East Lansing Auto Repair

When car dashboard lights come on, many people panic, usually because they don’t know what could be wrong. But don’t worry. We’ve compiled a list of the top 5 most common car problems and solutions so you know what you’re dealing with and how to solve it. CarMD, a manufacturer of electronic vehicle systems checks, examined over a million repairs in the U.S. and found these 5 problems accounted for about 30% of all repairs. Here Are The Top 5 Most Common Car Problems and Solutions This list includes common car problems and solutions related to a check engine light, and doesn’t include regular maintenance or collision repairs. With the right maintenance schedule, you can avoid many of these check engine light problems. 1. Faulty Oxygen Sensor What is it? Oxygen sensors analy ... read more

Every Michigan resident knows how frustrating winter weather is when it comes to driving and winterizing your car. If you’ve jumped in the car in the morning only to find the battery dead, you’ve experienced yet another unfortunate side effect of cold temperatures, and you know the importance of cold weather car battery care. These tips can help keep your battery alive and well during the winter months. Try These 8 Cold Weather Car Battery Care Tips First, it’s a fact; car batteries do not work as well in cold temperatures. Car batteries generate electricity through a chemical reaction, which slows down in cold temperatures, generating less power. But with the right cold weather car battery care, you can still get the most out of your battery in the winter. 1. Covered Parking Covered parking will keep you from brushing snow off your vehicle, but it is also a helpful cold weather car battery care measure. Thanks to the heat from the house, a ... read more

Your muffler is a key component of your car’s function. If you have a muffler that’s not functioning properly it can cause a plethora of different problems. A muffler that’s not functioning, can lead to exhaust back pressure which can cause other elements of your car to be damaged to the point that it's no longer drivable. Here are 3 signs you need a muffler replacement: 1. Your muffler is making loud noises The first sign that your muffler needs replacing is if you begin to hear any loud or strange noises coming from your car. One of your mufflers main purposes is to reduce the noise produced by the exhaust system, so a sudden loud noise while accelerating could mean that the muffler is no longer working. Cracks or holes in the muffler is typically what causes a muffler to become noisy. 2. A bad odor is coming from your muffler Another warning sign that your muffler needs repla ... read more

There are many different car dashboard lights that come on throughout the lifetime of your car. Some, like your gas light, are fairly common and can cause you to become accustomed to seeing a light appear on your dashboard. However, some car dashboard lights are serious and require immediate attention. Here are 7 car dashboard lights you shouldn’t ignore: 1. Brake Light If the brake light comes on, this could mean one of three things. First, it could mean that your emergency brake is still on as you’re trying to drive. Make sure that it is in the off position before moving forward. It could also mean that your brake pads have worn down exposing the brake sensors that tell you it’s time to change your brakes. You should get your brakes checked immediately if that’s the case. A third reason this dashboard light may be on is if there is a problem with your automatic braking system (ABS). If th ... read more

No car has ever broken down at the "right time". Whether you're sitting in a car that won't start, or preparing for the future, this list might help you figure out what's wrong with your car. Take a look at these 6 common reasons why your doesn't start to see if any of these symptoms match your car's issue. Warning:If your car won't start, avoid turning the key for extended periods of time. In cold weather, letting the engine try to turn over for a while might seem like it will work, but if you try to crank the starter engine for more than 15 seconds, you may damage the starter engine. If you turn the key and the engine won't crank: You most likely have an electrical problem. Dead Battery For any number of reasons, your battery might have died. This is the most common reason for a car to die, and therefore the best reason to keep jumper cables in your car. Once you have your car jump-started, the alternator should recharge the battery as long as t ... read more

One of the most important features of your car is your brakes. In order for you as well as others to remain safe on the road it’s imperative that you check how well your brakes are performing. As a rule of thumb, brake pads should be replaced about every 50,000 miles. However, every car is different and there are a variety of warning signs that can indicate you may need new brake pads. Here are 5 signs it’s time to replace your brake pads: Squeaking or Squealing Noise Coming From Brakes The first sign that it’s time to replace your brake pads is if you hear persistent squeaking or squealing. Although squeaky brakes can be normal in some weather conditions—rain, for example—having squeaky brakes during every weather condition indicates there may be a problem. If your brakes are squeaking persistently it’s time to have your car and brakes evaluated by a professional. Indicator Light Turns On Another sign that it’s time to replace your brake pads is when the indica ... read more