O'Fallon Auto Repair

In the intricate world of automotive engineering, the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valve plays a crucial role in ensuring your vehicle runs efficiently and cleanly. Despite its small size, the EGR valve is a vital component of your car's emissions control system. At Hillside Auto Repair, we understand the importance of this often-overlooked part and are here to help you understand its function, recognize symptoms of failure, and provide expert repair services backed by our industry-leading 3-year/36,000-mile warranty on parts and labor. What Does an EGR Valve Do? The EGR valve is a key player in reducing your vehicle's emissions, particularly nitrogen oxides (NOx), which are harmful pollutants. It works by recirculating a portion of the exhaust gases back into the engine's combustion chambers. This process lowers the combustion temperature, as the recirculated gases are inert and do not burn. By reducing the temperature, the formation of NOx is minimize ... read more

In today’s world of advanced automotive technology, driving has become safer, more convenient, and more comfortable. One such innovation that plays a pivotal role in this safety revolution is the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system. This system allows a vehicle to maintain a set speed while also adjusting the speed automatically based on traffic conditions, providing the driver with both convenience and safety. But like any high-tech system in your car, the Adaptive Cruise Control sensor plays an integral role in ensuring it operates correctly. Unfortunately, sensor failure can lead to significant problems—both for the system itself and for your overall driving experience. What is Adaptive Cruise Control and How Does It Work? Adaptive Cruise Control is an intelligent version of the traditional cruise control system. Unlike regular cruise control, which maintains a constant speed regardless of surrounding traffic, ACC uses sensors to monitor the road ahea ... read more

The complex world of automotive repairs can sometimes leave car owners scratching their heads when things go wrong. One component that often gets overlooked but plays a vital role in the smooth operation of your vehicle’s engine is the cooling fan relay module. When this module fails, it can trigger a domino effect of symptoms, leading to unnecessary stress and potentially expensive repairs if not addressed promptly. But don’t worry — we’re here to break down what the cooling fan relay module does, how to spot signs of failure, and how Hillside Auto Repair can help you keep things running smoothly. What Does the Cooling Fan Relay Module Do? To put it simply, the cooling fan relay module is an essential part of the engine cooling system. Its main job is to regulate the operation of the cooling fan(s), which is crucial in preventing the engine from overheating. Here’s how it works: Cooling Fan Activation: Your engine gen ... read more

Turbochargers are an essential component in modern automotive engines, designed to enhance performance and efficiency. While these components are engineered for durability, they can experience failures over time due to a variety of issues. One of the most common failures seen in turbocharged engines is related to the wastegate. This post will delve into what a turbocharger does, the role of the wastegate, how the two components are connected, common symptoms of wastegate failure, and how Hillside Auto Repair is here to help keep your turbocharged engine running smoothly. What Does a Turbocharger Do? At its core, a turbocharger is a device that forces extra air into an engine’s combustion chamber. This is achieved by utilizing the exhaust gases produced during the engine’s operation to spin a turbine. As the turbine spins, it drives a compressor that draws in additional air and forces it into the engine. This additional airflow increases the engine's ox ... read more

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