Mishawaka Auto Repair

Mechanic Near Me Why is car maintenance important? Keeping up with the simple maintenance, will in the end pay off. Your vehicle will be less likely to serious problems in the future. Some simple things that even you can do:  check your tire pressure, checking other engine fluids.  if adventurous enough changing the oil. Some items that are considered regular maintenance: Checking your vehicles fluids: Oil, Transmission fluid, Radiator Fluid (ONLY CHECK WHEN COOL-BURNS WILL HAPPEN), Power Steering, Brake fluid, Air Conditioning operations, Getting your oil changed regularly. Checking tire pressure...not having the correct pressure can result in uneven wear or your tires wear quicker and loss of gas mileage. Here are some reasons as to why it is important: Saves you money. Your engine will run smoother It also affects all areas of your vehicle. Safety issue. Resale value. What would my schedule look like?  With an oil change at Ricks Au ... read more

  When to replace tires? Did you know that about 9%of vehicle crashes are tire related? This is a study done by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The only thing between you and the road are the four tires on your car. A very simple test you can do is with a penny! Put Lincolns Head down into the tread. If you see the top of the head of Lincoln. Your tires are in need of a change, try it in different areas of the tire. Does your vehicle track straight as an arrow? Are you drifting to the right or to the left? Is the air in your tires under or over inflated? Are there vibrations in your wheel (they are out of balance or bent-good ole potholes) or suspension is worn. Doesn’t mention in the vehicle manufactures guide. But if you are going straight as an arrow, no need for an alignment. Have it checked when you get the tires rotated. #tires #rotation #vibrations #drivability #safety

1. Dark puddles under my car. Always check to see if there are dark brown or yellow puddles where your car was sitting. (Pro-Tip: If you don’t have a dedicated parking space you can watch for spotting, lay down a piece of cardboard or a plastic plate underneath your vehicle when you park. (Pro-Tip: Keep a piece of cardboard or plastic to put under your car.) That way you can confirm the leak is coming from your car, not someone else’s.) If your oil pan has a leak, it will spill out directly onto the pavement. Oil leaks can cause issues with oil levels and pressure.   2. Smoke from the engine   3. The dashboard oil light is on   4. Engine overheating.   5. Smell of burning oil.     Keeping up on your vehicles maintenance, is the best way to keep up on any leaks. Your car’s manual will detail exactly how often this is. At Ricks Auto Service, every oil change service comes with a courtesy vehicle inspection. That can alert you to a ... read more

  Cars, Temperature and Pets. “Can a dog recover from Heat stroke?” Did you know that when the Temperature outside is 80 degrees that after 10 minutes the inside of your car is 89? If you leave your Pet in the car longer than 30 minutes it is 104 inside your car. Heat stroke is common in dogs, but rare in cats(please don’t leave any animal in your car). Heat Stroke can happen when your animal is in a small and confined environment, even with windows down, it is still hot in your vehicle.      Dogs with moderate heat stroke ( a body temperature of 104) can recover. Giving prompt first aid and veterinary care is crucial. When your dog’s body temperatures are over 106, that could be life-threatening. Your animal needs prompt medical care. Age of the animal can also be a factor of fatality for your dog