Good steering is an underrated and often neglected aspect of driving. At Schaeffer Automotive in Huntingburg, IN, we believe in making sure you have the best vehicle possible, whether you’re driving across town or traveling long distances.

While keeping your car, truck, or SUV looking nice is important, there are other reasons to keep the exterior of your vehicle in good shape. From Schaeffer Automotive in Huntingburg, IN, here are some tips for keeping your car looking good, and how that keeps it reliably on the road.

It is often the last thing you check and statistically, most people ignore their tires, yet tires are undoubtedly a critical safety component on a vehicle. Here at Schaeffer Automotive in Huntingburg, IN, we know where the rubber meets the road affects traction, handling, steering, stability, and braking. Because of this, sudden tire failure can have serious consequences, especially if it occurs when operating at high speeds. We thought it important to share the real facts about tires for our area drivers.

Everyone from mechanics, to your uncle that works on cars, has at some point given you advice concerning engine oil. The fact of the matter is that while we are familiar with words like “synthetic” and “oil weight,” many people don’t know exactly what the terminology means, or why common knowledge about oil exists in the form that it does. At Schaeffer Automotive in Huntingburg, IN, we keep things clear and simple. The more you know about your vehicle, the better equipped you are to keep it maintained, and we know a thing or two about vehicles. We have compiled a short list of common myths for you, most of which you’ve heard, but maybe never second guessed.

Do you need new brake pads? Most of the time, if you think you do, the answer is yes. While a lot of auto parts stores sell brake pads with lifetime warranties, don’t be misled...brake pads will still wear down.

At Schaeffer Automotive in Huntingburg, IN, 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, we’ll explore a condition that has a lot of potentials to cause your transmission harm; overheating.

At Schaeffer Automotive in Huntingburg, IN, we see our fair share of warning lights and dashboard notifications. If your ABS light is illuminated, here’s what you need to know.  First, it should be noted that the ABS light is supposed to illuminate for a few seconds after you turn the key, as part of a system test. If the light stays illuminated or comes on again randomly, there’s an issue somewhere that must be addressed.

Road trips are a lot of fun, and often unpredictable. For all the miles you will be driving we always recommend preparing for any situation. With this checklist from Schaeffer Automotive in Huntingburg, you’ll be prepared for whatever comes your way.

As cars become more technologically advanced, the importance of your vehicle’s battery becomes more important. In the old days, a car battery essentially worked, or it didn’t; if it was good enough to start the car, it was good enough. Modern vehicles are a different story. A faulty battery can cause a variety of issues, including engine codes, sensor failures, irregular transmission behavior, and the list goes on.

Battery failure often causes issues that are commonly misdiagnosed, and in the hands of the wrong auto repair shop, a mechanic may spend hundreds of your hard-earned dollars chasing problems that don’t exist. At Schaeffer Automotive in Huntingburg, IN, our mechanics are familiar with modern vehicles and the problems that accompany them.

At Schaeffer Automotive in Huntingburg, cars are our passion, so naturally, we like to keep up with new technology on the market. At the moment, surprisingly the current trend is moving towards a goal you may not expect; self-driving vehicles. You’ve probably heard about self-driving cars a little bit here and there on the news, but it likely still seems somewhere in the realm of science fiction to you. However, the reality is that self-driving cars are on the way and maybe here sooner than you think. Already, almost all major automobile manufacturers are dumping billions of dollars into research and development for self-driving cars, and even companies like Uber are jumping on board. 

At Schaeffer Automotive in Huntingburg, IN, we’ve witnessed our fair share of burnt out and broken clutches. While clutch failure is an inevitability, there are a variety of ways to make sure yours lasts as long as possible.

Fluid levels, tire condition, dashboard lights, and a variety of other items typically are briefly explored whenever you bring your vehicle in for maintenance here at Schaeffer Automotive in Huntingburg, IN, where we are good at noticing things that need repair, but the fact of the matter is that only you know your car. You know when your car feels off when it's been serviced last (or that it hasn't been serviced at all,) and have at least some vague idea of what’s going on with your vehicle day to day. Here are some questions you can ask us next time you come by the shop;

The Turbo on your Chevrolet, Dodge, or Ford diesel truck is an integral component of your truck’s ability to perform. Turbos affect everything from power output to fuel mileage, allowing your pickup to reach its full potential in terms of power, torque, and efficiency. At Schaeffer Automotive in Huntingburg, IN, turbo knowledge is one of our specialties, because we understand the importance of quality turbo parts, replacements, and repair.

At Schaeffer Automotive in Huntingburg, we’re not only here to fix your car when something goes wrong...we’re here to help you understand your car, truck, or SUV a little better, too. Here are some tips concerning your thermostat - how it works, what to watch out for, and what to do about it when one fails.

At Schaeffer Automotive in Huntingburg, IN, we recommend always making it a priority to change your oil on time. Here’s a look into why it’s so important, and what happens if you don’t keep up with oil changes.

Sludge - If oil stays in an engine too long, sludge begins to build up anywhere oil can go. The oil absorbs tiny debris and contaminants, kind of like a liquid sponge - once it’s at capacity, that oil begins to stick, clog, and build up throughout the engine. Small veins that carry oil to components like actuators, turbos, and bearings will become blocked, starving critical components of oil and causing component or engine failure.

You’ve probably heard the term “transmission flush” before at some point in your automotive experience. But what exactly does it mean to have your transmission flushed, and why does it matter? Schaeffer Automotive in Huntingburg, IN has the answers.

At Schaeffer Automotive in Huntingburg, IN, we know buying a used car, truck, or SUV can be a gamble. While there are no guarantees, there are key points of inspection that tell us a lot about the condition of a vehicle and how it has been maintained. There are some important points of the inspection we verify when checking out a used vehicle.

The best way to deal with a blown tire is to prevent it from happening in the first place. However, eventually, a flat tire is going to occur, and it’ll most likely be when you least need it. From Schaeffer Automotive in Huntingburg, IN, here’s what you need to do.

At Schaeffer Automotive in Huntingburg, IN, we know how annoying a faulty fuel gauge can be. Never knowing how much gas you have in your car, truck, or SUV, and constantly running the risk of stranding yourself on the road somewhere, takes its toll after a while. Luckily, we can fix that.

At Schaeffer Automotive in Huntingburg, IN, we know how annoying a faulty fuel gauge can be. Never knowing how much gas you have in your car, truck, or SUV, and constantly running the risk of stranding yourself on the road somewhere, takes its toll after a while. Luckily, we can fix that.