Automotive News & Information - Ken's Auto & Truck Repair

It’s not always easy to recognize when your vehicle is suffering from a simple problem that requires a little maintenance and TLC or there is real engine damage as symptoms can be overlooked and seen as “normal.” While not all sounds and smells may threaten the life of your car or truck engine, there are some obvious warning signs that require a vehicle inspection here at the shop right away.

We have great pride in our military and veterans and honor them on Veterans Day each November 11th. Did you know how and why it is on November 11th? The reason dates back to 1918 and pays homage to the date and time the WW I cease fire went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month when a temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect. November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars” eventhough the official end of the what we refer to as "The Great War" ended with the Treaty of Versailles signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France.

Have you checked your brakes lately? I know you expect them to stop your car or truck when you step on that brake pedal, but when they don't work as expected it's too late and then you have an accident with damage to your vehicle but more importantly to the people inside your car and those on the road who may be in your path.

Let's avoid that issue! Test your brakes by lightly tapping them in different situations when the roads are both wet and dry. If your vehicle is pulling to one side, your brake pedal pulses up and down or the steering wheel shakes when the brakes are applied, you are very much overdue for a brake check. Getting in early will save you money as it is always easier to fix a problem before it becomes a huge issue and your brakes are gone requiring new brakes, pads, rotars, and drums.

When in doubt stop by our shop and have one of our professional automotive repair technicians take a look. Don't wait until it's too late to solve these problems and let us help you stay safe on the road! After all, that is the reason we raise these garage doors every day and open these tool boxes. We love what we do and want to ensure our drivers can stay on the roads longer with their vehicles safer and more cost efficiently.

How often should you get your transmission fluid changed? The transmission industry's standard is 25,000 to 30,000 miles or every two years. If you tow a trailer, 15,000 to 20,000 miles is recommended depending on the amount of towing. Motorhomes can vary with the amount that they are driven. The best thing that you can do is check the fluid regularly; notice the color, odor and level of the fluid. If you notice a change in the color, odor or level, have it checked by one of our trained technicians.

What type of fluid should you use? The suggested fluids differ from one manufacturer to another and you can check the owner's manual to ensure the correct transmission fluid is utilized per your specific auto or truck make and model. However, here our technicians have a computer program that will insure the right fluid goes into your transmission. We offer a full line of transmission fluids to cover all the various demands of any car or truck.

For most of us, proper preparation for your upcoming holiday road trip is more about wedging suitcases into the trunk and grabbing that famous stuffing recipe than it is about car maintenance. We certainly understand; the holiday season is a hectic one. However, a little advance planning can make a huge difference in getting to your destination in one piece and arriving with a few shreds of sanity left! Here are five ways to ready your car (and yourself) for the great holiday tradition: the road trip.

If you grew up in a snow-belt state, you know the drill - and if you just moved to one, you're about to learn. Once temperatures get down around freezing or below, the glass in your car will attempt to spend the rest of the winter encased in fog and snow. No, not really; we're sure your glass has only the best intentions. But the road to miserable winter visability is paved with them, so give yourself a leg up this year with our guide to cold-weather clarity.

Fuel economy isn't far from the minds of vehicle owners everywhere. Why can certain cars zip along at close to 40 mpg while others are lucky to get anywhere near 20? As it turns out, there are as many factors that go into how well your ride does at the pumps as there are flavors of Jelly Beans out there.

Here are the 10 factors that have the greatest impact on fuel consumption.

Judging by the number of near-rear-endings we witness on our morning commutes, the typical attitude toward brake maintenance appears to be, “Brakes: No problem!” However monitoring your braking system’s health is one of the most straightforward aspects of car ownership. You do have to know what to look for, though, or rather, what to listen and feel for. So here are the top three signs that your brakes need fixing.