Sacramento and Elk Grove Auto Repair

It's that time of the year again where we have to start brainstorming our new year's resolutions. Is your plan to shed a few pounds, spend more time with your family, get into a new hobby, or donate money to charity? While those are all fantastic ideas, have you considered resolutions relating to your car? It's never too late to start by living by excellent and healthy car habits. Here are some ideas to consider going into the new year: 1. Buy a Car Maybe 2022 is the year that you have finally saved enough for your dream car. If you are looking to buy a pre-owned vehicle in the Sacramento area, consider receiving a pre-purchase inspection before solidifying your purchase decision. Our team performs very precise and meticulous bumper-to-bumper vehicle inspections. 2. Be On Time with Your Vehicle Maintenance Schedule Similar to sticking to a diet or workout regimen, it's easy for life to get in the way of your automotive maintenance schedule. If your vehicle is due fo ... read more

Your smog test can be just as daunting as any of the exams you've taken for school. If you don't pass the test, you can't drive your car legally until you get the repairs to fix your emission system. Smog checks are intended to ensure California vehicles are not producing a harmful amount of emissions. With so many automobiles in California, the smog program helps preserve the air so it can be as clean as possible. Here are some reliable tips on how to pass your smog test with flying stars: Fix Check Engine Light A check engine light is the easiest problem to avoid! A lit check engine light will result in immediate failure, so please make sure you have it repaired before your smog test is scheduled.  Make Sure Your Tires are Properly Inflated  Most states run a dynamometer analysis that makes your vehicle run at high speeds while remaining in a fixed position. When your tires aren't fully inflated, your engine has to work harder, releasing excess exhaust a ... read more

Your vehicle's owner's manual is the ultimate guide to preserving your car for as long as possible. Most people let it rot in the glove box, but you should be using it more often if you want to be a responsible car owner. Here are eight reasons why you should pick up your manual! To understand the "what" and "how much" your vehicle needs. This book is the best possible way to look up what your automobile needs, such as the grade of fluids (motor oil, brake fluid, etc.) and what quantity is suitable for your car. It will also list the recommended intervals for your fluid changes.  To know the location of the essential parts.  In certain circumstances, you may need help locating the oil dipstick or the spare tire. The owner's manual can give you the precise location of certain parts. To get things done quickly. Instead of spending forever trying to find out how much pressure your tires need, you can simply flip in the book to find the listed n ... read more

As we are entering the new season of Fall, here is an excellent friendly reminder that next month (October) is Fall Car Care Month.   Now is the ideal time to assess the condition of your vehicle and bring it into our shop for maintenance. Let’s be honest: your car has been through a long summer with constant exposure to the hot weather and all the road trips here and there. October is the perfect month to take your car in for all its maintenance and fixes before the brisk cold of winter rolls around.    October is more than an ideal time to have your car inspected and prepared at Prestige Auto Works before the winter weather and holidays arrive. Here are ten essential car components/items that you should review during Fall Car Care Month. Fluids. Your vehicle lives off six essential fluids: engine oil, power steering fluid, brake fluid, transmission fluid, windshield washer fluid, and antifreeze/coolant. Make sure these are all topped off enough to get you th ... read more

Every vehicle has an internal computer that uses the information to alert you of a problem in pretty much any part of your car. Consequently, none of the warnings are voluntary. The check engine light is one of these warnings that spell trouble and cannot simply be ignored. The issues are stored in a trouble code that can be decoded by an electronic scan tool.   Can I Drive with the Light On? When the 'Check Light' illuminates on your dashboard, you should pay attention to the behavior of the light. If the check engine light flashes for more than several seconds, the problem is pretty major. It would be best if you pulled over to check the car immediately. However, if the light does not flash, you can continue driving if the vehicle is not having operational issues. Regardless of flashing or still light, you will need to take your car to a trusted mechanic sooner or later.   What are Common Reasons for a Check Engine Light To Come On? The check engine light may ... read more

