Rexburg and Idaho Falls Auto Repair

After starting your car and backing out of your parking space one day, you might notice a strange puddle left behind by your vehicle and wonder what it is. There are a lot of different types of fluids that your vehicle can leak, each meaning something different. Thankfully, these fluids are easy to identify by color. Leaking Power Steering Fluid Puddles of power steering fluid typically look and smell similar to the reddish transmission fluid, and characteristically leak from manual cars with power steering because of failing gaskets or joints. These leaks typically originate from the engine bay, and is accompanied by a symptomatic difficulty in steering the vehicle. Leaking Oil A black puddle or stain is typically an oil leak. These leaks usually happen around the oil pan or gaskets of the engine, and tend to be small and localized occurrences. They are typically the result of a failed gasket, which would need replaced quickly. Other common causes can include a crack in the oil dr ... read more

Catalytic converters are one of the most stolen car parts on vehicles. It can take just about three minutes for someone to jack your car up and cut the catalytic converter off. Luckily for Prius owners there is a cat shield put in to protect your catalytic converter from being stolen. Most Prius owners are aware of the Cat Shield, but does it really protect your catalytic converter from being stolen? When your catalytic converter is stolen, it can cost anywhere from $2,500 - $5,000 to have it replaced. Many thieves are known to target a Prius when it comes to stealing the catalytic converter. The Cat Shield was created to help protect your catalytic converter from being stolen. The Cat Shield is a high quality, custom shield that is designed to make the job of someone trying to steal your catalytic converter time consuming and it will cause there to be a lot of attention brought to the process, helping to prevent the theft from happening. When you're looking for a shield you want ... read more

Wheel alignment is not all about your wheels, but it has to do with your suspension and steering system too. When one or more of your wheels aren't able to drive straight, it can have a handful of negative consequences. What Causes Poor Alignment There are plenty of things that can pull your vehicle's wheels out of alignment. First and most popularly, the sudden or heavy impact can cause your wheel and suspension components to distort or shift out of place. Things like flying over potholes, bumping into curbs, or even getting into minor vehicle accidents are all widespread causes of wheel misalignment. However, normal wear and tear can also cause your car, SUV, or truck to bump out of alignment. Over time, your shocks, springs, and other surrounding components will age, developing weakened points. As a result, your wheels may shift out of alignment. Lastly, your wheels may also shift out of alignment when you modify your vehicle's height. Thankfully, regular maintenance ... read more

One of the biggest problems for drivers nowadays is pinching pennies at the bump. Fuel is not cheap, which is why it is worth doing all we can to save money on fuel. Here are some of our trusty methods on how to improve your fuel efficiency. Inflate Your Tires Properly To get the most out of your fuel, you should pay attention to your tires' pressure. Under-inflated tires are a major problem contributing to excess fuel usage and cause your tires to wear prematurely. Ease the Load On Your Vehicle Lightening your car will reduce any major stress on your car's components, such as the engine and brakes. As a result, you will end up burning more fuel than needed. Stop Idling Idling for any more than several minutes can significantly guzzle up gas. In fact, idling for an hour requires approximately half a gallon to about a gallon of fuel. Over time, this can add up to be a ton of money. A best practice to follow is to turn off your engine and restart when necessary instead of i ... read more

Careful drivers who like to maintain a strict vehicle maintenance schedule may be curious about how often they should be changing the cabin air filter. Most car manufacturers recommend that you swap it out around every 15,000 miles. Whether you do it yourself or decide to bring it to Oswald Service Inc., we can get you started on your maintenance needs at your convenience. What Does the Cabin Air Filter Do The outside air moves through your car's heating, air conditioning, and ventilation system as you drive. As a result, it's likely to drag in pollen and other pollutants from the outside air. The cabin air filter plays the role of collecting and preventing these small particles from escaping into your vehicle. A dirty filter will reduce airflow with your climate control system and sometimes cause a lingering odor and dusty environment. How to Change Your Cabin Air Filter Changing a cabin air filter is inexpensive and straightforward. Here's how: Refer to your car ... read more

