Automotive Industry News & Information - Dirk's Auto Clinic

Judging by the number of near-rear-endings we witness on our morning commutes, the typical attitude toward brake maintenance appears to be, “Brakes: Don’t let them stop you!” This puzzles us because monitoring your braking system’s health is one of the most straightforward aspects of car ownership. You do have to know what to look for, though, or rather, what to listen and feel for. So let us, uh, break it down for you. Here are the top three signs that your brakes need fixing.

tow truck and guy calling on the phone by side of the road

Something will go wrong with your car, truck, or SUV eventually. The important thing is knowing what to do, and how to deal with it. Just knowing what to do in a situation often means the difference between a quick repair and thousands of dollars worth of work. If you see steam coming from under the hood, it’s important to deal with it appropriately and quickly. Here’s what’s going on, and what to do, from Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River, FL.

If you’re reading this, you probably not excited to be here; the time has come for a new transmission. Fortunately, we at Dirk’s Auto Clinic are here to offer you solutions, and let you know that it’s not all bad. Replacing a tired and worn transmission will truly bring your car back to life, and you’ll probably be glad you did it.

Did you know that airbags weren't mandatory safety equipment in passenger vehicles until 1997? Now, you'll find them in well over 100 million cars and trucks on the road. Since their invention, airbags, along with the seat belt, have played a major role in reducing the number of injuries and deaths in traffic collisions.

At Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River, FL, we understand how important lighting is in regards the safety and presentation of your vehicle. Whether you have a broken housing, burned out bulbs, or a faulty connection, our expert mechanics are here to help.

Does your car, truck, or SUV shift at the wrong moment? Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River has the solution. Shift point issues can manifest themselves in two ways; either your car will rapidly shift through several or all the gears at low speed, low rpm, getting to the highest gear before you’ve gained enough momentum, or shifts will be delayed, the transmission refusing to shift until far into the RPM range.

You’ve heard the term “slipping transmission” before, and you know it’s nothing good. What exactly does a transmission slip feel like, and how much of a problem is it if your transmission is slipping? At Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River, FL, our expert technicians have diagnosed and repaired every type of transmission issue in the book. Here’s a short explanation of transmission slippage, and what action you should take to get rid of it.

There are a lot of drivers on the road today with improperly adjusted rearview mirrors, contributing to unnecessary blind spots and potentially hazardous driving conditions. At Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River, we place a lot of value on efficiency; here’s how to get the most out of your mirrors.