Crosse Auto Repair

April is Car Care Awareness month and the National Car Care Council (carcre.org) would like to remind you of ways you can give a little TLC to your vehicle during April. 1. Check all your lights for any burned out bulbs–this includes the interior and exterior. Many of us will be driving more now through the summer months, so being visible on the road is crucial. 2. Check filters and fluids–filters include: air filter, oil filter, cabin air filter and fuel filter. The fluids to check are: transmission fluid, power steering fluid, coolant (antifreeze), windshield washer fluid (you will use a lot of this), engine oil level, power steering, brake and transmission fluids. Dirty air filters can waste gas and effect your vehicle’s engine to lose power. 3. Check belts and hosesfor signs of excessive wear or if they have become loose. Particularly for the air conditioning, power steering and electrical systems

If you have a sudden rattling noise while accelerating, have the exhaust system checked. With the car on the hoist we can examine the exhaust system. The sketch below shows the different components of an exhaust system. As you can see, your car’s exhaust system has several different parts; each part generally gets repaired separately. When you have an exhaust issue it is best to have a technician look at it right away. Waiting increases the likelihood of having to repair more than one part at the same time. And this could get costly! Give us a call today 60

An overheating engine is your cars way of letting you know it is not feeling well. These are the main reasons for an overheating engine: The coolant level is low or leaking A bad thermostat–air not allowed to circulate to cool the engine A fan not working correctly– it spins or wobbles A broken or damaged water pump– prevents circulation and/or pressurization Collapsed radiator hoses Build up of contaminants– rust and road debris likely If your vehicle overheats while driving, pull over to a safe spot and shut it off. Pop the hood and allow the engine to cool (about 45 min) IMPORTANT: do not remove the radiator cap while the engine is hot. Doing so could cause severe burns to you. Click on the link below for more information: Overheating Engine? Here’s Why and What to do About it (napaonline.com)

NO! Safety is paramount with vehicles. Leaking gas is something to be taken seriously. DO NOT ignore this fuel leak! Your vehicle should be seen by a technician ASAP, as a fuel leak is a potential fire hazard. It is best to have the vehicle towed to a repair shop. I know it is an added fee, but the possibility of a fire are real. Be safe! DO NOT LET ANYONE SMOKE NEAR YOUR VEHICLE

You may have heard the terms conventional, semi-synthetic and synthetic oil. Conventional oil comes from refined crude oil. So what type of oil should you use? First, check your owner’s manual. If you are thinking about using a synthetic oil, ask us about the advantages and price comparison. Synthetic oil is made (link to see how oil is made) from a variety of raw materials. Semi-synthetic oil is mineral oil, which has been mixed with synthetic oils. So why is there different options? The engine oils have changed, all to get the best performance for your vehicles as well as better protection for all moving parts. Newer vehicles use synthetic oil. If your vehicle calls for conventional or semi-synthetic oil you can still use synthetic oil. The cost is more, but your vehicle will be better protected