Grand Rapids Auto Repair

Think about this: Most vehicle belts fail without warning. Now think about yourself stranded on the side of the road. Not a pretty picture, is it? Belts and hoses are integral parts in the proper functioning of the engine. But it’s not easy to know the true condition of a belt or hose by its outward appearance, because most belts and hoses fail from the inside out. Because of that, owners are urged to replace belts, radiator and heater hoses at specific recommended intervals to prevent your car from breaking down. Most newer vehicles use a single serpentine belt to turn the water pump, alternator, power steering and air-conditioning compressor. If a belt snaps, everything is lost and you may be stranded. Many older vehicles use individual V-belts for each device. Belts also break down with heat, mileage and age. Every time a belt passes around a pulley, it bends. Flexing produces heat that causes the rubber to harden over time. In addition, if the belt is loose or slips ... read more

When most of us think about vehicle safety we usually think about brakes first and tires second. However, there is a third and just as important safety item on your vehicle that is often overlooked… shocks and struts. While some people think that a vehicles shocks and struts are not safety items, we beg to differ. In order for your brakes, tires, anti-lock braking system, vehicle stabilization system and any other electronic assist or computer safety system to work as intended, the tires must be in CONSTANT CONTACT with the ROAD! When the tire is bouncing or distribution of the weight of the vehicle is “off” these systems do not work properly and can lead to a safety or handling issue. Stopping distances are increased with these worn components and occasionally the driver may even notice the vehicle darts left or right when hitting pot-holes and other rough road surfaces. Worn struts and shocks can also cause other suspension components and tires to wear prematurely, co ... read more

Determining when you need to replace your battery can be really simple. One of the easiest (and most frustrating) ways is if your car won’t start and when you attempt to re-charge it, the battery won’t hold a charge. This makes it pretty obvious that you need a new battery. The next most reliable way is if you find that you are having difficulty starting your vehicle in the morning. This usually happens more frequently in the winter, but hot climates can also shorten battery life. If your vehicle starter is sounding more sluggish, it might just be time for a new battery. Although these symptoms suggest a failing battery, they are not conclusive. It is possible that the connections have become corroded over time and just need to be cleaned or it might be that one of the two battery cables has come loose or needs replacement. You might have a short in the electrical system that is draining power overnight. It is also possible that the alternator is not re-charging the bat ... read more

No matter how cool, how expensive, how big, how much it can haul, or how fast your vehicle is, there’s nothing more important than its ability to stop! It is, without a doubt, that your brakes are the most important part of being able to drive your vehicle. Have your vehicle’s brakes lost some of their stopping power? Do they even squeak or squeal or scrape metal on metal? The squeak is an early warning that it might be time to replace, at a minimum, the pads. If you’re hearing metal on metal grinding, then its definitely time to do so (quickly) and you could be into some rotor work as well. No vehicle will stop effectively with worn brake pads. Nobody wants to go through a wall or have an accident because it won’t stop. So it makes a lot more sense (and is way less scary) to be able to just lightly touch the brakes and have the vehicle do exactly what you intended. When you hit the brake pedal, brake pads press against the rotating disk rotors to slow them down an ... read more

So what’s all this about filters? A new oil filter keeps contaminants out of your expensive engine. A new air filter can help improve your vehicle’s performance. And a new cabin air filter protects you and your passengers from mildew, allergens and more. Let’s look at each type of filter and when it makes sense to change them. OIL:Most vehicle manufacturers recommend changing the oil once a year or every 7,500 miles in passenger car and light truck gasoline engines. For diesel engines and turbocharged gasoline engines, the usual recommendation is every 3,000 miles or six months. However, when you read the fine print, you’ll find those recommendations are for vehicles that are driven under ‘ideal’ circumstances. Unfortunately, what most of us think of as ‘normal’ driving is actually ‘severe service’ driving, which include frequent short trips, stop-and-go city traffic driving, driving in dusty conditions (gravel roads, etc.), and/or driving at sustained highway spee ... read more