Battery Basics for Elgin
February 18, 2024
It's important for Elgin drivers to know battery basics. First, let's talk about which is harder on a battery hot or cold Illinois weather. Most Elgin area drivers think it's cold weather because that's when we call on our batteries to have enough power to start a cold vehicle engine. However, ... More
Straight to the Point (Alignment Signs of Problems)
February 11, 2024
Its just common sense that your vehicle will drive better if all the wheels are lined up with each other and the road the way the engineers intended. When theyre not, that is called being out of alignment. Here are some signs that your alignment has problems. Your steering wheel isnt straight... More
Refresh Your Brakes (Brake Fluid Exchange)
February 4, 2024
Brakes are one of your vehicle's most important safety components, and you may have noticed that they don't stop as surely as they used to. Maybe it takes you applying a little more pressure to them than before, or perhaps you get the feeling that they're not stopping you as quickly. Those could... More
A Not-So-Straight Story (Vehicle Pulls to One Side)
January 28, 2024
A vehicle should travel straight down a straight road with the steering wheel centered. But time and travel can take their toll and soon you may find your vehicle pulling to the left or right. Those are not good signs and should be taken care of fairly quickly. One thing that you should note is... More
Motor Oil?The Synthetic Advantage (Synthetic oil vs Conventional)
January 21, 2024
Youve probably already heard that regular oil changes are extremely important for the health of your vehicles engine. Thats sound advice. But what you might not know is when it comes to motor oil, the real thing may not be the best thing for your engine. There are different types of motor oil: ... More
The Right Stuff (Choosing Replacement Parts)
January 14, 2024
Let's face it. Vehicles are complicated machines, each having thousands of parts. And since they're subjected to heat, cold, vibrations, bumps and much more, these parts wear out and need to be replaced. When your service advisor says you need a new part, you may have many options. Let's say ... More
Coolant Service at Tuffy Auto Service Center Elgin
January 7, 2024
Elgin residents' vehicles have to operate in a wide range of Illinois temperatures which requires the engine coolant to be able to perform 'no matter what.' Think for a moment about the environment where the coolant does its thing. Very hot, high pressure, corrosive...And all the while, it has t... More
Differential Service
January 1, 2024
When you're driving and turn a corner, you probably aren't aware of all that's going on with your wheels. The outside wheels have a longer distance to travel than the inside wheels, so there are gears that allow the wheels to go at different speeds when you turn. That set of gears is called a d... More
Stuck! (Vehicle Door Issues)
December 31, 2023
This may have happened to you. You drive somewhere and get out of your vehicle only to try closing the door and it just won't stay closed! What a helpless feeling. You can't lock it; you can't leave it like it is. Or, let's say you head down to your vehicle to head out to work in the morning a... More
Follow the Bouncing Vehicle (Bad Struts and Shocks)
December 24, 2023
If you hit a bump in the road and your vehicle just keeps bouncing up and down for a lot longer time than it used to, you may have bad struts and shocks. They're the things that help to keep your vehicle's wheels and tires planted to the road surface. But they don't last forever. With care and ... More