Most folks don’t realize they have a taillight out until someone else tells them. Unfortunately, the person who delivers the news can be a Police Officer; bright flashing lights in the rearview while on your way home from work. Light bulbs don’t last forever, and the bulbs that illuminate our vehicles undergo physical stress and…
Most folks understand the importance of regular maintenance: routine oil changes and tire pressure checks, balance, and rotation. It’s common for the word alignment to be grouped into the maintenance category, but did you know there are two types? There’s front end alignment, which is alignment of the front two wheels, and wheel alignment refers…
Regardless of the age of your vehicle, preventative maintenance is important. To run efficiently, your vehicle relies on many components working together as a cohesive whole. When the smaller components wear out or break, the bigger components follow. And when one of the bigger components such as the engine wear down and break prematurely, it’s…
The word tune-up gets tossed around the car world, although not everyone knows exactly what a tune-up is and the reasons why it’s important. Tune-ups are important; oftentimes, it’s the preventative maintenance stuff that keeps your vehicle on the road and healthy. Small problems can definitely manifest as much larger ones. A tune-up is good…
Synthetic oil is more expensive than conventional motor oil, and it’s possible that the price difference has always kept a few folks from either making the switch or asking their professional mechanic at Willard’s Garage about synthetic oil. There are a few differences, and the price increase may be worth it. Synthetic oil is different…
The components that help to keep your vehicle running effectively and efficiently are numerous. It’s one of the reasons why routine maintenance and regular tune ups are essential to ensuring that your vehicle is running to its fullest potential. One component, often overlooked until it breaks or needs repair, are the shock absorbers. Shock absorbers…
The warmer months of summer will soon be far behind us, and the briskness of fall and early winter will be the new normal. These cooler temps do come with certain driving-related challenges, especially if you have a vehicle that struggles to start in cold weather. But colder temps can also produce foggy windshield, which…
The winter season is almost upon us, and the transition to winter driving conditions can be perplexing. When you do head out and drive on icy roads this winter, remember to drive with caution, monitoring your speed and keeping a safe distance between your vehicle and traffic to allow for time to brake in the…
If you turn the key in your vehicle and discover that it won’t start there could be a number of reasons. In most cases, the vehicle needs a new battery or it has a faulty alternator; it’s also possible that your vehicle has trouble starting in the cold weather. The most obvious battery-related symptom is…
In the last five years several automakers have adopted the run flat tire as standard on certain models. And while it may seem like a great idea to remove the spare tire compartment and open up cargo space in a vehicle that’s lacking space, the run flats may not inspire enough confidence to make the…