Crosse Auto Repair

What is a serpentine belt? How do I know if it needs to be replaced? A serpentine belt is a very important part of the engine. This belt's primary job is to transfer power to parts like the power steering pump, the alternator or air conditioning compressor. Without the serpentine belt all these parts would stop working. And you would be totally stranded wherever you are! How do you know if your serpentine belt needs to be replaced? These belts typically need to be replaced around 100,000 miles. Older serpentine belts, made of regular rubber, will start to crack over time. Newer belts, made of neoprene-- a specialized type of rubber, will not crack but will show signs of wear. It's common for the serpentine belt to start squealing or start making a chirping sound as they start to wear out. Your engine's serpentine belt is most definitely something you need to keep on top of. Here at Bob's Auto, we inspect your vehicle's serpentine belt at each oil change.  

Have you recently had your vehicle serviced at Bob's Auto? We would LOVE to hear how your experience was. Simply click on the Google review link below to let us know how we did. Thanks!! https://g.page/r/CTZ28e6cojwJEAI/review

Is it getting hard to steer your vehicle? Have you found yourself needing to add power steering fluid at times? As power steering fluid gets old it starts to break down. Your steering becomes sluggish and less responsive. In this case a power steering fluid flush is needed to get the old fluid and contaminants out and new fluid in. If you find yourself adding power steering fluid, then of course, you have a leak somewhere. Minimally you would want to get the leak fixed and top off the fluid. But at Bob's Auto we most likely would recommend a power steering fluid flush. Particularly if any components or parts were needed as part of the repair. This flush is an important maintenance service that will save you money in the long run. And, you don't have to wait until you have a steering issue or leak! On average, manufacturers recommend this fluid flush every 40,000-80,000 miles. Check your owner's manual for your specific vehicle.  

I think my gas gauge is broken. The gauge was reading half full and then my car died in my work parking lot. Oh no! Well, the good thing is that you were not left on the side of the road. The issue could be a broken gas gauge but most likely something else is going on. One simple test is to get under your vehicle and tap on the gas tank. If you hear a hollow sound the tank is probably empty, and a broken gas gauge is not the answer. If you hear a sloshing sound or thud, then you know you have plenty of gas. So, if you have plenty of gas, why did it die on you? Before calling Bob's Auto to make an appointment, check the instrument panel fuse location in owner's manual. This will help you locate what fuse to inspect for cracks. If the fuse seems to be fine, give us a call!  

You may have heard about GM and Honda having started production of hydrogen fuel cells. In 2025, Honda plans to sell 2000 CRVs with hydrogen powered zero emissions capabilities. Click on the link below to learn more about this hydrogen concept. https://www.motortrend.com/.../honda-general-motors.../...