Springfield Auto Repair

Always remember to winterize your car before you drive in the cold weather—the steps you can take include taking your car to your mechanic for a maintenance check-up. Also, equip your car with the necessary tools for safety as you anticipate the driving condition to worsen in the rain, snow, and ice. Here is everything about winter driving tips, from checking your tires to preparing your winter emergency kit. 1. Winterize Your Car Visit your mechanic and ask them to prepare your car for winter. An experienced mechanic will check lights such as emergency flashers, headlights, and turn signals if necessary. They will also check the windshield wipers and ensure that they work. Add high-quality winter deicer to the vehicle's reservoir. You can also add antifreeze ahead of the weather change. 2. Find The Right Tires for Winter Ensure your car's tyre thread is approximately 3 mm before winter. Having legal tires for winter driving c ... read more

If you're like most drivers, you probably don't think about your car's fuel system until there's a problem. And by that point, it may be too late. A clogged fuel filter or dirty injectors can cause all sorts of engine problems, from poor performance to complete failure. That's why it's important to have your fuel system cleaned on a regular basis. In this blog-post, we discuss four signs that it's time for a fuel system cleaning. Car Fuel System Cleaning A fuel system cleaning is a simple, preventative maintenance procedure that can help avoid more costly repairs in the future. It's always a good idea to practice preventative maintenance on your vehicle and simple way is by regularly cleaning the fuel system. So, how do you know when it's time for a fuel system cleaning? Below are four signs to look for.1. Check Engine Light is On - the engine light is one of the most common indicators that something is ... read more

If you've been driving around town and notice that your car is vibrating when you brake, don't worry, you're not the only one. This is a common problem that many drivers experience. There are a few different reasons why this might be happening, but don't panic yet! In this blog post, we will discuss some of the most common causes of car vibration when braking. We will also provide tips on how to fix the issue. If you need brake repair, we invite you to bring your vehicle into our auto repair shop today! Why Car Vibration When Braking? One of the most common reasons for car vibration when braking is warped brake rotors. When the brake rotors become warped, they no longer spin evenly and cause the car to vibrate. This can be caused by heavy braking, driving on uneven roads, or simply from normal wear and tear. If your brake rotors are warped, you'll need to have them replaced. Another common cause of car vibration when braking is a build-up of brake pad mater ... read more

If your car's cooling system seems to mulfanction, it could lead to severe problems—including engine damage. That's why it's essential to be aware of the signs that your cooling system may be in trouble, so you can take action before it's too late. Here are the top signs the cooling system is in trouble1. Engine is overheating If the engine temperature gauge reads higher than the average reading or steam comes under the hood, the engine is overheating. Continued overheating can cause engine damage which also affects the cooling system. Such problems need immediate response to avoid more damage. 2. Leaking coolant If your car is leaking coolant, it signifies a leak in your cooling system. Coolant leaks can mean holes in the radiator or a loose connection between the cooling system and the hoses. Such issues need professional help so that they may find the cause of the leakage. 3. Low coolant level ... read more

As your vehicle ages, it is normal to spring a few leaks. Some leaks can have no consequences, while others can be detrimental to the vehicle's overall function. Most drivers may not be able to positively identify the type of liquid leaking, which is why you should take your vehicle to the repair shop. Here are some examples of liquids that could be leaking from your vehicle. 1. Engine Oil Your car could be losing engine oil from a compromised point in the car structure. An engine oil leak is not good news for your vehicle as it poses a serious risk to your safety when driving. If your car is leaking engine oil, you will notice dark brown, sometimes black, pools of liquid underneath your car when you take it from its parking spot. You may also notice a burning smell when you heat the engine. 2. Transmission fluids If your transmission fluid leaks, you will realize your car is losing power while driving. Manual cars may just slip out of gear at random times without reason. Tran ... read more

Most car owners are unaware of the distinction between serpentine and timing belts. People may use these two terms interchangeably. However, the serpentine belt and timing belt perform entirely separate functions. However, both are essential components of an internal combustion engine. In fact, the engine must be operating in order for these belts to operate. While operating, they aid other vehicle components. Here are the primary distinctions between these two belts. They perform different functions The serpentine belt transfers mechanical energy from the engine to the water pump, power steering pump, alternator, air pump, oil pump, and air conditioning compressor, among other peripheral components. In contrast, a timing belt is responsible for synchronizing the camshaft and crankshaft motions. Serpentine belts are visible When you open the hood to inspect the engine block, you should be able to see the serpentine belt, which is a thin rubber belt that coils around various engin ... read more

A Second Chance for Sarah For most of her life, Sarah found herself in and out of addiction. The constant pendulum swing between substance abuse forced her to cycle through nine different rehab programs to try and get clean. Sarah felt defeated. Back in prison, Sarah was desperate to break free of the turbulent spiral she found herself in. While there she learned about Victory’s Restoration Program and applied. She recalls in her interview with Mark McKnelly, the Director of Restoration. As she unveiled her story of brokeness, a small part of her was hoping he would reject her. “Because I had given up on myself,” Sarah confessed. After her interview with Mark, she was admitted into Victory’s Restoration Program. Not everything has been easy for Sarah since she arrived at Victory. She divulged that originally she was suspicious of the process and afraid of what she needed to work through in order to begin rebuilding her life. But Sarah stayed one day after an ... read more

Did you know that your car has various braking systems, not just one? Cars nowadays have an ABS or an anti-lock braking system. And similar to your drum brakes or disc brakes, they require special attention too. Read on to learn more about the fine ABS.   The anti-lock braking system is a secondary braking system that kicks in when there is an emergency situation, such as brake failure. When you have to drive in severe weather conditions, like heavy rain or snow,  anti-lock brakes can come to the rescue. They prevent your front or rear brakes from locking up and losing control. Most automobiles today come with ABS brakes, which is why it is important for you to understand this life-saving feature.    Just like your everyday brakes, the ABS system can falter. Below are some of the common signs that indicate you need ABS repairs. ABS Warning Light Comes on Dashboard - This is one of the easiest dashboard warning lights to read because its symbol typically has the ... read more

Image by Marissa Grootes from Unsplash   Summer Travel and Your Family  Road trip season is upon us, Springfield!    Now that the weather is a little more consistent, you might be planning a trip or two to St. Louis, KC, Branson, or even somewhere a little further! It’s essential to prepare accordingly and ensure your vehicle is ready to make the trip. Having your car in tip-top shape will keep you and your family safe. Before heading out, make sure to check the following:   Tires. Check your tire pressure, tread, and alignment.   Fluids. Make sure you’ve got coolant, windshield wiper fluid, and that your oil has been replaced recently, especially if you’re going far out of town.   Any warning lights. If you’ve been ignoring a warning light on your dashboard, now is the time to make sure nothing serious is going on ... read more

Image by Skica911 from Pixabay  Why We Always Remind Our Customers of Fluid Exchanges  It’s hard to get through a heavy workout without some water or an electrolyte drink (or for my less-active friends, it’s hard to get through a sporting event without something to sip on, right?). Your car also has various fluids that need to be constantly exchanged and replaced for your vehicle to run correctly.    Vehicle fluids prevent overheating, lubricate the parts of your vehicle, and keep your car running. We always remind our customers how important vehicle exchanges are, because they can determine your safety on the road.  What Is A Fluid Exchange? Fluid exchange is pretty straightforward, though the technical term may make it sound complicated. Simply put, an “exchange” will happen between the old used-up fluids and new fluid ... read more