Automotive Industry News & Information - Stuart Rolfe Muffler & Auto Service

man broke down on side of road with car hood up

At Stuart Rolfe Muffler & Auto Service in Midlotian, VA, we’ve seen a lot of worn out and tired transmissions. How do you know if it’s time to replace yours?

For obvious reasons, air brakes are an essential part of your rig. They also add a level of complication to the braking system that a conventional vehicle doesn’t have. At Stuart Rolfe Muffler & Auto Service in Midlotian, our mechanics have the knowledge, equipment, and ability necessary to keep your air brakes in top shape.

Transmissions are complex, and over time they will wear out and eventually break. Knowing what to look for will play a key role in preventing your transmission from failing prematurely. At Stuart Rolfe Muffler & Auto Service in Midlotian, VA we want to give you some insight on how your transmission works and how it can fail.

Manual transmissions have been around for a long time and if you have ever driven a manual you know how exciting they can be. Manual transmissions have also been referred to as standard transmissions, stick shifts, manual gearbox, or a simple gearbox. No matter what you call it, manual transmissions are fun to drive, better on fuel, reliable, and somewhat safer. So what do you know about manual transmissions; where did they come from, and how do they work? Stuart Rolfe Muffler & Auto Service in Midlotian, VA knows, and now you will too.

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. 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 but 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. What you don't want is to have a bad battery!!

If you own or operate a fleet or commercial vehicle, you’ve undoubtedly heard the horrible squeal of a belt on its last leg. Luckily, Stuart Rolfe Muffler & Auto Service in Midlotian, VA has the solution.

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.

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 Stuart Rolfe Muffler & Auto Service in Midlotian, 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;