Hanover Park Auto Repair

All vehicles need to be serviced on a regular basis; whether you drive an electric, hybrid, or fuel-powered motor vehicle, they need proper care. However, some of these vehicles may vary in their needs. Some people have a misconception that hybrid cars need more maintenance than their counterparts and at a higher cost. That belief is not always the case. Let's go over the differences (if any) between services for a hybrid and traditional fueled car. What Kind of Maintenance Does a Hybrid Vehicle Need? The maintenance demands of a hybrid automobile are not very much different from those of a traditional gasoline engine. Hybrids have an engine that also runs on gasoline, so they will need the same maintenance items as a conventional car with the same intervals.  Hybrid cars still need the following services: Oil change Fluid top-offs Belt replacements Wheel alignment and tire rotations and more. Considering hybrid vehicles rely more heavily on their battery, they might n ... read more

We've all been a victim of another driver cutting us off before. Some of us might even be the culprit that does it. As a result, you might get a middle finger or a displeased look. Of course, you shouldn't take any of that emotion to heart. Some newer drivers have a huge ego, forgetting to share the road with others and be kind to each other. Below are some tips that we consider polite driving etiquette: Be alert and pay attention - While this sounds like a no-brainer, it's very important that you pay attention to what's happening around your vehicle. For instance, you don't want to be that driver that sits at a green light due to a distraction.  Plan to merge and signal in advance - There's nothing more frustrating than having someone cut into your lane unexpectedly. This is also a common cause of accidents and traffic jams.  Park inside the lines - You practiced parking in driver's ed for a reason. Try practicing at an empty parking lot if you ... read more

You notice a suspicious liquid in your parking spot beneath your car, and your heart drops; you start wondering what it is and how much it will cost you to repair. Usually, car owners assume the worst when their vehicles leak fluids. However, while some automotive fluid leaks may be serious, most of them are not as bad and can easily be fixed.   Moreover, not everybody can identify the type of fluids leaking from their vehicles. Therefore, it is vital to know the different kinds of car fluid leaks to inform your mechanic which type may be leaking for faster assessment and mechanical help. Below are some of the types of car fluid leaks.   Oil Leak A light brown or black puddle is usually the sign of an oil leak. The leaks typically occur at the oil pan and in gaskets located in the engine. If you notice an oil leak from your car, this means your gasket has a problem and requires mechanical service.   Brake Fluid Leak A transparent ... read more

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the holidays are upon us once again in Hanover Park, IL. If you search hard enough, you can smell the turkey and pie that's around the corner. This is such a festive time of year, and while it can be hectic, the opportunity to make time for your loved ones is unbeatable. The first thing you should think about, though, is your car. Is it ready to take on the roads?   Considering the millions of cars, SUVs, and trucks in the US out on the roads at once, you have to be extra careful. The top three reasons automotive mishaps to be expected for holiday travels are flat tires, battery-related problems, and lockouts, all of which are preventable. This is why you need to prepare!   How to Get Your Vehicle Road-Trip Ready Examine your tires. The tire pressure should be at the right level, and if they are showing signs of wear and tear, you may want to consider replacing them. Check all your fluid levels, including engine oil, transmission fluid, br ... read more

The oil dashboard warning light is shaped in the outline of a traditional oil canister. It can be alarming whenever you see any dash warning light, especially this one. This one has very troubling implications for your car. And it can mean one of many things regarding your engine oil. A red or flashing oil light usually means your lube is at a low pressure, which is one of those circumstances that you should never ignore. Whenever you see it flashing, it is deemed not safe to drive. In other words, you should get your car to Kamphaus Auto Care immediately. However, a yellow outline of the oil light, or one that is stable or not blinking, simply means that you're almost out of engine oil and need an oil change.    Engine oil is necessary for your car to run. Without a sufficient amount of lubricant, your engine is at risk of severe engine damage, including overheating. This is because engine oil has the significant task of greasing the machine and its parts to reduce the ... read more

