Rhinelander Auto Repair

The Pros of Pros (Let Us Do It For You) Aug 7th, 2020 Modern vehicles usually have four wheels, a steering wheel, and an engine, just as they have for decades.  But an awful lot has changed since the days of carburetors and drum brakes.  The addition of computers to so many automotive systems has been a game changer, enabling safer braking systems, stability control, and better fuel economy, to name a few.  Let's face it. Vehicles are far more sophisticated than they have ever been.  There was a time when many motorists felt they could take care of some basic maintenance and repair items.  Those days are pretty much gone, and safety is the number one reason you should leave modern vehicle repairs to the pros. Today's best technicians stay up to date with the latest training and have tens of thousands of dollars in tools and electronic diagnostic equipment at their fingertips. They have the proper lifts and other heavy equipment required for reaching ... read more

We often receive phone calls asking how much a brake job costs. While we understand why this is asked, it is difficult if not impossible to give an accurate or even a ball park price. Brake jobs are more than installing brake pads and rotors. When we perform a thorough brake inspection, we are also looking at the condition of the brake calipers. There are many moving parts and due to the corrosion that occurs from road salt, we need to make sure all the parts of the brake calipers are moving correctly. Otherwise those new brakes we put on today will not last very long. We also check the condition of the brake lines and brake hoses. We see too often brake lines that are very rusted and ready to fail - which will cause a loss of brake pedal when you need the brakes most! Once we assess the brake system, we will give you a complete and accurate estimate. When we do perform the brake service, we not only replace the parts needed, but take extra time cleaning and lubricating the other comp ... read more

Simple Answers from Northwoods Auto Techs: Cabin Air Filter Jun 16th, 2020 Question My car has a bad odor when I run the heater or air conditioner.  My friend said I might need a new cabin air filter – what’s that? Answer A cabin air filter is a special filter that cleans the air that comes into the passenger compartment – or cabin – of your vehicle.  Most new vehicles now have a cabin air filter. A cabin air filter catches dust, pollen, spores and other pollutants before they can get into your cabin.  It’s kind of like the filter on your furnace, cleaning the air you breathe inside. As you can imagine, it eventually gets filled up and can even start to get smelly.  So – you just have it replaced.  Now some are easy to access, and others are tougher to get to.  Your service technician will be able to take care of it for you. Your owner’s manual likely has a recommendation for when to replace the cabin air fi ... read more