What Does An Engine Rebuild Include?

Is your engine starting to lose power?  You may be a little anxious that it may die on you totally and you will be stranded on the side of the road. Of course, neglecting regular engine service is a warranty that will ultimately start to fail.  Inappropriately, even if you have kept up with recommended engine service, even usual wear and tear over the miles can ultimately cause damage to the engine, you may start to notice one of the engine issues below:

• More smoke than normal is coming from the muffler,
• The engine started to make loud knocking noises,
• Oil is burning faster than usual and the level of oil is getting too low too fast,
• The engine overheats frequently.

Fortunately, these issues don’t mean that you have to junk your old car and rush out to buy a new one.  Even though the cost of a major repair may be high, the cost of a new car may be more than you want to expend by the time you make a down payment, monthly payments plus interest, and higher insurance rates.  Discuss with your auto technicians what it means to restore your current vehicle with a rebuilt engine and about how much it will cost.

So if you’re wondering what does an engine rebuild include, here is a simplified list:  

• Removing the engine block from the vehicle and disassembling it.  
• The parts of the engine (which includes piston rings, bearings, gaskets, seals, camshaft, lubricants, and crankshaft) are checked to determine their condition and then cleaned.
• Any components that are damaged will be replaced with either new or refurbished components that meet OEM standards.
• The cylinders will be restored so that the new piston rings can form a proper seal.
• Reassembling the engine and re-installed it into your vehicle.

A word of advice:  Ask about the guarantee offered by the auto repair shop—is it just for components and labor?  Because a rebuilt engine has been checked, cleaned, and fitted with new components, it is often more reliable than your old engine, as well as being covered by a guarantee.

Wondering what does an engine rebuild include?  Call our ASE Certified Mechanics at Gary’s Quality Automotive for more information about our engine service and to request an appointment.  Our auto repair shop proudly serves car owners in Grand Island, NE, Wood River, NE, and Doniphan, NE.

How Often Do You Need To Get Your Car Serviced?

Even though you may think you are saving money by extending the interval in between basic car services, more than likely you will find yourself spending more on unexpected car repair due to lack of service.  Normally, the cost of basic service items, such as oil changes, replacing the air filter, or tire rotations, is much less than unexpected car repair.  You may also start to notice some of the following issues:

• Decrease in fuel efficiency.
• Loss of power while accelerating.
• Poor air quality inside your vehicle.
• Unusual noises coming from the engine.

So how often do you need to get your car serviced?  Auto technicians used to recommend having a car serviced about every 12 months or 12k miles.  Though, in recent years, based on data from 2021, the average number of miles driven in a year has risen to 14k miles.  If this is your situation, it would be wise to have an inspection of your car at least every 6 months to make sure it remains in tip-top condition.  

To gauge how often do you need to get your car serviced, consider these three factors:

• The actual miles you drive in a year;
• How well you keep up-to-date with the recommended service schedule; and
• The road conditions on which you travel on a regular basis.

Even with today’s technology in vehicles, such as built-in computers and sensors that trigger service alerts, it is vital to know the service guidelines listed in your vehicle owner’s manual.  Or, ask your car repair mechanic to keep you informed as to what type of service is needed for your vehicle when it should be done, and how much it will cost. 

Remember:  During a service, such as an oil change, your auto mechanic can make sure that small issues are taken care of early, lowering the chance of a costly car repair later on. 

Looking for quality car repair?  Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Gary’s Quality Automotive for more information about how often do you need to get your car serviced and to request an appointment.  Our auto shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Grand Island, NE, Wood River, NE, and Doniphan, NE.

How Do You Know When Your Car Battery Needs To Be Replaced?

Does this scenario sound familiar?  You are rushing out the door to work and find that your car will not start. You think you have a bad car battery, but how do you know for sure?  Drivers can save themselves a lot of frustration by taking care of a needed car battery replacement.  Don’t delay until you’re stranded in the driveway!    

So how do you know when your car battery needs to be replaced?  

