Monthly Archives: August 2025

Why Is My Car’s Electrical System Draining the Battery?

Your car’s battery is like the heart of its electrical system—it powers everything from your headlights to your infotainment system. But when something goes wrong, that heart can get drained fast, leaving you stranded in the O’Fallon Walmart parking lot with a dead battery and a bad mood. At Hillside Auto Repair, we’ve diagnosed more parasitic drains than we can count—and we know exactly how to track down the culprit before it leaves you calling for a jump start. How Your Car’s Electrical System Works (And Why It Drains Batteries) Your car’s electrical system is a complex network of wires, fuses, relays, and modules that all rely on your battery and alternator. Here’s the basic flow: 🔋 Battery – Provides power to start the car and runs electronics when the engine is off. ⚡ Alternator – Recharges the battery while driving and powers systems ... read more

Turbochargers vs. Superchargers: Key Differences Explained

If you're a car enthusiast in O'Fallon, Missouri, or just someone who loves a little extra power under the hood, you've probably heard the terms turbocharger and supercharger. Both are forced induction systems designed to boost engine performance, but they work in very different ways. At Hillside Auto Repair, we see plenty of vehicles with these systems, and we know how to keep them running at peak performance. What Is a Turbocharger? A turbocharger uses exhaust gases to spin a turbine, which then forces more air into the engine’s combustion chamber. More air means more fuel can be burned, resulting in increased horsepower. Key Components:Turbine & Compressor Wheels – Spins from exhaust gases to compress intake air. Intercooler – Cools compressed air for better efficiency. Wastegate – Controls boost pressure to prevent en ... read more