Silicon Valley Auto Repair

As we start moving into warmer summer temperatures, many of us will be depending on the A/C to make the temperature inside the vehicle comfortable to drive. But you ask, “Do I need my air conditioner serviced if it is blowing cold air?” “Don’t fix it if it isn’t broke” is ringing in my head right now. The other thing ringing in my head is preventative maintenance prolongs the expected life of components with moving parts. You change the engine oil, transmission oil, differential oils, and antifreeze to prolong the life of those components. Why wouldn’t you change the refrigerant (freon) in the A/C system as well? First off, isn’t it called freon, not refrigerant? Much like Scotch tape is the name brand of invisible tape or a Sharpie is the name brand for a permanent marker, Freon was the name brand for R-12 refrigerant. R-12 has not been used in vehicles built after the mid 1990’s due to Ozone depleting CFC’s. The replacement ... read more

We all know that car care is the last thing on most people's minds right now. A lot of people aren't driving their vehicles due to Stay At Home or other social distancing orders. So the question is: Should I put off my car maintenance? According to industry experts, you may be doing more damage than good. Letting your car sit idle can cause many problems. Rich White, executive director at the non-profit Car Care Council says, "Just as it is recommended that people stay active during this time of social distancing, your car should get some activity as well. If your vehicle sits too long, the battery could die, the tires can develop flat spots and the engine oil may start to deteriorate."  White recommends to take short solo drives once a week and doing other car care to help keep your vehicle running efficiently and safely.  If your vehicle is going to sit for a long period of time, you should moni ... read more

Periodically checking your brakes is a vital part of routine maintenance. At a minimum this should be done at least once a year – plan a brake check at the same time you get your tires rotated. It's best to get them checked as you rotate your tires during every oil change. At the very least, you should get them looked at before going on a long trip. Signs of brake problems It is important to be alert to signs that you might be having problems with your brakes. Clues that something’s wrong with your brakes include: Your brake warning light comes on (including the ABS warning light) Unusual noise when you apply the brakes – especially grinding or squealing noises Your car’s response when you hit the brakes – such as if your car pulls in one direction or another, or shakes The feel of the brake pedal – such as if the brake pedal is too soft (goes to the floor when you press the pedal) or hard (hardly moves ... read more