Car Care Tips

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.

Automatic transmissions aren’t easily understood outside of specialists like those at Andrew's Diesel, Heavy Equipment, Auto & Tire in Spanish Fort, AL. While it would be impossible to teach you enough to make you a transmission expert in a series of articles, what we can do is give you the fundamental knowledge you need to have a good idea of what your transmission is doing, and how it works.

Your gas mileage mostly depends on what kind of car you drive; engine displacement and vehicle weight are the largest determining factors on gas mileage, and there’s not much you can do to change either of those. That doesn’t mean attempting to improve your fuel economy is a completely hopeless endeavor, however. With these tips from Andrew's Diesel, Heavy Equipment, Auto & Tire in Spanish Fort, AL, you might be surprised how much your fuel mileage can be improved.

At Andrew's Diesel, Heavy Equipment, Auto & Tire in Spanish Fort, AL, quality and precision are our top priority. We specialize in well-engineered performance and luxury vehicles like BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, Land Rover, and Subaru - cars and SUVs that require the right touch. For this reason, we employ ASE certified technicians, to guarantee we’re the best in the business.

The best way to deal with a blown tire is to prevent it from happening in the first place. However, eventually, a flat tire is going to occur, and it’ll most likely be when you least need it. From Andrew's Diesel, Heavy Equipment, Auto & Tire in Spanish Fort, AL, here’s what you need to do.

Tune-ups are an important and frequently neglected aspect of automotive care. Most drivers don’t really consider the mechanical condition of their car, so long as nothing is wrong with it. However, if a vehicle is tuned-up and maintained correctly, many mechanical failures (and expenses) will be avoided altogether. So whne is the right time to get a tune-up?

If you drive a Porsche, BMW, Mercedes, Subaru, Land Rover, or other luxury or performance vehicle, you’re no stranger to the bells and whistles of the modern automobile. For the past couple of decades, these cars have nearly all been equipped with ABS, or Anti-lock Braking Systems. You may never think about ABS - until the light comes on the dashboard.

When something goes wrong on your vehicle, it can be tempting to take the cheapest route. With eBay, Amazon, and the countless other sources for car and truck parts on the market today, many people decide to go that route to save some money. Here are some points to consider when buying quality automotive parts, from Andrew's Diesel, Heavy Equipment, Auto & Tire in Spanish Fort, AL.

Alignment is the position of your wheels in relation to your vehicle and how they interact with the road. When your vehicle is properly aligned, your wheels will point in the same direction as the vehicle. To maintain proper control of your car, you must keep your wheels in proper alignment. Otherwise, steering will become difficult, your tires will wear unevenly and your fuel economy will decrease. 

If there’s an issue with your diesel fuel system, the most important thing to remember is to fix it sooner rather than later. With gas engines, you can often power through a fuel issue for quite some time - they’re irritating, but not often permanently damaging.