Car Care Tips

There are a few things that matter when mounting new tires on your vehicle. First, you want it done right. Second, you want it done fast. For both, Andrew's Diesel, Heavy Equipment, Auto & Tire in Spanish Fort, AL has you covered.

At some point or another, we’ve pretty much all dealt with a dead car battery. There’s a good chance you already know how to jump-start your car - if not, don’t worry! Here’s everything you need to know, from Andrew's Diesel, Heavy Equipment, Auto & Tire in Spanish Fort, AL.

At Andrew's Diesel, Heavy Equipment, Auto & Tire in Spanish Fort, we know how important climate control is to your driving experience. Not only does a fully functional heat and AC system keep you warm in the winter, and cool in the summer, it is vital to defrosting windows and keeping the air in your car circulating.

When you get in your car, truck, SUV, or minivan to drive and the A/C does not work what could be wrong? Here at Andrew's Diesel, Heavy Equipment, Auto & Tire, we have some simple answers to help you understand how your vehicle A/C system works. The first question we are asked is "Why isn't my air conditioner blowing cold air?" Let's talk about what could be happening. 

At some point, while waiting for your tank to fill up, you’ve probably wondered what the difference is between the choices of gasoline at the pump. Typically, you see three buttons, with a number between 85 and 98, in ascending order and ascending prices. These numbers are octane ratings, which you probably know; but what is an octane rating, really?

If you’ve owned a vehicle long, particularly one with a few miles on it, you have probably encountered a peculiar smell that grabbed your attention. Scents that you encounter while driving (emanating from your vehicle, not the horse farm down the road) are indicators of your vehicle's health and often the first warning that something may be wrong. Andrew's Diesel, Heavy Equipment, Auto & Tire in Spanish Fort has assembled this list to prepare for you for the next time you smell something odd, so you’ll know what’s going on next time you notice a funny smell.

Every year, vehicle electrical systems get a little more complicated. These days, many cars on the road contain up to a mile of wiring, running throughout every corner of the vehicle. With all those wires, there’s bound to be an issue at some point; Andrew's Diesel, Heavy Equipment, Auto & Tire in Spanish Fort, AL is here to help you recognize a potential electrical issue, and know what to do about it.

Exhaust issues are extremely common, no matter what type of car, truck, or SUV you drive. At Andrew's Diesel, Heavy Equipment, Auto & Tire in Spanish Fort, AL, we can get your exhaust back in shape in no time.

Exhaust issues tend to be neglected, and we get that; there are just other parts of your vehicle that you'd rather focus on. Besides a clogged catalytic converter, there isn’t much risk of damage from a bad exhaust system - it negatively affects your gas mileage, and the sound is annoying, but other than that, it’s an issue many people learn to live with. 

When you are having trouble with your car or truck starting and you open the hood up to take a peek to see this....you'll see what an overly corroded battery looks like. This happens naturally over time on vehicle battery terminals.  If you are like 99% of normal Spanish Fort drivers, you don't check your oil or your battery so you don't keep an eye on the amount of corrosion that's building up on your car or truck battery.  Here at Andrew's Diesel, Heavy Equipment, Auto & Tire, we do and there are solvents that we can use here in the shop during a battery maintenance service that will help slow the corrosion process but nothing that can prevent it 100%. Way before it gets to this point, we will be suggesting you consider replacing the battery. 

If you drive a vehicle with more than a few miles on it, there’s a good chance you’ve noticed an occasional drip underneath it that leaves spots wherever you park. Identifying what is leaking from your car will help you determine whether or not it’s a cause for concern, and what to do about it.

There are seven liquids a car can possibly drip: oil, gas, brake fluid, transmission fluid, gear oil, water, and coolant. How do you tell the difference? This article aims to help your know-how.

At Andrew's Diesel, Heavy Equipment, Auto & Tire in Spanish Fort, we know how annoying a dead battery can be. Here’s some information on the subject, that will hopefully help you understand your battery issues a little better.

The climate control system in your car works hard to keep you at a comfortable temperature. If you’re having heater issues, trust the performance car specialists with us at Andrew's Diesel, Heavy Equipment, Auto & Tire in Spanish Fort, AL to get you comfortably back on the road.

Do you have a noisy vehicle? If so, you may need a new muffler or exhaust system from our team here at Andrew's Diesel, Heavy Equipment, Auto & Tire in Spanish Fort. The purpose of your exhaust system is not only to reduce the noise but also to redirect fumes away from your vehicle. Redirecting these fumes protects passengers in the car from toxins created by burning fuel.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless chemical that can escape from an unsecured exhaust system, and if inhaled can pose very serious health hazards. If you experience an unusually loud sound coming from your vehicle, it is vital to get your exhaust system checked immediately!

Once your new tires are mounted and balanced, you’ll want to keep them in good shape. To get the most out of your tires, inspect them regularly and keep up with maintenance - the difference between a tire that lasts 100k miles, and one that lasts 10k, mostly comes down to how well it’s been taken care of.

Everyone from mechanics, to your uncle that works on cars, has at some point given you advice concerning engine oil. The fact of the matter is that while we are familiar with words like “synthetic” and “oil weight,” many people don’t know exactly what the terminology means, or why common knowledge about oil exists in the form that it does. At Andrew's Diesel, Heavy Equipment, Auto & Tire in Spanish Fort, AL, we keep things clear and simple. The more you know about your vehicle, the better equipped you are to keep it maintained, and we know a thing or two about vehicles. We have compiled a short list of common myths for you, most of which you’ve heard, but maybe never second guessed.

You’ve determined it’s time to get rid of the engine you have, along with all of its issues. You’re probably considering getting something new altogether, and you’re tired of this one giving you issues. Andrew's Diesel, Heavy Equipment, Auto & Tire in Spanish Fort, AL is here to help you make the call.

If your car, truck, or SUV has really been put through the wringer, it might be time for a new one. However, before you decide to throw in the towel there are a few things you should consider.

So, you’ve determined your transmission is bad. What next? Andrew's Diesel, Heavy Equipment, Auto & Tire in Spanish Fort, AL is here to help.

There are a few things to consider when your transmission goes out. You might feel inclined to just get a new car...but should you? Here are some factors to think about.

At Andrew's Diesel, Heavy Equipment, Auto & Tire in Spanish Fort, AL, we have seen our fair share of preventable engine failures. Frequently, engine disaster could have been avoided if the driver had known beforehand what the warning lights or gauges on the dashboard indicated. While some dash lights are fairly benign, others indicate imminent trouble. This guide from Andrew's Diesel, Heavy Equipment, Auto & Tire in Spanish Fort, AL will prepare you for the next time your vehicle shows you a warning you shouldn’t ignore.

If you drive a Mercedes, Porsche, Subaru, BMW, Jaguar, or other performance and luxury vehicle, you’re a person who appreciates the value of quality. At Andrew's Diesel, Heavy Equipment, Auto & Tire, we share that appreciation - that’s why we specialize in quality cars and take pride in quality work.

At Andrew's Diesel, Heavy Equipment, Auto & Tire in Spanish Fort, AL, we pride ourselves on specialty knowledge and ability. Once you’ve settled on a transmission to invest in, it’s important not to cut corners on the homestretch. We’ve got you covered here and you can expect top quality repairs for your top quality product.