Granite City Auto Repair

  Your vehicle is quite probably the second biggest investment you have.  Tires then become a big part of that investment when it is time to replace them. At one time, there was such a thing as “rock” tires, but tires have since been re-engineered and are made of rubber, which, unfortunately, makes them a delicate part of your car considering the amount of use and abuse from the roads we drive. When buying tires, consider how long you are going to keep the car, what kind of driving you do with the car, whether mostly city or highway matters, and who is driving the vehicle.  Grandma? Or your teenager who runs all his friends around every weekend? Or a spouse that travels for work.  All this matters.  Tire Prices Tires are priced based on a number of factors:  The Manufacturer:  A better-known manufacturer will sell more tires and have a better warranty.  Compounding:  While a ... read more

  Brrr… It’s cold outside.  While you are nice and toasty inside, your vehicle will struggle in the colder weather.  Having a vehicle that is properly winterized is critical to its operation and your safety.  Driving on snow and ice is difficult when you don’t have enough traction on your tires, causes longer stopping distances, causing fender benders as you find yourself uncontrollably sliding into another car.  When poor road conditions exist, preparing your vehicle ahead for the weather will make your driving experience as safe and as stress-free as possible.  Here’s a few key items to prepare your vehicle for winter. #1.  A good set of tires with ample tread depth provides the best possible grip along with better stopping ability.  Bald tires have no stopping ability.  Be sure your tires are properly inflated.  Stop by O’Brien’s. We will be glad to discuss the current condition of your tires an ... read more

Over the course of the thousands of miles that your vehicle will travel, your car’s wheel alignment will be put to the test by all the different road conditions from smooth highways to that little dirt road on the way to the cottage, not to mention the potholes, curbs, and other anomalies you drive over every day. It’s normal that the original wheel alignment may change over time. Even though drivers don’t notice this change, the tires will eventually wear unevenly, the vehicle will tend to drift to one side, and you may even hear a strange noise coming from one of the wheels when the vehicle hits a bump or pothole. During an inspection, a certified technician will be able to detect the problem – a loose tie rod, a damaged ball joint, a bent suspension arm, a broken torsion bar… The list goes on and on, but the result is always the same. The damaged parts have to be replaced and the wheels realigned before the car will handle like it used to. It is als ... read more

Carbon deposits are inevitable, and many automotive professionals don’t take them seriously because they consider carbon to just be a part of engine operation. But when left untreated, carbon buildup can cost vehicle owners more at the pump, and it can lead to expensive and labor-intensive repairs.  That’s what we want to help you avoid! For those that like to “cut to the chase” on how to best minimize carbon buildup, O’Brien Tire & Auto Care recommends that you: Be sure you are changing your oil every 3,000 miles for conventional or semi-synthetic vehicles; or 5,000 miles for synthetic oil changes; and Cleaning additives or treatments such as BG fuel induction service or MOA/EPR (a “shampoo and conditioner” additive) help with keeping the moving components in the best condition long term.     If you like all that “techy” stu ... read more

With today’s sky-high fuel prices, here are some fuel efficiency tips that save you money With no end in sight on rising gas prices, maximizing your fuel efficiency is essential these days. Conserve fuel, lower fuel emissions, extend the life of your vehicle, and keep more money in your pocket with these tips. Maintain the proper tire pressure.  Improperly inflated tires (over or under inflated tires) add more wear to your tires and puts more pressure on your engine, requiring more fuel to operate.  It also wears out your tires quicker.  Properly inflated tires can save 11 cents a gallon per NHTSA. Change air filters regularly.  This ensures the engine performs at top efficiency.  Also, your air filter determines the quality and quantity of clean air the engine receives.  The engine air filter is different than your oil filter. Use the right oil/routine oil changes.  Car oil ... read more