Automotive News & Information - Lake Ridge Automotive

Balanced wheels are essential for a multitude of reasons, particularly on commercial trucks. At Lake Ridge Automotive in Woodbridge, VA, we have the precision equipment necessary to provide you with the best balance possible, keeping your truck smoothly and reliably on the road.

Air filters are an important part of vehicle maintenance. What many people don’t realize is you actually have two filters; one for your engine and a cabin filter to filter the air coming into your car. Both of them function the same way but have entirely different purposes. They are often neglected, particularly the cabin filter, and yours may need to be changed right now. This guide, provided by Lake Ridge Automotive in Woodbridge, highlights the importance of filters, symptoms of an overused one, and how to maintain them.

At Lake Ridge Automotive in Woodbridge, VA, we understand that there are endless ways a transmission can sound, behave, and feel, depending on what type of vehicle it’s in, what type of transmission it is, and the state of the vehicle’s repair. Sometimes, when people buy a different vehicle, they notice it doesn’t act the same as their last vehicle, which leads them to believe there is a problem.

“Spark plug” is a word you are likely familiar with; it’s one of those car terms that you’ve heard your whole life. You know they’re important, you know sometimes they need to be changed. But how do you know when it’s time to replace them? What do they do, and where do they go wrong? Lake Ridge Automotive in Woodbridge has the answers.

Tires are what keeps your vehicle rolling, literally. Many people have found that shopping for tires is overwhelming because there are just so many choices. At Lake Ridge Automotive, we want to break it down for you so that it's easier to understand. There are four main categories of tires, and the right ones for you will depend on the kind of driving you do. Let's talk more about that!

It doesn't matter if you are driving a car or truck, jeep or SUV, a diesel 4x4 or a classic when those dash warning lights go off the first thing you do is think "how bad is it?" and "how much will it cost me?" followed quickly by "when was my last service visit?"!! Driving your vehicle longer safely is all about getting it serviced based on what your vehicle manual recommends and these warning lights are alerting you to a situation that requires your attention.

While not all warning lights are a sign that disaster is imminent, no warning indicator light should ever be ignored!

Your vehicle's engine needs clean air to burn the fuel – and it needs a lot of clean air. In fact, a typical vehicle needs about 216,000 gallons of air for every tank of gas. All that air passes through a filter that catches the dust and dirt. Eventually, the filter gets completely full, and because the filter can only hold so much, dirt starts getting through. At Lake Ridge Automotive in Woodbridge, we ensure you get the best air quality in your vehicle and explain the process of where this dirty air is going to our area drivers.

Do you have a noisy vehicle? If so, you may need a new muffler or exhaust system from our team here at Lake Ridge Automotive in Woodbridge. The purpose of your exhaust system is not only to reduce the noise but also to redirect fumes away from your vehicle. Redirecting these fumes protects passengers in the car from toxins created by burning fuel.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless chemical that can escape from an unsecured exhaust system, and if inhaled can pose very serious health hazards. If you experience an unusually loud sound coming from your vehicle, it is vital to get your exhaust system checked immediately!