Spanish Fork Auto Repair

In short, the answer is Yes! At Dickerson Automotive, our team has a wide range of experience, including maintenance and repairs on Hybrid vehicles.  Standard Maintenance for Hybrids Most people commonly believe that owning a hybrid or electric vehicle will require more complex maintenance procedures, leading to more costly expenses. Though there are some other things to take care of, basic hybrid vehicle maintenance doesn't differ significantly from standard vehicles. Hybrid drivers still need routine oil changes, brake inspections, tire rotations, fluid checks, and transmission maintenance. The Differences in Maintenance Still, there are a few differences in caring for a hybrid vehicle versus a standard car. There are different types of hybrid engine systems out on the market. When considering "full hybrid" vehicles, they have the capability to turn off their internal combustion engine and run exclusively on the electric motor under particular conditions. This p ... read more

Most drivers are well aware of their battery and what it does. However, the battery is only one aspect of your vehicle's charging system, and it's not even the most important. To most mechanics, the most vital part of the system is the alternator.   The alternator is a mechanical device connected to the engine that runs off your car's serpentine belt. The alternator spins while the engine is operating, which converts mechanical energy into electrical power that powers all of your vehicle's electric features, including (but not limited to) the lights, radio, windows, and more.   All vehicle batteries have a full charge output of around 12 volts, which is plenty enough to start your motor. But when your engine is running, your alternator is usually creating additional voltage (occasionally up to 15 volts) due to the demand for specific electrical operations to work. When an alternator does not work correctly, not only will some of your power functions, such ... read more

Wheel bearings are a necessary piece for the hub, tire, and wheel assemblies to work harmoniously. These little things allow for friction-free rotation and movement of the hub assembly, which is a component of your car's steering system. A wheel bearing is a set of round, metal pieces known as ball bearings held together by a ring. Each wheel has its own set of wheel bearings, so your vehicle should have four sets. Your wheel bearings have a heavy influence on how smooth your vehicle rides. It would be highly hazardous to drive with worn-out wheel bearings, as it may cause your wheels to stop turning abruptly.   How Long Do Wheel Bearings Last? You should replace wheel bearings every 85,000-100,000 miles; however, this is only an estimate, as it also depends on the quality of the bearings and usage. Unless both bearings on either side of the car are worn, there is no need to replace them all simultaneously. Instead, you should only replace the worn ones.   Symptoms o ... read more

Have you ever blown a tire? It's okay, though, right? You have a spare tire. You can switch the blown tire out for the spare and go along with your everyday life, driving like normal. Actually, before you settle back behind the driver's seat, you need to assess the type of tire you are using as a spare. If you have a full-size spare that is just like all of the other tires, yes, you can drive as normal. If you are driving on a smaller-sized spare, or what some people like to call, a donut, you need to consider how fast and how far you actually go. The sole purpose of the smaller spare tire is to allow you the chance to get off the road and to the nearest repair shop to get your blown tire either repaired or completely replaced. You don't want to drive over the speed of 50 mph on a spare tire. Driving faster or for long distances can damage the vehicle, the wheel, or even things like the transmission. You never know what might damage your tires. You could drive over a nail ... read more

Timing Belts A timing belt, which is a rubber belt with small spikes or teeth, is an essential tool in your car. Its central purpose is to synchronize the different parts inside your car that help keep it moving. It does this by making sure that the rotation of the crankshaft and the camshaft are in sync, which results in the engine valves opening and closing at the right times. This is important because there are several problems that can arise if the intake valves aren't working properly. These include: Poor combustion Loss of power Loss of pressure Engine damage If you don't properly maintain your timing belt, it could greatly damage your engine which ultimately leads to more expensive repairs down the line. In some car models, the timing belt is in charge of powering the oil, injection, and water pump which makes it an even more important tool. Some cars have timing chains instead; they perform the same duties but are made of metal which makes them louder and heavier ... read more