When Metal Meets Metal (Wheel Bearings)
August 4, 2019
What part of your vehicle has little metal balls inside that are lubricated and allow you to cruise on down the road? They are wheel bearings, and automotive designers might argue they are human beings' second greatest invention of all time (the first is, of course, the wheel!). You have a wheel... More
Alternative Fuel Vehicles in Plainfield, Illinois
July 28, 2019
Let's talk about alternative fuel vehicles. In their quest to reduce the use of fossil fuels and harmful exhaust emissions in our Illinois environment, automakers will have a number of alternatives for Plainfield drivers very soon.For instance, Flex Fuel vehicles are already available in the Pla... More
STRAIGHT TALK ABOUT STEERING (Loose Steering)
July 21, 2019
Perhaps you've heard someone use the term "loose steering." And it's pretty much what it sounds like. You turn the steering wheel and the vehicle's wheels don't seem to go exactly where you thought you were pointing them. You have to constantly make steering adjustments. Loose steering is slop... More
Time Out: Suspension Problems in Plainfield
July 14, 2019
Your vehicle's suspension system has two jobs: to prevent the passengers from getting tossed around inside the vehicle every time it hits a bump in the road and to keep the tires firmly planted on the road around every corner and over every bump.To see your suspension system, you'll have to look... More
How Much is Enough for Plainfield Auto Owners? Tire Tread Depth
July 7, 2019
Most Plainfield drivers know that tires wear out and that the wear has to do with tread depth. Most of us have heard that bald tires are dangerous, but most of us picture a tire with no tread at all when we think of a bald tire. And when we take our vehicles in for preventive maintenance, the te... More
Diagnosing Your Vehicle at Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Plainfield in Plainfield
June 30, 2019
When we Plainfield residents get a car repair bill, we really shouldn't be surprised to find diagnostic fees as one of the line items. When we get a computer fixed, there is usually a charge for the time it takes to diagnose the problem. When we go to a medical doctor, most of his fee is for his ... More
Why Is My Check Engine Light On?
June 23, 2019
The Check Engine Light strikes fear into the hearts of some Plainfield drivers, and is totally ignored by just as many. Just what it means is a mystery to most people. Let's get the urgency issues out of the way first. If your Check Engine light is flashing, that means that something is wrong th... More
Plainfield Car Owners Ask: Why Do I Need to Change My Serpentine Belt?
June 16, 2019
Any Plainfield driver who understands preventive maintenance knows that if it ain't broke, don't fix it is bad auto advice. Replacing a part before it breaks is much less costly for Plainfield residents than repairing the engine damage that comes after a part breaks or fails. A good example of th... More
The Maintenance Free Myth
June 9, 2019
Sometimes we hear people in Plainfield say, "What's up with all this maintenance stuff? Modern cars just don't break down." While it is true that today's vehicles are extremely reliable, they are also becoming increasingly complicated and use more exotic materials than ever before. All that comp... More
Water Pump
June 2, 2019
Your cooling system is very important. It circulates coolant through the radiator and your engine to protect your vehicle from overheating. There are five main components to the cooling system: the radiator the radiator cap the hoses the thermostat the water pump The water pump's like the hear... More