Gardner Auto Repair

Car maintenance intervals don’t only tie-in to how many miles you drive in a given year — they’re also linked to the seasons. If you live in a part of the country where the difference between winter and summer driving is stark, then you might already be familiar with the regular rituals of tire swaps, fluid changes, and other seasonal car maintenance duties. But if seasonal changes are more subtle in your neck of the woods, you can still use this natural clock to help time your basic vehicle maintenance. In addition to checking tires and fluids, seasonal car maintenance also includes inspecting items on your vehicle that commonly wear out in order to see if they need to be replaced. Specifically, rubber or plastic components like wiper blades, engine belts, and battery cables are all worth taking a look at. If you see any cracks, discoloration, or signs of corrosion around the battery, these are solid indicators that the part should be replaced

You might need a new cabin filter!  Cabin Air Benefits A cabin air filter is an air purification filter, sometimes called a “micro cabin air filter” or “in-cabin microfilter,” designed to remove the microscopic dust, allergens, pollutants, and other particles that come into the passenger cabin of your vehicle through its air vents. In addition to making the air in the interior of your car unpleasant and unhealthy, a dirty cabin air filter, clogged with dirt, dust, smelly mold, and allergens, can also impact your defroster's performance heating, and AC. Need some help with your cabin filter? Our service advisors and technicians, at either of our Bret's Autoworks locations, Gardner and Olathe would be happy to help you! 

Maintain Vehicle Wipers, Lights, Mirrors for Safe Driving It's no secret that properly functioning vehicle lights, wipers and mirrors allow for better visibility while driving, yet these items are often forgotten or ignored when performing basic auto care, says the non-profit Car Care Council. "Making sure that you can see and be seen on the road is essential to avoiding motor vehicle accidents, yet many motorists overlook simple maintenance steps that can improve driving visibility," said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. "For example, community car care events held throughout the country reveal that nearly one in three vehicles inspected had insufficient wiper fluid. This simple auto care service can make a world of difference on the road."    Following a few auto care visibility tips can be illuminating, helping to ensure the safety of you, your passengers and other vehicles around you. Replace any exterior or interior light ... read more

Summer is the main season for “cone zones,” road construction where you will likely hit a bump or two, or come across loose stones and other hazards. These rough road conditions can be tough on a vehicle’s steering and suspension system and can throw out the alignment, while loose stones have the potential to damage the vehicle’s exterior or windshield, according to the non-profit Car Care Council.     “Even the most careful motorist, who is driving slowly and carefully through road construction, is bound to hit an unexpected bump or other road hazards,” said Nathan Perrine, executive director, Car Care Council. “Be sure to pay attention to your car and if you think there’s a problem, have it taken care of as soon as possible.” The main symptoms of steering and suspension or wheel alignment problems are uneven tire wear, pulling to one side, noise and vibration while cornering or loss of control. The council recommends ... read more

Driving through a seemingly innocent hole in the road could result in costly car damage. Know the five best ways to avoid pothole damage 1. Check Tires Frequently inspect your tires to ensure they are properly inflated and do not have significant wear. If you hit a pothole with worn or underinflated tires, there is a greater risk of wheel or suspension damage. Inflate tires according to your vehicle manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure levels. Find this information on the door jamb sticker and in your owner’s manual. Do not use the pressure levels molded on the tire sidewall. To check the tire tread depth, insert a quarter upside down into several tread grooves. If the top of Washington’s head is visible, it’s time for new tires. How to properly check tire tread 2. Inspect Suspension Make certain struts, shock absorbers and other suspension parts are in good condition. Changes in vehicle handling, excessive vibration or uneven tire wear can indicate dam ... read more

Rats, Squirrels, Mice! You can buy the most reliable car on Earth and still find convoluted electrical gremlins, fluid leaks, and even outright failure when rodents take up residence and begin chewing on wiring, hoses, plastic, and other critical car parts. But we’ve found a deterrent for these four-legged destroyers.  Rodent-inflicted damage is an age-old problem that some observers say is increasing as automakers use more plant-based biodegradable materials to reduce waste. It turns out that rodents sharpening their teeth and feasting on cars are more prevalent than you might think. We uncovered various technical service bulletins from Ford, GM, Honda, Toyota, and Subaru instructing their technicians how to remedy chewed wiring harnesses. So many people have been looking for solutions that the topic has trended on Reddit. Readers posted several ... read more

Batteries are a huge part of modern life. I mean, how many battery chargers do you have? Of course, our purpose here is to talk about your car battery. When people come into our service center and need a new battery, they're really not that happy about having to spend the money. But the fact is that 70% of batteries don't make it for 4 years. There are some things that you can do to extend the life of your battery. First, keep it clean. If you see it getting dirty or greasy, let us know and we can clean it off. A dirty battery runs hotter and that shortens its life. If your battery terminals are corroded, let us take a look at that too. We can clean them, and if the corrosion has gotten into the battery cables, we can replace them. Also running your battery way down is bad for it: Things, like running the headlights or watching a DVD player with the car turned off, can deeply deplete your battery. The typical battery can only take about 10 of those deep cycl ... read more

If you feel a slight shudder or vibration coming through your brake pedal when you stop, it could be a sign you need some brake work done. That gets you thinking how long will your brakes last!  Many factors determine how long your brakes will last. Do you drive on highways more than city roads? Do you love jackrabbit starts and squealing stops?  Do you drive in the mountains? Do you haul a trailer, boat, bulky items?  Do you have a hybrid or electric vehicle? You may have regenerative brakes that help your vehicle stop, and reduce wear and tear on the pads and rotors. Ask a Bret's Service Advisor for more details.  How long you brakes last depends on different things, and there's no hard and fast rule. But here are few signs you might need some brake work: You are pushing much harder on the brakes than you did before. Your brakes squeak, rattle, or grind Your vehicle is pulling to one side when you put on the brakes. Bret's Autow ... read more

When asked, most people think they are good at multi-tasking. Scientific studies, however, reveal that only around 2% of the population can truly demonstrate the capacity to effectively multi-task. For the rest of us who are not so biologically wired, no amount of practice can increase our effectiveness at multi-tasking. Turns out, multi-tasking is almost a superpower. Think of fighter pilots: capable of maintaining their orientation in three-dimensional space and performing specific and highly complicated functions while accessing life-threatening situations and coming up with an appropriate response. Admit it – you can’t do that. When it comes to driving, we seem to think we are very capable of safely operating a motor vehicle with a myriad of distractions. 77% of young adults feel somewhat confident that they can safely text and drive while 55% claim ... read more

We've all heard a car or truck in our Olathe and Gardner neighborhoods that needs a new muffler. But there's more to the exhaust system than just the muffler. Exhaust gas is poisonous. You don't want it getting into the passenger compartment. For example, carbon monoxide can be deadly. That's why you should never run your engine in a closed garage. If you have a leak in the exhaust system, exhaust could get into the passenger cabin and make you sick or even kill you. If you smell exhaust in the vehicle, roll down your windows and get it inspected. You may smell or see exhaust coming from the engine compartment or under the vehicle if you have a leak. Sometimes the sound from an exhaust leak is loud and obvious. Sometimes it's a ticking sound when you start the engine that goes away as you drive. That could be a small crack or a bad fitting that leaks when it's cold but seals up when the metal heats and expands. Now, let's address the environm ... read more