DOG FOOD IN YOUR ENGINE (Keeping Rodents out of your Engine)
April 30, 2023
A technician was telling us the other day that he was servicing an engine and spotted something he'd never seen before: A collection of dry dog food siting on a horizontal metal ledge near the base of the engine. It was neatly stashed and was in a spot where the food pellets couldn't have simply... More
Trickle Down Technology
April 23, 2023
Recently, Nissan introduced the latest version of its Leaf, the company's electric car. It has many new features, including something called e-Pedal. It allows the driver to let up on the accelerator and, unlike a gasoline engine car, the Leaf doesn't just slowly lose speed; letting off the throt... More
Shifty Letters PRNDL (Transmission)
April 16, 2023
You probably figured out those shifty letters. They're what you see on your automatic transmission shifter and stand for Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive and Low. Your automatic transmission is one of the great automotive inventions; here are some ways you can keep yours working well. Maintain you... More
The Top Tech Auto Repair Clawson Guide to Tire Specs
April 9, 2023
You know you need new tires, but you're not sure what type. You look at a tire to get the size: 225, 50, R, 16, 92, H. All the way to the Clawson service center you keep repeating it over and over. You even say it over in your mind while waiting in line. Then you get to the counter and the manag... More
I'm Cool With That (AC Exchange)
April 2, 2023
On a hot day, you want your vehicle's air conditioning to work. When the air blowing out of your vents isn't cold, it's easy to think, "I'll just take it by the shop and have them top off my refrigerant." But while some people think air conditioning is that simple, it's actually not. If your ref... More
Giving CV Joints the Boot! (CV Joint and Boot Replacement)
March 26, 2023
Ever wonder how your vehicles transmission is connected to your wheels? After all, when you hit a pothole or some other uneven part of a roads surface, there has to be something that can maintain the connection between the transmission and the wheel yet keep everything moving at the same speed. ... More
Restore Your Get-Up-and-Go (Fuel and Air Induction Cleaning)
March 19, 2023
You may have heard the old saying, "My get-up-and-go got up and went." If your vehicle's engine's fuel economy is noticeably worse, your engine is idling roughly or stalling or your vehicle's acceleration isn't what it used to be, ask your service advisor if you might need your vehicle's fuel and... More
I NEED All Wheel Drive (Pros and Cons of AWD)
March 12, 2023
So winter has arrived and you don't feel confident in how your 2-wheel drive vehicle does in the snow and ice. You envy all those people with all-wheel-drive (AWD) and 4-wheel-drive (4WD) cars, trucks and SUVs. You start thinking, "I need one of those. I'll be able to go anywhere without any w... More
Automotive Tips from Top Tech Auto Repair Clawson: Serpentine Belt System Wear
March 5, 2023
The primary job of the serpentine belt for Clawson drivers is to provide important traction to spin the accessories. As the belt wears it loses some of its grip and the accessories may not spin at optimal speeds. For example, if your alternator doesnt spin fast enough, the battery will not comple... More
Top Tech Auto Repair Clawson Engine Air Filter Replacement
February 26, 2023
When your experienced Top Tech Auto Repair Clawson technician changes your oil, he will also inspect your air filter. You shouldn't need a new air filter at every oil change, but you will need to change it regularly. Heed your technician's auto advice if they tell you to change your air filter.A... More