Auto Repair in Stillwater

Sure, the maple donuts smell is sweet and inviting, especially when it comes from your dining table or kitchen. However, if that sweet smell emanates from your car, it can be a red flag for a serious problem, usually a coolant leak. A coolant is a mix of water and antifreeze. It is used to regulate the temperatures of your vehicle's engine and prevent overheating. It is also a temperature transferor used in your vehicle's defrosting and heating systems. The liquid also has anticorrosive properties that help keep your car components healthy. It has an extremely sweet smell that most drivers liken to maple syrup. Should You Be Worried? A sweet maple smell in your car signifies a coolant leak. A leak can significantly reduce the amount of coolant in the system, and the remaining amount might not be sufficient to cool down the engine system. This can lead to engine overheating. If you continue operating your vehicle with a low coolant, it can translate to costly or irreversible ... read more

If you are new to driving, you are in a constant state of learning. in case you didn't know, just like all other fluids in your vehicle, your transmission fluid also needs to be changed once in a while. But how will you know it is time to change it? When to change your transmission fluid Keep track of when you last had your transmission fluid changed since it has an expiration date. Although you shouldn't change it as frequently as your engine oil, you need to remain vigilant and develop a routine of monitoring it on a regular basis. The lifespan of transmission fluid can range from 30,000 to 100,000 miles, with synthesized fluid surviving the longest. However, an automatic transmission normally needs the fluid replaced more regularly than a manual transmission. You will have to replenish your transmission oil more frequently if you are operating your car in circumstances that exert additional strain on the transmission. If you frequently rest your leg on the clutch pedal b ... read more

When considering the various systems your vehicle has, the suspension system rarely comes to mind first. With over 30,000 working parts in the average vehicle, it can be difficult to know what all they are let alone what they do. However, we believe the suspension system should not go unnoticed. Specifically, the shocks and struts are key in providing all of us with a safe, smooth, and comfortable drive.    When you operate your car on rocky terrain or bumpy surfaces, you may feel the tiniest bit shaky. Overall, it shouldn’t surprise you or send a jolt up your car. The suspension system is responsible for absorbing the road impacts so that you can continue driving.    The shocks are the part of the suspension that dampens the initial shock to prevent your vehicle from bouncing excessively when going over bumps. In other words, they absorb the kinetic energy. The struts are more so a structural component of the suspension system, and they support the weight ... read more

A car's fuel system is an essential component that requires regular maintenance. Periodically checking the fuel system ensures that all system components are clear of dirt and debris coming from normal wear and tear. The condition of your car's fuel system has a big impact on performance and fuel consumption. Below are the signs that your fuel system needs cleaning. Poor Gas Mileage If your engine does not receive sufficient fuel for the air/fuel mixture, it will burn more fuel. It may seem that blocked injectors would enhance fuel economy since less fuel is being forced through, but this is not the case. The fuel-deprived engine will consume more fuel to operate. Misfiring Engine Your car's engine may misfire if the injectors are clogged or dirty. If this happens, it will seem like your engine is sputtering, which may cause your car to shake or lurch when driving. Your engine is sputtering and misfiring because the fuel injectors aren't supplying enough fuel for th ... read more

On a hot summer day, the last thing you’d want is for your car's air conditioning to stop working or break down. Instead of having to sit through the warm air and sweat, you need to do something about it. Read on to learn more about what could be causing your auto A/C to blow warm air. Leaking Freon/Refrigerant If your car vents are only blowing warm or hot air, it could be due to low levels of refrigerant. Freon or refrigerant is the substance that gets circulated throughout the air conditioning system to eliminate the heat and humidity from the air. Over time, worn valves and faulty evaporators can cause the refrigerant to leak out. At X-tra Mile Auto Care, can help you look for leaks and recharge your A/C. Broken Condenser The condenser is in charge of cooling down the hot freon after it passes through the compressor. When the condenser is affected, you will get a blast of warm air whenever you power your A/C on. Bad Wiring Poor wiring can stop your car’s A/C f ... read more

