5 Tips for Buying Used in Grand Rapids

5 Tips for Buying Used in 

Grand Rapids

Many budget-conscious Grand Rapids auto owners who need a reliable vehicle can’t even consider buying a new one. So they are forced to take their chances with a used one. If you are in this situation, how can you find a vehicle that is going to serve you well for many years to come? Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service presents five tips for used car buyers:

1. Ask for service records. Most owners who document regular maintenance service take care of their vehicle.

2. Inspect the vehicle thoroughly. Check for uneven tire wear, alignment issues, suspension issues, strange sounds and funky odors.

3. If everything checks out up to this point, bring it to Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service for a thorough used car inspection. Your considerate Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service service specialist can give you a heads up on any pressing issues or emerging problems that will need to be addressed eventually. If the seller won’t let you do this before you buy, move on.

4. Buy a CarFax report. This will show any major collisions and title status concerns including whether it is a salvaged vehicle. You don’t want a car that was underwater for a week after Hurricane Sandy.

5. After you buy, stay on top of regular maintenance (and save the records). Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service will help keep your car running well and you will enjoy not having a car payment.

Spaanstra Bros Auto Repair in Grand Rapids MI 49503, we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 616.459.8941.

Automotive Service: Your Vehicle's Alternator!

Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service Car Care News and Information: Alternator

Question:
My battery keeps going dead. I had it tested and it is fine – what could be the problem?

Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service Answer:
Well, your trouble could be caused by several things. Let’s start with a likely suspect: your alternator. The alternator is like a little electrical generator. It is spun by the serpentine belt on your engine and makes electricity. This electricity is used to power the important electrical systems required to run your sedan. It also powers all of your electronic accessories like your stereo, navigation, heated seats, and air fans, as well as charging all the electronics you have plugged in.
After the alternator has handled all that, any electricity that’s left over is used to charge your battery. You can see where we’re going: if the battery isn’t getting enough electricity to stay charged the trouble may have something to do with the alternator.
Now it could be that the alternator is bad – they do wear out over time. There are a number of failure points within the alternator, but in practice, it is less pricey to simply replace the alternator than to take it apart and repair it.
At Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service in Grand Rapids, we can test your alternator to see if it needs to be replaced. We find that typically the alternator tests out as being OK – but for some other reason it’s not putting out enough electricity to keep the battery charged. Remember we said that the serpentine belt drives the alternator? Well the trouble can often lie with the serpentine belt system.
The serpentine belt transfers power from the engine to the alternator. When the belt wears away to a certain point, it is no longer able to provide enough grip and the belt can slip on the alternator pulley so that it is not spinning fast enough to generate all the electricity that your sedan needs.
A possible related problem for Grand Rapids car owners is a worn serpentine belt tensioner pulley. This pulley provides tension on the serpentine belt so that it is tight enough to spin the alternator and other accessories. When the belt is too loose, it can slip on the alternator pulley and, once again, not enough electricity is made.
So, when you battery is going dead – test it. If the battery is still good – test the alternator. If the alternator is still good – inspect the serpentine belt and belt tensioner. Chances are good that your service center or the team of considerate service specialists at Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service will get to the root of your issue. Give us a call

Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service
939 Fulton Street NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616.459.8941


At Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service in Grand Rapids MI (49503) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 616.459.8941. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

Auto Repair Grand Rapids: Disc Brakes

Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service Auto Service and Maintenance Guide: Disc Brakes

Disc Brakes

Question:
What are the signs that I need a brake job?

