COLUMBUS AUTO REPAIR

Your vehicle has several different fluids that need to be drained and replaced regularly. Some of the most common fluids are motor oil, coolant, transmission fluid, and radiator fluid. One fluid that typically is forgotten about is the powering steering fluid. Power steering fluid uses the principles of hydraulics to allow the steering wheel to turn and completely rotate. Over time it can accumulate rubber and metal particles that can wear the gear and pumps. A power steering flush combats this by flushing the old fluid out and replacing it with new fluid. Below are a few signs that it’s time for a power steering flush.  Unusual Sounds If the power steering fluid is low, the steering wheel will start to whine or squeal when you turn it. In some severe cases, this may occur due to a failing power steering pump. If your steering is squealing, bring your vehicle in for an inspection.   Difficulty Steering A com ... read more

No matter how new your vehicle is, eventually, it will need a tune-up. While vehicle maintenance tasks may seem like additional time and hassle, it’s a responsible decision to save you from headaches in the future. A tune-up is a preventative maintenance that includes a thorough inspection to see where your vehicle is excelling and where it may need some extra love. As a rule of thumb, most drivers should get a tune-up at least once a year. However, depending on driving conditions, you may need to schedule an additional one to keep performance efficient.  What is included during a tune-up at Luke’s Auto Service?  Our ASE Certified experts customize your tune-up based on your vehicle’s specific needs.  A general tune-up consists of:  A comprehensive bumper-to-bumper inspection.  A fluid-top off or fluid flush in severe cases.  Replacing all filters, if needed.  Inspecting the battery.  Changing the spark plugs.  Ch ... read more

After driving our vehicle for several years, we're bound to get pretty attached to it. Cars take a lot of time and resources to maintain. A vehicle is considered high mileage once it begins to push past the 60k mile mark. High mileage vehicles need consistent maintenance to keep it lasting for as long as possible. Fall is the perfect time to give your car a little extra TLC. Below are five fall maintenance tips to keep your high mileage vehicle thriving through the winter.  Check the Transmission Fluid Most vehicles will need their transmission fluid changed every 60k to 100k miles depending on their driving habits. Healthy transmission fluid is essential because it serves as a lubricator for the transmission. The transmission has several fast-moving parts; keeping them lubricated allows them to move freely and effectively.  Check the Spark Plugs Spark plugs supply the infamous spark that ignites the fuel to help the engine produce energy. If you ... read more

When you're in between tune-ups, regularly checking your vehicle's fluids is the best way to keep it running at optimal performance. A vehicle's owner manual recommends where fluid levels should be and at what intervals they should be topped off or changed. When fluid levels are properly filled, you’ll notice an increase in efficiency and an improvement on how the vehicle handles. Staying aware helps prevent significant engine damage. Below is an outline of essential fluids that should be flushed or refilled to improve vehicle efficiency.  Engine Oil Engine oil acts as a lubricant for the engine's internal components. Clean engine oil reduces friction and prevents corrosion. By reducing the amount of friction, heat is spread evenly throughout the engine. Working hand in hand with the coolant, engine oil keeps the temperature of the engine stabilized. It's important to check the oil because clean oil adequately powers the engine. Dirty oil furt ... read more

During the lifetime of your vehicle, different parts will have to be repaired or replaced. Brake pads get worn the more you drive. Your engine oil will eventually get dirty and need to be changed. If too much time passes, your car battery may even lose its charge. Batteries will typically need to be replaced every two to five years. However, the extreme summer heat can quickly reduce its lifespan, burning out a battery’s major components. Needing to replace a battery is expected, so it’s helpful to be informed on how to dispose of them safely. Since old batteries are wasteful, it’s a good idea to recycle them. Below are the top reasons you should recycle your car battery.   Car Batteries Are Mostly Recyclable Material Car batteries are primarily plastic. A battery’s outer container, lid, and handle are all constructed from a plastic material. The plastic material can be recycled, melted down, and reused to create new batteries or mat ... read more

A sudden decrease in fuel efficiency can be alarming, especially if your heart is set on a planned road trip. While a reduction in fuel efficiency can be a result of some minor issues, sometimes it can be an indicator of a more severe problem. If ignored, you can expect to deal with some mechanical issues that develop into costly repairs. While many factors can lead to an increase in fuel consumption, below are some of the most common factors:  Oxygen Sensor Your vehicle’s oxygen sensor measures exactly how rich or lean your exhaust gases are when they leave the combustion chamber. A dirty or failing oxygen sensor can lead to a significant drop-in mile per gallon by up to 20 percent. A faulty oxygen sensor can also lead to your vehicle idling rough and a failed emission test.  Weight If your vehicle carries a lot of weight, it can lead to an increase in fuel consumption. The weight can consist of too many passengers, items, or roof ... read more

You’re taking your time during your road trip and glance at the speed limit. The 60-mph sign paces its way past your passenger window as you glance at your dash and realize you’re doing 50mph. While most drivers are wondering how fast they can speed before being thrown a ticket, a select few wonders how slow they can go. This is certainly a twist to the question, but a practical concern.  One thing to note is that the posted speed limit is the maximum speed limit allowed. In its technical definition, drivers should be driving at a speed below what’s posted. The law states that a driver should not drive a speed that impedes normal or reasonable traffic flow. This is outside of any speeds that are reduced for safe operation or in compliance with the law. With the law in mind, it takes us back to the question of what’s defined as “normal or reasonable”?  What is “normal” and “reasonable” depends on the type of road yo ... read more

Getting into your car on your way to a destination to find that your car won’t start can be frustrating. If you get into your car, crank up the ignition, and find that your car clicks but doesn’t start up - your vehicle may have a dead battery. A dead battery is never fun and usually happens at the worst of times. However, the experts here at Luke's Auto Service are here to help when you find yourself dealing with a dead car battery this summer.  Did you know that during the summer, car batteries are actually more susceptible to dying unexpectedly due to the high temperatures? The heat can actually cause your car battery fluids to evaporate and breakdown, causing battery issues on already older batteries. Due to this, there are certain things that you can do during the summer to try and avoid having to deal with a dead battery: Try to park your vehicle in the shade and out of direct sunlight, such as in parking lot structures or in the shade.  &nb ... read more

Your vehicle’s tires are an extremely important safety feature of your vehicle. They are the only component between your car and the road, and help ensure that you are able to accelerate, stop, and turn successfully and safely. Poor tires can cause a number of different issues, ranging from lack of control to tire blowouts. Good tire maintenance will not only protect you on the road, but will also save you money on new tires throughout the years.  A commonly overlooked tire service is proper tire pressure. When your tires are low in pressure, excessive tire wear can occur and blow outs can happen. It isn’t safe to drive with low tire pressure and it is a very easy fix. You can usually do this yourself at your local gas station that provides free air.  If your tires aren’t aligned or balanced properly, excessive wear could be occurring that is severely affecting the overall lifespan of your tires. An alignment and balance is usually required every 6,000 mil ... read more

Here at Luke's Auto Service, we want you to know that we are open and ready to serve you. Auto repair is an essential business because transportation during this time of crisis is necessary. There are many people in our area who are amazing healthcare workers, law enforcement members, and other essential industry workers who are relying on their vehicles right now to get them to work. There are also families who are relying on their vehicles to get them to the store to get food and supplies while staying home to prevent the spread of COVID-19.  Our vehicles are so critical right now, which is why auto repair shops need to stay open and ready to help when you might need it most. Whether you have a service that you've been putting off for a while and finally have time to take care of it, or your vehicle has stopped working and you need it to get to the store, give us a call here at Luke's Auto. Not only are we equipped and ready to help, but we have also made the necess ... read more