When Your Car Battery Should be Replaced?

Did you want to know that one of the top calls for roadside assistance is because of a dead car battery?  One of the most vital parts of your vehicle, the battery has to be strong sufficient not only to start your car but to power the on-board computers and all the accessories that are an essential part of today’s modern vehicles.  Servicing your car battery is not only one of the easiest forms of maintenance to keep your car running smoothly, but it is one of the most vital.  

Without any thought, many of us just jump into our vehicles and expect them to start.  However, the old adage “out of view, out of mind,” is often true for the car battery.  Because it resides under the hood and there is no usual mileage interval for a car battery replacement, it is easy to forget about taking care of this crucial component that makes your car run! 

But you may be wondering when your car battery should be replaced?  Just like a smartphone battery, every time you charge it, it gradually loses a bit of its efficiency.  A car battery can take anywhere from 3 to 5 years of usual use for it to become worn down and inefficient. It can then become totally unreliable, which then causes safety and reliability problems.  

A weak battery can affect your car in several ways, including:

• Auto electrical system – Although your car may still start with a bad battery, it can be affecting other features that require significant power demands. 
• Constant battery drain – Newer vehicles have powerful computers that are operating all the time, continuously drawing energy from the battery even when the vehicle is turned off. 
• Stop-start technology – This technology places a greater strain on the battery because the car is continuously stopping and starting again.

With cold temperatures here for a while, it would be smart to have your car battery checked at every oil change.  A car battery can be at 90% performance one day, and go down to 20% a short time later.  By keeping track of the health of your battery and knowing when it’s time for a car battery replacement, you can avoid being stranded out in the cold.

Are you wondering when your car battery should be replaced?  Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about a car battery replacement and to request an appointment. Our auto repair shop has proudly served car owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

How Do You Know If You Need An Oil Change?

If you’re a new vehicle driver, you may be asking how do you know if you need an oil change?  There is no easy answer.  In years past, the normal answer used to be every 3 months, or 3K miles, whichever came first.  With the advancement of technology in the automotive industry, this advice is obsolete.  There is a lot of debate among automotive specialists about the right interval for oil changes.  Many auto mechanics still recommend the 3,000-mile oil change.  But, with today’s latest engines, certain types of high-quality synthetic oils can go for many more miles, possibly as many as 10,000. 

Although you may be able to go more miles between oil changes, you will find it beneficial to schedule oil changes on a regular basis.  This is the time that your auto mechanic will check out the condition of other fluids, plus other parts and systems that are subject to a lot of wear and tear, such as hoses, shocks, and brakes. 

Do much researches before deciding on an oil-change interval for your vehicle?  Check out the recommended interval in your owner’s manual and also talk with your auto mechanic.  How you answer the 3 questions below will help you in making a decision:

• What type of oil do you use? 
• How old is your car and what is the make and model? 
• Is your driving “normal”?

Remember to ask your auto repair shop if they offer oil change coupons.  Many auto shops offer these coupons so that their customers find it more affordable to take good care of their cars.

Are you wondering how do you know if you need an oil change?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about their oil change coupons and to make an appointment. Since 1975, our auto repair shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

What Does Car Maintenance Include?

Fall is here with all its splendid colors.  Your car has survived the warm temperatures of summer, but the s temperatures of winter are on their way.  Do you know how to make sure your vehicle is as reliable as possible to prevent breakdowns on an icy snowy day?  Do you want to know what does car maintenance include?  It’s no secret—follow the vehicle maintenance schedule listed in your owner’s manual. 

If you have read your owner’s manual, these car maintenance items may look familiar:

• Every week or month inspect:
• Dashboard Warning Lights
• Lights, exterior and interior
• Condition of the tires 
• Windshield Washer Fluid
• Engine Oil Level
• Every 3 Months/ 3,000 Miles inspect:
• Automatic Transmission Fluid
• Battery and Cables
• Engine oil and filter
• Muffler and Exhaust 
• Hoses and belts
• Power Steering Fluid
• Every 6 Months/6,000 Miles inspect:
• Chassis Lubrication
• Wiper Blades
• Every 12 Months/ 12,000 miles inspect:
• Brakes
• Cabin Air Filter
• Coolant
• Steering and Suspension
• Car Alignment

The list above can seem to be overwhelming, but let your auto mechanic take care of your vehicle.  They are trained and knowledgeable when it comes to understanding and following the vehicle maintenance schedule for your specific vehicle.  You can drive your car with confidence knowing it is as safe as possible!  

