Automotive Industry News & Information - Nick's Automotive

U-joints are a small, simple component - in fact, they have changed much since the very first automobiles. However, on any vehicle with a driveshaft, its ability to move depends entirely on the u-joint being there. You’ll often hear “maybe it’s the u-joints” as a solution offered for problems with a vehicle - but what are they, what do they do, and how do you know if yours is bad? Nick's Automotive in Reno, NV has the answers.

Have you ever noticed your dashboard ABS icon lit up? If you have it means there is an issue that needs to be diagnosed, ABS issues don’t need to be ignored long. The anti-lock braking system, or ABS, is an important feature on every modern car, truck, or SUV. It has been legally mandated since 2013 in the US but was standard on almost every vehicle even prior to that. Here’s what you need to know to make sure your ABS system doesn’t fail, from Nick's Automotive in Reno, NV.

mechanic working on auto electrical system

Every year, vehicle electrical systems get a little more complicated. These days, many cars on the road contain up to a mile of wiring, running throughout every corner of the vehicle. With all those wires, there’s bound to be an issue at some point; Nick's Automotive in Reno, NV is here to help you recognize a potential electrical issue, and know what to do about it.

At some point or another, we’ve pretty much all dealt with a dead car battery. There’s a good chance you already know how to jump-start your car - if not, don’t worry! Here’s everything you need to know, from Nick's Automotive in Reno, NV.

Transmission malfunctions are sometimes hard to pin down and might even go unnoticed. A transmission slip can manifest itself in a lot of different ways because there’s not a universal or consistent way to describe it. The trained technicians at Nick's Automotive in Reno, NV can help diagnose your problem. The more details you can provide, the quicker we can help. Since it will vary based on the vehicle, how bad the issue is, and what components are at fault, here are some symptoms to look for in your SUV.

At Nick's Automotive in Reno, NV, we have seen our fair share of preventable engine failures. Frequently, engine disaster could have been avoided if the driver had known beforehand what the warning lights or gauges on the dashboard indicated. While some dash lights are fairly benign, others indicate imminent trouble. This guide from Nick's Automotive in Reno, NV will prepare you for the next time your vehicle shows you a warning you shouldn’t ignore.

mechanic messing with a tire on a lifted car

The operation of your transmission depends on your hydraulics. Even if that sounds like a foreign language to you, at Nick's Automotive in Reno, NV, we speak the automotive language. We want you to understand what we're talking about, so here are the basics of the hydraulic functions behind your transmission.

If you drive a vehicle with more than a few miles on it, there’s a good chance you’ve noticed an occasional drip underneath it that leaves spots wherever you park. Identifying what is leaking from your car will help you determine whether or not it’s a cause for concern, and what to do about it.

There are seven liquids a car can possibly drip: oil, gas, brake fluid, transmission fluid, gear oil, water, and coolant. How do you tell the difference? This article aims to help your know-how.