Brandon Auto Repair

A good day is when you turn the key in your car's ignition and the engine comes to life. A bad day is when you turn that same key and...nothing happens If you've ever been in a situation where the battery in your car goes dead, you know how frustrating it can be. But how can you make sure this doesn't happen? Usually, a good battery will last around 4-5 years under average conditions. Remember that "average" means the battery isn't subjected to extremes in temperatures and it's attached to a reliable charging system. But there's a few things that can be a fast drain on battery power. When your car first starts up, it usually takes a good amount of power to get the engine going. At this point, the charging system needs to start to replenish power. But if you're driving short distances constantly, the battery never gets an opportunity to fully recharge. Also, heavy vibrations can shake loose the battery, so try to watch those potholes. So how can you keep t ... read more

Remember the last time you were at the auto repair shop getting your car serviced? Your mechanic may have said, "By the way, we checked the serpentine belt and it's in good shape." Maybe you nodded and replied confidently, "Excellent, we all know how important that is!" But maybe you didn't really know what it is and why it matters? Here's a little bit of information to broaden your knowledge base. The serpentine belt is, well, a long belt that drives multiple accessories in the engine of your car. It drives the power steering pump, the alternator, water pump, super charger, and most importantly here in Florida, the air conditioning compressor. If it's working the way it's supposed to, all those components will work properly at the same time. However, if it stops working, best case scenario you'll have a dead battery. Worst case, you could have serious engine damage. So how do you know if it needs to be replaced? First, pop the hood of your car and ... read more

Preventative maintenance for your car is a lot like getting a regular checkup with your doctor. It's a chance to make sure things are running smoothly and catch any issues before they become serious. Here's a few tips we recommend to keep your car running longer and to reduce repair bills. First, read the owner's manual. Most people don't do this, but if you take the time to crack it open you'll find lots of good info tat's relevant to your exact vehicle. You'll learn how often you should really get the oil changed, the right kind of oil to use and the correct kind of gas to put in the tank. Next, get your car washed on a regular basis. Not only will a sparkling car make you look better, but salt and sand used to keep roads clear can cause damage to the undercarriage. Make sure you also frequently inspect the car. Check to make sure front and back lights are functional. Every month or so, make sure the air pressure in the tires is where it needs to be. By doing th ... read more

Try to imagine this scenario. You're in your car, driving down your street. You're headed to work. Time is of the essence. Suddenly, something goes wrong with the car. Maybe the engine starts racing. Perhaps the timing belt breaks. Could be something simple, like a headlight goes out. Whatever the situation, you're now stressed out. Late for work! Now add to that stress the worry about where you'll take your car. We all know the old cliche of the crooked auto mechanic. The guy who "finds" extra things wrong with your car, and you end up spending hundreds of dollars more than you anticipated. In this day and age, it's more important than ever to have an auto mechanic with integrity. You need someone who quotes you a fair price for the work they do, fix what they say they're going to fix, and make sure preventative measures are taken to head off trouble. So how do you make sure your mechanic is on the level? First, use your social network. When friends and family re ... read more

Here at Clarke Automotive Systems, we get questions every so often about timing belts. Most people don't even know there's something wrong with their timing belt or that it's time to replace it until their car breaks down on them or starts acting very differently. We're offer car repair Brandon, FL residents rely on time and time again and we're here to offer some help. Here are some signs that it may be time to replace your timing belt. If you've noticed that when you're driving your car and you get up between 2000 and 4000 RPMs, your engine starts acting weirdly, you should have your timing belt changed. If your timing belt is loose, it will start to slip at higher RPMs and during acceleration. Old timing belts wear down over time and lose teeth. It's normally recommended to change your timing belt every 60,000 miles. Experiencing starting and running issues with your car? Most people don't realize that the timing belt is actu ... read more

Here at Clarke Automotive Systems, we know that you idea of fun is definitely not getting an oil change. We can't think of many things that people put off more than getting an oil change. Unfortunately, if there's one thing that procrastinating makes worse, it's this. We could continue to make you feel bad about ignoring that windshield sticker that stares you in the face every time you get in the car, but we'd rather focus on the good and positive things that come out of changing your oil and oil filter on a regular basis! Call the auto repair experts in Brandon FL here at Clarke Automotive to schedule your oil change. Never underestimate the value of having a trained technician under the hood of your car a few times a year. In addition to changing your oil and oil filter, we're going to be on the look out for a number of trouble situations that can cause a breakdown if left untreated. We look for fluid leaks, bulging hoses, cracked or frayed belt ... read more

As most of us know, cars that are more modern don't require as much maintenance as cars did back in, say, the 50's. That shouldn't give you a false sense of security, though, says the car repair experts in Brandon, FL. Here at Clarke Automotive, we try to educate our customers so that they can be proactive when it comes to their car. If you look in your car's manual, there are enough service reminders and maintenance points to make anyone's head spin, but fortunately you have us to help you. There are a few main areas of your car that need to be kept up with. Oil: It's been said that oil is much like blood for your car - without it, it dies. Oil keeps your car's engine parts rotating smoothly and working properly, but over time, the oil gets contaminated from exhaust gasses and small bits of metal. This contamination reduces the effectiveness of the oil, making it too thin. If it's too thin, it won't lubricate the engine. Air fi ... read more

If you have been looking forward to our follow up blog on how to avoid rust from eating away the metal fabrications of your car, you’re in the right place. Be sure, if you haven’t already, to catch up with the first two tips on keeping your car rust free. Here are the following three tips you should follow if you want to have a long lasting, rust-free vehicle. Any car that is used a lot on roadways will always experience a little bit of road rash, it’s normal! The trick to eliminating road rash is by touching up your scratches, paint chips and other large chunks of peeling paint to best avoid rust. Along with keeping your car clean, getting it waxed or waxing your car yourself is another great way you can protect your vehicle against the orange rust you don’t want! Wax can protect your vehicle against the harsh UV rays it endures daily, and if you don’t shelter your car during the day ... read more

Auto repair maintenance is an important part of American life. If you’re going to have a car, it’s imperative to take good care of your vehicle. It’s financially sound, it’s safer for you and your passengers, and it gives you a freedom of mind to not have to worry about blinking service-engine lights, flashing check-oil lights, or hearing screeching, whirring, or grinding of any kind. Getting oil changes, tire rotations, clean fuel injection, and full brake services are the little things. We of Clarke Automotive Systems offer full auto repair in Brandon, FL, as well as a whole horde of other servicers. When it comes to car care, you want to make sure that you’re going to the people that know what they’re doing. We of Clark Auto Systems know exactly what we’re about—we’re here to make your car run smoothly again. Not every difficulty with your car is just a wear and tear issue. If your car has been damaged by weather or in an accident, you don’t alw ... read more

If you’re looking for tips and tricks to keep your car in the best shape possible and avoid auto repair as much as you possibly can, you have come to the right place. At Clarke Automotive Systems, we have dedicated time in providing you with 5 ways you can protect your car against getting rust. Rust is an underestimated threat that many people ignore, and here are the 5 ways that you can avoid needing auto repair from your local professionals in Brandon, FL. Do you store your vehicle inside and away from the elements? In our area, it’s inevitable that your car will get wet from the rain storms we endure regularly, but if you have a roof over it, it is less likely that your car will build up rusty wheel wells and bumpers. You may not think that keeping your car clean will do much, but if you do, rust won’t be likely to happen on your car. You car picks up a crazy amount of debris on the roadways that you drive everyday ... read more