Vancouver Auto Repair

When you drive your vehicle, no matter where you’re headed, you expect it to have a certain amount of power based on how much pressure you put on the gas pedal. This power isn’t just to give you an adrenaline rush. It’s actually important for your safety. For example, when you are cruising down the freeway and need to pass someone, or you are merging into swift moving traffic, or trying to climb a steep hill in heavy traffic, you need sufficient power to perform those maneuvers successfully. If you can’t, your safety could be compromised. So, does your vehicle have trouble accelerating? How Your Car Accelerates First, let’s look at how your car actually accelerates. For your engine to produce the necessary power it needs, you need the right amount of fuel and air to be compressed and ignited in the combustion chamber. The exhaust this process creates is sent out the tailpipe. When something goes wrong in this process, your vehicle can lo ... read more

When you drive your vehicle, no matter where you’re headed, you expect it to have a certain amount of power based on how much pressure you put on the gas pedal. This power isn’t just to give you an adrenaline rush. It’s actually important for your safety. For example, when you are cruising down the freeway and need to pass someone, or you are merging into swift moving traffic, or trying to climb a steep hill in heavy traffic, you need sufficient power to perform those maneuvers successfully. If you can’t, your safety could be compromised. So, does your vehicle have trouble accelerating? How Your Car Accelerates First, let’s look at how your car actually accelerates. For your engine to produce the necessary power it needs, you need the right amount of fuel and air to be compressed and ignited in the combustion chamber. The exhaust this process creates is sent out the tailpipe. When something goes wrong in this process, your vehicle can lo ... read more

How’s your transmission doing? Have you noticed any issues when your vehicle shifts from one gear to another? Have you heard any strange sounds or smelled any unusual odors? Has your check engine light come on recently or have you seen any fluid leaks under your vehicle? A lot can go wrong with your transmission, especially if you don’t get it serviced regularly. The key is to find out what’s wrong as soon as you notice any issue because transmission repair can get very expensive. If you catch it early enough, you might be able to resolve the problem with a simple fluid flush. However, if you wait to act, it could turn into a complete rebuild or replacement. That can cost thousands of dollars. Signs of Transmission Trouble The good news is if you are paying attention and getting regular preventative maintenance, including ... read more

If you drive a standard gas vehicle, you understand that getting the best possible gas mileage is important for your wallet and also for the environment. Here are some tips on how to save on fuel and receive the best possible gas mileage from your vehicle: Vehicle gas caps -- Gas caps are extremely important to overall gas mileage. Many vehicles on the road have gas caps that are either loose, damaged, or missing. A damaged or missing gas cap will actually lead to the vaporization of gas - something you want to avoid. Under inflated tires -- Driving with under inflated tires is not only dangerous, but also requires more power from your vehicle to travel. This ends up costing you more money on gas in the long haul. Worn spark plugs -- Spark plugs should always be replaced as recommended by your vehicle's manufacturer. A worn spark plug will cause misfiring, which in turn wastes fuel. Dirty air filters -- Air filters have an important job - they collect dust, dirt, and debris fro ... read more

It takes every part of your vehicle for it to run smoothly and operate correctly. That includes the engine, transmission, alternator, brakes, tires, wheels, and everything else. Every part is important because each one must perform its role properly. When it comes to your wheels, they hold your tires in place and turn your vehicle. When most people think of “wheels” their first thought is of the fancy rims that you see on the outside of the wheel. However, your wheels have several parts, and they are integral in your wheels and car’s performance. For example, your wheels could not rotate correctly without the wheel bearings. But your bearings need to be in good shape and work correctly for them to work cohesively with the other parts of the wheel. They also play a key role in your safety because they allow you to turn your wheels where you want to go. Signs of Worn Bearings When your bearings get worn or broken you will likely notice the differenc ... read more

So how much do you know about your alternator? You’ve probably heard of this important part of your vehicle, but do you know what it actually does? Your alternator works with the battery to maintain power for your vehicle’s electrical system. When the alternator goes bad, you will notice a difference. Many times, people mistakenly think their battery is bad when they have electrical issues. But often, it’s the alternator that is going bad. If you start to notice any signs of trouble, the best thing to do is bring your vehicle into our Vancouver auto repair shop to get your vehicle tested. Our diagnostic tools will tell us if it’s your battery or your alternator. Once we know what’s causing the problems, then we’ll get it fixed. Signs of a Bad Alternator There are several warning signs that your alternator is bad or starting to go bad. Here’s what to look for. Flickering or Weak Headlights – if you not ... read more

The Ins and Outs of Engine Oil Leak Have you ever found something leaking from your vehicle? It can be a pretty unsettling feeling to find a puddle of something under your car, truck, crossover, or SUV. Some leaks aren’t as bad as others, but no leak is good. If your vehicle is leaking any kind of fluid, you should get it checked out as soon as you can. By finding the problem early enough you can prevent it from getting worse and protect other parts of your vehicle that rely on the leaking fluid. Keep Oil Levels Strong Your vehicle can leak all kinds of fluids, including transmission fluid, brake fluid, steering fluid, coolant/antifreeze, and even water. But arguably the most concerning fluid leak is an oil leak. Your engine depends on oil to stay lubricated and function correctly. If you have an oil leak, then your engine parts will eventually not have enough fluid to work properly. That causes friction and grinding. And that’s when you ... read more

A healthy, running car engine should not billow any smoke. If you start seeing exhaust smoke coming from your vehicle, it can cause concern. Thankfully, you can usually identify the problem by analyzing its colors. Blue, black/grey, and white exhaust smoke typically indicate a leak, causing fluid to burn with your fuel and air mixture. Below are what the colors mean: Blue Exhaust Smoke If you see blue exhaust smoke from the tailpipe, it is most likely a consequence of the engine burning motor oil. Blue exhaust smoke typically occurs due to one of the following problems: Motor oil leaking in the combustion chamber Deteriorated piston rings Old valves and cylinders Black or Gray Exhaust Smoke If your exhaust smoke is black or dark gray, it means that the air and fuel mixture that is being burned is too rich. In some cases, it may also mean that the engine is burning oil as well. Here are some common explanations for black/grey exhaust smoke: Leaking oil Faulty fuel injectors or o ... read more

When it comes to safe driving, it all starts with your tires. Without good tires you can’t safely get wherever you need to be. That’s especially true in the northwest where you never know what you’re going to get from Mother Nature. At this time of year, our roads are often wet, slick, or both from rain, snow, or ice. Your tires make all the difference in whether you have control of your vehicle. Obviously, like any other car part, your tires wear out over time. The tread begins to wear down and your traction declines. At some point, if you keep your car for an extended period, you’re going to have to replace your tires. Signs It’s Time for New Tires in Vancouver So, what are the signs you should be looking for when your tires need to be replaced? Here are some of the most common issues you will likely notice if it’s time for some new rubber. When you inspect your tire tread there are different things to be looking for. For start ... read more

Shopping for a used car can be a nightmare. You can drive all over town checking out used car lots but then you have to deal with used car salesmen. That takes a lot of time and energy that you might not have at your disposal. You could also shop online. There are dozens of websites that advertise cars for sale. In fact, these days, you can actually complete the entire process all online, without every seeing the vehicle in person or speaking with someone face to face. The problem with that is, you never quite know what the vehicle looks like because you can’t see it in-person with your own eyes. The risk is that you end up buying a lemon. And that’s the last thing you want to do with your money. So here are some tips to avoid getting stuck with a lemon. See it for yourself – you should always look at the car before you buy it. This allows you to inspect it yourself and determine what condition the car is in. there may be things you see in-person t ... read more