At R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, LA, it’s important to us that you see the value in the work we do. Over the course of 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’s a lot of differentiation in pricing at different locations. What’s going on?

Failed engine mounts are an irritating issue to live with causing your car or truck to vibrate and you don't know why. At R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, LA, we can help, no matter what type of car, truck, or SUV you drive and it is an easy issue to detect on a test drive.

There are a few indicators your engine mounts need to be replaced. For one, you can do a visual inspection, if they’re accessible enough - if they looked cracked, smashed, or dry-rotted, it’s probably time for new ones.  If the engine visibly shakes while it’s running, engine mounts are also likely the culprit.  However, if you are like most drivers you simply get in and drive on down the road until something is different or a light comes on!   Then you call our shop for help!

At R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, LA, we’re in the business of quality. Quality work, quality parts, and quality service keep a business going. Here is a quick rundown on why it’s important to install components that will perform reliably, and keep you taken care of in the event that they don’t.

It doesn't matter if you are driving a car or truck, jeep or SUV, a diesel 4x4 or a classic when those dash warning lights go off the first thing you do is think "how bad is it?" and "how much will it cost me?" followed quickly by "when was my last service visit?"!!  Driving your vehicle longer safely is all about getting it serviced based on what your vehicle manual recommends and these warning lights are alerting you to a situation that requires your attention. 

While not all warning lights are a sign that disaster is imminent, no warning indicator light should ever be ignored!

When you think about diesel engines, you probably think about large trucks and machinery, and maybe a few oddball cars over the years.  But how long has diesel really been around, and why is it used the way it is today? R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, LA has the answers you need to become more in-tune with your diesel truck and engine. 

At R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, LA, our goal is to keep your car, truck, or SUV reliable and in great shape. To us, it’s important that we’re paying attention to both your needs and the needs of your vehicle. When it comes to oxygen sensors, sometimes it seems a bit nebulous on what they actually do and why they’re important; we’re here to clear things up for you.

At R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, LA, it’s important to us that your car, truck, or SUV is ready for any condition. Coolant flushes are an important part of getting your vehicle ready for winter - here’s why.

You’ve decided to replace your engine - but what do you replace it with? There are a few different options out there, and R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, LA has the info you need.

Is your engine knocking or ticking? Here’s some information on engine noises, what they mean, and what to do about it, from R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, LA.

Whenever your engine starts making a noise it shouldn’t be making, it’s always a cause for concern. If you’re hearing a rhythmic ticking or knocking sound, definitely have it checked into immediately. Here are some causes of engine ticks and knocks, and what to do about them.

If you drive a luxury or performance vehicle, you’re an owner of a reliable machine. Still, occasionally problems do arise. On vehicles like these, with so many electronics, a dead battery is a common issue. At R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc we want to keep our customers informed, here’s how to jump-start your vehicle safely. 

The turbo on your diesel pickup truck is a precision-engineered component. As a result, proper maintenance is essential to keep it going strong, and R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, LA is the place to do that. At tens or even hundreds of thousands of RPM, keeping everything in good shape is absolutely necessary. Fortunately, turbos don't really require any special maintenance - they just make the maintenance you do all the more important.

The climate control system in your car works hard to keep you at a comfortable temperature. If you’re having heater issues, trust the performance car specialists with us at R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, LA to get you comfortably back on the road.

At R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe we provide only the best products to our customers and that’s why we are proud to partner with Jasper Engines and Transmissions. Every day at our shop we provide repairs for a multitude of customers who truly rely on JASPER products to keep their vehicles going strong. Meet Mr. Dennis Bertles, a Navy Seabee veteran and an awesome guy that loves his JASPER products. He depends on JASPER’s 3-year, 100,000-mile warranty and loves the products that they offer.  Mr. Bertles has a Jasper Vortec 5.3L long block engine replacement and a Jasper transfer case replacement in his 2005 Tahoe. Thank you Mr. Bertles for your service to our country and for your dedication to the JASPER brand.

At R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, we are always looking for ways to provide our drivers with the highest quality of service and products. That’s why we are proud to partner with the nation’s leader in remanufactured drivetrain products. Jasper Engines and Transmissions is consistently looking for ways to improve products. They recently announced that the Ford 6.2L engine would be available for the 2010-2014 Ford F150/Raptor, 2011-2019 Ford F250/F350, 2017-2020 Ford E350/E450, and the 2015-2020 Indmar Marine (Raptor Engine).

Keeping track of maintenance done on your fleet vehicles and commercial trucks is one of the most important aspects of fleet management. At R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, LA, we track maintenance and repairs for a number of reasons. Here’s why:

At R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, LA, we see our fair share of damage that could’ve been prevented. Leaking injectors are one of the main ways a diesel engine can meet its demise - but the good news is, engine failure can be avoided, as long as the problem is taken care of.

At R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, LA, we specialize in engine maintenance, service, customization, and repair. All of our technicians are equipped with the best equipment and training in the industry to ensure they know exactly what your specific engine needs are, no matter what type of car, truck, or SUV you drive.

Sometimes it is EASY to see if your car or truck needs to come into our shop for professional repairs! 
1.  You see steam rising from the engine!
2.  The Check Engine Light is on!
3.  The engine starts, but there is an odor that is not right.
4.  You hear grinding or thumping noises.

Vehicle maintenance can be expensive. However, when it comes to owning a car, truck, or SUV, the only thing more expensive than maintaining one is doing no maintenance at all. Here’s why, from R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, LA.

There’s a good chance you don’t know much about pistons or engine building, which is why you rely on the technicians at R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, LA when your vehicle has a problem. However, there’s some practical information regarding modern engine design that helps you better care for your vehicle, and keep it going strong. Here are some important aspects of modern piston design, and what it means for you.