Eugene Auto Repair

The answer to this question is, "It depends." On what? Several factors affect the time between transmission fluid changes, and the first determining factor is what kind of car you drive.   First, check to see if your car is a model with a measuring dipstick under the hood. Some newer models will not have this old-fashioned tool. Mechanic shops will keep a shop dipstick or use a similar oiling plug to check the levels on cars without a built-in dipstick. In this situation, consult your owner's manual or our experts for recommended mileage checkpoints at which transmission fluid changes are recommended. These checkpoints will vary depending on how much and how often you tow heavy loads.   Sometimes, newer maintenance schedules will leave off transmission fluid changes, so owners may be left in the dark about when to change their fluid. Even in this case, for more recent car models, it is still likely a good idea to have a professional check the fluid at a cert ... read more

Everyone loves waking up to a plate of delicious pancakes or waffles and the sweet smell of maple syrup. When it comes to your vehicle, however, it is not so much of a pleasure. A sweet, syrupy smell in your car is a significant sign of an issue. If you notice this sweet syrupy smell, there's a strong possibility that you've got a coolant leak.    Coolant, a solution comprised of water and antifreeze, has an essential role in your vehicle. It is responsible for regulating the engine's temperature to avoid overheating. The fluid is essentially a temperature transferer, and it provides heat to your cabin heating and defrosting systems. Coolant also has the added benefit of preventing corrosion.    The coolant in your vehicle flows throughout the engine, hoses, radiator, and heater core. The smell of maple syrup implies that coolant is leaking within one of those areas in your vehicle. When coolant leaks, the amount of coolant that should be circulating ... read more

We all love summer. You can finally embark on that cross-country road trip or a summer vacation you have been planning for months. Unfortunately, your car batteries might not share the same sentiments. The immense summer heat can quickly take a toll on your battery, leaving you stranded miles away from home, spoiling all the fun. But this does not need to happen. With a bit of care and maintenance, your car battery will be healthy and ready to go every time you turn on the ignition. Here are some brilliant maintenance tips to help you prepare your vehicle battery for the hot summer weather: Clean Your Battery Terminals Sometimes, dirt and corrosion might accumulate around your car battery terminals, dramatically reducing its performance. Corrosion is a poor heat conductor, preventing a free flow of current and, in worse scenarios, stopping it altogether. Dirt, on the other hand, will act as a conductor, quickly draining your battery current much quickly. Fortunately, a few minute ... read more

When you own a vehicle, it is essential to keep up with the routine maintenance on it. Therefore, you should know when and how to keep up with these components of the car. If you own an automobile, you need to know a bit about the timing belt and when to change it. What is a Timing Belt and Why is it Used? There are many purposes of a timing belt. Some include keeping the crankshaft and cam rotating. It also is charged with keeping the valves of the engine opening and closing. This will allow fuel to come into and go out of the engine. The main purpose of the timing belt is to coordinate the engine's functions. When You Should Replace Your Car's Timing Belt Typically, there are no warning signs that the vehicle's timing belt is becoming worn. It is, however, an essential part of the maintenance to keep the car running at its prime, to replace this belt as needed. You do not want to wait for the timing belt to just break before you replace it. That could leave you strand ... read more

When you see the check engine light, many things will run through your mind. Although the light notifies you of a possible engine malfunction, it is often difficult to determine the extent of damage the defect may cause. Why You Should Never Ignore Your Check Engine Light illuminated on our dashboards is often the main channel to interact with your vehicle engine systems. This intuitive feature sends you a warning once the car's onboard computer detects a deviation from normal function. The monitoring system may send car engine check light signal for the following reasons; however, the list is not limited to the listed malfunctions. When the Check Engine Light Comes On The check engine light remains among the most misunderstood symbols on the car dashboard. It may signal a wide array of malfunctions; therefore, it is critical to visit your mechanic to determine its causes and potentially prevent further damage or losses. The check engine light comes on for the following reasons ... read more

