The Power Behind your Engine (Alternator Diagnosis and Repair)
January 31, 2026
There's nothing like that sinking feeling when you turn the key and nothing happens in your vehicle. A lot of us are quick to blame the battery. But it may instead be your alternator that's failing. Your battery supplies power to start your vehicle, but the alternator is what sends power when y... More
Rotation Explanation (Tire Rotation Patterns)
January 30, 2026
You may notice that when you get your vehicle's oil changed, your service adviser may recommend that you have your tires rotated at the same time. The reasons are simple. That will allow your tires to wear more evenly and reduce the noise your tires make as you drive down the road. There are di... More
Smooth Operator (Shocks and Struts)
January 29, 2026
Few of us ever drive somewhere without encountering some pretty rough roads, and it's amazing how well our vehicles are able to smooth out the ride. Thank your shocks and struts. The two parts are similar. Some cars have shocks in the rear, and struts in the front. Others have struts all around... More
Know Your Towing Limits in Bourbonnais
January 28, 2026
Some Bourbonnais drivers figure that anything they can attach to their trailer hitch can be towed by their vehicle. Nope. If you're going to do any towing around Bourbonnais, you should be aware of safety issues, IL towing laws and potential liability.Understanding tow ratings is important for sa... More
Refresh Your Brakes (Brake Fluid Exchange)
January 25, 2026
Brakes are one of your vehicle's most important safety components, and you may have noticed that they don't stop as surely as they used to. Maybe it takes you applying a little more pressure to them than before, or perhaps you get the feeling that they're not stopping you as quickly. Those could... More
The Truth about Tire Pressure (Tire Inflation)
January 24, 2026
Most light vehicles (under 10,000 pounds/4,500 kg) in North America sold from 2008 model year on have a feature that many people are confused about. It's the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). You may have some experience with it yourself if you own a newer vehicle. Vehicles with TPMS hav... More
Not a Good Vibe (Driveshaft Failure)
January 23, 2026
When you feel your vehicle vibrating as you're driving down the road, one cause could be something you may not have ever seen: your driveshaft. It is underneath the vehicle and most drivers don't climb under there to take a look very often. The driveshaft is a cylindrical part that helps conduc... More
When Metal Meets Metal (Wheel Bearings)
January 22, 2026
What part of your vehicle has little metal balls inside that are lubricated and allow you to cruise on down the road? They are wheel bearings, and automotive designers might argue they are human beings' second greatest invention of all time (the first is, of course, the wheel!). You have a wheel... More
Keeping Your Cool (Water Pump Replacement)
January 21, 2026
No matter what the temperature is outside, it's important for your vehicle's engine to remain cool, calm, and collected. Well, cool, anyway. If your vehicle has a gasoline engine, it's powered by a bunch of explosions involving spark plugs, pistons, gasoline, and air. And the by-product of all ... More
Picking the Right Tires in Bourbonnais
January 20, 2026
Shopping for tires in Bourbonnais can be bewildering because there are many choices. Let's simplify. There are four main classifications of tires, each designed for different purposes.First off, there are summer tires. Those who buy summer tires in Bourbonnais are looking for maximum summertime ... More