Spanish Fork Auto Repair

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

Most vehicles manufactured after 2008 are equipped with a warning light for low tire pressure called the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). The system alerts you if any of your vehicle's tires have low pressure using sensors to track the tire pressure. However, the sensor only shows when the tire pressure is below 25 percent of the recommended manufacturer's pressure for safe driving. You should, therefore, not substitute regular tire pressure checking with the TPMS. In most vehicles, the warning light is a yellow wheel's cross-section on the vehicle's dashboard. Some vehicles will also display a low-pressure message with the exact tire with low pressure. Why You Should Never Ignore the TPMS Warning Light Driving with a low tire pressure affects your vehicle's handling, performance, and, more significantly, your safety. Underinflated tires tend to flex more and generate more heat which may cause the tire's internal components to overheat and break down ... read more

April is one of the two months that the Car Care Council supports every year to sensitize people on the importance of preventative maintenance and car care. The other month is October. The reason why it is crucial to give attention to your car during April is that it is the end of winter and you need to prepare your vehicle for the forthcoming summer road trips and spring driving. This is the time to deal with the issues that had taken the back seat during winter and ensure that windshield wipers, brakes, and tires are ready for the rain. Car care is paramount because without it, you will end up spending a lot of money paying for costly repairs down the line and you will resell it for a lower price. Taking care of your car will ensure that you are safe on the road and that your car is dependable, hence, lower chances of breaking down or accidents. Some of the things you should do to ensure that your car is in top shape during the oncoming warmer months are; Fluids, filters, a ... read more

Too much heat presents a great challenge to motor vehicles. Thankfully, all vehicles have a measure to keep themselves cool. The car's engine has a cooling system aided by a coolant, a fluid that runs in the engine and transmits heat away from it. The coolant should remain clean for it to function effectively. Dirty coolant must be flushed out and replaced with a fresh one. But how do you know when your coolant needs flushing? To know this, be on the lookout for the following symptoms. Your Vehicle Overheats As stated above, the role of the coolant is to keep your engine temperatures low. If your temperature gauge is always on the higher side, it means the coolant is no longer performing its duty and needs flushing. An overheating engine can easily break down, resulting in costly repairs. A Maple Syrup Smell From Your Car (Engine) One sure sign that your coolant needs flushing is the smell of maple syrup, butterscotch, or pancakes coming from your engine. The ethylene glycol ... read more

Every penny counts, including the money you spend on gas. Maybe you even keep a close watch on your miles per gallon. But did you know that simple, regular car maintenance can go a long way in ensuring that you're maximizing your vehicle's fuel efficiency? Motor oil First and foremost, always use the type of motor oil recommended for your vehicle. Beyond that, viscosity and exterior temperature matter. Using a thicker oil in the summer and a thinner oil in the winter can help improve your gas mileage by one or two percent. Motor oils that offer energy-conserving properties can also improve your car's gas mileage. Tire inflation Both overinflated and underinflated tires can negatively affect your gas mileage. More than likely, your monitoring system only tells you when you have an underinflated tire. It never alerts you to an overinflated tire. Tire pressure gauges are inexpensive and simple to use. Invest in one and use it to check your tires monthly for proper inflatio ... read more