Terre Haute Auto Repair

Many drivers see oil changes as routine maintenance and not much more. But this task does a lot to protect your car from long-term problems. Delaying an oil change may not seem like a big deal at first. The car still runs, and there may be no warning signs right away. Over time, though, putting off oil service can lead to serious damage, not only to the engine but to other parts of the vehicle as well. What Happens When Oil Gets Old Engine oil is responsible for lubricating the moving parts inside your engine. It also helps reduce heat, clean out debris, and prevent corrosion. As the oil ages, it loses these qualities. It becomes thicker, collects more contaminants, and stops flowing as well as it should. This makes it harder for the engine to stay cool and protected. Old oil also begins to break down from heat and pressure. It can turn into sludge, a sticky substance that clogs oil passages and restricts flow. This sludge builds up around parts like the crankshaft ... read more

Cars today are more complex than ever. What used to be mechanical systems are now controlled by sensors, modules, and computers that all communicate with one another. While this makes vehicles more efficient and reliable, it also means that when something goes wrong, it’s not always obvious. That’s where computer diagnostics come in. At Don’s Service Center in Terre Haute, IN, technicians rely on advanced scan tools to uncover issues that drivers can’t always see or hear. What Happens During a Diagnostic Test When your vehicle’s “check engine” light or other warning indicators appear, the first step is to connect it to a diagnostic scanner. This tool reads the trouble codes stored in the vehicle’s onboard computer. These codes serve as clues, indicating a system that isn’t functioning properly. For example, a code might show an issue with the oxygen sensor, fuel injectors, or ignition coils. The ... read more

Waking up to a dead battery can ruin your day, especially when it happens more than once. If your vehicle starts fine during the day but won’t turn over the next morning, your battery may be draining while the car sits. This can happen for several reasons, and identifying the root cause is key to preventing further inconvenience or damage. Let’s explore the most common causes of overnight battery drain and what steps you can take to fix the problem for good. How Your Battery Works Your car’s battery supplies electrical power to start the engine and operate essential systems when the engine isn’t running. Once the engine is on, the alternator takes over and recharges the battery. But even when your car is off, some components draw a small amount of power. This is called a “parasitic draw,” and it’s normal to some extent. However, when that draw becomes excessive or something fails to shut off properly, your battery can drain ... read more