Grand Rapids Auto Repair

There has been a major uptick in stolen catalytic converter units from Prius vehicles, particularly in model years 2004-2009, but up to 2015 models have been targeted. The reason for these targeted thefts is the precious metals that the catalytic converter units are made of. What Is So Valuable In The Catalytic Converter The Toyota engineers specifically designed the catalytic converter on the Prius for reduced emissions, and it is done with the use of a precious metal called palladium. Palladium operates in the catalytic converter and takes harmful gasses and changes them into less toxic vapors. Due to the scrap and resale value of the catalytic converter, thieves are simply jacking the car up a few inches, then disconnecting the catalytic converter, and making off with it before the vehicle owner has time to call the authorities to intervene. In most cases, this theft takes less than three minutes to complete. The Cat Shield is specifically designed to bolt to the ... read more

Emergencies seem to occur right before or after payday when money is scarce. Oddly enough, this is the time when your check engine light will appear on your car's dashboard. The check engine light is associated with your car's diagnostic system and designed to illuminate when malfunctions arise. Here's what you need to know about your check engine light and how to determine if your car is safe to drive. How to Determine if Your Car is Safe to Drive While the Check Engine Light is On .Whether or not your car is safe to drive while the check engine light is on depends on why the light came on. Does the Problem Require Immediate Attention? Your car's dashboard can tell you a lot about what's going on with your car. In addition to the check engine light illuminating, other system lights might appear, such as an oil can and other lights. You might also notice a light that indicates your car is overheating, such as the transmission temperature light ... read more

We all love our cars. But, they can sometimes place in very tricky situations. For instance, when a car battery is dead and you need to jump-start the car. Such moments can be very stressful. But, not to worry. Here, you will learn how to jump-start a car and make it to wherever you want to go. Read on and find out the steps you need to take. 1. First, check the jumper cables in your car. You will notice that they have clamps set with red and black marks. The red mark shows the positive side and the black represents the negative. These marks will help you know where to place the jumper cables on the battery terminals, which are also marked positive and negative. 2. Once you have checked the jump starters, ensure that you have, close to you, the car that you are going to use to jump-start your car. The two vehicles should not touch each other. 3. When you are done with the connections, turn the ignition on both cars off. Then, on the dead battery's positive clamp, connect one of ... read more

While most drivers are familiar with motor oil and coolant, brake fluid may be forgotten. Brake fluid is a critical competent of the brake system. It ensures your vehicle can properly stop and slow down efficiently. As you drive, the brake fluid will start the decompose and get dirty. Flushing the brake lines can restore performance in one service. Without health brake fluid, stopping your vehicle can be challenging, rendering the drive completely dangerous. It’s not always easy to tell if your brakes need servicing. Below are a few signs that indicate that it’s time for a brake flush. The brake fluid is dirty and discolored. Brake fluid is usually similar to the color and consistency of vegetable oil. If your brake fluid looks brown or black, it’s time to be replaced. Make sure you also check the quality as well. Brake fluid that is contaminated with pollutants can also cause major problems. The brake pedal is soft. If you have air in the brak ... read more