Murfreesboro Auto Repair

What Is Power Steering Fluid?   Like all fluids in your vehicle, power steering fluid plays an important role in keeping your car operating at peak performance. This fluid is a type of hydraulic fluid which works to transfer power in your steering system, allowing you to turn the steering wheel of your vehicle with ease. It also helps lubricate the power steering pump and the steering components, and even prevents corrosion within the system. Because this fluid serves a variety of different purposes, you can see why it’s so important to make sure your fluid is always at the correct level, and that you change it when it has become worn or dirty.   Why Change Your Power Steering Fluid?   As with all of the other fluids in your vehicle, power steering fluid breaks down over time due to use, heat, cold, contaminants, and other factors. You should make it a habit to check your power steering fluid every time you check your oil level, or about once per month. Many ... read more

How Speed Bumps Can Damage Your Vehicle   Drivers across the US are certainly well acquainted with speed bumps – from school zones to housing communities to parking lots, their rising popularity can make it seem almost impossible to escape them. Used to “calm traffic” in areas where speeding is either a frequent issue or safety hazard, they can come in many different shapes and sizes, from standard speed bumps to the more modern “speed humps.” No matter what kind you encounter, one this is certain: if you go too fast over them, they can cause damage to your vehicle.   Different Areas Can Be Affected   Traveling too quickly over a speed bump is much the same as hitting a pothole at high speeds. The jolt it gives your vehicle can cause issues with your alignment, springs, shocks, struts, or joints. It can also affect your tire pressure, or even cause old or worn tires to blow out. For cars with lowered s ... read more

When it comes to windshield wiper fluid, it’s easy to just grab whatever container you see first when you’re at the store. But did you know that certain fluids are designed to tackle certain conditions? Picking the right fluid can be the difference between a clear window and a smudged mess. Keep these tips in mind the next time you fill up your windshield fluid reservoir. Classic Blue: This is the classic fluid that you can find at every gas station. While it’s the jack-of-all-trades when it comes to washer fluid, you’ll have to use a little more to scrub off tough messes like dead bugs. And while it might not be the fastest way to de-ice your windshield, it’ll get the job done. Make sure to check its temperature rating before you pour, because when it gets cold, washer fluid can freeze in your car’s lines and cause serious damage. If you use a lot of wiper fluid, you can save some money by buying it in a concentrate and mixing in with some distille ... read more

How to Prolong the Life of Your Car   When you buy a new or even used car, maintenance and repairs are likely the last thing on your mind. While your new car may not need repairs for years to come, you shouldn’t sit back and wait for the inevitable. Instead, you should do everything you can to prolong the life of your vehicle. Performing your regular maintenance tasks keeps your vehicle running better for longer, and it means fewer and less expensive repair bills over the lifetime of the vehicle. Here are 10 tips to help you prolong the life of your vehicle. Tend to minor repairs in a timely manner. Whether you’ve noticed your vehicle is pulling to one side or there's a slight hum when you turn on the air conditioning, these little issues can become big ones when left unattended. Take care of these problems as soon as you can to prevent further and more costly damage to your vehicle. Keep up with oil changes. Oil is essential to the proper oper ... read more

5 Signs that You Need to Change Your Brake Fluid   There are many different fluids in your car that are required to help it perform at its best. Perhaps one of the more overlooked fluids is brake fluid, which is vital to the function of your braking system. Most manufacturers have a set mileage or time frame that brake fluid should be changed by, but some simply recommend that you check the fluid level and condition periodically. This can leave drivers a little confused as to when their brake fluid needs to be changed, especially if they aren’t sure what clean fluid is supposed to look like.   What is Brake Fluid?   Brake fluid is a hydraulic fluid that transfers the pressure of your foot on the brake pedal to the brake pads on your wheels. While this fluid is in a sealed system, the lines that carry the fluid from your reservoir to your brakes can become worn or damaged and allow water, dust, or dirt to get into the fluid. This contamination ... read more

Why you Should Avoid Potholes on the Road After months of freezing temperatures and winter weather, one of the things you can definitely count on seeing is an increase in potholes during your daily commute. You certainly know by now that potholes make for an uncomfortable ride for both you and your passengers – but did you also know that they can cause damage to your vehicle? Learn more about how potholes can damage your vehicle, and some tips to help you avoid them when you’re driving. Potholes = Bad for your Vehicle  There are a number of different issues that hitting many, or very large, potholes can cause to your vehicle. The biggest risk from potholes is damage to your front tires or suspension. Potholes can cause underinflated or flat tires, cracks or bulges in sidewalls or tread, and even dents in your rims. They can also take your tires ou ... read more

While many vehicle maintenance tasks are best left to professionals, there are a number of basic tasks that every car owner should know how to do themselves. Being able to do these tasks can not only help to keep you safe while you’re out on the road, but also alert you if something isn’t working quite as it should. Read on to learn the ten most important car maintenance tasks you should be able to do yourself, and how some can signal engine trouble. Add Windshield Washer Fluid Windshield wiper fluid is a year-round necessity, as it helps keep your view clear through rain, snow, and the occasional mud puddle. One of the easiest tasks that you can complete yourself, all this requires is for you to open the hood, locate the fluid reservoir (usually topped with a blue or yellow cap), and fill it up with the fluid of your choice. Replace Windshield Wipers This is another important component to keeping your windshield clear of precipitation or ... read more

How to Jumpstart Your Vehicle Almost everyone has been here at least once in your life: you get into your vehicle to head to work, turn the key...and nothing happens. The most common culprit in this situation is your battery having died during the night. And while it is sometimes the result of accidentally leaving your lights on, it can also just be that your battery’s useful life is coming to an end. But you don’t have to be left stranded – you can be on the road in about five minutes with a simple jumpstart. What do you Need to Jumpstart a Vehicle? Before you can jumpstart your vehicle, you need two things: a pair of jumper cables, and a “donor” battery, which is simply another vehicle with a functioning battery. Jumper cables can be purchased at any auto parts store, and even some large reta ... read more

How Often do you Need to Change your Transmission Fluid?   Though the importance of regular motor oil changes is well-known to most drivers, your vehicle also relies on a number of different vital fluids in order to function properly. One of the most important fluids aside from motor oil is transmission fluid, a special fluid inside of your transmission that keeps it working smoothly. A sometimes overlooked task, having your transmission fluid changed is an important part of regular vehicle maintenance that should be performed on schedule.     What is Transmission Fluid?   Transmission fluid is a slippery liquid that helps to lubricate the many moving parts within your transmission. In vehicles with automatic transmissions, the fluid also acts as a coolant to keep it from becoming overheated. While automatic transmissions use a standardized flu ... read more

  How to Tell if Your Brakes Need Replacing   Your vehicle’s brakes play an important role in keeping you safe on the road – and yet they also often end up being one of the most ignored vehicle maintenance tasks. But allowing your brakes to become too worn can lead to issues with other parts of your braking system, leading to more costly repairs. Many people wait too long to replace their brakes simply because they are unaware that their brakes are wearing out, but there are a few easy-to-read signs your vehicle will give you when your brakes need to be replaced. Read on to learn what signs to look for so you can know when it is time to have them serviced. Signs of Brake Wear Being able to tell if your brakes need replacing is quite often as simple as keeping your ears open when you are driving. All brake pads contain a component called an indicator, which is a small piece of metal buried in the brake pad that will rub on you ... read more