Brandon Auto Repair

Back during the good old days when gas was $2.00 (anyone remember $1.00 gas?), it was easier to ignore simple car maintenance. After all, what would it be causing you? A couple bucks here and there? Fuel efficiency matters a whole lot more now than it used to and here at Clarke Automotive, your local Brandon FL auto repair and maintenance team, we understand this. We've put together a quick list of five basics, ranked from easiest to most difficult, that can help any vehicle owner squeeze a few extra miles per gallon out of their daily driver. 1. Fill up smart. Fill up your vehicle during the coolest part of the day. With older pumps that don't have a temperature-compensating flow meter, fuel is denser when it's cool, so you actually get more for your money when you pump gas in the early AM instead of filling up at 5:30PM on your way home from work. 2. Keep your car clean! First off, wash and wax your car — it doesn't just look good, it actually lowers th ... read more

Hello, This is your rearview mirror. Obviously, I take my job of reflecting pretty seriously. Today, I thought it would be good to share a distinction that Clarke Automotive Systems has earned through AAA. They are a AAA Approved Auto Repair affiliate. Your Clarke Automotive Systems mechanic is the expert in the auto repair and maintenance that your car needs. As a AAA affiliate, here are just a few of the services and repairs they are approved to do: Brake Services - This is serious not just because having bad breaks is very dangerous, but getting the breaks repaired back into safe brakes can be very expensive. Transmission Service & Repair - This is another repair that can get very expensive if left until it’s too late. Getting your transmission serviced can let you know if you need minor repairs to head off the major rebuild or replace. Steering & Suspension Services - Obviously, your steering and suspe ... read more

Hello, This is your rearview mirror. Since my main purpose is to reflect, I thought I would share some reflections from customers at Clarke Automotive Systems. At Clarke, your mechanic will be an expert in the auto repair and maintenance that your car needs. You don’t have to just listen to me though--take it from their customers and our Testimonials page. You don’t have to just listen to a silly old mirror though--decide for yourself when you read from their Testimonials

Proudly servicing Brandon Florida's auto repair and service needs for over 30 years on domestic and Asian vehicles. We are equipped and trained to work on today’s automobile and everything we do keeps your car under warranty. Beyond oil changes, the basic servicing of a vehicle is becoming less demanding, particularly within the first 60,000 miles of ownership. Spark plugs typically don't have to be changed for at least 100,000 miles, and most new cars don't require any chassis lubrication. With coolant systems that are entirely recirculating and with coolant manufacturers making strides in their products' chemical components, the seasonal radiator flush is becoming a thing of the past. Yet anyone who goes to a service facility is likely to get pitched "routine" maintenance services from fuel injector cleaning to coolant flushes to air-conditioner refrigerant replacement. Just say no -- or at the very least compare what they're trying to sell with what your owner's ... read more

At Clarke Automotive, we specialize in auto repair for Brandon, Tampa, Ruskin, and more. With our car repair team’s extensive knowledge and training in repairing and maintaining domestic and imported vehicles, our shop guarantees all customers the best service they deserve. Our cost-effective offerings make us the perfect alternative for auto repair and maintenance services from the usual car dealerships. Today we have some tips for you to save money on your car maintenance while keeping your wheels on the road. 1. Stop changing your oil so often. You should only change your oil according to your owner's manual provided in your vehicle. Changing it more often is a waste of time and money for you. 2. Lubing your chassis. If someone says your chassis needs lubing, check it out before doing anything. Most cars built in the last couple of decades don't require lubrication. And if the mechanic says he can put in a fitting so t ... read more

By performing routine maintenance on your vehicle, you can decrease your chances of getting into an accident, which in turn will help keep your insurance premiums and auto repair costs low. To get your car ready for your college travels and overnight trips out of town, always bring it in to Clarke Automotive, your local Brandon FL auto repair and maintenance team. It’s common knowledge that it’s important to change your car’s oil regularly, rotate your tires, and keep your gas tank above empty. While those are all important ways to keep your car running smoothly and safely, you might be surprised at these less common maintenance practices. 1. Windshield Wipers: This is one of the most basic maintenance procedures. On average, windshield wipers should be replaced every six months to one year. You can tell it’s time when your wipers stop pushing rain or snow off your windshield, causing streaking instead of clearing the glass. 2. Lights: Tu ... read more

For most consumers, a car is their second biggest investment, yet many treat their vehicle about the same as their washing machine, electric range or other major appliance: They don't worry about it until something goes wrong. Here at Clarke Automotive, your trusted Brandon FL auto repair, we see this all the time unfortunately. While not following the maintenance schedule in the owner's manual is very common, it doesn't mean it's okay. We've compiled a list of 5 things you're doing that's killing your vehicle faster than you realize. 1. You're not checking or changing the car's oil. Although today's vehicles don't burn oil the way they did 25 years ago, troubles can arise that reduce the engine's oil level -- sometimes to dangerously low levels. Checking the level every couple of weeks will alert you to a problem if your car is consistently burning or losing oil. 2. You aren't changing the oil filter. Just like you, your car's engine mus ... read more

Hello Brandon, Florida! This is Jack, Car Jack, from Clarke Automotive Systems in Brandon. I’m writing you to let you know to stop in for regular maintenance on your vehicle or if you start hearing that dreaded knock while you are driving. Clark Automotive Systems will always treat your vehicle right and treat you with respect by giving you an honest, thorough estimate of your repairs. Clark Automotive is the leader in integrity among auto repair shops in Brandon. Mr. Clark and his team have an impeccable reputation as honest, expert mechanics that work hard and provide excellent customer service. You don’t have to believe me though. Just take a look at the reviews their customers have written in response to the service they’ve received. What were the two themes of both reviews from these women? Both mentioned that Clark Automotive is honest and knowledgable. What more can you ask of an auto repair shop? V ... read more

Here at Clarke Automotive, we're Brandon FL's trusted auto repair team and have been for over 30 years. Specializing in domestic and Asian imports, we are equipped and trained to work on today’s and yesterday's automobile. Plus, everything we do ensures that your car stays under warranty. We see a lot of people who bring their vehicles and they're way past due for their oil change. While we understand that an oil change is never at the top of anyone's to-do list, it is still important. Much like our hearts and bodies need clean blood to survive, our engines need clean oil. Oil is a lubricant which allows all the metal parts of your engine to work efficiently. If your engine was devoid of oil, there would be extreme wear on your engine and it's part as well as increased friction. Your oil filter is also an essential part of your engine and should be changed with every oil change. So what happens if you just never change y ... read more

The automotive world is filled with myths and misconceptions. Many are encouraged by carefully worded advertisements. And some, particularly those concerning how a car actually works, are created when complex subjects are oversimplified. Clarke Automotive, proudly serving residents of Brandon FL with auto repair and service needs for over 30 years on domestic and Asian vehicles, has seen its fair share of automotive misconceptions. Today we're addressing some of the most popular ones and setting the record straight once and for all. Myth #1: All-wheel drive will help you dodge objects in the road and go faster around corners. This is a nice thought, but it's inaccurate. While AWD is great at helping a vehicle accelerate, even the most advanced systems do little to help a driver avoid road hazards or grip the pavement in corners. How a vehicle responds in emergency or racetrack-type maneuvers is determined mainly by the tires, suspe ... read more