Our vehicles operate in a wide range of outside DeKalb temperatures. That’s why auto manufacturers use testing grounds from the frozen tundra to the blistering desert. Your SUV engine antifreeze/coolant must be able to perform in these extreme temperatures.

Antifreeze/coolant has to move heat away from the engine to prevent costly damage. Water does a very good job of holding heat, but it freezes at thirty two degrees.

That’s why we mix anti-freeze with water – it lowers the freezing point of the antifreeze/coolant, and raises the boiling point as well. A fifty/fifty blend of water and antifreeze/coolant is the usual recommendation for Illinois motorists.

And on top of that, antifreeze/coolant has to protect the components of the SUV cooling system from corrosion. Your auto manufacturers owners’ manual will tell you what kind of antifreeze/coolant you should use. Of course, at Bockman’s Auto Care, we can advise you on what to put in your SUV.

Cooling system failure is the most common mechanical problem Sycamore motorists have. Much of that can be avoided by following factory scheduled service intervals. Check your SUV owner’s manual or with your Bockman’s Auto Care service advisor for recommendations. He can also conduct a cooling system inspection to look for leaks, weak hoses or bad connections.

Give us a call

Bockman’s Auto Care
815.756.7413
2158 Oakland Drive
Sycamore, Illinois 60178

At Bockman’s Auto Care in Sycamore Illinois (60178) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 815.756.7413. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

The post Extend The Life Of Your Cooling System In Sycamore appeared first on Bockman's Auto Care.

DeKalb people generally accept that many things in life require regular maintenance: their teeth, clothes, yards and so on, but Illinois auto owners often don’t apply the idea of maintenance to their vehicles.

If you never brush your teeth or go to the dentist, you’ll become painfully aware of your neglect when you get a big cavity. Once the damage is done, we learn our critical lesson and start to take better care of things.

Unfortunately, Sycamore people too often learn the hard automotive lesson when they bring their vehicle to Bockman’s Auto Care on a tow truck. So many times, a little routine maintenance would have prevented an expensive breakdown.

So how do Sycamore auto owners get into the habit of taking care of their SUVs? It’s so easy to forget; not like cutting the grass which you see it every time you pull in the driveway.

Here’s something that will help: The key to good SUV maintenance starts with the oil change. Think about it – when you go in for a full-service oil change in Sycamore, your honest Bockman’s Auto Care service advisor will check all your fluids. If one of them is low, he can look for the reason why. If your serpentine belt is worn, he’ll see it and let you know. Corroded battery cable – they’ve got you covered. And they’ll check to see if your manufacturer has recommended any critical services at your current mileage.

The oil change becomes kind of a focal point, a way to check in to see what needs to be done.

The fact is that vehicle inspection surveys consistently reveal that over 80% of vehicles have one or more unperformed repair or maintenance service. Vehicles are generally very reliable and can take a lot of abuse and neglect – but you can only press your luck so long.

So when you come into Bockman’s Auto Care for an oil change, you get a visual inspection of your car and a reminder for recommended services so you can avoid a total failure. And remember that your service advisor can help you work out a maintenance and repair plan for your SUV, prioritizing and scheduling the work to make sure you and your family are safe, and avoid expensive breakdowns.

In addition to full-service oil changes, at Bockman’s Auto Care we also offer brakes, brake replacement and tire replacement.

Give us a call

Bockman’s Auto Care
815.756.7413
2158 Oakland Drive
Sycamore, Illinois 60178

At Bockman’s Auto Care in Sycamore Illinois (60178) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 815.756.7413. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

The post The Maintenance Mindset: Full-Service Oil Change At Bockman’s Auto Care appeared first on Bockman's Auto Care.

Something we hear quite frequently from Sycamore auto owners is that their fuel efficiency is down and their SUV just doesn’t have the pep it used to. When that happens, one of the things we look for is clogged fuel injectors.

The engine management computer tells your fuel injectors exactly when to squirt fuel into your SUV engine. It is essential that clean fuel injectors spray the right amount of gasoline or diesel fuel in a nice, specific spray pattern. A dirty injector can’t spray enough fuel and it comes out in an uneven, weak pattern.

When DeKalb auto owners’ fuel injectors are dirty or clogged, the fuel just can’t burn as efficiently, which causes fuel efficiency to drop. And your SUV engine can’t make as much power.

