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Belt and Hose Winter Maintenance
As winter approaches, it’s essential to prepare your vehicle for the colder months ahead. One often-overlooked area of maintenance is the vehicle’s belts and hoses. Cooler temperatures can take a toll on these critical components, leading to potential cracks and leaks if not regularly checked and maintained. In this month’s blog, we discuss why November
The Engine Mounts
As the days get shorter and temperatures drop, it's easy to forget about how the colder weather can affect various vehicle components, such as the engine mounts. These unsung heroes play a crucial role in ensuring a smooth ride, particularly in the colder months. Worn engine mounts can lead to serious issues, and this is
Improving Your Vehicle’s Fuel Efficiency
With rising fuel prices and growing environmental concerns, improving your vehicle’s fuel efficiency is more important than ever. In this month’s blog post, we review ten ways you can get the most out of every gallon of gas in your vehicle. Maintain Your Vehicle Regularly Regular maintenance is crucial for optimal fuel efficiency. Ensure your
Unusual Noises Coming From Your Vehicle?
Most vehicle owners who spend any amount of time on the road can quickly recognize an unusual noise coming from the vehicle. One of the most telling signs that something might be wrong with your car is unusual noises. Is your vehicle trying to tell you something? In this month’s blog post, we explain five
Brake System Care
Brakes are one of the most critical safety components of your vehicle. Ensuring they are in good working condition is essential for your safety and the safety of others on the road. This month’s blog post discusses brake system care, including the primary components of the braking system, symptoms of braking system failures, and what’s
Summer Check-Up
As the summer heat intensifies, it’s crucial to ensure your vehicle is in top shape. That means that you may want to have a summer check-up to prepare for warmer temperatures. In this month’s blog, we review tips and signs that your vehicle may need a summer check-up. Cooling System The cooling system is vital
Your Vehicle’s Electrical System
The electrical system of your vehicle is a complex network that powers everything from the headlights to the stereo system. Understanding its components, common problems, and maintenance tips can help you keep your vehicle running smoothly. In this month’s blog post, we examine the electrical system and the ways that you can keep it operating
Seasonal Battery Care
As the seasons change and warmer weather approaches, take steps to ensure your vehicle is ready for spring and summer driving. One crucial aspect of this preparation is seasonal battery care. Your vehicle’s battery is key to starting the vehicle and powering the various electrical components of your vehicle. In this month’s blog post, we
Optimize Fuel Efficiency
Fuel efficiency is a critical aspect of vehicle performance. It not only saves you money at the pump but also contributes to a healthier environment. In this month’s blog, we examine easy ways to optimize your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. Maintain the Basics Regular maintenance is key to keeping your vehicle running efficiently. This includes regular Fuel efficiency is a critical aspect of vehicle performance. It not only saves you money at the pump but also contributes to a healthier environment. In this month’s blog, we examine easy ways to optimize your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. Maintain the Basics Regular maintenance is key to keeping your vehicle running efficiently. This includes regular
Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT)
If you are driving a newer automatic transmission vehicle, it is likely that it is equipped with a continuous variable transmission (CVT). More automatics made within the last fifteen years have adapted to CVT to improve overall driving performance. Unlike traditional automatic transmissions that use a set number of gears, a CVT adjusts the gear
Winter Weather Woes
Winter weather has arrived across the nation, and it’s proving to be a challenge for many drivers. The hazards of winter driving are just one aspect of winter weather that can wreak damage on your vehicle. The cold extremes of winter can have a significant impact on your engine’s performance and operation. In this month’s
Do You Have an Oil Leak?
Oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle. It lubricates the engine's moving parts, reduces friction, prevents overheating, and helps maintain the overall health of your vehicle. However, oil leaks can lead to serious engine damage if not addressed promptly. In this month’s blog post, we examine the top six signs that your vehicle may have
Essential Fall Maintenance Tasks
As the fall season approaches, it’s crucial for vehicle owners to perform specific maintenance tasks to ensure their vehicles remain in optimal condition. In this month’s blog post, we examine the ten essential fall maintenance tasks for vehicle owners. Check Your Tires Importance: Tires are your vehicle’s only contact with the road. Ensuring they are
Vehicle Diagnostics
The computerized vehicle diagnostic system, often referred to as an On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) system, is a sophisticated piece of technology that plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of your vehicle. In this month’s blog, we discuss how the OBD may not always pinpoint the source of your vehicle’s problem without further exploration by
The Importance of Transmission Fluid
Just as engine oil is essential for the smooth operation of your vehicle’s engine, transmission fluid plays a crucial role in the functioning of your vehicle’s transmission. When the level of transmission fluid drops for various reasons, it can compromise your transmission. A compromised transmission can lead to a complete transmission failure, which can be
Common Engine Problems
How familiar are you with the common engine problems that you may experience with your vehicle? If you are on the road often, it is important to have a baseline understanding of problems that may impact your vehicle’s engine and your overall driving performance. In this month’s blog post, we review some of the more
Ten Neglected Maintenance Items
