Car Care Tips

  • Tips To Taking Care Of Your Vehicle

    Car Lifted

    At Craig's Automotive Muffler & Performance in Twin Falls, we know that the first and most important step toward keeping your car, truck, or SUV reliably on the road, is knowing how to properly care for it. Here are a few tips on how to keep your vehicle in shape.

  • 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.

  • Top Questions to Ask A Mechanic, When Routine Services Are Being Preformed

    technician

    A good technician will give your car a quick inspection whenever you have maintenance performed. Fluid levels, tire condition, dashboard lights, and a variety of other items typically are briefly explored whenever you bring your vehicle in for maintenance. At Craig's Automotive Muffler & Performance in Twin Falls, we're good at noticing things that need repair, but the fact of the matter is that only you know your car. You know when your car feels off when its been serviced last (or that it hasn't been serviced at all,) and have at least some vague idea of what’s going on with your vehicle day to day. Here are some questions you can ask us next time you come by the shop;

  • Transmissions - the key to better fuel economy

    automatic transmission

    There have been a lot of technological advancements, and breakthroughs in efficiency to make modern cars, trucks, and SUVs so much more fuel-efficient than their counterparts. While engine design certainly plays a huge role, automatic transmissions have come a long way as well, contributing greatly to the gas mileage of your vehicle. From Craig's Automotive Muffler & Performance in Twin Falls, ID, here are some ways transmissions have changed to meet the demands of fuel efficiency.

  • Travelling this weekend? Get Ready

    kids traveling in the car

    Travelling can be difficult, and traveling can be fun. The difference usually comes down to how much preparation you do in advance, and how many unplanned obstacles you meet along the way. A great way to avoid setbacks, mishaps, and stressful situations is to make sure your car, truck, or SUV is ready to hit the road. Here are some important points to check before travelling, from Craig's Automotive Muffler & Performance in Twin Falls, ID.

  • Understanding Your Vehicles Thermostat

    At Craig's Automotive Muffler & Performance in Twin Falls, 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 Craig's Automotive Muffler & Performance in Twin Falls, ID.

  • Using Your Jumper Cables

    Man with jumper cables

    At some point or another, it’ll happen to you. You leave your headlights on, your battery finally fails, or for some other reason, you don’t have enough juice to start your car. Don’t call a tow truck just yet, though...Craig's Automotive Muffler & Performance in Twin Falls has the info you need to properly jump-start your car.

  • Vehicle Safety For Your Child

    kid with a thumbs up in a car seat

    Part of maintaining your vehicle is keeping its safety devices in good working order, especially when there are kids in the vehicle. Seat belts, window locks, and airbag sensors work together to keep children safe in an automobile. Though safety components are generally very reliable, they do occasionally fail. Craig's Automotive Muffler & Performance in Twin Falls, ID is here when they do; here are some things to watch out for.

  • Vehicle Safety Tips For Keeping Your Child Safe

    Part of maintaining your vehicle is keeping its safety devices in good working order, especially when there are kids in the vehicle. Seat belts, window locks, and airbag sensors work together to keep children safe in an automobile. Though safety components are generally very reliable, they do occasionally fail. Craig's Automotive Muffler & Performance in Twin Falls, ID is here when they do; here are some things to watch out for.

  • What Happens When Routine Services Are Neglected?

    man checking oil stick

    Routine services are routine for a good reason. Schedule them with us here so we can be sure that your vehicle stays in the best shape. Here’s a look into what happens when routine services aren’t performed, from Craig's Automotive Muffler & Performance in Twin Falls, ID.

  • What Is A Short Throw Shifter

    mechanic

    At Craig's Automotive Muffler & Performance in Twin Falls, routine maintenance and repair isn’t the only thing we do. For custom parts installation, you can also count on us. Common modification enthusiasts do is swapping to a short-throw shifter; but what actually is a short-throw shifter, and what does it do?

  • What is an ASE Certified Technician and Why Does it Matter?

    mechanic standing in garage and holding wrench

    At Craig's Automotive Muffler & Performance in Twin Falls, ID, quality and precision are our top priority. We specialize in well-engineered performance and luxury vehicles like BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, Land Rover, and Subaru - cars and SUVs that require the right touch. For this reason, we employ ASE certified technicians, to guarantee we’re the best in the business.

  • What Is Your Mechanic Looking for In a Used Car Inspection?

    mechanic doing an inspection

    At Craig's Automotive Muffler & Performance in Twin Falls, ID, we know buying a used car, truck, or SUV can be a gamble. While there are no guarantees, there are key points of inspection that tell us a lot about the condition of a vehicle and how it has been maintained. There are some important points of the inspection we verify when checking out a used vehicle.

  • What It Means When We Say Ground Connection!

    testing battery

    At Craig's Automotive Muffler & Performance in Twin Falls, we know that few problems are simultaneously as simple and confusing as a bad ground connection on your car, truck, or SUV. Here’s a look at some symptoms of a bad ground, and what you can do to correct it.

  • What to Know About Your Vehicle's Lights

    Vehicles driving on a highway with headlights on

    All the lights on your vehicle have an important job to do. Brake lights, tail lights, blinkers, reverse lights, and headlights are a crucial part of driving. Lights make you visible, make things visible to you, and allow you to communicate with other drivers. All of a vehicle’s lights make driving easier and safer, and all of them are important...not to mention legally required.

  • What Your Vehicle's Towing Capacity Means

    Towing

    Unless you use your vehicle to tow every day for work, odds are you haven’t paid much attention to your truck, SUV, or crossover’s towing capacity. Maybe you’re looking to buy a boat for some summer fun or just need to rent a trailer to get your belongings from one dwelling to the next. Whatever the reason for pulling something behind your vehicle, it’s important to get a firm grasp on what exactly your towing capacity means. Understanding how each of the components in your vehicle contributes to your overall tow rating can keep you from putting undue stress on your rig and keep you and your family safe.

  • What’s a Turbocharger and How Does it Work?

    turbocharger on car

    Every year, more and more trucks come equipped with turbochargers. What was once a novelty or a performance option has become increasingly common as stock equipment. What are they for, and how do they work? Craig's Automotive Muffler & Performance in Twin Falls, ID is here to help.

  • When and Why Your Vehicle Needs a Tune-up

    man holding spark plug in hands

    Tune-ups are an important and frequently neglected aspect of automotive care. Most drivers don’t really consider the mechanical condition of their car, so long as nothing is wrong with it. However, if a vehicle is tuned-up and maintained correctly, many mechanical failures (and expenses) will be avoided altogether. So whne is the right time to get a tune-up?

  • When is it Time to Test Your Vehicle's Battery?

    Mechanic testing a car's battery

    Chances are you don’t pay much attention to your vehicle’s battery until it dies, when you get to perform the dreary dual task of waiting for a jump while simultaneously calling for an appointment to get a new battery fitted. Of course, that’s if you’re sure it’s the battery that’s dead in the first place. The only way to be certain is to take it in to be tested. However, it generally helps to know the health of your vehicle battery prior to finding yourself stranded.