Grand Rapids Auto Repair

  As the weather continues to drop in Grand Rapids, MI, you wouldn't want your car's heater core to stop working right before winter. The heater core is the component that warms the air up when you turn up the heat in your car. It is also responsible for keeping the defroster's air warm so that it can clear your windshield for better visibility. At Auto Centric, our team can inspect and repair your heater core just in time for winter! Here are 5 signs that indicate you need heater core repair: Fogginess Inside Your Car Two things can only cause a haze inside your car. The first explanation would be that the heater core is malfunctioning, causing the defrosters to stop working. Secondly, the core itself could be blowing fog or smoke into your vehicle's cabin.  Sweet Scent  A sweet syrupy smell in your car is never a good sign. When the heater core leaks, it will leave behind the scent of coolant fluid through the vents. Cold Air Blowing Instead of War ... read more

Auto repair shops regularly see something missing from customers' cars – the most common being the locking lug nut tool. Often, the car owner never received the tool when they bought the car. The same may occur for more than a dozen other items. In some cases, the solution results in hundreds of dollars. If the car purchase was from a dealer, the odds of retrieving missing items are almost zero. If the purchase was from a private owner, sometimes the things are still in their possession, but they often cannot find them or throw them away when they realize they were for a car they no longer own. A few minutes spent with a simple checklist can save a lot of time, effort, and money. We recommend you make this part of your next vehicle purchase. View our checkist here!

If you are a lover of Halloween, who's to say you can't decorate your car to get in the spirit of the holiday. We have put together a list of items and ideas that range from simple to elaborate. Your effort in your spooky decor will definitely not go unnoticed! Stickers, Decals, and Magnets (Difficulty Level 1/5) - If you are not a creative or artsy individual, this one’s for you. Stickers, decals, and magnets are a no-fuss option to spice up your car for Halloween. Not to mention, they're sold almost anywhere, including Amazon. Stickers, decals, and magnets are easy to apply, reposition, and remove once the holiday is over. Since they are adjustable, you won't have to worry about them distracting or blocking your view. Window Paint (Difficulty Level 2/5) - Window paint is a classic option for any type of individual! You can do simple drawings or get super creative. You can paint easy things like words, ghosts, jack-o-lanterns, bats, or you can take the creative ... read more

All vehicles come with critical suspension components such as shocks and struts. Both of these parts are in charge of providing you a smooth ride from point a to point b. Most people often overlook these since we don't see them with the human eye. Without shocks and struts, you will not be able to maintain complete control and stability of your vehicle when driving. With such an essential role in your car, what are the malfunctioning signs of shocks and struts?    Listed below are some of the most common signs of failing shocks and struts: You feel an excessive amount of bouncing, rolling, or rocking while driving over rugged roads or railroad tracks. You may also feel the need to hold your steering wheel tighter to maintain control. Uneven tire wear is another prominent warning sign of something wrong with your suspension system. Worn-out shocks and struts will hinder your wheels from maintaining proper contact with the road. Worn shocks can occasionally cause steer ... read more

It's understandable to go in panic mode whenever you start to notice leaks around your vehicle. Most of the time, people will stress because they don't know where it could've come from. But, it's not that difficult to uncover the problem. All you have to do is put on your thinking cap and start inspecting as the color of the solution can be very telling. Here is a fluid guide to help you determine what kind of fluid leak you may be dealing with:   RED (OR PINK) -  Red or pink is usually the color of transmission fluid or power steering fluid. This type of leak may mean that you have a cracked transmission seal or a puncture in one of the lines that support the fluid between the different systems.   ORANGE - Rust is usually associated with the color orange. It can occur in your radiator by an antifreeze leak. However, old transmission fluid can also be orange. We advise that you get an inspection to make sure.   YELLOW - A yellow fluid leak is u ... read more