Need to know more about the vehicle maintenance schedule?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about what does car maintenance include and to make an appointment. Since 1975, our family-owned auto repair shop has proudly served car owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

How Can You Tell If You Have A Bad Radiator?

Although our days are still warm, it’s time to get your vehicle ready for winter.  An important part that drivers often overlook in winter is the radiator.  When it’s icy outside, the coolant in the radiator expands and contracts, adding stress to the radiator.  If cracks and leakages in the radiator go unnoticed, the end result could be damage to the transmission.  

As strange as it sounds, an engine can overheat even during cold temperatures.  Don’t delay for this to happen before thinking about scheduling a radiator repair.  Damage to the radiator can cause an undulate effect throughout the vehicle and cause the vehicle to stop running altogether.  What could have been a minor repair to the radiator can turn into a major transmission job!

So how can you tell if you have a bad radiator? 

• Engine Overheats – The flow of coolant could be limited due to air inside the cooling system, clogged hoses, or too low of coolant level. 
• Leaking Radiator – The constant icy and expanding of fluid could cause cracks in the radiator unit.
• Hose Leak – A hose from the radiator to the engine allows the coolant to flow and cool off the engine.  Over time, these hoses wear our so have them checked frequently. 
• Thermostat Failure – The thermostat regulates the amount of coolant that is recirculated and ensures that the coolant in the engine stays within a particular temperature range regardless of the outside temperature. A failing thermostat prevents the flowing coolant to the engine.
• A Smoking Muffler – Actual smoke coming from the muffler could mean that the head gasket has been broken from an overheating engine.

Before winter come to full force make sure the antifreeze/water mixture in your radiator is still effective.  Your Auto mechanic may recommend flushing the cooling system, or easily topping it off.  

Are you wondering how can you tell if you have a bad radiator?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about radiator repair and to make an appointment. Since 1975, our family-owned auto repair shop has proudly served car owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

How often should you replace your tires?

Whenever you take your car out on the road, your tires become a little more worn.  This doesn’t mean you are a bad car driver; it’s just the nature of tires.  They are the only part of your car that actually touches the road. Thus, it’s vital that you take good care of them with regular tire service.

If you have a tire blow out or a tire goes flat while you’re driving, especially at a high speed, the result could be disastrous!  You may be stranded in the middle of nowhere, or even worse, be the cause of an accident.  The time to take care of any needed repairs is before something goes wrong!  

To make sure your tires are in as good condition as possible, here are 4 simple tire service tips that you can do yourself:

1. Inspect tread depth – The tread on your tires should not fall below 1/16 of an inch—double that if you regularly drive on wet slick roads.  You can see how much tread depth you have left by inserting a penny into the tread.  If Abe’s entire head remains visible, you don't have enough tread to drive safely.   Fresher tires now have built-in tread-wear indicator—flat rubber bars that run perpendicular to the direction of the tread.  It’s time to purchase new tires if you see these bars begin to seem on any of your tires.
2. Inspect for cracks in the sidewall – Crack may indicate air is leaking out of the tire and your tire is losing pressure. If the cracks look very serious, schedule a tire service as soon as possible. 
3. Inspect for bulges and blisters in the rubber – When the outer surface of the tire begins to wear out, bulges and blisters can show up, weak spots that are vulnerable to a blowout.  
4. Feeling excessive vibration – If you are an experienced driver, you know how much vibration is usual, and when it is too much.  More than usual vibration is usually a sign of issues so schedule a tire service to inspect for unstable tires, worn-out shock absorbers, or issues.    

Don’t endanger yourself, your passengers, and other motorists with a flat tire or blow-out on the road. Keep up with regular tire service and replace tires as needed.

Are you wondering how often should you replace your tires?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about regular tire service and to make an appointment. Since 1975, our family-owned auto repair shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

What Causes Alternators to go Bad?

Are you starting to experience starting issues and don’t trust your car anymore?  Is there an issue with the battery, the alternator, or the starter, you wonder? How do you know which one?  

What about the Starter System?

The alternator is located on the engine and provides power to the battery, continuously charging it along with the electrical system and computers.  The battery ignites the starter, but the alternator keeps the car running.  The lifespan of an alternator is affected by the quality, how the car is driven, and how many electronic accessories are being used inside the car.   When you start having starting issues though, it’s difficult to know whether it’s the fault of the car starter, the car battery, or the alternator.

