U and your U-Joints (Lubricate U-Joints)
September 29, 2024
If your vehicles power goes to the rear wheels, then you have something called U-joints in the drivetrain. U-joints are connectors that allow the rotating power from your vehicles engine to deliver its power through a driveshaft to make the rear wheels rotate. You need U-joints because the surfa... More
Idle Talk about Engines (Causes of Rough Engine Idling)
September 22, 2024
When you slow down at stoplight, your vehicle's idle should be smooth as silk. But what happens when the engine is missing or idling roughly? That's your engine's way of telling you, "Hey, I've got something wrong with me and if you don't get someone to find out what it is, I may not start the n... More
Rear Window?Not the Movie! (Why Some Rear Windows Don't Go All the Way Down)
September 15, 2024
Alfred Hitchcock once made a mystery thriller film called "Rear Window." It had nothing to do with the rear window of today's cars, SUVs, CUVs and light trucks. But there is one thing that some drivers DO find mysterious. Why don't the rear windows in the second row of many of these vehicles go... More
Let Tuffy Grand Rapids (Fuller Ave) Help You Keep Your Vehicle Another Couple of Years
September 8, 2024
Grand Rapids area residents may remember when the U.S. government's Cash for Clunkers program made a splash on the news scene. People were offered incentives to trade in old vehicles for new, in the interest of better and improved air quality from reduced emissions.But a lot of Grand Rapids drive... More
Not-So-Smooth Operator (Transmission Signs of Trouble)
September 1, 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
Got it Covered! (Timing Cover Maintenance)
August 25, 2024
You may have heard at one time or another about something called a timing belt or timing chain in your engine. And you may know that if they fail well, let's just say that there can be some major engine damage. So obviously, we want our timing belts and chains to be in tip-top shape. One part t... More
PCV Valve Service at Tuffy Grand Rapids (Fuller Ave) in Grand Rapids
August 18, 2024
Today, we are talking about your PCV valve. Unburnt fuel is forced into the crankcase as your engine runs. The PCV (positive crankcase ventilation) valve vents this unburnt fuel and oil vapors from the crankcase and sends it back into the air intake system to be burned in the engine. A clogged... More
Grand Rapids, MI Winter Prep Service for Your Auto
August 11, 2024
When winter approaches in MI, Grand Rapids residents break out the sweaters, coats, boots and mittens. We want to be ready for MI winter conditions. Your vehicle needs to be ready for winter as well. The last thing Grand Rapids residents want is to get stranded out in the cold. You need your vehi... More
Don't Be Shocked (Shock Absorbers)
August 4, 2024
If you've ever ridden down a rough road on your bicycle, you know how hard a ride it can be. Yet drive down the same road in your car, truck or SUV and it miraculously will smooth out the ride. That's because it is equipped with shock absorbers. They are built to dampen impacts from road irreg... More
Fuel Saving Tip: Auto Myths Around Grand Rapids
July 28, 2024
With high fuel prices in Grand Rapids, MI, comes lots of gas saving advice. Some of it, like what you hear on is great. When you get one of those e-mails that's going around telling you how to save gas, try to think it through.Does it really make sense? Does it defy the laws of physics?Do some... More