Automotive Industry News & Information - Dirk's Auto Clinic

The engine and transmission in your Chevrolet, Dodge, or Ford diesel pickup is the heart and soul of your truck. At Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River, we repair, rebuild, and replace engines or transmissions with quality parts and builds, keeping your truck on the road for years to come.

The exhaust on your truck is an important series of components, that work together to ensure smooth, reliable operation. At Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River, we also know that exhaust systems are especially susceptible to damage and rust; pipes, mufflers, and other parts are exposed to hazards on the road, and to the environment. This situation, combined with caustic emissions and extreme heat, creates a perfect opportunity for problems to arise.

Has the day finally come to replace your engine? If your engine is tired, worn out, and problematic, we can help at Dirk’s Auto Clinic. First, let's take a look at remanufactured engines; what they are, what ‘remanufactured’ means and why they’re a great way to give your car a new life.

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.

At Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River, FL, transmissions are our specialty. We know exactly how they work and exactly how to maintain and repair one. You know you have a transmission, and you know it’s important, but what does it actually do? Here’s the simple answer to a complicated question.

Here are 10 steps to keep your car up and running from our team here at Dirk’s Auto Clinic! Whether you choose to do the maintenance yourself or take your car to see our professional service technicians, the non-profit Car Care Council recommends 10 basic maintenance procedures to keep your vehicle running its best.

If you operate a fleet of vehicles, you’ve probably listened to a vehicle and thought “that doesn’t sound right” at least once or twice. Strange noises are an indicator that something isn’t working right, and typically means something is wearing out a lot faster than it should, or is about to fail. At Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River, FL, we can tell a lot about the condition of a vehicle just by listening to it. Specific noises and where they come from are often all you need to diagnose an issue and the severity of the problem. Here are some signs to listen out for.

Without a working battery, your car will not be able to start. If you perform proper maintenance, however, an average car battery can start your car reliably for roughly four years. Your vehicle's radio and headlights, plus a slew of other important functions, are powered by an electrical current generated by your vehicle’s engine but a vital part of generating electricity is having a place to store it while it’s not being used, which is where a car battery comes into play. The battery holds electrical energy while a car is off in order to help the engine turn over and create a spark to start internal combustion. What you don't want is to have a bad battery!!