Sniffing Out a Problem
July 21, 2024
Your parents probably taught you to have common sense. When it comes to your vehicle, common scents can also come in handy. Different smells may tell you about some conditions in your vehicle that need attention. For example, you know what rotten eggs smell like. If you smell them around your ve... More
The ?Man-Made? Engine Oil (Synthetic Oil Change)
July 14, 2024
If you own a newer vehicle, your vehicles manufacturer may require that it use synthetic oil instead of conventional oil. Synthetic oils are more stable, dont break down as easily, and provide better engine protection than conventional oil. All those things can prolong the life of your engine an... More
Automotive Tips from Auto Lab Livonia: Signs of an Alignment Problem
July 7, 2024
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. Livonia drivers often associate our wheels being knocked out of alignment with an event like an accident, hitting a pothole, curb or some other object. Whil... More
Beware of Potholes! (Avoiding Pothole Damage)
June 30, 2024
You may live in a region where roads become pockmarked with craters known better as potholes. They're caused by moisture seeping through a compromised road surface that can freeze, expand and literally punch holes in the road. And when your vehicle hits one of those holes that's big enough, the... More
Upgrade Shocks for Better Handling in Livonia
June 23, 2024
Many Livonia drivers probably don't think of their shock absorbers as an important safety system; but that's just what shocks and struts are. They're all about ride control keeping your vehicle tires in contact with the road and managing body motion.Every time you hit a bump or pothole on a Liv... More
Ready, Set, COLD! (Getting Vehicle Ready for Winter)
June 16, 2024
When the temperatures plunge, your vehicle better be ready because it faces a whole new set of challenges. Rubber stiffens, glass fogs, fluids freeze. Just thinking about it can get your heart beating faster. So here are some tips for getting ready for those inevitable colder temperatures. Mak... More
Auto Lab Livonia and the Maintenance Mindset
June 9, 2024
When it comes to their vehicles, some Livonia residents don't have a maintenance mindset. They know they need to take care of their cars, but it just seems really hard to get them to remember to do it. Livonia drivers generally accept that many things in life require regular maintenance but just... More
Snake in the Engine (Serpentine Belt)
June 2, 2024
There's a belt that snakes through your engine. It's even named for a snake, the serpentine belt. It'll bite you when it breaks, possibly leaving you stranded. So, it's good to know a little about this snake-like belt. In early engines, there were lots of belts. They were used to convert the r... More
Cooling System Components
May 26, 2024
Today we want to talk about a system in our vehicles the cooling system. It's one of those things that Livonia auto owners don't give much thought to until it fails and then they're stranded by the side of a road in MI.Cooling systems fail more often than any other mechanical system usually be... More
Catalytic Converter Replacement
May 19, 2024
Many of us have become aware of how important it is to keep our planets air clean, and your vehicle has a key component that helps do just that: the catalytic converter. Its in the exhaust system, and its job is to superheat unburned, harmful byproducts in the exhaust, so they dont get spewed ou... More