Our Auto Repair Service Blog – Bucaro Brothers Auto Care

At Bucaro Brothers we know that for a lot of folks right now, money is a bit tight, and for some, making ends meet might involve putting off needed vehicle repairs. True, doing that may save a few dollars in the short run, but in the long run, delaying needed repair work on your car can potentially cost you a lot of money. So, how long can you delay repair service? Our answer, in a nutshell, is you shouldn’t delay at all. The sooner the repairs are done, the better off you’re going to be. Reasons not to delay repairs Here, for example, are some of the most important reasons why you should not put off getting needed auto body and repair work done by your favorite repair shop. Putting off needed repairs is a type of “false economy.” As we said, by delaying the work, you may be saving a little money right now, but down the road, as the mechanical situation gets worse, it’s probably going to cost a lot more money to get it fixed. Maintaining your vehicle in good running order is one of the best ways to extend its life and get the maximum service… Read more

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Summer is officially here, and despite rising gas prices, we know many of you will be hitting the road for summer trips with your family. To make sure your trip is as pleasant and uneventful as possible, here are some tips from your friends at Bucaro Brothers Auto Care in Lincoln Park Vehicle Preparation First, of course, you want to be sure your car is in good running order. We recommend carefully checking the following yourself, or have your favorite mechanic check for you. Battery Most batteries will last between four to six years, and if yours is in that age range, you might want to consider getting a new one before hitting the road. Belts and hoses Make sure these are all in good repair and working order before you start on your trip. Fluids If you’re not a pretty good amateur mechanic yourself, have your mechanic check your coolant level, as well as your power steering, transmission, and brake fluids. These are all crucial for the safe operation of your car. Tires Check your treads using the “penny method.” Place a penny in your treads with Lincoln upside down. If the top of Abe’s head shows, you need… Read more

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When buying a new car, or even a new used car, most of us follow a standard ritual. In addition to the proverbial tire kicking, we’ll take the vehicle for a test drive. We’ll also listen to the sales person’s explanation of all the bells and whistles, and if the overall impression is good, and the price fits our budget, we’ll probably buy. Something most of us never bother to do, however, is to ask about the fuel the vehicle needs, and with today’s gas prices, that’s something we should know. In other words, does the vehicle run on regular gas, or will you need to fill the tank with premium, high octane fuel. What’s the Difference Between the Two? So, what exactly is the difference between regular and premium gas? Stated simply, regular has a lower octane rating than premium. And if you’re not exactly clear on what octane is, it’s the measure of gasoline’s ability to resist the knocking or pinging noises you hear coming from your engine when the fuel/air mixture detonates prematurely in the engine. When the gasoline and air mixture in the engine ignites before it should, that leads to an explosion in the engine… Read more

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On average, your vehicle’s battery should last between three to five years. During that time, however, it can take a beating from rush hour traffic, soaring summer temperatures, and winter deep freezes. To protect your battery and extend its lifetime to the max, here are five things you should do. 1. Make sure it’s tightly fastened to the mounting bracket. Batteries not firmly attached to the mounting bracket can vibrate and bounce around, potentially leading to internal damage to the battery and short circuits. This is especially a problem if you often drive on bumpy roads or rough terrain. Check the battery’s mounting from time to time, making sure it’s firmly secured. 2. Limit the use of electronics while idling. If you commute to and from work and often find yourself bogged down in heavy traffic, it’s a good idea to turn off some devices. Things like the radio and the air conditioning, if you can stand it. These put a heavy strain on the battery when your vehicle is merely idling. 3. Minimize the short drives. Those short hops here and there drain your battery without giving it time to recharge. So, try to keep those to a minimum…. Read more

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Your vehicle’s engine can overheat any time of the year. Here are some of the main causes and what you can do about them. 1. Low coolant Maintaining an adequate coolant level is essential to keep your engine from overheating. The coolant circulating through the engine absorbs heat that the coolant moves to the radiator. The radiator fan helps reduce the temperature of the coolant that recirculates through the engine, repeating the cooling cycle. A low coolant level may indicate a leak in your cooling system, possibly in the radiator hose. These leaks can be extremely hard to find, however, and it’s a good idea to have your favorite mechanic check for the source of the leak. 2. Low oil level or oil that’s old and dirty The oil in your engine plays a dual role. Obviously, it lubricates the moving parts of the engine, but in addition, by reducing friction it helps prevent your engine from overheating. Old engine oil containing large quantities of contaminants doesn’t lubricate and reduce friction as well as clean, fresh oil. With today’s lubricants, you can usually drive 5,000 to 7,500 miles between oil changes. This can vary, however, depending on your driving conditions…. Read more

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