O'Fallon Auto Repair

Buying a used car in O'Fallon, Missouri, can feel like navigating a minefield—especially if you’re not sure what to look for. A shiny exterior and a smooth sales pitch might hide costly issues lurking beneath the surface. But fear not! With the right approach, you can test drive a used car like a seasoned detective, uncovering potential problems before they become your problems. Step 1: The Pre-Drive Investigation Before you even turn the key, inspect the car like a pro: Check the Exterior: Look for uneven panel gaps, mismatched paint (signs of past accidents), or rust around the wheel wells. Peek Under the Hood: Look for leaks, corroded battery terminals, or worn belts. A musty smell? Could be water damage. Inspect the Tires: Uneven wear may mean alignment issues or suspension problems. Step 2: The Test Drive—Listen, Feel, and Observe A test drive isn’t just about how the car feels—it ... read more

Your car’s fuel pump is like its heart—without it, your engine doesn’t get the vital "blood" (fuel) it needs to run. Yet, many drivers in O'Fallon, Missouri, don’t think about their fuel pump until trouble arises. Whether you're cruising down Highway 40 or navigating the school parking lot of Fort Zumwalt, a failing fuel pump can leave you stranded. At Hillside Auto Repair, we know how critical this component is. That’s why we’re breaking down everything you need to know about fuel pumps—how they work, warning signs of failure, and how to keep them running strong. How Does a Fuel Pump Work? The fuel pump’s job is simple but essential: It delivers gasoline from your tank to the engine at the correct pressure. Older vehicles often used mechanical pumps mounted on the engine, but modern cars rely on electric fuel pumps submerged inside the fuel tank. This design helps cool ... read more

Car recalls are nothing new manufacturers occasionally miss flaws that require fixes. But some recalls are so bizarre, they sound like rejected Simpsons plots. From fire-starting spiders to cars missing entire brake pads, let’s dive into the most head-scratching auto recalls of this century. Spiders That Literally Caused Fires (Mazda, 2011 & 2014)  Yes, you read that right. Mazda had to recall over 65,000 vehicles (including the Mazda6) because yellow sac spiders loved weaving nests in their evaporative canister vent lines. These webs blocked fuel vapors, creating pressure that could crack the fuel tank—leading to leaks, fumes, and even fires. The "fix"? Installing a spring to deter eight-legged engineers. The Car Shipped Without Brake Pads (Tesla, 2023) In a move that defies logic, Tesla recalled 135 Model S and X vehicles in 2023 after discovering they had been delivered without brake pads. That is like selling a bike ... read more

We’ve all heard it before: "Oh, I know a guy who can do it cheaper!" And while saving money is great, when it comes to your car, trusting the wrong "guy" can lead to catastrophic—and expensive—consequences. Recently, we had a customer in O'Fallon whose well-meaning friend replaced her spark plugs. Unfortunately, he didn’t torque them properly. The result? The spark plug backed itself out, compression blew it clean out of the head—and took the threads with it. Now, instead of a simple spark plug change, she’s facing a costly cylinder head repair. The Perils of Improper Repairs This isn’t an isolated incident. With the deadly heat wave we’re enduring in O'Fallon, we’ve seen cars overheat because "their guy" used improperly mixed coolant. We’ve had vehicles towed in with engines overfilled with oil (hello, blown seals!). We’ve even seen brake pads installed ... read more

Manual transmissions are built to last—but only if you treat them right. Unfortunately, many drivers (even self-proclaimed "car enthusiasts") unknowingly abuse their gearboxes with bad habits that lead to premature wear, grinding gears, and costly repairs. At Hillside Auto Repair, we’ve rebuilt enough transmissions to know which mistakes are most common—and how to avoid them. In this post, we’ll cover: ✔ The top 5 manual transmission mistakes killing your clutch and synchros ✔ How to extend the life of your gearbox (proper shifting, maintenance, etc.) ✔ Why DIY fixes often make things worse (and when to call a pro) 5 Manual Transmission Mistakes That Lead to Early Failure 1. Riding the Clutch (The Silent Killer) The Mistake: Resting your foot on the clutch pedal while driving. Why It’s Bad: Even slight pressure can cause the clutch to partially engage, leading to: Premat ... read more