Make Your Vehicle Last

December 3, 2023

We live in such a disposable society. It's amazing all the stuff we throw away. New stuff comes out so fast, we just toss the old and move on. In the old days, Illinois folks were real sticklers about taking care of their things. If something got lost or ruined by neglect, tough - they had to do ... More

Regular Schedule or Severe Service Schedule at Tuffy Auto Service Center Elgin?

July 23, 2023

Today's Tuffy Auto Service Center Elgin article focuses on severe service maintenance. Many Elgin drivers are not aware of them and yet there are also very vocal advocates in Illinois who think that severe service schedules apply to everyone. Somewhere between a complete lack of awareness and th... More

Severe Service Requirements

August 26, 2022

A lot of Elgin drivers have asked whether or not they should use their severe service maintenance schedule, which is listed in their vehicle's owner's manual. It can be somewhat confusing, so we decided to consult an expert. Cricket Killingsworth is from QMI/Heartland, a manufacturer of automo... More

Clean Air for Your Engine: Engine Air Filters In Elgin

August 20, 2022

Every Elgin car owner who has taken their car in for an oil change has been told that their engine air filter's dirty. Here's what goes into the determination of when to change the filter: First, your vehicle owner's manual will have a recommendation of when the filter should be replaced. So bet... More

Tuffy Auto Service Center Elgin Maintenance Tips: The Belt Goes On

August 16, 2022

All Elgin service advisors know that without the alternator, the battery will go dead in a few miles. The serpentine belt may also run the pumps for both the power steering and power brakes. And on many vehicles, the serpentine belt powers the water pump. The water pump circulates coolant throu... More

Busted: The Maintenance-Free Myth in Elgin

August 11, 2022

There's a segment of the Elgin area population that's not committed to proper vehicle maintenance. Now, the ignition system in your vehicle is electronic and controlled by the engine management computer. Spark plugs rarely get fouled and will last for as much as 100,000 miles (160,000 kilometer... More

Does Your Car Have A Recall Item?

August 8, 2022

No matter how well they're made, vehicles are bound to have problems with their design or manufacturing. Think of all the moving parts. When the government thinks a problem is really serious, they require the vehicle manufacturer to issue recall notices to Elgin residents and to fix the affected... More

Serpentine Belt Service at Tuffy Auto Service Center Elgin

August 7, 2022

Most Elgin folks occasionally have days when they've got a bunch of errands to run. Yesterday was my day off and I needed to fill the gas tank, pick up some groceries at my Elgin market, swing by the ATM and get the kids from school. I could have made four trips . . . but that would have been to... More

Synthetic Oil for Elgin Autos

July 27, 2022

If you are a driver in Elgin and you aren't currently using synthetic motor oil in your vehicle, maybe now's the time to consider it. Need more information? Well, synthetic motor oil is a substitute for petroleum based oil. Synthetic oil doesn't gel or gum-up like petroleum based oil and it doe... More

Following Recommended Intervals for Your vehicle

July 26, 2022

If you're reading this article in Elgin, Illinois, then you probably care about your vehicle and how it runs. Even though you care, there is still that moment of dread when your professional service advisor at Tuffy Auto Service Center Elgin tells you the manufacturer recommends some additional ... More