by A1performance123 | Mar 7, 2017 | Auto Care Blog
Car muffler’s job is to move the exhaust away from the car and that isn’t what is does many times. When the muffler isn’t doing its job to push the exhaust fumes away from the vehicle, it can lead to a gas poisoning inside the car. Here are some of the danger signs you need to look for to be sure your car is operating properly.
Car Muffler
There are specific telltale signs that the muffler is broken and dangerous exhaust gasses are getting inside the vehicle. These can usually be easily remedied at any auto shop like A1 Performance Auto Repair in Sunnyvale, CA.
Sudden Drop in MPG
There can be many reasons for your miles per gallon going down, but a muffler problem is one of them. If you notice you’re not getting the mileage you did a few weeks ago, it is time to start hunting down the problem in order to rule out a muffler problem.
Exhaust or Rotten Egg Smell
When you get into the car and you’ll notice your car does not smell fresh and clean, it smells like a bus station from all the left over exhaust that is leaking into the car. When you drive you will smell a bad smell and it might go away over time. Usually, you’ll start getting headaches from the carbon monoxide leaks from a bad muffler.
Loud Noise
When a muffler fails the car becomes very loud, many times. Or sometimes the muffler becomes disconnected from the tailpipe and is loud.
Getting Repairs
Most auto repair shops are equipped with everything they need to make repairs to your exhaust system. If you notice any of the signs above, get to A1 Performance Auto Repair right away to have it checked out. Carbon monoxide poisoning from a bad muffler is nothing to mess around with. Get it fixed right away.
by A1performance123 | Mar 1, 2017 | Auto Care Blog
There is new talk about the recommended vehicle maintenance when it comes to how often you should get an oil change for your car or truck. With the choice between regular oil and synthetic oil, we have a whole new set of rules.
Recommended Vehicle Maintenance
For oil changes we’ve always heard the recommended vehicle maintenance timeline was 3,000 miles. It was standard and nobody ever questioned it, because that is what the mechanic always said. There were many threats of engine destruction if you were late on the 3,000 mile cut off. Now we are asking, “Hey, did all you mechanics con me?”
They did and they didn’t. Certainly, 3,000 mile oil changes will keep your oil wonderfully clean and the engine will love it. The issue is that the oil change guy receives more benefits from this than your engine. The recommended oil change time period has been more like 7,000 miles all of this time.
Changing your oil every 7,000 miles is for those who have an easy drive almost all of the time. The roads are paved and you’re rarely on a dirt road. There isn’t constant starting and stopping and you use the motor oil that the manufacturer lists in your manual.
There are some, however, that do need to change their oil every 3,000 miles. Those people are out driving on the farm, on dirt roads or stuck in traffic all day, every day.
10,000 Mile Oil Changes
You can kick that time interval between oil changes to 10,000 – 15,000 miles between changes (depending upon the manufacturer of your car). This is done with synthetic oil. The next time you get a new car, switch to synthetic motor oil and you’ll have to change it a lot less often!
by A1performance123 | Feb 22, 2017 | Auto Care Blog
Follow these tips to keep your car running like new in the Bay Area. Many of these suggestions help prevent breakdowns and ensure your ride is just as comfy as the day you acquired your car or truck.
Tips to Keep Your Car Running Like New
Nobody wants to get old and run down and nobody wants their car to start driving like it is old and worn out. So, take good care of your car and stay on top of these maintenance steps.
Change the Serpentine Belt
This belt doesn’t connect the engine and transmission, it runs the accessories of your car. We really take all those additional features of our car for granted. When the A/C stops and there’s no radio or windshield wipers working, it is a major inconvenience. So, avoid it by having the serpentine belt replaced as soon as it shows signs of wear.
Spark Plug Maintenance
Keep your miles per gallon up and your car performing like a champ by replacing the spark plugs and the spark plug wires. See your manual to find out how often this should be done.
Get That Brake Job Done Sooner
Save yourself a lot of money and head off a real tragedy by having your brakes inspected annually. Most drivers are unable to tell the brakes have worn out, because it happens so slowly that it always just seems normal. A mechanic can check them quickly and let you know if it is time. Getting them replaced early will be a lot less expensive than waiting until the rotors must be replaced.
