O'Fallon Auto Repair

Your mechanic recommended that an alignment service be performed on your vehicle and it’s a good idea to do so about every six months, but why? You don’t have to go off-roading to cause alignment issues. The wheels on your car or truck will get out of alignment over time. Especially with speed bumps and potholes everywhere. Over time, those misaligned tire and wheel assemblies will impact your gas mileage (MPG), cause tires to wear out faster, and reduce drivability. That’s why it’s important to get your vehicle properly aligned at least once or twice a year as part of your basic auto maintenance. If the suspension is out of alignment, there is uneven pressure on the tires that can cause your car to work harder on the tires than it needs to. This happens because there is more resistance between the tire and the road surface. That resistance can cause the tires to wear unevenly with the tires ultimately becoming worn on one side. It’s dangerous to dr ... read more

Every year, all across the U.S., more than 13-million automatic transmissions fail! YIKES!! Talk about scary! Nearly nine out of ten transmission failures are due to overheating and fluid contamination, according to the Automatic Transmission Rebuilds Association. The primary cause of transmission failure is oxidized ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid). Oxidation causes the fluid to break down and lose its protective qualities. Heat is the major cause of ATF oxidation. With today’s smaller, faster-running engines and increased stop-and-go driving, ATF is exposed to higher temperatures. That causes the ATF to breakdown faster. The transmission is the heart of the engine and provides a consistent power source to the rest of the vehicle. It is made of 800 different parts and requires an expert to identify any issues and fix them. There are a lot of small particles like metal shavings that get caught up or build up in the transmission fluid and as this passes th ... read more

No one wants to ride in a car that looks like this!! AHHH! Cars are multipurpose investments these days, they aren’t just for travel! They also serve as offices, living rooms and even dining room tables for those on the go. Add children or pets to that mix and you have a recipe for some funky smells! Here are some tips for how to keep your car clean and to deodorize your car: Keep a Trash Bag or Mini Can Most bad smells in a car are food related. You can prevent these odors by simply keeping a shopping bag to put your trash in or purchasing a mini can to keep trash in. They sell lots of varieties online. We’ve even seen some crafty customers use a plastic cereal saver bin fashioned into a to-go trash bin! Just make sure that you clean it out every time you stop-be it for gas or when you get to your destination. This is especially important during the summer months when heat and stinky food can do a number on your vehicle and nose! Be aware of what y ... read more

Hooray for summer. Sunshine, bbq, watermelon, sprinkler runs, and all sorts of other fun. What’s not fun is being stuck on the side of the road in the heat! There is a simple way to give your car an advantage: routine inspections! Here’s a quick list to pay attention to: Air Conditioning Of course, checking your A/C is the first thing on the list. You haven’t used it in a while, and if it’s broken or performing poorly, you’ll want to get it fixed right away. Diagnosing the unit is easy to do, but because the system is complex, (and the fluid can be dangerious) repairs are generally best left to us professionals! Have a good Battery If a battery is more than three years old, we recommend getting it tested by one of our skilled technicians to determine how much longer it will last. Heat and vibration are enemies of your car’s battery. Heat can cause your battery fluid to slowly evaporate and this can lead to other c ... read more

How amazing is it that the Fourth of July landed on a Saturday this year?! (Thank you 2020 for something good!) Many of the bigger festivals may be closed due to the pandemic, so many will take to big backyard displays and fanfare. If you choose to celebrate at home, know that you need to exercise caution! We all know about not holding fireworks in our hand, that you shouldn’t lean over them when you light them, and of course never point them at another person (or animal!). But do you ever have questions about how to transport them? Here are some tips from Consumer Reports and the Department of Transportation on how to safely move them. Never attempt to light a firework within your vehicle, either as a driver or passenger. Transport fireworks in a spark-proof container, such as a plastic container. Travel with the fireworks, in a spark-proof container, in your trunk. Make sure fireworks are kept out of direct sunlight and don’t store them in a hot car when not driving. Do ... read more