Are Car Issues Driving You Crazy?

A shaking steering wheel during braking usually means warped rotors — think of them like a record with a bent edge that makes the needle jump. At Erich Elligsen Automotive, we inspect the rotors, pads, and calipers to pinpoint the cause before it compromises stopping power.

If your car grinds when switching gears, that's metal-on-metal contact — like a bicycle chain skipping on a worn sprocket. Address it immediately. Delayed transmission repair often cascades into engine damage, turning a manageable repair into a full replacement.

Your starter cranks the engine to life, like the pull-cord on a lawnmower. Your alternator keeps the battery charged once running, like a generator. If your car won't start at all, suspect the starter; if it dies while driving, the alternator is the likely culprit.

A recharge tops up refrigerant, like adding air to a slow-leaking tire — but if there's a hole, it'll keep going flat. Weak airflow, warm air, or strange smells signal deeper issues. We diagnose the system to determine whether it needs sealing, a new compressor, or just refrigerant.

Uneven braking usually means one side's brake pads or calipers are wearing differently — imagine pedaling a bike with one brake gripping harder than the other. Erich Elligsen Automotive inspects both sides to balance the system and prevent uneven tire wear down the road.