clutch

If you drive a standard shift vehicle, you probably know your clutch is an important part of your driving experience. Proper maintenance and use of the clutch will dramatically increase its lifespan, saving you a lot of money in the future. R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, LA explains:

Nobody knows your vehicle better than you; if you suspect it isn’t driving the way it used to, there’s a good chance you’re correct. The truth of the matter is there are countless reasons and remedies for such a broad subject, but R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, LA has compiled a list of a few common problems that can cause a vehicle to drive poorly.

Gear shift in car with manual transmission

By now, it’s likely you’ve heard someone claim “manuals get better gas mileage than automatics.” While in the past this has certainly been true – driving an automatic was truly a sacrifice, dramatically affecting acceleration, reliability, and gas mileage – is it still the case in the modern era? R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, LA has the answers.

Man working under the hood of his vehicle

If you want to avoid nasty and unexpected surprise maintenance costs, sticking to a regimented schedule of preventative maintenance is something you are going to want to get used to. The reason being is simple – frequent maintenance will keep your vehicle in good health, ensuring you get the most out of all those expensive-to-replace parts. While it might sound counterintuitive, the best way to reduce maintenance costs is to stick to a prescribed maintenance schedule.

picture of gas nozzle in car

Fuel injection is one of the greatest innovations in automotive technology to date. From R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, LA, here’s a little more information on the fuel injector.

Part of a transmission

At R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, LA, we know that the key to keeping a transmission reliable and in shape is taking care to prevent an issue in the first place. Here, well explore a condition which has a lot of potential to cause your transmission harm: overheating.

luxury vehicle on the road

The steering and suspension systems are key safety-related systems that largely determine your car’s ride and handling. Have these systems checked regularly, at least once a year, and usually with a wheel alignment. 

What does it do? - The suspension maintains the relationship between the wheels and the frame or unibody. The suspension system interacts with the steering system to provide vehicle control. When working properly, the suspension system helps absorb the energy from road irregularities such as potholes and helps to maintain vehicle stability. The steering system transmits your input from the steering wheel to the steering gear and other steering components to control the car’s direction.

Typical Wear and Tear - Over time, steering and suspension components wear out and require replacement. Regular checks are critical to maintaining a safe car. Factors that affect wear include driving habits, operating conditions (potholes in road), vehicle type, type of steering and suspension system, and frequency of regular maintenance. Some symptoms that you are having issues with your vehicle steering and suspension include the car pulling to one side, uneven tire wear, excessive noise, vibration or bouncing, and loss of control.

Call or come by R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe today to have our professionals make sure your car is road-ready!

mechanic's hands holding wrench under the hood of a car

Transmission malfunctions are sometimes hard to pin down and might even go unnoticed. A transmission slip can manifest itself in a lot of different ways because there’s not a universal or consistent way to describe it. Since it will vary based on the vehicle, how bad the issue is, and what components are at fault, here are some symptoms to look for in your vehicle.

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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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