Florissant auto repair

Do you have an automotive enthusiast in your life, also known as someone who just can’t get enough of cars, whether that is the latest car movie or an automotive gadget? If your answer is yes, then you are in the right place. The team at Gary’s Auto Service is here to make your holidays just a little bit easier -- we have compiled a list of great gifts for car-lovers that are sure to please:  Pilot Automotive Dash Camera Classic Accessories Winter Windshield Cover Automotive Cufflinks Stringback Driving Gloves Audi Pullovers & Sweaters Covercraft Weathershield HP Car Cover SCT iTSX Wireless Programmer Shinola Rambler 600 Griots Garage Orbital Buffer Kit  A visit to the technicians at Gary’s Auto Service  It is easy to forget about your car this holiday season, but an inspected performed by the technicians at Gary’s Auto Service is a gift that won’t disappoint. Not only will your vehicle thank you, as preventive maintenance is essential ... read more

The holidays are almost here, which means for some of us, prolonged road trips to Grandma’s house for either Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Years! With holidays fast approaching, we might find ourselves spending time out on the roads and possibly in the snow!  The team at Gary’s Auto Service is here to help! Here are tips for staying safe in the snow:  Slow down! It is important to remember that everything needs to be done slower in the snow, including accelerating, decelerating, and turning. When the pavement is covered in ice or snow, caution is key.  Give yourself extra time to brake to ensure you stay in control over your vehicle.  Make sure to keep longer following distance between you and the next car than normal.  All-Wheel Drive is helpful, but it doesn’t always make a difference. In spots of black ice, AWD won’t help you stop faster than a front-wheel or rear-wheel-drive vehicle.  Keep a steady pace at all times, goi ... read more

Halloween is a holiday that both children and adults can enjoy. From the candy to costumes to the decorating to the spookiness, there seems to be something for everyone. Even though this night is full of fun and festivity, we have to be careful -- this night can quickly turn dangerous for both pedestrians and drivers alike. Here are 10 trick-or-treat safety tips:  Use those headlights. Even in the daylight, children crossing the street are more likely to see you, and you are more likely to see other trick-or-treaters, especially those kids wearing darker costumes.  Don’t drive distracted. Put your cell phone away. Tonight is the night to be on your guard.  Turn the radio down. You need to use all your senses tonight to make sure the coast is clear.  Drive slower than the posted speed limit, especially in residential areas. Children can’t help but get excited with all their candy and might cross the street without looking.  Keep your eyes peeled ... read more

As responsible drivers, it is crucial to be aware of the rules of the road in MO. The traffic laws guide us and ensure our streets remain safe and secure. The team at Gary’s Auto Service emphasizes the importance of safety, as both a car owner and driver. As a car owner, preventative maintenance and auto repair is imperative, and as a driver, recognizing and following the traffic laws is also critical.  Gary’s Auto Service can help you with both -- traffic laws and preventative maintenance. Here are the traffic laws in MO that you need to know about:  The driver and front-seat passengers are required to wear seat belts.  Instructional permits are available for drivers 15 years of age or older. Anyone younger than 15 should not be driving.  Children under the age of 4 must be in a safety seat. Children that weigh less than 80 lbs, regardless of age, must also be in a safety seat.  Pedestrians always have the right away.  Drivers are requir ... read more

It can be a challenge to prioritize car repairs, but if you budget accordingly,  car maintenance and car repairs won’t come as a surprise or stress. Your vehicle is the second largest investment, right behind your home, so it makes sense to budget for something so imperative.  One of the most accurate and efficient ways to plan a budget is to examine your past spending habits, which helps ensure your budget is appropriate and adequate for your needs. Here are a few tips on how to budget for car repairs:  Gather all your financial records and figure out how much a year you are paying for car maintenance and repair. Take that number, divide it by 12, and you will have the number you should put aside monthly for auto repair and maintenance.  Take it account the current condition of your vehicle. If your car is older, and the miles are starting to add up, you might want to adjust your budget accordingly.  You can also fluctuate how much you put aside depe ... read more

