Automotive Industry News & Information - Melvin's Auto & Truck Repair

For obvious reasons, air brakes are an essential part of your rig. They also add a level of complication to the braking system that a conventional vehicle doesn’t have. At Melvin's Auto & Truck Repair in St Augustine, our mechanics have the knowledge, equipment, and ability necessary to keep your air brakes in top shape.

Unless you use your vehicle to tow every day for work, odds are you haven’t paid much attention to your truck, SUV, or crossover’s towing capacity. Maybe you’re looking to buy a boat for some summer fun or just need to rent a trailer to get your belongings from one dwelling to the next. Whatever the reason for pulling something behind your vehicle, it’s important to get a firm grasp on what exactly your towing capacity means. Understanding how each of the components in your vehicle contributes to your overall tow rating can keep you from putting undue stress on your rig and keep you and your family safe.

If you drive a diesel vehicle, it’s because you know that quality matters. At Melvin's Auto & Truck Repair in St Augustine, FL, we built our reputation on quality. We chose to work on quality products because it’s something that we ourselves believe in, and strive for daily.

Alignment is the position of your wheels in relation to your vehicle and how they interact with the road. When your vehicle is properly aligned, your wheels will point in the same direction as the vehicle. To maintain proper control of your car, you must keep your wheels in proper alignment. Otherwise, steering will become difficult, your tires will wear unevenly and your fuel economy will decrease.

Your fleet or commercial vehicles most likely spend a lot of time idling. Whether it’s to keep warm or simply out of convenience, the stop and go lifespan of these vehicles mean idling is a part of their duties. But, is it bad for them? Melvin's Auto & Truck Repair in St Augustine, FL has the information you need.

You don’t have to buy a new, fuel-efficient car to get great fuel efficiency. No one wants to trade a fuel bill for a car payment, so take a look at our top 5 ways to save on fuel and you may just be able to pocket a little extra money at the end of the month.

1. Change Your Driving Style - If you’re the kind of person who enjoys the rush of hard acceleration, typically runs 10 mph over the speed limit and brakes abruptly, we’ve got bad news: you’re hurting your vehicle’s fuel economy, and your wallet, in a big way. Depending on the kind of vehicle you drive and just how extreme you are with the throttle and brake, tempering your driving style can up your vehicle’s fuel economy by more than 5 mpg. That’s a serious bump. Scaling back the speed by just 5 mph means you’ll also see an increase in fuel economy.

Nothing is more important to the aesthetic of your Chevrolet, Ford, or Dodge diesel truck than the wheels you choose to install. The right set of wheels is necessary to achieve the look, feel, and stance you’re looking for. They can take a good-looking truck and turn it into a real head-turner. At Melvin's Auto & Truck Repair in St Augustine, FL, diesel pickups are what we do. Our technicians can help you source wheels, order them, and ensure they have the perfect fit, achieving that perfect look you’re going for.

Whether you drive a Chevy, Ford, or Ram diesel pickup, your engine is likely equipped with an injection pump. While injection pumps have been gradually phased out on modern engines, they are still an integral part of most diesel engine operations. At Melvin's Auto & Truck Repair in St Augustine, FL, we specialize in maintenance and repair on Cummins, Duramax, and Powerstroke engines, including injection pumps.