Car Repair

  • Brakes - how do they work?

    Brakes

    At Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River, we know that in order to keep your car in good shape, it helps to know how it works. Here’s a quick rundown of a system that’s very important, but you take for granted until there’s a problem; your brakes.

  • Bumper Cover Damaged Or Loose?

    bumper on a white car with lights on

    Your bumper covers are always in danger. Between other drivers, obstacles in the road, flash floods, or any other hazard you may encounter, at some point it’s likely your bumper covers will accrue some damage. At Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River, FL, we can fix that.

  • Can’t shift out of Park?

    There may come a day when you go to shift your vehicle out of “Park”, and the shifter refuses to move. Perhaps you are already experiencing this issue intermittently, or currently have a vehicle stuck in park. While this is a serious inconvenience, it doesn’t necessarily indicate a serious problem; let Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River, FL put your mind at ease.

  • Common Mistakes That Ruin Transmissions

    mechanic talking to a customer

    At Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River, we see a lot of the same mistakes that cause a transmission to fail. With our help, you can avoid a preventable transmission failure and keep your car reliably on the road.

  • Do You Need A New Flex Plate?

    car driving

    What does a flex plate do, and how do you know if yours is faulty? Your vehicle may be telling you things you may not know. Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River has the answers you need.

  • Don't Neglect These Signs, You May Need New Brakes

    braking

    Your brakes have a lot to do with how your car drives. Brakes are a frequently neglected item on a lot of people’s checklist, and many drivers on the road have subpar brakes and don’t even know it. A car that brakes well and brakes correctly are just as important as acceleration, handling, or any other aspect of a vehicle’s drivability. A car with brake issues has the potential to be a far more enjoyable ride when fixed.

  • Experiencing A Loud Radiator Fan?

    mechanic working on radiator fan

    At Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River, we know how irritating an issue with your car, truck, or SUV can be, even if it doesn’t immediately affect your vehicle’s performance. One such problematic issue, the excessively loud radiator cooling fan, is a common plague many automobile owners will experience.

  • Gas Cap Malfunctions? Yes, It's A Thing

    gas cap

    At Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River, we know that some of the most elusive issues with any car, truck, or SUV are often caused by the simplest of malfunctions. While you might consider a gas cap fairly innocuous, it can actually malfunction too, prompting a check engine light on your dashboard.

  • Gas Mileage and How To Increase It

    dashboard

    Good gas mileage is something we all want. In fact, many drivers purchase certain cars solely for gas mileage, and almost all of us at least take it into consideration when purchasing a vehicle. While it is true that gas mileage is by and large determined simply by the type of car, there are actually a variety of things you can do to increase the gas mileage of any automobile. The tips Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River want to provide you here are simple and effective steps you can take to increase your gas mileage, often more considerably than you think.

  • Have you checked your battery? If it looks like this - It's bad!

    bad battery

    When you are having trouble with your car or truck starting and you open the hood up to take a peek to see this....you'll see what an overly corroded battery looks like. This happens naturally over time on vehicle battery terminals.  If you are like 99% of normal Crystal River drivers, you don't check your oil or your battery so you don't keep an eye on the amount of corrosion that's building up on your car or truck battery.  Here at Dirk’s Auto Clinic, we do and there are solvents that we can use here in the shop during a battery maintenance service that will help slow the corrosion process but nothing that can prevent it 100%. Way before it gets to this point, we will be suggesting you consider replacing the battery. 

  • Hot Car - Suggestions to Cool it Down

    cars parked under tree

    We all love the sunshine but getting into that HOT car isn't always so wonderful even when you have a remote start it will take the breath out of you when the temperatures are soaring. Makes you want to pack your lunch instead of meeting friends for lunch! We decided that you should meet friends for lunch! So we got together and found some quick ideas for you. It isn't much but enjoy the sunshine on us here at Dirk’s Auto Clinic here in Crystal River! Call it our fun day fact!

  • How Important are Your Drive Belts?

    belt for vehicle

    Your drive belts run everything - your AC, power steering, alternator, and water pump are all dependent on the belts that turn them. At Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River, our goal is to keep your truck maintained, so you’re never stuck out on the road. Drive belts are a critical part of that goal.

  • How often does a transmission need to be repaired?

    man in car

    Whether you’ve never had any trouble out of your transmission, or you are all too familiar with transmission issues, you may wonder how often a transmission requires repair. In truth, it really just depends. There are hundreds of different transmissions, some more reliable than others, with different levels of stress demanded of them. Age, mileage, type, and usage are all aspects of the transmission condition.

  • How To Avoid Transmission Failure

    At Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River, FL, we know that hearing you need a new transmission is a dreaded affair. Here’s some advice from the transmission experts on how to prevent that day from coming.

  • How To Get More Miles Per Gallon

    gas tanks

    At Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River, efficiency is a concept that interests us. While your fuel economy is largely dependent on what kind of car, truck, or SUV you drive, there are a variety of tips and tricks to get the most bang for your buck. We’ve provided a few of our favorites here.

  • How To Protect Your Transmission Investment

    At Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River, FL, we know your car, truck, or SUV is far more than just a vehicle. It’s a lifeline...getting you to work, your kids to school, carrying groceries, and taking you anywhere you need to go. It’s also a huge investment, and one worth protecting.
  • How To Rainproof Your Windshield

    windshield with water droplets on it

    At Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River, we understand that safety and driving comfort are largely dependent on truck maintenance. Driving in the rain can be a hassle, especially if your vehicle isn’t prepared.

  • How To Test Your Shocks

    shocks

    Ride quality is an essential part of your driving experience. At Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River, we strive to keep your car, truck, or SUV as smooth and comfortable to drive as the day it came off the lot. Your shock absorbers play a huge role in ride quality; here’s what you should know.

  • Is It Time To Replace Your Ball Joints?

    separated ball joint that needs to be replaced

    We know you’re busy. At Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River, FL, we also know that while there are certain issues with your car, truck, or SUV you can ignore for a while, some of them shouldn’t wait. While serious issues are often obvious, sometimes they aren’t - ball joints are one such case.

  • Is It Time To Replace Your Weather-Stripping?

    open door

    At Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River, we know that a huge part of the ride quality of your car, truck, or SUV is how well it keeps road and engine noises out of the passenger compartment. Few things are more annoying on a long commute or road trip than the drone of tires on pavement, the constant sound of your car battling the air outside, loud semi-trucks, and so on.

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  • Tech-net
  • Tires
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  • 24 Month Warranty
  • 12 Month Warranty
  • Wifi Available

Dirk's Auto Clinic

6617 W Gulf to Lake Hwy
Crystal River, FL 34429
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location small (352) 795-3681
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SHOP HOURS

Weekdays: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Weekends: CLOSED

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