Louisville auto repair

1. Check Your Tires When the roads are slick, your tires need to be in top condition for maximum traction. Check their tread at the start of the rainy season. Afterward, check the tire pressure, and turn this into a habit every other week. 2. Brake Check Remember that wet roads make it harder for your brakes to ever get truly dry. When your brakes are constantly in humid Kentucky weather, it may take longer for your car to stop. It's important to make sure your brakes are in good condition and the pads aren't degraded. It's also a good idea to ask to have these checked when your oil gets changed. At Tony's Brake & Alignment, we perform professional brake checks to make sure everything is in working condition. While driving, watch out for any unusual sounds like grinding or squeaking when you brake. If you hear anything like that, bring your car in to get checked out immediately. 3. Check Your Windshield Wipers Make sure your windshield wipers are in good condi ... read more

Changing your tire may not be one of your favorite parts of car ownership, but it is certainly one of the most important. Every 5,000 to 7,500 miles, your tires should be rotated. Every winter, you should put snow tires on your vehicle because all-season tires don't cut it when it snows in Louisville. Additionally, tires sometimes go flat and need to be replaced. If you have never changed a tire before, keep reading this comprehensive guide to learn everything you need to know. A Guide to Changing Your Tire A tire can be changed in just 15 to 30 minutes if you have all the necessary equipment on hand. Assuming that your vehicle is in a safe location, like your driveway, the first thing you need to do is pry off your wheel cover. First, you need to attach your wrench onto a lug nut and loosen it by turning the wrench counterclockwise. Then, loosen the remaining lug nuts. Each should be loose enough that you can turn it by hand. Next, place the jack perpendicular ... read more

If you've ever spent one day driving through Derby City, you know that potholes are no rare occurrence. You probably also know that potholes can do some serious damage to cars. Are you wondering about the risks of driving over potholes instead of around them? Are you curious whether you should schedule an appointment with an auto mechanic in Louisville, KY for repair of pothole damage? If so, you're in the right place. How Potholes Can Damage Your Car There are several ways that potholes can damage your car. For instance, there is the potential that your tires and rims are damaged. If the damage is only moderate, your tire may be repairable, however, if the damage is severe then it may not be that easy. Your suspension and steering can also be affected negatively if you drive over a pothole. What Signs Should I Look for That Indicate Vehicle Damage?  Two of the most common signs that your vehicle has been damaged by a pothole include leaking fluids and an oddly loud ex ... read more

Photo by Michael Bartlett on Unsplash  There’s such a thing as too much planning–and who among us doesn’t know someone who has their ten-year plan mapped out down to the minute–but that’s not true when it comes to your car. Sure, there are always unexpected things that pop up here and there (nobody ever planned for a flat tire!), but it’s important to schedule the things that matter.    Below, I list some things you can add to your 2023 maintenance calendar. Whether in your phone, your planner, or a physical calendar you hang up, setting reminders for the things that matter will help you follow through! Change Your Oil Every 6 Months or 3,000 Miles It's essential to change the oil in your car regularly because oil can break down over time and become less effective at lubricating and protecting the engine. As the oil becomes dir ... read more

Photo by Dagmara Dombrovaska on Unsplash  Christmas Gift Ideas for Car Lovers As a car lover, I know how hard it is to find the perfect gift for your favorite car enthusiast. Because of this, we've put together this list of great Christmas gift ideas for car lovers. So read on for inspiration and ideas about what to get them this year! Leather Cleaner Leather cleaners are an excellent gift for car lovers. Whether a beginner or an experienced driver, the leather cleaner can help them keep their vehicle looking good.   This will make it easier to clean the seats and protect them from wear and tear. Leather cleaners come in a range of products that include spray bottles, wipes, and even sponges to help you get into all those hard-to-reach places in your car. A New Set of Tires A new set of tires is a great gift for car owners who are always on the go.    ... read more

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash  How To Prepare Your Car For the Fall Season  While animals store food to prepare for the frigid Winters, we car people double check all of our car’s maintenance needs. Why? Fall is the perfect time to get your car in order before the weather changes. The holiday season is getting closer, and fixing your car right now will make for a smooth holiday with no surprise expenses.  Check your wiper blades to prepare for rain and snow.  Wiper blades should be replaced every six months, according to AAA. If you notice that your wipers aren’t clearing the windshield correctly, or if they are making noise when they wipe the windshield, it could be time to replace them. Wipers should also be replaced if they are cracked or peeling; missing a rubber strip; have stretched-out frames, or have worn-down edges. Check you ... read more

Photo by Obi on Unsplash  The Principles of Successful Preventative Maintenance Scheduled maintenance for your vehicle is preventative in many ways: it prevents overspending, can help prevent accidents, and prevents your car from breaking down from bigger issues in the future. All that preventative maintenance means is giving your car regular maintenance to support its functioning and prevent anything from going awry. Below, we go over the principles of a successful preventative maintenance schedule to help you save time and money.  Know what needs to get done to your car weekly, monthly, and yearly. To be successful at preventative maintenance, you need to know what’s to be done to your vehicle to prevent accidents, break-downs, and other issues to be prevented.    Most familiarly, you may know how important it is to get oil changes, brake checks, and t ... read more

Let’s Remember The Fallen American Heroes Photo by Vivek Kumar on Unsplash    On Monday, we get to celebrate America’s Independence Day. However, the Fourth-of-July celebration often feels like it goes all month long, especially here in Louisville, when the weather is good. We’ll continue to BBQ, celebrate, and express our gratitude for those who have served and continue to serve. Don’t forget amid all your plans to take some time to remember the fallen heroes this year.  Ways To Remember The Fallen American Heroes A passing thought may be all you have the capacity for, especially if you’ve recently gone through a loss. However, if you don’t know where to start, there are many creative and easy ways to h ... read more

Photo by Vitaly Sacred on Unsplash Heat and Adventures Are Coming. Are You Ready? Summer is officially here, and most of us are super excited to embark on new adventures this year. With many summer activities to pick from, we recommend that you don't forget about taking care of your car this summer.   The heat brings out people who love going on road trips, and with road trips comes planning. Even if you are not planning to take your car on adventures with you this summer, check out this helpful list of tips to prepare your vehicle for the summer. Getting Your Car Ready For Summer Listen to your brakes: Do you hear a grinding noise or feel your brakes vibrating when applying the brakes? That could signify you need new brakes and should take them in for an inspection to be safe. It is possible they don't need replacing just yet, and might just need something tweaked ... read more

Photo by Christian Wiediger on Unsplash Buying Your First Car Soon? Here’s What You Need To Know When the time has come for you to buy your first car, it can seem overwhelming. We often see people buying their first car at a young age, so it is easy to assume they can easily make mistakes while buying that first car.   It is more important than ever to become financially responsible and avoid paying unnecessary fees that could happen when buying a first car. We have created a list of tips that are sure to help first car buyers get the most for their money! Our Tips When Buying a First Car Create a budget: Often, our first thought when buying a first car is going for our "dream" car. However, this is the wrong way of going about it ... read more