Car Care Tips

  • Is Your Vehicle Draining Your Battery?

    battery

    At Gateway Auto Clinic in Kettering, we know how annoying a dead battery can be. Here’s some information on the subject, that will hopefully help you understand your battery issues a little better.

  • Keeping Your Climate Control Cleaner, Quieter, and Lasting Longer

    cabin filter

    If your car has climate control, then it also has a cabin filter. Cabin filters are simply air filters for the interior of your car, truck, or SUV. All air entering circulation through the climate control system first passes through this filter, to prevent your AC or heat systems from accumulating debris or blowing them out of your vents. The result is cleaner, quieter, and longer-lasting climate control systems, which keep the inside of your car as comfortable as possible. 

  • Keeping Your Kids Safe

    man and his kid working on their car

    Part of maintaining your vehicle is keeping its safety devices in good working order, especially when there are kids in the car. Seat belts, window locks, and airbag sensors work together to keep children safe in an automobile. Though safety components are generally very reliable, they do occasionally fail. Gateway Auto Clinic in Kettering is here when they do; here are some things to watch out for.

  • Keeping Your Kids Safe in the Vehicle

    childs hand holding an adult hand

    Part of maintaining your vehicle is keeping its safety devices in good working order, especially when there are kids in the car. Seat belts, window locks, and airbag sensors work together to keep children safe in an automobile. Though safety components are generally very reliable, they do occasionally fail. Gateway Auto Clinic in Kettering is here when they do; here are some things to watch out for.

  • Keeping Your Vehicle Shiny and Clean

    Getting your vehicle washed and waxed on a regular basis is one of the easiest ways to preserve its paint and keep it looking nice. It makes you feel good when you’re driving in a clean vehicle. Removing other environmental contaminants such as salt, tree sap, and bugs also goes a long way to make your vehicle’s paint last longer. 

  • Know When To Buy a New Vehicle

    salesman talking to customer about a new vehicle

    Whether you drive a Chevrolet, Ford, or Dodge diesel pickup, there will come a day when you have to ask the question - has the time come to get a new truck? Knowing when to throw in the towel or decide to keep the vehicle you have can be a difficult task. Gateway Auto Clinic in Kettering, OH is here to help you decide.

  • Looking to Improve Your Driving?

    smiling driver behind the wheel

    Whether you’ve been driving for five days or fifty years, there’s always room for improvement. At Gateway Auto Clinic in [BUSINESS_CITY[, we want to keep you safe. If you firmly believe you've got stellar skills behind the wheel, keep in mind that even the world's most talented racecar drivers are constantly training and sharpening their driving techniques. 

  • Looks Like A Problem? YES!

    mechanic working on a vehicle

    Sometimes it is EASY to see if your car or truck needs to come into our shop for professional repairs! 
    1.  You see steam rising from the engine!
    2.  The Check Engine Light is on!
    3.  The engine starts, but there is an odor that is not right.
    4.  You hear grinding or thumping noises.

  • Maintaining Your Trucks with Coolant Flushes

    coolant cap

    Coolant flushes are an important maintenance procedure, necessary for keeping your truck reliably on the road. At Gateway Auto Clinic in Kettering, we know that coolant flushes are a key aspect of preventative maintenance that goes a long way.

  • Maintenance and Importance of Your Vehicle's Lights

    Brake lights on various vehicles

    At Gateway Auto Clinic in Kettering, OH, we understand how important lighting is in regards the safety and presentation of your vehicle. Whether you have a broken housing, burned out bulbs, or a faulty connection, our expert mechanics are here to help.

  • Myths of Motor Oil

    Oil being poured into a vehicle

    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 Gateway Auto Clinic in Kettering, OH, 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.

  • Proper Care for Your Vehicle

    car driving down road

    Here are 10 steps to keep your car up and running from our team here at Gateway Auto Clinic! Whether you choose to do the maintenance yourself or take your car to see our professional service technicians, the non-profit Car Care Council recommends 10 basic maintenance procedures to keep your vehicle running its best. 

