Our Auto Repair Service Blog – Bucaro Brothers Auto Care

4 Tips for Windshield Care in Winter It should be obvious to every motorist that keeping a clear windshield in winter is absolutely essential for safe driving. In addition to providing you with a view of the road ahead, your windshield also provides about 30 percent of your vehicle’s structural support, helping protect you and your passengers in case of an accident. Given the importance of your windshield, we wanted to pass on some important tips for protecting your windshield from damage during those months when Mother Nature is serving up her worst for area motorists. Repair All Damage Immediately Sooner or later, we’re all going to experience cracks and chips in our windshield caused by flying rocks or other debris. All too often, the temptation is to ignore the damage for a while, perhaps until better weather returns. That’s a mistake, and you should not do it. The damage is not going away, it’s only going to get worse over time. So do yourself and your budget a favor and get those chips and cracks repaired before they spread, forcing you to replace your windshield instead of repairing it. Clean Ice Off Your Windshield Carefully Ideally, it’s best to… Read more

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Let’s cut right to the chase: If the transmission in your vehicle goes out on you, you’re not going anywhere. The best way to avoid being stranded with a dead transmission is to pay close attention to signs that you’re on the verge of having a serious problem. Key Warnings Signs of a Bad Transmission Here are 6 signs indicating your transmission is in bad shape and you’d better get to your favorite automotive service center as soon as possible to avoid being stranded with a vehicle that’s going nowhere. 1) Poor Response, failure to change gears If your vehicle struggles to change gears, that’s usually a sign of transmission trouble. The source of the problem could be low transmission fluid or having the wrong fluid, but it could also be something more serious causing the problem, and it could be an electrical, hydraulic, or mechanical issue, or some combination of these. In the worst case scenario, your vehicle may not go into gear at all, leaving you, for example, completely stranded at an intersection, with a long line of frustrated motorists behind you who’re having to swivel around your stalled vehicle. 2) A burning smell Any time you detect… Read more

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One of the most important and expensive parts of your vehicle is the catalytic converter. This device, which is part of the exhaust system, is found underneath every gas-powered vehicle. The metals in it convert engine exhaust into nitrogen, oxygen, and other less harmful gases. Catalytic converters are stolen at an exorbitant rate throughout major cities in the US. According to the Chicago Police Department’s most recent statistics, 3,924 catalytic converter thefts were stolen between January and July of 2022. What makes these devices attractive to thieves is what they contain, namely precious metals more valuable than gold. One of those metals is rhodium, which is 2021 sold for $27,900 an ounce. Catalytic converters also contain platinum, selling for $1,277 an ounce, and palladium, with a going rate of $2,896 an ounce. Unfortunately, catalytic converters are fairly accessible, especially on trucks and SUVs because of their higher ground clearance, and easily removed by thieves with a few simple tools and/or a saw. Typically, a metal recycler will pay anywhere from $50 to $250 for a catalytic converter off a standard vehicle, while those stolen from a hybrid vehicle might bring thieves something in the neighborhood of $800. If yours is… Read more

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We have all had the experience: While driving, suddenly out of the blue, disaster looms on the road. You slam on the brakes, and thankfully they work, saving you from a serious accident. Your brakes are one of the most important components on your vehicle, and it’s extremely important to keep them in good working order. To ignore your brakes is to court disaster. Proper maintenance is essential to protect you, your family, and other drivers and pedestrians, and here’s our best advice on when to replace the brake fluid and the brakes on your vehicle. When to replace brake fluid Brake fluid tends to be one of those forgotten components of your vehicle, forgotten in that we largely take it for granted and rarely give brake fluid any thought. A few key signs that it’s time to replace your brake fluid includes strange noises when braking that usually depict a scraping or grinding sound. Other signs of the need for a fresh supply of brake fluid include soft, spongy brakes or strange smells. A burning smell after you’ve applied the brakes probably means you’ve burned out brake fluid. Routine maintenance of your vehicle is always based on your driving… Read more

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You’ve probably heard it a thousand times, but it still bears repeating; it’s absolutely essential to have the oil and oil filter in your vehicle changed regularly. Oil is the life blood of your engine, and that engine blood can’t circulate effectively if it’s dirty and flowing through a dirty filter. So, how often should these be changed? It’s hard to give a definite answer because, frankly, some vehicles can operate effectively for longer periods between oil changes than other vehicles. But to provide some simple “rule of thumb” guidance, we would suggest about every 3,000 miles or every six months. To know what’s best for your particular vehicle, simply consult your owner’s manual. 5 Benefits of getting a regular oil change Just in case you’re not convinced of the need for changing your oil regularly, here are 5 ways you and your vehicle will benefit. 1. Protects your engine Just like the blood circulating through your veins keeps your body operating efficiently, the same is true for the oil flowing through your vehicle’s engine. The engine powering your vehicle has hundreds of parts moving at high speed, and a flow of clean oil is essential to lubricate them, reduce… Read more

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