At Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River, FL, we know how annoying a dead battery can be. Here’s some information on the subject, that will hopefully help you understand your battery issues a little better.

Your radiator hoses are under a lot of pressure, in both the figurative and literal sense. From Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River, FL, here’s what you need to know about the radiator hoses on your car, truck, or SUV.

Prevention is better than cure. You've probably heard that said plenty of times. The phrase is most often used to talk about health and medicine, but it is just as valid to apply it to vehicles. It's great if your problem can be sorted without much trouble, but even better not to have a problem in the first place. This is especially true when it comes to your vehicle's transmission, as this can be one of the more specialized parts to repair. Not all transmission problems require an extensive overhaul, but they will all cause at least some trouble and inconvenience. Avoiding transmission problems is clearly preferable to even the problems that are quickest and cheapest repair. This is why it is important to ensure you take good care of your transmission. This will help prevent problems and keep it working smoothly. Ideally, it will mean that it doesn't develop any faults at all. Even if it does eventually go wrong, however, it is entirely possible that good care will mean the fault is less serious and easier to repair than it would have been otherwise. Here's some insight on how to prevent problems from our team here at Dirk’s Auto Clinic. 

Coolant flushes are an important maintenance procedure, necessary for keeping your truck reliably on the road. At Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River, we know that coolant flushes are a key aspect of preventative maintenance that goes a long way.

Transmission work is a world of precision and attention to detail. Transmission specialists, like the technicians at Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River, FL, chose to specialize in transmission work partly because they have a knack for both. It’s just one of the things that make us the best in the business.

Transmission failure is never a fun subject. But, if your transmission has finally bit the dust, don’t panic. Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River, FL has the solutions you need that will save you time and money in the long run. We're here to help you explore all your options so you can make the best decision for you and your vehicle.

If you're prepping to go on a road trip, you need to be sure that your vehicle is ready for the journey. An unmaintained vehicle could be the difference between a good trip and a trip that goes south really quickly. Here at Dirk’s Auto Clinic, we want to remind you of some things to do so you and your vehicle are ready for the road. 

Fuel Systems are particularly important on diesel trucks, whether you drive a Ford, Chevrolet, or Dodge pickup. At Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River, FL, fuel system maintenance and repair is a service we prioritize, since we know how essential a reliable fuel system is.

At Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River, FL, we know how annoying little quirks and issues can be. A common problem vehicles experience is a cooling fan that doesn’t kick on and off when it’s supposed to. While a fan that won’t kick off is far less troubling than a fan that won’t turn on, it’s still a problem that needs to be fixed for a variety of reasons. Here’s why, and what you should do.

Road trips are a lot of fun, and often unpredictable. For all the miles you will be driving we always recommend preparing for any situation. With this checklist from Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River, you’ll be prepared for whatever comes your way.

Looking for the best auto service in town? Why stop there? At Dirk’s Auto Clinic, we're not only home to the best service you'll find here in Crystal River, FL, but the best you'll find - anywhere. 

There seems to be a common misconception among many that if you have an aftermarket/extended warranty, that your car, truck, SUV, or Jeep must be taken to a dealership. This is not true. Non-dealership / Independent Automotive repair shops like ours here at Dirk’s Auto Clinic can service and repair your new or under warranty/extended warranty. As a positive, at our shop, you can get fast service and work with highly trained technicians! We'd love to take care of your vehicle for you and can do so right here at our automotive shop. Repairs by highly rated and trained automotive technicians with dealer rated diagnostic tools, at better pricing by a shop that knows you!

Glow Plugs are an essential component of your diesel engine. However, a faulty glow plug can go unnoticed or be neglected for quite some time; your truck will still start and run, so it’s an easy issue to overlook. At Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River, FL, we want you to know what to look for, and why you should be concerned with a bad glow plug.

We’ve all been here: You start up your vehicle in the morning and begin to back out of the driveway. Before your hand reaches the volume dial on the stereo to crank up your favorite morning radio duo, you hear a noise coming from your car. A vehicle shouldn’t make that noise, yet yours is. And it sounds bad. But is it?

“Spark plug” is a word you are likely familiar with; it’s one of those car terms that you’ve heard your whole life. You know they’re important, you know sometimes they need to be changed. But how do you know when it’s time to replace them? What do they do, and where do they go wrong? Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River has the answers.

No matter what type of car, truck, or SUV you drive, old or new, it probably has doors. Those doors are heavy, and they see a lot of use. Naturally, from time to time, parts wear out. If your door doesn’t function as well as it should, here’s why, courtesy of Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River.

If you’ve ever been in an emergency braking situation, you’re probably all too aware that the brakes are the most important safety system on your vehicle. And like many other systems in a vehicle, the brakes need regular upkeep to continue functioning properly. One way to preserve the integrity of the braking system is through brake bleeding, and while it may not be as well known as certain services like oil changes, it is a key maintenance item for a vehicle.

At Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River, cars are our passion, so naturally, we like to keep up with new technology on the market. At the moment, surprisingly the current trend is moving towards a goal you may not expect; self-driving vehicles. You’ve probably heard about self-driving cars a little bit here and there on the news, but it likely still seems somewhere in the realm of science fiction to you. However, the reality is that self-driving cars are on the way and maybe here sooner than you think. Already, almost all major automobile manufacturers are dumping billions of dollars into research and development for self-driving cars, and even companies like Uber are jumping on board. 

Buying a used vehicle can be a risky endeavor, but also a rewarding one. Buying used, even if the vehicle is close to new, will save you a lot of money compared to the price of a new vehicle off the lot. However, there are some inherent risks that come with purchasing a used vehicle; here is how to best avoid trouble.

Nearly every day, you drive your vehicle. Whether it be a couple of miles to the store or a full-on road trip across the nation, you want to make sure that your vehicle is safe to drive and the systems are in check and/or up-to-date. Here are a few reminders to check and see if your vehicle is running in top shape.