Overland Park Auto Repair

Keeping your car in the best shape you possibly can is always something important that you want to strive to do. Doing certain maintenance things with your car is always essential. There are a lot of great upkeep principles that can help, but there are some things that you may be doing that may not be best for your car. One of these things can include having your car sit for too long of a period. It may sound strange to hear, but it is a cars job to drive. There are some things that can happen if you allow your car to sit for a long period of time without allowing it to do the job that it has been designed to do. Flat Tires: One of the first issues you may notice is one or more tires may become flat. This may be the most recognizable sign that your car has been sitting too long. When you do not use your car, the tires will lose air. They may also have flat spots develop that can affect the quality of the ride you experience in the car. Tires can also wear away due to the elements the ... read more

Any seasoned car owner knows that somewhere down the line of owning a vehicle, there's a certainty that problems will arise. Sometimes it doesn't matter how well you maintain your vehicle, service it, or have qualified mechanics take a look at everything. Eventually, luck isn't going to go your way. A very common problem with a multitude of causes is a vehicle that stalls relentlessly. This can be a very frustrating (not to mention dangerous) issue, as we always want our vehicles to stay consistently reliable. Unfortunately, life is always going to be throwing a few curve balls our way. So why is your car stalling? Well, there are three main causes. 1. Not Getting Enough Fuel If your car's fuel filter clogs then it can lead to your vehicle stalling out repeatedly, or just not starting at all. This occurs when debris, dirt, or other things get themselves jammed into your car's fuel filter, which rests in your fuel line and ensures fuel gets to its intended locatio ... read more

A spark plug delivers an electric current to the combustion chamber, igniting the air-fuel mixture needed to start your engine. Without this, your vehicle won't start. Spark plugs last long and therefore do not require to be changed often. It is recommended that they are changed after every 30,000 to 90,000 miles. However, different vehicles have different needs, and it is advisable to check your vehicle's user manual or consult a professional for recommendations on when to change your spark plugs. Here are some indicators that suggest that you need a new spark plug: Your car has problems starting As previously stated, spark plugs provide the spark needed to ignite your engine. Worn out spark plugs will therefore not efficiently produce the spark needed. Rough engine idle A healthy engine should have a smooth idle resembling a purr. You might need new spark plugs if your engine is making rattling sounds or if it has a shaky, bouncy feeling. Accelerating issues As a driv ... read more

Tires play a crucial role in the safety of your vehicle, yet most drivers seldom spend enough time thinking of their condition. Tires wear out and grow old every time you drive — an inevitable fact. A tire failure can be catastrophic, causing you to be stranded in the middle of nowhere without a way of reaching your destination. It is vital to know when your tires are not in good shape so you can replace them early enough. But how do you know you need new car tires? Here are some of the warning signs: Low Tread Depth The tread on your car tires should not go below 1.6 millimeters in depth. But, if you often drive on wet surfaces, you should consider twice that much. If you don't have a gauge to measure the tread depth like professionals, you can try an old trick to give you a rough idea. All you need is just a penny. Place a penny between the treads with Lincoln's head facing downwards. If the top of Lincoln's head is still visible, then the trea ... read more

When you pull up to a red light, your vehicle should stop and come to a smooth idle. You shouldn't notice much from your car besides the stereo and the low hum of the engine. The dashboard usually alerts you if there is a problem, but it may not always come through. One sign that there may be an issue is your vehicle starts to vibrate while it's idling. A rough idle can leave you concerned and scratching your head. To help pinpoint the cause, below are three common reasons your vehicle may have a rough idle.  Dirty Air Filter Your vehicle needs oxygen to function, so the engine filter is in place to prevent dust, dirt, and debris from entering the engine. The filter doesn't stay clean for long; as you take on the road, it gets filled with pollutants. The engine filter should be checked during routine oil changes and should be regularly replaced. If you go too long without replacing the engine filter, you'll notice a hit to your vehicle's perf ... read more