehicle, including the engine, transmission, grounding wires in any part of the vehicle, battery, alternator and more.  Most vehicles will fail to start at some point. Most common issue is starting and charging system could be bad battery, alternator, battery cable or starter. ONE, of the ways to be on top of that is PROPER MAINTENANCE. Bring your vehicle to a specialist to properly diagnosis the problem. Give us a call 574-255-4724 or go to our website https://www.ricksautoservice.org/appointments  

1. Dark puddles under my car. Always check to see if there are dark brown or yellow puddles where your car was sitting. (Pro-Tip: If you don’t have a dedicated parking space you can watch for spotting, lay down a piece of cardboard or a plastic plate underneath your vehicle when you park. (Pro-Tip: Keep a piece of cardboard or plastic to put under your car.) That way you can confirm the leak is coming from your car, not someone else’s.) If your oil pan has a leak, it will spill out directly onto the pavement. Oil leaks can cause issues with oil levels and pressure.   2. Smoke from the engine   3. The dashboard oil light is on   4. Engine overheating.   5. Smell of burning oil.     Keeping up on your vehicles maintenance, is the best way to keep up on any leaks. Your car’s manual will detail exactly how often this is. At Ricks Auto Service, every oil change service comes with a courtesy vehicle inspection. That can alert you to a ... read more

" What is routine maintenance on my car?" "How often should my vehicle be washed?" or does my vehicle really need to be washed regularly?  Keeping your car looking sharp. It also helps with the resale value. General Maintenance. I know I am always talking about maintenance, but it also allows you to fine any thing that might be loose and fix it (headlights, mirrors antennas etc). Outside finish. Dirt dulls the finish, check out older models, the clear finish is worn off. Keeping the car clean protects the car from possible rust. Outside elements: moisture/dust/dirt/ rude birds which their poo is highly acidic which can eat away the clear coat and paint. Washing is the only way to remove road salt. Salt is more corrosive then dirt or bugs. The salt if not removed accelerates rust on the frame of your vehicle. Impacts visibility. Even a layer can impact how ... read more