1. Slow engine crank.  Your car may or may not start after some tries.
2. Clicking sound.  You may just hear a rapid clicking sound when you turn the key in the ignition, indicating there isn’t sufficient power to crank the engine. 
3. Dim headlights. The headlights aren’t getting the power they need.
4. Electrical issues. The electronic accessories may not function correctly, such as power seats, power windows, GPS, radio, headlights, windshield wipers, and much more.  
5. Dashboard warning light.  Typically in the shape of a car battery, this warning light could mean the battery is bad, the alternator is dying, or there is an issue in another component of the electrical system.  
6. Swollen battery case.  Continuous exposure to extreme temperatures can cause the battery case to swell up.
7. Older than 4 years. A car battery generally only lasts around 4 or 5 years, fluctuating based on exposure to extreme temperatures and your driving habits.  Your battery can become unreliable when it gets close to the 4-year mark.
8. Loose connections.  The battery will appear to be dying if the terminals are not correctly connected.  
9. A light was left on.  Test your battery.  If it is good and there are no other issues, a light may have been left on for an extended period of time. A simple recharge should be all that is needed to restore the charge.

Remember:  If you notice any of the issues above, you may want to replace your car battery so you’re not left stranded in your driveway or a dark parking lot.

How do you know when your car battery needs to be replaced?  Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Gary’s Quality Automotive for more information about a car battery replacement and to request an appointment.  Our auto repair shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Grand Island, NE, Wood River, NE, and Doniphan, NE.

What Causes Alternators to Fail?

If your car is getting hard to start or it stops running after you get it started, you may be worried about some kind of issue with three important parts of the starter system, the car battery, the alternator, and the car starter.  How do you know which one is the culprit, you ask?  This is when you need to head to your auto repair shop to have your auto mechanic check out these three parts and pinpoint the source of your starting issues.  

If the starter and battery are ruled as the cause of your starting issues that means the alternator is failing to do its job of keeping the battery charged.  This means that your battery is not receiving the power it needs to ignite the car starter, and ultimately, your battery will be completely drained of power.  

But how can you know when your alternator is starting to fail so you are not left stranded on the side of the road one day?  Here are various general recommendations from manufacturers of alternators for preventative maintenance:  

• Check some parts, like brushes, at specific mileage or time intervals (about every 12 to 24 months).
• Follow specific procedures for testing the field of outputs.
• Visual inspections can pinpoint damage to the alternator from heat, vibration, and external contaminants to the connections, as well as oil or other fluid leaks.
• Inspect the tension of the belts about every 30K to 40K miles.  Too tight can damage the bearings and too loose prevents correct charging. 

Tip to Remember:  In older vehicles, the alternator only had to power a few things, such as the radio, lights, and ignition. Though, in today’s modern vehicles, the alternator’s load has increased significantly powering GPS units, heated seats, power windows, seats, door locks, built-in computers, and sensors, plus more!

Worried about what causes alternators to fail?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Gary’s Quality Automotive for more information about the starting system and to request an appointment.  Our auto repair shop proudly serves car owners in Grand Island, NE, Wood River, NE, and Doniphan, NE.

What Does Brake Service Include?

As an experienced driver, you know that good brakes are important for safe driving!  That means that you want to drive your car with confidence, knowing that your brakes have been taken care of by qualified brake repair mechanics.

Here a few helpful tips for when you are ready to take your car to a brake repair shop:

1. Understand what brake service includes.  Typically, old brake fluid is flushed out and replaced with clean fluid, brake pads are replaced, rotors resurfaced, and all other braking parts (boots, seals, pistons, and bushings) are cleaned, adjusted, and lubricated. 
2. Know the cost of the brake service. And how long it will take.  Ask your brake repair specialist to give you a detailed explanation of the work that wants to be done with the projected cost (including components and labor)
3. Find out how long the work will take.  You may want to ask for transportation if the work will take more than an hour or two.  
4. Use high-quality components.  Find out what kind of components are used and make sure they are good quality.
5. Ask questions about any guarantees before the work is done.  Does the guarantee cover only components, or does it include labor?  Is it good for a period of time only, or is it by number of miles driven?  Is there a follow-up on the work done?
6. Is the shop trustworthy?  Don’t be afraid to ask your auto mechanic to explain the work done and show you the old components that may have been replaced.

