Wondering what are the Symptoms of a Bad Battery?

The battery is the heart of your vehicle--without it, your vehicle doesn't have the power to start, move, or operate the accessories. The battery stores electrical power generated from the alternator while your car is running. It also sends electrical currents to the engine and other electrical components.  It is easy to just start up your car every day without any thought about the battery until all of a sudden, your vehicle won’t start.  Is the battery the culprit?

What are the symptoms of a bad battery?  

1. Dim headlights. The headlights dim when they are not getting the power they want to shine as brightly as they should. If your headlights are not as bright as you remember them being before, you may want to consider having your battery inspected.
2. The engine doesn’t crank or turn over and the lights don’t come on.  When you turn the key, the starter just clicks and is unable to turn the engine ended.  The lights and other electrical accessories don’t work at all.  It could be a permutation issue involving your alternator.
3. Vehicle randomly starts one day then doesn’t the next.  If starting is an intermittent issue, two things are suspect, 1) battery terminals are loose, corroded, broken or 2) something is drawing electrical power from the battery even when the key is out of the ignition.
4. Use jumper cables to start the engine.  Even after a jump start, the car battery doesn’t seem to get charged. 

Note to Remember:  A car battery replacement is relatively inexpensive when considering the stress and hazards of a roadside breakdown.

Do you want to know what are the symptoms of a bad battery?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Expert Car Care today for more information about a car battery replacement and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in the community of West Allis, WI, and the surrounding area.

When Should You Get New Tires For Your Car?

There are a few signs that are indicators as to when you should get new tires for your car, such as:

• Uneven tread wear. This means the front tires may wear faster than the rear ones, or there is an irregular wear pattern on one of the front tires.
• Unusual vibrations.  At speeds of 45 mph and upper, you may feel a vibration due to uneven tread wear. Your Vehicle tires may want to be rotated, balanced, or the wheels aligned.
• Loss of air pressure.  If a tire is losing air faster than any of the others, it may have too much pressure put on it. The tires may want to be rotated, or a tire could want a repair for a small puncture.

Do you really want to have regular tire rotations?  Are you noticing uneven tread wear in many places on your tires?  Inexperienced drivers may not realize exactly what rotating tires even means.  Simply stated, a tire rotation service is moving the tires around to a different position on the vehicle so that the tread wears in an even pattern on all four tires.  For example, the front tires will be moved to the rear of the car and the rear tires to the front. 

Remember:  Most tire repair technicians recommend that tires be rotated about every 6,000 to 8,000 miles, or about every other oil change.  Remember that regular tire service is one of the most critical and important aspects of maintaining a safe vehicle.

Have questions about when should you get new tires for your car?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Expert Car Care today for more information about tire rotations and other tire services and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in the community of West Allis, WI, and the surrounding area.

Wondering What Does An Automotive Service Technician Do?

How do you know if you are getting the best automotive repair potential when you take your vehicle to your favorite auto shop?  Most vehicle owners are aware that specialists change oil, repair tires and check brakes, but are you conscious of the extent of the training and knowledge that they acquire in order to become master technicians?  

Consider the typical work performed by a certified automotive repair specialist.   By knowing their expertise and training, you can have peace of mind knowing that your vehicle is taken care of by specialists!  

So what does an automotive service technician do?  

• Uses specialized diagnostic equipment to recognize existing issues so that maintenance and repairs are done right the first time.
• Knows maintenance checklists to ensure that all critical parts of your vehicle are thoroughly checked on a regular basis.
• Endorses and performs vehicle maintenance at the right service intervals, including oil changes, tune ups, tire rotations; transmission flushes belts, A/C units, and much more.
• Repairs worn-out parts, such as brake pads, wheel bearings, air filters, and much more.
• It can disassemble, clean, and reassemble major vehicle parts, such as transmissions, radiators, and engines.
• Receives specialized training to realize and repair computer-controlled auto electronic systems.
• Knowledgeable about vehicles that run on alternative fuels, such as ethanol and electricity.
• Knows how to explain to customers in easy-to-understand terms their vehicle issues, the automotive repair wanted, as well as the cost and time required.

Let your certified automotive repair technician take care of your vehicle so that you are driving as safely as potential!   

Do you know what does an automotive service technician do?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Expert Car Care today for more information about our automotive repair services and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in the community of West Allis, WI, and the surrounding area.

Wondering what does a Muffler do for Your Car?

As long as your vehicle runs quietly, you may not give your muffler a second thought.  Many people don’t know exactly what their muffler does until it starts to sound like a roaring monster. Did you know that the muffler’s main job is to control engine noise?  Thus, noise is the biggest indication of muffler issues. 

So just how does a muffler work?  Inside a muffler are a set of perforated tubes.  These tubes reflect the sound waves produced by the engine to minimize the noise that eventually leaves your vehicle.  The exhaust, along with the sound waves, enters the muffler through a center tube bouncing off the back wall of the muffler and then pushed into the main body. Once in the main body of the muffler, they pass through a series of holes that takes them through the last chamber and out the exit pipe.

