Automotive News & Information - Dirk's Auto Clinic

Alignment is the position of your wheels in relation to your vehicle and how they interact with the road. When your vehicle is properly aligned, your wheels will point in the same direction as the vehicle. To maintain proper control of your car, you must keep your wheels in proper alignment. Otherwise, steering will become difficult, your tires will wear unevenly and your fuel economy will decrease.

Your vehicle's belts and hoses are essential to the cooling, air conditioning and charging systems, and the engine. Don’t take these routine replacement intervals for granted because they can break down and leave you stranded.

What is the purpose and importance of your belts and hoses? The timing belt keeps the crankshaft and camshaft mechanically synchronized to maintain engine timing. Whether serpentine, V-belt, or fan belt (the belts on the outside of the engine), they all transmit power from the front of the engine to accessories that need to be driven, such as the air conditioning, the charging system, and fans. Radiator and heater hoses carry coolant to and from the engine, radiator, and heater core.

Flat tires are a huge inconvenience. The only thing worse than having a flat on your way home from work is having to wait on a tow truck to come to get you. Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River, FL wants to give you some tips on how to change your own tire so that you can keep money in your pocket and get your car back on the road.

Who created the world’s first car is actually a matter of debate; since the invention of the engine, people had been installing them on horse carriages to make them self-propelled. Even when automobiles specifically designed for engines came around, they were hardly recognizable as a car by today’s standards. However, the first patented automobile, a vehicle specifically designed to be propelled by an engine, was built by Karl Benz and completed in 1885.

If you own or operate a fleet or commercial truck, you know it’s hard to keep everything working perfectly all the time. You have to choose what to give priority to, and what can wait. However, some small problems are indicators that a bigger issue is on the way. At Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River, FL, our goal is to keep you and your fleet going.

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!

It’s no secret, commercial truck tires are expensive. The good news is, if one of your tires is experiencing issues, Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River, FL has you covered. We want to make sure your fleet stays fully operational and you on the road! Here are some things to keep your eye on when it comes to your tires and tips to keep your tires lasting.

If you spend much time on the road, you’ll eventually encounter a flat tire on your vehicle. At Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River, FL we want to prepare you for what you should do next. First, get out of traffic immediately. It’s best if you can stop on solid, flat ground, out of the way of traffic where other drivers can see you. Don’t continue driving; your steering is compromised, and you risk damaging expensive components, including your rim. Next, decide whether you want to call a tow truck, or change the tire yourself. If you have towing and assistance then you can call for help but it is always great to be able to handle the situation yourself if need be as there is not always cell phone service and you sometimes do not have the luxury of the added time it would take to wait for that assistance.