Grand Rapids Auto Repair

This is something that drivers never want to experience in their lifetime - total brake failure. This is probably the scariest thing that can malfunction when on the road, especially when you are already traveling at a high speed. Brake failure is extremely dangerous, and being mindful to prevent this from happening is important.  If you do start experiencing brake failure, one thing you can try is pumping the brake pedal quickly. This may be able to get enough pressure going to initial a stop. The next thing is to get to a safe area, like pull of to the side of the road if you can, and use the emergency brakes (parking brake). Whatever you do, try to be as safe as possible, avoid collisions, and eventually your vehicle will slowly stop if you aren't continuing to accelerate.  The main cause of brake failure is no fluid pressure in the brake lines. Brakes work from hydraulic pressure, so without fluid pressure, your brakes won't work. This is usually caused by a lea ... read more

If you're a vehicle owner, you've probably had one or more car parts replaced in your vehicle's lifetime. Although every vehicle will be different when it comes to some part replacement, there are certain parts that are often replaced just due to their longevity and normal wear and tear. Some parts however, may need to be replaced more often than others just due to a person's driving habits and how often you drive your vehicle. The most replaced car parts include:  Oil and Oil Filter - every 3,000 to 6,000 miles Windshield Wiper Blades - once a year Air Filter - every three years or so Brake Pads - every three to five years Battery - every four to five years Headlight/Taillight bulbs - every five years Tires - every five years, but can be shorter if bad alignment or other factors Spark Plugs - every 100,000 miles Belts - between 75,000 - 100,000 miles  These are just some of the most common car parts that need to be replaced and when. However, the wa ... read more

The weather is warmer, and during this time of year a lot of us spend time taking trips and spending time outdoors, enjoying the sun. If you’re planning on going to the beach or taking a road trip in the near future, here are some tips on how to protect your vehicle from the harshness of the heat: Have your vehicle’s air conditioning system, cooling system, and belts and hoses inspected. The air conditioning will be necessary for those long drives in the heat. The cooling system also needs to be in top working condition to keep your engine from overheating. Belts and hoses can also be affected by the warm weather, so an inspection can prevent belts from snapping or hoses from breaking, which can cause breakdowns and expensive repairs.    Make sure that your vehicle’s tires are at the proper air pressure. A poorly inflated tire can cause decreased fuel efficiency and puts you at risk for tire blowouts. It is also important to make sure you are currently wi ... read more

Hi Everyone, Megan Here!  My family and I  are getting ready to hit the road for a summer road trip.  In all, we'll be driving our 2013 Toyota Prius just over 1,700 miles from Michigan to North Carolina.  As parents, we start thinking through plans for the trip a few weeks in advance.  The destination and route are the same as years past-my husband Brian's family's home in North Carolina, but we still have other aspects of the trip to plan out.   Fuel Economy Brian and I were debating renting a minivan instead of taking our Prius.  I went to the EPA's website to figure out the fuel economy for the trip.  Our sweet Toyota Prius will have us spending just under $50 each way on our road trip! When contemplating renting a van (an added $350 expense) we saw we would easily double the amount of money spent on fuel.  That sealed ... read more