Silicon Valley Auto Repair

No one likes getting into their vehicle to find that the check engine light is on, and many of us will wonder, is it ok for me to continuing driving with this light on? Whether you have to drive to work or you don't know if the problem is severe, you may end up driving on a check engine light. While many people do end up doing so, it is never a recommended solution.  Your vehicle's check engine light is essentially your car's way of letting you know that is has detected something wrong with your vehicle's engine. Engine problems can vary in severity, but even the smaller issues can turn into larger ones if they are ignored and begin to affect connecting components.  As soon as you notice that your vehicle's check engine light is on, try not to drive your vehicle unless you're headed into Quality Tune-Up Auto Care. If the issue is very severe such as a failing engine, you may find yourself stuck on the side of the road if you continue to drive your ve ... read more

Getting a flat tire is never a fun experience, especially when it happens while you're driving. If you do find yourself with a flat tire, the most important thing to remember is to not continue driving your vehicle until it is fixed. Driving on a flat tire can cause damage to your wheels and suspension components.  Sometimes a flat tire can be extremely random. Here are some of the common reasons why flat tires happen:  Leaky valve stems - Corrosion and wheel damage can cause cracks in the rubber stem which can leak out air. An internal air leak in the valve stem because the valve is loose, faulty or jammed with dirt can also cause air to leak out.  A puncture in the tire caused by driving over sharp objects like nails, screws, steel wire from exploded truck tires, broken glass, sharp rocks, etc. Bead leaks between the tire and wheel, which can be caused by rust or corrosion on the wheel or a bent rim (hitting a curb or pothole). Wheel air leaks ... read more

Smoke coming out of your vehicle's exhaust is always a sign of trouble. Steam or condensation on a cold morning is totally normal, but if you notice a cloud of smoke from the exhaust - there's an issue. Smoke from the exhaust can be caused by a number of different things, and sometimes the color of the smoke is a good indicator. Here are some of the most common smoke colors and what they indicate:  Blue Blue smoke is an indication that the engine is burning oil. This is typically caused by some sort of damage to vital engine components, such as cylinders or piston rings. This can actually contaminate the catalytic converter and cause low engine oil or low oil pressure.  White White smoke usually signifies that the engine is buring coolant or transmission fluid. Either scenario is very bad for the engine and needs to be addressed as soon as possible.  Black Some black smoke from an older model diesel en ... read more