Gardner Auto Repair

If your car's brakes are squeaking, squealing, or making ominous grinding noises when you apply the pedal, you might need new brake pads or rotors. Check out the info below from AAA, we are a AAA Approved Auto Repair Service. Know the five warning signs that it may be time for brake repair service. In each of the listed cases, AAA recommends taking the vehicle to a qualified auto repair shop for inspection and service. A professional inspection will help determine the extent of the needed repair, from brake pad installation to brake replacement. You apply the brakes and hear a high pitch or grinding noise. This is a strong indicator that the brakes have worn thin. You apply the brakes and feel a vibration. This indicates warped brake rotors. A professional inspection can help determine whether they should be resurfaced or replaced. The brake pedal feels differently – either low or spongy – and takes more effort to apply. This means there’s a potential pr ... read more

Many of us love classic cars. Maybe they are reminders of “the good ole days,” or what we perceive as better, less stressful times. Maybe we associate the classics with family trips to the beach, mountains, or just driving around with friends. Did you ever cruise around Main Street or a local drive-in restaurant?   We believe for all those reasons and more, we need to help keep the classics around and running well. You certainly don’t want to miss out on the looks and smiles you receive driving one of these old treasures. It is priceless.  You might be wondering what classifies a vehicle as a classic? For insurance and registration purposes, the age of a classic car, in most cases, is at least 20 years old but not more than 40 years old. We are proud to have worked on a few of the classics this past year, so they can keep running like new! We want to keep everyone smiling, and this year we needed some smiles

We understand why you fell in love with your Jeep. Whether it’s from the premium interior or luxury off-road experience, our expert team is here for all your Jeep repairs, no matter what model it may be. Jeep Grand Cherokee Jeep Cherokee Jeep Wrangler Jeep Patriot Jeep Compass Jeep Renegade Jeep Gladiator When it comes to Jeep repairs, owners come to Bret’s Autoworks to keep their Jeeps running effortlessly

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