Not Too Hot and Not Too Cold (Temperature Gauge)
October 30, 2022
You know your body temperature is supposed to be 98.6 degrees F, 37 degrees C. Your vehicle has a normal temperature, too, and if you pay attention to it, that can save you some big headaches down the road. Many vehicles have a temperature gauge on the dash that takes the temperature of the engi... More
Stopping "Brake" Downs (Brake Pad Replacement)
October 23, 2022
If someone tells you to put the brakes on something, you know it means stop. And stopping is one of the most important safety maneuvers you can do in any vehicle. That means your brakes have to work properly. Let's face it. You stop dozens of times every time you drive. And over time, that t... More
Growing Old Together (Maintaining an Older Vehicle)
October 16, 2022
More and more of us are hanging on to our vehicles longer. A company by the name of HIS Markit recently released a report that shows the average age of light vehicles in the U.S. is now 11.8 years. Light vehicles are cars, SUVs (sport utility vehicles) and CUVs (compact utility vehicles). In C... More
The Sign of the Shield (Heat Shield Repair and Replacement)
October 9, 2022
Even in the months where temperatures are cooler, heat is still an enemy of your vehicle. When your engine runs, it creates heat, so there are numerous heat shields that protect other parts from those higher temperatures. Heat shields are installed around several areas of the exhaust system. Ot... More
Rotation Explanation (Tire Rotation Patterns)
October 2, 2022
You may notice that when you get your vehicle's oil changed, your service adviser may recommend that you have your tires rotated at the same time. The reasons are simple. That will allow your tires to wear more evenly and reduce the noise your tires make as you drive down the road. There are di... More
Plugging Away (Spark Plug Replacement)
September 25, 2022
If you drive a vehicle with a gasoline engine, thank the spark plugs for igniting the gasoline/air mixture in each cylinder that keeps your vehicle traveling smoothly down the road every day. Your spark plugs work hard, firing thousands of times in a well-choreographed order, and you usually don... More
Water Everywhere (Clogged Drains)
September 18, 2022
It's bad enough when you mistakenly leave a window open in your vehicle on a rainy day and you find your carpet soaked. But what in the world is going on when your windows are closed tight, not leaking and you STILL wind up with wet carpet? The answer could be something you might not even know y... More
Losing Your Spark (Spark Plug Replacement)
September 11, 2022
When's the last time you thought about spark plugs? You probably don't remember. That's because spark plugs usually last a long time and don't need much attention. But they don't last forever, and when they start going bad, they'll send you a few clues. Vehicle is hard to start. Fuel economy ... More
Tuffy Chicago (Diversey Pkwy) Maintenance Tips: The Belt Goes On
September 4, 2022
All Chicago service advisors know that without the alternator, the battery will go dead in a few miles. The serpentine belt may also run the pumps for both the power steering and power brakes. And on many vehicles, the serpentine belt powers the water pump. The water pump circulates coolant thr... More
What to Do After You Buy a Used Vehicle in Chicago
September 2, 2022
So you've bought a used vehicle in the Chicago area. Do you know what you're getting? It is hard to know what you're getting because people in the Chicago area sell vehicles for different reasons. Think about why you've sold vehicles. Did you just want something new or were there problems that y... More