Mooresville Auto Repair

As an auto repair shop, we understand the importance of caring for the environment and keeping the air clean. One way motorists can do this is by reducing the emissions from their vehicles. In this blog, we will discuss some tips on how to limit emissions from cars, SUVs, vans, and trucks. Regular Maintenance: Regular maintenance is the key to keeping your vehicle running efficiently and reducing emissions. This includes regular oil changes, tune-ups, and inspections to ensure that your engine and other components are functioning optimally. Keep Tires Properly Inflated: Maintaining proper tire pressure is important for safety and performance, and it also helps reduce emissions. When tires are under-inflated, they generate more friction and heat, which in turn, increases fuel consumption and emissions. Use the Correct Grade of Fuel: Using the correct grade of fuel can help improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. Refer to your vehicle’s owner's manual for the recommen ... read more

Brake fluid is vital when it comes to hydraulic brake systems. It is necessary to create the pressure to slow down and stop your car. It all starts with the pressure you apply to the brake pedal. When this happens, fluid is released to create energy to stop your wheels from turning. Low or contaminated brake fluid can affect how long it takes for your vehicle to stop.  Here are some common signs of bad brake fluid: Leaky brake fluid puddle – Brake fluid is clear or slightly yellow (but still translucent). It can have a fishy smell. Dirty brake fluid – You open the hood, and the brake fluid inside the tank looks discolored or dark. Brake warning light comes on - If your brake warning light illuminates the dash, you should consider checking the brake fluid. Spongy or mushy brake pedal - Does your brake pedal feel softer than usual? You should be familiar with how your brake pedal usually feels. If it tends to touch the floor, make sure you have your brake fluid chec ... read more

If you’re going to be hitting the roads with your family over the holidays, consider making it a one-to-remember. We’re sure your kids love their tablets and phones, but it is not like this kind of experience happens every day. This time around, we encourage you to let them use their imagination and play some fun games on the road. What better fun way to pass time sitting in traffic than playing some classic road trip games? Here are some of our favorites: I Spy A family-friendly class.  Somebody starts off with the phrase, “I spy with my little eye, something *insert descriptive word of choice here*”. The other players, or passengers, in the car have to look around and guess what the thing in sight is.  Guess That Song  Who doesn’t love to jam out to music on the road? You can play this game with any music of your choice, but you can even make it a holiday edition to get in the spirit of the holidays. On your car speakers, play a select ... read more

Engine air filters are more than just a small maintenance item – they play a role in your vehicle’s efficiency and performance. When you neglect your engine filter, it will clog up and compromise your vehicle’s reliability on the road. Read on to learn more about engine air filters, and how often you should change them to avoid road troubles. The engine air filter is in charge of blocking out all kinds of harmful debris and particles, like leaves, bugs, dust, dirt, and other foreign objects that can get in the way of your engine’s daily operation. Similar to the air filter inside your apartments and homes, they need to be changed regularly. Symptoms of a Dirty Engine Air Filter Over time, the filter will fill up and cause blockages if you forget to change it. A dirty air filter restricts the airflow moving into the engine, which then affects the air-to-fuel ratio of combustion. As a result, the engine will have to compensate by working harder and consuming m ... read more

We’ve all been there – sitting in our cars and trying as hard as possible to get our engines to start up. Most people, at this point, will think that their battery is dead. Either way, you’re not having a good day. If your vehicle won't start up or stay running, there’s a good chance that you are dealing with an electrical problem. However, the battery doesn’t only make up the system. Most car starting problems can be related to the battery or alternator. Battery vs. Alternator Car batteries are responsible for generating power to get your vehicle to start and run. The alternator resupplies the battery with power. The alternator also powers many vehicle accessories. Therefore, an alternator problem will most likely leave you with a drained battery. To differentiate the two problems,here are the most common symptoms that point to a faulty alternator: Car starting problems Stalling Issues with electronic accessori ... read more

