All Posts

Salt Lake County ties your emissions test to your registration. Here is what the test checks, why a check engine light fails it, and what to do if your vehicle does not pass.

Do I Really Need an Oil Change Yet? (Spoiler: Yes, But Here's Why.) Ever found yourself stuck in I-15 traffic with your car humming away and that little dashboard light quietly judging you? Yeah, you’re not alone. One of the most Googled car care questions out there is: "How do I know if I need an oil change?" And it’s a fair question—especially with modern cars flashing reminders, running diagnostics, and basically being smarter than your average toaster. But here’s the thin

Why You Need Both to Survive Utah’s Weather Whiplash Let’s talk about the awkward in-between season in Utah, the one where you leave the house in a puffy jacket and come home sweating like you just ran a marathon. Sound familiar? It’s not just annoying for you, it's brutal on your car’s HVAC system. If your heating and AC aren’t playing nice together, you’re in for a rough ride. So let’s break down what your vehicle’s heating and cooling systems actually do, how they’re diffe

Meet Me Your Car. And Boy, Do I Have a Story. Hi. I’m your car. Yep, that car. The one you haven’t washed since the family reunion in July. The one with the mysterious rattle, the occasional wheeze, and a check engine light that’s been shining bright since Pioneer Day. I’ve been through some things. Overdue oil changes. A questionable gas station burrito (IYKYK). And don’t even get me started on that one shop in Murray that swore they "fixed" my transmission only to leave me

Don’t Let a Dead Battery Kill Your Day Stuck in a Target Parking Lot Late at Night? It’s after dark, the lot is mostly empty, and those flickering streetlights make everything look straight out of a thriller movie. You’ve got tired kids in the backseat, groceries that should’ve been in the fridge twenty minutes ago, and a phone battery hovering at 3%. You slide into the driver’s seat, turn the key, and… click. Nothing. Just the eerie silence of a car that refuses to start. Th

Brake Repair (And Why Your Future Self Will Thank You) The Utah Commute Test: I-15, Canyons, and Questionable Brakes Ever coasted down Parleys Canyon during a snowstorm with brakes that felt...more like suggestions than commands? Yeah, not a vibe. Whether you're navigating the bumper-to-bumper mess on I-15 or winding through Provo Canyon with a trunk full of ski gear, one thing’s non-negotiable: your brakes need to work. Flawlessly. And not just for your peace of mind. For ev

How to Spot Trouble & What to Do About It If your car’s been feeling sluggish, smelling like rotten eggs, or lighting up your dashboard like a Christmas tree, you might be dealing with a catalytic converter that’s calling it quits. And if you’re in Sandy, UT, or anywhere in the Salt Lake Valley, you don’t need to scroll through endless “catalytic converter repair near me” results; we’ve got you covered right here. What Your Catalytic Converter Does Think of your catalytic con

Why It Matters for Utah's Favorite Cars Look around any Utah parking lot or merge onto I-15, and you’ll notice something: Hondas are everywhere. From the ever-popular Civic to the road-trip-ready CR-V, these cars have earned their place as some of the most beloved and most frequently seen vehicles on Utah roads. And it’s no mystery why. Hondas are reliable, efficient, and designed to go the distance. But even the most dependable ride needs a little TLC to stay in peak conditi

Tires 101: Everything You Didn’t Know You Needed to Know About Those Four Round Heroes Picture this: you're cruising down State Street, coffee in hand, playlist on point, when your car starts pulling like it’s trying to head to Idaho without your permission. Yep, it might be time to talk about your tires. Tires are the unsung heroes of your daily drive. They’re the only thing between your vehicle and the road (and by extension, that mysterious pothole on 9400 South). Whether

Why Your Car Shouldn't Sound Like a Dragster Ever heard a car rumble through Sandy like it’s headed straight to a demolition derby? Odds are that the driver’s muffler is screaming for help or just flat-out missing. While loud exhaust might get a few second glances on State Street, it’s not exactly a flex (and yes, your neighbors notice). But here’s the deal: your muffler does a lot more than hush your engine. It’s a vital part of your car’s exhaust system, keeping things quie

That "Whoa There!" Moment You know the one. You’re cruising down I-15, vibing to your favorite playlist, when traffic slams to a halt. You hit the brakes, and suddenly your car nose-dives like it's trying to kiss the asphalt. Not cool. And definitely not normal. While you might blame your brakes (they're the obvious suspects), the real culprit could be hiding in your suspension system—specifically, your shocks and struts. Let’s break it all down. Because when it comes to stop

You're cruising down I-15, halfway through your podcast and a dirty soda from your favorite soda shop, when your car decides to play a game of "let's veer left for no reason." You gently tug the wheel back, wondering if it's the wind. Or the road. Or something more sinister. Eventually, you do what every responsible adult does when something feels off: You Google, "wheel alignment near me." If you're anywhere in the Salt Lake Valley—Sandy, Draper, Midvale, or the slightly pot

It’s a classic Utah summer scenario: You’re cruising up I-15, A/C blasting, when the temp gauge starts climbing. Then comes the sweet smell, the steam, and the realization—your radiator just gave up. At Gary Beardsley Automotive in Sandy, we see this all the time. Your radiator is the quiet MVP of your engine’s cooling system, and when it quits, things heat up fast—literally and financially. Why Your Radiator Matters The radiator keeps your engine from overheating by pulling

You’re cruising down 9400 South in Sandy, windows down, playlist perfect—and then it happens. That little orange engine icon lights up. Cue the internal panic: "Has that always been on? Is something about to break?" Suddenly, you’re Googling "Why is my check engine light on?" while wondering if it’s safe to keep driving. Welcome to the mystery that is your check engine light. At Gary Beardsley Automotive, we’ve seen just about every reason for that glowing icon. Think of us a

So Your Car’s Making That Weird Noise Again... It starts small. A mysterious clunk. A whirring that definitely wasn’t there yesterday....

Summer is knocking, and in Utah, that means two things: heat and highway miles. Whether you're commuting around Sandy, headed to the...

Tips, Signs, and Expert Help from Beardsley Automotive The Mysterious Shudder: A Transmission Story Picture this: You’re sitting at a red...

Your engine just made a sound you can only describe as “angry blender meets bag of marbles.” Now you’re Googling “engine repair near me” while hoping your car makes it one more day. Sound familiar? You’re not alone—and you’re definitely in the right place. At Gary Beardsley Automotive in Sandy, Utah, we treat engine trouble like a science (with a side of empathy). Whether your check engine light is throwing a tantrum or your ride’s lost its vroom, we’ll diagnose, explain, and

Ever searched "mechanic shop near me" and hoped you weren’t rolling the dice? We get it. Finding a mechanic you can trust with your car (and your wallet) isn’t always easy. You want honest service, transparent pricing, and people who treat your car like it were their own. That’s exactly what we do at Gary Beardsley Automotive. Serving Draper, Sandy, South Jordan, Midvale, Murray, Salt Lake City, and the Entire Salt Lake Valley We're proud to be the go-to local auto shop for c

Because your car's exhaust system isn’t just there to make it sound cool (or not sound like a drag racer on State Street). If you've ever caught a whiff of something funky coming from your car, noticed your gas mileage nosedive, or heard a sudden growl that makes your sedan sound like it wants to audition for Fast & Furious 15, your exhaust system might be trying to tell you something. And in Sandy, UT—where winter brings both stunning mountains and salt-caked roads—your exha