Your vehicle has different maintenance needs in winter and summer. Let's look at what you can do to get your car summer-ready. 1. Change your oil and oil filter changed You should only do this if you know your way around the vehicle's hood; we don't want to pull anything that should not be removed. Each car has unique oil needs that your mechanic can assess and sort out. If your car maintenance light is on, it's time to get an appointment at the repair shop. 2. Remove your Winter Tires   It's time to get rid of your winter tires because you'll need them next winter. Install your summer or all-season tires instead and check the air pressure before taking them for a spin. You can have this done at our repair shop for extra services like wheel balancing and alignment.  3. Inspect Your AC system   The last thing you want in the hot summer months is to sit in a blisteringly hot car or get a heat stroke leading to accidents. Sometimes driving w ... read more

Brakes are the most important safety mechanism in a vehicle and should be routinely checked. An average driver uses their brakes over 75,000 times a year. Thus, it's no surprise that a brake system can get worn down or faulty. There are several problems that can cause a faulty brake system, fluid leaks, and a weak flex line are just two examples that can have a dramatic impact on system function. Have you Checked Your Brake Fluid? Sometimes brake fluid can absorb water and form a sludge that can clog your brake system. An easy way to check if this is the case is to locate your brake fluid reservoir and scrape a clean screwdriver across the bottom. If the screwdriver comes out with a residue or sludge on it then you'll need to flush and replace your brake fluid. However, If replacing your brake fluid didn't solve the issue, a stiff brake pedal is usually the result of a problem with the power assist mechanism. Why Do Brake Pedals Go Stiff? A stiff brake pedal is very dan ... read more

While it may be tempting from time to time, skipping an oil change can have dire consequences on your vehicle. Clean engine oil ensures that the engine is kept cool while it operates, preventing overheating. It also cleans the engine as it runs, picking up dirt and grime along the way and bringing it back through the oil filter. Finally, it keeps engine parts lubricated to prevent them from rubbing against each other, which can lead to excess friction, part damage, and corrosion. That is why it is so important to have your car's oil changed on time, every time. How often your car will need its oil changed will depend upon a number of factors. For starters, the make, model, and age of your vehicle is most important. Climate and driving habits can also come into play. The best source for information regarding how often your vehicle's oil should be changed is the owner's manual, where it lists manufacturer recommendations for various maintenance services. By following this gu ... read more

The average car has over 30,000 parts, so it can easily confuse some of them. To be specific, your vehicle has multiple belts that most drivers confuse. They are the serpentine belt and timing belt. Even though they may look similar, they both serve different purposes for your automobile.    The serpentine belt is a long belt that runs continuously, and you can usually find it on the outside of the engine block. It is a long, black, thin, snake-like rubber belt. It also has vertical ribbing. The serpentine belt transfers the power from the engine to various parts of your car, including the water pump, power steering pump, alternator, oil pump, air conditioning compressor, and more. All of these accessories are very important to keep your car running as it should.   The timing belt is located inside the engine, and it is responsible for keeping the crankshaft and camshaft in sync. The timing belt ensures that the engine intake and exhaust valves open and close on time ... read more

Your vehicle has many dashboard warning signs, including the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) warning light. While you may not see them that often, it can be challenging to understand the exact problem at hand. While you know the ABS warning light is associated with your braking system, it could mean different things. To understand the type of issues that can occur with your ABS, you need to know what exactly it is.   The antilock braking system is in a secondary brake system that ensures the wheels on your car are all turning at a similar speed. If you find yourself in a hazardous situation, such as hydroplaning, the ABS will come into play and keep you in control of your vehicle. As the name states, it prevents your brakes from locking up.   Many sensors come into play. Whenever any of the sensors pick up an unusual sign from one or more of your tires, the ABS warning light will light up on your dash. The light signals that your ABS needs professional attention.   ... read more