Automotive Industry News & Information - Dirk's Auto Clinic

These days, it seems like the oil options for your oil changes are limitless - full synthetic, blends, conventional, high mileage, and the list goes on and on. We are frequently asked if it's okay to switch between oils, and how you know what is okay to use? At Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River, FL we're here to help you answer that question. When it comes to engine oil, the answer to this question can be as complicated or as simple as you want it to be!

If you own or operate a fleet or commercial truck, it’s important you know the basics of vehicle maintenance. Checking your fluids is the easiest and most effective way to ensure your vehicles stay on the road and going strong. Here’s what you need to know, from Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River, FL.

Whatever type of truck you run in your fleet, they all have a driveshaft that connects the transmission to the differential, transferring power to the wheels. At Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River, FL, we specialize in diesel truck and fleet vehicle maintenance and repair, including precision driveshaft care.

Your car’s fuel system works with the rest of the engine control system to deliver the best performance with the lowest emissions. Check your car’s fuel system regularly or immediately if you smell gas or suspect a problem.

What does it do? - The fuel system transfers fuel from the fuel tank and passes it through a fuel filter for straining before it arrives at the injectors. A pressure regulator controls fuel pressure to ensure good engine performance under a variety of speed and load conditions. Fuel injectors, when activated, spray a metered amount of fuel into the engine. Some vehicles use a return line system to return unused fuel back to the tank.

Obviously, the dirtier your fuel system is, the bigger the improvement you will see in performance and fuel economy after a fuel system cleaning. But it is important not to wait until your system is running poorly. If you do, by the time you get a cleaning, you’ve wasted hundreds of dollars in gas or even possibly damaged your fuel injectors and catalytic converter.

At Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River, FL, we specialize in engine maintenance, service, customization, and repair. All of our technicians are equipped with the best equipment and training in the industry to ensure they know exactly what your specific engine needs, no matter what type of car, truck, or SUV you drive.

technician holding a clean and dirty air filter comparison in the front seat of a car

When driving around town, your vehicle's engine needs clean air to burn the fuel – and it needs a lot. In fact, a typical vehicle needs about 216,000 gallons of air for every tank of gas. All that air passes through a filter that catches the dust and dirt. Eventually, the filter gets completely full, and because the filter can only hold so much, dirt starts getting through. At Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River, we want to help you get the best air quality in your vehicle, but first, we want to explain the process of where this dirty air is going.

At Dirk’s Auto Clinic in Crystal River, FL, we’ve got every answer to your transmission questions and needs, and answers to a lot of things that fall outside of that realm as well. Today, we’re talking about the ABS light - an issue that plagues many modern drivers at some point or another.