If your vehicle fails its required smog test, do not fret - Prestige Auto Works can help. As a Californian, you may know that our state is rather strict regarding vehicle emissions. As a result, California residents dread their smog inspection every other year. However, if you take your vehicle to a test and repair station, you already have an advantage in the case that your vehicle fails its test.   During the testing stage, your car's exhaust is checked out. The inspector examines some components, including the catalytic converter, evaporative emissions charcoal canister, fuel cap, oxygen sensor, EGR system, PCM, and purge control valve. If any of these components are hazarded, your vehicle will fail the smog check.    There are many reasons why your vehicle can fail a smog inspection. Here are some of the most common issues we see at our shop when a doesn't pass the test: Catalytic converter breakdown Clogged/dirty air filter Old, overw ... read more

If you own a Cadillac XTS, Fiat 500, Ford Transit, Dodge Challenger, or RAM 1500, then you boast having the latest auto AC technology featuring the R-1234YF refrigerant. The air conditioning system is gaining traction among vehicle manufacturers, and a few years from now, all vehicles will have the new air conditioning technology. What is R1234YF AC Refrigerant? A distinct aspect of the R1234YF is that it is a synthetic hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) refrigerant with ultra-low global warming potential (GWP). It combines three elements: hydrogen, fluorine, and carbon, although the carbon atoms contain a double bond. That makes its composition quite unique, releasing negligible levels of greenhouse gases that destroy the ozone layer—its GWP rating is less than 1. Auto AC refrigerant technologies have drastically evolved throughout the years. From the early 30s through to the 90s, vehicles featured R12 or Freon AC refrigerants. By the mid-90s, 134a refrigerants replaced the R12. It ... read more

If your car fails to start, it may mean that your starter system has problems or your battery is not charged before you point an accusing finger on the starter check whether your battery is charged. If so, then the problem is most likely with your car starter. But how can you be sure? Check out the following signs. 1. Funny Sound When Starting The Car The sin that you have a bad starter is when you hear a clicking sound whenever you push the starter or turn the starter key. A deteriorating starter may alert you of its impending death with a grinding and whirring sound. Some dead starters don't produce any sound, so have your car regularly checked by a trained technician. 2. The Dashboard Light Is On, But Nothing Happens When starting the car, the dashboard should light up, followed by the engine starting to run. But in some instances, the dashboard may light up, but the engine fails to power up. This is an indication that the starter has problems. 3. Engine Failing To Crank S ... read more

Fluid exchanges are an integral part of the general vehicle maintenance routine. However, most drivers only think about engine oils and transmission fluids when it comes to fluid flushing. They fail to understand that power steering fluid also plays an important role and that it needs changing as per the manufacturer's instructions. With time, your car's power steering fluid breaks down and becomes filled with sludge and grit. Grit features sand-like particles that get lodged in pinion seals and racks, eventually causing damage. Without flushing out the fluid, you'll end spending money replacing racks. Do I Need a Power Steering Flush? You can tell whether your power steering pump requires a flush by checking the color of the fluid. Car fluids acquire a darker shade when old. Therefore, if it acquires a deeper red shade, that shouldn't be an indicator of a bad fluid. It would help to go through the manufacturer's manual to know the fluid flushing routine. It is ... read more

The shocks and struts on your vehicle help to stabilize its movements. They also aid control when you turn or when you have to brake or accelerate. You won't notice the uneven road surfaces as much when this part of your car is working well. And they help to keep the tires in contact with the pavement at all times. If your shocks or struts were missing, your vehicle would be much more bouncy. Since this part of the vehicle gives you a smooth, comfortable ride, it's important to take note of the signs that occur when they are going bad. Here are a few to watch for: That Bouncing Feeling You know how your vehicle normally drives and if you feel it bouncing down the road instead of giving you a smooth ride, there's likely something up with the shocks and struts. You want to smooth things out before any damage is done. Vehicle Tips When Turning If you feel like your vehicle is tipping further when you are trying to turn, it might be the sh ... read more