Monticello Auto Repair

It's almost that time when kids and teachers alike will be enjoying a week off for Spring Break. Whether you are an educator or have kids that will be out of school, you may be thinking of planning a little vacation to get away. A road trip is always a great idea, especially to save travel costs and possibly stay within the state (or nearby). Being prepared before you embark on your journey can prepare you for anything you might encounter, so we encourage you to read the following tips before you start making your road trip plans.  Research your route ahead of time. This will help you understand how to get where you are going and minimize the risk of getting lost along the way. It will also help to be aware of any traffic laws or speed limits that you will hit while driving across state lines.    Check the weather before you leave so that you can be prepared. It may be raining along the way, and you want to make sure that your tires have good tread and that your w ... read more

Nobody wants to find themselves in car trouble, but parts can wear down over time and fail unexpectedly which can put you in a sticky situation. While some car trouble is more severe than others, knowing how to handle your car trouble and what to do next can relieve some of the stress that comes along with dealing with vehicle problems.  One question you may have is - how can I avoid car trouble? The best way that you can avoid car problems is by making sure that you are staying current with your car's recommended maintenance and services. When you take good care of your car, you guarantee yourself reliable transportation.  The most common car trouble you may find yourself in is a check engine light. If this warning turns on, don't panic. The most important thing to do is try to minimize your driving and get your car into the experts here at Monticello Auto Service at your earliest convenience. The only way to understand what is going on is to use scan diagnostic to ... read more

The holidays are always a special time of year when most of us will be spending time with friends and family. However, the holidays are also peak times when it comes to crime and theft which can take away the holiday magic and leave you stressed during the season.  In order to combat holiday theft and crime, it is important to always be aware of your surroundings and to take measures which can help protect you and your family both on the road and at home.  Here are some of our top holiday safety tips to combat seasonal crime and theft:  Always lock your home doors and windows while at home or when you leave. If you are leaving your home for an extended period of time, ask a neighbor or friend to watch over your home for you and be sure not to leave any valuables in the view of outsiders. Also, try not to spread the word that your house will be empty.  Ensure that your vehicle is ready for any type of drive or travel this season by having it inspected by the exper ... read more

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us here at Monticello Auto Service! We hope that you had a wonderful holiday with friends and family. With all the holidays comes lots of travel, so if you are planning a road trip in the near future, we recommend that you check off some important travel measures before you hit the road.  Be sure to have your vehicle inspected by the experts here at Monticello Auto Service before you hit the road. You never want to be caught in a situation where you are stuck without a working vehicle, so guaranteeing that your vehicle is ready for any road trip will keep your family safe and bring you peace of mind on the road.    Pack ample blankets and coats for the road to keep warm if you’re traveling in the cold this winter.    Have an emergency kit on hand in your trunk to help out in cases of emergencies. Some things to make sure you have with you include a spare tire, jack, wrench, flashlight, flares, cell phone charg ... read more

Your vehicle is an investment, and it is important to protect that investment in order to save yourself money over time. Many of us don’t realize it, but there are some habits that some drivers practice every day that are actually hurting their vehicles unintentionally. Here are some things that may be damaging your vehicle that can be avoided:  Don’t forget to use your vehicle parking brake. When you put your car in park, you engage the parking pawl, which is a small metal pin that disengages the transmission’s output. The job of the parking brake is to immobilize the wheels, easing the weight that is put on this small metal pin.  Make sure your tire pressure is always correct. The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) in your vehicle will let you know when your tires are low on air, however it is always a good idea to check them yourself because the TPMS could be faulty. Low tire pressure actually lowers your fuel efficiency and can put you at risk for ... read more

Keeping your vehicle spotless is hard to do, especially when you drive every day and you often have passengers in your car. Getting into your car every day and finding it to be clean and tidy can put you in a better mood and prevent feeling stressed from having to drive a dirty vehicle.  Having a clean car has other benefits too, such as increasing your car's overall value when the time comes to sell. So if you drive your car daily, have kids, or have multiple passengers every day, here are some helpful tips that will keep your vehicle's interior clean throughout the years:  Always remove trash from your vehicle If you bring drinks inside your car, make sure they have a cap or lid to prevent spilling Try to avoid eating inside your car Keep pre-moistened wipes in your vehicle to easily wipe down surfaces Clean out your cup holders every week Vacuum your seats every now and again Use floor mats and clean them often Keeping your car interior clean will not only ... read more

We know that being a vehicle owner is a huge investment that not only includes up front costs and more than likely monthly payments, but also money put towards services and maintenance that your vehicle needs. Unfortunately, the majority of vehicle owners don't stay on top of recommended services, which causes major system to have issues. These problems end up costing more money on repairs which could of been prevented with good car care.  Many people don't realize this, but vehicle maintenance is actually the best way to save money on car costs over time. Here are our 5 money saving vehicle maintenance tips that will keep your vehicle running well and help keep money in your pocket:  Pay attention to your tires - be sure that the tires always have the correct air pressure and that they are rotated regularly to ensure even wear and help you avoid flats and blowouts on the road.  Keep your car battery clean -  a quick visit to the auto repair shop can have ... read more

You drive your vehicle often, which means you are accustomed to the way that your vehicle drives. A strange noise can come unexpectedly, and if you notice a noise that sticks around, it may be in your best interest to have your vehicle inspected here at Monticello Auto Service as soon as possible.  A strange noise could indicate that your vehicle needs a repair. Be sure to make note of where and when you hear the noise and what it sounds like. This will help our experts better understand the source of the noise and what the problem may be.  Strange car noises to pay attention to include:  Hissing sound coming from underneath the hood Squealing noise or chirping noises coming from tires Clicking noise coming from underneath the hood Scraping or grinding noises while braking Roaring noise coming from the exhaust Rapping or banging noise coming from underneath the hood As soon as you hear one of the noises listed above, stop by Monticello Auto Service for an inspect ... read more