A1 Performance Auto Repair
A1 Performance Auto Repair can handle maintenance and repairs on your cars and trucks. We specialize in the Japanese makes, but we also work on other cars and truck manufacturers.
by A1performance123 | Feb 15, 2017 | Auto Care Blog
Hopefully, you’re reading up on how to jump-start a car battery before you need to do it. The reason is, you going to need to use jumper cables. If you’re stuck with a dead battery then chances are excellent you do not have any of those in the car. If you do, wonderful! If you’re reading this before your battery goes dead then put jumper cables on your shopping list. You should always have them, no matter the age of the vehicle.
How to Jump-Start a Car Battery
Park the car that is working in front of the car with the dead battery, facing it. Park the car about 18” away, not letting the cars touch.
Put both cars in park. For manual transmissions, use neutral. Set the parking brake to keep either car from moving.
Turn both cars off and remove the keys from the ignition.
Put the jumper cables on the ground and straight them out, making sure that the clamps are not touching any other clamp or metal object.
Wipe the battery terminals so that you can see which is + and which is -. The icon is usually on top of the post where you will be attaching the jumper cable clamp.
Attach the red jumper cable clamp to the + battery post on the car that has a good battery. On the same car, attach the black cable clamp to the – battery post.
Hold the unattached jumper cable clamps far apart, one in each hand and walk to the dead battery. Find an unpainted metal part that is clean in the engine area, such as a nut. Attach the black jumper cable clamp to that nut. This is a safety ground.
Have a friend start the car that has the good battery.
Attach the red jumper cable clamp to the + battery post on the dead battery. Let it sit for about 2 minutes then start the car that has the dead battery. It should start right up.
by A1performance123 | Jan 28, 2017 | Auto Care Blog
The cheapest roadside assistance is probably the one your insurance offers with your car insurance policy. But there are other great options, too.
Cheapest Roadside Assistance
It is best to always be prepared for a breakdown. Have a policy in place, so that you can just call a number and a tow truck will arrive to help with a jump or tow. There are many ways to get the cheapest roadside assistance plan.
Probably the least expensive is to get the roadside assistance option on your auto insurance. This will cost anywhere from $4 for 6 months to $20. The price will depend on your insurance carrier and the number of policies you have with them.
If your auto insurance doesn’t offer the kind of coverage that you would like, then the next best option is to become a member of AAA. This will cost about $59 per year, but it offers far more than just tow and roadside service. You can get a check cashed in an emergency, help with being locked out of your house, free car rental for a day and a lot of other services and discounts. This is not your grandma’s AAA. They have really grown and even offer car and home insurance policies now.
Free Tow in Sunnyvale
If you don’t have a plan with your insurance company or an AAA membership then your best bet is to call A1 Auto Repair Service. If you are within 3 miles of their shop, they will tow you in and start working on your car right away. This service is free for customers who use A1 Auto Repair Service to repair their car. So, write down “Cheapest Roadside Assistance – Free Towing – (408) 530-0089” on a piece of paper and keep it in your glove compartment.
by A1performance123 | Jan 18, 2017 | Auto Care Blog
New cars have very easy car maintenance that is simple to remember. Actually, you don’t need to remember, because a little light will come on in your dashboard letting you know you need to do something. There is a different icon for each type of maintenance that needs to be performed. Older cars are not so easy. You need to stay on top of things without reminders.
Easy Car Maintenance
There are a few things you’ll need to remember to do periodically to keep your car running great, have fewer break downs and get lots of extra years of driving out of it.
Check Your Tire Pressure
If the tire looks low and maybe going flat, you check the tire pressure, right? Well, not exactly. At that point there is likely a leak in the tire. You need to check your tire pressure every change of season, in the least. You can catch a problem long before it becomes such a big deal that it’ll leave you stranded or wear your tires unevenly.
Check Your Fluids
Checking car fluids involves more than checking the oil. There are several different fluids to check from time to time. They all have different time period recommendations. See your car’s manual to find how often to check these fluids.
Check Brakes
Brakes need to be inspected by a professional. It requires putting the car up on a lift and pulling off the wheel then taking a look with a trained eye. Most people do not recognize worn out brakes when it happens. For your safety, you should have them inspected by a mechanic once per year or whenever the wheel needs to be pulled off for a repair.
We hope these easy car maintenance tips will save you from having a dangerous problem arise with your car. We’re looking forward to seeing you soon at A1 Performance Auto Repair.