  The app store is almost inundated with GPS apps, which makes it a little difficult to decide on the best app for you and any future trips. No longer do we have to deal with those old-fashioned paper maps, instead, we can utilize apps easily downloadable from the app store, complete with the approximate time adjusted to traffic and other road conditions.   The app store is simply inundated with navigation apps, and it can be a challenge to find the right one for you, suitable for your needs as a driver. The team at Gary’s Auto Service is here to help, as we have weighed on the best and safest GPS apps for your next road trip: WazeMaps.meOSMAnd Maps & NavigationMotionX GPSGPS Navigation & Maps Sygic ... read more

Planning a trip anytime soon? With summer here, it is the perfect time to hit the open road, traversing through Florissant and beyond. The team at Gary’s Auto Service has compiled a list of day trips that you and your family can take this summer:  Springfield, Illinois: The state capital of Illinois is within driving distance of Florissant and is perfect if you are looking for a change of scenery, complete with many attractions of Abraham Lincoln.  Hannibal: This was the boyhood home of Mark Twain, and you can relive Huck’s adventures by browsing the museum decided solely to Twain and his childhood home.  Meramec Caves: Missouri is known as the cave state, and these caverns are an excellent example of this state’s claim to fame.  Hermann: Dripping in German heritage, this area is filled with wineries, complete with live music and outdoor terraces.  The Katy Trail: This walking tracks is over 200 miles long, winding throughout Missouri and bey ... read more

  Regular inspections for your vehicle are not something to put off. Preventive maintenance is essential to prolonging the longevity and driveability of your vehicle, and this includes tire inspections. Your tires actually have their own check engine light, except theirs is referred to as the “check tire light.” You can stay ahead of this flashing light on your dashboard with tire inspections.  At Gary’s Auto Service, we want your tires to performing in their safest capacity at all times. Bring your vehicle for a tire inspection on a routine basis, and our technicians will ensure you don’t have to see the panic-inducing “check tire light” flash on anytime soon:  Shallow or uneven tread.  Leaks or punctures.  Sidewall damage.  Air pressure.  Any other areas that might give rise to safety concerns.  It is easy to forget about your tires, as there seem to be so many other aspects of your vehicle that need a ... read more

April showers mean May flowers! We may find ourselves driving to work in an onslaught of heavy rain and wind very soon. Before you start to worry, the team at Gary’s Auto Service has put together a few tips and tricks designed to keep safe and secure in the April showers:  Take your time! We can’t emphasize this tip enough. The slow and steady wins the race in the rain.  Lights, camera, action! Turn your headlights on for extra visibility and safety.  Have you ever heard of a bubble of personal space? You have one, and so does the vehicle in front of you. Make sure you maintain it, especially in the rain, as your visibility is diminished, and a sudden stop could prove disastrous.  Watch out for hydroplaning! Hydroplaning happens when your tires lose traction on the road due to extra water. It is easy to hydroplane, as you can even hydroplane with 1/12 of an inch of water on the road and a speed of more than 35 mph. If you start to hydroplane, take yo ... read more

Cars need fluids as much as humans do. When humans become dehydrated, it affects cardiac and renal functioning along with electrolyte balance. Without proper hydration, humans wouldn’t last a week. Without oil or coolant, your car wouldn’t last a single day.   Oil: Check your owner’s manual to make sure you are using the proper oil for your engine. Keep in mind that as we ease out of winter, you might also want to check with your favorite mechanic to make sure that the type you are using is the best for our Florissant conditions. Oil is what lubricates the parts of your engine. Without it, your engine will seize up, and you’ll immediately go from a good day to a not-so-good day.  Radiator Fluid: An engine runs hot. Extremely hot. Radiator fluid does the job of keeping your engine from overheating. When you run too low on radiator fluid, you are going to end up on the side of the road. NEVER check your radiator fluid if your engine is hot. You wi ... read more