Springfield Auto Repair

Summers are meant for spontaneous adventures, day trips, and traveling as much as you can. As ready as you are for summer traveling your car might not be as ready. Prepping your car for summer is just the start, you’ll need to keep up with maintenance so your car doesn’t overheat, blow a tire, or damage your brakes. Keep these maintenance tips in mind when you’re traveling this summer.  You’ll want to make time to do regular maintenance regardless if you are traveling or not. Get oil changes regularly, you can find the suggested mileage in your owner's manual. Look under the hood every few weeks and make sure your fluid levels are full. These fluids include coolant, oil, transmission, and windshield wiper fluid. If you’re not sure where to look for these stop by your local mechanic who can show you where and what to look for.  While you’re under the hood take a look at your battery. Batteries tend to last 3-5 years depending on the cl ... read more

  There absolutely is a place for common sense when it comes to diagnostics. There is much you can do on your own and it always helps when you can share with us, your trusted auto repair facility, as much as you can about what you’ve come up with using your common sense when it comes to diagnosing the issues your vehicle is presenting.  First off, it’s essential to care for your vehicle and regularly take it in for preventative maintenance. There are some simple, do it yourself, diagnostics that you perform from the comfort of your home. These DIY tests can assist you in determining whether you need to bring your vehicle into your favorite automotive repair shop. These tests can help communicate, locate, or diagnose a problem with your car to your mechanic.  All you need for these tests are your natural senses: feel, hear, see, or smell. There will not be any taste tests involved! These tests will help you be more specific in describing what issues your ve ... read more

When it comes to the fluids in your car, it’s important that you don’t mix them up or it will be like drinking poison. Not a good thing, just to varying degrees. Like our bodies, our cars require a lot of fluid. Not only is it important to make sure the right fluid goes into the right engine compartment, it makes a difference in the quality of those liquids too. Make sure you have read your owner’s manual and that you have an awesome auto mechanic to partner with so that you understand what is best for your specific vehicle and don’t forget to factor in the area in which you live. Yes, location matters too!   Preventative and regular maintenance is critical to the longevity and performance of your vehicle. Each and every fluid in your car plays a critical role in contributing to both. From keeping things clean to lubed, they matter. And checking these fluids is an easy way you can help care for your car in between visits to your favorite automotive repair s ... read more

Winter is a great time to get out and enjoy the outdoors. Some of us like to go skiing or snowmobiling, while others like to go ice-fishing or hunting. Whatever your reason to head out for a Winter road trip, you’ll need to take some important things with you. Of course, these road trip items include the basics, like food, water, blankets, gloves, emergency kits, power sources for our mobile devices, and more. But what about your road trip music? Do you have your road trip tunes ready to go? Regardless if you have access to iTunes, Spotify, Pandora, or CDs, you could boost your road trip enjoyment if you plan out your favorite traveling songs. Check out these wintertime road trip tune suggestions for your next outing.   Motivational songs Eye of the Tiger by Survivor Rocky Theme Song (“Gonna Fly Now”) by Bill Conti Chariots of Fire Theme Song by Vangelis Upbeat songs Uptown Funk by Bruno Mars September by Earth, Wind, and Fire I Believe I Can Fly by R. K ... read more

  Christmas is approaching and it's time to get into the festive spirit. If you want to enjoy one of the most dazzling Christmas displays near Springfield, be sure to check out the display at Shrine Mosque in downtown Springfield! You'll experience an array of beautiful Christmas Trees that shine so brightly that you'll be sure to get into the Christmas spirit. There are also many wonderful events that display impressive lights that are worth checking out.   Downtown Springfield Christmas Parade Dec 8, 2018 2:00pm - 4:00pm This is a wonderful annual tradition where we see floats, marching bands, and good  'ol holiday cheer. Also, expect a special appearance by the one and only Mr. Santa Clause. The parade begins on South Avenue and Elm Street and finishes at Jordan Valley Park.   Christmas At The Movies December 8, 2018 Pre-Concert Music 7:00pm Concert Performance 7:30pm Come to celebrate with the Springfield Symphony at the movies with ... read more

