O'Fallon Auto Repair

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

Your exhaust is a vital component of your vehicle. It diverts dangerous exhaust fumes away from the engine (and away from the interior cabin, as well). How does your exhaust system work? In short: The fumes are sent through the catalytic converter, which burns off most of the deadly gasses and is vital for emissions standards. Then, the fumes are pumped through the muffler, which reduces noise output, and finally expelled through the rear pipe(s). If any of these components are not working properly, have any cracks or leaks or are just plain damaged, it can lead to major engine problems. Deadly carbon monoxide can also back up and leak into the vehicle itself, which could make you or your passengers sick and could potentially be lethal. Here are the signs you can look for: Check Engine Light is OnThis can come on for any number of reasons, and your exhaust could be the culprit. If the check engine light is flashing, that’s more serious, you ... read more