Mishawaka Auto Repair

What is misfiring and what are the causes of misfiring? Engine misfires can be caused by a list of faults, but there are a few suspects that occur more than others. The primary villains are simple – spark or fuel – usually manifesting in spark plugs, plug wires, the coil(s) or the fuel-delivery system. In order for a cylinder to fire properly, it needs 4 things all working together:   Proper Fuel/Air Mixture  Good Compression   Proper Timing  Correct Spark Common Misfire Causes If one or more of the above factors aren’t in proper working condition, you’ll run the risk of misfiring. There are a variety of different misfire causes that can occur that can keep a cylinder from combusting properly. Sometimes it takes a combination of issues in order to make a cylinder  ... read more

Skipping maintenance for your car will never save you money in the long run. Small problems quickly turn huge, expensive ones...for example, saving money by not replacing brake pads can mean replacing pads AND rotors down the road. Here is another example of why simple maintenance is important, and you can do this yourself or not—we can do it for you. Have you ever lifted the hood? Check the radiator for to make sure it’s not clogged, with the car off you can remove the leaves. If the area is filthy, you may need to bring your vehicle in to Ricks Auto Service here in Mishawaka. #radiator #maintenance #success

For those of you looking at brand new/used cars,  thought you might take a quick look, and just some Thought on the subject. Buying a used car is less expensive upfront. For example, a 2017 Hyundai Sonata is listed at $21,950, while a 2015 model has an average fair market value of just under $14,800, according to Kelley Blue Book. By dropping just two model years, you’d save around $7,000, about a third of the suggested retail price. Comparing the costs of buying new versus used starts with the real money-saver in buying a used car: depreciation. This is the amount of value a car loses as it ages.   Besides the savings in the purchase price, there are other benefits to buying a used car. You’ll face lower insurance rates with an older car. This is because it would be less expensive to repair or replace ... read more

BACK TO SCHOOL BLOW OUT SPECIAL SAVE $64.71 Regular Price $103.71 SPECIAL  $39.00 expires 9/29/2017 Oil and Filter Change 50 Point Savety & Maintenance Inspection Performance test drive Front Wipers Tire Rotation Battery Test Consultation about any concerns you may have Whether you are going back to school, going on a trip, want a dependable car for work or just want to get in on our Special for the Fall Weather: Give us a call. Rick’s Auto Service 574-255-4724    

"My brake" is often how customers start when experiencing some difference in braking. Here are some red flags if your brakes are doing or feeling the following: 1.Brakes are vibrating when you step on them: It occurs when the metal of the calipers are grinding against the metal of the rotors. 2. Squealing & grinding noises usually mean the brake pads are wearing out.  3.Vehicle pulls to one side when braking. Common causes could be a stuck caliper, collapsed brake hose, uneven wear on pads or brake fluid impurities. 4. Brake Pedal feels different. Knowing how your brakes feel-if you experience mushy brake(pressing all the way down) or the opposite when the brakes engage at hardly any touch. 5. The ABS Light illuminates. If the light comes on the dashboard it could mean your computer has detected a problem with the braking system. Give us a call if any of the following happens, so you aren't left without brakes, a truly needed item when one is driving!! #Brakes #M ... read more

When you are buying a "new" to you car You DO NOT want to: 1. Buy a car sight unseen or without a test drive. 2. Buy without checking to see if the title is clear.. 3. Bring a lot of cash... 4. Meet at night... 5. Believe everything the seller tells you, or at least make sure you check it out. WHAT YOU DO WANT TO DO: 1. TAKE IT TO RICK'S AUTO SERVICE HERE IN MISHAWAKA AND GET A NEW TO YOU CHECK. Unfortunately we had a customer not to long ago buy a car sight unseen, they ended up having to put another $2500.00 into the car, because it started making weird sounds shortly after they bought it.  

Is your car's Air Conditioning blowing warm? Or is it not blowing at all? How can I fix the A/C in my car? Bring your car to Ricks Auto Service and let us diagnose what's wrong with your Air Conditioning System. #AC #blowinghotair #maintenance #RicksAutoService  

NORMAL MAINTENANCE ITEMS Please check your owner manual to be sure, also you need to take into consideration how hard of a driver you are and where you drive. Oil changes- usually every 3,000 miles. Belts-check with every oil change(we do that and more) Timing belts(where applicable)-usually every 60,000-90,000 miles Brakes-front brakes usually last 20,000-30,000 miles, rear brakes usually 60,000 miles varies with driving habits and conditions Transmission services – usually every 60,000 miles Coolant services – usually every 2 years, some coolant types are good for 5 years Tires -  vary widely Hoses – check with every oil change, rot from the inside out Spark plugs – usually every 30,000, some 60,000 others 90,000 check your owners’ manual Spark plug wires – usually every 60,000 miles or when they go bad Distributor cap and rotor – cars that have them usually every 60,000 miles Air filter – should be ch ... read more

Good day, We had a customer, who called and said my tire is making a funny noise ka-thump ka-thump ka-thump, she should us a picture. Rick called the towing company and had the car sent to our shop. Check out some videos for some do not's and some do's!!. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5cXf3IKhGI&t=31s    

"Why is my A/C not cooling?" or "why is my A/C not cooling enough?" Don't wait till we have consistent Hot Weather, get your A/C Performance Checked today. The lack of well needed cold air could be from a Freon leak caused by a failed o-ring, seal, hose or component. If there is mold or mildew which could accumulate in the evaporator core, air would have trouble reaching your air vents. A hose could of come loose. Ventilation fan is fried. Whatever the cause of your airflow problems, we have the answers. #A/Cnotcooling #maintenance#shopnearme