It's fall, and for most people, it means that it's time to travel to watch your favorite football team. Tailgating is a long-time American tradition that brings our loved ones together for delicious food and fun before a sporting event takes place. When we hear of tailgating, most people envision it taking place outside an arena. However, tailgating can take place wherever: the arena, your hometown, or even from the comfort of your own backyard! So whether you're at the game or you're just grilling outback, please consider exercising these safety tips: If you're attending a college or higher-level sports game, then you know the crowd can get overwhelming. Whenever you're riding around a tailgating area, please be very cautious of your surroundings. There are going to be many pedestrians, including children.  A lot of alcohol is consumed before sporting events. To guarantee your safety, please have a backup plan in case you choose to drink. You can have a ... read more

Wheel bearings are a necessary component for your vehicle's hub, tire, and wheel assemblies to work correctly. A wheel bearing comes in a set of round, metal pieces known as ball bearings held together by a ring. These little pieces allow for a smooth rotation and movement of the hub assembly, which is a critical piece of your vehicle's steering system. Each wheel has its own wheel bearings, so a typical car should have four sets total. Your wheel bearings have a heavy impact on the handling of your vehicle. It would be extremely dangerous to drive with old wheel bearings, as it may cause your wheels to stop turning entirely and abruptly.   You should expect to replace wheel bearings every 85,000-100,000 miles. However, this number is only a guess, as it also depends on the quality of the bearings. Unless both bearings on all side of the wheels are overworked, there is no need to replace them all at once. You should only swap out the ones that need it.   What Are ... read more

Your car houses several fluids to keep internal components lubricated and enable systems to work correctly. The six essential fluids of every vehicle are engine oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, radiator coolant, and windshield wiper fluid. If these fluids run out or the fluid itself is not in good shape, your vehicle could exhibit significant problems.   Fluid Maintenance It is highly recommended that you check your fluids regularly. The most common fluid maintenance service is an oil change. Other fluids usually don't need to be refilled or replaced as often. You may hear a couple of different terms regarding fluid maintenance: fluid change and fluid flush. Sometimes, the average person uses these terms interchangeably, but there is a major difference between the two automotive services.   Fluid Change vs. Fluid Flush A fluid change is a simple process. It involves draining the fluid currently in the pan or reservoir and replacing it wit ... read more

Your hazard lights, or blinkers, should be one of the most minor used features of your car because it is designed only to be used in case of emergencies. Though your lights are a good form of communication to others on the road, there are right and wrong times to use them. Some laws state when you should use them too, and they vary from state to state. We will go over the instances of when you should and shouldn't use your blinkers.   When to Use Your Hazard Lights   Getting pulled over. If you see the red and blue flashing lights creeping up on you, turn on your hazard lights to show the police officer that you acknowledge their request. Then, slow down, turn on your hazard lights, and remain seated.   Your car breaks down, and you're waiting for a tow. Whenever your car breaks down, always remember to use your hazard lights to signal to other vehicles that you need to get to the road shoulder. This warning to other drivers will allow them to get safely ar ... read more

There are a few major reasons that would cause your car to vibrate when the braking system is applied. Most likely, this would have to do with one or a few parts of the braking system itself. That could include the brake pads, brake rotors, brake calipers, or perhaps even simply worn tires. Your vehicle's brake pads are responsible for applying force and friction to the brake rotors in order to slow down and eventually fully stop the spinning of the vehicle's wheels. If your brake pads are worn down, they may squeak, squeal, and eventually cause your vehicle to vibrate as they try to do their job of slowing down your car. Make sure to have your brake pads replaced at the first sign of trouble to keep yourself and your passengers safe. As stated earlier, your vehicle's braking rotors get pressed down by the brake pads to slow down the vehicle. If your braking rotors are either out of balance or have been worn down due to grinding on metal caused by extremely worn down brak ... read more