Grand Rapids Auto Repair

When buying a car, does it matter if it's the right timing? The timing does matter because it can influence the price of the vehicle that you want. When you know what car you know in advance, you can follow these tips to ensure that you're getting the best value possible. End of the Month & End of the Year Dealership needs to meet a quota every month and often offer incentives for you to buy a car. There can be regional incentives too, depending on where you live. You'll want to visit the dealership towards the end of the month so that you can negotiate the price and reap in the incentives. The same applies to the end of the year and quarter. Dealerships are looking to get rid of the older models to make room for the newer ones. This means it'll be priced lower and there are usually a bunch of incentives buying it around this time. Weekdays are a good time too Dealers are not as busy during the week, so they can work with you one on one to find a car that suits ... read more

Your car contains many fluids, transmission fluid being a crucial one. This fluid aids in lubrication to keep your vehicle operating smoothly and efficiently. Therefore, regularly changing the transmission fluid is recommended to maintain a healthy car. Continue reading to know the recommended intervals to change your transmission fluid. How Repeatedly Do I Require to Change The Transmission Fluid? The frequency depends on the type of your car and transmission. Additionally, how you use your vehicle and where you drive it will determine how often you need to change your transmission fluid. However, according to most manufacturers, you need to change your fluid every 30,000-60,000 miles for manual cars. And every 50,000-100,000 miles for automatic vehicles. Many mechanics advise against waiting for the 100,000-mile mark. Therefore, it's best to change every 50,000 miles for automatic cars. And depending on how intense you use your vehicle, manual transmissions r ... read more

Good tires can be costly, which is why you need to be extra careful on the road to extend the life of your tires. Since a vehicle's tires are the only part that touches the ground, road debris, including rocks, gravel, branches, glass, debris, road salts, metallic objects, and more, can severely hurt your tires. When drivers notice road debris ahead, most of them don't have time to avoid it, so they end up obstructing it. Encountering these unpleasant road obstacles is inevitable for most drivers. Even if the debris does not pierce your tire, it can cause your tires to wear down unevenly or prematurely. Below are several of our tips on how to drive with the following road obstacles: Gravel/rocks  — If you have to drive on rough grounds or gravel roads, please remember to move slowly and cautiously.  Branches — Slow down and try to change the lane safely if possible. If the branches or tree is too large, make sure to turn around and reroute safely. Poth ... read more

An overheated car is one of the most popular reasons behind vehicle breakdowns and engine damage. A great way to prevent your vehicle from wreaking havoc is by getting a cooling system flush. This type of preventative service ensures your engine will run smoothly day in and day out. Regularly changing out your coolant/anti-freeze can make a world of difference in preventing larger problems down the line. What Even Is the Cooling System? The cooling system is a system within your vehicle that helps stabilize your engine temperature. As you may know, the engine runs at very high temperatures. The cooling system comes into play by transferring the heat away from the engine to prevent overheating.  In most vehicles, the cooling system works by circulating coolant (a mixture of anti-freeze and water) through parts, like the radiator and water pump, to draw the heat away from the motor. The radiator sits at the end of the cycle, and it converts the heat to cooler air if necessary. It ... read more

The lovely smell of maple syrup: yummy at a Waffle House or IHOP but not inside or around your car. The smell of syrup isn't necessarily bad, but it can definitely signal a massive problem with your car. Today, we will talk about what that smell is, what it may mean, and what to do if you catch the scent.   We use our senses day in and day out. So whenever you notice something off about your vehicle, you're not crazy, and you should probably check it out. For this particular example, the smell of something sweet, like maple syrup, is no different. This smell is usually a sign that you've got a coolant leak.   Coolant (sometimes referred to as radiator fluid or antifreeze) is an essential liquid for your vehicle, and it has a vital job. It moves throughout the engine, hoses, radiator, and heater core. Coolant serves to regulate your engine's temperature to prevent it from overheating. The sweet solution also transfers the warm air in the winter to provide h ... read more