Selecting New Tires and Wheels

Some of us just love tires. All those little rubber hairs on new tires and the smell is wonderful. We live in a great time for tires. No matter how you drive, where you want to go or the look you’re after; there is a tire for you. The same is true about wheels. The hardest part is choosing from the thousands of wheels available. We may not be able to help with that, but we can help you get some things in mind before you consult with your Kalispell tire professional. Let’s start with... 

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Fuel Saving Tip: Check Engine Light

Here’s a question for Kalispell, MT auto owners: How long have you been enjoying the romantic glow of your check engine light? Hey, it’s not there to create ambiance; it’s a warning that something’s wrong. (And, by the way, Homer Simpson’s fix of covering it with tape is not a good idea.) If your check engine light comes on, check your gas cap. A loose gas cap can cause a false sensor reading that’ll make the check engine light turn on. Many conditions that... 

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Kalispell MT Winter Prep Service For Your Auto

When winter approaches in Kalispell MT, we break out the sweaters, coats, boots and mittens. We want to be ready for winter conditions. Your vehicle needs to be ready for winter as well. The last thing you want is to get stranded out in the cold. You need your vehicle to be safe and reliable. It’s a good idea to get caught up on any neglected maintenance items anytime – but the stakes are higher in the winter. There are some specific things that we need to do in Kalispell MT to have... 

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Diesel Engines in Kalispell, MT Just Might Be Changing…

A topic you might hear a lot about around Kalispell, MT is diesel engines.   No, not semi-trucks and buses… we’re talking about diesel engine cars, SUVs and pick-up trucks. Most people in Kalispell, MT are surprised to learn that around half the cars on the road in Europe have diesel engines. Nearly all import auto manufacturers offer a range of diesel engines abroad – even the ultra-luxury brands like Mercedes and BMW. For the most part, these diesel engines haven’t been available... 

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Stop It! You Need Good Brakes

Good brakes are obviously very important. If you’ve ever had your brakes go out while you’re driving around the Kalispell area, you’ll know how terrifying it can be. Today we’ll focus on how to tell when you have a brake problem, and how to make good repair choices. Often, the first indication that something’s wrong with the brakes is an unusual sound. It could be a squeal, chatter or grinding sound. Some brake pads have a little piece of metal embedded in them that... 

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Battery Replacement For Your Car, Truck or SUV

Modern cars and trucks in and around Kalispell and the rest of Flathead Valley run on 12 volt electrical systems. 12 volts is enough to get the job done without having so much power that there is danger of electrocution. But today’s vehicles have more electrical components and do-dads than ever before. This really strains your electrical system, making it hard for the battery to keep up. Think about it: electric seats, seat heaters, power locks, windows and sun roofs. And then we have all... 

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Which Item is Most Stolen from Vehicles in Kalispell?

Which item is most often stolen from vehicles in Kalispell? Is it: Stereo Wheels Air Bag DVD System Well, if you said stereo – you used to be right. But airbags have now surpassed stereos as the biggest target for theft in Kalispell – approximately 50,000 a year are stolen across the country. New airbags cost about $1,000, but go for $50 to $200 on the black market in Kalispell. Stolen airbags are making their way back into cars that have been in an accident. Of course, the danger... 

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How to Know When to Change Your Oil At Loren’s Auto Repair

Today in the Loren’s Auto Repair auto care blog, we’re going to focus on oil change intervals. It seems that as engine technology advances, recommended oil change intervals have gotten longer for Loren’s Auto Repair customers. High quality oil in a well-engineered vehicle such as Subaru, Honda, or Ford engines has lead to extended intervals. But it’s also lead to some confusion among Kalispell drivers. The old mantra “change your oil every three months or three thousand miles, whichever... 

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Drive Train – What You Need to Know In Kalispell

  One Kalispell automotive service issue that doesn’t get much attention is driveline service. Drive trains and drivelines don’t get talked about very much around Kalispell, but they’re vitally important important to your vehicle. First let’s define what the driveline is: Taking a small step back, the power plant is comprised of the engine and transmission. The driveline starts there and includes all of the components that transfer power from the transmission to the... 

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Engine Air Filters: 12,000 Reasons They Pay For Themselves

You might have found yourself in a similar situation at some point: You go to get an oil change on your car and the person helping you at the service center recommends a new air filter for your engine. You say yes, hoping you did the right thing, but because you didn’t know exactly what the air filters exact purpose is you leave wondering. First of all, you did the right thing by getting a new engine air filter. Also, at Loren’s Auto Repair, we never want you to be too embarrassed to... 

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