Even though the starter system was designed for repeated use under a variety of weather and road conditions, just the usual wear and tear, extreme conditions, and poor maintenance can all create issues.

What Causes Alternators to go bad?

• Using jumper cables wrong, 
• An accessory that overloads the charging system,
• Leaking fluid in the alternator, or
• A tight belt in the alternator that can damage bearings.

When the alternator goes bad, the battery will ultimately die as the electronics have to draw all of their power from it.  Inspect the alternator even if you suspect the car starter or battery may be the cause of the issue.  The alternator can die with little or no warning but there a several signs to watch for:

1. The "ALT" or "GEN" light illuminates on the instrument panel.
2. The lights are dimmer than normal and may pulsate from dim to bright.
3. Other electrical systems, such as power windows, power locks, air conditioning, radio, GPS, etc., will start to act up.
4. Bearings in the engine may fail, creating unusual rattles. 
5. The engine will stall as there is not sufficient power in the spark plugs to start the engine or to keep it running.
6. The battery will lose its charge because the alternator can’t keep it charged.  

Remember:  If you are having starting issues, before replacing the starter or battery, check out the alternator. It could be the culprit!

Are you wondering what causes alternators to go bad?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about your car starter, battery, and alternator and to make an appointment. Since 1975, our family-owned auto repair shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

How Often Do You Need To Replace A Muffler?

The muffler is an integral part of the exhaust system that minimizes the noise produced during the exhaust process. The muffler also directs the exhaust out of the vehicle. This means a defective muffler doesn’t only make a lot of noise, it also causes very real issues for the driver and the passengers in the vehicle. So be sure to have your exhaust system checked by your auto mechanic periodically to ensure it is working properly.

Making repairs to the exhaust system can sometimes be rather expensive depending on the make, model, and general condition of your vehicle, neglecting a needed repair is not advised. Not only can the cost of that repair work increase, but it could also develop into more serious problems for the people in the vehicle.

But how often do you need to replace a muffler?  Just remember that mufflers are like most other auto parts—they wear out over time.  So be alert to some of the signs of a muffler that is not functioning correctly: 

• Listen up! The biggest and most noticeable sign of a bad muffler is the noise. When your muffler fails, the car will suddenly seem a lot louder than it did before. Be especially vigilant for any strange or sudden rattling noise, which could be the sound of a muffler that’s become loose.
• Look at it! Ask your auto mechanic to raise the vehicle and visually check the muffler. Any major problems, such as holes, are generally easily noticeable.  Also, inspect for any signs of water dripping from it. A bit of condensation is usual, but water leaking from some places on the muffler is definitely trouble.
• Check the temperature.  Turn on the motor and let it run for a few minutes.  If the temperature rises abnormally high, it can cause the vehicle to overheat.

Are you wondering how often do you need to replace a muffler?  Consult our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about maintenance of the exhaust system and to make an appointment. Since 1975, our family-owned auto repair shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

How Often Do You Need to Service Your Car?

If you are a conscientious driver, you won’t take good care of your vehicle.  But you may be wondering just how often do you need to service your car?  The answer is actually quite simple. Follow the factory-recommended service schedule that is listed in your owner’s manual.  This will help ensure that you are driving as safe as possible, especially if you are planning to head out for a summer road trip.

With the advancements in technology, many newer cars have a maintenance reminder system built-in that makes mileage-based schedules obsolete. This reminder system is programmed to take a number of car driving conditions into account and provides an alert on the instrument panel when it is time for certain services, such as oil changes, fluid level inspects, component checkups, and other car services.  Even though you should be able to trust this reminder system, it’s still a good idea to double-check with your car repair mechanic about any recommended services, especially if you don’t drive put many miles during a year’s time.

Older vehicles have service intervals based on the number of miles driven within a certain time period. There are generally two different maintenance schedules listed in your owner’s manual—one for cars driven in “normal” conditions and another for those driven in “severe” operating conditions. The exact definition of “severe” varies, but it will usually include one or more of the following conditions:

• Primarily short trips (5 miles or less) 
• Sustained stop-and-go driving
• Extremely hot, cold, or dusty climates
• Mountainous terrain
• Carrying heavy loads or towing a trailer.

