Category: Car Care

  • Your Vehicles Heater Core: How it Helps You Stay Warm

    Your Vehicles Heater Core: How it Helps You Stay Warm

    Vehicle Heater Core: What It Is, How It Works, and When to See a Mechanic Your car’s heater core is essential for keeping you warm in cold weather. Since it helps regulate cabin temperature and defrost your windshield, a failing heater core can make winter driving uncomfortable and even unsafe. Whether you’re commuting through Sun…

  • Headlights: What You Need to Know to Shine Bright

    Headlights: What You Need to Know to Shine Bright

    Your headlights are one of the most important safety features on your vehicle. Without bright, clear headlights, driving at night or in bad weather becomes risky. Over time, headlights can dim, fog up, or stop working. Whether you are a Madison native or just driving by, here at Meineke, we want to make sure you…

  • Vapor Lock and You: Everything You Need to Know

    Vapor Lock and You: Everything You Need to Know

    Vapor Lock: What It Is, Why It Matters, and When to See a Mechanic Vapor lock is, in fact, a fuel system issue that can cause stalling, rough idling, or even complete engine failure. Whether you are driving through Madison or heading out to see the local film February, before its run ends. Keeping your…

  • Cooling System: What You Need to Know to Keep Your Cool

    Cooling System: What You Need to Know to Keep Your Cool

    Vehicle Cooling Systems: Why They Are Important, How to Spot Issues, and When to See a Mechanic Your vehicle’s cooling system is, in fact, one of the most important parts of your car. Whether you are driving through Sheboygan, WI, or planning on driving to the polls for the mayoral election, keeping your engine cool…

  • Onboard Diagnostics, What You Need to Know

    Onboard Diagnostics, What You Need to Know

    What Is Onboard Diagnostics (OBD)? Your vehicle’s Onboard Diagnostics (OBD) system is like its built-in doctor, constantly monitoring engine performance, emissions, and overall health. With the extreme cold we have been experiencing here in Cottage Grove, we know those pesky lights have been popping up for a lot of people. So, when something isn’t right,…

  • Rusted Muffler: The Best Tips to Keep Your Muffler Rust Free

    Rusted Muffler: The Best Tips to Keep Your Muffler Rust Free

    The Hazards of Driving with a Rusted Muffler and How to Prevent It Some of the decorative streetlight poles here in Appleton (those on the College Avenue Bridge over the Fox River) have rusted significantly and need to be replaced after 15 years of use. Because, rust can cause significant damage to how critical infrastructure…

  • Tire Retread: The Pros. The Cons. And What You Need to Know

    Tire Retread: The Pros. The Cons. And What You Need to Know

    What Does Retreading a Tire Mean? Pros and Cons Explained Here in Sun Prairie we love a good monster truck show… the big rigs, the even bigger tires pushed to the limits. But what happens when our car or truck’s tire gets pushed to the limit and it’s time to replace one? And what are…

  • Vehicle Drivetrain: Meineke Shares What You Need to Know

    Vehicle Drivetrain: Meineke Shares What You Need to Know

    Understanding Your Vehicle’s Drivetrain: Parts, Function, and Signs of Trouble Picture this: You were on your way to celebrate Lunar New Year at State Street in Madison, when suddenly your car had a difficult time shifting gears. And you wondered, could this be a problem with your drivetrain? But, there are multiple parts to the…

  • Your Engine’s Head Gasket: Everything You Need to Know

    Your Engine’s Head Gasket: Everything You Need to Know

    The Role of a Head Gasket in Your Engine’s Performance: Maintenance Tips and Signs of Failure The head gasket is an important part of your vehicle’s engine. Because it acts as a seal between the engine block and cylinder head. And it ensures proper combustion, prevents oil and coolant from mixing, and maintains the engine’s…

  • Catalytic Converter: The Workhorse for Your Exhaust System

    Catalytic Converter: The Workhorse for Your Exhaust System

    The Importance of Your Catalytic Converter and How to Keep It in Good Condition Cottage Grove takes pride in keeping our parks, neighborhoods, and downtown healthy and pollution-free. And part of the way Cottage Grove drivers can do this is with at healthy exhaust system and especially a healthy catalytic converter. Because it’s your vehicle’s…