Grand Rapids Auto Repair

We’re all counting down the days -spring break is coming!  My family and I would like to share how we get ready for a road trip.  My husband’s mom lives in North Carolina and his dad is in Indiana, so we’re well versed in long car trips with small kids.    If you’re taking your personal vehicle on the trip, make sure to see us three to four weeks before departure. We have a Road Trip Inspection, and we’ll make sure that your family starts their trip as safely as possible.   Some key items you’ll want to make sure are checked out before your trip are: Road Test - This is helpful for the technician doing the inspection.  He can feel how your vehicle is driving down the road, see if lights pop on, and can also listen for any sounds that are problematic.  Get any lights on the dash checked and diagnosed.  Heading out on a road trip with warning lights is a dangerous game to play! Heating and Coo ... read more

Smoke coming from underneath the hood of your car can be a very worrying experience. There are many reasons that this issue may occur, from electrical faults to contamination caused by motor oil, engine coolant, or transmission fluids. Let's look at the leading causes of smoke under the hood of your car. Common causes of smoke One of the main things that cause an engine to smoke is contamination from other fluids. Sometimes small drops of motor oil leak from the gasket and get into the engine or exhaust system. This would result in steam or smoke coming from under your hood. Other fluids sometimes get into a car's engine, including coolant, power steering fluid, brake fluid, or transmission fluid. Contamination is generally harmless, and the smoke will disperse in a few minutes. You should always have your engine looked at by a trained mechanic if you notice smoke coming from the hood, even if it seems to have stopped as soon as it started. Other mo ... read more

In most instances, drivers often fail to give much thought to the TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitor System). It is a vital tool that helps you monitor tire pressure from the dashboard, and it usually illuminates in case of any car tire troubles. As the components standing between you and your vehicle, it is essential to ensure proper tire maintenance by paying significant attention to the Tire Pressure Monitor System and taking the necessary repair requirements to ensure the car remains functional on the road. Low tire pressure causes poor mileage and reduces traction on the road impacting negatively on your driving experience. A drop in tire pressure causes a low tire pressure light to illuminate on the dash. When the TPMS light illuminates on the dash, it also indicates a faulty monitoring system, which can be caused by damaged sensors, among other troubles. It means that the system no longer monitors the tire pressure. It further means that the Vehicle Stability Assist turns on even if i ... read more

As winter comes upon us, there are some ways to prepare ourselves for the cold weather. We must take out our winter clothes, coats, footwear, and bedding. It is also time to winterize our cars with oil changes and tire rotations. However, do you have what you need in your car, in case of emergencies? Here are some items you need to pack in your car trunk for winter: 1. Portable Cell Phone Charger - A portable charger is crucial if your car cannot start. Without the engine being able to start, you're not able to use the cigarette lighter or any USB ports in your car. Locate and power up your portable charger, so you can call for help. 2. Ice Scraper - This is to remove snow and ice from your car windows and lights, so you can have 100% visibility when driving. 3. Shovel - A compact or foldable shovel removes snow or dirt, to get you out of a ditch or snowbank, to improve your tire's traction ... read more