Rexburg and Idaho Falls Auto Repair

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

When thinking about the fall season, you more than likely picture a bit of rainfall. When the rain suddenly hits, you expect your vehicle's windshield wipers to work properly to clear your windshield and allow you to see the road clearly. However, after a very hot and dry summer, you may find that your wipers don't work, and you might be stuck having to pull over to wait out the rain until you can see the road again.  The windshield wipers are one of the parts that are exposed to the air on our vehicles, and the rubber is thin which means that it simply wears out and dries out faster than other parts. This is why wipers are typically recommended to be replaced at least every 6 months to a year. It is especially important to have your wipers looked at and replaced after the summertime because the heat tends to make the wearing out process of our wipers happen quicker.  That is why the fall season is the perfect time to have your windshield wipers replaced and to ... read more

Your vehicle’s fuel system has the job of supplying fuel to the engine as well as storing fuel. With regular use of your vehicle, the fuel system will need to be cleaned along with a fuel injection service in order to ensure that your vehicle is working at its best and receiving the best fuel efficiency possible. Here at Oswald Service Inc. in Idaho Falls & Rexburg, ID, we can help with any of your fuel concerns and have the equipment necessary to perform a fuel injection service on your vehicle.  The fuel injectors are subject to carbon buildup which can decrease their effectiveness when it comes to injecting the right amount of fuel into the combustion chamber. This can affect how your vehicle performs and the overall health of your engine. A fuel injection service will flush out all of this build-up and ensure the best possible fuel system performance. Symptoms that can indicate your fuel system needs to be decarbonized and cleaned includes: Idling Accelerating ro ... read more

When it comes to metal vehicle components, lubrication is vital. Many parts that are a part of metal-to-metal contact need to be lubed in order to move and work properly. Today's vehicles actually come with a number of parts which are considered to be "lubed for life", which include components such as ball joints, tire rod ends, and U-joints. This just means that not all vehicles need these certain parts to be lubed often, however, chassis lubrication can still be needed or recommended.  Your vehicle's frame is referred to as the chassis. This chassis is what supports the weights of your vehicle and acts as a housing for your car's systems. With older vehicles, it was highly recommended to lubricate the grease fittings of the chassis periodically to prevent part damage and corrosion. However, today's vehicles don't necessarily require lube services, either due to the way that the parts are sealed or due to the "lubed for life" parts.  ... read more

Driving a high-mileage vehicle definitely comes with uncertainty. If you haven't been proactive about your vehicle's maintenance, you may be starting to notice some issues with your vehicle or fear that you'll need a major repair soon. The truth is, many modern vehicles actually last a lot longer than we think when taken care of properly. A high mileage vehicle is typically considered any car that is past 100,000 miles. However, many vehicles last well above 200,000 miles. So, at what mileage do vehicles start seeing the most problems?  The answer is, it truly depends on the make, model, and year of your vehicle. However, the following issues are typically seen with higher mileage vehicles:  Transmission failure which can happen around 100,000 miles Needing a new battery New brake pads A new set of tires Fuel pump failure which can happen if you often drive on a low tank of gas Water pump failure which typically occurs between 60,000 to 90,000 miles T ... read more

You get in your car after a long day in the summer sun and turn on your A/C - the air feels cool, but you immediately notice a moldy, mildew scent coming from the air vents. You begin to notice this every day you turn on your A/C moving forward, and wonder if there might be an issue with your vehicle's air conditioning system. Is something wrong, and what does it mean? One thing about the HVAC system is that it works with moisture and water, and it is in a dark confined place under your hood. This is definitely a condition in which certain bacteria and molds can grow and thrive, so a mold or mildew smell is definitely something to have checked out when you notice it. If you smell a mold or mildew scent when you turn on your vehicle's A/C, chances are you are smelling just that - mold or mildew. It is not uncommon for mold to grow in your vehicle's air vents. Unfortunately, this means you've been inhaling mold for a few days, but the quicker you get this taken care of ... read more

For Your Protection Our family here at Oswald Service is concerned about you and your family. To protect you, we have instituted the following precautions and we are asking for your assistance: Do not come in the office/lobby if you, or anyone in your household, is experiencing: Fever Shortness of breath Dry cough We have our key Drop Off Boxes available at both locations. Call our front desk to schedule drop off & pick-up, Rexburg - 208-356-7777 / Idaho Falls - 208-522-1566.  We are practicing social distancing and ask that you do as well. That means we won’t greet you with a handshake. We will always try to maintain at least 6 feet of distance between people, to the extent possible. Maximum of 3 customers allowed in the lobby at any given time. We encourage all of our employees and clients to practice good hand hygiene ... read more

Every driver is familiar with their regular oil change visit to the shop - you come in, and we take care of everything for you. Most drivers know which type of motor oil their vehicle typically takes, but not everyone understand what the actual difference is between conventional, synthetic, and other motor oil types. Each motor oil type has its own benefits and purpose, and understand their differences can help you make a better decision for your vehicle.  Motor oil is extremely important when it comes to the overall integrity and reliability of your car. The oil is a protective lubricant which is circulated throughout the engine as your car runs. While it circulates, the oil picks up dirt and debris to keep the engine clean and brings this back through the oil filter. The lubricant also acts as a temperature regulator, which prevents the engine from overheating. It also protects against metal to metal contact between parts, which can cause corrosion and part damage.  The t ... read more

At Oswald Service Inc, we understand that during this time of uncertainty and worry, our community will be relying on their vehicles more than ever. Whether you work in the healthcare or law enforcement fields or just need to get to the store to retrieve food and supplies for your family, you need a reliable vehicle. At our Rexburg and Idaho Falls shops, we are available to help you with your vehicle's needs during this time.  To ensure the safety of both our staff members and our customers, we are closely following announcements made by our government and the CDC to adjust our service and procedures to abide by regulations. To honor the national mandate to practice social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we are encouraging our customers to take advantage of our interaction-free drop off appointments.  We have a key drop off box for you to leave your keys and appointment information in to avoid direct communication or entering our lobby. We can give you a c ... read more