Automotive News & Information - Stuart Rolfe Muffler & Auto Service

For the first several decades of automotive history, transmissions weren’t reliant on electronics for operation. Today, that simply isn’t the case. At Stuart Rolfe Muffler & Auto Service in Midlotian, VA, we have the knowledge and equipment necessary to take care of even the most complex transmissions, no matter what type of car, truck, or SUV you drive.

If you're prepping to go on a road trip, you need to be sure that your vehicle is ready for the journey. An unmaintained vehicle could be the difference between a good trip and a trip that goes south really quickly. Here at Stuart Rolfe Muffler & Auto Service, we want to remind you of some things to do so you and your vehicle are ready for the road.

Your drive belts are simple but integral components to the function of your car, truck, or SUV. At Stuart Rolfe Muffler & Auto Service in Midlotian, VA, belts are one of the first things we assess when looking over a vehicle, as they alone are in charge of operating your AC, water pump, alternator, and power steering.

At Stuart Rolfe Muffler & Auto Service in Midlotian, 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 Stuart Rolfe Muffler & Auto Service and let one of our experienced technicians get you fixed up. No matter your repair or maintenance needs, our team has you covered.

“Valve body” is one of those nebulous car terms you hear all the time, but nobody seems to really know what it is. At Stuart Rolfe Muffler & Auto Service in Midlotian, VA, we know exactly what a valve body is, what it does, and are well equipped to address any issues your valve body may be experiencing.

Changing the oil in big trucks and commercial vehicles is an expensive, but necessary, part of keeping your vehicles going. You don’t want to wait until it’s too late to change your oil, but changing it too early can be a waste of time and money. Having your oil tested regularly helps us to hone in on exactly how often your oil needs to be changed, to optimize reliability and efficiency.

Your car’s belts and hoses are essential to the cooling, air conditioning, and charging systems, and the engine. Here at Stuart Rolfe Muffler & Auto Service in Midlotian, our team takes them seriously as we understand that ignoring the routine replacement intervals will result in a costly breakdown that could leave you stranded. There are so many components tied together with your belts & hoses that it isn't just a simple belt or hose requiring repairs when you allow things to progress to the stage where your car or truck has a breakdown due to a faulty belt or hose.

It’s easier than ever to keep your fleet running smoothly for thousands of miles. If a vehicle has less than 50,000 miles on it today, chances are it still has 75 percent of its driving life ahead of it. That’s good news if you’re a company managing a fleet of vehicles. It wasn’t that long ago that hitting the 100,000-mile mark on the odometer was a major milestone. Today, vehicles are built to last. With the proper maintenance and attention, there’s no reason you shouldn’t expect to see that 50,000-mile reading on the odometer one day roll right past 200,000 and keep ongoing. Here at Stuart Rolfe Muffler & Auto Service, we're going to give you some tips on how to make that happen!