A Windshield Wiper’s worst enemies are sun and the ice scraper. Wipers typically last up to a year, but if your car is regularly parked out of the sun, they could last longer. It’s time to get new wipers if you hear them chatter as they cross the windshield, if there are streaks across the glass, or if there are tears and/or missing rubber. Most...
Basically a flywheel or flex plate is the round metal disc shaped component that transfers power from the engine to the transmission. A flywheel is usually referenced to a car with a standard transmission,and a "flex plate" is used with automatic transmissions. The flex plate bolts to the engine crank shaft and to the torque converter of your automatic transmission. When the engine starts and is...
What is a ball joint and what does it do? We are often asked what happens if I don't replace my loose ball joint. Your ball joints are a very important piece of your suspension. It is a ball and socket type of joint that allows circular movement but no vertical or side to side movement. Unlike a sway bar link, if your ball joints breaks...
At Ron's Garage, we are not big fans of used car warranties. Speaking from experience, and mostly bad experiences at that, with many used car warranty companies, we can honestly say no one is ever happy in the end. The warranty companies do not cover diagnoses charges, tear down charges, fluids, hoses, or most gaskets. Most policies say they cover internally lubricated parts only. Period....
Wondering how much a timing belt costs or when it should be replaced? The actual price of the belt is fairly inexpensive, ranging somewhere between $35.00 and $100.00 dollars. However, on most cars the labor can be expensive. The price varies depending on the year make and model of the vehicle. Also, on many cars, the water pump is driven by the timing belt. The...
If your looking for head gasket repair in Ann Arbor, I'm sorry. Head gasket repair is usually a pretty expensive repair. But on a good note (if that's possible) it can be repaired. What does a head gasket do? Your engine has 2 major pieces, the cylinder block and the cylinder head. Between the cylinder head and the cylinder block is the "head gasket"....
How do you know when your battery needs to be replaced?. Good question. If you live in Michigan, the average life of a battery is about 5 years. Some batteries last a little longer and some are no so lucky. Here are a few tips from Ron's Garage to maximize the life of your battery. First, these are a few things that will shorten...
Ever wonder where the heat in your car comes from or how it works or who can repair your heat in Ann Arbor?. The heat in your car comes from the coolant that keeps your engine cool. As the engine warms up the coolant gets hot , typically between 195-210 degrees Fahrenheit .The hot antifreeze is pushed by the water pump through a thing called...
There are a few "must do's" if you want your car to be prepared for the cold and snowy winter in Ann Arbor MI First and foremost is the battery. The average life of a battery in Ann Arbor is only 5 years, and just because your car still starts today does not mean your battery is in tip top shape. Have your Battery tested in...
What do winter tires and your insurance deductible have in common?. Actually nothing, except they are very similar in cost. With the cost of auto insurance premiums today most people have a $1000.00 dollar deductible. A new set of 4 winter tires on wheels cost about $1000.00 dollars. (It's not safe to run only 2 winter tires because the significant difference it traction). Winter tires...