Eugene Auto Repair

Now that we are officially in Fall in Eugene, OR, it is time to set aside some time to prioritize your car. Let’s face it – winter is coming soon. With the colder seasons upon us, we should prepare our vehicles for harsh conditions. To protect your investment, be sure to have the following services and maintenance done: Change Your Wiper Blades - A rain shower or two may surprise you here and there in Eugene. To make sure you’re able to drive through heavy rain with great visibility, make sure your wipers are up-to-date. Replace them if they are 1 year old or older.  Test Your Heater and Defrosters - Fall is the perfect time to test your heaters and defrosters since the morning can get slightly frosty. Check to see if your defrosters can clear your windscreen and make sure heat can blast out your car vents.  Get an Oil Change - If you’re at the recommended oil change interval, what are you waiting for? Replacing your oil frequently can only do good ... read more

Ball joints are a part of your vehicle’s suspension system. While shocks and struts are often talked about when it comes to suspension, ball joints are not. They are precisely what they sound like: a ball and socket configuration. Ball joints facilitate the movement and turns of your wheels. When you turn your steering wheel, your ball joints are in action. With working ball joints, you’re able to drive smoothly and comfortably.    Your vehicle’s ball joints connect your wheels and tires to the rest of your car, SUV, or truck. That means it gets exposed to a ton of debris, dirt, dust, and other contaminants every day. Water and other stuff can collect inside the holes and cause your ball joints to wear down quicker. To ensure these last, you should keep them properly lubricated.    Signs That Indicate Worn Ball Joints If your ball joints are worn and on the brink of failure, you may notice one or more of the following warning signs: Clunking ... read more

If your airbag light is on there could be a few reasons as to why you. Some of the main reasons and important steps to remember include: Your airbags may not work in the event of a car crash Your seatbelts could also be the problem You may need to replace your crash sensor You may have a wiring fault Do not attempt to reset the airbag light on your own Your are airbags may fail if your car has sustained water damage to an extent where the senses have corroded. Your Airbags May Not Function So always remember that the airbag light is a huge signifier that they might be a problem with your vehicle's supplemental restraint system. This system is the system which contains multiple crash sensors as well as the airbags. So when this light comes on it signifies that a problem was found within your system. This also signifies that one or more airbags may not function as intended in the event of an accident. It was also very possible that all the airbags could work as intendant even ... read more

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