Car Care Tips

  • Recognizing Flood Damage When Buying A Vehicle

    Unless you are confident in your abilities as an automotive mechanic, there is really only one rule when purchasing a flood-damaged vehicle: don’t do it. Unfortunately, sometimes sellers aren’t particularly straight-forward with their used cars. Many will try to hide the fact that it’s been damaged by floodwaters at all or try to convince potential buyers that the car is in fact fine. “It has gone months with no issues” or “technically it is flood-damaged but” are two red flags, and while it isn’t impossible for a flood car to be fine, it’s altogether a good idea to stay away.

  • Safety First - Have you checked your lights & wipers?

    Cars driving on road with wipers and headlights on

    True safety starts with being able to see where you are driving. Your lights and wipers play a major role in safe driving and the chance of an accident increases if you can't see or be seen. No matter what time of year, it's important to make sure your vehicle's lights and wipers are working properly so your visibility is not compromised and you can be seen by others. From the driver's seat, you may not notice a light that isn't working, but when a big rain comes it becomes easier to see what you are missing! When wet weather hits your roads is not the time for you to discover limited visibility problems. Here at Kelley's Auto & Diesel Repair we take our Crestview drivers' safety seriously and inspect their vehicles when they come in for service.

  • Safety Tips for Truck Drivers

    semi driving on road

    At Kelley's Auto & Diesel Repair in Crestview, we understand how important safety is in the world of truck driving. The stakes are higher in a big truck; potential for damage is obviously far greater, to you, your cargo, and other people on the road. Here are some easy tips that go a long way.

  • Service that Goes the Extra Mile

    mechanic handing keys to a customer

    At Kelley's Auto & Diesel Repair in Crestview, we are fully dedicated to providing excellent customer service. Our technicians work hard to ensure timely, friendly, and efficient maintenance and repairs that you can rely on.

  • Sounds That Could Mean Trouble for Your Vehicle

    Person driving with hands on the steering wheel

    We’ve all been here: You start up your vehicle in the morning and begin to back out of the driveway. Before your hand reaches the volume dial on the stereo to crank up your favorite morning radio duo, you hear a noise coming from your car. A vehicle shouldn’t make that noise, yet yours is. And it sounds bad. But is it?

  • Taking Proper Care of Your Transmission

    Transmission inside of vehicle

    While transmissions are extremely complicated and it takes a professional hand to work on one, taking care of the one you have isn’t difficult. At Kelley's Auto & Diesel Repair in Crestview, FL, we understand the importance of caring for your transmission properly, so that it stays in good condition for as long as possible.

  • The Importance of a Clean Vehicle

    interior of a car

    Keeping the interior of your car, truck, or SUV clean and in good shape is an important part of making your vehicle last. Kelley's Auto & Diesel Repair in Crestview has some tips on keeping your car clean inside, and why keeping it clean matters.

  • The Importance of Brake Bleeding

    Mechanic bleeding a brake system

    If you’ve ever been in an emergency braking situation, you’re probably all too aware that the brakes are the most important safety system on your vehicle. And like many other systems in a vehicle, the brakes need regular upkeep to continue functioning properly. One way to preserve the integrity of the braking system is through brake bleeding, and while it may not be as well known as certain services like oil changes, it is a key maintenance item for a vehicle.

  • The New Trend, Self Driving Cars

    self-driving car

    At Kelley's Auto & Diesel Repair in Crestview, cars are our passion, so naturally, we like to keep up with new technology on the market. At the moment, surprisingly the current trend is moving towards a goal you may not expect; self-driving vehicles. You’ve probably heard about self-driving cars a little bit here and there on the news, but it likely still seems somewhere in the realm of science fiction to you. However, the reality is that self-driving cars are on the way and maybe here sooner than you think. Already, almost all major automobile manufacturers are dumping billions of dollars into research and development for self-driving cars, and even companies like Uber are jumping on board. 

  • The weight of a key ring, and how it affects you

    driving the car

    You’ve known someone at some point that has a seemingly impossible amount of keys, keychains, and other accessories hanging from their key ring. You might even be guilty of that yourself. At [BUSINESS_ NAME] in Crestview, FL, we’ve seen our fair share of these loaded down car keys, and also the damage it can cause. Here’s what you need to know.

