Sacramento and Elk Grove Auto Repair

There are many car components that need to be taken care of, and one part that often gets overlooked is the differential. The differential, both front and rear, is an integral part of your car's drivetrain that helps to transfer power from the engine to the wheels. Over time, the differential fluid can become contaminated or degraded, which can cause problems with your performance. To keep your car in good health, you must get regular differential service from your trusted auto repair shop. What is Differential Service? A differential service from Prestige Auto Works involves draining the old fluid from the differential, checking for metal shavings and inspecting the bearings, and then refilling it with the recommended fluid. By doing this, your mechanic can help ensure that your car's differential is running smoothly and help prevent future problems. How Often Should You Get a Differential Service? The recommended service interval for differential service varies from vehi ... read more

Concerts can be a great way to spend for friends to get together and enjoy a lovely evening or weekend; most people take their cars to get to the venue. However, there are a few things to remember when taking your car to a big show. Here are some key tips when taking your vehicle to an arena, venue, or stadium. Plan Your Route Before you leave, plan your route to the concert venue. You should be aware of the traffic and road conditions to avoid any delays or congestion. If possible, try to avoid major highways or roads that are known for heavy traffic during peak hours. Arrive Early Arrive at the concert venue early to avoid traffic and ensure that you find a good parking spot. Some places offer early-bird parking, which allows you to park closer to the site of the concert and avoid big crowds. Park in a Well-Lit Area When choosing a parking spot, look for a well-lit area. It will make it easier for you to find your car after the concert and also discourage thieves and vandals ... read more

The fuel pump is an essential component of your vehicle's engine. It helps deliver fuel from the gas tank to the engine, ensuring your car runs smoothly. If your fuel pump is damaged or fails, your engine will not get the fuel it needs to run, and your car will not start. Read on to learn everything you need to know about fuel pump repair. What are the signs of a faulty fuel pump? There are several signs that your fuel pump is not functioning correctly. Here are some of the most common warning symptoms of a bad fuel pump: Engine misfires Difficulty starting Sudden loss of power Strange noises Low fuel pressure Why is it important to have a faulty fuel pump repaired? Having a faulty fuel pump can cause significant problems with your vehicle's engine. If your fuel pump fails, your engine will not get the fuel it needs to run, and your car will not start. Additionally, a faulty fuel pump can cause damage to other components of your car, such as the fuel injectors and fuel ... read more

When you own a car, it is important that you understand the various aspects of the vehicle, such as its dashboard warning lights. One that doesn’t get talked about enough is the airbag or SRS light. It can sometimes resemble a figure sitting down with an inflated airbag from the side.  The S-R-S stands for supplemental restraint system, which is a fancy name for airbags and seatbelt restraints. The system itself is responsible for detecting heavy deceleration, braking, and other factors that occur upon the impact of a collision. It uses sensors to calculate the best time to restrain you and employ airbags (if necessary). Many things can trigger the SRS warning light to come on. It may indicate one of the following problems: Bad seatbelt switch Broken passenger seat sensor  Faulty clock spring Deactivation or failure of airbags  The light may also appear after airbags have been deployed following the events of an accident. The airbag warning light may not se ... read more

Your car's condition is a direct reflection of your driving habits. The better your car's condition, the better your driving habits, and vice-versa. Little things here and there may seem harmless, but their effect over time will affect the vehicle's condition. Many bad driving habits could be damaging your vehicle, including: Hard Starts and Stops Speeding off after the traffic turns green may be fun, but it is a habit that will hurt your car. The blast of speed programs your vehicle at higher fuel consumption rates and will reduce the car's gas mileage over time. On other hand, coming to a sudden stop to test your braking horsepower or to avoid accidents is occasionally necessary. However, too much of it will significantly stress the braking system. It will soon become inefficient, making braking consistency suffers. Racing Over Speed Bumps and Potholes Speed bumps are meant to encourage slower driving, and you should comply. Many people speed over bumps which ar ... read more