Inappropriately, there is no set rule on when brake service should be performed.  Your auto mechanic can let you know what does brake service include on your car.  Don’t delay until you experience stopping issues because of worn-out brakes.  By then, you may be faced with a major brake repair.   

Do you know more about what does brake service include?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Gary’s Quality Automotive for more information about brake repair service and to schedule an appointment.  Our auto repair shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Grand Island, NE,  Wood River, NE, and Doniphan, NE.

What Car Maintenance is Really Necessary for Winter Driving?

 

Winter driving conditions can be risky due to the snow and ice that accumulates on the road. It’s vital that your vehicle is ready for the challenge.  If you’re concerned about what car maintenance is really necessary for winter driving, the first step is to have the recommended preventative vehicle maintenance items taken care of before winter arrives in full force.  If you’ve not yet taken care of the following items, now is the time!  

• Battery – Battery power decreases as the temperature drops so it takes more power to start your vehicle in the winter. If your battery is already having weak, your hazard of breaking down increases. You may want to have a battery at or above 600 CCA installed for optimal winter performance.
• Cooling system – Normally, a ratio between 50/50 and 70/30 of antifreeze to water is sufficient.  Though, ask your auto mechanic which antifreeze should be used for your car and the appropriate coolant-to-water ratio to prevent corrosion and potential freezing.
• Brakes – Cold weather doesn’t necessarily affect your brakes, but a thorough checkup will ensure that they are providing the best stopping performance possible in winter conditions.
• Belts, spark plugs, hoses, wires & cables – Although these can go bad any time of year, make sure they are in good condition so you are stranded somewhere in the cold.
• Tires – Switch to winter tires are advisable if you live in a place that experiences extremely cold weather.  The rubber compounds in non-winter tires harden in freezing temperatures, decreasing the tire’s ability to grip the road. Winter tires are made with special compounds engineered to resist hardening in cold temperatures, which offers better traction in ice, snow, slush, and even dry pavement.  All-season tires are sufficient if you live in an area that doesn’t usually have intense winters. 
• Maintains Tire Pressure – Every 10° change in ambient temperature could mean a gain or loss of 1 PSI. Inspect tire pressure more regularly during winter and add air as needed. 
• Install Winter Wipers – These wipers use rubber that keeps snow from collecting on the blades. As winter wipers are heavier than regular ones, remove them when springs arrive to decrease the load on the wiper motor.
• Keep Washer Fluid Full – Refill the washer reservoir frequently with windshield wiper fluid formulated for winter conditions.

Need to know more about what car maintenance is really necessary? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Gary’s Quality Automotive for more information about preventative vehicle maintenance and to request an appointment. Our auto shop proudly serves car owners in Grand Island, NE, Wood River, NE, and Doniphan, NE.

How Often Should You Get New Tires For Your Car?

Does it seem that you have had more than the typical number of flat tires recently?  Although you have kept up with frequent tire service, it may be time to buy new tires.  But just how often should you get new tires for your car, you wonder?  With so many different brands and types to choose from and prices ranging from low to high, choosing the correct tire for your vehicle can be intimidating.  The truth is, everyone wants a good deal, but you will find that when it comes to buying tires, you truly do get what you pay for.  It isn’t always wise to buy the cheapest ones in the tire repair shop so buy the highest quality tire you can afford. 

Before you make a decision on the tire you choose, do a little research first.  You can easily find information published online by tire manufacturers regarding guarantees and specifications for various tires as well as what kind of tire is best for your vehicle.  

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

• What is the purpose of the tire (all-weather, snow)?   
• How many miles will you put on your tires during a year? 
• What kind of road conditions do you usually drive on (gravel, dirt, smooth pavement, mountainous, etc.)?
• What kind of weather do you live in? 
• Can you store tires properly when not in use? 

How often should you get new tires for your car?  Your auto mechanic can help keep an eye on how much longer your tires can last at each tire service, such as tire rotation, balancing, or wheel alignment. You can also have your tires inspected at every oil change.  Most importantly, if you start to notice signs of your tires getting bad, such as unusual vibrations or hard steering, head to your auto repair shop and ask if it’s time to replace your old tires.  Don’t delay until you’re in an accident due to bad tires! 

