Louisville and Prospect Auto Repair

Keeping a vehicle in good condition requires regular maintenance, which can add up in cost over time. But how much money should you budget for vehicle maintenance? The answer depends on different factors, including the age of your vehicle, how much you drive, and the type of vehicle you own. As a general rule of thumb, it is recommended that you budget around 1-2% of your vehicle's value per year for maintenance and repairs. So if your car is worth $10,000, you should plan to spend $100-$200 per year on maintenance. This figure will vary depending on the make and model of your automobile, as well as how often you drive it. Of course, this is just a rough estimate, and there are many factors that can impact how much you spend on vehicle maintenance. Some of the most common maintenance tasks include oil changes, tire rotations, and brake replacements, but there are many other things that may need to be done over the course of a vehicle's life, including transmission and coolant ... read more

The drive belt, also known as the serpentine belt, is a long, winding rubber belt that wraps and connects various parts under the hood. It connects and powers the alternator, power steering pump, water pump, and A/C compressor. It is more common in older vehicles than new. Similar to the other belts in your car, the serpentine belt requires replacing after it wears out. To save yourself from repair bills, it is best to replace the drive belt before it breaks or malfunctions. Here are some of the top signs of a worn drive belt: Squealing Sounds - If you catch a squeal from under the hood, especially during acceleration, it can mean that the drive belt is slipping or wearing down. In some cases, oil might even leak with it.  Steering Issues - Since the serpentine belt powers your steering pump, it can completely disengage the assisted steering system. So, it is best to check your serpentine belt when you notice changes in your steering. A/C Malfunction - A failing drive belt ca ... read more

Sometimes you want to take a road trip this winter. That means visiting your family or going to a new destination. With that said, you'll want to ensure that you are well prepared in case you do get stranded on the road due to a storm or anything else. Here's what you should have in your trunk this winter A winter emergency car kit: You should have things like ice scraper, blanket, sand or kitty litter, phone charger and etc in this kit. It's important that you have these in your trunk. A spare tire: Flat tires are more common in cold weather, so it's important to have a spare tire on hand in case you get a flat. Make sure you have a jack as well so that you can replace the tire if needed! An extra set of car keys: Losing your car keys in the cold can be a major inconvenience, so it's a good idea to keep an extra set in your trunk. A roadside assistance kit: A roadside assistance kit should include things like a jack, lug wrench, and a spare ti ... read more

  Transmission fluid is crucial to keeping your vehicle on the road. As you may know, the transmission is needed to transfer engine power to move your vehicle’s wheels. When you ignore such an important part of the transmission system, the fluid, you can experience significant wear and tear and issues changing gears.  Transmission fluid serves one primary purpose: lubrication. Whether you drive an automatic or manual transmission, your vehicle needs proper lubrication to allow for seamless operation. Depending on the transmission type, transmission fluid can last anywhere between 30,000 miles to 60,000 miles. If you aren’t sure, feel free to refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual for your car’s make/model specific needs. Signs That Indicate Your Car Needs a Transmission Fluid Flush Mile intervals are simply an approximation of how often you should service your car’s transmission fluid. Depending on how rough you are on your vehicle and ... read more

A vehicle's cooling system is quite significant for the vehicle's overall performance. A faulty cooling system could mean that your vehicle is in danger of overheating. And not seeing the signs early enough could mean that your vehicle is a fire hazard and could burn up at any point of the overheating. Five Signs of a Bad Cooling System Smoke from Engine! Seeing your vehicle's engine smoke is one of the most obvious signs that your cooling system is not functioning effectively. If you noticed this while driving it is a very important that you stop your vehicle on the side of the road and proceed to take the necessary steps. The necessary steps would be of course to cool down your vehicle by adding coolant. High Temperature on Temperature Gauge If you notice the temperature on your vehicles temperature gauge suddenly go up and reach the red zone and this is another obvious sign that your vehicle's cooling system is malfunctioning. Once again stop your vehicle and c ... read more