Our Auto Repair Service Blog – Bucaro Brothers Auto Care

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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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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