Fuel injectors just get dirty over time. Gas and diesel fuel cause varnish and gum to build up in your fuel injectors, especially if you buy bargain gas in DeKalb. If your fuel injectors get too dirty, they can be damaged and need to be replaced – which can be pretty expensive.

The good news is that a professional fuel injector cleaning at Bockman’s Auto Care in Sycamore can get all that gunk out of your injectors. They’ll be able to spray the right amount of fuel, at exactly the right time, and in the right spray pattern. Your fuel efficiency will be restored in DeKalb along with your SUV engine performance. Fuel injectors are cleaned as part of a comprehensive fuel system cleaning that includes the induction system (throttle plates, intake manifold, idle air by-pass passages and, if applicable, the mass airflow sensor).

So ask your honest technician about fuel injector cleaning in Sycamore at Bockman’s Auto Care to get your engine running like new.

Give us a call

Bockman’s Auto Care
2158 Oakland Drive
Sycamore, Illinois 60178

At Bockman’s Auto Care in Sycamore Illinois (60178) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 815.756.7413. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

The post Fuel Injector Cleaning At Bockman’s Auto Care In Sycamore appeared first on Bockman's Auto Care.

Something we hear quite frequently from Sycamore auto owners is that their fuel efficiency is down and their SUV just doesn’t have the pep it used to. When that happens, one of the things we look for is clogged fuel injectors.

The engine management computer tells your fuel injectors exactly when to squirt fuel into your SUV engine. It is essential that clean fuel injectors spray the right amount of gasoline or diesel fuel in a nice, specific spray pattern. A dirty injector can’t spray enough fuel and it comes out in an uneven, weak pattern.

When DeKalb auto owners’ fuel injectors are dirty or clogged, the fuel just can’t burn as efficiently, which causes fuel efficiency to drop. And your SUV engine can’t make as much power.

Fuel injectors just get dirty over time. Gas and diesel fuel cause varnish and gum to build up in your fuel injectors, especially if you buy bargain gas in DeKalb. If your fuel injectors get too dirty, they can be damaged and need to be replaced – which can be pretty expensive.

The good news is that a professional fuel injector cleaning at Bockman’s Auto Care in Sycamore can get all that gunk out of your injectors. They’ll be able to spray the right amount of fuel, at exactly the right time, and in the right spray pattern. Your fuel efficiency will be restored in DeKalb along with your SUV engine performance. Fuel injectors are cleaned as part of a comprehensive fuel system cleaning that includes the induction system (throttle plates, intake manifold, idle air by-pass passages and, if applicable, the mass airflow sensor).

So ask your honest technician about fuel injector cleaning in Sycamore at Bockman’s Auto Care to get your engine running like new.

Give us a call

Bockman’s Auto Care
2158 Oakland Drive
Sycamore, Illinois 60178

At Bockman’s Auto Care in Sycamore Illinois (60178) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 815.756.7413. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

The post Fuel Injector Cleaning At Bockman’s Auto Care In Sycamore appeared first on Bockman's Auto Care.

Hello Sycamore motorists, lets talk about fuel. Fuel, whether gasoline or diesel, is delivered to your SUV engine to be burned to generate the power needed to keep you moving. This fuel leaves a residue as it moves through your fuel system. This may not seem like much, but it can cause big problems. Gum and varnish build up inside fuel lines, your throttle body and injectors. It’s like plaque build-up in your arteries – it restricts the free flow of fuel and can even clog your SUV fuel injectors.

In addition, carbon from combustion starts to accumulate on your valves, inside the combustion chamber and on your pistons. This interferes with proper mixing of fuel and air and can prevent your valves from sealing properly. This means less power, rough running SUV engine and wasted fuel – and could even lead to costly damage over time.

A fuel system cleaning in Sycamore at Bockman’s Auto Care clears out the gum and varnish from your fuel system and gets your injectors working properly, restoring power and improving fuel efficiency. Carbon deposits are dissolved and your SUV engine starts running like new again.

If your engine seems sluggish and less responsive than it used to be, it might mean that you need a fuel system cleaning. Ask your honest Bockman’s Auto Care service specialist if a fuel system cleaning is right for you.

Give us a call

Bockman’s Auto Care
815.756.7413
2158 Oakland Drive
Sycamore, Illinois 60178

At Bockman’s Auto Care in Sycamore Illinois (60178) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 815.756.7413. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

The post Fuel System Cleaning At Bockman’s Auto Care In Sycamore appeared first on Bockman's Auto Care.

