Sacramento and Elk Grove Auto Repair

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

Your head gasket has to tolerate a lot of heat and pressure to do its job, and if your car overheats it can cause the head gasket to blow. Keeping your car routinely maintained by an expert technician ensuring oil changes, coolant, and other fluids are in good supply can go a long way in preventing a head gasket leak. The head gasket is basically the device that prevents different chemicals from mixing in you engine and doing harm to your car. The main functionality of the head gasket is keeping an airtight seal preventing fluids from locking up the engine, causing a fire, or detonation. As your car ages, it's normal for the head gasket to lose efficiency, that's where automotive maintenance becomes important! A seasoned mechanic will spot the warning signs that it's time to replace your head gasket. Red Flags of a Head Gasket Leak There are lots of symptoms to identify a head gasket leak and this list is by no means comprehensive, but if you do think your car's eng ... read more

Having trouble with your vehicle feeling sluggish or not functioning at its peak? You could be experiencing an engine misfire. Repairing issues with engine misfires range from simple and low-cost to expensive and complex. Keep reading to learn how to recognize the symptoms of a potential misfire and where to get engine repair. Signs Your Car Engine Is Having a Misfire The three primary components that make up vehicle engine systems include fuel, fire, and oxygen. Engine misfires can happen when any of the three primary components of a car's engine are out of sync or timing. If your car feels like it's driving slower, getting less mileage or making unusual noises, these are all signs that show a misfire is taking place. Common causes of engine misfires include auto mechanical issues that can range from simple issues like worn out spark plugs to complex issues like non-working fuel systems to repair. For example, inexpensive repairs such as spark plug replacements may solve is ... read more

Your car's braking system enables you to slow down your driving and even come to a halt altogether. It features rotors, clippers, pistons, hoses, braking pads, and brake fluid, among other components. Let's dive into one critical component of the braking system; the brake fluid. It's a special hydraulic fluid that rushes throughout the braking system to initiate the braking process. Did you know that the brake fluid can get contaminated or worn out, compromising the braking performance? Read on to find out how the integrity of the brake fluid affects an automobile. Is Brake Fluid Important? The fluid has hydraulic properties that allow you to slow down and stop your car quickly, effortlessly, and safely. It also lubricates moving parts and prevents the corrosion of components. Another function of the brake fluid is to remove moisture from the braking system. That helps prevent damage to the electronic components in the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS). Over time, the brak ... read more

While most people think of shocks and struts when it comes to a vehicle's suspension, the ball joints are usually forgotten. However, ball joints are one of the main parts in your suspension that support your car. They provide support for both the suspension and steering systems, and it's essential to keep them in good condition.   Ball joints are located on the front suspension system, and they connect between control arms and steering knuckles. This allows smooth movements, allowing the wheels to move up and down and side to side for optimal control.    When to Replace Ball Joints Like any other part in your car, ball joints are indefinitely going to experience wear and tear. At some point, they will grow weak and need to be replaced. Your safety could be at stake if ball joints become too old; in severe circumstances, the stud can get released from the socket and cause a wheel to disconnect entirely from your vehicle. To avoid letting it get this bad, her ... read more