Posts Tagged ‘Preventive Maintenance’
Ask the Tech: When Should I Change My Spark Plugs
I’m confused about when I should get my spark plugs replaced. What’s the deal? Douglas Automotive Repair Inc Answer:Well it can be confusing because there are several types of spark plugs and some last longer than others. Your owner’s manual will have a recommendation for when your spark plugs should be changed. Here’s a little…
Read MoreSpend Your Tax Refund on One of Your Biggest Investments
Maintaining Present Vehicle May Be Key to Long-Term Financial Happiness. How will you spend your tax refund? Flat-screen TV? IPod? Clothes? We have a better idea for your money: spend it on your second biggest investment, your car. Whether it’s an oil change, replacing brakes or new belts and hoses, that periodic repair bill is…
Read MoreFuel Injector Cleaning
Something we hear quite frequently from our customers is that their fuel economy is down and their car or SUV just doesn’t have the pep it used to. When that happens, one of the things we look for is clogged fuel injectors. The engine management computer tells your fuel injectors exactly when to squirt fuel into your…
Read MoreTake Control of Your Vehicle’s Safety – Check Its Suspension
Like your car’s brake system, the steering and suspension systems are key to your car’s safety. Together, they largely determine your car’s ride and handling. Douglas Automotive Repair Inc recommends having your vehicle’s steering and suspension systems checked regularly, at least once a year and usually with a wheel alignment. “Over time, steering and suspension…
Read MoreWhat’s a Severe Maintenance Schedule?
Back in the day, Sunday meant having a shower, getting dressed for church and then hanging up my Sunday clothes as soon as we got home. Mom didn’t have to wash those clothes but once a month or so. Saturdays, on the other hand, were another story entirely: catching lizards, splash contests in mud puddles…
Read MoreA Clean Fuel System
Let’s talk about your fuel system. Your Car or SUV fuel system encompasses everything it takes to get fuel from your tank to your engine. Starting with your fuel pump, which is located in the tank, there are the fuel lines, fuel filter, throttle assembly and fuel injectors. When all of these parts are clean, fuel…
Read MoreSmooth Shifting
If you’ve been paying attention, you’ve noticed that Illinois vehicles are getting more and more powerful and at the same time are getting better and better gas mileage. Much of that’s because of better transmissions. To get a understanding of why that is, let’s turn to gear experts – Plainfield bicyclists. A cyclist’s cadence is…
Read MoreAsk The Tech: My Head Gasket Went Out
Ask The Tech:My name is Landon. A bought a new minivan and it started smoking out the tail pipe. My Plainfield service center said my head gasket went out. What can I do to prevent this from happening again? Douglas Automotive Repair, Inc. Answer:The head gasket fits between the top of the engine and the cylinder head.…
Read MoreAsk The Tech: My Fuel Pump Went Out
Question: I was driving and my car started sputtering and then the engine finally quit and I couldn’t get it started. I was towed to a repair shop and found out I had to replace my fuel pump. What could I have done to have saved my fuel pump? Answer:This is a tough one for car…
Read MoreTPMS Will Tell you if your Tires are Under Pressure
You’ve just purchased a new vehicle and already a dashboard warning light is on, but this is one you might not have seen before. There’s a good chance it’s the new warning light tied to the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), which as of 2008, is standard on all new cars and light trucks. When…
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