So what does a muffler for your car?  Here are two big reasons why a correctly working muffler and exhaust system are so vital:

• Noise Control -- As your engine runs, it generates thousands of little sound bursts as highly pressurized gas is released. These sounds travel down the exhaust pipe.  If not for the muffler, these sounds would be very loud. Different types of mufflers will give you different sounds. Whether you want to make your vehicle as quiet as potential or get a deep growling sound, there is a muffler out there for you!
• Performance Enhancement -- Mufflers are also used to increase the performance of your vehicle. Basically, the faster your engine can get rid of exhaust gases, the faster it can take in oxygen and generate more power.   Because noise levels of mufflers are strictly monitored, muffler experts have created many efficient designs that minimize exhaust exit time while still keeping in line with noise regulations.

Tip to Remember:  At the first sign of exhaust issues, such as a noisy muffler, decreased fuel mileage, or a bad odor, schedule a checkup as soon as potential to prevent bigger and more costly issues with your exhaust system.

Need to know more about what does a muffler do for your car?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Expert Car Care today for more information about mufflers and exhaust systems and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in the community of West Allis, WI, and surrounding area.

You may asking, “Do I need to Replace Struts?”

Whether your car has struts or automotive shocks, they are an important part of its suspension system. In a vehicle with a strut-type suspension, the struts are the “shock absorbers” mounted inside coil springs. They replace other types of automotive shocks, and they are usually used because they make suspension systems more affordable. They control the amount of bouncing created by bumps, dips, and peaks in the road and making a hard. 

So you may be asking, “Do I need to replace struts?”  Normally, struts don’t need to be replaced.  Though, struts can wear out.  The more you carry heavy loads or drive on rough roads, the faster the struts will wear, but they often last the life of a vehicle if you don’t abuse them.  

If your vehicle is bouncing up and down overly, or it bottoms out in potholes and over bumps, leaking fluid, or have become damaged, schedule a thorough checkup of the suspension system to find the source of the issue.  Bushings and other parts in the suspension, such as tie rods, control arms, and sway-bar links, can also wear out and cause loose steering, noise over bumps and more body lean in turns. Improper wheel alignment and uneven tire wear could also cause some of these issues.

Are you asking, “Do I need to replace struts?”  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Expert Car Care today for more information about automotive shocks, struts, and other suspension components and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in the community of West Allis, WI, and surrounding area.

Wondering why Get a Tune Up for your Car?

Many vehicle owners may be wondering why get a tune up for your car.  With today’s computerized vehicles, is an auto tune up really compulsory?  A tune-up is identified as a major service in your owner’s manual and remains an important part of vehicle maintenance.  

So why get a tune up for your car?  Consider these 4 benefits of an auto tune up:

1. Increases reliability -- Regular tune ups and service will reduce the risk of roadside breakdowns.  No matter the age of your car, tune up your car for long-term reliability.
2. Saves fuel -- An auto tune-up is one of the best ways to increase your fuel efficiency.  A dirty air filter can cost you up to 20% of your fuel effectiveness! 
3. Increases resale value -- A buyer will be more likely to purchase your car if you have detailed records of routine maintenance and repairs performed. Save receipts and proof of work done.
4. Reduces emissions -- A poorly running car emits more toxic fumes into the environment.  A tune-up will reduce the number of emissions and pollutants your car produces.  

Are you having issues with engine performance or poor gas mileage? Call our ASE Certified technicians at Expert Car Care today for more information about the benefits of an auto tune up and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in the community of West Allis, WI, and surrounding area.

What Car Maintenance is Necessary for summer?

Summer has arrived in all its glory.  Do you know what car maintenance is necessary for summer?  Your car got you through the winter, but now you want to make sure it will not only keep you cool and relaxed through the hot days ahead but be as reliable as possible to prevent breakdowns and costly repairs. It isn’t a secret--just follow the vehicle maintenance schedule listed in your owner’s manual. 

Here are some of the most important vehicle maintenance items that should be taken care of on a periodic basis:

• Every week or month
• Dashboard Indicator/Warning Lights
• Lights, exterior and interior
• Condition of the tires
• Windshield Washer Fluid
• Engine Oil Level
• Every 3 Months/ 3,000 Miles
• Automatic Transmission Fluid
• Battery and Cables
• Engine oil and filter
• Exhaust and muffler
• Hoses and belts
• Power Steering Fluid
• Every 6 Months/6,000 Miles
• Chassis Lubrication
• Wiper Blades
• Every 12 Months/ 12,000 miles
• Brakes
• Cabin Air Filter
• Coolant
• Steering and Suspension
• Wheel Alignment

Do you want to know what car maintenance is necessary?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Expert Car Care today for more information about the car maintenance schedule and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in the community of West Allis, WI, and surrounding area.