Rohnert Park Auto Repair

Fluid leaks are often one of the first signs of car trouble. Left unaddressed for too long, fluid leaks can lead to serious problems ranging from braking and steering issues to total engine failure—which is why leaks should always be repaired as soon as possible. Knowing how to identify a fluid leak and the type of fluid that’s leaking is a useful skill for any driver. To help you do this, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most common and important fluids you might encounter and how to tell which is which. How to Identify Automotive Fluids The easiest way to identify which type of fluid is leaking from your vehicle is to look at the color and consistency of the fluid. Red Fluid There are two types of red fluids that are commonly used in vehicles: automatic transmission fluid and power steering fluid. However, some vehicles use automatic transmission fluid instead of power steering fluid for their power steering systems. Fresh power steering fluid starts off re ... read more

When it comes to unusual sounds vehicle sounds, few are as alarming as brake noises. As one of the most important safety features of your vehicle, your brakes are one of the last things you want to be worried about while you're driving down the road! But the good news is that not all brake noises are signs of trouble. In fact, some of them are completely normal. To help you distinguish between the harmless and the hazardous, we've compiled some of the most common brake noises you might hear and what they mean. By the end of this post, you'll be able to tell the difference between a harmless squeak and a warning sign that your brakes need attention. Grinding Noises When Starting Your Vehicle in the Morning Grinding noises are often a bad thing—but before you panic and start budgeting for a brake replacement, there's a chance that this sound is completely normal, especially if you park your car outside. When your car is p ... read more

Don’t Sweat It: Get Your Auto Air Conditioner Ready for Summer Summer’s just around the corner, so this is the perfect time to ensure your car’s air conditioning system is in good working order! After months of disuse during the winter months, your AC may need some maintenance or repairs to get it ready for the warm weather ahead. A malfunctioning AC system can turn what should be a comfortable drive into a sweaty, uncomfortable ordeal; fortunately, there are some simple checks you can do at home to determine whether your system is ready to beat the heat—or needs a little attention. 5 Steps for Checking Your Auto Air Conditioning System Here are five simple steps you can take to check how well your car’s air conditioning is working: Test the settings Check that your AC fan is working properly at different speeds. Start your AC on the lowest setting ... read more

Tires are constantly “rotating” as they travel down the road, but tire rotation refers to a type of maintenance where the position of each tire is changed periodically. Although tire rotation intervals can vary based on your vehicle, they’re typically recommended about every 5,000 miles.    Why Are Tire Rotations Needed? Tire rotations are necessary—and important—for several reasons. First, the front tires wear more quickly than the rear tires. This is because it’s the front wheels that do the turning, which means they’re exposed to more friction. Rotating your tires helps to spread the rate of tread wear more evenly, maximizing their road life. Fresh new tire tread tends to wear more unevenly, so it’s especially important to rotate new tires by the time they hit 5,000 miles.    Another reason to rotate your tires is that it keeps the t ... read more

When was the last time you thought about your car battery? If you’re like most drivers, you probably don’t think about it much, unless there’s a problem. Car batteries manage a variety of tasks, from starting the engine to powering the headlights and electrical components like the onboard computer. Just like with other systems in your vehicle, regular battery maintenance is essential to keeping your vehicle running smoothly and reliably; dead or damaged batteries are one of the top reasons drivers place roadside assistance calls.   How Long Do Car Batteries Last? When properly cared for, car batteries can last for five years or more, but most batteries tend to last around three years with daily use. Like other types of batteries, car batteries become less efficient every time they’re charged. If your battery is between four and five years old, it’s important to have it checked on occasion to ensure it’s still able to hold a charge.&nbs ... read more

Most drivers know that regular oil changes are important to keep their cars running well, but there’s more to engine maintenance than just replacing the oil and filter. Tune-ups are another type of engine maintenance that’s essential for maximizing performance and drivability.    What’s Involved in a Tune-Up? In the past, tune-ups involved manually adjusting and cleaning various engine components like the distributor cap, ignition coils, and breaker points. With today’s vehicles, these adjustments are controlled by the onboard computer—but that doesn’t mean that tune-ups aren’t still necessary. Today, a tune-up may include: - Replacing the fuel filters - Replacing the engine air filters - Replacing spark plugs or spark plug wires - Inspecting or replacing the PCV valve - Inspecting the distributor cap - Replacing the oxygen sensor - Fuel induction serv ... read more

Breaking down in your vehicle is always inconvenient; fortunately, vehicles often give us warning signs that there’s a problem long before breaking down—you just need to know what to look for. If you catch a problem early enough, you can get it repaired before it leaves you stranded on the side of the road or causes a safety issue. You’ll also likely avoid a bigger, more expensive repair in the future. To help you spot signs of trouble, we’ve compiled a helpful list of warning signs to be aware of:   Dashboard Warning Lights Most vehicles today are equipped with sophisticated diagnostic systems that will let you know they’ve detected something wrong with your car. Although it might be tempting to ignore warning lights, especially if your vehicle seems fine, it’s important to take them seriously. While some of the lights indicate minor issues, here are five that you should never ignore: Low engine oil pressure: this indicat ... read more

Every system in your vehicle serves an important purpose and needs to be maintained to continue working as it should; the suspension system is no different. However, it’s often easy to overlook the suspension—at least until there’s an obvious problem.    What Does the Suspension System Do? The suspension system is vital for maintaining control of your vehicle and ensuring a smooth, comfortable ride. It does this by maximizing the contact your tires have with the road—which maximizes the friction between the tire tread and the road. This ensures good traction, steering stability, and optimal handling. The suspension system also helps absorb the energy from bumps and other imperfections in the road, allowing the body and the frame to stay stabilized while accelerating, cornering, and braking.    In addition, the suspension system aids with braking. If your shocks and struts are worn, it can increase your stopping distance, especiall ... read more

Do you pay attention to your dashboard lights? You should! These lights generally come on when your vehicle is trying to alert you of an issue. Ignoring these lights could only lead to expensive and/or permanent damage.    Below, we’ve described some common dashboard lights, what they mean, and how to fix the problem your car is experiencing. Take a look!    Engine Temperature Warning Light  If this warning light comes on, then your car’s engine temperature has increased past the recommended degree. This light usually means that your vehicle is overheating, but not always. The engine temperature sensor could also be damaged. Regardless, an overheating engine can cause serious problems. It’s better to be safe than sorry. When this warning light comes on, it’s best to avoid driving your vehicle until it’s looked at and given the clear by a professional technician.    Oil Pressure Warning Light  Yo ... read more

Is your car costing you too much money? Are you searching for ways to cut back or maybe even save? Specifically, are you searching for ways to save money on car repairs?    You’re in luck! We’ve put together a list of tips for you to consider trying that will (hopefully) allow you to cut back on the price of repairs. Take a look!    Read Your Owner’s Manual  While it may not be a page-turner, your owner's manual can reveal important information about your car. This information could help you save money on repairs or even avoid repairs altogether. To keep your vehicle running smoothly, pay attention to this document.    Do Preventive Maintenance  Perhaps the best way to avoid an expensive repair is to catch the problem before it becomes a bigger problem. This can be accomplished through preventive maintenance and regularly scheduled tune-ups.    Fix the Issue Yourself If you are knowl ... read more