Mishawaka Auto Repair

One of the most important jobs you have as a parent is keeping your child safe when riding in a vehicle. Each year, thousands of young children are killed or injured in car crashes. Proper use of car seats helps keep children safe. Looking at carseats for my grandchildren was overwhelming. The type of seat your child needs depends on several things, including your child's age and size and the type of vehicle you have. Read on for more information from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) about choosing the most appropriate car seat for your child

What it looks like: The bat signal, if Bruce Wayne had been traumatized in a shoe closet instead of a bat cave as a child. What it means: You need to engage the brake, either to start your car's ignition or to get it out of neutral

1.Get a car wash Beyond looking nice, a car wash removes any salt and road debris and help prevent rust. 2.Take inventory What type of condition is the inside and out of your car. Check buttons, lights,   how clean is the leather, give it wax on inside too. Any deterioration on the outside, damage or scratches to lights, paint and windshield wipers. Also check for any loose parts. 3. Check the engine and top up fluids Inspect your belts, pipes and hoses for any leaks or cracks. Check oil levels and all other fluids, including antifreeze and coolant ensure everything is topped up. Your owner’s manual will be able to tell you what replacement fluids will work best with your vehicle. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. 4. Take care of your tires If you’re still using your winter tires, switch to your summer or all season ones. Check the tread, tire pressure, and for any punctures. 5. Pack an emergency kit It never hurts to be prepared, es ... read more

An Illuminated Brake system light could mean the parking brake is on, the brake fluid is low, or there is an issue with the anti-lock braking system (ABS). Check to make sure the parking brake is off and have a professional technician check the brake fluid level and diagnose if there is an ABS issue. Our eliable technicians are here to help. Come on by and we will take care of you, have some chocolate chip cookies on us

”Tire Talk: Dangerous '#fenderbergs' prevent tires from turning “  These are sometimes called fenderbergs(the snow that builds up in your wheel wells) because, like icebergs, you only see the top layer. The majority is stuck to the top of the inner fender. It takes very cold conditions for these to build up, plus the road must be wet with slush. The slush is splashed up into the wheel well, where it freezes to the top of the fender liner, suspension and, often, to the inside of the wheel well. #Suspension and #tire damage may occur if the fenderbergs get big and become solid blocks of ice. When the car hits a large bump, these can limit the suspension travel and force the tire sidewall to take a much bigger hit than it is designed for. Another problem is ice buildup between the wheel spokes. If you have been driving in deep snow for a while, forc ... read more

Battery/Charging Alert: Indicates voltage level is below normal level and the vehicle's charging system is not functioning properly. Check battery terminals, alternator belt, and battery condition.  

Just like your car’s water or coolant warning light, you might see an oil warning light flash up if oil temperature gets too high,  the level is low or oil pressure too low. It’s the latter two you want to avoid at all costs. Oil is what lubricates your engine, with the oil pump used to spray the fluid to all corners of your engine.  If temperatures get too high, or even worse, level is low or oil pressure drops, the effectiveness  of the lubrication can be reduced or lost all together. The result? Expensive engine damage, so if you see this warning sign, stop and phone a Ricks Auto Service.