Happy Thanksgiving from our team at Oswald Service Inc! We hope you'll have a wonderful holiday experience with friends and family. With all the holidays coming up, it means there's going to be lots of travel. It can get crowded, and it can get wet or icy out there! If you plan on heading out of town in the next several weeks, we recommend that you check off some vital travel measures before hitting the busy roads.  Be sure to have your vehicle inspected by professionals - Our service team at Oswald Service Inc. can help prep your car before traveling this holiday. You definitely don't want to be held back in a situation without a working vehicle! Getting a pre-trip check-up will guarantee that your car is ready to take on any fall/winter challenges that may come your way. And it will keep you and your family safe! Pack for the weather - It's going to get cold out there, so make sure you pack blankets, coats, socks, etc., to keep you warm wherever you go. Prep a ... read more

Many internal systems within your car work concurrently to keep it driving straight. However, factors like your external environment and driving habits may impact your wheels and knock them out of alignment. For instance, if you just went flying over a speed bump or hit a curb roughly, the wheels will become lopsided. And as a result, you may experience problems trying to maneuver your car. If you choose to ignore this problem, you may notice a significant blow to your car's performance and even a loss in fuel economy. Here are some of the telltale signs that you need a wheel alignment ASAP: Off Steering Wheel - An off-center steering wheel is a widespread symptom of misaligned wheels. If you feel like you have to grip the steering wheel super tight to go straight, please have your car inspected immediately. Vibrations - Misaligned wheels will sometimes be linked to strained tires. As a result, they will drag and cause your car to vibrate. Uneven Tire Wear - If you inspect your ... read more

Our first instinct whenever we hop in our vehicles is to buckle up. But have you ever stopped to think, "When did people start doing this" and "Were seat belts always in cars". Today, we will answer those questions and do a deep dive into the history of how seat belts became a norm.    It all started in the late 1800s. The seat belt was first invented by an English engineer named George Cayley, but it was not intended for motor vehicles at the time. Alternatively, it was invented to assist stop pilots from falling out of their gliders. The first "seat belt," or lap belt intended for motor vehicle usage, wasn't patented until 1855 by American Edward J. Claghorn. He wanted to keep travelers safe, especially for those that depend on New York taxis. Unfortunately, seat belts weren't widely popular until the mid-1930s, when seat belts were tested for safety. After many tests and studies, doctors finally urged vehicle manufacturers into addin ... read more

Most people seem not to notice that all of those short trips that we sometimes take can significantly impact your vehicle. Frequent short trips may be causing harm to both your engine oil and battery. If your lifestyle demands lots of short-distance drives, please learn how to care for your vehicle to prevent premature wear.   ENGINE OIL As most of us know, engine oil is typically a thick and viscous fluid. But as your engine heats up, the oil warms up, allowing it to flow smoothly and lubricate the engine's internal components. On a short drive, your motor may not reach its optimal temperature. This lack of heat can hinder your motor oil from lubricating your engine's components properly. Additionally, oil also requires heat to rid itself of contaminants such as condensation and other combustion byproducts. When your engine doesn't come to an optimal temperature, the build-up isn't cleaned out of the oil, compromising its reliability and performance. You shoul ... read more

If the Idaho heat is getting to you, it is likely affecting your car too. Counter to public knowledge, the hot summer temperatures have a more dangerous impact on your vehicle's battery than the freezing temperatures of winter. To truly understand the damage of overheating your battery, you first need to know how it functions within your car.    What Does Your Car Battery Do? Your car's battery is an electrochemical device made out of electrodes that store an electrical charge. The battery is encased with sulfuric acid, and chemical reactions occur within the battery case to create electricity flowing throughout the car. In other words, it creates a current that is needed to start your car and power up the electrical features of your vehicle (radio, lights, seating adjustments, etc.).   How Does Heat Affect the Battery? Heat can have numerous adverse effects on your battery. Whenever your car is exposed to temperatures higher than 80 degrees Fahrenheit, it ... read more