Grand Rapids Auto Repair

When your vehicle is properly cared for, it will achieve higher fuel efficiency. Considering how high gas prices are nowadays, saving on fuel is more important than ever. Not only will you be saving money on gas, but you’ll be making an impact on limiting emissions over time. Tips on How to Improve Your Fuel Efficiency Change Your Oil and Use the Right Oil It doesn’t matter whether you change your oil at home or at Auto Centric, it is imperative that you get them done on time and use the right oil. You can find the recommended oil type by your automaker in the owner’s manual. Ease Into Accelerating When you make quick demands on your vehicle, accelerating or braking, it can strain your vehicle’s components. Stepping hard on the gas pedal will result in quick overconsumption of fuel. Next time, go easy. Avoid Idling You should turn off your car instead of idling for long periods. Most people are under the impression that they should let the car warm up for ... read more

A wheel bearing is probably something most drivers have not heard of before, but it is an integral part of your wheel, tire, and driveline. It connects the axle to the wheel and tire and allows it to spin.    The component itself is held together by a ring and ball assembly. A good quality wheel bearing keeps your wheel intact and prevents it from wobbling. It connects to a hub that allows your wheels to spin as much as it needs.  Can Your Drive with a Bad Wheel Bearing If your wheel bearings are worn or faulty, you may only be able to drive for a short period of time. In the long run, you may notice unusual signs like humming noises, wobbliness, uneven tire wear, vehicle vibrations, pulling steering wheel, and more. When you notice any of the symptoms, please have a professional mechanic check your bearings during the inspection.   The sound of a bad wheel bearing is most noticeable. It can sometimes sound like humming, squealing, or even grinding. You&rsquo ... read more

A timing belt is similar to an engine belt, with the only difference being that the former has teeth. Before the existence of timing belts, timing chains, which can be compared to bicycle chains, were employed to connect the crankshaft with camshaft gears. The crankshaft and camshaft must operate perfectly during the four-stroke combustion cycle (exhaust, power, compression, and intake). Car engines using a timing belt can either be non-interference or interference engines. Timing belts generate less noise than metal timing chains and have steel or strong fibers running their length. They are also molded from neoprene or rubber. Like any other part in your vehicle, a timing belt might serve you for long, but it does not last forever. If you are unsure about how often you need to replace your timing belt, keep reading, and you will find out. The question of how often you need to replace your timing belt does not have a straightforward answer. We recommend that you begin by reading yo ... read more

You may be wondering why your car vibrates when you apply the brakes. There are different reasons for this. Find out what they are and how to fix them. Your Brake Rotors May Be Warped or Uneven Warped rotors will cause a pulsation in the pedal leading to discoloration of the pads on top of them. If this happens, it's best to take your car into an automotive repair shop for an inspection before any further steps toward replacing or repairing them. In most cases, unevenness causes a slight vibration only when braking at high speeds. However, too much unevenness can wear out pads faster than normal because there is surface area touching them at once. Heat Is a Big Problem Heat can affect the performance of your brakes in different ways: It can melt rubber hoses and seals, causing leakage. If your car is experiencing vibration when you brake, high temperatures may be the cause. Glazed Brake Pads If you have glazed brake pads, it means the surface of your brake pad has hardened d ... read more

A broken AC blowing warm air is sure not a problem in the winter time however in the summer we need the opposite. If you've ever wondered why your AC was blowing warm air then read on! Your AC blowing warm air could be a result of any of the following: Malfunctioning condenser Non-functioning compressor leaking refrigerant Malfunctioning electrical system Malfunctioning condenser The role/function of the condenser in an AC is to cool down the refrigerant so that it can continue to absorb the heat and humidity that the AC pulls. A broken or malfunctioning condenser means a breakdown in the entire functioning of the AC. In turn the AC will begin to blow out hot air. Non-functioning compressor As the main part of an AC, the compressor circulates the refrigerant through the entire AC system. If the compressor fails to carry out its function, the antifreeze fails to reach the condenser and thus it remains hot. You tend to notice compressor breakdowns after prolonged periods of n ... read more