Waterloo Automotive

Choosing a good automotive repair shop can be tricky if you aren’t experienced or don’t have a reference. Many are unreliable and dishonest, opting to charge you far more than necessary. Go through our checklist before choosing an automotive shop to ensure that you’re receiving the best quality care for a reasonable price. A respectable and honest auto repair shop should: Hold a License for Automotive Service Excellence

An auto repair shop that has a certificate for Automotive Service Excellence has gone through special training and exams. Members must be continuously trained to keep up with technology and market requirements. Each technician at Meyer’s Automotive undergoes at least 40 hours of training every year, and we also have a Bosch Certification. Both of these ensure your vehicle will receive the best care possible. Be Involved in the Community
Those working in the auto repair industry shouldn’t be exempt from being


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Becoming independent of help from parents is one goal that many teenagers strive to attain. Whether it’s financially or otherwise, being able to handle things on your own is an important life skill. Learning about the noises your car makes, good and bad, is one way to become more independent from your parent or guardian. Squeak during braking
If you hear a high-pitched or squeaking sound when you break, it could be a result of your new (or wearing!) brake pads or a sign that you have water on the brakes. Sizzle under the hood
If you notice this most immediately after turning off the engine, it means something is leaking. It could be anything from coolant to oil, but get it checked out. Clunk in the front end
A clunking sound towards the front of your car during idling or going over small bumps, it’s probably an issue with the ball joint losing lubrication. Make an appointment to replace it. Whine while turning


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Fourth of July weekend is a time for barbecues, fireworks and family. Many people like to enjoy an alcoholic beverage or two, but this becomes a problem when deciding to get behind the wheel. This holiday weekend has repeatedly been ranked on numerous sources as the deadliest holiday of the year— even more so than New Year’s Day. Sometimes it’s due to alcohol, and sometimes it’s not. Nonetheless, this weekend has repeatedly been considered a very dangerous time to get behind the wheel. You Drink, You Drive, You Lose Saturation Patrols
By now you are probably familiar with the MoDOT slogan “You drink, you drive, you lose.” This is especially true on holiday weekends. If you have had an alcoholic drink, don’t even think about driving. Make plans in advance for a taxi or designated driver if you must get back home. St. Louis area police have announced an increase of sobriety checkpoints and DWI saturation patrols over the holiday weekend starting on July 3r
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Maintaining your car is very important, as it helps in avoiding breakdowns and future problems. With regular maintenance, your car will drive longer and more efficiently. Below are some of the thing you need to know about fluids, filters and tires. Fluids
Fluids like anti-freeze, motor oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid, rear end oil, power steering fluid and fuel are basically the lifeblood for a car and have to be maintained at proper levels. Each has its own function to perform. For instance, motor oil normally keeps all the parts of the engine lubricated and without it, your engine will lock up. If your vehicle is older than 2002, you should probably change it every 3,000 miles. Newer cars typically need an oil change every 3,000 miles. On the other hand, coolant is essential in keeping the engine block and cylinder heads cool. Ensure that you have proper lubrication of suspension parts using grease. Filters
The fluid filter, oil filt

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Finding your vehicle with a dead battery can be very frustrating and inconvenient. Follow these tips to get the most out of your battery and keep it running. 1. Clean it Wipe your battery’s casing with a damp rag. Use a screwdriver to scrape away dirt and buildup from the terminals to allow the current to pass from the battery to the cables more efficiently. Call Meyer’s if the job looks like too much to handle alone. 2. Secure the battery Vibration and rattling can cause damage to the battery plates and your vehicle. It could also cause the battery to short circuit. 3. Protect it from weather Protect your battery from extremely cold weather, like we have here in the Midwest. Insulation kits are typically already found in new cars, but double check to make sure yours has a plastic or other thermal-resistant covering. 4. Drive your vehicle Leaving your car without starting and drivi ... read more

Each year hundreds of thousands of people are arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. Be aware of how much is too much according to the law and what kinds of penalties you face if you are caught drinking while driving. How much can I drink? Males
If a man weighs 180 lbs., his BAC will typically be over .08% after four drinks over the course of an hour. Females
Having three drinks in an hour will put a woman weighing 140 lbs. over the legal limit. These are not concrete guidelines. Your BAC level is determined by a variety of things. Your weight, body fat, type of drink, consumption rate and when/what you last ate (among others) are all factors that affect your BAC. Check out a blood alcohol calculator that can give you an idea of what your concentration might be after a period of time or take a look at the tables below provided by the National Highway

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Not only is texting while driving unsafe, but it’s also illegal in Missouri. For drivers aged 21 or younger, it is illegal to use your cell phone to text while driving in our state. Laws do vary, so be aware when you are crossing state lines. MissouriLaw Section 304.820 of Traffic Regulations states that “no person twenty-one years of age or younger operating a motor vehicle upon the highways of this state shall, by means of a hand-held electronic wireless communications device, send read or write a text message or electronic message.” This means that you may neither send texts/instant messages nor surf the web checking websites like Facebook or Twitter. Penalties The Missouri law took effect on August 28, 2010, and permits law enforcement officers to fine novice drivers who are seen texting while driving. A novice driver is considered someone aged 21 or younger. An infraction is deemed a moving violation und ... read more

Thinking about buying a new car? There are a lot of things to consider. Hearing a salesperson’s spiel about features and pricing can quickly become overwhelming. Take a moment to consider the pros, cons and tips listed below. Adequate preparation could help save you a lot of time and hassle when decide you’re finally ready to buy. Pros You will probably have far less maintenance and upkeep issues with a new vehicle as opposed to an old one. This will save you money in the long run, and you can be assured you’re receiving your car at its top quality. There are practically an unlimited number of features you can choose. Air conditioned seats? Sure. Top-of-the-line navigation system? No problem. If you can think of it, it’s probably available. That new car smell. Many people revel in the idea that their latest investment not only looks new, but it also smells new. A new car’s warranty is guaranteed to be untouched. Manufacturers ... read more

Buying a car is a big decision for anyone. Previously owned vehicles are an excellent option when you’re searching for a quality car on a budget. If you’re thinking about buying a used car, there are some things to consider. Why buy used? The most obvious reason is the price. Not only will you save money on the overall purchase of the car, but you’ll also save on insurance and registration fees. Cars that are only a year old are, on average, 20-30 percent cheaper than new cars. Factory warranties for used cars are oftentimes still available Used cars have become increasingly reliable over the years. Rust and exhaust-system problems are not longer as common as they used to be. Many companies such as Enterprise and Hertz have rental car sales lots that offer a great selection of vehicles that solely have been used as rentals. These cars are typically in excellent condition and have fewer mi ... read more

In honor of National Bike Month, people across the country are riding bikes to work and school and celebrating the benefits of bike riding in our communities. It is also a great time to address the safety issues that arise with bike riding. Do you know the rules of the road? Since the weather is getting nicer and more cyclists are on the road, now is the time to review the rules. Here are some basic guidelines for sharing the road with cyclists. Keep everyone safe by being aware of these tips. Be aware:
Be on the lookout for cyclists. When passing through intersections and when in traffic, scan for any cyclists. Give them room when you spot obstacles such as potholes or debris. Also, never honk your horn when you are close to a cyclist. This may alarm him or her and cause an accident. Pass carefully:
to leave room between your car and the bike. Check over your shoulder before returning to the lane and always be patient

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