Beginning to See the Light (Check Engine Light Diagnostics)
December 19, 2021
It's a light many drivers fear they'll see turn on at the most inopportune time. It's the one on the dash that says "Check Engine," "Service Engine Soon," or it may be simply an engine-shaped light. Your first instinct may be to pull off to the side of the road and turn off the engine. The truth... More
Budget for Maintenance in Chicago
December 12, 2021
Sometimes busy Chicago residents dream about going back to the simpler days of our grandparents. But if you could travel back in time and take a road trip around Illinois in a Model T, you might change your mind. The improved designs and quality of today's automobiles have significantly reduced t... More
Tire Maintenance in Chicago
December 5, 2021
With the recent focus in the Chicago area on improving fuel economy, we've been told how important it is to maintain our tire pressure.Chicago drivers know that tires wear out, but we want to make them last as long as possible because they're not cheap to replace. In addition to saving gas, prop... More
Have a Ball! Know your Ball Joints (Ball Joints)
November 28, 2021
We all have joints in our own skeletal system, but did you know your vehicle has some joints of its own? One of the most important is called a ball joint. One of the interesting things is that it's somewhat similar to the ball and socket joints we have in our hips and shoulders. A ball joint all... More
The Turn Signal Mystery (Turn Signal Problems)
November 21, 2021
Some problems are easy to diagnose on a vehicle; others aren't. Figuring out what's wrong with a malfunctioning turn signal sometimes fits into both categories. By the way, if your tempted to just leave your broken blinker broken, remember you can get a ticket for not using them, not to mention... More
Not a Good Vibe (Driveshaft Failure)
November 14, 2021
When you feel your vehicle vibrating as you're driving down the road, one cause could be something you may not have ever seen: your driveshaft. It is underneath the vehicle and most drivers don't climb under there to take a look very often. The driveshaft is a cylindrical part that helps conduc... More
Tuffy Chicago (Diversey Pkwy) Fuel Saving Tip for Chicago: Check Engine Light
November 7, 2021
Here's a question for Chicago, Illinois : How long have you been enjoying the romantic glow of your Check Engine light? Hey, it's not there to create ambiance; it's a warning that something's wrong. (And, by the way, Homer Simpson's fix of covering it with tape is not a good idea.) Many conditio... More
Thoughtful Gifts for the Winter Driver
October 31, 2021
You may be one of those romantics who don't like giving (or getting) practical gifts for special occasions. Just wait until one of those gifts helps you out of a big predicament in cold weather, and you realize that practical gifts can be life savers. Here are a few things you may give the cold-... More
DOG FOOD IN YOUR ENGINE (Keeping Rodents out of your Engine)
October 24, 2021
A technician was telling us the other day that he was servicing an engine and spotted something he'd never seen before: A collection of dry dog food siting on a horizontal metal ledge near the base of the engine. It was neatly stashed and was in a spot where the food pellets couldn't have simply... More
Some New Boots (Suspension Maintenance)
October 17, 2021
There are some boots that don't come in a shoe box and aren't worn on your feet. They are called axle or CV boots, and they can be important parts for many vehicles. That CV stands for constant velocity. CV axles are mainly used in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles. They're also us... More