Plan ahead for any needed car repair and service maintenance by finding an auto shop and technician you can trust before you need them.  Use them for small jobs to inspect them out for a shop’s appearance, technician training and certification, insurance coverage, and customer satisfaction. 

Wondering how often do you need to service your car?  Consult our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, for more information about car services and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

Why Does the Service Engine Light Come On?

Taking care of your vehicle with routine engine service is the best way to make sure it provides you with reliable transportation as long as you need it to.  If you think you are starting to experience engine issues, the “Check Engine” light illuminating on your dash could be the first warning signal.  Unless your car refuses to run at all, head to your auto shop and ask for a diagnostic test.  Your auto mechanic will plug a small computer underneath your dashboard to “read” what is happening under the hood.  Any potential issue can be diagnosed early before it turns into a major engine repair.  

If you’re wondering why does the service engine light come on, there are various reasons.  It could be an easy fix or something more serious is happening in the engine.

1. Gas Cap is loose, Damaged – If the gas cap is loose, fuel vapors leak out and can throw the whole fuel system off, reducing gas mileage and increasing toxic emissions. The fix may be as simple as replacing the gas cap.
2. Faulty Oxygen Sensor – The oxygen sensor monitors the unburned oxygen from the exhaust system, and how much fuel is burned.  If it is faulty, it cannot provide the right data to the computer, thereby reducing gas mileage and increasing emissions.  
3. Failing Catalytic Convertor – The Catalytic Converter controls emissions in your car’s exhaust system. It converts carbon monoxide and other harmful materials into harmless compounds. If it fails, your gas mileage will reduction and your car won’t accelerate when you step on the gas.
4. Faulty Mass Airflow Sensor – The mass airflow sensor tells the car's computer to add the proper amount of fuel based on the air enters the engine.  If it fails, toxic emissions will increase, the car will start to stall, and gas mileage will decrease. 
5. Dirty Spark Plugs and Wires – The spark plug seals the combustion chamber and provides a gap for a spark to jump across and initiates combustion in your engine.  If they are starting to fail, they will misfire.  They simply want to be replaced.

What is the key to a well-running engine?  Take care of all service items as recommended, helping to prevent major engine repair issues.  

If you want to know more about why does the service engine light come on, call our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about our engine repair services and to make an appointment. Our family-owned auto repair shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

Wondering when Should You Get Your Transmission Fluid Changed?

If you understand the purpose of transmission fluid, you will understand why your auto mechanic may recommend scheduling a transmission service.  The main job of transmission fluid is to lubricate the surfaces and components of the transmission system, preventing excessive friction and overheating.  The second vital job is to transmit the power from the engine to the transmission, enabling your vehicle to move. 

So when should you get your transmission fluid changed?  This subject is a debate among auto mechanics. Some will say that transmission fluid never wants to be changed.  Though, the majority may recommend changing it about every 50,000 miles.  As you have heard various times, read your owner’s manual to see the recommended service, or ask your trusted auto mechanic.

It is a fact that transmission fluid deteriorates over time.  And some driving conditions (such as stop-and-go city driving, hauling heavy loads, or towing) can raise the transmission’s operating temperature, putting more strain on the transmission and fluid.  If there are leaks in the transmission unit or there are worn-out or damaged parts, the level of fluid can become dangerously low.  Transmission fluid is normally red in color, but if it has turned darker than usual, it may be time to replace it. 

So how do you know when should you get your transmission fluid changed?  Here are various warning signs to look out for:

1. Delayed Shifting.  There isn’t enough pressure in the fluid to engage the gears instantly. 
2. Difficulty Shifting.  Excessive amounts of dirt in the transmission fluid can cause the gears to change either too fast, too abruptly, too slow, or too erratically. You may hear grinding sounds or see abnormally high RPMs before the gears shift.  
3. Slipping gears.  Although you changed gear, it falls back out of that gear.  The friction material on the clutches and transmission bands may not be able to hold the gear in place. 
4. Overheating.  If you notice a burning smell along with loss of power, pull over instantly and let everything cool down.

Remember:  Ask your auto mechanic to inspect the transmission fluid about every month to prevent an expensive transmission repair later down the road. 

Are you wondering when should you get your transmission fluid changed?  Consult our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about transmission repair service and to make an appointment. Our family-owned auto repair shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

How Often Do You Need to Replace Your Car Battery?

