Using your five senses is import to keeping repair costs down on your vehicle. It will also help keep you safe. What do I mean? Let’s discuss fluid leaks and how your vision noticing them can save you a ton of money. 
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Let’s start by identifying the different types of fluids on a vehicle:

• Engine oil
• Transmission fluid
• Transfer case fluid
• Differential fluid
• Power steering fluid
• Brake fluid
• Coolant
• Fuel
• Washer fluid
• Water (from air conditioning)

​If you notice a fluid leaking or a wet spot/puddle underneath your vehicle, what should you do? If the puddle is large and happens suddenly towing the vehicle is best. Any fluid that leaks a large amount of fluid in a short period of time is probably not safe to drive. Driving the vehicle may cause much more damage and increase costs dramatically. 

​If the leak is smaller put a piece of cardboard underneath the vehicle and let the vehicle sit. See where the leak is dripping so you can tell the repair shop where exactly the fluid was coming from. If you smell fuel we recommend not driving the vehicle as the fuel could leak onto the exhaust and cause a fire. If the fluid looks like a greenish or yellowish color, it maybe coolant. It is not a good idea to drive a vehicle with a coolant leak. You can also try to smell the fluid and if it smells sweet it is most likely coolant. 
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One way to check if a leak is brake fluid is to press the brake pedal. If it doesn’t feel normal do not drive the vehicle as you probably have a brake fluid leak. If you are comfortable checking the fluid levels, you can verify if any fluids are low. Some fluids, like brake fluid, will set a dash light when they are low (see below picture).

No matter what, have the vehicle looked at by a professional shop to determine the cause and of the leak. It is better to have the issue repaired before it causes damage to other components. 
If you have any questions or need to have a fluid leak repaired near me, call us at 815-877-4277, text us at 815-240-2515, or stop in to Carz R Us at 10208 Smythe Ave, Machesney Park, IL 61115. 
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Have you ever bought a vehicle and a week later something major happens to it? This is frustrating; but, it does not mean that the dealership sold you a lemon. It is one of the reasons a warranty is important to protect your investment. 
An extended warranty (aftermarket warranty) is a great option. There are many different plans to meet your needs and fit your budget. Below are a list of questions and answers to see if an extended warranty is a good fit for you:

• Is an extended warranty a good option for my vehicle? If your vehicle is older and you don’t plan on keeping it for very long, it isn’t a good fit. If you have a vehicle you plan on keeping for three or more years, it is a great idea.
• When should you buy an extended warranty? If you bought a new vehicle buy the extended warranty as your factory warranty ends. If you bought a preowned vehicle, it is best to buy the warranty with the purchase or shortly thereafter.
• What should the warranty cover? See the below picture of different example coverages. The coverage should fit your risk level and your budget.

• Who can service your warranty? Most aftermarket shops can service your warranty. Call your repair shop and provide the company name, phone number and your VIN or contract number. They can call your warranty and make sure they can service the vehicle for you. 
• How much should a warranty cost? This depends, but realize there is no cap to the price a dealership can sell you a warranty. We recommend pricing the warranty with at least a couple companies. Make sure what you are buying is a competitive price.
• Mileage restriction for an extended warranty: some warranties have a limit to how many miles they can have at the time of sale. Find this out before you buy a vehicle if you plan on purchasing a warranty. 

 
If you have any questions or if you would like to purchase an extended warranty near me, call us at 815-877-4277, text us at 815-240-2515, or stop in to Carz R Us at 10208 Smythe Ave, Machesney Park, IL 61115. 

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​One of the worst sounds is a rock hits your windshield from a vehicle in front of you. This can cause a chip or even a crack in your windshield. There are many other ways to cause one of these issues, but this is a very common way. What do you do about it? 

​You can replace your windshield, but what if that is not necessary? Windshields are becoming more expensive due to digital displays, heated features and more. They can cost upwards of $500 plus dollars. 
 
If the chip is smaller than the size of a quarter, a repair is possible. We offer a lifetime warranty on this repair, and it is under $100. Most insurance companies will cover this repair and it should not count as a filed claim.

If you have any questions or need windshield repair or replacement near me, call us at 815-877-4277, text us at 815-240-2515, or stop in to Carz R Us at 10208 Smythe Ave, Machesney Park, IL 61115. 
 
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Have you ever gotten into a car, and it smells like mold or mildew? Not a good smell at all, is it? How does this happen and what can we do to avoid it? Some basic tips will go a long way to helping you avoid this issue. 
Mold and mildew grow in your vehicle because of moisture. If water gets under the carpet and sits there it will create mold. How does the water get under the carpet?

• Air conditioning drain plugged: the ac drain lets the water created in the ac system drain outside of the vehicle. When this is plugged it backs up and goes into the cab of the vehicle. 

Once mold starts forming under the carpet it is hard to get rid of it. We have removed all the seats and carpets, dried out the vehicle and sprayed chemicals to kill it. The mold can still come back so prevention is much easier. If you notice any signs of moisture on your carpet or anywhere it should not have your vehicle inspected. 
If you have any questions or need your vehicle inspected for water leaking near me, call us at 815-877-4277, text us at 815-240-2515, or stop in to Carz R Us at 10208 Smythe Ave, Machesney Park, IL 61115. 
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Have you ever been driving and hit a pothole that seemed like it swallowed half of your car? All the bumps, potholes, and other road conditions we experience affect our vehicles’ alignment. Why do I need to have my car aligned? How often should it be aligned. 
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Why do I need to have my vehicle aligned?

How often should you have your vehicle aligned? This truly depends on the road conditions you drive, age of vehicle and other driving factors. We recommend having the alignment checked at least once per year. The savings will far outweigh the expense with this service. 
            
If you have any questions or need an alignment near me, call us at 815-877-4277, text us at 815-240-2515, or stop in to Carz R Us at 10208 Smythe Ave, Machesney Park, IL 61115. 
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Make your reservation here!

See a video here!