Our Answer:
Signs of brake problems often fall into one of two categories for Grand Rapids car owners: making noise or a pulsation in the brake pedal. Let’s start with the noise.
Most brake pads have an audible brake wear indicator. This is a small piece of metal that rubs on your brake rotor when the brake pads are worn to the point they should be replaced. The noise is a chirp or soft squeal. This noise gives Grand Rapids drivers enough vital warning to get their brakes serviced while there is still enough brake pad left to enable you to stop safely.
Grand Rapids drivers who ignore the chirp frequently find that the sound changes to a grinding noise. That is more serious. It means that the friction material on your brake pad is worn away and metal parts of the brake are grinding against the rotor when you press on the brakes. Obviously, this harmful metal-on-metal means that your brakes aren’t stopping very well. It also means that your rotor is being damaged. It may need to be resurfaced or even replaced.
Pedal pulsation is another noticeable issue. When your rotor is not in perfect alignment, it pushes against the brake pads unevenly as you apply the brakes. There could be a number of reasons for this. The rotor and wheel hub may not be mating well, causing the rotor to be spinning out of vertical alignment. This dangerous misalignment can be caused by either the rotor or the hub, or a combination of the two. If this trouble persists, the rotor may even start to wear unevenly to the point that its thickness varies, causing an even more noticeable pulsation. This uneven mating of the brake pad and the rotor when braking means less contact and it will curtail braking power.
Your service center or the team at Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service in Grand Rapids can determine the cause of the dangerous misalignment and remedy the trouble.
Either unusual brake noise or pedal pulsation are signs for Grand Rapids car owners that there are brake problems. Grand Rapids drivers should have a tech at Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service check their brakes thoroughly and recommend any vital steps necessary to correct the issue.
A regular brake inspection is on every sedan’s recommended list. Ask your considerate Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service service advisor if it’s time for a vital brake inspection.

Give us a call
Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service
939 Fulton Street NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616.459.8941

At Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service in Grand Rapids MI (49503) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 616.459.8941. 

Antilock Brakes - Auto Repair Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids car owners count on their brakes to safely slow and stop their vehicles.

 You’ve probably had the experience where you’ve slammed on your brakes and started to skid. When your wheels are locked up, you are just sliding over the road. And if the road is wet or slick or covered with gravel – you really get out of control. Steering is next to impossible. That is why anti-lock brake systems (ABS) were invented: to help you maintain important control in extreme stopping conditions on MI roads.

As mentioned, when wheels lock up, this curbs your control. ABS keeps your brakes from locking – helping you stop while maintaining your power to steer. Sensors on each wheel equipped with ABS, monitor wheel spin and compare it with vehicle speed sensors. When drivers are pressing on the brakes, still traveling forward, but the wheels are not turning, the ABS system quickly steps in and modulates the brakes.

The ABS speedily “pumps” the brakes, not allowing the wheels to lock-up while still applying braking pressure. This is all done automatically without any intervention on your part. You will feel a pulsation through the brake pedal and will hear a clunking as the brakes are rapidly being applied and let off over and over again. The first time this happens to you, you may be surprised and think something is wrong. Well, it isn’t – so just keep your foot on the brake and allow the ABS to do its thing. In fact, remember the critical 3 S’s of anti-lock brakes: Stomp, Stay, & Steer. Stomp on the brakes, keep the pedal down, and steer as required.

When you first start your vehicle, the ABS does a quick self-check to make sure everything is OK. The ABS warning light will briefly illuminate with all of the other warning lights on your dashboard and then go out. If the system detects a fault, the ABS light will come on and stay on. Grand Rapids drivers should definitely take their vehicle in to Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service in Grand Rapids for a check if the critical ABS warning light is on.

Proper brake system service is the best way to protect your ABS. Replacing brake fluid that is depleted and/or contaminated will help preserve proper ABS operation and protect it against harmful corrosion. Grand Rapids car owners can meet with their considerate Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service tech to see if it’s time for a diagnostic examination of their vital braking system.

Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service
939 Fulton Street NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616.459.8941

What is the benefit of winter tires?

Winter Tires

Question:
What is the benefit of winter tires?

Answer:
This is a really good question. Most new vehicles in Grand Rapids come with all-season tires that work pretty well in the Ada winter conditions many motorists encounter. First, let’s talk about the things that dedicated winter tires do really well, touch on all-seasons and then you should have some information to help you in your tire selection.

The first thing about winter is that it’s cold. The rubber compound used in summer and all-season tires gets a bit hard when MI temperatures drop below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Winter tires, on the other hand, stay more pliable as the thermometer drops in Ada. This means better dry road traction in the cold.

