Vehicle Maintenance

  • Experiencing A Loud Radiator Fan?

    mechanic working on radiator fan

    At R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, we know how irritating an issue with your car, truck, or SUV can be, even if it doesn’t immediately affect your vehicle’s performance. One such problematic issue, the excessively loud radiator cooling fan, is a common plague many automobile owners will experience.

  • Gas Cap Malfunctions? Yes, It's A Thing

    gas cap

    At R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, we know that some of the most elusive issues with any car, truck, or SUV are often caused by the simplest of malfunctions. While you might consider a gas cap fairly innocuous, it can actually malfunction too, prompting a check engine light on your dashboard.

  • Gas Mileage and How To Increase It

    dashboard

    Good gas mileage is something we all want. In fact, many drivers purchase certain cars solely for gas mileage, and almost all of us at least take it into consideration when purchasing a vehicle. While it is true that gas mileage is by and large determined simply by the type of car, there are actually a variety of things you can do to increase the gas mileage of any automobile. The tips R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe want to provide you here are simple and effective steps you can take to increase your gas mileage, often more considerably than you think.

  • Has Your Splash Shielding Been Knocked Loose?

    red truck driving

    Are you driving around with a loud scraping sound coming from beneath your vehicle? Chances are, a piece of your splash shielding has come loose under your car. At R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, we can have that annoying sound taken care of in no time.

  • Hot Car - Suggestions to Cool it Down

    cars parked under tree

    We all love the sunshine but getting into that HOT car isn't always so wonderful even when you have a remote start it will take the breath out of you when the temperatures are soaring. Makes you want to pack your lunch instead of meeting friends for lunch! We decided that you should meet friends for lunch! So we got together and found some quick ideas for you. It isn't much but enjoy the sunshine on us here at R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc here in Lacombe! Call it our fun day fact!

  • How Critical Are Belts On Your Vehicle?

    drive belt

    Your drive belts are simple but integral components to the function of your car, truck, or SUV. At R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, belts are one of the first things we assess when looking over a vehicle, as they alone are in charge of operating your AC, water pump, alternator, and power steering.

  • How do Manual Transmissions Work?

    gear shift with hand on it

    At R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, we know that transmissions are one of the greatest technological marvels of the automotive world. How does a standard shift transmission work? Why should you care? Our expert technicians here at R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe have the answers.

  • How Potholes Damage Your Vehicle

    technician inspecting the tire and rim

    Hitting a pothole always hurts - you may not be sure exactly what happens when you hit a pothole, but you can tell it’s not good for your car, truck, or SUV. Here are issues caused by potholes, and what to watch out for if you hit a really rough one, from R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, LA.

  • How to Avoid Risks with Your Vehicle

    mechanic working on a vehicle

    At R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, we understand that big trucks mean bigger risk on the road. Here are some tips to remember, to reduce the likelihood of an accident resulting in large repair costs next time you're on the job.

  • How to Fix Foggy or Cloudy Headlights

    headlight of car

    Foggy headlights are a problem that has arisen in the past couple of decades, as we have moved away from glass sealed beam bulbs and into an era of plastic lenses with bulbs inside. While modern headlights are superior to the sealed beam headlights of years ago, they do tend to fog up after years of use. It’s a good trade for far better illumination and easier replacement, but an issue nonetheless. Hours and hours of heat, sunlight, and age eventually cause them to cloud up, which can reduce visibility at night in addition to worsening the appearance of your car, truck, or SUV. From R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, LA, here are some tips on taking care of your foggy or cloudy headlight issue.

  • How To Get More Miles Per Gallon

    gas tanks

    At R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, efficiency is a concept that interests us. While your fuel economy is largely dependent on what kind of car, truck, or SUV you drive, there are a variety of tips and tricks to get the most bang for your buck. We’ve provided a few of our favorites here.

  • How to Make Your Clutch Last Longer

    shifter on vehicle

    If you drive a vehicle with a manual transmission, you know that clutch replacement can be an expensive and time-consuming job. R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe has some tips to keep your clutch replacements as infrequent as possible.

  • How to test drive a car, and what to look for

    technician with a wrench working on the engine

    Eventually, the time comes to replace your car, truck, or SUV. Often, you’ll decide to go used to save some money. This can either be a great financial decision, but it takes a little more groundwork to make sure you’re getting a good deal and a reliable vehicle. From researching, to test driving, to inspecting a used vehicle, R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, LA has a few tips to help you get there.

  • How To Test Your Shocks

    shocks

    Ride quality is an essential part of your driving experience. At R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, we strive to keep your car, truck, or SUV as smooth and comfortable to drive as the day it came off the lot. Your shock absorbers play a huge role in ride quality; here’s what you should know.

  • How Valve Adjustments Can Keep Your Vehicle Going

    valves on a vehicle

    At R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, LA, our main goal is to keep your car, truck, or SUV always performing at its best. Valve adjustments are an integral aspect of that goal.

  • If you see steam, pull over!

    tow truck and guy calling on the phone by side of the road

    Something will go wrong with your car, truck, or SUV eventually. The important thing is knowing what to do, and how to deal with it. Just knowing what to do in a situation often means the difference between a quick repair and thousands of dollars worth of work. If you see steam coming from under the hood, it’s important to deal with it appropriately and quickly. Here’s what’s going on, and what to do, from R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, LA.

  • If Your Airbag Light Is On, Have it Taken Care of ASAP

    deployed airbag in car

    At R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, we believe it’s important for you to know how different systems in your car, truck, or SUV operate. Whether you want to know what to watch out for, or you’re just curious about how things work, we’re here to supply the answers.

  • Importance Of Replacing Your Filters

    air filter

    At R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, we see a lot of dirty filters. Oil filters typically get replaced with each oil change, but air, fuel, and cabin filters last a long time. As such, they are often neglected until well after they’ve run their course. Here’s why you should care:

  • Is It Time For Your Vehicle To Get A New Water Pump?

    water pump

    “Water pump” is a term you’ve most likely heard in conversations about vehicles. But what is it, what does it actually do, and how do you know if you need a new one? At R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, we know the answers to these questions, and soon you will too.

  • Is It Time To Replace Your Ball Joints?

    separated ball joint that needs to be replaced

    We know you’re busy. At R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, LA, we also know that while there are certain issues with your car, truck, or SUV you can ignore for a while, some of them shouldn’t wait. While serious issues are often obvious, sometimes they aren’t - ball joints are one such case.

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R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc

31035 US-190
Lacombe, LA 70445
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location small (985) 882-6692
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Weekdays:   8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Weekends: CLOSED

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