Do you want to know the signs that it might be time for a car battery replacement? If that little black box under the hood is starting to wear out, your vehicle will not have the power to start, run accessories, or move.  

Are you wondering how often do you need to replace your car battery? Here are three signs that you will notice:

1. When you turn the key in the ignition, you can hear the engine cranking, but it doesn’t start.
2. Your vehicle may start randomly one day and not the next.  
3. When you turn the key in the ignition, nothing happens—the battery is completely dead.

There are some problems to check out if you are having starting issues:

1. The battery terminals are loose, broken, corroded, or calcified, 
2. The fluid level in the battery terminals may be too low,
3. The battery cables are loose 
4. A parasitic electrical current is drawing power from the battery even when the car is turn off,
5. The starter is going bad,
6. The alternator is going bad.

If you are wondering how often do you need to replace your car battery, call our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about a car battery replacement and to Make an appointment. Since 1975, our family-owned auto shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

What’s On the Car Maintenance Checklist?

You say you aren’t experiencing any car issues.  Though, being a responsible vehicle owner means taking good care of your car before issues develop so that it is as safe as possible to drive.  Do you want to know what’s on the car maintenance checklist? Be sure to find a trustworthy mechanic that will let you know what kind of vehicle maintenance needs to be done, and when it should be done. 

If you are like many drivers, you will add at least 10,000 to 15,000 miles to your car during a year’s time.  Naturally, this wears down the parts and systems.  Having car maintenance taken care of at the appropriate intervals will help these parts and systems last longer.

There is a reason car manufacturers recommend certain maintenance intervals. To keep your vehicle running strong, here is a car maintenance checklist:

1. Change the oil and filter--about every 3,000 to 7,000 miles, or every 3 to 5 months.
2. Tune-up--Ensure your spark plugs, filters, and hoses are clean and intact. 
3. Air filter--Replace about every 15,000 to 20,000 miles. 
4. Timing belt -- Replace about every 4 or 5 years. 
5. Fuel system--Add a fuel system additive or cleaner to the fuel tank about every 3,000 to 7,000 miles to increase engine performance.
6. Lights--Replace any broken or burned out light bulbs.
7. Tires-- Inspect tire pressure at least monthly, and a tire rotation about every 6,000 miles.
8. Brakes--Have the braking system checked about every 5,000 to 7,000 miles. The brake fluid should be flushed about every 2 years.
9. Cooling system--Flush every 3 years or 50,000 to 60,000 miles. Check it periodically for leaks, blockages, contamination, and corrosion/oxidation problems.
10. Steering--A power steering system flush is recommended at least every 30,000 miles.
11. Transmission--For manuals, change the fluid at least every 20,000 miles.  On an automatic, change the fluid and filter every 60,000 miles.

Remember:  Taking good care of your car means it will last you longer and give you more miles with fewer issues!

Are you looking for quality vehicle maintenance services?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about what’s on the car maintenance checklist and to make an appointment. Since 1975, our family-owned auto shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

When Should You Get A Front End Alignment?

When your car rolls off the assembly line, the wheels have been aligned, tested, adjusted and eventually verified.  But as you may have already experienced if you’ve car owned very long, wheels lose their alignment.  This means that the tires on your vehicle are not pointing in the same direction as the steering wheel. When this happens, it not only shortens the life of your tires by thousands of miles, it compromises the safety of your vehicle by affecting crucial steering and suspension parts. 

There are several reasons that wheels lose their alignment, most of which have to do with road conditions.  Poorly maintained roads, hitting potholes, going too fast over speed bumps, running over curbs, or having an accident no matter how minor, can all affect your car’s wheel alignment.  You may find yourself fighting the steering wheel as you try to drive your car straight down the road!  Inexperienced drivers may not be aware of how damaging misalignment can be.  It not only impacts the safety of your vehicle, but it also adds extreme wear to your tires, suspension system, and steering system. 

When should you get a front end alignment?  The typical answer to this question is to have your wheel alignment inspected about every 6,000 miles.   Or, whenever you start to notice signs of premature tire and tread wear caused by wheel alignment issues. 

There are several benefits to maintaining the correct wheel alignment on your vehicle, such as:

• Enhances the handling and safety of your car.
• You can maximize your cars fuel efficiency,
• Prevents damage to other important components (such as shocks and brakes), and 
• You increase the lifespan of your tires.  

