O'Fallon Auto Repair

Your car’s dashboard is more than just a control center—it’s also a key communicator, letting you know when something’s wrong under the hood. Whether you're cruising down the highway or stuck in traffic, those little warning lights are there to grab your attention. But what do they really mean? Ignoring them could lead to costly repairs, so it's important to understand what these lights are telling you. In this blog post, we'll break down the most common dashboard warning lights, explain what they mean, and show you how Hillside Auto Repair can help if you’re seeing a troubling light on your dash. After all, we stand behind our work with a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty on parts and labor—so you can trust us to get you back on the road with confidence! Check Engine Light (CEL) The Check Engine Light is one of the most common and dreaded dashboard indicators. It typically looks like an engine icon, sometimes with the words ... read more

With the cooler winter weather, many car owners breathe a sigh of relief, thinking that they can coast through the colder months without worrying about their vehicles. After all, isn’t the coolant system just for hot weather when engines need to stay cool? The truth is, your vehicle’s coolant system plays a crucial role in engine performance and protection all year long – including the winter months. At Hillside Auto Repair, we want to emphasize why regular coolant system maintenance is just as important in winter as it is in the warmer months, and why you should never skip this essential service. The Essential Role of Your Coolant System First, let’s break down what the coolant system does and why it’s vital to your vehicle’s overall health. The coolant system is designed to regulate your engine's temperature, ensuring it runs at the optimal level by preventing overheating and freezing. In the warmer months, the system cools t ... read more

When it comes to ensuring your vehicle runs smoothly, the camshaft and crankshaft sensors are two small but mighty components that play a crucial role in the overall function of your engine. While they may not get the same attention as other parts, they are key to the performance, efficiency, and reliability of your vehicle. Understanding these sensors, how they work, and the symptoms of failure, especially in winter conditions, can save you from unexpected repairs. In this post, we’ll dive into the importance of cam and crankshaft sensors, how they work, why they’re vulnerable in cold weather, and what to do if they fail. What Are Cam and Crankshaft Sensors? Both the camshaft sensor and the crankshaft sensor are essential to your engine’s timing system. Together, they provide vital data to the engine control unit (ECU), which uses this information to control fuel injection and ignition timing. This ensures that your engine runs as efficiently as p ... read more

In the ever-evolving world of automotive technology, one of the most significant advancements in vehicle steering systems has been the shift from traditional hydraulic power steering (HPS) to electronic power steering (EPS). As modern vehicles continue to grow smarter, more efficient, and more environmentally conscious, EPS has become an essential component in the drive for innovation. In this blog post, we’ll explore how electronic power steering works, how it differs from hydraulic systems, its maintenance needs, and how to recognize the symptoms of a failure. We’ll also touch on why Hillside Auto Repair is your go-to expert for all power steering issues. What is Electronic Power Steering? Electronic Power Steering (EPS) is a system that uses electric motors to assist the driver in steering the vehicle, as opposed to the traditional hydraulic systems that have been the standard in vehicles for decades. Unlike hydraulic power steering, which relies on fl ... read more

Modern cars are becoming increasingly sophisticated with advanced technologies that promise higher performance, better fuel efficiency, and reduced emissions. One such breakthrough is the use of Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) systems, which have become standard in many of today’s vehicles. While GDI engines offer impressive benefits, they also introduce a new set of challenges, one of the most common being carbon build-up. This can have a significant impact on your vehicle's performance and longevity, which is why regular induction cleaning services are more important than ever. Importance of Induction Cleaning Induction cleaning refers to the process of cleaning the intake system of an engine, particularly the intake valves, intake manifold, and throttle body, to remove the carbon deposits and other contaminants that build up over time. The term “induction” comes from the process of air and fuel being drawn into the engine’s combustion ch ... read more