Ice and snow is the next thing Grand Rapids motorists worry about during MI winters. Now some MI car owners live where there is a lot of snow, a lot of the time. Extreme winter condition snow tires have a tread design that cuts into and expels deep snow for maximum traction. These tires have a mountain and snowflake icon on the sidewall of the tire.

If you live in MI where the ice and snow are more moderate you can still benefit from winter tires. Their tread has many small “cuts” called sipes that really help them get a grip on ice.

Now, all-season tires are a year-round compromise between high summer performance and high winter performance. They just don’t handle either extreme as well as do dedicated summer or winter tires for MI driving. For example, winter tires offer 25% to 50% more traction than all-season tires. And studies have shown that all-season tires can take upwards of 40% longer to stop than winter tires. This could be enough difference to prevent getting stuck or in an accident.

So what’s best for you? You can meet with your Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service tire professional and reflect on the conditions in which you drive in MI throughout the year and how important performance is to you. For many Grand Rapids drivers that put a premium on handling performance, dedicated summer tires in summer and dedicated winter tires in the winter (for cold as well as ice and snow) are what they need to satisfy their performance needs. Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service will mount different tires depending on the season.

Your considerate Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service tire professional can help you elect a great all-season tire if that is what best suits your needs. No matter which route you take, remember that quality tires are not immune to the laws of physics – so it’s important to drive safely in all Ada road conditions.

Give us a call

Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service
939 Fulton Street NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

What is the Heater Core?

Grand Rapids drivers may wonder where the balmy air in your passenger compartment comes from. Well, as your engine starts to warm up, it also warms the coolant/antifreeze that circulates around the engine and through the radiator. There is also a hose that conveys coolant/antifreeze from the engine to the heater core and another that takes it back into the engine. The heater core looks like a little radiator and lives in the air blend box behind the dashboard.

When motorists turn on the heat, air blows over the heater core, is warmed, and comes into the cabin. Some vehicles have a heater valve that transfers coolant through the heater core when the heat is on and bypasses the heater core when the heat is off. In other vehicles, the temperature of the air is controlled within the air blend box by how much air is directed over the heater core.

The engine cooling system, in a larger sense, also encompasses the heater core. Things that adversely sway, say, your radiator will also harm your heater core. The coolant/antifreeze contains corrosion inhibitors that coat the surfaces inside the cooling system, including the heater core. When the corrosion inhibitors are depleted, the cooling system can become corroded, filled with contaminants, and may even start to leak.

There are several important signs that warn motorists of a leaky heater core: First you may notice a sweet smell from your vents. This is coolant leaking out and getting into the air. You may even notice vapor coming out the vents and notice a film building up inside the windows. Of course, breathing coolant vapors is detrimental for you.

You may also experience coolant on the driveway. Furthermore, depending on the design of your vehicle, you may even get coolant leaking out into the foot wells of the cabin.

Coolant/antifreeze leaking out through the heater core means that the overall coolant level in the system will be low and the engine is in danger of overheating – which is typically the cause of a steep mechanical breakdown.

The good news is that the things you do to protect your cooling system also protect your heater core. Changing your coolant/antifreeze as directed by your auto manufacturer or upon the counseling of your Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service tech will help ensure your coolant has enough corrosion inhibitors working to protect this vital system. Also, quickly repairing any leaks and inspecting hoses for signs of internal breakdown will help keep any trouble from becoming an emergency.

Make sure you talk to with your considerate Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service service specialist about when a cooling system service should be performed.

Give us a call

Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service
939 Fulton Street NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616.459.8941

At Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service in Grand Rapids MI (49503) we install quality NAPA replacement parts.

Automotive Service for Grand Rapids: Check Engine Light

Some are simple and some are complicated

Question:
My check engine light is on and my boyfriend thinks he can get the code read and know what part to replace to fix my sedan. I say it’s not that uncomplicated. Who’s right?

Our Answer:
Good news – you are! Just look at it logically: there are hundreds of things that can go wrong with your sedan. Some are simple and some are quite complicated.

