Rexburg and Idaho Falls Auto Repair

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

  We are big pet lovers at Oswald Service, Inc., which is why we want to share this list of Do’s and Don’t when traveling with your furry friends.    Do: Secure them properly in your vehicle. While it is best to get the most enjoyment out of your road trip, consider their danger if left unrestrained. Your animal could lean too far out the car window or perhaps even jump out! Oh-no! Sudden stops can also send your furry friend flying. There are multiple options to keep your pet(s) secure, such as bringing a kennel or doggie car seat. There are also special harnesses made that attach to your vehicle’s seat belt.    Don’t: Assume you are prepared. Undoubtedly, there are some things you will forget to pack for your pup. It always helps to make a list of items to pack in advance. Did you bring enough food? Water? Consider bringing toys to keep your pet entertained. Lastly, set aside some money for prec ... read more

The fuel pump's primary purpose is to deliver fuel from the gas tank to the engine. When it fails, the engine cannot run, causing significant performance issues. While fuel pump failure is common in older vehicles, it is not easy to replace or repair. However, if you know the early signs of fuel pump failure, you can fix the issue before it worsens. Here are some of the early signs and symptoms of fuel pump failure. Engine Surges When your fuel pump starts to wear out, the fuel lines in your pump become inconsistent. When this happens, you may fund your car suddenly accelerating for a few minutes, even without pressing on the gas pedal. This is known as engine surges, and it should alert you that your fuel pump needs to get replaced. Difficulty Starting Your Vehicle Fuel pumps run whenever you ignite your car's engine. With time, they wear out and weaken. It may still pump fuel to the engine, but at a slow rate, resulting in difficulty starting your vehicle due to lack of ... read more

Each fluid in your vehicle has a unique job and they're all important to keep your car running properly. Sometimes dirt or other contaminants can get in there so they need to be exchanged to make sure your car is getting the most out of them as possible. 5 Fluids You Need To Exchange 1. Oil It used to be recommended that everyone changes their oil every 3,000 miles but since lubrication has improved since then, it is now recommended to get an oil change every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. It also depends on the type of oil you're using so make sure you check with a mechanic. 2. Transmission Fluid When you need to replace your transmission fluid can vary a little bit depending on the make and model of your car but you'll want to replace it somewhere between every 50,000 and 100,000 miles. This is important because you don't want to get stuck having to repair your transmission, which is a costly ordeal. 3. Coolant Make sure you keep on top of your coolant because if your c ... read more

An overheating vehicle is a reason to worry. Apart from making the ride uncomfortable, it could be a sign or a trigger to further vehicle damages. Imagine driving through the summer heat with absolutely no way to cool your temperatures. Such situations are dangerous for you and the passengers. An overheating vehicle means that the engine is running extremely hot. It threatens your safety, and there is a need to have the issue diagnosed by ASE certifies mechanics to determine the cause of the overheating. Different factors might trigger the engine to overheat. They include; A leak in the cooling system A cooling system in the car is meant to keep the engine temperature down. Leaks, blockage of pumps, and other malfunctions in the colling system might affect the coolant's functioning. The coolant fails to circulate properly, causing overheating in the engine. When the coolant is leaking, it lowers the level of the antifreeze. Driving in low levels of antifreeze during cold seasons ... read more

While you might not need a thermometer to determine it is hot outside, you will undoubtedly want access to one to know if your engine is overheating or not. The thermostat in your car will work a bit differently than your household thermometer. It responds to fluctuations in temperature by opening and closing to allow coolant to flow to the engine when necessary. How Does It Work? Your car's thermostat is filled with wax. This allows it to stay in close contact with the coolant that is moving through your engine. When the temperature in the engine begins to rise, the coolant will get hotter as well. This will melt the wax, which will, in turn, put the rod attached to the thermometer outward. This will enable the coolant to flow freely when necessary. When you start your car after it has been sitting for a long time, the thermometer will naturally be in its closed position. This is because you need the engine to warm up a bit in order to get started. The lack of coolant will allo ... read more

When you purchase a car, it's important to understand the value of regular maintenance and the responsibility that comes with ownership. From everyday scenarios to emergencies, there are some important things you need to have in your car, just in case you find yourself in a difficult or unsafe situation. First Aid Kit Anything can happen when you're on the road! In the event of an accident or sudden injury, a first aid kit is ideal for storing in your glove compartment or within reach just in case you need it. This kit will not treat a major incident involving severe injuries, as emergency personnel should be called immediately, though it can assist in less serious situations. A Set of Jumper Cables If your battery stops working, this usually happens when there's a sudden drop in temperature, and usually at the most inconvenient time. If you are close to another vehicle, and the owner is willing to help, a set of jumper cables is all you need to boost your battery. As l ... read more

The tire is the sole source of traction between the car and the ground. Being one of the most significant safety priorities, keeping it in tip-top shape should only come naturally. Unfortunately, most motorists depend on the thread depth to decide whether their vehicle tires need replacements. This is a grave mistake, considering how dangerous old tires can be on the road. Of course, there is no tentative way of telling how long car tires should last. All the same, most car experts recommend a period of five to six years after which car drivers should consider a replacement. Factors Affecting the Longevity of Your TiresMaintenance Routine One of the best ways to ensure that your tire lasts longer is by adhering to proper maintenance practices, including: Checking your Tire Pressure Be sure to check your vehicle's tire pressure at least once per month. Before anything else, check your tire's recommended air pressure from yo ... read more

With winter upon us, we are but a short time away from cinnamon apple ciders and eggnog, but before we can dive into the beauty of winter, there are a few maintenance things you should really get done for your vehicle. Car Battery As you know, the battery is responsible for giving current to the engine so that the car can start. During the winter, when the temperatures are much lower, the current needed is much higher, which is why you need to perform a battery load test to ensure you won’t be left with a vehicle that won’t start this winter. While we’re on the subject, let us say that you really should also check for nooks and cracks in the cables and terminals of the battery. Tires Let us start off by saying that you should really consider getting and mounting winter tires. They are made of special softer rubber that performs much better in the cold due to the fact that it remains more flexible. They perform better in cold weath ... read more

Thinking about what maintenance your vehicle's brakes need, you probably immediately think of brake pads. These are components that need to be replaced periodically because they tend to wear down quickly over time. Being familiar with brake pad replacement is great - but are you familiar with brake fluid flush? It's another highly important service that ensures your brakes work at their best. So, what exactly is brake fluid? Your vehicle's brake system is a hydraulic system, which means that it utilizes fluid in a highly pressurized system in order to create the force that is needed to slow or stop your car. The brake fluid is an integral part of this system and without it, your vehicle's brakes wouldn't work. You may be wondering, does the brake fluid need to be serviced or replaced? The answer is yes! Most vehicle manufacturers will recommend a brake fluid flush at least once in your vehicle's lifetime, but having it inspected regularly is also key. This wil ... read more