Overland Park Auto Repair

Engine flushes are not well-known maintenance items; however, they’re essential when it comes to car care. Dirt is a significant pollutant that can decrease the life of a vehicle. A vehicle’s engine is complex and consists of several moving parts. Any contamination in the engine lubrication can cause premature wear. An engine flush is like a detox, but for your vehicle. Choosing to do an engine flush can boost performance and prepare your car to drive several thousand miles.  Over time dirt and debris accumulate inside the engine. An engine flush is the process of removing any accumulated deposits and sludge within the engine that has formed over time. The best time to complete this service is before an oil change. During an engine flush, an expert technician pours a chemical solution into the engine. As your vehicle is left idling, the solution cleans the engine. The dirty oil is flushed and discarded, while new oil is poured in. Engine flushes serve several signific ... read more

Today is your lucky day; you randomly got a flat tire. As you swallow down the sarcasm and pop the trunk, you notice that the spare tire is much smaller than the regular tire. While a few vehicles may come with a full-size spare tire, most come with a thin, fragile tire popularly called a ‘donut.’ In hindsight, this has left many drivers wondering: why is the spare tire so much smaller than the regular tires?  Since the spare tires are small, it maximizes trunk space. The spares have a shallow tread with a narrow width and small diameter. The lighter material for the spare tire also makes it easy to lift and install onto the vehicle.  Small spare tires keep the weight of the vehicle down. If a spare tire were the size of a regular tire, it would add additional weight to the car. Any extra weight added can cause reduced fuel efficiency.  The spare is small because it’s a temporary fix. Most spares are good for about 100 miles driven u ... read more

You’ve been driving for years, so you don’t need anyone to remind you to use your parking brake. You value your car, thus protecting your car’s transmission from wear and tear is a number one priority. What happens when you try to disengage your parking brake to find that it’s completely stuck? Driving with your parking brake still up can damage your brake system and lead to costly repairs. What causes the parking brake to stick?  The parking brake was left up for too long. Your parking brake is only meant to be up for small windows of time. If you don’t plan on using your vehicle for a few days, it may be best to leave the parking brake down. Leaving your parking brake up for extended periods will cause it to be challenging to disengage.  You pulled the parking brake too hard.  If you used too much of your bicep when pulling your parking brake, you might have accidentally jammed it. Pulling the parking ... read more

The shock absorbers in your vehicle are important when it comes to making your ride smooth. They work with the struts and the springs to reduce the bouncing caused by the springs compressing and releasing so you don't feel every single bump in the road. These parts undergo a lot of stress and usage over time, which means that they aren't void of having to be replaced.  Typically when shocks need to be replaced, they will start leaking. So, exactly how long do they last? This depends on a number of factors including the make and model of your vehicle, your car's mileage, your driving habits, your daily route, and more. However, the typical lifespan for shock absorbs is around 60,000 miles or so. If you refer to your vehicle's owner's manual, it will guide you on what mileage your shocks should be inspected and possibly replaced if needed.  If your shock absorbers are going bad, you may notice one or more of the following symptoms:  Vibrations w ... read more

July 4th is a day that many American's cherish because it is a time where we celebrate our freedom here in the United States and typically gather with loved ones for a good time. However, with the current pandemic, this holiday may not look like it used to. We know that many families and friends are used to coming together to BBQ, eat lavishly, and watch fireworks nearby. But many festivals and fireworks displays are closed this year, and social distancing measures are still recommended.  Even with the pandemic concerns, there are still some ways that you can celebrate safely. If you want to gather with a close group of family or friends, celebrate outdoors and wear your mask. Practice social distancing at all times as well. Don't forget to wash your hands and sanitize regularly, too.  One important thing to remember is driving safety. If you're planning on traveling anywhere, make sure that you drive with caution and are staying alert on the road ... read more