Walnut Creek Auto Repair

Depending on the type of person you are, your check engine light coming on might spike your anxiety or just make you chuckle. A check engine light is probably one of the most vague warnings that a person ever gets in their vehicle. In cars of all ages, this warning seemingly comes on for no reason whatsoever. However, this light can also signify that there's a serious problem with your vehicle. While we'd always recommend getting your car checked out by a professional mechanic, let's talk about what this light can mean. What Should I Do First? The most obvious conclusion one might have when they see their engine light come on is that there's a problem with the engine. However, what type of problem is it, and how serious can it be? Well, the first thing you should do is take stock of your vehicle when you notice this light. Are you hearing any unusual noises when driving or idling? Even if they're very faint and barely noticeable, any new noise could be a sign that ... read more

Potholes are road imperfections that are generally unavoidable. With construction season in full swing, you may have one or more creep up on you on your daily drive. Unfortunately, far too many drivers have been impacted by poor handling of driving over potholes. If you aren’t careful, you may need to make a trip to an auto repair shop sooner than later.   We’ve all been there – driving over a pothole at full speed and feeling the jolt hit your car. The bigger the pothole, the bigger the implications. This feeling might catch you by surprise, but it can also signify damage to your vehicle’s suspension and alignment.    Your vehicle’s wheels need to be properly aligned to evenly distribute power to all its wheels. If your wheels are knocked out of alignment from a pothole, you may notice the following symptoms after: Rough ride Car pulls left or right Car drifts  Shaky steering wheel  Uneven tire wear Unusual sounds from w ... read more

Never ignore car sounds, these signify that there's a problem. Ignoring them does not help as sooner or later something out of the usual and perhaps dangerous may happen. We have summed up 4 of the most common car sounds to keep a lookout for. Squealing when being started Rattling when driving over speed bumps Squealing when moving the steering wheel Squealing when stepping on brake pedals Squealing When Being Started This sound could possibly mean that the serpentine belt is failing or almost completely useless. This long rubber belt may be located attached to the crankshaft or AC compressor, alternator, power steering as well as other pumps. This however depends on your vehicle's model. The most common reason your serpentine belt could be making unwanted noises is basically due to wear and tear form being used. Failing to deal with it sooner could leave you with a broken AC and potentially stranded one day. Rattling When Driving Over Speed Bumps Your car's suspens ... read more

Even though we use them on a regular basis, vehicle lights are some of the most overlooked car components. For the safety of you and others, it is your responsibility to keep your headlights in check. Your car lights should be clean, lit, and aimed properly. Read on to learn more about how to better care for your vehicle’s lighting. Testing the Headlights We recommend testing and checking to see if your car lights work every several months. These lights should include your reverse, side and tail, stop, and fog lights. Your headlights are especially important. You can do a simple walk around. However, if you want to be extra precise, you can use a test bulb kit.    Once you’ve checked off every single light, you’ll need to assess your headlights’ aim. The best way to determine whether your headlights need realignment is to judge others’ reactions to your car. Or, you can ask for a friend to help. All in all, if you can’t clearly see the ... read more

Performing a pre-purchase inspection (PPI) before purchasing a secondhand car is critical. Inspection and testing alone will not tell you whether a car has mechanical or safety issues if you are unfamiliar with automobiles and their mechanisms. What is a Pre-purchase Inspection? Before making a purchase, a buyer performs a pre-purchase examination, as the term implies. Before purchasing a used car, it's a good idea to have a mechanic inspect the vehicle's exterior and inside. Buyers who aren't familiar with automobile mechanics can't tell if a secondhand car requires repairs or if it has any other issues. Because the PPI is designed to prevent you from getting a lemon, its goal is to ensure that you do not. What Happens During a Pre-purchase Vehicle Inspection? Pre-purchase vehicle inspections are recommended for all used car purchases. Getting to know the car's history and condition can help you decide whether to buy it. To av ... read more