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608-244-9040 | 3712 Milwaukee St Madison, WI 53714

AUTO REPAIR & MAINTENANCE BLOG

Maintaining your vehicle at home is a satisfying way to keep your motoring costs down. With the right knowledge and products even someone who isn't very mechanically inclined can take care of many of the smaller issues in everyday driving. Sometimes, however, car issues can be too specialized or complex for the average motorist to take care of by themselves and it becomes time to take your car to the pros. Below you'll find three major warning signs that you need to get to a mechanic ASAP, as well as some of the potential causes behind them.



Engine and Drivetrain Problems

Let's start at the beginning. If your car won't even turn over and start up, then the rest of the problems on this list won't come into play. The simplest cause of this issue is a dead battery, which you can remedy with jumper cables, and the instructions that come printed on their packaging. If jumping the car doesn't work, you may have a larger problem with your ignition system. It's advisable to take your car into the shop at this point because finding the root of the problem will likely involve removing a few parts from your engine. Whether it's dead spark plugs or electrical problems, it's better to have it dealt with by a professional. Likewise, engine surging where the revs rise and fall can mean a problem with your fuel injectors, which are fairly deep within your motor. It's unwise to drive around with a surging engine, as this burns more gas and can cause unintended acceleration. Drivetrain issues are another major issue requiring professional attention. Everybody fears the dreaded transmission repairs, so if certain gears won't engage or they shift at the wrong times you should definitely take your car to the qualified mechanics here at Midwest Engine Service.



Vibration While Driving

This issue can be caused by damaged drivetrain components, but can also stem from misaligned wheels or unbalanced or flat tires. If you feel any vibration or shuddering as you drive along, you should get to a mechanic as soon as you can. At its worst, this issue can lessen your control over the car, potentially causing accidents. This will also wear out your tires more quickly than if everything was straight and true. Unwanted vibrations put stress on important (and costly) components like suspension and brakes while decreasing gas mileage, so it's smart to take your car in as soon as these issues develop.



Poor Braking Performance

Your brakes are vital to keeping you safe on the road and should definitely be cared for by a professional, unless you're absolutely sure you know what you're doing. Common signs of issues with your car's braking system include squeaking or squealing when the brakes are applied, or the brakes feeling spongy and failing to slow your vehicle properly. Squealing brakes are caused by the brake pads wearing through the pad surface to the metal underneath. At this point the metal behind your brake pad is coming into contact with the brake rotor. This can be disastrous and produce unwanted heat, reduced stopping power, and cause you to have to buy new rotors as well as the relatively cheap pads. Spongey and weak brakes can mean there's a problem with your master cylinder, which converts the mechanical pressure of you pressing the pedal into hydraulic pressure to apply the brakes. In either case, it's best to have your brakes seen to by the professional mechanics here at Midwest Engine Service.



There are instances where car maintenance is simple and easy, but if you notice any of these issues developing, it's best to take your car in for a qualified mechanic's checkup so the problems can be remedied before they turn into much more serious issues. Midwest Engine Service has the tools and expertise to have you safely back on the road in no time at all.




Our guarantee to you

What Our Customers Are Saying

Midwest always does great work and I never feel like I'm being "taken for a ride". I appreciate the honest assessments of what needs to be done and in what time-frame. Always more reasonable than the dealership on both counts! Super handy to have a loaner car, and I love that my car is always shiny and feels like new when I pick it up, even after an oil change! Thank you!!

, 09/03/2021

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I am from IL and was going to our home in Northern Wisconsin when I experienced car trouble. Lucky for me, I got off at the first Madison exit. I called Midwest Engine Service. They were AWESOME! They had me towed to their shop. Clean building and great staff. They got me back on the road within 3 hours. The repair bill was very reasonable. I would highly recommend this auto repair facility!



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I cannot begin to tell you how very much I appreciate the INCREDIBLE service I received from your staff ! I have been in the customer service business for over 30 years, I certainly have no problems recognizing EXCELLENT SERVICE and let me tell you your team GETS IT. From the helpful phone call to your shop when I was stranded at Home Depot to the tow truck driver calling to confirm to me that my truck was picked up...I will not ever take my truck anywhere else and you have a customer for life. I will tell everyone I know to do the same. Keep up the good work!

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To all of you -a BIG- thank you for all the time and effort you put into my car! I don't really know all the things you do but its much better now. The steering is better, the breaks feel better, and in general it just feels better to drive!

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Dear Wayne, Thank you for your note regarding my Audi TT alignment mishap and for being so noble as to stand behind the work done at Midwest Engine. I'm sure it is difficult at times, when trying to run a business well, to negotiate mishaps, both with customers and your staff, and I appreciate that your rose to the occasion and did the right thing by me, even as a cost to you.

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Thanks for the fast service and getting me in right away.

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  • Call Us For Service: 608-244-9040