It's no secret that Fall is here, and cold weather will be in NC before we know it. With cooler temperatures and our vehicles recovering from the hot summer, it is the time of mechanical failure for cars, SUVs, and trucks.   The most reliable way to avoid car problems this season is to stay on top of preventative maintenance before winter rolls around. Here are some of STR Automotive’s top tips for what kind of preventative maintenance is most important and how to avoid those costly breakdowns down the road: Engine - Engine problems such as hard starts, rough idling, stalling, or overall lack of acceleration power can sometimes arise as the weather cools off. To avoid these troubles, make sure you get your oil change and have your engine components inspected. Cooling System - Coolant fluid is key to maintaining a stable engine temperature, and this car fluid should be flushed every 1-2 years. Windshield Wipers - Rain or snow, you’re going to need to make sure ... read more

A tune-up is essentially a maintenance service intended to check and replace engine-related components to ensure optimal performance and efficiency. Older model vehicles with mechanical ignitions require a tune-up every 10,000 to 12,000 miles. Whereas, modern cars with fuel injection and electronic ignition systems don’t need one until they hit 30,000 miles or more.    Most automakers will have a maintenance schedule that has a recommended interval for tune-ups. However, these warning signs may indicate your car needs a tune-up: Poor Fuel Economy If you’re needing to fill up more frequently, without any changes in your driving habits, then it may mean your car is due for a tune-up. Bring your car to STR Automotive so that our automotive technicians can inspect what is causing the inefficiency. Most of the time, the issue lies under the hood. Engine Stalling Frequent engine stalling is a major side effect of worn or defective spark plugs or worn oil filters ... read more

Do you know what unusual smells in a car mean? There are many different smells that can indicate problems with your vehicle. In this blog post, we will discuss the most common ones and what they might mean. If you experience any of these smells, it is important to take your car in for a diagnostic checkup as soon as possible! Ignoring a smell could lead to a large bill down the road. Here is a list of common unusual vehicle smells. Burning oil smell: This could indicate that your car is leaking oil or that the oil level is low. It could also mean that the oil needs to be changed. Sweet smell: A sweet smell could be a sign of a coolant leak. Rotten egg smell: If your car smells like rotten eggs, it could be due to a problem with the catalytic converter. Burning rubber smell: This could be caused by a loose belt or something rubbing against the tires. Fishy smell: If your car smells like fish, it could be due to a leak in the fuel line. Exhaust smell: Exhaust fume ... read more

Coolant is a fluid that is used to prevent your engine from overheating. It is a mixture of water and antifreeze, which contains the chemical additives needed to cool your engine. This fluid is a vital part of your car’s cooling system alongside the radiator, thermostat, and water pump.   As you run your car over time, coolant loses its effectiveness, which can put your engine at risk of overheating. Old, contaminated fluid can also cause corrosion and excessive wear on the rest of the system. Consequently, you will need a coolant change or flush to replace the old coolant with new fluid.   If you wait too long to change out your engine coolant, it can lead to breakdowns and improper engine cooling. Most auto manufacturers recommend changing coolant every 30,000 miles or so. It is always safe to check your owner’s manual for the proper intervals. Another way to tell whether you’re due for a coolant service is by looking for warning signs. Signs You Need ... read more

There's nothing worse than sitting behind the wheel on a hot summer day and being blasted with hot air through your vents. While there are many factors at play, AC blowing hot air indicates a major problem. Below are some of the things that can be causing your air conditioning to blow warm air: Electrical Problems If a single wire connected to your auto A/C is frayed, burnt, or damaged, it can signal your car AC to hot air instead. Something simple like a blown fuse can even cause your A/C to shut off completely, so it's important to have a diagnostic test here at STR Automotive. Lack of Refrigerant/Freon Refrigerant is a liquid to gas matter that is at the center of your car's A/C system. Without refrigerant, your air would not be cool. Over time, leaks of freon are possible. You can count on the A/C experts at STR automotive to catch any leaks and refill your vehicle with refrigerant. Broken Condenser The condenser tends to get blocked by dirt or debris, and you cou ... read more