Hanover Park Auto Repair

The Engine's Elixir: Why Regular Oil Changes are Vital for Your Car's Health (and Your Wallet) For many car owners, the routine of oil changes can feel like an unwelcome chore. But beneath the hood, this seemingly simple service plays a critical role in keeping the heart of your vehicle – the engine – running smoothly and efficiently for miles to come. Just like our bodies need clean blood to function properly, your car's engine relies on fresh oil to perform at its best. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the world of motor oil, exploring the science behind its importance and the consequences of neglecting this essential maintenance. We'll also answer some frequently asked questions and provide tips to ensure you're getting the most out of your oil changes. The Marvelous Multitasking of Motor Oil Motor oil is much more than just a lubricant. It's a multi-tasking marvel that performs several crucial functions withi ... read more

How Regular Vehicle Maintenance Saves You Money Over the Life of Your Vehicle Regular vehicle maintenance is essential for keeping your car running smoothly and efficiently. It can also help you save money in the long run. By taking care of your car, you can avoid costly repairs and breakdowns. Here are just a few of the ways that regular vehicle maintenance can save you money: Improved fuel efficiency: A well-maintained car will get better gas mileage than a car that is not properly cared for. This is because a well-tuned engine burns fuel more efficiently. Over time, the savings on fuel costs can add up significantly. Reduced repair costs: Regular maintenance can help to identify and fix small problems before they turn into bigger and more expensive repairs. For example, getting your oil changed regularly can help to prevent engine problems. And having your brakes inspected and serviced regularly can help to prevent brake failure. Extended ... read more

Important Maintenance for Cars with Turbochargers Turbochargers are a great way to add power and performance to your car, but they also require a little extra maintenance to keep them running smoothly. Here are some of the most important things you can do to maintain your car's turbocharger: Change the oil regularly. Turbocharged engines require more frequent oil changes than naturally aspirated engines. The oil in your turbocharger helps to lubricate the bearings and other moving parts, so it's important to keep it clean and fresh. Most manufacturers recommend changing the oil every 5,000 miles or 3 months, whichever comes first. Use the right oil. Not all oils are created equal when it comes to turbochargers. Look for an oil that is specifically designed for turbocharged engines. These oils are formulated to withstand the high temperatures and pressures that turbochargers operate under. Warm up the engine before driving. Turbochargers take a few minutes to ... read more

The used car market has been crazy since COVID traveled the world and changed everything.  Values have inflated to the point that cars once destined for auction or the scrap yard are polished up and sitting on dealer front lines with big CERTIFIED stickers on the window. Does it really mean anything? It depends on who is setting the standards, and if you bother to read them before you buy.  I used to run a shop that was an independent dealer and he was big into throwing that word around. However he backed it up. All the maintenance would be done. The filters got changed. The tires were replaced. The brakes done. Whatever was needed to get the vehicle to that like new "certified" status, it got done. Those cars needed drivers and nothing more.  I have a truck that I bought from a nationwide dealer and it was certified to a standard, but a standard well below mine. She needed tires, some fluid services, and an alignment but overall it was in good ... read more

When to Replace Your Hybrid Battery Hybrid vehicles are becoming increasingly popular, as they offer a more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly way to get around. However, all hybrid batteries will eventually need to be replaced. Here are some signs that it might be time to replace your hybrid battery: Your car's fuel economy has decreased significantly. Your car has trouble starting. Your car's warning lights are on. Your car's battery is no longer holding a charge. If you're seeing any of these signs, it's a good idea to have your hybrid battery tested by a qualified mechanic. They can help you determine if the battery needs to be replaced and, if so, what your options are. How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Hybrid Battery? The cost of replacing a hybrid battery can vary depending on the make and model of your car, as well as the age and condition of the battery. However, in general, you can expect to pay anywhere from $2,000 to $8,000 for a new bat ... read more

One thing all Hanover Park drivers can do to extend the life of their battery is to keep it clean. A greasy, dirty battery holds in damaging heat. Same goes for removing corrosion from the terminals. Kamphaus AutoCare and Emission can help maintain your battery. Allowing your battery to be deeply depleted – like from using your headlights when the engine is off – is very dangerous to your battery. Most automotive batteries can only take that about 10 times before they are ruined. Also, making sure you have a full charge every month or so extends battery life. Either an extended drive at freeway speeds or using a battery charger will preserve your battery’s ability to hold a full charge. Give us a call Kamphaus AutoCare and Emission 1005 Irving Park Rd Hanover Park, IL 60133

Hanover Park motorists often ask the question: "Will using premium gas make my car run better?" The answer is simple. But first, let's talk about what exactly premium gasoline is. Different grades of gasoline have different octane ratings. Regular gasoline has the lowest octane rating and premium the highest. Most gas stations around Hanover Park, IL also carry a mid-grade that falls in between the two. The octane range for the different grades of gas varies by region due to altitude differences. Engines require different octane ratings because of design differences. For example, turbocharged engines usually require premium gas. There's a sticker on your gas tank filler lid that tells you the minimum octane rating your auto manufacturer recommends. Hanover Park motorists should read their owner's manuals carefully to see if it's acceptable to use lower grades. With some cars in Hanover Park, IL it is; the engine control computer can adapt. Hanover Park car owners w ... read more

When properly aligned, all of your wheels are pointed in the same direction. Your vehicle will track true and handle the way it is designed. Elk Grove Village motorists often associate our wheels being “knocked” out of alignment with an event like an accident, hitting a pothole, curb or some other object. While these can certainly take your wheels out of alignment, the bumps and bounces of everyday Hanover Park driving take their toll on wheel alignment as well. In addition, your automobile can lose alignment over time with just normal driving. When your wheels are out of alignment, Kamphaus AutoCare and Emission in Hanover Park can return your wheels to the automobile manufacturer factory settings. Most owners’ manuals suggest an alignment check every year or two. Give us a call Kamphaus AutoCare and Emission 1005 Irving Park Rd Hanover Park, IL 60133

Here's an interesting statistic for our car owners in Hanover Park, IL: Only thirty percent of car batteries make it to forty-eight months. And the life expectancy varies by where you live. It ranges from fifty-one months in extremely cold areas to just thirty months in extremely hot climates. Why is that? It turns out that it's our modern cars with all their electric accessories that are to blame. Things like, GPS, DVDs, and entertainment computers are keeping pickup batteries from maintaining a full charge. The longer a battery goes with a low charge, the sooner it'll die. It's clear that your Hanover Park auto owners need to recharge your batteries. This is the job of the alternator. The problem comes when the car's demand for electricity is high and we are driving in stop and go conditions or short trips around Hanover Park or Addison. The alternator just can't keep up. The result is shortened battery life. So what can we Hanover Park auto owners ... read more