Let’s take a step back. Over 80% of engine functions are computer controlled. The computer receives important information from dozens of sensors. When a sensor reading is out of range, a trouble code is entered in the computer and the Check Engine Light is illuminated.

It’s a common misconception by Grand Rapids motorists that the trouble code will tell you exactly what is wrong. For any given trouble code, there are any number of faults that would trigger the code. For example, a code indicating a misfire on cylinder three could be due to a bad spark plug, a failed coil, ignition problems, compression issues, etc. Each of those possibilities requires additional vital diagnosis to confirm or rule out a cause. Once a trained Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service service professional with state-of-the art diagnostic tools and extensive research databases is able to nail down the problem, then he can set about getting it corrected.

A complicated diagnosis may take some time. Your boyfriend might be tempted to bypass a diagnosis charge by taking a trouble code reading with an inexpensive scan tool and start replacing parts. He might get lucky, but chances are you’ll end up spending more time and bucks than if you went to a professional with the right equipment.

A final word – a flashing Check Engine Light indicates that a condition exists that could lead to serious, pricey damage. Grand Rapids motorists should get to their service center or Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service in Grand Rapids right away. A steadily illuminated Check Engine Light is less urgent so you can get it checked at your convenience. But keep in mind that a minor issue today can become more serious for Ada drivers if left unresolved.

Give us a call

Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service
939 Fulton Street NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616.459.8941

I need a new serpentine belt but I don’t see any cracks in it. Does it really need to be replaced?

Add caption

Question:
My Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service technician said I need a new serpentine belt but I don’t see any cracks in it. Does it really need to be replaced?

Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service Answer:
I appreciate your concern. Old style neoprene belts would crack with age, making it pretty obvious to Grand Rapids drivers when they needed to be replaced. Nowadays, serpentine belts are made from a different material that doesn’t crack or glaze the way neoprene did.

Stepping back, the serpentine belt transfers power from the engine to various important accessories like the alternator, power steering pump, and air conditioning compressor – even the power brakes and water pump on some vehicles. Modern serpentine belts have several grooves running their length. These grooves mate with the pulleys on the accessories. When the belt is within its useful life, it spins the accessories at the designed speed.

Over time, belt material is worn away. When as little as 5% of the material is lost, the belt can slip and not properly spin the accessories leading to detrimental stress and expensive damage.

Using a special tool, your considerate Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service technician can measure the material lost in your serpentine belt. He will identify if it needs to be replaced.

It’s critical for Grand Rapids motorists to understand that the serpentine belt is part of the accessory belt drive system which also includes the serpentine belt tensioner and any idler pulleys. The belt tensioner has the same service life as the belt itself, so if it is time to replace the belt, you should also replace the tensioner and idler pulleys as well.

A worn belt tensioner can cause belt slip and enough belt-slap to really hammer the accessory upstream from the tensioner. Running too long with a worn belt, tensioner, or idler pulleys frequently causes excessive heat at the accessory pulleys, resulting in inefficiency, expensive damage and premature replacement.

Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service in Grand Rapids can perform a diagnostic examination to see if your belt or tensioner is worn and should be replaced. Ask your service professional if it’s time for a serpentine belt system replacement.

Give us a call

Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service
939 Fulton Street NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616.459.8941

Gasoline Direct Injection- Grand Rapids Auto Repair

My new car has a “GDI” engine. What does that mean to me and other Grand Rapids drivers with this new type of engine?

Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service Answer:

GDI stands for Gasoline Direct Injection. It’s a type of fuel injection system that is becoming very popular on modern engines.

Let’s talk about the two most common forms of fuel injection. Port Fuel Injection has been common in Grand Rapids for the last several decades.

