(Timing Belt)
August 10, 2025
You may have heard about an important part of your vehicle's engine called a timing belt, and many know that if that belt breaks, it can cause some very serious engine problems. Not all vehicles have them, and the ones that do generally have smaller engines. The timing belt keeps the engine sy... More
Shifty Letters PRNDL (Transmission)
July 20, 2025
You probably figured out those shifty letters. They're what you see on your automatic transmission shifter and stand for Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive and Low. Your automatic transmission is one of the great automotive inventions; here are some ways you can keep yours working well. Maintain you... More
Let?s Shift Gears (Transmission Fluid Replacement)
June 15, 2025
If you have a vehicle with an automatic transmission, you probably never think about gear shifting. When motor vehicles were invented, all of them had to be shifted manually. But that wonderful self-shifting transmission, referred to these days as simply an automatic, changed everything. Automa... More
Timing is Everything (Timing Belt)
December 8, 2024
Talk about exquisite choreography; it happens under the hood of your vehicle every time you take a drive. Your engines many complex parts must work exactly together. One key is a part called a timing belt, which enables the synchronizing of two of your engines components, the camshaft, and the ... More
Timing is Everything (Timing Cover Replacement)
November 24, 2024
Theres an important part in your vehicle that shields your timing belt, timing chain or cam belt from the debris and gunk that can be kicked up from the road. Its called the timing cover. Its important because the timing belt or chain is what coordinates parts of your engine called the camshaft... More
Not-So-Smooth Operator (Transmission Signs of Trouble)
January 28, 2024
You are heading down a flat, newly paved street when all of a sudden you feel it. Your vehicle jumps a little bit when you're accelerating and changing gears. You know it's not the surface of the road because it's smooth as silk. So what did you just feel? That kind of jumpingor grinding or sl... More
Automotive Tips from Spartan Tire Brighton: Knowing When Your Timing Belt Should Be Replaced
May 22, 2022
The timing belt in your engine controls the opening and closing of the intake and exhaust valves. Brighton drivers need to replace it on a schedule to avoid failure.Timing belts are very difficult to get to, requiring quite a bit of labor to access. Timing belt replacement is one of the more expe... More
Fears and Gears (Signs of Automatic Transmission Problems)
February 6, 2022
Automatic transmissions rule. The old days of shifting your own gears are a thing of the past for most drivers. But automatic transmission trouble can be a big inconvenience for any driver if it comes at the wrong time in the wrong place. Here are some signs to look out for that may mean you ar... More
Brighton Car Owners Ask: Why Do I Need to Change My Serpentine Belt?
March 21, 2021
Any Brighton driver who understands preventive maintenance knows that if it ain't broke, don't fix it is bad auto advice. Replacing a part before it breaks is much less costly for Brighton residents than repairing the engine damage that comes after a part breaks or fails. A good example of this i... More
Timing Belt Service to Save Big Bucks in Brighton
May 3, 2020
Your engine is like a finely choreographed dance. All the parts have to work together. If the timing is off at the ballet, dancers crash into each other and fall down. It the timing is off in your engine, it may not run at all. One of the most intricate dances in your engine has to do with the c... More