Eugene Auto Repair

Imagine cruising down the open road. Suddenly, your automobile sputters and comes to a halt, leaving you stranded on the side of the road. You realize that you've run out of fuel. You realize it is a frustrating circumstance that could have easily been avoided. Running your fuel tank empty may seem harmless, but it can actually lead to a host of problems for both you and your vehicle. Here's why running your fuel tank empty (or too close) is not a good idea: Fuel Pump Damage: The fuel pump inside your fuel tank relies on gasoline to cool and lubricate its components. When you empty your tank, the fuel pump is exposed to air instead of fuel, causing it to overheat.  Sediment Accumulation: Over time, impurities and sediments settle at the bottom of your fuel tank. These contaminants can obstruct the fuel filter, reducing fuel flow and causing engine performance issues.  Fuel Injector Problems: Modern vehicles have fuel injectors that spew fuel into ... read more

Regular preventative maintenance is essential to keeping your vehicle running smoothly and avoiding unexpected breakdowns. Neglecting basic maintenance tasks can lead to costly repairs and shortened vehicle lifespan. Here are some top car preventive maintenance services that you should consider: Oil Change and Filter Replacement Regular oil changes and filter replacements are essential to keeping your engine running smoothly. Over time, engine oil breaks down and becomes contaminated, causing damage to your engine's internal components. Brake Inspection and Maintenance Regular brake inspections and maintenance are crucial to ensuring your vehicle's safety on the road. Worn or damaged brake pads, rotors, and other components can compromise your vehicle's stopping ability. Tire Rotation and Wheel Alignment Regular tire rotation and wheel alignment can help prolong the life of your tires and improve your vehicle's handling and performance. Uneven tire wear and misali ... read more

The battery is one of the most integral features of cars. To put it plain and simple, your vehicle would not start without it. That is why all vehicle owners must keep their car batteries in good condition. Just like any other car component, you will need to replace the battery multiple times throughout the vehicle's life. How Long Do Car Batteries Last? It is hard to pinpoint the exact lifespan of a car battery because it depends on many factors, including the conditions it operates in and the quality of the battery. However, most batteries last between 3-5 years. Harsh weather and bad driving habits can decrease your battery's longevity. While you might not have control over the climate you drive your car in, you do have control over how you operate your vehicle. For example, too many repeated "short trips" and stop-and-go driving can wear down your battery as it may not have enough time to recharge. 3 Signs That Mean Your Battery is Dying If your battery is on ... read more

Coolant fluid, also known as antifreeze, is essential to your vehicle’s cooling system. It helps regulate the engine’s temperature and prevent it from overheating while protecting it from rust and corrosion. Over time, the coolant can become contaminated or break down, decreasing its effectiveness. This is why it’s crucial for vehicle owners to perform regular coolant fluid flushes. A coolant fluid flush involves draining the old coolant from the system and replacing it with fresh coolant. It helps the system run at peak performance and can help prevent costly repairs down the road. To stay on top of cooling system maintenance, you will need to check your coolant fluid regularly and understand the symptoms of a bad cooling system. Check Your Coolant Fluid Regularly It’s vital to check your coolant fluid level regularly to ensure it’s at an appropriate level. Low coolant levels can lead to overheating, which can cause significant engine damage. You shoul ... read more

Healthy brakes are vital to keeping you, your loved ones, and other drivers on the road safe. While you may have your seatbelts and airbags to protect you in case of an accident, brakes are what keeps them from happening in the first place. To ensure your brakes are in tip-top shape, you should have them regularly inspected. Furthermore, you should be on the lookout for the signs of bad brakes.  Signs That Indicate Your Car Needs Brake Repair Veering Left or Right Brakes help you control how fast and slow your car goes. Even when you press your brakes, your vehicle should not shift its direction. If your car jerks left or right every time the brakes are engaged, you should have your brake pads inspected. This is a common sign of uneven brake pads. However, it can also be a symptom of poor wheel alignment. Odd Brake Pedal  Any unusual feeling with your brake pad is a cause for concern. A vibrating brake pedal could mean that your rotors are wearing unevenly. On the other ... read more