If you own a vehicle, you probably know that regular maintenance is essential to keep it running smoothly and safely. But sometimes, life gets in the way, and you may be tempted to ignore some minor problems or postpone some routine services. However, this can be a costly mistake that can lead to bigger issues
Stay On Top of Oil Changes
Keeping up with vehicle maintenance like regular oil changes can be a challenge in today’s busy world. While most drivers do their best to stay on top of their oil and filter changes, this task can easily be neglected as time slips by. So, what happens when you do not change your oil as often
Aging Vehicle Care
According to a study by S&P Global Mobility, the average age of light vehicles in the US is 12.5 years. This means that more Americans are holding on to their vehicles longer to save money. If you have owned your vehicle for several years, you know that an aging vehicle will develop problems because of
The Driveshaft
Do you have a problem with your vehicle’s driveshaft? This important component of your vehicle’s drivetrain is critical for transferring power from the transmission to your wheels, enabling your vehicle to move. In this month’s blog post, we look at the function of the driveshaft and what signs to look for if there is some
Be Prepared for a Flat Tire
At some point in your driving history, you may experience a flat tire. Being prepared for a flat tire does not just include having a spare, it requires that you have all the necessary tools, and your spare tire is in good working condition. In this month’s blog post, we review some helpful tips for
Unusual Vehicle Sounds
You can learn a lot about your vehicle – if you just listen. As a vehicle owner, it is important to pay attention to what your vehicle’s engine may be telling you through the unusual sounds that it makes. In this month’s blog post, we review the five engine sounds that should never be ignored. You can learn a lot about your vehicle – if you just listen. As a vehicle owner, it is important to pay attention to what your vehicle’s engine may be telling you through the unusual sounds that it makes. In this month’s blog post, we review the five engine sounds that should never be ignored.
Vehicle Health Resolutions
It’s that time of year again when you consider your new year’s resolutions. About 84% of resolutions are about improving mental or physical fitness, according to Forbes. In addition to your personal health, try something different this year and make some resolutions for improving your vehicle health. In this month’s blog post, we offer ideas It’s that time of year again when you consider your new year’s resolutions. About 84% of resolutions are about improving mental or physical fitness, according to Forbes. In addition to your personal health, try something different this year and make some resolutions for improving your vehicle health. In this month’s blog post, we offer ideas
30/60/90 Maintenance
When it comes to responsible vehicle ownership, ongoing maintenance is a priority. Ongoing maintenance for many vehicle owners only includes standard tasks such as oil changes, system fluid checks, tire rotations, and tire pressure. But what about the bigger maintenance tasks? Where do they fit into your vehicle lifecycle? In this month’s blog post, we
Transmission Fluid Maintenance
An ongoing maintenance routine is an important part of keeping your vehicle running smoothly and mitigating costly mechanical problems. Part of this maintenance plan includes keeping your transmission fluid at the appropriate level and periodically replacement of the fluid, when necessary. Without this vital fluid, your transmission is not able to operate. In this month’s
Overlooked Maintenance Items
When you purchase a brand-new vehicle, the dealership will usually suggest various maintenance item checks through the lifecycle of the vehicle. While some of this may be to drive additional revenue, many of these maintenance plans are designed to keep your new vehicle running in top shape as it ages. Many vehicle owners tend to
Vehicle Won’t Start?
If you have ever been in a situation where your vehicle won't start when you turn the ignition or push the start button, you probably assumed it was the battery. When your vehicle won’t start, it can be for various reasons. The most common reasons may include your vehicle battery, the starter, or the alternator.
Automatic Transmission Issues
If you drive an automatic transmission vehicle, you may not think about the complexity of the mechanical engineering in this system when you get behind the wheel. While the automatic transmission is often taken for granted, this hard-working vehicle system performs a major function that makes driving easier and replaces the effort of the manual
BMW Mystery Repair
Occasionally, our service professionals at Shade Tree Garage are faced with a mystery repair job that requires a combination of deductive reasoning and intuition. When a customer brings in their vehicle with a stated problem, the first step of any professional is to examine the problem based on the information provided by the customer. However,
The Dangers of Potholes
Pothole season is here on the roads. If you are unlucky enough to drive through a large pothole or series of potholes, your vehicle may suffer from the damages left by the cold winter weather and salt-covered roads. In this month’s blog, we look at ways to keep your vehicle safe from these unforgiving road
Spare Tire Options
If you purchased a vehicle in the last several years, there’s a good chance your vehicle does not have a spare tire. In fact, grab your owner’s manual and look up spare tire. Or better yet, find the compartment in your vehicle to see if you have the typical spare tire. Many new vehicle owners
Problems with Your Belts
While most drivers think of their combustion engines being powered by fuel and air, there are other components that play an important role in this process as well. Your vehicle’s belts that turn the crankshaft, power the fuel pump, AC compressor, or steering, are vital to keeping the engine and other critical systems running properly.
Driveshaft Problems
If you have ever heard the term “drivetrain” used in reference to your vehicle, this is the system responsible for transferring power from the engine to your vehicle’s wheels to make it drive. The term drivetrain pertains to essential components of your vehicle including the transmission, driveshaft, differential, and wheels. In this month’s blog post,