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A 32-point courtesy check at Hartje Tire & Auto Service includes the inspection inspect lights, wipers, fluids, filters, steering & suspension, brake systems and tires. We can then make recommendations based on the inspection and schedule maintenance. Regular vehicle checks by a professional repair technician can prevent potential car problems and enhance efficiency!
Various types of tire damage, including punctures from nails or screws, minor cuts or tears in the tread area, tread damage like bulges or blisters, slow leaks caused by various factors, and flat tires due to punctures or leaks, can often be repaired if they meet certain criteria regarding size, location, and severity. However, the repairability of tire damage depends on factors like the tire's structural integrity and the recommendations of tire manufacturers. Some types of damage, such as significant sidewall damage or tread separation, may necessitate tire replacement for safety reasons. Consulting a professional tire technician is advisable for proper assessment and repair guidance
Engine diagnostics is comprised of two evaluations of your engine. Firstly, our mechanics will use an OBD2 scanner to connect to your vehicle's onboard computer to pick up any error codes. This scanner only notifies you of the general location of the issue and which system is faulty. Once these error codes are returned, our mechanics will then give your vehicle's engine a visual inspection to pinpoint the exact location of the issue. Using their experience, the mechanics will then provide you with your repair options and perform the repairs needed.
If you're noticing a sweet smell in your car when the air is blowing, it could indicate a coolant leak, potentially from components like hoses, the radiator, water pump, or the heater core. Check under the car for coolant puddles, inspect the engine compartment for visible leaks, and monitor coolant levels. Most vehicles have a temperature gauge that shows the current temperature of the engine coolant. If you notice the gauge creeping into the red zone or significantly higher than normal, it's a strong indication that your engine is overheating or at risk of overheating, so it's advisable to have your vehicle inspected by a mechanic if you suspect a leak.
Check your manufacturer recommendations in your owner’s manual for information specific to your vehicle. It’s also a good idea to check your oil level when you stop for gas at least once a month. Running low on oil is terrible for your car and can destroy your engine. When you bring your vehicle to Hartje Tire & Auto Service for our full-service oil change, we perform a 32-point courtesy check to ensure that your vehicle is running efficiently!
Pull off the road immediately and try to get as far out of traffic as possible. If you have a spare tire, find a safe place to make that change. This is, without a doubt, your best option. If you don’t have a way to replace your tire, call the nearest service center or towing company. Driving on a flat tire can damage your rim, your car, and be a danger to both you and other drivers. If you’re near Hartje Tire & Auto Service, bring your tire in – we fix them for free, even if you didn’t buy them from us!
If you smell exhaust in your car’s cabin, you should get this checked out as soon as possible. Fumes, along with a rattling sound or excessive noise, can indicate damage to your exhaust system or an engine that is not running efficiently. These fumes are dangerous and can cause all sorts of health issues. Don’t tempt fate (or headaches, blackouts, or breathing issues). Our technicians can repair and replace any faulty parts in the exhaust system on all vehicles. We have a wide variety of exhaust services to save you money and keep you from breathing in toxic fumes!
Batteries typically last 3-6 years depending on usage and conditions. If yours is getting old, you might see some symptoms of a car battery that needs to be replaced: difficulty starting (especially on cold mornings), one click when starting but nothing else, dim lights, or excess corrosion or a swollen case on your battery. Some of these symptoms can indicate other issues, so if you have a mixed bag (or if it’s been a few years since you replaced your car battery), stop in at Hartje Tire & Auto Service and we will be happy to help you out with free battery tests!
Stopping is just as important as going! If your brakes are wearing down, you might notice one of the following:
Don’t drive with bad brakes – not only is it not safe but worn brake pads can damage your brake rotors and cause other (more expensive!) issues. We offer routine standard and ABS brake inspections, maintenance, and installation on all makes and models of vehicles! Just schedule an appointment Hartje Tire & Auto Service!
