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

With winter on the settling in for several months, it’s time to take steps toward winterizing your car. Knowing how to winterize your car will help you avoid unnecessary problems and will make you (and other drivers) safer on the road. Follow the tips below to understand how to winterize your car, and how you can have confidence in your car on the wintry roads. Install Winter Windshield Wipers Depending on the type of climate you live in, you should have your windshield wipers checked every three to six months, and replaced every six to twelve months. Having well-working windshield wipers on your vehicle will help keep your visibility clear in the rain, snow, and nasty wintry mix. Winter windshield wipers come with a heavy-duty rubber material that prevents ice from collecting on the wipers. However, be sure to switch your winter windshield wipers out once spring arrives, as you won’t need the heavier windshield wipers. Replace Current Tires with Winter Tires If ... read more

The way I see it, oil changes are the most undervalued and misunderstood service we do to today's modern automobiles. But why are oil changes so important? Our beloved cars are changing and becoming more advanced every year. With these changes (and added expense!), the manufacturers are touting greater longevity with less maintenance. Oil companies are also marketing their products as higher mileage and longer lasting. Add on top of that the busy lives that we all lead, and we are more and more apt to do less and less regular maintenance, including oil changes, to our cars. The fact is, however, there has never been a time when oil changes have been more important to our four-tired-friends. Modern engines are far more efficient and environmentally friendly than their predecessors. With that comes higher revving muscle and cutting edge technologies with names like bi-turbo, Eco-Drive and gas ... read more