The Red Menace (How to Deal with Rust)
October 31, 2021
Rust. It's worse if you drive in places that use salt on the roads in winter, or if you spend time driving near a body of salt water. But any vehicle has to deal with rust after years on the road. And it's not just that rust can eat away your vehicle's body and fenders. It can be a real probl... More
The Power Behind your Engine (Alternator Diagnosis and Repair)
October 24, 2021
There's nothing like that sinking feeling when you turn the key and nothing happens in your vehicle. A lot of us are quick to blame the battery. But it may instead be your alternator that's failing. Your battery supplies power to start your vehicle, but the alternator is what sends power when y... More
NOT JUST ANOTHER CUSTOMER (Finding the Right Service Facility)
October 17, 2021
You might remember a hit TV sitcom that was set in a bar, a place where "everybody knows your name." The idea, of course, is people feel more comfortable where they aren't just another customer among many; they're special because their relationship goes back a few years. That comfortable relat... More
Time for Differential Service at Tuffy Grand Rapids - Fuller Ave.?
October 10, 2021
Hello Grand Rapids - let's talk differentials. If you have a rear-wheel drive vehicle, your differential is on the back axle. With front-wheel drive cars, the differential is up front. All-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive vehicles have three differentials - front, rear and in the middle. So you see... More
Automotive Tips from Tuffy Grand Rapids - Fuller Ave.: A Broken or Damaged Timing Belt
October 8, 2021
The timing belt rotates the cam shafts which open and close the valves that allow air, fuel, and exhaust to flow through the engine as it powers your car when you drive around Grand Rapids.An old timing belt can lose a tooth in the belt allowing it to slip. The engine could stop or misfire. Timin... More
Before You Buy that Used Vehicle (Having a Used Car Inspected Before Buying)
October 7, 2021
Let's face it. New vehicles are expensive, so finding a good used one can save drivers a lot of money. It's tempting to look through ads, find a private seller who has what you're looking for and pay a price you think is a great deal. But when you go over to look at a used car, do you really k... More
Under Pressure in Grand Rapids: TPMS
October 6, 2021
Have you noticed an increase in price when you get a flat tire fixed in Grand Rapids, or have your tires rotated? It might be the result of your TPMS, or Tire Pressure Monitoring System.The federal government began requiring a TPMS system on 2008 model year passenger vehicles and light trucks. S... More
A Cool and Smooth Transmission in Grand Rapids
October 5, 2021
When it comes to preventive maintenance on our vehicles, most of us Grand Rapids drivers remember to get our oil changed. But services that occur at longer intervals like transmission service sometimes get overlooked. Yet transmission service is part of car care. A poorly maintained transmissi... More
Fuel Injection: It Keeps Getting Better for Grand Rapids Drivers
October 4, 2021
Grand Rapids residents know that engines need to burn fuel to operate. Fuel is pumped from your fuel tank to your vehicle engine where it is squirtedor injectedinto your engine's cylinders. This is the function of the fuel injectors.There are two ways to inject fuel into an engine. Fuel needs ai... More
Automotive Tips from Tuffy Grand Rapids - Fuller Ave.: Alignment Inspection
October 3, 2021
Uneven tire wear, the car pulling to one side or a steering wheel that is off-center are signs for Grand Rapids drivers that their wheels may be out of alignment.When doing an alignment inspection, the service advisor at Tuffy Grand Rapids - Fuller Ave. will inspect your tires for uneven wear as ... More