  • Thinking About Buying a Used Car

    man handing girl car keys

    Buying a used vehicle can be a risky endeavor, but also a rewarding one. Buying used, even if the vehicle is close to new, will save you a lot of money compared to the price of a new vehicle off the lot. However, there are some inherent risks that come with purchasing a used vehicle; here is how to best avoid trouble.

  • Tips for Better Gas Mileage

    fuel gauge on a vehicle

    Your gas mileage mostly depends on what kind of car you drive; engine displacement and vehicle weight are the largest determining factors on gas mileage, and there’s not much you can do to change either of those. That doesn’t mean attempting to improve your fuel economy is a completely hopeless endeavor, however. With these tips from Kelley's Auto & Diesel Repair in Crestview, FL, you might be surprised how much your fuel mileage can be improved.

  • Tips for New Drivers!

    For all the new drivers on the road, young and old, Kelley's Auto & Diesel Repair in Crestview, FL would like to welcome you to the automotive community. Here are a few wise words to live by, to make your entrance into the driving world go as smoothly as possible.

  • Tips To Taking Care Of Your Vehicle

    Car Lifted

    At Kelley's Auto & Diesel Repair in Crestview, we know that the first and most important step toward keeping your car, truck, or SUV reliably on the road, is knowing how to properly care for it. Here are a few tips on how to keep your vehicle in shape.

  • Top 3 Signs Your Brakes Are Done

    car braking

    Judging by the number of near-rear-endings we witness on our morning commutes, the typical attitude toward brake maintenance appears to be, “Brakes: Don’t let them stop you!” This puzzles us because monitoring your braking system’s health is one of the most straightforward aspects of car ownership. You do have to know what to look for, though, or rather, what to listen and feel for. So let us, uh, break it down for you. Here are the top three signs that your brakes need fixing.

  • Top Questions to Ask A Mechanic, When Routine Services Are Being Preformed

    technician

    A good technician will give your car a quick inspection whenever you have maintenance performed. Fluid levels, tire condition, dashboard lights, and a variety of other items typically are briefly explored whenever you bring your vehicle in for maintenance. At Kelley's Auto & Diesel Repair in Crestview, we're good at noticing things that need repair, but the fact of the matter is that only you know your car. You know when your car feels off when its been serviced last (or that it hasn't been serviced at all,) and have at least some vague idea of what’s going on with your vehicle day to day. Here are some questions you can ask us next time you come by the shop;

  • Travelling this weekend? Get Ready

    kids traveling in the car

    Travelling can be difficult, and traveling can be fun. The difference usually comes down to how much preparation you do in advance, and how many unplanned obstacles you meet along the way. A great way to avoid setbacks, mishaps, and stressful situations is to make sure your car, truck, or SUV is ready to hit the road. Here are some important points to check before travelling, from Kelley's Auto & Diesel Repair in Crestview, FL.

  • Understanding Your Vehicles Thermostat

    At Kelley's Auto & Diesel Repair in Crestview, we’re not only here to fix your car when something goes wrong...we’re here to help you understand your car, truck, or SUV a little better, too. Here are some tips concerning your thermostat - how it works, what to watch out for, and what to do about it when one fails.

  • Used Engines and Transmissions - Are They Worth the Risk?

    two men working under hood of two different cars

    Nobody wants to put an engine or transmission in their car. However, when that time comes, it’s important to make an informed decision - here are some things to consider when installing a used engine or transmission, from Kelley's Auto & Diesel Repair in Crestview, FL.

  • Using Your Jumper Cables

    Man with jumper cables

    At some point or another, it’ll happen to you. You leave your headlights on, your battery finally fails, or for some other reason, you don’t have enough juice to start your car. Don’t call a tow truck just yet, though...Kelley's Auto & Diesel Repair in Crestview has the info you need to properly jump-start your car.

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950 E Chestnut Ave
| Crestview, FL

(850) 682-6487
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