Alma, Gaylord & Mount Pleasant Auto Repair

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

It is distressing when you leave your driveway or parking lot, and there is some puddle of vehicle fluid where your car was. It is definitely some fluid leaking. Does this indicate a serious problem? Here is a look at some common vehicle fluid leaks. Oil Leak Easily identified by many folks, it appears as black or brown. The oil leak is due to degraded engine gasket, valves of oil pans, or seals in the engine. The color may change from amber to black or brown. The color change is due to aging, usage, and presence of foreign elements such as dust, worn-out pieces of small particles. Coolant Leak Mostly, it is green, but there are various colors from blue, purple, orange depending on the inhibitor technology used. A coolant leak is alarming and calls for immediate remedy. A coolant protects your car from grinding and overheating; thus, a deprivation of such a fluid is catastrophic. Water Leak Perfectly harmless and least concerning to look into. The clear and odorless puddle is a r ... read more

Your vehicle needs a checkup now and then just like you do! Taking your car in for routine maintenance keeps you safe and can save you money in the future. Parts of Your Vehicle That Need a Routine Check Oil Your mechanic will look at the color and consistency of the oil. If it's very dark or the texture is inconsistent, it's in need of a change. If it's low, it needs a refill. Check your oil at least once a month. Tires Every six months, check that the tire has an optimal amount of air, rotate the tires to ensure proper balance and traction, and change any tires that look worn down or smooth. Brakes Have your brake pads checked every six months. It's convenient to have them checked at the same time as your tires. But if you notice any noises from your brake pedal while you're on the road, get them checked ASAP. Fluids Once a month, your mechanic will see if you're low on transmission fluid, washer fluid, coolant/antifreeze, power-steering fluid, and br ... read more