O'Fallon Auto Repair

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

How often should my A/C be inspected? What’s the air feeling in your ride? Are you refreshed and cooled with full air flow when your A/C is pumping? Well, if you answered positively, then you’re in luck. For those who didn’t answer in the positive: Don’t sweat, stop in for an A/C Performance Check and we’ll have you back rolling down those hot summer streets cooler than ever. How often do I need my A/C system “recharged”? Only when the cool breeze no longer feels as chilly as you remember. Simple enough. Now, it is true that a well maintained A/C system can go its entire life without needing a recharge. But, that’s if you’re extremely lucky. If you start noticing your A/C isn’t reaching those refreshingly cool temperatures, have your system inspected. How many parts make up a car A/C system? Your A/C system consists of five major parts, all working together to cool you of ... read more