Louisville and Prospect Auto Repair

Car Maintenance is Critical to keeping your loved ones Safely on the Road.     You have your checkoff lists for dorm room items, food and supplies, books, laptops and courses. Did you forget to add your college-bound children’s vehicle maintenance items to that list? Your neighborhood Springdale Automotive Centers understand your vehicle and are ready to keep you and your family safely on the road.   Back to School Vehicle Check ListRepairs Hearing strange noises, smelling something different, smoke coming from your exhaust? Don’t put off needed repairs as it can be dangerous and expensive.   Tires No need to blow a tire early in the semester. Inspect your tires for signs of uneven tread wear. Also check the tire pressure, making sure each tire is inflated to the manufacturer recommended level. Wiper blades Examine your windshield wipers for signs of wear. If they are sp ... read more

Catalytic converters are used in automobiles to reduce emissions of harmful substances such as nitrous oxides, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons. Catalytic converters can fail for many reasons. Every car has a catalytic converter, but when it stops working properly, various symptoms can show up. If you notice any of these symptoms, it's best to take your vehicle to a specialist for inspection. 1. Rattling Noise Catalytic converters make a sound if they start to fail. It could sound like a loud rattle or like the engine isn't moving as smoothly as it normally does. This can be a sign of an excessive amount of sulfur in the catalytic converter's exhaust system, which can render it ineffective. 2. Blue Emissions Catalytic converters don't work properly when the combustion process produces large amounts of blue emissions. This could happen when sulfur is continuously being emitted from the unit, preventing its effectiveness from operating efficiently. 3. Reduced Engin ... read more

Did you know that most cars nowadays run self-check and diagnostic routines, even after you’ve parked them and turned off the engine? Your vehicle has many sensors that remain active. These include alarms for security purposes too. None of these systems draw a significant amount of power. But, what happens when you don’t drive your car for a while? Leave it sitting in a garage. When you come back to your car, the battery won’t be able to start the car.   When people leave their cars undriven for a while, they typically experience starting problems. And since you haven’t driven the car, the alternator hasn’t been able to charge the battery. The self-check sensors that stay on would have eventually drained what was left of your battery. This could be a reason why your battery isn’t working.   Another reason car batteries can drain quickly is from a malfunctioning alternator. When this component can’t charge the battery, you will be ... read more

Summer is right around the corner, and many of us will be doing a lot more driving. Whether you’re heading back into the office, going on a road trip, or making a run for the pool, you’re going to need a reliable car. Below are five fun activities you can do with your car this summer! Go Stargazing There’s nothing more calming than sitting back and enjoying the night sky. Bring the family or a date and you’ll have an unforgettable experience. If you have a moonroof, you don’t even have to get out of your car to enjoy it.  DIY Car Wash You can cool off in the heat by grabbing a hose, bucket, and towels to go clean your car. Not only is it productive, but you’ll have a sparkling clean car afterward. If you have kids, make it a family activity.  Go Swimming If you can’t go to the beach this summer, there’s always the pool? A lake? Water park? Make a trip to your closest swimming spot to cool off. Don’t forget to pack th ... read more

Have you ever noticed your temperature gauge climbing toward "H," or maybe your dashboard warning lights are flashing? You may have a moment of panic. However, knowing what to do next could mean the difference between replacing a $20 thermostat or spending thousands of dollars on repairs. Taking steps to cool your engine now may reduce the risk of irreversible engine damage. Turn off the A/C and Turn up the Heater First, turn off the vehicle's air conditioner to take pressure off the engine. Next, turn the heater up high to pull heat away from the engine. These two steps will help keep the engine from overheating further until you can pull over in a safe location. Find a Safe Place to Pull Over Once you have pulled over in a safe place, turn off the vehicle and let the engine cool for at least 15 minutes. Your next step is to work out how you will get your vehicle to an auto repair shop. You may have a friend you can call on, or you may need to ring a tow truck or roa ... read more