Remember:  The cost for replacing a new set of tires is much greater than the cost of an alignment service!

Need to know more about wheel alignment issues? Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about when should you get a front end alignment and to make an appointment. Since 1975, our family-owned auto shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

How Do You Know When Your Car Axle is bad?

Did you know that the condition of your car axles and car struts impacts the steering and braking of your vehicle?  Axles serve the purpose of transmitting power from the engine to make the wheels go round. They also carry the entire weight of your vehicle, plus passengers and cargo.  

Unless damage occurs in several ways, most car axles can last well over 100,000 miles.  Though, axles, car struts and shocks are subjected to a lot of stress from the constantly rotating and flexing while driving, which is compounded by rough bumpy roads.  As the miles add up, axles and car struts or shocks will experience wear. When they fail, the effect is instant, compromising the safety of your vehicle.

So how do you know when your car axle is bad?  Here are a few issues that you may start to experience: 

• Clicking: This is the most common and noticeable symptom of a bad axle and is most often heard during sharp turns at lower speeds.
• Clunking: Most often heard when accelerating your speed.
• Excessive grease: You may see grease on the inside edge of the tire, steering and suspension components, or even on the ground.
• Vibration: If the shaft of the axle is damaged, you will feel a vibration which becomes more obvious as your speed increases. 

If you start to notice any of the signs above, don’t delay in scheduling a checkup of your suspension system.

Are you wondering how do you know when your car axle is bad?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about suspension systems and to make an appointment. Our family-owned auto repair shop has proudly served car owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

Why is Car Service Necessary on a regular basis?

New drivers may not always understand that car service is necessary.  Therefore, they put off suggested services, thinking they are saving money on seemingly needless items.  As long as their car is running, they think everything is fine.  The truth is, the damage could be taking place in the engine or transmission and they may be faced with a costly car repair bill later on.  Please realize that the cost of regular maintenance is considerably less than the cost of car repair.  For example, a damaged engine, transmission system. 

Why is car service necessary on a regular basis?  Your mechanic can inspect the overall condition of your car.  For example, if your suspension is wearing out, the appropriate parts can be replaced before the issue gets any bigger and damages other parts.  Regular car service can also find hidden damage.  For example, driving with low engine oil doesn't necessarily impact your ability to drive the car, though, after an extended period of time, the head gasket or the pistons will suffer damage.  This type of car repair can cost a small fortune instead of little bucks for an oil change.  Excessive wear on the steering and braking components can also be identified early on, preventing a failure on the road which could have devastating penalties. 

So why is car service necessary?  Consider these 4 benefits:

• You know your car – When something doesn’t feel right, sound right, you will be able to notice the difference.
• Your auto mechanic knows your car – By taking your vehicle to the same mechanic for service, problems can be recognized before they get too big.  They will also be able to tell you what is starting to wear out, or what wants replacing right away.
• Improved emissions – You don’t have to worry about passing the emission checkup.
• Confidence – You know your car is operating at its peak performance level and that you are driving as safe as potential. 

Do you know more about why is car service necessary?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about car repair services and to make an appointment. Since 1975, our family-owned auto repair shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

Wondering how do you know if a radiator is bad?

It’s time to think about the radiator in your vehicle!  You will want to make sure you don’t get stuck out in cold weather and road conditions with an overheating engine and steam coming from underneath the hood of your car.  By knowing how do you know if a radiator is bad you can avoid an emergency visit to your auto shop to replace a radiator.  

So how do you know if a radiator is bad?  Schedule an inspection by an ASE certified mechanic if you notice these two main signs below:

• Leaking:  You may notice a puddle of coolant (it could be green, pink, or orange) on the garage floor under your vehicle. You could also notice a sweet smell.  There could be a crack in the radiator unit.  Radiator leakages and cracks should be repaired by an ASE certified mechanic.
• Warning Light:  If the coolant level drops too low, a low coolant light will come on and you will see the temperature gauge increasing, indicating that your engine is overheating.  If you notice your engine is overheating while driving, pull over instantly and call a tow truck.

Remember:  To prevent the necessity of replacing your radiator and for your vehicle to remain a trustworthy source of transportation, have the radiator checked periodically for leaks or cracks.  

For more information about how do you know if a radiator is bad, call our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, and to make an appointment. Since 1975, our family-owned auto shop has proudly served car owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.