  With winter approaching, it's best to prepare your car for the conditions that could cause damage to your vehicle or jeopardize your safety. Below are some tips that can get you ready for the colder season:  1) Check your car's engine antifreeze and coolant levels. These liquids will keep your engine from freezing when there are colder temperatures. Most auto supply stores have kits that will allow you to check coolant levels. Your car's manual will also give you instructions on how to check coolant levels on your own. Adding antifreeze is a relatively simple thing to do. 2) Having a “winter supply” box in your vehicle is an important safety tip should you have some problems due to winter conditions on the road. Some items could include: A flashlight A radio A charged cell phone for 911 calls A first-aid kit Road flares A change of warm clothes for the driver A few extra pairs of gloves A few blankets A bag of sand (for traction) An extra ... read more

Where are the stick shift cars these days? This is an inquiry more driving enthusiasts are asking as  fewer automakers are making them these days, Manual transmissions used to be the go-to car choice for lower up-front costs, good fuel economy, impressive durability, and more driving involvement for those that love driving. Nowadays, more drivers are choosing automatics because quite simply, they've gotten better. Significantly fewer vehicles are sold with a stick shift. Nowadays manual transmissions are usually just seen in sports cars, such as the Ford Mustang and Mazda Miata. They are even rare to find in exotic rides like Lamborghinis and Ferraris. Some smaller SUVs also provide manuals, but usually only on loss-leader two-wheel drive models. Full-size pickups don't even have manual transmissions any longer. It's challenging for stick shifts to keep existing because they don't seamlessly accommodate modern technology without distraction. As car drivers find ... read more

    It doesn't get much better than driving on the open highway alone or with loved ones listening to tunes that soothe our souls. Besides, it’s fun feeling like you’re living inside a musical. Here are some songs that are sure to have you belting, feeling joy, and just being in the moment as these tunes enhance the vibe as you drive. “Ramble On” by Led Zeppelin It’s hard not to tap your fingers and sing along to this song that comes with a message. Driving and rambling on seem to go hand in hand. We just always need to be moving forward regardless of what life serves us. “I want to Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles This song is the epitome of joy and hope. The Fab Four have the gift of bringing a festive touch to any room (or vehicle.) “Walls” by Tom Petty “Some days are diamonds Some days are rocks Some doors are open Some roads are blocked” This song reminds us that life is a tapestry of experiences and ... read more

During the hot weather, there's the possibility that your car could overheat. At the first sign of overheating, turn off your air conditioner and open your windows. This will lessen the load on the engine. Turn on the heat and blower if the vehicle continues to overheat. This moves the heat from the engine to the passenger compartment of the automobile. If the temperature gauge is rising and you're stopped in traffic, shift into Park or Neutral and rev the engine a bit. This allows the fan and the water pump to speed up and draws enough fluid and air through the radiator. Your vehicle will cool off when there is an increase of liquid and air circulation. Avoid riding your brakes. Move along slowly in stop-and-go traffic. Braking repeatedly causes brake drag, and that increases the load on the engine which leads to more overheating. If traffic is crawling, drive up only when the gap between your car and the car in front of you gets too big. If you feel that your automobile is ... read more

  If you're feeling it's time to take a little getaway vacation away from Springfield, MO, there are so many wonderful locations not too far away. Consider some of these ideas if you're sensing it's time to reward yourself with a fun adventure.   1) Sleep in a Yurt at StoneWind Retreat If your main mission for some time away is relaxation, check out StoneWind Retreat just outside of Chester, Arkansas. Located just under 3 hours southwest of Springfield, this 160-acre retreat is located on a mountaintop in the Boston Mountains in Arkansas. This area truly is a slice of paradise, and the quaint yurts are ideal for a romantic getaway or a fun family bonding experience. These yurts aren't just tents. They have peaceful views, luxurious furniture, and hot tubs. There are also walking trails at StoneWind, and it's a fast drive to Devil’s Den State Park and Lake Fort Smith.     2) Take in Some Fine Theatre in St. Louis If you're a th ... read more