Our Expert Automotive Service & Collision Repair Blog

The purpose of a timing belt, timing chain or timing gears is to keep the valves synchronized with the pistons. The intake valves open to let the air-fuel mixture into the cylinder, the valves are closed during the compression and power strokes and the exhaust valves are open during the exhaust stroke. If the system loses its synchronization the valves are likely to hit the pistons and bend. A broken chain or belt is one thing that causes loss of synchronization. Another is the premature failure of a tensioner or pulley. When this happens, major engine damage usually occurs.

In the quest to meet the current mileage standards, auto manufacturers have implemented many innovative technologies. Among these are advanced lubrication systems. Today’s engines have tighter tolerances and generally use thinner oil. Instead of 2 or 3 grades of oil as in the past, there are now over 10 types. Aside from lubricating engine parts, oil also operates other systems like variable valve timing.

Routine maintenance on your vehicle shouldn’t be considered a “repair cost”, think of it as more of a gym membership or eating healthy for your body. The better you take care of your body, the healthier you are and the longer you live. Your vehicle is not any different, your vehicle requires routine maintenance to last over 200 or 300K miles. Yes, this is possible with today’s vehicles, with attention paid to maintenance, your vehicle will last a very long time and be more problem free. Many actual repairs performed to vehicles are a result of poor maintenance. Of course some things will always just break or wear out, but simple regular maintenance can prevent some breakdowns. Here are a few important ones.

As the weather gets colder, your battery has to work harder to start your vehicle. If all the connections are clean and tight, enough current will flow to start the car every time. If, however, there is corrosion or loose connections, it can impede current flow, resulting in not getting enough juice to the starter to turn the engine. Corrosion is the worst enemy of the starting system. Aside from increasing the resistance in the battery cables, dirt and corrosion on the battery become a conductor that can suck power out of the battery.

Automotive car paint continues to improve but there are still some substances that can harm your vehicle’s paint.

As a grandmother of a new teen driver I’d like to share a funny driving story; thank goodness it’s a funny story. He was recently pulled over by the police and the reason was because his car was weaving down the road and the officer thought he was intoxicated. My grandson had a drink in his cup holder and the officer asked what beverage was in the cup and he responded that it was water. Can you guess why his car was weaving? If you thought low tire pressure, you are correct. Both the left front and left rear tires were low.

There are many reasons you might be searching for a new repair provider for your car, truck or SUV. You might have moved to a new area, gotten a new car or become unhappy with your current shop. Here are some helpful tips on what to look for when you need to find a new place to get your trusty steed repaired.

So, you take your trusty steed into your repair shop for an oil change.  We all know we need to change the oil in our engines regularly to ensure they last a long time and don’t break down on us.  While your car is in the service bay, a good technician will inspect the vehicle and make recommendations based on his or her visual inspection of parts, fluids and components and some according to the mileage of the vehicle.  Then the service advisor comes to you with a list of “maintenance” items that should be done.   But your car is running fine, right?

Squirrel Eating Your Car Wiring!

We had a car in the shop that was towed in due to overheating.  We discovered an animal had chewed up the wiring in the right front corner of the engine compartment, including the wiring to the auxiliary coolant pump.  In addition the wiring for the air bag, ABS brakes, fog light and mass air flow sensor were chewed, damaged and broken.