Eugene Auto Repair

  When your engine misfires, you'll hear a pop or squeezing sound coming from the engine. These noises are usually accompanied by a strange smell that fills the car's interior. Although engine misfires sound scary, they don't necessarily mean your car will refuse to start. If your engine behaves like this, it must be checked as soon as possible because it can develop into something more serious, costing you much more money. What is an Engine Misfire? Your engine depends on fire/ spark, oxygen and fuel to generate power and create momentum. Each time you turn on your ignition, your engine starts burning small amounts of fuel in a controlled environment, generating power for numerous systems in the car. A misfire happens when the spark fuel or oxygen is missing or is improperly delivered during combustion. Why Does the Engine Misfire? A variety of reasons, including the following, can cause an engine to misfire; A worn-out coil Worn-out ignition wire Worn-out spar ... read more

Power steering fluid is the hydraulic fluid in your vehicle’s steering system that makes turning the wheel of your car an easy task to manage. Otherwise, steering your vehicle would take all your energy and distract you from what is happening on the road. While most people neglect their power steering system maintenance, it is crucial for you to change your power steering fluid periodically.  Why Is It Necessary? Power steering fluid changes and flushes are often overlooked because they aren’t done as often as other fluid changes like oil changes and brake fluid flush. As long as your steering patterns are acceptable, it is safe to assume that your power steering fluid is sufficient. However, a stiff steering wheel is a tell-tale sign of something wrong with your power steering system. In most cases, it means that the fluid has gone bad or is leaking. In either case, it is hazardous for you to drive in such conditions. Even if you don’t have to replace your p ... read more

The TPMS warning light is an important indicator in your car that helps you to know when your tire pressure is low. This system can be very helpful, but it's important to understand what the different colors of the light mean so that you can take the appropriate action. Here's what you need to know about the TPMS warning light. Red TPMS Warning Light The TPMS red light is the most critical, which means one or more of your tires doesn't have enough air. You should stop as soon as possible to check the pressure. If it's low, put air in the tire until it has the right amount and drive slowly until notices disappear. Yellow TPMS Warning Light The yellow TPMS light indicates that the system is working properly, but one or more of your tires is low on air. You should check your tire pressure at your earliest convenience and inflate the tire to the proper level. Green TPMS Warning Light The green TPMS light means the system is working properly, and all your tires are at ... read more

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