  • Proper Tire Care Improves Your Vehicle's Performance

    flat tire with air being put in

    Keeping your tires properly inflated and regularly checking the tread can save you money and keep you safe! At Gateway Auto Clinic in Kettering, OH we want to keep you and everyone in your car safe. Let us help you keep your tires maintained at their best.

  • Protecting A Car You Don't Drive Often

    classic car with tarp over hood

    It makes sense that a car that is rarely driven will last longer, right? It may seem counterintuitive, but that isn’t necessarily the case. Vehicles are meant to be driven, and various issues can arise if they aren’t stored properly or driven fairly regularly. If you have a car, truck, or SUV that you only drive occasionally, in the summer, to car shows, etc., this one is for you. Here’s what you need to know, from Gateway Auto Clinic in Kettering, OH.

  • Protecting Your Vehicle's Interior

    Cleaning the dashboard of a vehicle

    The interior of your car can be difficult to maintain; between you, your kids, and anyone else who gets a ride from you, wear and tear on the interior of your vehicle is constant. Drinks get spilled, burn holes appear, rips and tears happen. Unlike the rest of your car, the interior isn’t made of metal, so it requires special treatment to keep it in good condition.

  • Rainproof Your Windshield

    rain on the windshield

    At Gateway Auto Clinic in Kettering, we understand that safety and driving comfort are largely dependent on truck maintenance. Driving in the rain can be a hassle, especially if your vehicle isn’t prepared. 

    Essentially, there are a few things you can do to ease the burden of driving in the rain. Keep good quality windshield wipers installed, maintain a clean windshield, and regularly coat your windshield with Rain-X or comparable water-resistant chemicals. If applied properly, water-resistant coatings will dramatically increase visibility on rainy days. Quality windshield wipers, in good condition, are equally effective.

    If your wipers don’t completely wipe away water with each pass, get them replaced. Driving in the rain is hard enough; inadequate equipment to deal with the situation only makes it that much more difficult. A clean windshield also goes a long way...rain won’t wash off the dirt that has had adequate time to adhere to your glass.

    If you need new wipers, bring your truck to Gateway Auto Clinic and let one of our experienced technicians get you fixed up. No matter your repair or maintenance needs, our team has you covered.

  • Ready For A Road Trip - Here Is Our Checklist!

    roadtrip

    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 Gateway Auto Clinic in Kettering, you’ll be prepared for whatever comes your way.

  • Recognizing Flood Damage When Buying A Vehicle

    Unless you are confident in your abilities as an automotive mechanic, there is really only one rule when purchasing a flood-damaged vehicle: don’t do it. Unfortunately, sometimes sellers aren’t particularly straight-forward with their used cars. Many will try to hide the fact that it’s been damaged by floodwaters at all or try to convince potential buyers that the car is in fact fine. “It has gone months with no issues” or “technically it is flood-damaged but” are two red flags, and while it isn’t impossible for a flood car to be fine, it’s altogether a good idea to stay away.

  • Safety First - Have you checked your lights & wipers?

    Cars driving on road with wipers and headlights on

    True safety starts with being able to see where you are driving. Your lights and wipers play a major role in safe driving and the chance of an accident increases if you can't see or be seen. No matter what time of year, it's important to make sure your vehicle's lights and wipers are working properly so your visibility is not compromised and you can be seen by others. From the driver's seat, you may not notice a light that isn't working, but when a big rain comes it becomes easier to see what you are missing! When wet weather hits your roads is not the time for you to discover limited visibility problems. Here at Gateway Auto Clinic we take our Kettering drivers' safety seriously and inspect their vehicles when they come in for service.

  • Safety Tips for Truck Drivers

    semi driving on road

    At Gateway Auto Clinic in Kettering, we understand how important safety is in the world of truck driving. The stakes are higher in a big truck; potential for damage is obviously far greater, to you, your cargo, and other people on the road. Here are some easy tips that go a long way.

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4750 Wilmington Pike
| Kettering, OH

(937) 435-8094
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