Rexburg and Idaho Falls Auto Repair

You might not know this, but your car's firing sequence is very important. And a timing belt is a crucial engine component that ensures the process of opening and closing of the valves is achieved seamlessly. It syncs the rotation of the crankshaft and camshaft to ensure the valves open and close as they are required to operate. The component is so important but most car owners tend to ignore it. They realize its essence when it's too late. Here are some warning signs of a timing belt about to fail. Unusual Noises from the Engine Ideally, the timing belt is attached to a series of pulleys leading to the crankshaft. The crankshaft is responsible for powering the connecting rods as the camshaft controls the cylinder head valves. Once your timing belt starts to age or wears out, it might cause combustion problems. This is because the silver valves that transfer burnt fuel via the exhaust chamber are no longer in sync. Your Car Engine will not Turn Over Sometimes, your starter ... read more

When you are starting out to learn how to drive, it is normal to make some mistakes. There’s always a learning curve. Some people may be over nervous, while others may be too confident. And one of the most important things to remember is to stay calm. Follow these driving tips below to help you manage road emergencies and be a safer driver. Always bring an emergency car kit - In case of a breakdown, accident, or whatever, an emergency kit will be your best friend. You might need the essentials, like jumper cables, ice scrapers, phone charger, first aid kit, blanket, batteries, extra car fluid, and more. Keep distractions out - Distracted driving is the number one cause of auto accidents for teen drivers. Sending a text can cost you your life, so we’d wait to send that message. Other common distractions are loud chatter and blaring music. Use the owner’s manual - Young or old, many drivers forget this handbook exists at all. This guide gives you EVERYTHING you&rsquo ... read more

Your car is one of the most critical pieces of equipment you own. You rely on it to get you where you need to go, so keeping it in good condition is essential. One of the most critical parts of your car is the braking system. The braking system comprises many different parts, which work together to stop your vehicle. Over time, these parts can wear out and need to be replaced. But, how do you know that it's time for brake service? Unusual Vibrations One of the first signs that your brakes need service is a vibration in the brake pedal. Several things can cause this, but it's usually due to warped brake rotors. When the rotors become warped, they cause the brake pads to vibrate, which in turn causes the brake pedal to vibrate. If you notice a vibration in the brake pedal, it's essential to have your brakes checked as soon as possible. Slow Stopping Response Another sign that your brakes need service is increased stopping distance. If you find that it takes longer to stop ... read more

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