1813 Thiel Rd
Laurel, MT 59044
406-628-4046

Working Hours

- Monday
  
  8:00AM - 6:00PM
- Tuesday
  
  8:00AM - 6:00PM
- Wednesday
  
  8:00AM - 6:00PM
- Thursday
  
  8:00AM - 6:00PM
- Friday
  
  8:00AM - 6:00PM
- Saturday
  
  Closed
- Sunday
  
  Closed

HOME > QUESTIONS? > IS MY CAR BROKEN?

Signs That Your Car Needs A Mechanic

Riverside Auto & Truck Repair Is Here To Help You in Laurel, MT!!!

Is my car broken?

Sometimes it's hard to know when your car just needs a break and when it needs a mechanic. By being proactive when you notice something amiss, you may save yourself a lot of money and trouble by getting it diagnosed early! Our technicians are here to assist you in diagnosing potential vehicle malfunctions.

Do you have good sense? We bet you do! Use your SENSES to determine whether you should bring your car by for one of our professionals to inspect.

Do you FEEL anything out of the ordinary?
Some experiences that customers who have needed an automobile mechanic have in common are:

Front-End Shimmy
Steering Wheel Shake
Unusual Vibration

Do you HEAR anything different or unique?
Some common sounds that warrant a visit to your mechanic are:

Clunk or Clunking
Noise When Turning
Clacking
Clicking
Chickachicka
Squeak or Squeaking
Leaking Air Sound

Do you SEE anything new or questionable?
Some common problems you might see are:

Unusual lights
Leaking
Flickering

Do you SMELL anything funny?
Some common smells that mean your car may need a repair shop are:

Gas
Oil
Burning

Stop by Riverside Auto & Truck Repair located at 1813 Thiel Rd Laurel, MT 59044 or call 406-628-4046 to talk to one of our friendly and professional technicians.

Vehicle tips
- According to recent studies, 5 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities are clearly caused by automobile maintenance neglect.
- The cooling system should be completely flushed and refilled about every 24 months. The level, condition, and concentration of coolant should be checked. (A 50/50 mix of anti-freeze and water is usually recommended.)
- Never remove the radiator cap until the engine has thoroughly cooled. The tightness and condition of drive belts, clamps and hoses should be checked by a pro.
- Change your oil and oil filter as specified in your manual, or more often (every 3,000 miles) if you make frequent short jaunts, extended trips with lots of luggage or tow a trailer.
- Replace other filters (air, fuel, PCV, etc.) as recommended, or more often in dusty conditions. Get engine drivability problems (hard stops, rough idling, stalling, diminished power, etc.) corrected at a good shop.
- A dirty windshield causes eye fatigue and can pose a safety hazard. Replace worn blades and get plenty of windshield washer solvent.
- Have your tires rotated about every 5,000 miles. Check tire pressures once a month; let the tires cool down first. Don't forget your spare and be sure your jack is in good condition.
- Check your owner's manual to find out what fuel octane rating your car's engine needs then buy it.
- Keep your tires inflated to the proper levels. Under-inflated tires make it harder for your car to move down the road, which means your engine uses more fuel to maintain speed.
- Lighten the load. Heavier vehicles use more fuel, so clean out unnecessary weight in the passenger compartment or trunk before you hit the road.
- Use the A/C sparingly. The air conditioner puts extra load on the engine forcing more fuel to be used.
- Keep your windows closed. Wide-open windows, especially at highway speeds, increase aerodynamic drag and the result is up to a 10% decrease in fuel economy.
- Avoid long idling. If you anticipate being stopped for more than one minute, shut off the car. Contrary to popular belief, restarting the car uses less fuel than letting it idle.
- Stay within posted speed limits. The faster you drive, the more fuel you use. For example, driving at 65 miles per hour (mph) rather than 55 mph, increases fuel consumption by 20 percent.
- Use cruise control. Using cruise control on highway trips can help you maintain a constant speed and, in most cases, reduce your fuel consumption.
- Keep your engine tuned. A fouled spark plug or plugged/restricted fuel injector can reduce fuel efficiency as much as 30 percent.
- Inspect the engine's belts regularly. Look for cracks or missing sections or segments. Worn belts will affect the engine performance.
- Have the fuel filter changed every 10,000 miles to prevent rust, dirt and other impurities from entering the fuel system.
- Change the transmission fluid and filter every 15,000 to 18,000 miles. This will protect the precision-crafted components of the transmission/transaxle.
- Inspect the suspension system regularly. This will extend the life of the vehicle's tires.
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