Let?s Shift Gears (Transmission Fluid Replacement)
March 23, 2025
If you have a vehicle with an automatic transmission, you probably never think about gear shifting. When motor vehicles were invented, all of them had to be shifted manually. But that wonderful self-shifting transmission, referred to these days as simply an automatic, changed everything. Automa... More
Weather Station on Wheels (Vehicle Sensor Maintenance)
March 16, 2025
You probably never thought about it, but your vehicle is like a rolling weather station. It can check the outside temperature, let you know when the roads are slippery and help you deal with rain. And how it does all those things is pretty cool. First, just like any weather station, a vehicle ha... More
When Your Tires are Tired (Tire Replacement)
March 9, 2025
Tires are so reliable these days that few drivers pay much attention to them. But tires wear out. They have a tough job since they are the only point of contact between your vehicle and the road. They have to get your vehicle going from a stop, keep it going, make sure it is headed in the dire... More
Stopping "Brake" Downs (Brake Pad Replacement)
March 2, 2025
If someone tells you to put the brakes on something, you know it means stop. And stopping is one of the most important safety maneuvers you can do in any vehicle. That means your brakes have to work properly. Let's face it. You stop dozens of times every time you drive. And over time, that t... More
Why You Have an O2 Sensor (Oxygen Sensor)
February 23, 2025
If someone asked you what gas made up the largest portion of the atmosphere, what would you guess? Well, it's not oxygen; it only makes up 20.9 percent. But since we're talking about oxygen, you should know that your vehicle uses oxygen sensors to make sure your engine is running the way it shou... More
When "Shady" is a Good Thing
February 16, 2025
Just like your skin can burn from too much sun, so can the paint on your vehicle. It can turn dull, oxidize and fade the more ultraviolet rays beat down on it. One solution is to park in a shady spot, or you can buy a cover for your vehicle and put it on when you know it's going to be sitting in... More
What Is an EGR Valve? (EGR Valve Service)
February 9, 2025
If you've ever felt your vehicle hesitate, go, then hesitate again, you might think there's something wrong with the transmission. After all, it's not moving smoothly down the road. But there are plenty of malfunctions that can cause those symptoms, one of them being something you may have nev... More
Know Your Towing Limits in Sparta
February 2, 2025
Some Sparta drivers figure that anything they can attach to their trailer hitch can be towed by their vehicle. Nope. If you're going to do any towing around Sparta, you should be aware of safety issues, Illinois towing laws and potential liability.Understanding tow ratings is important for safe t... More
An Oil for All Seasons (Engine Oil Selection)
January 26, 2025
You swap your winter boots for flip-flops in the summer. Why not change your winter engine oil for summer, hot-weather oil? While it may seem like it makes sense, there's some good news. Most drivers don't have to, and here's why. Engine oil can be made in different thicknesses. That thicknes... More
Out of Joint (CV Joint and Boot Replacement)
January 19, 2025
If you have a front-wheel-drive vehicle, it has components called CV joints which enable you to turn your wheels smoothly. The CV stands for constant velocity. In essence, its a set of gears that connect a shaft that allows power from the transmission to be sent to the wheels. When you turn the ... More