Remember:  Tire service technicians recommend replacing tires at least about every 6 years (don’t go any longer than 10 years, regardless of tread depth), as this is when most guarantees on tires expire.

Wonder how often should you get new tires for your car?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Gary’s Quality Automotive for more information about tire service and to request an appointment.  Our auto repair shop proudly serves car owners in Grand Island, NE, Wood River, NE, and Doniphan, NE.

When Should You Replace Your Tires?

It may seem like it was only a short while back that you purchased a new set of tires.  But now you find that you are visiting your auto repair shop more frequently for urgent tire service.  That means you may be looking at having to change your old tires.  Although you know that new tires will provide you with a smoother trip and safer vehicle, you cringe at the thought of putting out so much money on a new set of tires.  

You wonder, when should you replace your tires?  They aren’t cheap!  Can your tires last a while longer?   And how do you know what is the right tire for your vehicle?  First, read your owner’s manual.  It will state the exact size and tread type recommended by the manufacturer for your vehicle.

So when should you replace your tires?  Here are two easy ways in which you can determine if it’s time to replace your old tires:

• The penny test – Insert a U.S. Lincoln penny upside down into the tread. Tread wears unevenly so test some spots about 15 inches apart. If you can see most of Lincoln’s head of the spots, it’s time for new tires.
• Wear Bars – Most new tires have built-in “wear bars.”  If this wear bar is visible (flush with the outside of the tread), it’s time for new tires.

Because purchasing a new set of tires is a big investment in your vehicle, here are several tips that will help you make the right choice:

• Wheel size.  The wheel size information can be found in your owner’s manual and on the information placard on the car driver's door frame.
• Buy a matching set.  This will ensure a smoother trip and a better level of safety.
• Inspect the spare. Make sure the spare tire is in good and that it matches the other tires.   
• Wheel alignment and tire balancing.  After new tires are fitted, they should be both aligned and balanced to help prevent uneven tread wear and maintain driving safety.
• Break-in new tires gently.  You want to make sure they wear correctly and that the alignment and suspension are in good condition.

Have questions about when should you replace your tires?  Call our ASE Certified Mechanics at Gary’s Quality Automotive for more information about tire repair service and to request an appointment.  Our auto repair shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Grand Island, NE, Wood River, NE, and Doniphan, NE.

How To Know If You Have A Broken Axle?

To put it simply—your vehicle may not be drivable if it has a damaged axle!  Because car axles are continuously rotating and flexing to accommodate different road conditions, they can wear out, resulting in weak and failing axles.  Also, if your car struts are wearing out and aren’t protecting the axles, hitting any bump or pothole in the road can result in a damaged axle.  The fact is, though, that axles are built for strength so most drivers won’t actually keep a vehicle long sufficient for axles to break.  

So although you may not have a broken axle, the condition of your car axles plays a large role in how well the wheels and suspension system of your vehicle can keep doing their job.  The axles not only link the power from the engine to the tires, but they also carry the weight of the entire vehicle and assist in driving, steering, and braking.  An axle that is going bad also puts extra stress on the car struts, causing them to wear out faster than usual and adding excessive wear and tear on the tires.  Unfortunately, changing car struts, shocks, tires, or axles can be quite expensive.

There are 3 major indicators of how to know if you have a broken axle:

• Power can’t be transferred power from the engine to the wheels).
• A sudden clunking sound was heard when shifting into gear.
• Excessive vibrations can be felt throughout your vehicle while driving.

What can cause axles to break, you ask?  Every car is manufactured with a maximum load capacity.  Overloading your vehicle with too much cargo or too many passengers puts extra stress on your car struts and axles.  And as your car ages, the axles become brittle, diminishing their strength.  The axles on an older vehicle with higher mileage are more prone to breaking so try to avoid driving on rough roads or hitting potholes or other obstacles in the road.

Are you wondering how to know if you have a broken axle?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Gary’s Quality Automotive for more information about car struts, shocks, and axles, and to request an appointment.  Our auto repair shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Grand Island, NE, Wood River, NE, and Doniphan, NE.