With Port Fuel Injection, there is a small port just outside the cylinder on the engine:
• The fuel injector squirts a bit of gas into this area just before the intake valve opens
• When the valve opens, air enters the port and mixes with the gas and then flows passed the valve and into the engine
• The gas and air mixture is compressed by the piston
• The spark plug fires, igniting the gas which pushes against the piston thus powering the engine

With Gasoline Direct Injection the process is a bit different:
• First, there is no port outside the cylinder
• When the intake valve opens, air is drawn into the cylinder
• The air is compressed by the piston
• At the correct time, the engine management computer signals the fuel injector to spray gasoline directly into the cylinder (hence, Gas Direct Injection)
• The pressurized gas and air are ignited by the spark plug, powering the engine

So why did car makers move to GDI? Well, by injecting the gas directly into the engine, the management computer is able to time the injection event more precisely. Also the gas sprayed directly into the engine cools the compressed air enough to allow for better combustion. This adds up to more power and better fuel economy for a given engine size.

Now these two types of fuel delivery systems call for different kinds of fuel injectors. Port fuel injectors squirt their fuel at 40 to 65 pounds per square inch – that’s like the pressure in a bicycle tire.

GDI injectors operate at over 2,000 pounds per square inch. Of course it’s always important to keep your fuel injectors clean – but it’s even more vital for GDI injectors. When they become contaminated, the affect performance and fuel economy.

Speaking of fuel system cleaning, different cleaners and cleaning processes are required for GDI engines. Intake valves get a fair amount of carbon build-up over time. With port injection, some gasoline flows over the valve when it opens to let in the gas and air. This has a cleaning effect – which doesn’t occur with GDI. So pouring a bottle of fuel system cleaner in your gas tank will not reach the backside of those intake valves. A professional fuel system cleaning process at Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service in Grand Rapids will take care of that concern for Grand Rapids motorists.

So, GDI will continue to be more prevalent in MI on everything from compact cars to pick-up trucks. Ask your Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service service specialist if your sedan could benefit from a fuel system cleaning.

Give us a call

Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service
939 Fulton Street NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616.459.8941

Auto Repair: Vent Cleaning

Auto Repair: Vent Cleaning

Ever get musky odors coming from your car’s air vents? It’s fairly common for Grand Rapids drivers. Moisture can often accumulate in the air conditioning/heating ventilation system allowing mold, mildew, fungus, and bacteria to grow.

Disinfecting and deodorizing is a doable process. Depending on how bad the problem is, there are a couple of approaches Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service may take to get rid of the unwanted smells. For mild situations (especially on newer vehicles), a special deodorizing disinfectant is introduced into the ventilation system. This may be an aerosol or a mist application.

The treatment kills the offending organisms and deodorizes the system. Sometimes in older vehicles, a good deal of mildew or other microorganisms can grow on the air conditioning evaporator, which is housed in the heating/air conditioning air blend box behind the dashboard. In cases like this the Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service technician fills the blend box with disinfecting foam that can eliminate stubborn organisms and return a fresh, clean scent. In all of this, don’t forget your cabin air filter. This is the essential filter that cleans the air coming into the passenger compartment of your vehicle.

Grand Rapids auto owners can ordinarily replace the cabin air filter to eliminate unpleasant odors. It is the first line of defense for Grand Rapids motorists. Changing the cabin air filter as needed can actually prevent further contamination problems downstream. If you are experiencing any unusual odors, sounds, vibrations, etc., talk with your considerate Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service service advisor. He can recommend the next steps to discover what the trouble is and what it will take to set it right.

Give us a call

Spaanstra Bros. Auto Repair Grand Rapids-
939 Fulton Street NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616.459.8941

My friend just had a very pricey transmission repair in Ada. How can Grand Rapids motorists like myself avoid transmission trouble?

My friend just had a very pricey transmission repair in Ada. How can Grand Rapids motorists like myself avoid transmission trouble?

Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service Answer:

Next to your engine, your transmission is the most pricey component in your vehicle – so you and your fellow Grand Rapids motorists want to do all you can to avoid costly transmission repairs.

Grand Rapids motorists may have noticed a trend of engines becoming more and more powerful in recent years. At the same time, fuel economy has been improving in nearly every motor vehicle segment in MI. More power and better gas mileage have always been at odds. Some of the improvement in fuel economy has been due to engine design, but most of the increases in gas mileage can be credited to auto manufacturers’ advances in transmission technology.

