Vehicle Maintenance

  • Sounds That Could Mean Trouble for Your Vehicle

    Person driving with hands on the steering wheel

    We’ve all been here: You start up your vehicle in the morning and begin to back out of the driveway. Before your hand reaches the volume dial on the stereo to crank up your favorite morning radio duo, you hear a noise coming from your car. A vehicle shouldn’t make that noise, yet yours is. And it sounds bad. But is it?

  • Sounds That Mean Trouble

    mechanics

    We’ve all been here: You start up your vehicle in the morning and begin to back out of the driveway. Before your hand reaches the volume dial on the stereo to crank up your favorite morning radio duo, you hear a noise coming from your car. A vehicle shouldn’t make that noise, yet yours is. And it sounds bad. But is it?

  • Spark Plug Maintenance is Essential

    spark plugs

    “Spark plug” is a word you are likely familiar with; it’s one of those car terms that you’ve heard your whole life. You know they’re important, you know sometimes they need to be changed. But how do you know when it’s time to replace them? What do they do, and where do they go wrong? Craig's Automotive Muffler & Performance in Twin Falls has the answers.

  • Take care of it or high repair bills? Which do you prefer?

    Oil gunked up on an engine.

    We see this with our fleet customers, our regular Twin Falls car pool drivers and our diesel truck drivers so it isn't just one type of driver that ends up with a nightmare on their hands costing thousands of dollars to repair, asking about the costs of a JASPER replacement engine!  The fact is your driving habits and maintenance habits can easily avoid this issue!  6 EASY STEPS - Service, Tires, Don't Ignore Service Engine Lights, Keep it Clean & Stop Driving Crazy!

  • Take Care of Your Tires So They'll Take Care of You

    mechanic working on car tire

    There are a few things that matter when mounting new tires on your truck or commercial vehicle. First, you want it done right. Second, you want it done fast. For both, Craig's Automotive Muffler & Performance in Twin Falls, ID has you covered. We've been trained to do it right the first time and make sure you're satisfied.

  • Taking Care of Your 4WD

    Jeep in the woods

    Four-wheel and all-wheel drive vehicles are becoming very popular. While they have some practical advantages they do require different maintenance techniques. Your vehicle has to be ready to take on the challenges of your driving style or terrain in the area and in order to keep those service bills down and avoid any costly repairs it's important to be pro-active. Here is everything you need to know about your four-wheel-drive truck as well as some of the things our technicians at Craig's Automotive Muffler & Performance in Twin Falls, ID check every time you visit our shop to ensure we take care of any issue you might have.

  • Taking Proper Care of Your Transmission

    Transmission inside of vehicle

    While transmissions are extremely complicated and it takes a professional hand to work on one, taking care of the one you have isn’t difficult. At Craig's Automotive Muffler & Performance in Twin Falls, ID, we understand the importance of caring for your transmission properly, so that it stays in good condition for as long as possible.

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

  • The Components in Your Car Door

    car door

    No matter what type of car, truck, or SUV you drive, old or new, it probably has doors. Those doors are heavy, and they see a lot of use. Naturally, from time to time, parts wear out. If your door doesn’t function as well as it should, here’s why, courtesy of Craig's Automotive Muffler & Performance in Twin Falls.

  • The Difference Between All-Wheel Drive and Four-Wheel Drive

    car sitting out in a field

    Some vehicles come with either "all-wheel drive" (AWD) or "four-wheel-drive" (4WD), and you may have wondered if there's any real difference between those terms. Cars only have four wheels, after all, so when "all" of them are doing the driving, that's four-wheel drive - isn't it? The logic makes sense, but AWD and 4WD have actually evolved into technical terms that refer to distinct mechanical systems. Whether you're shopping for a car or your needs repairs, you'll want to take an educated approach, so let's walk through the ins and outs of each system.

  • The Importance of a Clean Vehicle

    interior of a car

    Keeping the interior of your car, truck, or SUV clean and in good shape is an important part of making your vehicle last. Craig's Automotive Muffler & Performance in Twin Falls has some tips on keeping your car clean inside, and why keeping it clean matters.

  • The Importance of Brake Bleeding

    Mechanic bleeding a brake system

    If you’ve ever been in an emergency braking situation, you’re probably all too aware that the brakes are the most important safety system on your vehicle. And like many other systems in a vehicle, the brakes need regular upkeep to continue functioning properly. One way to preserve the integrity of the braking system is through brake bleeding, and while it may not be as well known as certain services like oil changes, it is a key maintenance item for a vehicle.

  • The Importance of Maintaining Your Battery

    battery diagnostics being ran on a car battery by a mechanic

    Your vehicle'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, which is where a car battery comes into play. The battery holds electrical energy while a 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 perform proper maintenance, however, an average car battery can start your car reliably for roughly four years.

  • The Importance of Routine Maintenance

    mechanic working on a vehicle

    At Craig's Automotive Muffler & Performance in Twin Falls, we know that keeping up with required maintenance schedules is the difference between a truck that lasts a few years and a truck that stays strong for decades.

  • The value of oil changes

    oil being poured into an  engine

    At Craig's Automotive Muffler & Performance in Twin Falls, ID, we know that over the past decade, depending on what type of car, truck, or SUV you drive, it may seem like oil changes have gotten more expensive, and there are more options from synthetic to standard 10w/30 oil.  What kind is best for your vehicle and is the higher price worth the cost? 

  • The weight of a key ring, and how it affects you

    driving the car

    You’ve known someone at some point that has a seemingly impossible amount of keys, keychains, and other accessories hanging from their key ring. You might even be guilty of that yourself. At [BUSINESS_ NAME] in Twin Falls, ID, we’ve seen our fair share of these loaded down car keys, and also the damage it can cause. Here’s what you need to know.

  • Time to Re-Tire? Explore All The Options

    Pile of tires

    There are multiple types of tires on the market for almost every car, truck, or SUV. The type of tire you want depends on a variety of factors, from climate to how you drive. Here’s a short rundown of common street tires that’ll suit your needs.

  • Time to Replace Your Diesel Engine? Let's Explore Your Options

    diesel

    Whether you drive a Chevy, Dodge, or Ford diesel truck, there are a variety of options out there for a replacement engine. Depending on your truck's worth, it may depend on the type of engine and the amount of money you want to put into it. You can purchase a used, rebuilt, remanufactured, or even new diesel engine to replace your old. At Craig's Automotive Muffler & Performance in Twin Falls, ID, we’re here to help you choose the right one. 

  • Tips for Better Gas Mileage

    man putting fuel in car

    On average, today’s vehicles get better gas mileage than ever. There are still ways to get the most out of the fuel that you put into your tank. Here are the factors that affect gas mileage, and what you can do to maximize yours, from Craig's Automotive Muffler & Performance in Twin Falls, ID.

  • Tips for Better Gas Mileage

    fuel gauge on a vehicle

    Your gas mileage mostly depends on what kind of car you drive; engine displacement and vehicle weight are the largest determining factors on gas mileage, and there’s not much you can do to change either of those. That doesn’t mean attempting to improve your fuel economy is a completely hopeless endeavor, however. With these tips from Craig's Automotive Muffler & Performance in Twin Falls, ID, you might be surprised how much your fuel mileage can be improved.