Alternator Facts (Failing Alternator)
October 15, 2023
If you notice that your headlights are flickering at night, that's something to pay attention to. While there could be many different things that could cause that problem, one possibility is your vehicle's alternator. The alternator takes mechanical energy from the engine and turns it into electr... More
Drive Defensively in Iowa
October 8, 2023
Car care is part of auto safety in Marion. But the most important thing we can do to improve safety on Iowa roads is to drive safely.Defensive driving begins with the proper attitude. Have in mind that you won't let anyone take your safety away from you. You'll be aware of your surroundings, roa... More
Keeping Your Cool (Coolant System)
October 1, 2023
No matter what the weather is like outside, your internal combustion engine expects to keep its cool all the time, even when it's really cold. That's because engines create the power that moves you to your destination by a series of tiny explosions of a fuel and air mixture. In turn, that genera... More
When "Oh, no!" Turns Into, "All right!"
September 24, 2023
Things we don't expect happen to our vehicles. And let's face, no one really wants to spend money on an unexpected repair. But if you are putting off going to your vehicle repair facility because you're dreading bad news, you might just be putting off some good news. There was one minivan driver ... More
E-85 Fuel Safety Advice from Blair's Ferry Automotive
September 17, 2023
Today at Blair's Ferry Automotive we want to talk with you about a very important safety issue. This automotive safety warning is coming from a very unusual source: fire fighting experts. You've probably heard of E-85 gasoline being offered in the Marion area. Some newer vehicle models are spec... More
Blair's Ferry Automotive Often Asked About Premium vs. Regular Gas
September 10, 2023
Marion residents often ask the question: "Will using premium gas make my car run better?" The answer is simple. But first, let's talk about what exactly premium gasoline is.Different grades of gasoline have different octane ratings. Regular gasoline has the lowest octane rating and premium the h... More
The Edible Engine
September 3, 2023
You may have had a friend whose vehicle was the victim of hungry rodents. After all, mice, rats and squirrelseven rabbitshave been known to gnaw on wires in engine compartments, causing vehicle electrical systems to go haywire. They can disable a vehicle completely and be very expensive to fix.... More
Steering You Right (Power Steering Signs of Problems)
August 27, 2023
Nearly every modern vehicle on the road today has power steering, a wonderful invention that makes steering take far less effort than it did in the "good old days." Today, we take our steering for granted: until something goes wrong, that is. Most power steering these days is rack-and-pinion, th... More
Improve Your Night Vision When Driving in Marion
August 20, 2023
Night driving in Marion is not as safe as daylight driving as evidenced by the increased accident rate at night. Much of that is simply because it's dark outside.Visibility is important to safe driving. Ninety percent of our driving decisions are based on what we see. And at night, we just can't ... More
Under Pressure in Marion: TPMS
August 13, 2023
Have you noticed an increase in price when you get a flat tire fixed in Marion, or have your tires rotated? It might be the result of your TPMS, or Tire Pressure Monitoring System.The federal government began requiring a TPMS system on 2008 model year passenger vehicles and light trucks. Some 20... More