Sometimes circumstances force you to take a bad road and avoiding potholes and bumps becomes a challenge. When driving on these rough roads, it is important to remember that they may interfere with your car's wheel alignment. A proper wheel alignment can be the first thing that saves your life if you need to make a quick turn or dodge something. Below are some 5 signs to watch out for in misaligned wheels. Steering Wheel Vibration Poor alignment causes the steering wheel to vibrate or rock horizontally. It happens repeatedly and can sometimes be so bad to the extent that the entire car shakes as it runs on the road. That happens because two tires are trying to pull against each other. It becomes difficult to understand which direction the car is heading. Irregular Tire Wear It is critical to check whether the front tires have an even wear pattern. If so, that's an indication that the wheels are in line. Do the same for the rear wheels. If you notice that the tires have unev ... read more

Brake fluid operates under extremely high temperatures and high pressure. Without the proper amount of clean brake fluid, your vehicle would not stop when you push the brake. So, your car must get the right type and amount of brake fluid. And it must be clean. There are no set times or millage limits to change your vehicles' brake fluid. You will find that the timing varies by type of car, driving conditions you typically encounter, and the manufacturer's recommendations. A nice rule of thumb is to check with your car manufacturers' suggested maintenance schedule and check in with your repair shot during regular oil changes; the expected change duration is somewhere between four to five years. But if something seems a little off, it could be time to change your brake fluid. Here are a few telling signs that it just might be time to consider heading over to your trusted repair shop to check your brake fluid. One of the surest ways to know that your brake fluid needs a cha ... read more

There are many different noises that beg your attention when you hear them coming out of your car. If you don't address them quickly, your car may be permanently damaged or even destroyed. The following are five of these noises. Grinding or Squealing Brakes If this happens, your brake pads or shoes might be wearing down. There may be insufficient thickness in your brake pads to stop the metal components from coming into contact with one another. If you intervene early on, it may only be necessary to replace the pads. However, if you let it go for longer, this can lead to brake failure, which can be very unsafe. Chirping or Hissing Engine If your engine is making these sounds, the engine could be overheated, engine fluid could be leaking, or the catalytic converter or exhaust system could be plugged. Hissing could also mean a leaking vacuum. Chirping could indicate damage in the timing or serpentine belt in the engine. These are issues that need to be addressed right away if you ... read more

Driving in the winter weather needs good preparation. The season brings a variety of weather extremes such as heavy snow, fog, and freezing temperatures, which make it the most challenging season to be on the road. For a better driving experience, it's vital that you prepare your car in advance. Below are 5 basic things you can do: Check Your Tire Tread Tire tread grips the road to keep the car from sliding/ slipping, and for this reason, they need to be deep enough. Shallow tread grooves make it hard for you to control the vehicle because it will keep losing traction. For safe driving, have the treads checked regularly, particularly before winter, because the road conditions are worse then. Replace the Wiper Blades It's good that you get fresh wiper blades to take you through winter. It is never enough that they are still in good working condition. One thing you should know is that the wiper blades will start degrading as soon as the ice a ... read more

A clear windshield contributes to safe driving, especially during the cold, snowy winter months. However, windshield wiper blades are often overlooked by many drivers. Not until they find themselves in unpleasant situations on the road, caused by harsh weather, do they think of their windshield wipers. Only then do they realize that they need properly-working windshield wipers and enough washer fluid to go on with their journey. Overlooked wipers and let you down at the time you need them most. That’s why you should regularly inspect your wipers in search of faults and have them repaired quickly. From the effects of harsh weather, windshield wipers tend to deteriorate. The Sun causes the rubber that encloses the wiper blades to crack over time. This leads to a rough wipe that won’t work properly.  Remember, always look for cracks and wear, making sure your wipers are working properly and if they are unable to move over the windscreen smoothly, replace them. When you ... read more