Alma, Gaylord & Mount Pleasant Auto Repair

Now that summer is coming to a close, it is a good time to inspect your battery. Your vehicle has endured months of heat and labor this past summer, which makes it susceptible to failure. And one of the most common causes we see at Alma Tire Service is battery corrosion.   Corrosion on your car battery can indicate normal wear and tear as the battery ages, but it can grow more severe with high temperatures in the summertime. While small amounts of corrosion can be minor and easily cleaned, large build-ups can signal a serious problem.   What Causes Battery Corrosion? The sulfuric compound inside car batteries discharges hydrogen gas, which can be confined under the hood of your car. Corrosion commonly takes place on the terminals of the battery. Small leaks or loose connections on the battery can also result in battery decay.    Warning Signs When corrosion occurs, you’ll visibly see a white, green, or blue substance forming around the terminals. A sma ... read more

Your treadwear is particularly informative on how your tires are holding up. If you see that your tire wears in the center, edges, or outer parts, it may suggest a problem with how you are using them. By monitoring your wheels regularly, you can catch any issues sooner and determine whether you need tire service. To help you better understand tire tread patterns, we've created a short guide on the five common types of tire wear patterns.   Patchy Wear Patchy tires usually insinuate that your wheels are out of balance. Regular tire rotations and balancing can prevent a patchy tire. These services should be a regular part of your maintenance routine. As soon as you catch this type of wear on your wheels, please reach out to our expert team for assistance.   Center Wear If your tires seem to be more worn in the center, your tires may be over-inflated. We strongly warn against overfilling your tires with air because it will make your tires wear faster. If you notice cen ... read more

We all know that the hot weather can take a toll on your car's battery and tires, but did you ever consider the contents within your vehicle? There are certain everyday items you should never leave inside your car. With temperatures on the rise, there are several things to be mindful of leaving things inside your car. Depending on what is left behind, you could permanently damage your belongings or car. These are the various items you should never let sit inside your car on a hot summer day:   Plastic Bottles Plastic bottles run a risk of warping and melting. Next time you notice an abandoned water bottle in your car, it's best to trash it.   Chocolate It's plain and simple: chocolate is messy. Please don't ruin a good piece of candy by accidentally leaving it in the car. It can leave you with a mess that could ruin your interior.   Pets No one would enjoy being stuck in a car with no AC, even your pets. Doing so could kill your furry friend, so ... read more

  Whether you purchased your vehicle brand new or used, your vehicle will need a tune-up after extended use. A regularly scheduled tune-up can also help prevent other problems from arising. At this point, you might be wondering, what is a tune-up?   A tune-up is generally an extensive inspection of your vehicle, typically composed of the fuel, ignition, and emission systems. In addition, it might include the replacement of filters and essential parts such as spark plugs, hoses, and wires.    Here are the top signs that your car needs a tune-up:   Problem Starting Your Car If you notice that your car has difficulty starting, then you most likely need to take your vehicle into our shop for a tune-up right away. There are numerous problems that could be preventing your car from starting. Due to the indefinite number of causes, it is crucial to have a professional technician diagnose the problem. It is never a good idea to hold off getting ... read more

Many different parts make up your vehicle. One of the significant parts of your car is your engine. While many know about the engine and how it is needed, you may not know that there are many different parts of the engine that help it run; one part that you may not know about is your oil pan gasket. The oil pan gasket is a part that is at the bottom area of your engine; it is covering the crankcase and is bolted to the engine. The oil pan gasket is a basin for motor oil that is used to flow through the engine. This oil is used to lubricate as well as cool moving parts. The oil pan gasket on your vehicle is used to seal the oil pan onto the engine block. It is also used to prevent your oil from leaking from your car as it moves from the pan itself to the engine and back continuously. While the oil pan gasket is used to seal the space found between the oil pan and the engine block, it's used to prevent oil leaks and keep oil from areas that it shouldn't be. Every vehicle will n ... read more