Hello 
Sycamore auto owners – today we’re talking about suspension integrity. Your skeleton provides the structure to hold up your weight. Your joints cushion you as you walk and allow you to change direction. Your SUV’s suspension system is similar: It bears the weight of your vehicle, absorbs bumps in the road and controls the body as you steer.

Like the bones in your body, SUV suspension parts are connected by joints that allow all the components to move as they should. Over time and miles, the joints start to wear and your suspension gets loose and doesn’t operate as precisely as before, reducing proper tire contact with the road. An accident, pothole or hitting a curb or rock can also damage or break SUV suspension components.

If you’ve ever hurt your foot, you know you’ve had to walk differently to keep it from hurting as bad. Do that long enough and your ankle, knee, hip and even your back will start to hurt from the strain of not moving normally. The same thing happens in your SUV when one joint or part is worn or damaged: it stresses everything else and causes premature wear to the whole system.

Signs of suspension problems include uneven tire wear, vibration, rattles or clunks when you hit a bump or turn on a windy DeKalb road, or the vehicle pulls to one side.

If you suspect a suspension problem, ask your honest Bockman’s Auto Care service advisor for an automotive analysis of your suspension system. They can also check your alignment while they’re at it. Taking care of a worn or damaged suspension component early, will head off future damage and expensive repairs down the road.

Give us a call

Bockman’s Auto Care
815.756.7413
2158 Oakland Drive
Sycamore, Illinois 60178

At Bockman’s Auto Care in Sycamore Illinois (60178) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 815.756.7413. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

The post Suspension Integrity In Sycamore appeared first on Bockman's Auto Care.

Most Sycamore auto owners come to their honest Bockman’s Auto Care service advisor with specific services in mind and an idea of how much they’ll be spending. Sometimes, a courtesy car inspection and a review of your service history will uncover additional items that require attention. How should you react to that?

Here’s some advice: It’s not as if your honest Bockman’s Auto Care service advisor is saying “Do you want fries with that?” or “Supersize for 59 cents more.” He’s not recommending something extra or something you don’t need. Recommendations are either based on the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule or on a problem uncovered during an inspection.

An important part of the Bockman’s Auto Care service advisor‘s role is to help you understand the auto makers recommendations: recommendations that cover every system on the SUV and are set by the engineers that design the SUV. If Sycamore folks followed every one of those recommendations they would experience better gas mileage, enjoy better performance, be safer and avoid a lot of breakdowns and repairs.

Your Bockman’s Auto Care service advisor is an educator who will help you with a plan for catching up on scheduled services and a partner in taking care of your family’s vehicle priorities – they are there to help you manage your vehicle needs.

Give us a call

Bockman’s Auto Care
815.756.7413
2158 Oakland Drive
Sycamore, Illinois 60178

At Bockman’s Auto Care in Sycamore Illinois (60178) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 815.756.7413. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

The post Your Courtesy Inspection At Bockman’s Auto Care In Sycamore appeared first on Bockman's Auto Care.

Most Sycamore auto owners come to their honest Bockman’s Auto Care service advisor with specific services in mind and an idea of how much they’ll be spending. Sometimes, a courtesy car inspection and a review of your service history will uncover additional items that require attention. How should you react to that?

Here’s some advice: It’s not as if your honest Bockman’s Auto Care service advisor is saying “Do you want fries with that?” or “Supersize for 59 cents more.” He’s not recommending something extra or something you don’t need. Recommendations are either based on the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule or on a problem uncovered during an inspection.

An important part of the Bockman’s Auto Care service advisor‘s role is to help you understand the auto makers recommendations: recommendations that cover every system on the SUV and are set by the engineers that design the SUV. If Sycamore folks followed every one of those recommendations they would experience better gas mileage, enjoy better performance, be safer and avoid a lot of breakdowns and repairs.

Your Bockman’s Auto Care service advisor is an educator who will help you with a plan for catching up on scheduled services and a partner in taking care of your family’s vehicle priorities – they are there to help you manage your vehicle needs.

Give us a call

Bockman’s Auto Care
815.756.7413
2158 Oakland Drive
Sycamore, Illinois 60178

At Bockman’s Auto Care in Sycamore Illinois (60178) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 815.756.7413. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

The post Your Courtesy Inspection At Bockman’s Auto Care In Sycamore appeared first on Bockman's Auto Care.