Check your car’s coolant at least twice a year, heading into summer and winter, and top off as needed. For older cars, we recommend checking monthly. Make sure you use the correct coolant as recommended by your car’s manufacturer (you can find this in your manual). Low coolant can affect your car’s performance, especially in extreme conditions like hot summer days and freezing winter nights. If you’re not sure about the specific type of coolant your car takes, or if you have to keep refilling it every time you check, bring it into Hartje Tire & Auto Service and we can make sure your car is keeping its cool.
At Hartje Tire & Auto Service we first need to look at your tire to assess if it can be repaired or if it needs to be replaced. If we can repair the flat tire, one of our technicians will perform an industry standard plug and/or patch to repair your tire. Once repaired, we can put the tire back on to check air pressure and balance the tires if need be. If your tire only needs a repair, it’s on us – even if you didn’t buy it from us!
Typically, it’s best to rotate your tires every 5,000 to 7,500 miles that you put on them. If you don’t always keep track of mileage, just have them rotated when you go in for regular oil changes. We recommend checking your car’s owner manual because these guidelines change per vehicle model and tire types. Regular tire rotations promote extended tire life, optimal performance, and smooth, even wear!
Preventative maintenance is a set of maintenance services that you should carry out routinely. Your car’s owner’s manual will have a list of things to check at weekly, monthly, and yearly intervals. These services help to keep your vehicle performing the way the manufacturer intended it to. We are happy to help with preventative maintenance – in fact, we include a preventative maintenance check with every oil change! To make an appointment you can call Hartje Tire & Auto Service or stop in for a visit to talk directly to one of our helpful consultants.
Our auto mechanics can swiftly fix your vehicle’s air conditioning system to keep you and your family cool and comfortable during Wisconsin’s warmer months. Our auto repair shop offers the skills, technical expertise, and certifications to solve any number of potential A/C problems. The air conditioning system is complex, and it requires a trained professional to handle repairs. If you need a refrigerant recharge or total system repair, we have the latest in diagnostic and scanning tools to get straight to the bottom of any existing problem. Our experienced team can determine precisely what A/C issues your vehicle is facing and effectively repair your system in no time.
If you've ever been sitting in afternoon traffic in the middle of summer and your car's air conditioning isn't working, you know that auto air conditioning repair should not be put off because it is no fun siting in a hot car without a properly working A/C system. If you need a refrigerant recharge or total system repair, we have the latest in diagnostic and scanning tools to get straight to the bottom of any existing problem. Our experienced team can determine precisely what A/C issues your vehicle is facing and effectively repair your system.
It’s difficult to determine how often air filters need to be replaced because the life of a filter depends on the number of contaminants the filter ingests. Clogged engine filters can negatively impact fuel economy and even damage the engine if debris and contaminants from an old filter are loosened leading to poor cabin air quality and temperature. We have ASE-certified technicians that can check your air filters to ensure that your engine and air conditioning is running as clean as possible!
Timing belt issues are difficult to detect — and yet a timing belt malfunction can lead to an engine shutdown. Timing belt replacement recommendations vary from 60,000 – 106,000 miles based on the make of your vehicle. Some signs that you need to replace your timing belt is if you hear a ticking noise from the engine while running, or you notice oil leaking from the motor. Speak with one of the automotive repair technicians at Hartje Tire & Auto Service to see what your vehicle’s timing belt recommendations are.
At Hartje Tire & Auto Service, we can provide you with a wide variety of auto repair services for a large variety of vehicles. Some of the services that we offer are wheel alignments, flat tire repair, tire installation, preventative maintenance, oil changes and brake repair. We are the leading provider of quality service and our trained service technicians have the experience to offer you an extensive range of services.
We can install tires on your vehicle no matter where you purchased them from. Your tires are one of the major safety features of your vehicle and are the only part that contacts the road, so they require particular care and maintenance. Tires need regular servicing, which includes tire balancing, wheel alignment, tire repair, proper tire air pressure and proper tire installation. Tires should be selected by the correct size and driving style for the vehicle and should be purchased in sets of four, or at least matching sets of two on each axle. When you do purchase tires with Hartje Tire & Auto Service, our automotive technicians will help you select tires suited to your vehicles’ make, model, speed rating, and load rating. We offer one of the most comprehensive tire installation and tire maintenance packages, and one of the largest tire inventories, in Northcentral Wisconsin!
