Gurnee Auto Repair

Clutch fluid is a vital fluid that is essential for your vehicle to function. The clutch fluid, also referred to as transmission fluid, can reduce over your vehicle’s lifespan leading to an inadequate amount within the transmission system. This can spell trouble for your car. Refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual for recommendations on specific internals your clutch fluid should be changed. There can be an adequate amount of clutch fluid in some cases but a leak in the clutch reservoir. Leaks that are neglected can also cause significant damage. This makes it essential to check the quality of the clutch fluid regularly. This can help you determine whether it needs to be changed or topped off before costly problems can occur. Below are three common signs that the clutch fluid is low.  There’s vibrating when shifting gears.  When your clutch fluid is filled, your vehicle will switch gears efficiently and without much difficulty. A noticeable vibration ... read more

It can be worrisome to be on your way home only for the check engine light to illuminate. It's not only alarming, but it's also confusing. The check engine light doesn't give you very much information on what the problem is. Is the issue worthy for a mechanic, or is it a minor issue that's easily fixable? Below are five common reasons that will cause the check engine light to come on.   Bad Spark Plugs Spark plugs work to initiate combustion within the engine. Spark plugs can fail over time, but they typically last about 30,000 miles. Higher quality spark plugs can last well over. If you suspect the spark plugs may be the culprit, having them replaced should be quick and affordable.   Loose Gas Cap A loose gas cap is a simple issue but can leave the check engine light glowing. Pullover when it's safe to do so and check that the cap is securely fastened. If it is, it may be damaged or cracked. Gas caps are rel ... read more

Yes, it’s officially fall, and October is just around the corner. Summer is slowly becoming a distant memory, and it’s time to start preparing for the colder months up ahead. Seasonal changes affect your vehicle in various ways. It’s essential to keep up with regular vehicle maintenance to enhance efficiency and promote longevity. The fall love you show your vehicle now will help it ride out the worse winter weather in the future. Below are fall car-care maintenance tips that will protect your investment for several months to come. Check Your Battery. Summer may be over, but hot temperatures may have wreaked havoc on your battery. Have your battery inspected to verify how much life it has left and to stay prepared for future replacement. The last thing you need is to set out for a drive only for your car not to start. Top Off Your Fluids. Check all of your essential fluids like your coolant, power steering fluid, transmission fluid, and brake f ... read more

The next best thing to that new car smell is a great deal on a used one. If you just bought a pre-owned vehicle, you may be itching to take it around the block a few times. You may even start daydreaming about a future weekend road trip. Before you get excited and add some additional miles, below are few helpful reminders on things to do right after purchasing a used car: The Title If you bought your vehicle pre-owned from a dealership, most of the required paperwork would be submitted to the right places. If you decided to finance your car, your lender would hold onto the title until the loan is paid off. If you bought your car from a private seller, make sure they can provide official statements from the banks and other lien holders that any prior loans have been paid off. Automotive Insurance Make sure you secure automotive insurance as soon as possible. Insurance protects you and your vehicle. It’s also essential because most states requir ... read more

Your car batteries are the electrical source of your vehicle. They are responsible for powering significant components such as the radio, dashboard lights, starting your car, and more. When Summer is present most people tend to forget about their battery to focus on getting their A/C colder. Battery maintenance seems to be put on the back burner, with some people choosing to wait for the battery to die altogether. A new battery can cost up to $100 to $200 to replace it. While sticking to regular battery maintenance can help keep it running and functional anywhere from 2 to 5 years. Below are six tips to help maintain the life of your battery this summer:  Keep your car parked in an insulated garage – The best place to store your vehicle is in an insulated garage when you don’t plan driving. This helps keep the car battery warm during the winter. If you don’t have an insulated garage, a covered parking place should be an adequate substitute. &nb ... read more

While some drivers have gas mileage or space in mind when it comes to purchasing a vehicle, other drivers see much past that. Some car enthusiasts look at vehicles as an opportunity to perform modifications to create something ideal. Any car can be modified with additions to meet their personal preferences. However, there is a point when the changes go too far. Below is a list of common vehicle modifications that may cause your car to become illegal to drive in most states. They are worth doing additional research on before installing:  1. Aftermarket undercarriage lights. Many cities and states do not want drivers to confuse citizens with police officers, so blue and red lights are banned. However, before you install the green neon lights, check with your state’s jurisdiction. Show lights are okay but maybe deemed illegal for the streets depending on where you’re located. 2. Yes, range and light detection radars are legal in most states. Virginia and Washington D.C ... read more

We understand that will many people around the United States staying home or working from home, many aren't using their vehicles as often as they used to - or at all! So the question becomes, do we need to maintain an idle vehicle? Surely if you aren't using a vehicle, it doesn't need any services or maintenances - right? Actually, even and idle vehicle still needs to be checked on a maintained in certain ways to ensure proper function when the time actually comes to use your vehicle.  First things first - try to start up your vehicle at least once a week. If you don't start up your vehicle regularly, it could cause the battery to die and you'll have problems getting your car up and running when you need it. When you do start it weekly, leave it running for at least 5 minutes. This will help is get the juice flowing and get all of the major systems active. Be sure that if you are doing this in the garage, that the garage door is open and that there is plenty o ... read more

As the weather gets warmer, many of us will be using our cars to visit the beach, go on road trips, spend time with friends, and more (once it is safe to do so, of course). Our cars are being used much more - but are you remembering to take care of it, too?  Because our cars are being driven more in the summer, there are many more reasons that our cars can breakdown on us during this time. Here are some common reasons why our cars tend to breakdown during the summer:  Check Engine Light - If your check engine light is on, it is important to have the issue inspected and diagnosed as soon as possible. Driving with the check engine light on can actually cause more harm than good, because it can make the problem worse and eventually more expensive. The only way to know for sure what is causing the problem is to have your trusted mechanic run diagnostics on your vehicle.  Flat Tire - A flat tire can be common in the summer, especially due ... read more

Here in the state of Illinois, the COVID-19 pandemic has spread rapidly and has initiated our state government to mandate a stay-at-home order to prevent further spread of the virus. We understand that there is a lot of uncertainty and fear during these tough times, when many of our community members are staying home with kids or out of work. You may also be worried about your own health and the health of your family and measures that you can take to prevent your household and family members from contracting the virus.  While we know that sheltering at place and staying at home is difficult for most, your health should be your top priority at this time. Here are some of the ways that you can protect yourself and your family from COVID-19: Abide by our stay at home order and only leave your house when necessary to retrieve food or supplies for your household or if you are traveling to work.  When going on walks, getting fresh air, or going to the store, be sure to ... read more