There’s always that one person in your family that is obsessed with their car or automobiles in general. If you have a car lover in your life that you need to shop for during the holidays, you’ve come to the right place. We are excited to bring you the ultimate gift guide for the men and women in your life that loves cars. The Clean Freak/Organizer For those who love to keep their cars neat and pristine, these are great items to consider buying: Trunk organizers Portable vacuum Emergency car kit Car covers New floor mats The Die-hard Fan/Collector Does this person love a car brand (Fords, Ferraris, BMWs, etc) or fangirl over classic or antique vehicles? Check out some of these gift ideas: Brand Merch (Clothing, Key Chain, Hats, etc.) Lego Car Set Framed poster of their favorite car Decals or stickers Car plushie Coffee table book Poster Tickets to a car show The One with All the Cool Gadgets If you have a friend or family member who is looking to add &ldqu ... read more

Sometimes, vehicles can have different fluid leaks. But, sometimes it can be something minor, or it could be a major problem. Do you know the different types of leaks that a vehicle could have? If not, we'll tell you about some of them so that you know the signs that you should probably get your car looked at! What Are the Different Types of Car Fluid Leaks Coolant Leaks In older cars, coolant leaking was normal. These days, it's not. So if you see a bright green, pink or orange fluid leaking, get it looked at right away. Oil Leak Oil is, of course black. So if you see this, you'll want to take a look at the oil gasket as it may be faulty! Transmission Fluid Leak If your transmission has issues, you may see a pink or dark red with a puddle. It can range in color. Either way, you'll need the transmission looked at. Power Steering Wheel Leak If there's an issue with the power steering wheel, it may ... read more

If you have ever had the misfortune of driving a vehicle when the timing belt breaks, then you are well aware of the importance of this seldom talked about part. Without a functioning timing belt, you are not going to go anywhere. It is a critical part that permits the valves in your engine to work in conjunction with the pistons to keep everything functioning properly. Because the timing belt is so critical, it is important that you be able to identify the warning signs of a timing belt that may be worn out. 5 Signs That Your Timing Belt Should be Replaced While not an exhaustive list, the following five signs should alert you to the fact that you may need to have your timing belt replaced. Your engine fails to start - While there are many reasons why your engine will not turn over, a bad timing belt is often the guilty culprit. You hear a strange noise emanating from the engine - You may notice a strong sound that you never heard before coming from under the hood. That could be y ... read more

Headlights are one of the most overlooked components when it comes to car safety. Whether you’re driving at night or in unfavorable weather conditions, these are a necessity. Unfortunately, headlights can naturally get fuzzy, blurry, and yellowed over time. When this occurs, they will no longer appear bright enough to light up the path in front of your car. If your plastic-covered headlights need cleaning, read on to learn about some tips and tricks that can remedy the problem. Method 1 - DIY Lens Cleaner If you have these household essentials lying around, liquid soap, baking soda, or vinegar, you’ve got what it takes to restore your headlights in a few simple steps. While you may not see immediate results, they will brighten your lens after a couple of applications.   First off, you’ll want to wash and rinse the lenses with soap. Then, you’ll want to mix 1-2 tbsp of baking soda and vinegar to form a thick paste. Apply the solution to polish the headla ... read more

Your tires are essential to your vehicle's operation, and so is their integrity. If your tires are leaking, flat, or bulging, you should repair or replace them. You will occasionally see a car with bulging tires, which is perilous. It is very unsafe to drive a car that has a tire with a bulge. A tire bulge is a sign of deterioration of the tire's inside, which means you should repair or replace the tire. The following are various causes of tire bulges and ways in which a bulging tire could affect your driving: A bulging tire could be caused by poor road conditions, such as hitting a pothole or a curb. Since you cannot do much to improve the state of the road, check your tires often for bulges. Once you notice one, take it for repair as soon as possible. Putting too much pressure on your tires by overloading the vehicle or underinflating the tire could lead to a tire bulge. The tires will not have enough support to handle the pressure they are experiencing, which will ruin the ... read more