Eugene Auto Repair

If you want your vehicle to run at peak performance and save money on costly repairs, you must pay close attention to any unusual smells it gives off. When your vehicle releases a weird odor, you should never ignore it. Most of the time, it signals a car problem. Read on to learn more about strange vehicle smells and what they could mean for your car. Rotten Eggs The rancid smell of eggs is indicative of a major problem going on with your catalytic converter. Hydrogen sulfide gas is converted into sulfur dioxide by the catalytic converter. But, when it is clogged or malfunctioning, the hydrogen sulfide can't go through the chemical transformation. If you do not take your car to an auto repair shop soon, it could lead to all-out failure of the catalytic converter. Maple Syrup When your car gives off a sweet scent, it is almost always a coolant/antifreeze leak. When this occurs, you must address it immediately as your engine is at risk of overheating.  Burning Carpet Gener ... read more

During this time of year, you may see a lot of rain in Eugene, OR. As we enter the spring, is your car prepared to take on the rain showers (and potential flooding)? Below are some tips to follow that will ensure you can safely navigate your car in the rain. Tip #1: Replace your windshield wipers Most experts recommend replacing your wiper blades every year or six months. Driving with new wipers can make a world of difference in your line of sight. In fact, worn wipers can leave behind streaks of water and make your vision worse. Therefore, it's best to replace your wipers rather than take the risk of driving with bad ones. Tip #2: Monitor your tire tread You'll need enough tread to channel the rainwater away from your car properly. Without proper tire tread, you can face hazards like hydroplaning. Luckily, you can easily check your tread by doing the penny test. Tip #3: Test your headlights Your headlights help you see, no matter what time of day it is or weather conditi ... read more

When you notice that your headlights are not as bright as they used to be at night or appear foggy during the day, you should act as soon as possible—Yes, you can fix it by yourself. Your headlights should be in optimal working conditions for safety purposes, especially during night driving or driving in conditions with limited visibility. Apart from ensuring that your headlight bulbs are not burned out, foggy headlight lenses significantly affect the quality of light emitted by your headlights. Upon visual inspection, you may also notice a yellowish, dingy tinge to your light. Before finding out how to restore your car's headlights, you should know what makes them foggy. Why are Your Headlights Foggy? The reason for headlight fogging is quite scientific. In the older days, headlight lenses were made from glass. Currently, car manufacturers make most headlights from thick plastic comprising polycarbonates. These plastic lenses are much more scratch-resistant and durable th ... read more

If your car lacking in performance or giving you problems, or BOTH? If you answered Yes, it might be time to get your vehicle a much-needed tune-up. A tune-up can help boost your vehicle's performance and repair any problems that may be hindering its abilities. Below are some of the common signs that indicate your vehicle needs a tune-up: Check Engine Light On One of the most prominent indications that you need a tune-up is a lit engine light. If you notice this light, please take your car to a trusted auto repair shop for diagnostics ASAP. Shaky or Vibrating Car If your car feels overall unstable to drive in, it may signify that you need a tune-up. While this sign may be caused by many things, our professional mechanics can get down to the bottom of the problem. Lowered Fuel Economy If you've noticed that your fuel efficiency has been slipping, a tune-up can be the right fix for you. This can be caused by many things, like a dirty filter or worn spark plugs. Either way ... read more

Just because it's winter, doesn't mean you can't take a vacation this time of year. There are plenty of friends and families that get together in Eugene, OR, and hit the road for a getaway. Whether you choose to escape the cold or not, here are some fun ideas or places to take your next winter road trip: Hit the Slopes - Whether you venture out to Colorado or Utah or stay within Oregon, you can still have a dreamy ski vacation with your loved ones. If you want to be a little more advanced, trade in the skis for a snowboard and test out those skills. Road tripping to a ski resort is perfect for families, couples, and friends. Winter Hike - If you're into great winter scenery, a hike may be just right for you. There are plenty of trails in Eugene, but you can also venture out to some remarkable trails along the Rocky mountains.  Rent a Cabin - Not much of an outdoorsy person? You can still enjoy nature and escape from your everyday life by booking a cozy stay in a ... read more

