Merritt Island Auto Repair

With the arrival of spring comes the need of preparing your car for the warmer months ahead. The winter months can take a toll on your car. That's why spring maintenance is crucial. To help you keep your car in top shape this spring, here is a spring maintenance checklist. 1. Check your Tires After the snow and ice have gone, it's time to swap back to your normal summer or performance tyres if you were using snow tires. For all season tires, you can instead rotate them to extend their years of service. Other things to check are tire pressure and uneven tread wear. 2. Change Engine Oil Maintain your car in peak condition by timing oil changes with the seasons. For optimum engine efficiency, it's recommended to replace the oil and filter every three months or 3,000 miles, whichever comes first. 3. Examine Windshield Wiper Blades Wiper blades are susceptible to wear and damage throughout the winter months due to snow and road salt. Replace them before the spring showers hit ... read more

Antifreeze, also known as engine coolant, is a chemical solution that circulates through your car's engine to regulate its temperature. The primary function of antifreeze is to prevent the engine from overheating by absorbing and dissipating the heat generated during combustion. Additionally, it helps prevent the engine from freezing in cold weather by lowering the freezing point of water. How Does Antifreeze Work? Antifreeze is typically a blend of water and ethylene glycol or propylene glycol, along with other additives such as corrosion inhibitors, lubricants, and pH stabilizers. It is intended to raise the boiling point and lower the freezing point of water, allowing your engine to operate effectively in both hot and cold climates. When the engine is on, the antifreeze is moved through the engine and absorbs heat generated by the combustion process. The heated antifreeze then passes through the radiator, where it's cooled by air passing over the radiator's fins. As ... read more

Road trips are a great way to bond with your furry friends and create unforgettable memories. However, traveling with pets requires extra planning and preparation to ensure their safety and comfort throughout the journey. Here are some tips to help you and your pets enjoy a safe and comfortable road trip: Get your pet a checkup before you hit the road - Before embarking on a long journey, it's important to make sure your pet is healthy and up to date with their vaccinations. Take your pet to the veterinarian for a checkup and get any necessary medications or preventative treatments. Pack a travel kit for your pet - Your pet's travel kit should include food, water, bowls, medications, waste bags, a leash, and a comfortable bed or blanket. Bring some of your pet's favorite toys and treats to keep them entertained and relaxed during the trip. Secure your pet during the drive - Just like people, pets need to be secured while in a moving vehicle. Use a pet seatbelt, a travel ... read more

When you’re in the market to buy a pre-owned car, there’s nothing more crucial than getting a  pre-purchase inspection before finalizing your decision. This inspection takes about an hour to complete, and it can give you all the information you would want to know about the vehicle’s overall safety and condition. The FTC recommends this step as well, as many people have gotten scammed from buying vehicles before. A pre-purchase inspection should always be done by an unbiased third-party source, not a family member’s garage. When you take the car to a professional auto service shop, like Robbie’s At Your Service, you’ll have peace of mind that the information you get is trusted. Additionally, we will write a detailed evaluation that you can take back with you to negotiate with the seller.  What Does a Pre-Purchase Inspection/PPI Cover Our PPI typically covers a bumper-to-bumper analysis. Our technicians can check for cosmetic flaws. More ... read more

Your car's condition is a direct reflection of your driving habits. The better your car's condition, the better your driving habits, and vice-versa. Little things here and there may seem harmless, but their effect over time will affect the vehicle's condition. Many bad driving habits could be damaging your vehicle, including: Hard Starts and Stops Speeding off after the traffic turns green may be fun, but it is a habit that will hurt your car. The blast of speed programs your vehicle at higher fuel consumption rates and will reduce the car's gas mileage over time. On other hand, coming to a sudden stop to test your braking horsepower or to avoid accidents is occasionally necessary. However, too much of it will significantly stress the braking system. It will soon become inefficient, making braking consistency suffers. Racing Over Speed Bumps and Potholes Speed bumps are meant to encourage slower driving, and you should comply. Many people speed over bumps which ar ... read more