Car Repair

  • Let's Talk About Your Fuel Gauge

    fuel in tank pumping

    If you drive a car, truck, or SUV that runs on gasoline, there's a good chance you’ve run it low on fuel a few times (or more than a few times,) and maybe even run out of gas completely a time or two. At Nick's Automotive in Reno, NV, we like to provide information applicable to you. Running a vehicle low on fuel is something we’re all guilty of, and most of us don’t think twice about it. But, can it be bad for your car?

  • Noticing an Emergency on your Dashboard

    At Nick's Automotive in Reno, NV, we have seen our fair share of preventable engine failures. Frequently, engine disaster could have been avoided if the driver had known beforehand what the warning lights or gauges on the dashboard indicated. While some dash lights are fairly benign, others indicate imminent trouble. This guide from Nick's Automotive in Reno, NV will prepare you for the next time your vehicle shows you a warning you shouldn’t ignore.

  • Proper Care for Your Vehicle

    car driving down road

    Here are 10 steps to keep your car up and running from our team here at Nick's Automotive! Whether you choose to do the maintenance yourself or take your car to see our professional service technicians, the non-profit Car Care Council recommends 10 basic maintenance procedures to keep your vehicle running its best. 

  • Properly Maintaining Your Battery

    mechanic placing a car battery into a vehicle

    Your car’s radio and headlights, plus a slew of other important functions, are powered by an electrical current generated by your vehicle’s engine. A vital part of generating electricity is having a place to store it while it’s not being used. This is where your car battery comes into play. The battery of your vehicle holds electrical energy while the car is off in order to help the engine turn over and create a spark to start internal combustion. Without a working battery, your car will not be able to start. If you allow our team here at Nick's Automotive to perform proper maintenance, an average car battery can start your car reliably for roughly four years.

  • Protect Your Vehicle From Transmission Shifting Issues

    gear shift on a vehicle

    If your transmission isn’t shifting correctly, you’ll want to be careful about how you choose to proceed. The best thing to do is turn the vehicle off and have a professional take a look at it, but if that isn’t an option, there are some steps you can take to ensure nothing gets damaged. At Nick's Automotive in Reno, NV we can take a look at your issues and also give you some tips on what to do when that option isn't available yet. 

  • Pumping Brakes are a Thing of the Past

    dashboard with ABS light on

    At Nick's Automotive in Reno, NV, we see our fair share of warning lights and dashboard notifications. If your ABS light is illuminated, here’s what you need to know.

  • Quality Engine Work is a Top Priority

    Engine Maintenance

    A quality product is only as good as the quality of the installation. You’re dropping some serious money on an engine replacement, on a car that’s worth even more. Nick's Automotive in Reno, NV is here to make sure you get the quality install you need.

  • Quality Work is as Important as a Quality Product

    transmission repair

    At Nick's Automotive in Reno, NV, we pride ourselves on specialty knowledge and ability. Once you’ve settled on a transmission to invest in, it’s important not to cut corners on the homestretch. We’ve got you covered here and you can expect top quality repairs for your top quality product.

  • Radiator Cooling Fan Won’t Turn Off?

    Automotive radiator

    At Nick's Automotive in Reno, NV, we know how annoying little quirks and issues can be. A common problem vehicles experience is a cooling fan that doesn’t kick on and off when it’s supposed to. While a fan that won’t kick off is far less troubling than a fan that won’t turn on, it’s still a problem that needs to be fixed for a variety of reasons. Here’s why, and what you should do.

  • Ready For A Road Trip - Here Is Our Checklist!

    roadtrip

    Road trips are a lot of fun, and often unpredictable. For all the miles you will be driving we always recommend preparing for any situation. With this checklist from Nick's Automotive in Reno, you’ll be prepared for whatever comes your way.

  • Specifications of your vehicle for reliable performance

    Performance Car

    If you drive a performance or luxury vehicle, you know that your precision engineered equipment demands precision tuning. At Nick's Automotive in Reno, NV, we specialize in high-end imports and performance vehicles and keeping them up to par.

  • The ABS Light - why is it on, and what should you do?

    abs light on dash lit up

    Have you ever noticed your dashboard ABS icon lit up? If you have it means there is an issue that needs to be diagnosed, ABS issues don’t need to be ignored long. The anti-lock braking system, or ABS, is an important feature on every modern car, truck, or SUV. It has been legally mandated since 2013 in the US but was standard on almost every vehicle even prior to that. Here’s what you need to know to make sure your ABS system doesn’t fail, from Nick's Automotive in Reno, NV.

  • The Ins and Outs of Your Transmission

    Transmission

    Automatic transmissions aren’t easily understood outside of specialists like those at Nick's Automotive in Reno, NV. While it would be impossible to teach you enough to make you a transmission expert in a series of articles, what we can do is give you the fundamental knowledge you need to have a good idea of what your transmission is doing, and how it works.

  • The New Trend, Self Driving Cars

    self-driving car

    At Nick's Automotive in Reno, cars are our passion, so naturally, we like to keep up with new technology on the market. At the moment, surprisingly the current trend is moving towards a goal you may not expect; self-driving vehicles. You’ve probably heard about self-driving cars a little bit here and there on the news, but it likely still seems somewhere in the realm of science fiction to you. However, the reality is that self-driving cars are on the way and maybe here sooner than you think. Already, almost all major automobile manufacturers are dumping billions of dollars into research and development for self-driving cars, and even companies like Uber are jumping on board. 

  • Top 3 Signs Your Brakes Are Done

    car braking

    Judging by the number of near-rear-endings we witness on our morning commutes, the typical attitude toward brake maintenance appears to be, “Brakes: Don’t let them stop you!” This puzzles us because monitoring your braking system’s health is one of the most straightforward aspects of car ownership. You do have to know what to look for, though, or rather, what to listen and feel for. So let us, uh, break it down for you. Here are the top three signs that your brakes need fixing.

  • Transmission Problems are Slippery Business

    transmission

    Transmission slippage can be caused by a variety of factors that are sometimes difficult to pin down. From Nick's Automotive in Reno, NV, here’s a rundown of the more common issues that may cause a transmission to slip. Our highly trained technicians are ready to get you going with a top transmission.

  • Understanding Your Vehicles Thermostat

    At Nick's Automotive in Reno, we’re not only here to fix your car when something goes wrong...we’re here to help you understand your car, truck, or SUV a little better, too. Here are some tips concerning your thermostat - how it works, what to watch out for, and what to do about it when one fails.

  • Used Engines and Transmissions - Are They Worth the Risk?

    two men working under hood of two different cars

    Nobody wants to put an engine or transmission in their car. However, when that time comes, it’s important to make an informed decision - here are some things to consider when installing a used engine or transmission, from Nick's Automotive in Reno, NV.

  • What Does a Spark Plug Do?

    spark plug

    Have you always wondered what a spark plug does? Our team here at Nick's Automotive is here to help you out. It's simple in theory but does quite a lot of work for such a small piece of equipment. Your spark plug forces electricity to arc across a gap like a bolt of lightning at high voltage and fits into your engine's cylinder head, where it “sparks” to ignite the fuel and creates combustion within your engine. Without it, you wouldn't be able to drive your car or truck. 

  • What does the PCV System do & why is it important to you?

    emissions testing being done on a vehicle

    On modern vehicles, the PCV system (Positive Crankcase Ventilation System) is essential to ensuring your car or truck is ready to go when you are and remains a long-lasting, reliable vehicle. It’s much more than just emissions control - your PCV system serves multiple purposes and is quite interesting! How does it work, and what are those purposes?  Here at Nick's Automotive in Reno, NV, we have those answers for you!

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