Way too many accidents happen at night on Illinois roads. There are a lot of factors, but a big one is simply visibility: if you can’t see something, it’s hard to avoid hitting it.

There are some things DeKalb drivers can do to make sure they can see as much as possible when they’re driving in the dark. First of all, keep your windshield clean. Glare from oncoming headlights can obscure obstacles in the road. Clean off that film that builds up on the inside of your windshield. And make sure you have good wiper blades and plenty of washer fluid.

Now it could be that your headlights aren’t as bright as they used to be. It happens – the bulbs just dim over time. If it’s been a couple of years since you replaced your headlamps and they aren’t lighting up the road like they used to, get some new ones. They make upgraded headlamps too that give you a brighter light and a larger field of vision so you can see better and further down the road. Check with your honest Bockman’s Auto Care tech if you want to up your headlamp performance.

Another very common headlamp problem in the DeKalb area is cloudy or yellowed lenses. These days lenses are plastic and they oxidize and discolor over time. Just look at the cars in the parking lot at your DeKalb office building – chances are you’ll see several with cloudy lenses. This is a huge problem because some of the light coming from your headlamps gets trapped before it can even get out and shine down the road.

Replacing a set of headlight assemblies can run hundreds or even thousands of dollars in Sycamore. There’s an alternative that can save Sycamore drivers big bucks: Headlight restoration. Your Bockman’s Auto Care tech can remove the oxidized layer from your lenses. He’ll then polish the lenses until they’re bright and smooth. When he’s all finished, your lenses will be as good as new.

Any accident on Illinois roads and freeways is inconvenient and can be costly. And if someone gets hurt, well, that’s something you want to avoid at all costs. If you’re not confident driving at night in DeKalb, ask your honest Bockman’s Auto Care tech about headlamp replacement and headlight restoration Sycamore.

Give us a call

Bockman’s Auto Care
815.756.7413
2158 Oakland Drive
Sycamore, Illinois 60178

At Bockman’s Auto Care in Sycamore Illinois (60178) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 815.756.7413. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

The post Headlamp Replacement And Restoration At Bockman’s Auto Care In Sycamore appeared first on Bockman's Auto Care.

Some DeKalb drivers love driving, love their vehicles: To them, picking out the right tire is just as important – and just as much fun – as finding the right shoes is to a runner.

Now not everyone in DeKalb is like that. Many Illinois people have found that shopping for tires is overwhelming because there are just so many choices. So let’s break it down: there are four main categories of tires, depending on the kind of driving you do.

First, there are summer tires. You would buy summer tires if you’re looking for maximum summertime performance. The rubber is a little softer to help you stick to the road in fast corners. The tread has wide blocks at the shoulder to stiffen the tire in turns. The tread design can handle rain, but really isn’t set up for snow and ice.

Next comes winter tires. You would buy winter tires if you still like performance driving when it’s cold and slippery out, so you need a tread design that’ll really bite into ice and snow. The rubber compound is formulated to stay pliable when temperatures drop below 45 degrees so you get great traction even on dry roads. On the other end of the winter tire spectrum are tires designed to handle severe ice and snow conditions.

The third category is all-season tires. Now, most new cars come with all-seasons in DeKalb. The idea is a tire that you can use all-year round in Illinois. Naturally, the tread design and rubber compound is a compromise that won’t give you the extreme capabilities of summer or winter tires, but if your driving and weather conditions aren’t at the extreme ends of the spectrum, all-season tires might suit you just fine.

The last category is all-terrain tires. These tires are designed for both Sycamore interstate and off-road use. If you need a tire that gets good traction in the dirt and is tough enough for rocks and ruts and stuff, but still performs well on the road, an all-terrain tire might be just what you need.

Talk with your honest Bockman’s Auto Care tire professional in Sycamore about how and where you drive and get his suggestions for tires that’ll work for you.

Give us a call

Bockman’s Auto Care
815.756.7413
2158 Oakland Drive
Sycamore, Illinois 60178

At Bockman’s Auto Care in Sycamore Illinois (60178) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 815.756.7413. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

The post The Bockman’s Auto Care Guide To Selecting Tires And Wheels appeared first on Bockman's Auto Care.