Mishawaka Auto Repair

Can you drive with worn Brakes? There are a many components in the Braking System. The Brake Pads rub against the Brake Drums or Brake Rotors, if you hear a grinding or loud noise time to change the Pads. The Brake Rotors or Drums create the friction to stop your Vehicle. You are probably more familiar with the Brake Pedal which is activate by your foot. Starting the whole Braking process. The Pedal starts the Brake Fluid to flow and put pressure on the Brake Pads. The Master Cylinder, holds the Brake Fluid, and is also activated when you press the Brake Pedal. The Brake Pads are connected to the Wheel Cylinders and squeeze the Brake Drums when the fluid flows on them. Brake Lines carry the Brake Fluid from the Master Cylinder reservoir when the pressure on the Brake Pedal is applied. These are some of the Warning Signs – Please don’t ignore them: Your Brake Light comes on Squeal, Squeak or Grinding Noises Wobbling, Vibration or Scraping when you Brake Fluid is leaking ... read more

What is AC Dye? When there are leaks in the Air Conditioning (AC) it is hard to pinpoint the leak. The Dye is actually a Fluorescent dye. The Technician uses a Violet or UV Light, they can see where the dye is glowing and are able to detect the leak or leaks. The refrigerant circulates and in time washes the dye out.    From preventive maintenance to major repairs, Ricks Auto Service at 405 W. Jefferson Blvd. Call 574-255-4724, or visit online: https://www.ricksautoservice.org/appointments #Ricksautoservicein #RicksAutoService #mechanic #airconditioningrepair  

When should Brake Rotors be replaced?  Brake Rotors do not need changing as often as Brake Pads, but they do need to be changed. When Brakes are not working the way they should getting them fixed is a matter of Safety. Some signs of Warped Rotors: A Squeaking Noise when Brakes are applied. The Brake Pads when worn down can make the same noise. When applying the Brakes a vibration in the Brake Pedal and sometimes in the Steering Wheel. The Rotors themselves will have grooves, deep score marks. When you depress the Brakes it takes longer to stop. Sometimes it may even feel like you are pressing down harder on the Brakes and the Vehicle is not stopping as quick

Can a car run with a bad Alternator? Maybe, but it would be for a very short time. What the Alternator does is it charges the Battery. Once the energy in the Battery is gone, the car will die or won’t start at all. Symptoms of a bad Alternator:                                          Your lights are dim or overly bright. As your Alternator starts to fail the voltage to the Battery is very inconsistent. Dead Battery. Yes, sometimes the battery is just dead, the life of a Battery is about 4-6 years. If the Alternator is bad it intermittently will charge the Battery. If the Alternator is going out the Vehicles’ electronics will be slow or won’t work. If you notice you have trouble starting the car or it stalls frequently the Alternator is not charging the Battery. Turning the key to start the car you may hear a clicking sound instead of the Engine starting. Nois ... read more

Maintenance Maintenance Maintenance!!! Being aware of the total Health of your Vehicle is key to keeping you on the road with a well oiled Car! When you get an Oil Change at Ricks Auto Service here in Mishawaka, we also do a Health Assessment of your entire Vehicle. The Health Assessment is a 50 point check on your Vehicle. This allows us to partner with you in a long-term care of your vehicle. Our 36,000 mile 3-year warranty backs up our work and gives you peace of mind. If unsure how often your Oil should be changed check your Owners Book in the glove box, also if you do a lot of rough driving, considering changing it sooner. Keeping  your family safe on the road is number one in our shop. Just as the human body can not live without blood, the Oil is the lifeline to your Vehicle. Lubricating the Engine, while cooling your Engines’ moving parts. When  you don’t keep the Oil cleaned and do an Oil Flush, you allow sludge to build up. The longer you wait, the O ... read more

The U-Joint or Universal Joint connects the Driveshaft to the Differential. It is a cross shaped piece, with bearings at each end. It allows for varying angles of the Driveshaft. If you hear a clunking noise when shifting into drive or reverse or even a banking noise when putting in gear. You may also hear a squeaking noise which can happen when the U-Joint loses lubrication. Huge problem is when your Vehicle goes in gear but won’t move you will need to have your Vehicle towed. #UJoint #drivetrain #wontstart #ricksautoservicein #Mishawaka

What are the signs of a bad Flywheel? What is a Flywheel? The Flywheel bolts between the Transmission and the Engine. The Teeth were damaged, this Vehicle was a No-Starter and the Starter was damaged and was replaced.   As you can see from the picture the Flywheel is a thick metal Disk. The Flywheel is extremely firm and inflexible. Notice the row of Gear Teeth which engage with the Engines’ Starter Motor it helps with starting the Engine.  Once started the Crankshaft converts the up and down motion of the Pistons into Rotary motion. It is bolted to a Flange on the Transmission side of the Crankshaft. The Flywheel keeps your Engine running or else it will stall when you let your foot off the Accelerator. It is also weighted to the Car’s Crankshaft. It also reduces Drivetrain Stress with the other parts. Without the Flywheel your Vehicle would stall when you move the Vehicle from a standstill. The Teeth show damage.    Signs of a bad Flywheel: Gears ... read more

Do Struts need to be replaced? Some people would say no, but in all honesty I personally prefer a smooth ride. It could also be a matter of safety. If experiencing a bumpy ride, or the Steering becomes stiff or harder to turn, it can also sway or lean to one side. You may also be hearing noises such as clunking or a knocking noise.  The Struts and Springs are part of your Vehicles Suspension System. They absorb all the excess bouncing of your Vehicles Suspension System. What the struts house are the Coil Spring, Spring Seats and Shock Absorbers. The Strut Bearing and the Steering Knuckle. The Struts provide the structural support – connecting the upper Strut Bearing to the lower Ball Joint. The Picture below is the  Vehicle that had the Struts and Springs replaced.   

What is a Brake Caliper?  The Brake Caliper is critical to slowing and stopping your Vehicle. The Brake Caliper plays a major role with your Disc Brake system. It supports the Brake Caliper and using the Brake Pistons exerts friction on the Brake Rotor. It squeezes the Brake Pads against the Brake Rotor stopping the Vehicle. The Brake Calipers does not need replacing as often as the Brake Pads or Brake Rotors. That being said if you are driving with Brake Pads that are worn out or your Rotors are warped damage to the Brake Calipers happens. Some symptoms of bad Brake Calipers are:   Your Brake Fluid is leaking -Calipers are failing or going bad Your warning light will go on. Your Brake Pads are wearing unevenly. Your Vehicle is pulling to the right or the left. When braking abnormal sounds. When driving if the Brakes feel like they are engaged you may have dirty Calipers. Which might cause them to stick If you are experiencing all or any of the above signs, bring ... read more

Do all cars have a Catalytic Converter? Since 1974, most gasoline Cars and Trucks have a Catalytic Converters. The job of the Catalytic Converter is that it reduces Toxic Gases and Pollutants that can harm us. It can also improve your Vehicles’ efficiency. If your Catalytic Converter is not working you will smell the result, it smells like Sulphur. Another function, like a Muffler, the Catalytic Converter will reduce some of the loud Exhaust sound. Vehicles produced after 1974 are required to have a Catalytic Converter. The Camry, Ferrari F430, RAM 2500 have two Catalytic Converter making them targets for Catalytic Converter theft. Other Vehicles such as Honda Jazz, Toyota Prius, Toyota Auris, Lexus RX and those Trucks that are taller (4x4s) are also targets of Converter theft.       There are precious metals in the Catalytic Converter: Rhodium, Platinum and Palladium. If you do not want to get expensive plates to cover the Catalytic Converter (they can still ... read more