Auto Repair in Stillwater

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

There are many reasons why your car engine might be misfiring. It can be something as simple as a sensor or be much more complicated, involving the internal engine or electrical circuits. Regardless, it is vital to get your problem diagnosed and repaired by a professional mechanic. The X-tra Mile Auto Care team can give you a quick turnaround and prevent the damage from spreading to other important components.   Most Common Causes of an Engine Misfire Unfortunately, there are many potential causes in why an engine is misfiring. Here are some of the issues that have been diagnosed in our auto repair shop in Stillwater, OK: Ignition system problems: When most people hear the term misfire, they immediately assume it is due to worn-out spark plugs. They don't realize that the spark plugs are only a tiny part of the ignition system—there are other parts, including the crankshaft position sensor, coils, and wiring. Air and fuel delivery difficulties: You may know that air ... read more

Most motorists know when to get their oil change done, but what about power steering fluid? Power steering is one of those fluids that is often overlooked or forgotten by most people. However, it is a hydraulic fluid that is necessary to power your steering system. Similar to your other essential fluids, changing out your power steering fluid is a necessary maintenance practice. Though your power steering solution doesn't burn off with combustion like oil, it can get dirty, contaminated, and become ineffective with use. When the power steering fluid gets filthy, it adds tension and stress to the power steering pump. In severe circumstances, your entire steering system can fail with inadequate power steering fluid. 3 Signs of Bad Power Steering Fluid Dark or Contaminated Fluid - Open the hood and use your dipstick to inspect your power steering fluid. The color of good quality power steering fluid should be red. The solution itself should be clean and free of contaminants. If you ... read more

The fall semester is in full swing, and if you are a commuting college student, we hope you've adjusted to the parking situation by now. Operating a car on a chaotic campus can be stressful, so preparing yourself for the worst situations is necessary. Mechanical car problems should be the least of your concerns when you have classes to attend and exams to study for. We've made a list of items to pack in your car to (hopefully) ease the headaches of being a college student:  Variety of Chargers - For Millenials and Gen Z, a dead phone or computer is equivalent to the end of the world. We recommend packing various charging devices to ensure you can get that extra juice throughout the school day. Jumper Cables - These bright-colored cables are a necessity for all drivers, not just students. You never know when you may encounter a dead battery at school or any other place away from your apartment or home. First Aid Kit - This is pretty much self-explanatory, but you can nev ... read more

Even though it's September, most Stillwater residents still heavily rely on our vehicle's air conditioning. Temperatures still rise well over 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and our first instinct is to crank up the A/C. Sometimes, when you crank it up high enough, you may catch a foul odor resembling dirty gym socks from your A/C cent. A musty funk from your A/C is definitely not normal. Usually, when this happens, it means that you've got an excessive buildup of foreign substances like mold, fungus and/or bacteria in your unit. YUCK!   How To Get Rid of the Odor Since this putrid smell coming out of your A/C vent is relatively common, there are specific steps you can take to get this stench out of your car quickly.  Step 1 – The first step is to use a clean air evaporator cleaner. This method is a foaming detergent that will seep into your car's evaporator and attempt to break down the mold and other foreign substances that are causing the smell. This clean ... read more

Over time, your vehicle's nuts, bolts, rubber gaskets, and other seals can become loose or defective. As a result, you may experience leakages of your car's essential fluids. A minor leak may not seem like a huge deal at first, but it is not something you want to disregard. After all, a small puddle can turn into a significant problem down the road. With this in mind, here are some things you will want to do as a responsible vehicle owner whenever you notice any fluid leak.   Step 1: Identify the Fluid First, we encourage you to identify which type of fluid it is before rushing to the mechanic. You can use your senses to narrow down what kind of fluid it may be. Usually, the smells and colors will often tell you a lot about where the problem comes from. If it's a fuel leak, then you will want it addressed as soon as possible. If you have trouble identifying the liquid, take your vehicle to X-tra Mile Care pronto.   Step 2: Don't Ignore It Whether it is e ... read more