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