We offer fluid inspections by appointment or if you are already in getting your vehicle serviced. Our quick and FREE 32-point system check, done with every oil change includes fluid inspection and replacement, ensuring the fluid is clear of fragments, fluid systems are flushed and free from leakages and fluids are filled to the correct levels. The general rule is to change your car fluids regularly, but the amount of time depends on your driving, climate, and road conditions. Leaking fluid under your vehicle is an obvious sign that fluid inspection and replacement are necessary.
Misaligned tires can compromise safe handling for your vehicle, and it is recommended that your vehicle has a wheel alignment check every 6,000 miles or six months. If you don’t do it often enough, you risk having to replace your car’s tires prematurely. Using state-of-the-art computerized alignment equipment, our technicians provide you with precise adjustments specifically for your vehicle. A wheel alignment should be performed when tires are installed on your vehicle and checked annually.
The most obvious signs your tires need to be balanced is when you notice uneven tread wear, a decrease in fuel economy, or you are experiencing steering wheel vibrations or vibrations throughout the car at faster speeds. It is also important to note that tire balancing and During tire shaking, your tire-wheel set is removed from your vehicle and placed into specialized equipment that simulates driving speeds and conditions while measuring the weight distribution of the set. The machine will pick up on any imbalances and our expert service technicians can adjust to counteract any imbalances.
Typically, brand new batteries have a lifespan of roughly 5 years when it is properly taken care of. Some signs that your vehicle could need a new battery are if the battery/alternator warning light is on or blinking, engine cranks very slowly, or turn over at all, you are having to jump your vehicle often, car lights won’t turn on or the battery case looks swollen.
If your check engine light comes on, that means your car is telling you something went wrong. If it’s on steadily and your car seems to be operating the same as usual, you can drive it in to our service center where our mechanics will use a scanner to connect to your vehicle's onboard computer to pick up any error codes. This scanner only notifies you of the general location of the issue and which system is faulty. Once these error codes are returned, the mechanic will then give your vehicle's engine a visual inspection to pinpoint the location of the issue. Using their experience, the mechanics will then provide you with the repairs that your vehicle will need. If your check engine light is blinking, do not operate your vehicle. A blinking check engine light indicates a serious engine problem and driving it could damage it further.
A wheel alignment is a series of measurements and adjustments made to your car’s suspension angles to ensure all wheels are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the ground. These adjustments must be set to the manufacturer’s specifications and will vary depending on your vehicle’s year, make and model. Maintaining proper wheel alignment will minimize the resistance your tires create and allow them to roll smoothly. It is recommended that your vehicle has a wheel alignment check every 6,000 miles or six months. If you don’t do it often enough, you risk having to replace your car’s tires prematurely.
Headlights rarely become misaligned without an outside force making that adjustment. Either way your headlights should not need any other adjustments besides the initial placement. We all know that just because you shouldn’t have to adjust your headlights doesn’t mean that you never will need to. Sometimes internal components of the headlights like screws can break down over time and cause ‘fluttering’ headlights that move around while driving. In some cars there is even the chance that the automatic headlight leveling system in newer cars are faulty and cause headlights to become misaligned. No matter what, it is important to pay attention to where your headlights aim so you (and others) can drive safely.
Your car shouldn’t make noise! If it only makes noise when you steer, that could mean a couple different things based on the sound and behavior. If it’s a high-pitched whine when you steer either way, it could be low power steering fluid or a bad power steering pump. If it’s a louder grinding or ratcheting noise when you turn one direction, that could mean a bad constant-velocity (CV) joint. The CV joint is what connects your engine to your wheels while still allowing the wheels to turn – if it’s worn, the gears will start slipping when you turn, causing the noise. In either case, you should bring your car into Hartje Tire & Auto Service so we can fix the issue before it causes more wear on your car!