Every engine has a sweet spot in which it most efficiently makes power. This is often referred to by Grand Rapids technicians as the power band – the optimal engine speed (measured in revolutions per minute, or RPM). The computers that control what gear your automatic transmission is in try to keep it in the right gear in order to maintain optimal engine speed – whatever your Grand Rapids driving conditions may be. Modern automatic transmissions have anywhere between four and ten speeds. The more “speeds” your transmission has, the more time your engine can operate at peak efficiency. Needless to say, transmissions have become more sophisticated and costly.

Transmissions are cooled and lubricated by transmission fluid. This pressurized fluid is directed through small passages to effect gear changes. When transmission fluid gets old and contaminated, the small passages can become plugged which adversely affects shifts. The dirty fluid circulating in the transmission can eat away at vital gaskets and seals causing detrimental internal leaks that also hurt shifting. This is why some vehicle manufacturers recommend that transmissions be serviced from time to time. The interval varies by vehicle, so check your owner’s manual or with your considerate Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service tech about your transmission service recommendations.

Old, harmful contaminated fluid is removed and new fluid is installed. Keeping up with the auto manufacturer’s recommended service schedule helps prevent harmful internal damage that may result in a significant transmission rebuild. Let Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service help you extend the life of your sedan and prevent expensive repairs with recommended preventive maintenance service.

Give us a call
Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service
939 Fulton Street NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Auto Repair Grand Rapids: Diesel Engines

When someone mentions diesels around Grand Rapids – images of smoky, rattly trucks may spring to mind. The fact is that the modern clean diesel engine is much more refined than in the old days. Sure, diesel engines remain a very popular choice with heavy duty pick-up truck drivers in Grand Rapids, but they are finding their way into nearly every segment of the MI automotive market. Why is that? Well, its science.

Diesel fuel contains more energy than the same amount of gasoline. So it takes less diesel fuel to do the same amount of work as gas – so Grand Rapids diesel drivers get more miles per gallon and lower emissions. In Europe, where fuel is very expensive and high mileage is very important, around half of passenger vehicles are powered by diesel engines. This goes for small economy cars all the way up to the world’s most costly luxury vehicles.

The driving experience is also very good with diesel engines – in fact Grand Rapids motorists may not even be able to tell the difference between riding in or driving a diesel powered vehicle. So what are the factors to examine when deciding whether or not to choose a diesel engine?

One consideration is price. Diesel engines cost more to build and are an extra cost option for most vehicles. So Grand Rapids drivers need to do the math to see how long it will take the increased gas mileage to pay for the extra up-front cost of a diesel engine. The cost of diesel fuel in Ada is also a factor. There is no clear correlation between gas prices and diesel prices because the refining and distribution systems are so different. This means that the difference in price per gallon for diesel and gasoline can vary a great deal depending on where you live in MI. Just watch diesel and gas prices for a while (or talk with a diesel owner in Grand Rapids) so you can get a feel for how much price per gallon figures into your purchase decision.

Also important to look at is your expected use of the vehicle. For example, if you tow heavy trailers or haul heavy loads around Grand Rapids, the extra power many diesel engines offer (while getting better gas mileage than a gas engine) may impact your decision. Your highway/city driving mix may play into the decision as well. Diesels shine in the highway mileage department. And the more you drive in a year, the more attractive diesel engines become.

If you opt for a diesel engine, remember that it still requires important maintenance like your gas powered vehicles always have. Oil changes, cooling system service, power steering, brakes, tires, etc. – all need to be maintained. Some of the schedules may be different because of the unique design of diesel engines. Your considerate Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service service advisor will be able to help you properly maintain your diesel vehicle, helping it last longer and continue to deliver great performance and fuel efficiency.

Spaanstra Bros 
Auto Repair Team Grand Rapids

Service Professional Auto Maintenance: Wiper Blade Design

Wiper blades may not be the most exciting topic for most Grand Rapids drivers – but they are pretty important. Most of us Grand Rapids car owners have had an experience when a sudden snow or rain storm hits while we’re driving; then when we turn on the wipers – nothing but streaks. This can be especially disconcerting at night when the glare of on-coming headlights distorts your vision.

