Decatur Auto Repair

Millions of people today use cars on a daily basis. For most of us, we give little thought to the reliability of our vehicles until they stop working. Sometimes, it may just be a simple flat tire, but sometimes it could be something more complex. When your car stops working, especially while you are driving, it can be a nerve-wracking experience. Here are the appropriate steps to take when your car has a problem while driving. Pull over – If possible, move your car to the side of the road. If you can make it to the shoulder, move over as far as possible to reduce the risk of an accident. Make sure your hazard lights are on to alert other drivers. Seek help – Depending on the severity of your car’s issue, it will probably be necessary to call roadside assistance. If you have roadside assistance plan, they will work with you to find an appropriate towing company to move your vehicle to a safer location, such as the automotive repair shop of your choice. Wait outside ... read more

Many people overlook routine auto maintenance because they don’t understand how important it can be to their cars. It can seem expensive and time-consuming if you don't know why it's necessary, and many car owners decide it just isn't worth their time. If this sounds familiar, it’s time to start asking yourself, “Where can I find an auto mechanic near me in Decatur?” Routine maintenance is essential to your vehicle’s reliability and efficiency. Here are 3 ways it helps keep you in good shape on the road. Prevent Breakdowns Your car manufacturer recommends scheduled maintenance for a reason. Without it, your car is liable to start breaking down in one way or another. If you’re lucky, you may see a light on your dashboard and be able to take your car in to an engine diagnostic service in Decatur. If you’re unlucky, you may find yourself stranded along the side of the road and in need of car emergency services in Decatur. Following t ... read more

  Staying on top of domestic auto service is important to maintaining a vehicle. When it comes to summer, most people rely on their air conditioning system to keep them cool on their long, hot commutes home. Maintaining the air conditioner is important to keeping it running properly. In order to do so, here are 4 tips that we recommend. Regularly Run It Even if it's too cold to run the air conditioner, try turning it on once a week for 10 minutes. Turn it to the highest fan with the coldest settings. Doing this helps maintain the gas pressure and keep the compressor working properly. Make sure to do it throughout the year, even during the winter, to keep the air conditioner working. Running the defrost is also important to prevent mildew and other unpleasant odors and clear away any excess moisture in the system. Run it for 5 to 10 minutes every week. Schedule Professional Service The system needs to be recharged every 2 years. It's going to take a prof ... read more

  Car ownership is as much a part of the American dream as the white picket fence.  Your car allows you to get to where you need to go quickly and efficiently, and gives you the ability to explore near and far. However, cars also need maintenance and care to keep them running effectively. From oil changes to tire rotation, it takes a lot to keep a car in excellent running condition. One system rarely thought about is the exhaust system. The exhaust system is responsible for taking the extremely hot air from the engine and releasing it in a manner that protects the car. Within the exhaust system is a muffler. Cars without mufflers or with damaged mufflers are very loud. The muffler dampens the sound from the engine to bring it down to a much more reasonable level. Here are some of the things the mechanics at Medlock Gulf listen and look for when they suspect something is amiss with a car’s muffler. One of the biggest signs that a car’s muffler has started to fail ... read more

Think about it—what is the most important piece of machinery in your life? Our guess is that most people's answer to this question would be their car. Your car gets you from point A to point B in possibly the quickest and most efficient way possible. Because of its importance in day-to-day life, it is imperative that you properly maintain your vehicle. Maintenance Tips for Your Car The first thing you should consider is inspecting your car yourself occasionally. Even if you aren't an experienced technician, you can probably tell if something looks, sounds, or smells strange. Check your power-steering fluid. Steering is obviously incredibly important to your travel safety, and that can be inhibited if the fluid is low. If you feel like something is really off—for example, if the levels are dangerously low—you should contact a professional. Make sure your transmission fluid is at proper levels. If it is not, it can cause your transmission to overheat an ... read more

  If you were to ask an automotive repair service center how you can keep your car in good condition, they would have a lot of helpful tips to offer you. When you take the necessary steps to take good care of your car, it will run smoother, will not break down, and will give you extra years to the life span of the car. The following is a list of some good tips offered by a professional auto repair service in Decatur: Keep It Clean The car wash is about a lot more than making the car shine. Keeping dirt, grime, exhaust residue, and salt off of your car will protect the paint, the windows, and the engine. Refill the Tank before It's Empty A lot of people are in the bad habit of waiting until the gas light pops on in the car to get it refueled. This can damage your car. Try to make sure that the tank never gets more than 3/4 empty, and you will find that your engine will run a lot smoother. You will als ... read more

Hybrid vehicles are not just a passing trend. They are here to stay. Many car manufacturers are now offering hybrid cars. These vehicles combine an electric motor with a regular engine, which creates higher fuel efficiency. Hybrid vehicles produce fewer emissions, which is healthier for our environment. Before you decide if this is the right car for you, it's important to understand what type of hybrid maintenance and repair will be required. Tire pressure is important on every type of vehicle, including a hybrid. The proper tire pressure will help your tires wear evenly and create a smooth ride; when you check the pressure on your tires, be sure to include the spare. It's important to rotate your tires regularly. You can take your car to a shop to have the tires rotated, or do it at home. The batteries are critical components on hybrid cars. Most hybrids operate on two types of batteries; a 12 volt battery powers the small engine, and a battery ... read more

  There are a lot of options when it comes to choosing an automotive repair shop. It is important to note, however, that not all of these shops are created equal. Since we live in a society that necessitates having a reliable car to use for transportation, it is important to know that you can trust the people you choose to have repair and maintain your car. The following is a list of important attributes to look for in a good mechanic. Honesty The most important thing to look for in a good automotive repair shop is definitely honesty. Most mechanics are aware that the majority of their clients know next to nothing about their vehicles. This makes the clients easy to fool into paying for needless repairs. You want a shop that is staffed with honest people that are ready to educate you about your car so you know you aren't getting taken advantage of. Local Reputation A shop that is part of a nat ... read more

Any car owner should know that preventative maintenance is an absolute necessity for your vehicle. But this becomes even more important if you're driving an imported vehicle. If you drive an import and you're not sure what preventative maintenance is or why imports auto service is necessary, here are some answers for you. What Is It? The answer to this question is in the name--preventative maintenance is vehicle maintenance designed to prevent bigger issues in the future. This can include any number of regular maintenance services that your vehicle may require, including the following: Oil changes Alignments Tune-ups Tire rotations General inspections And more Essentially, if you're taking your car in without it having an existing problem, then you're getting preventative maintenance. Why Does It Matter? Now that you have an idea of what preventative maintenance is, let's move on to discussing why it matters, particularly for import cars. You see, the same ... read more