Michigan Auto Repair

Keeping Cool on the Road As the summer sun beats down and temperatures soar, few things are as essential to your comfort while driving as a properly functioning air conditioning system in your vehicle. However, like all mechanical components, car AC systems can occasionally falter, leaving you sweating and uncomfortable. In this blog post, we'll explore everything you need to know about automotive air conditioning repair, from common issues to troubleshooting tips and finding the right professional help. Common Issues with Car Air Conditioning Systems 1. Refrigerant Leaks: One of the most frequent problems is a leak in the refrigerant system. Over time, seals and hoses can wear out, causing refrigerant to escape and reducing the system's cooling efficiency. 2. Compressor Malfunction: The compressor is the heart of the AC system, responsible for circulating refrigerant through the system. Issues such as electrical failures or mechanical breakdowns can lead to poor cooling pe ... read more

As temperatures rise and road trips beckon, ensuring your vehicle is in top shape becomes paramount. Just as you prepare yourself for the summer heat, your car also needs some attention to handle the challenges of the season. From engine overheating to tire blowouts, various issues can arise if proper maintenance isn't observed. Here are some essential summer maintenance tips to keep your automotive companion running smoothly throughout the hotter months. 1. Check Your Cooling System: 

The cooling system is your car's defense against overheating, especially during scorching summer days. Ensure the radiator is filled with the correct ratio of coolant and water, as recommended by your vehicle's manufacturer. Also, inspect hoses and belts for signs of wear and tear, as they play crucial roles in the cooling process.

2. Inspect the Air Conditioning System: 

A functional air conditioning system is a lifesaver during summer drives. Make sur





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Beginning Monday April 6, 2020 Muskegon Brake & Tire is implementing procedures to limit both customer and employee exposure to potential infection.  We ask that our customers have patience while we work through the process.   While our doors may be locked, we will be open for business.  We ask our customers to take an envelope from the Early Bird / Night Owl box, sign it, and drop it through the slot in the garage.  We will take it from there!  Your keys and vehicle will be sanitized before and after service for our protection and yours. We will contact you via phone, text or email (whichever you prefer) during the service process to let you know what's going on and to get approval for repair. Credit card payments can be made over the phone. We will coordinate vehicle pickup details via phone, text and email. Our goal is to continue to provide excellent customer service and high-quality vehicle repair while protecting the health of our customer ... read more

Your check engine light comes on.  Panic sets in. What do you do? You call the shop, dreading what they are going to say.  "What do you charge for diagnsotics?" you ask. "Testing starts at $95 for a check engine light" the service advisor responds. GASP.  Why so much? Can't I just go to AutoZoom down the street for a free test? Here's what you're paying for: "For example, the P0503 code, which indicates a malfunctioning vehicle speed sensor, has forty-one steps spanning eleven pages in a shop manual after the code has been set. Examining those forty-one steps takes time and expertise to examine" The code pull is just the first step.  The rest of the story happens while we test different sensors and systems to find out which one is the culprit.  The sensors are dumb, they report what they see, not what the cause is.  You may have an oxygen sensor that is reading out of range, but is that because the sensor is ... read more

Here at Muskegon Brake & Tire we eagerly await the time of year when the old cars come out.  It's a magical time of year, and we are always excited when the first antique vehicles start rolling into the shop.  Old cars pose a special challenge when it comes to vehicle repair.  Not every shop has technicians that are familiar with how these special vehicles need to be cared for.  Not every shop has the supplier network to find parts for the vehicles at a reasonable price.  We do have a special affinity for Corvettes.  We stock, sell and manufacture parts for antique Corvettes from 1963-1982.  Not many people in our area know that we specialize in corvette repair, but we are well known in the Corvette world.  People bring their cars from all over the state (and sometimes outside the state) for service here at Muskegon Brake & Tire.  If you have that special vehicle that only comes out in good please know that we can keep it in tip ... read more

Are you ready for summer heat?  Keeping cool in your car means maintaining the operational condition of the A/C system.  How do you do that?  Honestly, there isn't much you can do to keep the A/C running right. It's a sealed system and most problems are a result of the system having a leak. When the system has a leak the best way to find it is to introduce a florescent dye into the system to identify the location of the leak along with the refrigerant.  Once we identify the leak we can go about the business of repairing it. Another likely issue is a failed compressor.  This will usually require the replacement of multiple components to remove any debris or contamination from the system.  If you have an air conditioning question we are available

Over the past 20 years we've made a lot of changes in our business.  Most of these changes have been made with the purpose of creating a positive customer service experience.  But that then begs the question: who is our customer?  We serve a diverse swath of the local population, so it's hard to pin down the answer to that question.  One thing we did notice is the increase in women being responsible for either their own or their family's auto repair decisions. With this realization in mind we found a program that would help us focus on this growing segment of our customer base.  That leads to the next question: what do women want in an auto repair experience?  How do we tailor our service to meet their needs?  That is what we are constantly asking ourselves.  We know that the technical needs for all car owners are the same: a car that runs and drives safely.  Why do we focus on answering this question in re ... read more

Here in Michigan we get to experience all four seasons, which can be magical.  Our cars experience those same four seasons!  The weather is finally turning colder and that can bring to light some vehicle issues that the warm weather masks. The first issue that usually shows up in winter is the weak battery.  As the temperature drops you may notice that your car takes longer to start or takes multiple tries.  The slow starter usually usually indicates a weak battery that could leave you stranded, especially after short trips. A new battery can save you a call to the tow company for a jump-start.  Once a battery gets to this point charging it will not be enough to cause it to perform as needed in cold weather.  Muskegon Brake & Tire offers Interstate batteries with an industry leading warranty so that you have peace-of-mind. The second issue that may rear it's head is tires.  Once you get your car started you may find that you don't have ... read more

  I just got off the phone with yet another customer that is tired of getting the run-around from "the dealership".  Which one?  Does it matter?  I field these calls regularly and I spend my time commiserating with customers that just want to be heard.  They want to know what the urgency of the recommended repair is.  They are tired of scare tactics and huge estimates that "HAVE TO BE DONE IMMEDIATELY" because the car is broken.  Do I want to fix all the things that are wrong with your car?  Of course!  Am I going to try to scare you into a repair that doesn't need to be done today?  Of course NOT!  Why?  Because that's not how I like to be treated.  *whew* Sometimes you just have to vent.  Why does this upset me so much?  Because every time a person comes out of an experience like this their impression of the auto repair industry as a whole suffers.  It makes my job harder be ... read more

We constantly hear the phrase "I don't know anything about cars" from our clients, customers and friends.  Guess what?  Most people are in the same boat.  A new vehicle rolling off the production line today can have 25 or more modules (computers) that control every function in the car.  With the advent of fuel injection, "drive by wire" and CANbus systems your car works nothing like a car produced 30 years ago.  When you push the gas pedal there is no mechanical link between the pedal and the engine, it's all sensors, wires and computers.  There are no more relays and switches, the turn signal stalk sends a signal to the computer to turn on the turn signal. What this means is that most people have a vague notion at best of the inner workings of their own vehicle.  Unless you are in the automotive profession and have kept up with the changes in vehicles there is no reason for you to know exactly what's going on un ... read more