Mishawaka Auto Repair

 Even though our days are still in the 70’s and 80’s our nights are dipping into the low 50’s we might stop thinking about our engine’s cooling system.  It only needs to be in tip top shape during the summer months right?  It’s true that it’s important for your cooling system to function at its best during the summer, but it’s equally important to have it functioning properly during the cooler months as well. Why have a properly maintained cooling system in the winter: Freeze protection Continued protection against over heating Reduced thermal stresses by having uniform temperatures around your engine and radiator Improved cabin heater efficiency Depending on the age of your coolant and how it was added to your cooling system, it’s possible that there is not a high enough concentration of antifreeze.  Without the proper ratios of antifreeze and water, it is possible that your cooling system may fr ... read more

This is considered the ABC's of basic Car Care: A - Always follow a PREVENTATIVE VEHICLE MAINTENANCE plan B - Be sure to HAVE YOUR CAR INSPECTED when you suspect there is a problem C - CORRECT THE PROBLEM to help avoid the inconvenience and potential safety hazards of breaking down away from home  

With all the rain we've had there are certain things we should be doing when we have to go thru the flooded area. If you can't avoid a "flooded" area and have to drive through it Sometimes the flood water comes to you rather than the other way around or you have no alternative route available and you have to drive through it. When that happens, here are some precautions to take. When approaching a depth of standing water on a road, always slow down before entering it. Even a very shallow depth of water can cause aquaplaning if entered at speed. The tires effectively lose contact with the road, resulting in a loss of steering control.   If there are other vehicles around, watch what happens to them as they drive through the water. Doing so will help you judge its depth and how it affects the vehicle as well as warn of any hidden hazards beneath the surface.   Proceed into the water very slowly and maintain a steady pace so as not to ... read more

We work on all makes of cars, Ford, GM, Honda, Toyota Chevy to name a few. Working on these and any other makes or models is what we do best. Call and come in today, need a loaner, ours are free

Picture is of worn pads-you can see where the "squeak comes from" "Why do my brakes make noise?" Brakes are not to be played with, there is an entire braking system in your car that needs regular servicing. Just replacing brake pads is not enough, the whole system needs to be maintained & serviced regularly. This squeaky or squealing noise can be an indicator that it is time to have your brakes inspected and possibly replaced. Brake noise can occur for other reasons than worn out pads, however. Moisture can cause brake rotors, which are unfinished metal, to rust as quickly as overnight. Brakes are not a component of your vehicle that should be ignored. Your braking system in your car needs to be regularly maintained & serviced regularly. We inspect your brakes when you come in for an oil change, but if you want a real complete ch ... read more

Some of the main causes of weak airflow are:   --Mold or mildew can accumulate in the evaporator core, when this  happens air will have trouble reaching air vents.  --Your hose could of come lose, the blower hose that supplies air to  unit is off.  --The ventilation fan is broken, no air will blow well or at all.  --Your seals: blower house seals, core case seals or evaporator seals, if seals are compromised the air flow will diminish. Come by Ricks Auto Service let us check out your A/C, use one of our loaner cars for free.      

This was an article written from Lake Charles.. Why we always recommend maintenance for your vehicle.  I want to share a true story from this weekend with you. A couple of friends stopped by my house Sunday around noon, for a quick visit. About an hour later my wife showed me some pictures from Facebook. He was in a wreck. Here's what happened. He has an older truck, and it hasn't been in for service in a while. Something in the “steering” gave out, sending him out of control. His truck ran off the road, and when he tried to correct, the truck flipped. His wife was in the vehicle in front of him, and watched in horror through her rear view mirror. His truck is totaled, but he is OK. A little sore, but no major injuries. This is something to think about when a repair shop tells you that you have repairs needed on your vehicle. We are not trying to take your money, we are trying to keep you and your family safe. I know some repairs are expensive. But, how much i ... read more

Turn on those headlights. In reading up on the material, I didn’t realize that it’s the law in all states for your headlights to be on. Your visibility is low, also, in many states when your windshield wipers are being used your headlights need to be on. Think. How often do you just drive, driving is often done out of habit. If your driving conditions are less than ideal, we need to be alert and focused to what is going on around me. Beware of hydroplaning. When your tires are getting more traction on the layer of water then on the road (called Hydroplaning) your car slides uncontrollable. Let off the accelerator slowly & steer straight until you get control Turn off cruise control.  This is important for me, because on rain or snow slick surfaces, you may lose control because of cruise control. If hydroplaning while in cruise control your car goes faster. Slow down. Your spe ... read more

What was the first Official White House Car? If you quessed a 1909 Steamer, ordered by President Taft. You got it right