Spanish Fork Auto Repair

Why Your Vehicle Might Hesitate to Start in the Winter As temperatures drop, many drivers notice their vehicles struggle or hesitate to start, leaving them wondering, "What’s going on under the hood?" One of the main culprits during the winter months is your car's battery. Here’s why cold weather and battery performance don’t always go hand in hand—and what you can do about it. How Cold Weather Affects Your Battery Car batteries rely on chemical reactions to produce power, and cold weather slows these reactions down. This means your battery generates less energy to start the engine when you need it most. Additionally: Thickened Electrolyte: Low temperatures cause the electrolyte solution inside the battery to thicken, reducing ion movement and lowering the battery’s overall capacity. Increased Power Demand: Cold engines and thicker oil make starting your vehicle more demanding, requiring ... read more

Fluid Exchanges – What You Need to Know When your repair shop recommends a fluid exchange, what exactly does that mean? Most people are familiar with oil changes, but your vehicle can have up to seven other fluids that need regular care—transmission, coolant, brake, power steering, transfer case, front differential, and rear differential. Keeping these fluids clean and fresh ensures all the moving parts in your vehicle stay properly lubricated and performing their best for as long as possible. At Dickerson Automotive, we recommend fluid exchanges every 30,000 to 50,000 miles to maintain peak performance. While some manufacturers claim certain fluids are “lifetime,” their goal is to sell cars—not necessarily keep them running for decades. During every oil change, our technicians take fluid samples to check their condition and help you stay ahead of costly repairs. Call us today to schedule your fluid check ... read more

The last thing you want is to damage your car while driving. But if you're in the middle of a highway and the check engine light comes on, what should you do? Will you damage the engine if you drive a few miles further to the next gas station? The answer to this question can be tricky. It's useful to know what kind of check engine light your car has. Is it just an orange light or is there a red one as well? Does the light flash when the situation is dire? Does the light stay constant when the issue does not require your immediate attention? Knowing how the check engine light functions in your car can help you understand what the car's diagnostic system communicates whenever it flashes or lights up. Check your car's manual to make sure you're familiar with its language. When the frightful check engine light does comes on, stay calm. Reduce your speed and inspect how your vehicle is performing. Use all your senses to reassess if there is something strange or dist ... read more

Exterior vehicle maintenance is just as necessary as engine and fluid maintenance. A good car wash and wax can extend the life of your paint. While regular washing is essential, you may notice that your headlights still look foggy. Summers are hot in Spanish Fork, and UV rays from the sun can cause oxidation outside the headlights. Clean headlights are vital because, without them, you can’t see the road. Oxidation doesn’t cause permanent damage; however, it can make your headlights yellow and fuzzy looking. If you clean your headlights the moment you notice a change, you may be able to restore their natural brightness at home. Below are a few tips to remove oxidation and restore your foggy headlights.   Cleaning tips for foggy headlights: Start your headlight restoration by cleaning them using a microfiber cloth, automotive soap, and water.  Toothpaste Toothpaste is a necessity when removing plaque and ... read more

Oil Changes: What You Didn’t Know You Didn’t Know Here’s a question you probably don’t ask yourself often enough: “When’s my car due for its next oil change?” If you’re like many drivers, changing your car’s oil might be something you think about doing before a long road trip, but it’s a vital component of proper automobile maintenance that all too often gets lost in the bustle of day-to-day life. Of course, there’s those handy reminders your mechanic will often stick to the underside of your windshield, but when’s the last time you looked at it? Quick—without peeking, can you remember what it says? No? Well, you’re not alone. It’s easy to neglect a task like getting an oil change until the moment a warning light appears on your dashboard, but our goal is to help you avoid that moment at all costs. Here’s all you need to know about standard automobile oil changes for your ... read more