Three Signs Your Car Needs a Mechanic's Checkup in Farmington, MI, 48336

DARRELL'S FIRESTONE

Maintaining your vehicle at home is a satisfying way to keep your motoring costs down. With the right knowledge and products even someone who isn't very mechanically inclined can take care of many of the smaller issues in everyday driving. Sometimes, however, car issues can be too specialized or complex for the average motorist to take care of by themselves and it becomes time to take your car to the pros. Below you'll find three major warning signs that you need to get to a mechanic ASAP, as well as some of the potential causes behind them.

Engine and Drivetrain Problems

Let's start at the beginning. If your car won't even turn over and start up, then the rest of the problems on this list won't come into play. The simplest cause of this issue is a dead battery, which you can remedy with jumper cables, and the instructions that come printed on their packaging. If jumping the car doesn't work, you may have a larger problem with your ignition system. It's advisable to take your car into the shop at this point because finding the root of the problem will likely involve removing a few parts from your engine. Whether it's dead spark plugs or electrical problems, it's better to have it dealt with by a professional. Likewise, engine surging where the revs rise and fall can mean a problem with your fuel injectors, which are fairly deep within your motor. It's unwise to drive around with a surging engine, as this burns more gas and can cause unintended acceleration. Drivetrain issues are another major issue requiring professional attention. Everybody fears the dreaded transmission repairs, so if certain gears won't engage or they shift at the wrong times you should definitely take your car to the qualified mechanics here at Darrell's Firestone.

Vibration While Driving

This issue can be caused by damaged drivetrain components, but can also stem from misaligned wheels or unbalanced or flat tires. If you feel any vibration or shuddering as you drive along, you should get to a mechanic as soon as you can. At its worst, this issue can lessen your control over the car, potentially causing accidents. This will also wear out your tires more quickly than if everything was straight and true. Unwanted vibrations put stress on important (and costly) components like suspension and brakes while decreasing gas mileage, so it's smart to take your car in as soon as these issues develop.

Poor Braking Performance

Your brakes are vital to keeping you safe on the road and should definitely be cared for by a professional, unless you're absolutely sure you know what you're doing. Common signs of issues with your car's braking system include squeaking or squealing when the brakes are applied, or the brakes feeling spongy and failing to slow your vehicle properly. Squealing brakes are caused by the brake pads wearing through the pad surface to the metal underneath. At this point the metal behind your brake pad is coming into contact with the brake rotor. This can be disastrous and produce unwanted heat, reduced stopping power, and cause you to have to buy new rotors as well as the relatively cheap pads. Spongey and weak brakes can mean there's a problem with your master cylinder, which converts the mechanical pressure of you pressing the pedal into hydraulic pressure to apply the brakes. In either case, it's best to have your brakes seen to by the professional mechanics here at Darrell's Firestone.

There are instances where car maintenance is simple and easy, but if you notice any of these issues developing, it's best to take your car in for a qualified mechanic's checkup so the problems can be remedied before they turn into much more serious issues. Darrell's Firestone has the tools and expertise to have you safely back on the road in no time at all.

What People Say About Us

Highly recommended. Very friendly, helpful and fair. Got me in and out quickly even though they were busy. Definitely will return in the future. Thanks Darrell!

-Steve T

1st time to this Firestone. Very honest and up front regarding my concerns. Kept my car a proper amount of time to double check my brakes and brake petal. I will come back to this store in the future.

-Mary Kunka

Great service and staff! Very friendly and knowledgeable too! Highly recommended! They'll be getting all of my business in the future.

-Chris H - Farmington Hills

Very good and fast. Great groups of guys.

-Bret Harris

Great staff. I got new tires and my car drives like dream.

-Saire Saire

Friendly, courteous & professional service. Will go back there future car needs.

-Mark Poprawa

I needed repairs done to my exhaust system that I could not do myself. I called Darrell's Firestone mid morning to see if they could look at my truck. Without hesitation, he agreed, and told me to bring it by. I had a tight schedule of when I needed the job completed, if it was possible. The job was completed on time, and done well. Darrell was great to work with and could not have been more friendly. If you need work done, check with them first.

-Robert Gerak

Always honest and trustworthy. Their prices are fair and they are always willing to go the extra mile when it comes to customer service. I never thought I could ever trust to take my vehicle anywhere, until I took it to Darrell's.

-Jennifer Allen

My wife had a nail in her tire and I Couldn't get the lug nuts off Because they were stripped. So I took Her car to Darrell's Firestone Where I received great service. Once I gave them all my information I walked to CVS For something to drink . Once I return they were finish with the car and also they were very polite and courteous.

-Ryan Rodgers

Friendly customer service. Made me feel very special and also made me feel like a valued customer.

-Joanne T.

Good friendly service and great price for tires and alignment. Pleased that a serious brake line issue was spotted and quickly rectified by technician. Can recommend this place!

-M. Ashmore

Always a positive experience. It's hard to trust auto shops but I truly trust them.

-Adam F.

Nice staff, good service and fair pricing! That is all you can ask for!

-Bob S.

Everything was great. Super friendly. Darrell and Chris verry professional. Did job verry fast was shocked how quick they had the job done. Highly recommended to any body needing mechanic service. Keep up the great work.

-Kurt S.

Excellent service, knowledgeable staff, fair price.

-Alex V.

Great speedy service. Caring and attentive. They shopped for best deal on parts since I had an older model car. Would not take my cars anywhere else.

-Ban M.

My husband has been going to George for the past 15 years. He is honest and trustworthy. He wouldn?t trust anyone else to work on his Dodge Power Wagon. We highly recommend Darrell?s Firestone. Make sure you ask for George!!!

-Suezane C.

Our good friend of about 25 years George is now working at Darrell?s! We just had some repairs done there on our Honda! Outstanding and very fast service. A very fine place for our friend to work and great colleagues to work with! We are enchanted!!

-Dusty R.

For years my family has entrusted Darrel with the repair and maintenance of our vehicles. I have always found them to be very capable, courteous, and reasonably priced. Darrel has gone out of his way more than once to accommodate the needs of my family. I highly recommend them.

-Rebecca D.

My mother was a long time happy customer of Darrell's. I needed new tires (haven't bought new tires in 10+ years). I took in a quote from a large tire store, and Darrell's beat the price on the spot. What's not to like?

-Michael L.

My experience of Darrell's Firestone has been nothing but positive. My family followed George, "our car guy" from a different shop when he moved to Darrell's, and it's been a pleasure having them service our vehicles. It's the kind of shop that watches out for you, and that doesn't prey on unwitting consumers. If you're looking for a place you can trust, check out Darrell's.

-Gabe R.

I hvave had car serviced several times since finding this fine place. Prices reasonable and work reliable. They also have compassion. I am part of the deaf community and they bend over bacwards to make me understand and treat me with respect. The owner emails and sends texts too me to answer questions.

-Andy L.

I was really pleased with the service at Darrells. I needed some hefty repairs and he gave me a loaner to use for a couple days, no problem. I was also very impressed when i first brought my car in. he took a big box of trading cards for my 2 boys to go through and take what they wanted! This was my first visit here, and I will be returning for any other maintenance needs. Highly recommend this place.

-Kelly C.

Honest and upfront. Very dependable. Nicest people you?ll ever meet. I trust them 100% and always try and get my repairs done there!

-Derek P.

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