Synthetic motor oil is an artificial lubricant, typically made of organic and inorganic elements. Synthetic oil is chemically engineered to be more consistent than traditional oil. Moreover, certain additives can be found in synthetic oils, appealing to certain cars' needs.    Research has found that more than half of today's vehicles on the road use synthetic or semi-synthetic oil over conventional oil. This is partially due to the benefits that come with using synthetic oil. This oil is known to be thinner, lubricate better, longer-lasting, and resistant to extreme heat. You should consider putting synthetic oil in your automobile if the following criteria pertain to you: You prefer less frequent oil changes/you often forget to make an appointment/you usually wait until you're overdue for an oil change before getting one. You own a newer or high-performance vehicle with a complex engine design. You drive in harsh conditions or in areas with intense heat. Y ... read more

Whether you live in the mountains or in the countryside, you will always experience different weather. During the winter months, there are a few things you should do to make sure your vehicle is safe for you and your passengers. Not only do you have things to take care of on your vehicle but some select items are best to have on hand. In a situation where you are stuck in your vehicle, having things like a blanket, flashlight, water and a first aid kit can come in handy. These things would make you more comfortable if you were forced to spend a long time in your car. Jumper cables and cat litter can be very helpful as well. Cat litter can be used to gain traction if your wheels are stuck on ice. Jumper cables to use if your battery drains. Cold weather and batteries do not mix well, the cold will drain the battery causing it to not work. Certain things should be kept in your vehicle at all times for just-in-case situations. Thinking about what could happen could prevent you from a po ... read more

Driving on the highway can be intimidating, especially if it's not something you're familiar with. Even with years and years of driving experience, it can still be scary to merge into a busy lane or see somebody fly past you in the left lane. Not only that, but highway vehicle accidents tend to be more severe and lead to more injuries than those in a parking lot or in the city. We recognize some of your concerns, and we've put together a list of tips and tricks to follow to ensure you drive safely on the highway.    The right lane is the safest. If you are uneasy about driving at such high speeds, we recommend staying in the right lane. The left lane is intended for passing, and it's where you'll find the speedy drivers. You're more likely to stick to the speed limit by sitting in the right passage.   Remember to use your mirrors. Drivers need to utilize their rearview and side mirrors on the highway. Because of the extra space and more cars ... read more

Autumn is hands down my favorite season. It's gorgeous, the weather is just the right amount of brisk, and everything is just cuddlier! It even smells amazing. But the best thing about the season has to be all of the fun fall-themed activities there are to do. From taking it easy to getting your workout on, I'm here to help you have your best Eugene autumn ever! Visit the Pumpkin Patch You can get the pumpkin patch experience you've been yearning for. Not only are there pumpkins to choose from, but there are tons of great photo ops to share on social media. Once you've picked that perfect pumpkin, you can go home to carve and decorate your home. Go to an Apple Orchard Apple picking is an autumnal classic, and Detering Orchards is a perfect place to do it at. Here, you can enjoy the fresh air, drink some cider, and munch on the crisp apples. The best part of the experience is that you can pick the fruit yourself.  Go to a Football Game Many of us are looking f ... read more

If you drive a more modern vehicle, then there's a high chance it's equipped with an anti-lock brake system (ABS). The ABS is implemented to help you steer better and avoid skidding whenever you brake. While ABS has been around since the 80s, it wasn't a standard on most vehicles until now. Thankfully, we have ABS to keep us all safer!   Because ABS prevents your wheels from gliding, you can steer your vehicle when you're braking or not. ABS comes equipped with various sensors that track wheel speed to determine if any of the wheels are tempted to lock up. If a wheel does stiffen up, a group of hydraulic valves lessens how much brake force is applied to said wheel.    What Happens if Your ABS Has a Problem? First off, you will be signaled with the problem on your dashboard. An ABS light will pop up on your dash. The good news is that your vehicle won't suddenly lose its braking abilities. The bad news is you won't have that extra assistance t ... read more