Florissant auto repair

  Like people, cars need to breathe clean air. Because dirt, dust, and pollen can be taxing on your engine, it's critical to check your car's air filter. It's often neglected even though it's one of the easiest and cheapest repairs you can do on your car.   When your air filter is dirty, air can't get to the engine and this causes much more fuel to be used up. Keeping away the dirt and debris that causes wear and tear will prolong the lifespan of your engine and the amount of cash you fork over at the gas station.   Internal combustion engines require air to perform. Fuel doesn't burn without oxygen to give that igniting force that allows the engine to get powered up. The air needs to be as clean as possible for your engine to run optimally. This is why a clean air filter is essential. The filter is made of porous, paper-like material that catches and prevents dirt from reaching the engine while allowing the clean air to pass through.   ... read more

Happy New Year! This year resolve to do something different: Let Gary’s Auto Service help you take better care of your car.   At Gary’s Auto Service, we understand that you’re busy and that scheduling and keeping regular vehicle maintenance appointments can be a pain. That’s why we offer complimentary shuttle service, loaner cars, and night drop-off opportunities.   Regular preventative maintenance prolongs the life of your vehicle and helps you avoid more expensive repairs down the road. Everyone at Gary’s Auto Service wants you to get more from your vehicle, for fewer dollars, with less hassle. Our comprehensive maintenance services will help you do just that. And let’s face it, committing to ongoing maintenance is definitely less of a hassle than being stuck on the side of the road or in some parking lot after dark. &nb ... read more

Happy Holidays from everyone at Gary’s Auto Service!   We know the holidays are really about rejoicing with those you love and that holiday shopping really should be an afterthought. But the gift of giving can bring you great joy, especially when you know you’re getting the right gift for that special person.   Think about it. For a couple of hours, you’re actually thinking about making others happy. How cool is that?! You anticipate their smiling faces when they realize that, rather than buying a quick gift card (because, after all, they know what they really want), you took the time to consider who they are and what they might like. That’s the joy of gift giving.  The art of giving them something they would not ordinarily buy for themselves, perhaps something they never even heard of.     It is with that in mind, we wish you an imaginative, rewarding gift-shopping experience and offer these ideas for the car lov ... read more

  Brrrr. It’s November and Winter is almost here. Time to get your vehicle in shape for those cold months and holiday trips ahead. At Gary’s Auto Service in Florissant, MO, we can help. Here are some tips you can use to prepare your vehicle:       Check your engine coolant and antifreeze levels. As its name suggests, antifreeze keeps your engine from freezing in cold weather. Without it, your engine could freeze, leaving you stranded.   Check your tire pressure and tread depth. Good tires critical to safe driving on snowy, icy roads. Stop by Gary’s Auto Service and let us check them for you   Use winter windshield wiper fluid. Not all windshield wiper fluids are the same. Winter windshield fluid is specially made to avoid freezing on your windshield, unlike the ordinary kind that often freezes on contact. Stop by Gary’s Auto Service in Florissant and let us replace your old fl ... read more

October is one of our favorite months, thanks to Halloween. We love seeing the little ghosts and goblins visiting each family’s car at the annual Trunk or Treat events at our church and other churches in the Florissant area. Normally, we would write a blog on Halloween driver safety, but we thought we’d take a different approach:  The Top 10 Tips for Driving Safely at Night.   After Daylight Savings Time ends, we all have the extra hazard of driving in the dark when we get off work. Two of the biggest accident days of the year occurs when the time changes. So, let’s share some helpful safe driving tips:   Look around. Before backing out of your parking space, turning a corner, or crossing an intersection, be sure you take a good look around to avoid pedestrians, bicyclists, animals, and other distracted drivers.   Drive slowly. At night, it’s harder to see people who are wearing dark clothing, or animals that are crossing the street. Whe ... read more

There is a unique reputation that follows Volkswagen, mostly due to their classic Bugs and vans. Dedicated Volkswagen owners cherish their VW vehicles, so they need repairs and maintenance that will help them keep driving for a long time to come. Volkswagens are designed to last, and with regular maintenance, they seem to run forever.   Some of the common repair problems we see on older Volkswagens are the headliner separating from the ceiling, malfunctioning power locks and stereos, prematurely worn out brakes, oil sludge related problems, and engine failure. All of these VW repair issues can be addressed by our expert ASE-Certified and ASE-Master auto technicians.   Gary’s Auto Service is a leading independent auto repair shop in Florissant that has the factory-standard equipment and training to handle any VW service or repair issues. Check out what one customer had to say about our services:   “We had no problem getting a quick appointment at Gary ... read more

Since 1959, Mini Coopers are designed for individuality. As the American designer who first made them said, “We wanted the first impression when you walk up to the car to be ‘it could only be a Mini.’” Just like MINIs are so obviously, well, mini, Gary’s Auto Service is the obvious choice for your automotive repairs. We are the leading choice in Florissant, Missouri for Mini Cooper repairs and service. Our ASE-Certified technicians are familiar with all of the common problems, performance, and repair issues in MINIs.   Mini Cooper vehicles are especially prone to premature clutch failure, transmission issues, airbag problems, and failing spark plugs. So, most often, owners will come in for a clutch or spark plug replacement along with the regular maintenance services, like oil changes and check engine lights. There’s a price range for Mini Cooper repairs, especially considering the difference between regular maintenance, repairs, and the cost ... read more

Land Rovers are hardy, outdoor destined machines that are meant for the sole purpose of taking you on an adventure. But don’t let your driving adventure be interrupted by neglected Land Rover maintenance. Without proper automotive care, not even rugged Land Rovers can keep going for long.   Land Rover drivers may incorrectly assume that because Land Rovers can take the heat, they don’t need maintenance. But that couldn’t be farther from the truth. The most common repairs that people seek for Land Rovers include brakes, head gasket, water pump, and fuel pump replacement. But regular maintenance costs are much less expensive. Therefore, it’s much smarter to maintain your Land Rover on a regular basis than to wait until it requires major repairs. When you come to Gary’s Auto Service for Land Rover service, you get so much more than just the repairs alone.   Our mission is to make auto repair as stress-free as possible for you. Our friendly, pe ... read more

Back in 1922 when the company was first founded, it was originally just called Swallow Sidecar. It has come a long way to become the Jaguar you know and love now. That’s how many great things start out, and then with hard work and some amazing creative decision, become great. At Gary’s Auto Center, we’re working our way toward that, just as Swallow Sidecars did all those years ago. We provide friendly customer service and talented, ASE-Certified technicians to carry out any repairs you need.   With Jaguars, there are a few issues that are common to the brand. Sudden, unintended acceleration; the engine seizing up; hard shifts; electrical issues; in rare cases, transmission problems. However, even this is uncommon compared to the issues that other car manufacturers produce. The drawback is that maintenance for Jaguar is more expensive than for an average car because, of course, you’re working on a luxury brand that requires Jaguar-specific replacement part ... read more

One of the biggest decisions we make is purchasing a car. It’s a huge investment and a stressful process from start to finish. At Gary’s Based on car sales and pricing from the past several years, it looks like August is one of the best times of the year to purchase a new car.   Due to a combination of the seasons changing from summer to fall, so there is less interest in car buying among most drivers. On top of that, most dealerships are looking to clean out their inventory to make room for newer models during August. This cost difference is exaggerated for SUV purchases, which drops over $400 compared to the average annual cost. If you’ve been looking for the right time to buy, this is it!   Although many car shoppers have considered times like Black Friday, New Year’s, and Christmas sales to be the best time to purchase a new car, the advertised discounts don’t add up to nearly as many savings as you can get by purchasing in August. The ... read more