Grand Rapids Auto Repair

Squealing brakes aren't just an annoyance - often times they can be a sign of a problem with your brake system. Any issue with your brakes should be a cause for concern, especially considering that they are essential to your safety on the road. You rely on your brakes to slow or stop when you need to, and if a problem occurs, you may find yourself with less effective brakes or failing brakes.  So, what can cause your brakes to squeal? If you're driving in the morning, and you notice that your first few brakes are squealing, this may not be anything to worry about if the squealing goes away in a few minutes. This can happen because of moisture accumulating on the brake pads overnight.  However, if you're hearing the brake squealing throughout your entire drive and it doesn't go away, this points to needing a brake component repair or replacement. Here are the potential causes for your brake noises:  You need new brake pads. Brake pads wear down over tim ... read more

During the summer months, many people will be planning road trips with their families and friends while school is out and the weather is warm. Because summer means more traveling, there will be more cars out there on the road and traffic always brings the possibility of an accident.  Although you may not even want to think about a car accident occurring, it is always a good idea to be prepared for anything - just in case. A minor accident may not ruin your entire trip, but not having the things you need can put a damper on your journey.  We recommend packing a safety kit with you, just in case you find yourself in some sort of vehicle accident or emergency. The safety kit should have the essentials, such as your Driver’s License, car registration, and your insurance card and medical information.  Some other items you should always have on hand include a phone and phone charger, water, snacks, jumper cables, emergency phone numbers, spare tire and tire changing k ... read more

Your vehicle is a complex machine with many different working parts. In fact, modern cars have over 30,000 working parts - it's amazing how well they work with so little maintenance. In order for your vehicle's systems to work at their best, it's important to ensure that all fluids are topped off and clean. They help regulate heat, protect against metal to metal contact, and increase overall performance and fuel efficiency. Some of the important fluids include engine oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid, and more.  Your vehicle runs at a very high temperature which can cause these different fluids to break down over time. Plus, there is so much dirt and dust on the road that can contaminate fluids and leads them to become more like sludge. This is why certain fluids need to be replaced at specific intervals and should be inspected regularly for proper fluid levels and check for leaks.  Here are some of the vehicle fluids which should b ... read more

Buying and owning a vehicle is a big investment, and one of the most important things we can do as vehicle owners to protect that investment is to take care of our cars. Whether you own an older or newer model vehicle, there are certain measures that you can take in order to increase the lifespan of your car and keep it running at its best throughout the years.  The better care you take of your vehicle, the longer it will remain reliable and the higher resale value it will have when the time comes. We've prepared a few ways that you can help to increase the lifespan of your vehicle and protect its value throughout the years.  Make sure to stay current with your vehicle's recommended maintenance, especially oil and filter changes. This will help guarantee that your car is always taken care of and will help you avoid major repairs along the way.    Ensure that your vehicle's fluids are always topped off, clean, and have correct visc ... read more