Mishawaka Auto Repair

Car owners know that there are a lot of moving parts in an engine and when any one of them breaks, it can affect the operation of the car. One part that is particularly important is the crankshaft pulley, as it connects two belts—the alternator belt and power steering belt—to the crankshaft and engine. If your crankshaft pulley breaks, you may experience a battery light on your dashboard, hard steering, and other symptoms. Let’s dive into what to do if this happens.   How do I know if my Crankshaft Pulley is bad?  The Crankshaft Pulley is an essential component of an Engine because it helps transfer power from the engine to multiple components via two Belts. The first Belt from the Alternator powers your car’s electrical system while the second belt powers the Power Steering System, making sure turning is easier. Without these belts connected to the Crankshaft pulley, your car won’t run properly or at all.   What Happens When It Breaks ... 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

For many of us, our cars are a vital part of our lives. We use them to get to work, take the kids to school, and even take weekend road trips. But what is it that makes your car run? One of the key components is a spark Plug. Let’s explore what a spark plug does and why your car needs to have one. What does a Spark Plug do? A Spark Plug is an essential component in the internal combustion Engine of a car. Its purpose is to ignite the fuel-air mixture in the cylinders of an engine by producing an electric spark. This spark ignites the air/fuel mixture which then creates a combustion reaction that powers the engine. Without this reaction, your car wouldn't be able to function properly.  When selecting replacement Spark Plugs for your vehicle, there are several factors you need to consider such as thread size, heat range, gap size, and material type. The correct choice will depend on your specific make and model as well as how you use your vehicle (i.e., daily city driving ... read more

Understanding the Importance of Struts. The struts on your Vehicle are an essential part of its Suspension System. They provide support to the car’s frame and ensure a smooth, safe ride as you drive. Without properly functioning Struts, your car could be unsafe to drive and could even damage other Components of your vehicle. Let’s explore why struts are so important. What do Struts Do? The Struts on your Vehicle are one of the most important parts of its Suspension System. They provide structural support for the vehicle’s frame and act as Shock Absorbers to provide a smooth, safe ride when traveling over uneven terrain or bumpy roads. Without properly functioning Struts, your car could suffer from dangerous handling issues such as excessive bouncing, wheel shimmy, or poor cornering control. Why Should I Replace My Struts?   It is important to replace worn out or damaged ... read more

Preparing Your Vehicle for the Winter Season   Winter is here, AGAIN!!! The winter months can be hard on your Vehicle. The Cold Temperatures, snow, and ice all take their toll. That’s why it’s important to Winterize your Vehicle each year, so you can make sure it’s in top shape to withstand the elements. Here are a few steps you should take to ensure your car is ready for the winter season.   Keeping your gas tank full becomes even more important than ever before. You wouldn't want to take the risk of running out of gas when temperatures dip, after all, you would be on your own out in the cold. For these instances, keeping a good reserve of fuel and making sure it stays consistently full become premier measures to maintaining your safety. Check Your Battery  The last thing you want is for your Car Battery to fail during a bitter cold day. To reduce the risk of that happening, check ... read more

  Keeping Your Vehicle in Tip-Top Shape No matter how much we love our cars, they require Regular Maintenance to keep them running smoothly. Regular car maintenance is important as it helps keep your vehicle safe, efficient, and reliable. It also prevents small problems from becoming costly repairs down the line. Here's a comprehensive guide to all the basics of car maintenance—from Oil Changes to Spark Plugs and more!   Oil Change Changing your oil is one of the most important aspects of car maintenance. Depending on your vehicle’s age, engine type, and driving habits, you should plan for an oil change every 3-5 months or 5,000 miles (whichever comes first). This can help ensure that all parts are properly lubricated, and that dirt and debris don’t build up in your engine over time.   Checking Oil & Coolant Levels  Oil and coolant levels should be regularly checked between oil chan ... read more

What are the Symptoms of a Failing Differential? The Differential is an essential component of any Vehicle. It helps your car to turn corners, accelerate, and decelerate, and can be found in both Front-Wheel Drive and Rear-Wheel Drive vehicles. But what happens if your Differential Fails? There are a few telltale signs that point to a failing differential—let us take a look at what they are. Noise One of the most common indicators of a failing Differential is noise. If you notice a loud grinding or clunking sound coming from the axle area while you’re driving, it could mean that there is an issue with the Differential system. These sounds usually occur when cornering or when accelerating and decelerating, so if you hear them only when performing these actions it could very well be an issue with the differential. Vibrations Another symptom of a failing Differential is vibration. Vibrations will usually occur during acceleration or when c ... read more

Essential Maintenance Tips for Keeping Your Vehicle Running SmoothlyRegular Maintenance is essential for keeping your vehicle running smoothly and safely. While some Maintenance items can be done by the owner, other more specific tasks should be left to a Professional Auto Mechanic. Let’s take a look at the essential elements of a good Maintenance Plan.Oil Changes & Filter ReplacementsThe most important type of Maintenance for your Vehicle is changing the Oil and replacing the Oil Filter every 3,000-5,000 miles. Depending on how much you drive and what kind of conditions you are driving in, this interval may need to be shortened. Oil Changes are important because they help keep all the moving parts in your Engine lubricated properly which prevents friction and overheating. It also helps keep dust and dirt out of your Engine and helps it run more efficiently.Tire Rotations & BalanceAnother critical part of ... read more