As the temperatures start to drop and the days get shorter, it's time to start thinking about how to winterize your car. No one wants to be stranded on the side of the road in a blizzard, whether you’re just commuting to work or taking a winter road trip. Take some steps now to make sure your car is ready for winter travel. Here are a few things you can do to prepare your [...]
Where will you drive this summer? Are you off to the Dakotas to finally check out Mount Rushmore? Will you cruise the coast of California, soaking in that summer sun with your top-down and enjoying the Pacific breeze? Or will you find yourself further north, scoping out that gigantic heaven-reaching and majestic Redwoods, finishing up near the Tillamook factory in Oregon? All sound like postcard-worthy destinations, but is your vehicle ready for the long [...]
Buying a used car can be intimidating if you’re not sure what to look for, or how to negotiate for a fair price. Master Muffler has some tips for buying a used car, whether you’re working with a dealer or a private seller. First of all, set a budget and stick to it. It doesn’t matter if you’re paying cash or securing a loan; you don’t want to be burdened with a car you [...]
Modern car engines are designed to last 150,000 to 200,000 miles or ten years, whichever comes first. However, sometimes you start seeing red flags sooner. Warning Signs from the Engine Unfortunately, you could see signs of engine trouble well before either of those milestones. Here are some common engine problems many of us may face over time. Engine Won’t Start We’ve all heard it- the dreaded “tick tick tick” of an engine that won’t [...]
Winter isn’t so bad if you’re prepared. With the right preparation and a bit of practice driving on the fluffy stuff, you won’t be caught off guard when the holiday tunes start playing on your radio. Get a Tune-Up Before you brave the winter roads, take care of any minor car repair needs you have, and get a general tune-up from the auto repair team at Master Muffler. We can ensure your vehicle’s engine, [...]
These little parts pack a big punch in your vehicle. For gasoline-fueled cars and trucks, spark plugs provide the catalyst for igniting the air and fuel mixture in the combustion chamber. Anatomy of a Spark Plug Spark plugs cost about $10 each, but they contain components that provide invaluable contributions to the function of your vehicle. Copper Electrode The spark plug contains a copper electrode in the center. Nickel Alloy or Precious Metals The [...]
It’s never fun walking through the parking lot after an errand, stepping inside the vehicle, and turning the key only to realize the engine isn’t going to turn over. Most of us have experienced this at some point or another and have been left with no choice but to ask for assistance from a friendly stranger to help us jump the vehicle. It’s no secret that many have also experienced the panic of not [...]
Car enthusiasts love putting the key into the ignition and hearing the engine start up and roar. After a couple of quick revs, they’re off to the races. But in that split second that elapses as the key is turned, a lot is happening under the hood. The vehicle system tasked with efficient operation during this split second of time is the ignition system, and it has a lot of important duties and responsibilities. [...]
Summer is just a week away which means many Utah drivers are readying their bikes and preparing their camping equipment for weekend getaways outside of their city limits. It is no surprise that summer is the season where roads are most driven. Lakes, mountains, and trails all over are calling our names as the warm sun shines more consistently. However, before you head out on a trip that requires you to rack up mileage [...]
We’ve all been there— stepping into our car and turning the key only to realize we won’t be reaching our desired destination inconvenience-free. We may try to start the car a time or two or three before realizing the car is going nowhere without a jump. Frozen in place, we are left to come up with a plan to either ask a random individual for assistance or make a burdensome phone call to someone [...]