Simple answer: change your wiper blades BEFORE they fail. Check them out every couple of months just to see how they are working. Of course, the more you use your wipers, the sooner they’ll wear out. Grand Rapids motorists with lots of storms or those who drive a lot in MI where there are bugs and road grime will use their blades more.

But even when you’re not using your blades, they are exposed to sunlight, ozone, soap, and extreme hot and cold MI temperatures which lead to deterioration. Your blades can just rot away and fall apart before you need them. Of course, using your wipers when the blades are torn can lead to scratches in your windshield. Grand Rapids motorists don’t want to risk a significant windshield replacement over the cost of a couple of wiper blades.

Now let’s talk about wiper blade upgrades. Grand Rapids drivers can upgrade both the design and the wiper material. Let’s start with the material. Traditional black rubber blades do a great job of clearing your windshield when they are new. Over time all of the conditions mentioned above damage them and degrade their performance. Silicone blades are far less affected by environmental conditions and will simply perform better for a longer time for Grand Rapids auto owners.

There are two elements to the design. First, the wiper blade itself: Some have a single wiping edge. Others have multiple edges – kind of like a multi-blade razor. The idea is to maximize wiping power during both swipes of the blade.

The other design element is with the wiper frame. This is the structure that applies pressure on the blade as it passes over the windshield. A conventional frame has four to six contact points on the blade. These apply pressure used to clear water and snow. A beam frame provides uniform pressure along the entire surface of the wiper. Their shape catches the wind passing over the vehicle to provide additional downforce to help get a clean swipe. A hybrid frame has four to six contact points as with a conventional blade, but also incorporates an airfoil to provide additional downforce as with beam blades.

So which blade should you opt for? Well always use at least the grade and design that came with the vehicle from the auto manufacturer. Upgrade for better performance and longer lasting blades. The extra cost of premium blades is a good value for this essential safety system.

While you’re at it, make sure you have plenty of windshield washer solvent (use a winter formulation when Grand Rapids temps drop below freezing) and that your washer nozzles are working well. Talk with your considerate Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service service specialist about upgrading your wiper blades.

Give us a call

Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service
Auto Repair Grand Rapids
939 Fulton Street NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616.459.8941

I’m really confused about auto service intervals for various items on my car. Help

Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service Answer:

The simple answer for Grand Rapids drivers is to follow the car maker’s recommended service intervals listed in your owner’s manual or in your service center’s database. But the team at Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service in Grand Rapids sympathizes with Grand Rapids car owners because of the confusing intervals for modern vehicles.

The days of simple rules of thumb that applied to most vehicles are long gone. For example, let’s look at an oil change: automobile manufacturers’ recommendations run anywhere from every 3,000 miles to 15,000 miles. This big range comes from engine design and recommended types of oil – so Grand Rapids drivers really do need to ascertain and follow the recommendations for their specific vehicle.

Your owner’s service manual will have a schedule for vital maintenance services and inspections.

Service items include:
Tire rotation, wheel balancing, oil change, coolant service, transmission service, brake system, power steering system, fuel system, differential service, and transfer case service.

Inspections will include:
Alignment check, air conditioning, brakes, suspension, axles, exhaust, tires, lights emissions, belts and hoses, and steering.

It’s vital for Grand Rapids motorists to remember there is no exception that would make it OK to extend an interval. These intervals already assume “best case” conditions for a safe margin of error. However, you may live or drive in Grand Rapids conditions that are harsher than average. Your owner’s manual may have a modified schedule for “severe service” – things like extreme MI temperatures, towing, hauling heavy loads around Ada, short trips, stop-and-go highway conditions, etc.

Consult your owner’s manual or with your Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service tech about your driving situation and adjust your service intervals accordingly.

Give us a call

Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service
939 Fulton Street NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616.459.8941

www.spaanstrabros.com