Mishawaka Auto Repair

   Is it cheaper to replace an Engine or get a new car?      Your car Engine is the heart of your vehicle, powering all its movements and ensuring it runs smoothly. However, like all things, it can eventually fail, leaving you with the question of whether to replace it or just sell the car for a new one. A car engine replacement is a significant investment, so it's important to understand whether it's worth it. Here, we explore the pros and cons of replacing your car engine to help you make an informed decision. Benefits of Engine Replacement:      Replacing your engine has numerous benefits, including better Fuel efficiency, improved performance, and reduced Maintenance costs. Additionally, a new engine can add value to the vehicle, meaning you can sell it for a higher price when it comes time to upgrade. When you replace your engine, you also have the peace of mind that comes with knowing it's new, reliable, and won ... 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

Is it ok to drive without a Muffler? What does a Muffler do? And other thoughts on Mufflers!!! Have you ever been next to a Vehicle that doesn’t have a Muffler? The noise can be deafening. Some other reasons to get your Muffler fixed: Driving without a Muffler can be Toxic, the Exhaust Fumes may leak within your Vehicle. The Carbon Monoxide over time may cause dizziness, headaches and nausea. The Smell itself it terrible. I mentioned earlier about the noise, which most people find offensive. The Muffler if broken over a period of time can effect your Autos Engines’ performance. Last but not least, you are polluting the air we breathe. The word “Muffler” was used as early as 1530 it is a wrap or scarf for the lower part of the face. To cover or wrap or protect something. In the 1890’s referring specifically to an automobile, it was an Exhaust System Silencer!!!  So, in common person slang, it is any device used to deaden sound. The “Muffler&rdquo ... read more

How long can you drive on a noisy Wheel Bearing? That’s a hard question to answer, the average life of Wheel Bearings is about 5- 10 years or about 100,000 miles. When the Bearings go bad they affect other areas of your Vehicle. For example, the wear on your Tires may be uneven and need to be replaced sooner then later. Also, the ride can become pretty rough and bumpy. That can compromise yours and others on the road. Ignoring the grinding, or rumbling sounds, (Wheel Bearing Sound) or the clicking that can occur during acceleration. Are you noticing a vibrating or loose Steering Wheel? You might also experience a pulling when applying the Brakes. Which can cause uneven Rotor and Brake Pad wear, so ignoring the noise can cost you a lot more.   

How do I know if my Wheel Bearing needs replacing? Great question!!  Can you drive a car with a bad Wheel Bearing? It is not safe to drive with a bad Wheel Bearing. When you drive if one of the bearings are worn out it could cause the wheel to stop while driving. The Wheel of your Vehicle is not a simple part. For the Hub, Tire and assemblies to work well the Wheel Bearings are an integral part to the whole. The Wheel Bearing is a set of steel balls held in place by a metal ring. Which then fits into a Hub, fitting tightly inside, and ride on a metal Axle Shaft. The most common symptom is an audible one: you may hear a grinding or grating noise coming from your tire or wheel. The noise gets louder when you accelerate. The other symptom is a loose feeling r less responsive action from the steering. Another aspect with the Steering is that you may notice a pulling or veering to the right or left, not always the Wheel Bearing but a good possibility. Your Tires should be rotated regu ... read more

When should Rotors be Replaced? Have you noticed a loud noise when braking? When brake the brake pads squeeze the rotor, thus stopping your vehicle. But when the Brake Pads are worn exposing metal it will grind down the Rotors. It may cause warping which when braking your vehicle may wiggle when braking. It is considered very dangerous when your Rotors get to this stage. Your braking becomes less effective. When your vehicle is in our shop we can to a free Brake assessment.  Here are some warning signals of bad brakes. As I said earlier noise when you brake. In the brake pads is a built-in metal tab, when the brakes wear to that point the noise, irritating isn’t it! You can still drive but it is best to have a Technician detect the source of the sound. Does the brake pedal feel different? You may notice that you have to press harder on the pedal. A Soft Pedal could be an indicator of worn pads and rotors. It could also be a problem with the ... 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

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 does a Water Pump do? When your Engine can reach Temperatures of 195 to over 200 on a regular day. Imagine what our severe Indiana Temperatures can do to the water in your Radiator. The Coolant and Anti-Freeze in your Vehicle circulates through your Engine. This coolant is controlled by your Water Pump. Ensuring that the Coolant keeps moving through you Engine Block and Radiator. The Coolant also passes thru Hoses keeping the proper temperature to operate your Vehicle