McFarland Auto Repair

The suspension system in your car helps to reduce jarring and shocks when you're going along the road. The suspension also aids in bettering how the car works. There are many various kinds of suspension systems, but the one that combines shock absorbers and struts is by far the most used. Shock absorbers are utilized on both the front and rear wheels of newer vehicles, whereas they are largely employed on the rear wheels of earlier vehicles and strut assemblies on the front. Shock absorbers' life span Shock absorbers have a minimum lifespan of 4 to 5 years. But the truth is that it depends on the state of the roads. If you usually drive the automobile on well-maintained roads, the lifespan may even increase to ten years. Similar to that, if you typically travel on uneven, bumpy, or pothole-filled roads, it can be less than five years. However, wherever you drive as well as how you drive are the true deciding factors. Signs you need to check your shock absorbers The shock ab ... read more

Whether you are a newbie driver or an experienced one, we all have our own bad driving habits. Some of them are more forgiving than others, while others can cost you additional fuel and repair bills. The good news is that you can always correct your habits to prevent problems down the line. Read on to learn more about some terrible habits that could be hurting your car: Running Over Potholes There are many different areas of the car that you can potentially hurt from speeding into a pothole. If you tend to do it often, it can harm your suspension parts, wheel alignment, and steering components. Plus, it can also burst your tires. It is best to slow down if possible when driving over potholes. Speeding Over Speed Bumps The whole point of a speed bump is to slow down your car. Similar to the pothole, this can also hurt your shocks and struts, tires, and steering system. Plus, you don’t want to damage your bumper or undercarriage either. Next time, try taking it easy. Forgettin ... read more

If you have somewhere to be, there’s nothing more frustrating than getting into your car just to be greeted by engine cranking or a dead battery. If your car can’t start up, it is very likely that you have a dead battery. A drained battery is never fun to deal with especially in the midst of summer, which is typically when your batteries die much quicker.   Here are some tips on how to avoid a dead battery this summer:  Try parking your vehicle in parking garages, out of the sun, and/or in the shade. Heat is your car battery’s worst enemy. So if you want to keep it healthy, please be cautious of how long your car stays sitting in the sun. Have your vehicle charge tested before, especially if you have a road trip or long drive to take. If it has been a while since your last battery check-up or replacement, it doesn’t hurt to have your battery charge tested at our auto repair shop. It can help you better anticipate when you might need to replace it ... read more

  Whether you're seeking something crispy and salty or something sweet and refreshing, there's a single-serving snack to meet your cravings on your road trip—and believe us, they will taste far better than gas station French fries. Here are the 8 best snacks you should bring on your next road trip. 1. Popcorn Popcorn is high in fiber and complex carbohydrates, which will keep you regular and provide you energy while driving. Make sure it's not chemical-laden microwave popcorn. Instead, have one made with just maize, salt, and oil. 2. Protein Bars Choose protein bars carefully. Many protein bars include just sugar and unknown chemicals and preservatives. The best protein bars have natural ingredients that provide your body with the nourishment it craves without a sugar crash. 3. Grape When you're on the road and hungry but don't want to stop for a meal, take some grapes with you. Grapes will keep you from becoming bored since they're good for yo ... read more

Did you know that driving with worn tires, or tires with little to no tread, is extremely dangerous? Worn tires can alter your car's performance and affect your and your passenger's safety. But how do you know whether your tread is too low? Fortunately, you can track your tire tread depth at home, all by using a penny. Today, we'll be going over the penny test hack and why tread depth is so important. How to Do the Penny Test According to transportation laws in the US, your tires need to be at least 2/32" to pass your vehicle inspection. Once they've worn down close to that point, you will need to replace the tires. However, 2/32" is challenging to measure because it is so small. If you don't have a fancy, specialized tread measuring tool lying around, you can gauge your tread depth with the penny test. STEPS Place the penny with Lincoln's head upside down into one of the ridges in your tire. If any part of his head is covered by the tire, it mean ... read more