A car battery has a lifespan of about five years when properly maintained. Most car batteries will become worn down and inefficient with everyday use in normal conditions. Hartje Tire & Auto Service can inspect your battery to ensure your car’s essential electrical systems work properly. We’ll help you choose the correct automotive car battery, and we recycle used car batteries on your behalf.
Our auto mechanics can swiftly fix your vehicle’s heating system to keep you and your family cozy and warm during Wisconsin’s harsh Winter months. Our auto repair shop offers the skills, technical expertise, and certifications to solve any number of potential problems. The heating system is complex, and it requires a trained professional to handle repairs. Our experienced team can determine precisely what heating issues your vehicle is facing and effectively repair your system in no time.
Severely worn windshield wiper blades could scratch and damage your windshield. Our experienced technicians can help you select ideal wipers for your vehicle and expertly install them on your car, truck, or SUV. At Hartje Tire & Auto Service, we can complete your windshield wiper replacement service quickly and accurately to get you back on the road safely.
TPMS stands for Tire Pressure Monitoring System. This system in your vehicle is a tool to warn you when one or more of your tires is significantly low. When one or more of your tires is significantly low it can make it unsafe to drive and potentially cause damage to your car. If tires are driven on with low pressure it can result in excessive tire wear, potential tire failure, problems with steering, braking or general handling of your vehicle and reduced fuel efficiency overall. Check your tires air pressure regularly to detect slow leaks and avoid an unexpected flat before it happens.
Electronic systems in today’s automobiles are more advanced and complicated than ever before. If your car is alerting you to an error that isn’t there, it could indicate an issue somewhere else in your vehicle. Our certified technicians have the expertise and training to diagnose the most simple and complicated electrical systems issues you encounter. Don’t ignore the indicator lights in your vehicle — contact Hartje Tire & Auto Service to ensure all of your car’s systems are functioning correctly.
A vehicle’s steering and suspension system should be checked annually to prevent significant repairs or safety issues. The suspension system controls your steering abilities and ultimately allows you to enjoy a smooth ride. Once this system begins to fail, driving your vehicle can be very difficult and unsafe. Furthermore, the longer you wait to make repairs to the vehicle’s steering and suspension system the more damage it can do to the rest of your vehicle making the cost of the repair skyrocket. We recommend taking your car in as soon as you begin having steering or suspension issue with your vehicle.
Your vehicle utilizes a lot of fluids. These fluids burn out and accumulate debris over time. We recommend inspecting your car's fluids once each month to ensure the fluids are clean and at a sufficient level. Your owner's manual will recommend fluid replacement intervals for your vehicle. The general rule is to change your car fluids every 50,000-100,000 miles, but the amount of time depends on your driving, climate, and road conditions.
Your vehicle utilizes a lot of fluids. These fluids burn out and accumulate debris over time. We recommend inspecting your car's fluids once each month to ensure the fluids are clean and at a sufficient level. Your owner's manual will recommend fluid replacement intervals for your vehicle. The general rule is to change your car fluids every 50,000-100,000 miles, but the amount of time depends on your driving, climate, and road conditions. Leaking fluid under your vehicle is an obvious sign that fluid inspection and replacement are necessary. We can inspect your vehicles fluids for debris, fill them to the correct level and ensure that your all systems are working properly.
Routine maintenance of the cooling system is necessary to properly regulate the temperature of the car engine to keep your vehicle running smoothly. Our technicians will assess your cars hoses and belts, fluid levels and condition of fluids, look for signs of deterioration, rust, and fluid leaks as well as taking a look at fans and the thermostat. The main function of the cooling system in your car is to cool down essential components in the engine that heat up during operation and we want to ensure your vehicle is doing just that!
The driveline is the vehicle system that distributes power from the engine and transmission to the wheels, essentially enabling the vehicle to move. If you’re experiencing vibrations, steering issues, or hear a low squeaking sound when decelerating, contact Hartje Tire & Auto Service for a driveline inspection. Our certified technicians service vehicles throughout central Wisconsin and will repair any imperfections with your driveline system.
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