  When your engine misfires, you'll hear a pop or squeezing sound coming from the engine. These noises are usually accompanied by a strange smell that fills the car's interior. Although engine misfires sound scary, they don't necessarily mean your car will refuse to start. If your engine behaves like this, it must be checked as soon as possible because it can develop into something more serious, costing you much more money. What is an Engine Misfire? Your engine depends on fire/ spark, oxygen and fuel to generate power and create momentum. Each time you turn on your ignition, your engine starts burning small amounts of fuel in a controlled environment, generating power for numerous systems in the car. A misfire happens when the spark fuel or oxygen is missing or is improperly delivered during combustion. Why Does the Engine Misfire? A variety of reasons, including the following, can cause an engine to misfire; A worn-out coil Worn-out ignition wire Worn-out spar ... read more

Power steering fluid is the hydraulic fluid in your vehicle’s steering system that makes turning the wheel of your car an easy task to manage. Otherwise, steering your vehicle would take all your energy and distract you from what is happening on the road. While most people neglect their power steering system maintenance, it is crucial for you to change your power steering fluid periodically.  Why Is It Necessary? Power steering fluid changes and flushes are often overlooked because they aren’t done as often as other fluid changes like oil changes and brake fluid flush. As long as your steering patterns are acceptable, it is safe to assume that your power steering fluid is sufficient. However, a stiff steering wheel is a tell-tale sign of something wrong with your power steering system. In most cases, it means that the fluid has gone bad or is leaking. In either case, it is hazardous for you to drive in such conditions. Even if you don’t have to replace your p ... read more

The TPMS warning light is an important indicator in your car that helps you to know when your tire pressure is low. This system can be very helpful, but it's important to understand what the different colors of the light mean so that you can take the appropriate action. Here's what you need to know about the TPMS warning light. Red TPMS Warning Light The TPMS red light is the most critical, which means one or more of your tires doesn't have enough air. You should stop as soon as possible to check the pressure. If it's low, put air in the tire until it has the right amount and drive slowly until notices disappear. Yellow TPMS Warning Light The yellow TPMS light indicates that the system is working properly, but one or more of your tires is low on air. You should check your tire pressure at your earliest convenience and inflate the tire to the proper level. Green TPMS Warning Light The green TPMS light means the system is working properly, and all your tires are at ... read more

Now that we are officially in Fall in Eugene, OR, it is time to set aside some time to prioritize your car. Let’s face it – winter is coming soon. With the colder seasons upon us, we should prepare our vehicles for harsh conditions. To protect your investment, be sure to have the following services and maintenance done: Change Your Wiper Blades - A rain shower or two may surprise you here and there in Eugene. To make sure you’re able to drive through heavy rain with great visibility, make sure your wipers are up-to-date. Replace them if they are 1 year old or older.  Test Your Heater and Defrosters - Fall is the perfect time to test your heaters and defrosters since the morning can get slightly frosty. Check to see if your defrosters can clear your windscreen and make sure heat can blast out your car vents.  Get an Oil Change - If you’re at the recommended oil change interval, what are you waiting for? Replacing your oil frequently can only do good ... read more

Ball joints are a part of your vehicle’s suspension system. While shocks and struts are often talked about when it comes to suspension, ball joints are not. They are precisely what they sound like: a ball and socket configuration. Ball joints facilitate the movement and turns of your wheels. When you turn your steering wheel, your ball joints are in action. With working ball joints, you’re able to drive smoothly and comfortably.    Your vehicle’s ball joints connect your wheels and tires to the rest of your car, SUV, or truck. That means it gets exposed to a ton of debris, dirt, dust, and other contaminants every day. Water and other stuff can collect inside the holes and cause your ball joints to wear down quicker. To ensure these last, you should keep them properly lubricated.    Signs That Indicate Worn Ball Joints If your ball joints are worn and on the brink of failure, you may notice one or more of the following warning signs: Clunking ... read more