Prepare Your Car for the Cold This Fall

It’s that time of year again when the temperatures begin to drop and we start talking to you about the importance of fall car care in Michigan. Fall is the time between the extreme highs and the extreme lows of Michigan weather. This is the time between sweating in the hot sun, and being extra cautious of slippery icy conditions. When it comes to car care, fall is the best time to get your car winter ready before the extremely low temperatures start to come.

Fall Auto Service & Car Care

Fall car care in Michigan consists of basic maintenance, including:

• Checking fluids and replacing when necessary:
  • Engine Oil
  • Transmission Fluid
  • Brake Fluid
  • Windshield Washer Fluid
  • Coolant
• Check or replace belts or hoses. Most hoses are made of a rubber material. Over time, change in temperature can cause rubber to become brittle or damaged. Check all hoses and belts and replace when necessary.
• Brake system repair becomes more and more common during the colder temperatures. Save yourself time and hassle by getting brake repairs done in the early fall months.
• Tire replacement may be necessary at the end of summer beginning of fall. As frost and ice begin to form on Michigan roads, they become slippery. Having tires with no tread or traction on them can be dangerous. Some car owners even prefer to have a separate set of tires stored just for winter.

Year Round Full Service Auto Care for Cars & Trucks in Michigan

Mr. Muffler continues to provide full service auto care in Michigan all year round. Although fall may be the busiest time of year for car repairs, our professional auto mechanics in Westland, near Canton and Livonia, are at your service any time of year. Please Contact us today to schedule your car check up and see what type of repairs you may need before the temperatures drop.

What to Do if Your Vehicle Breaks Down on a Highway

So, you’re doing 70 on I-275 in Canton when all of a sudden, your vehicle starts making funny noises. Before you can even process what’s going on, your car begins to do something you never imagined would happen: breakdown. Why did it have to be a car breakdown? What are you going to do now? Here are some tips that we hope will help

 

Car Breakdown Tips

Okay, first things first, don’t freak out. Panicking is the last thing you would want to do. If your car happens to break down while driving on a highway, you should:

1. Pull over to the side of the road-always remember to immediately turn on your emergency signals. Try best to remain on leveled ground and to stay as far away from traffic as possible. If you are not able to pull over to a safe area, off the highway, keep your hazard lights on. Do not get out and try to push your vehicle to the side of the road–that’s dangerous. However, if you feel like it’s unsafe to be in your vehicle, leave your vehicle and move to a safer area.
2. Remember your vehicle’s location-look for a major exit and note any landmarks such as restaurants, gas stations or shopping centers that you are near. In Canton, for example, there is Michigan Avenue south Canton on I-275 and the Ford Road exit. Believe it or not, this information will be useful when calling for assistance.
3. Communicate with police- be sure to communicate your situation to the police. If there was any smoke or steam coming from under the hood or if you heard any unusual noises, let them know. If you have to leave the vehicle, leave a note in your rear window or under a windshield wiper explaining the situation to the police.
4. Call for roadside assistance-make sure that you tell the operator your location, a description of your vehicle, the situation and a phone number where they can best reach you at. Also, inform them if you called 911 for the police.
5. Know your rights and responsibilities-if you make the decision to leave your vehicle, exit from the side of your car, facing away from traffic. If possible, bring a flashlight along with you, just in case time rolls over to the evening. If you choose to stay in your vehicle, lock all doors and windows. Do not leave your engine running for an extended amount of time. If you are feeling threatened by a stranger, honk your horn repeatedly, flash your lights uncontrollably and call the police.

Mr. Muffler Can Fix It

Once you’ve called for roadside assistance and have your vehicle running (or need it towed), your next move should be to call a local auto repair shop. Mr. Muffler  in Westland is only a few miles from 1-275 in Canton. We understand the stress of having a breakdown and strive to make our customers happy. If your car just recently broke down and you are looking for a new mechanic, come on over to Mr. Muffler for any of our auto repair services. Don’t forget to check out our cool specials!

Low Cost Automotive Repairs In Westland

Mechanics don’t have the best reputation. We know the stereotypes of the con artist and swindlers who are just trying to rip you off. When we started Mr. Muffler at our location in Westland, we wanted to be different from the rest. We wanted to offer low-cost automotive repairs in Westland at an honest reasonable price to Westland. Also, we are a part of the Westland Michigan community and aim to be your neighborhood mechanic.
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Getting A Tune-up Before The Summer Months!

Before it starts to get real hot, it is vital that you get your vehicle ready for the summer months. With that being said, getting a tune-up on your car or truck is probably one of the smartest things you can do to ensure your vehicle is in running great.

What is the Purpose of a Tune-Up?

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Can Your Car Keep You Cool?

Although we aren’t quite there yet, summer is coming soon. The last thing you would want to do is get stuck driving without air. Air conditioning provided cool air that is. If you turn on your car’s air conditioner and it seems to be blowing out warm air or only slightly cool, it may be time for an AC recharge. Because the summer heat hasn’t arrived it is the best time to save big on AC recharge at Mr. Muffler.

What is an AC Recharge?

When you bring your car or truck to Mr. Muffler in Westland, Michigan for an AC recharge you can be sure your car will keep you cool come summer time. An AC recharge consists of checking the pressure of your air system, ensuring all fluids are full and find any leaks using a special Dye leak detector. The refrigerant that creates cool air within your car’s air conditioning system does not just evaporate. So, if your fluids are low or you feel as if your air should be cooler, it is highly likely that you have a leak somewhere. Our professional auto repair technicians will find the source of the leak and inform you of any necessary repairs.

Because Mr. Muffler is a full-service repair shop in Michigan, we can service all necessary repairs in and around our Westland location.

When do I need an AC Recharge?

There is no set schedule for getting an AC recharge. Typically, car owners can feel that their air is not properly working. This signals them to come in and schedule necessary services to repair the air conditioner in their vehicle. We do recommend, to test your air every once in a while even in the cooler seasons, as you can save a ton of money if repairs are needed.

Be sure to ask us about our April and May AC recharge specials when you contact us today!