Posts by DouglasAutomotiveRepair
Do I Need AWD? (Pros and Cons of AWD)
When the cold weather rolls around and the first slippery days confront drivers, it’s tempting to say, “I need an all-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive vehicle to deal with the weather.” Well, maybe you don’t. Maybe there’s another solution that is much more economical and may even have better results for you. There are a lot of…
Read MoreChoosing The Right Washer Fluid
During the colder weather months, drivers find themselves using more windshield washer fluid. Street surfaces are generally sloppier and can kick up snow, salt, mud and grime that require washer fluid to help out your windshield wipers. You might be tempted just to pick up the cheapest blue fluid you can find, but sometimes that’s…
Read MoreBusted: The Maintenance Free Myth
Quality surveys report fewer problems with new cars than ever before. So, does that mean that modern vehicles have become maintenance free? Back when cars spent more time in the repair shop, people were more mindful of routine service. Now, it’s much easier to put it off. Take tune-ups for example. In the days of…
Read MoreA New Fuel Filter for Clean Fuel
When your fuel isn’t clean, your fuel injectors can start to become clogged up and your engine may not get the proper amount of fuel at the correct pressure to run efficiently. This hurts fuel economy and performance and can also lead to the buildup of harmful deposits on valves and in the combustion chamber.…
Read MoreShocks and Struts
Let’s talk shocks and struts. Shock absorbers and struts last a long time and wear out pretty slowly. They’re easy to take for granted, but your shocks and struts do a very important job, so you need to pay attention to them. They keep your tires on the road; and your tires are what connect…
Read MoreThe Pros of Pros (Let Us Do It For You)
Modern vehicles usually have four wheels, a steering wheel, and an engine, just as they have for decades. But an awful lot has changed since the days of carburetors and drum brakes. The addition of computers to so many automotive systems has been a game changer, enabling safer braking systems, stability control, and better fuel…
Read MoreThe 3 Vehicle Service Items You Shouldn’t Put Off
When it comes to vehicle service, a lot of people procrastinate. The reasons? Don’t want to spend the money, don’t have time to get it done, it’s not urgent. Sound familiar? Here are the three service items you shouldn’t put off, no matter what. Oil Change. Oil is one of those things that just quietly…
Read MoreSelecting Tires
So you need new tires. How do you know which tires to get? Douglas Automotive Repair looks at selecting new tires in light of three factors: Function, Fit, and Value. Function: This gets at what your needs are for new tires: Illinois weather conditions, terrain, temperatures, etc. Most new family vehicles come with all-season tires. They can be…
Read MoreFuel Pump
Help your fuel pump last longer. One pump killer is contamination in the fuel tank. Sometimes this comes from the fuel itself. Buying fuel at a reputable gas station will help make sure you are putting clean fuel into the tank. Older vehicles tend to have more sediment in the tank from years of rust…
Read MoreYour Vehicle’s Suspension
Suspension systems should continue to operate effectively for many years and over long distances, holding your tires’ footprint on the road. Eventually, components do wear out, but how long that takes depends a lot on how you drive. As you can imagine, if most of your driving is on smooth highways, your shock absorbers will…
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