Eugene Auto Repair

The engine of your vehicle is kind of like the heart of your vehicle - it is essential to the overall function of your car. Without it, your vehicle simply wouldn't run. So, how long does the engine last, and what are some of the signs that you may need engine repair.  Your vehicle's engine is subject to a lot of wear and tear over the years because of the amount of heat it endures on the daily and the vast amount of moving parts. With proper maintenance, your engine will last you years without trouble. However, a poorly maintained engine can bring trouble sooner than you expected. We recommend having your vehicle's engine serviced regularly according to manufacturer recommendations to prevent engine problems from occurring.  If there does happen to be a problem with your vehicle's engine, you may start to notice one or more of the following symptoms:  You hear a knocking sound coming from underneath the hood You notice exhaust smoke Your vehicle sme ... read more

With stay-at-home orders in place, you may be wondering about your vehicle sitting idle. Or perhaps, you own a vehicle that you don't have much use for that has been collecting dust in the garage. Whichever is the case, you may wonder whether or not a vehicle that is sitting idle and isn't being used needs to still be maintained.  It may seem that a vehicle that isn't used doesn't need to be maintained - however, this isn't always the case. An idle vehicle should still be prepared and taken care of in certain aspects. We want to share with you our idle car maintenance tips for cars that aren't being used for weeks, months, or even years.  It is important to prepare your vehicle for storage, which you can do in a few ways. It is recommended to wash your vehicle, making sure to remove any grime or dirt. Waxing is also a good idea. This just helps to protect the integrity of your vehicle's exterior and prevents rusting.  It also helps to put i ... read more

Over the past few weeks, the COVID-19 virus has spread rapidly throughout the United States, and our government has recommended that American's shelter in place to avoid spreading and contracting the virus. Gov. Kate Brown has officially ordered the people of Oregon to stay home when necessary, only leaving home for work and getting essentials such as groceries.  With all of these business shutdowns and shelter in place orders, what does that mean for auto repair? Auto Repair is considered a necessary business and is allowed to stay open during this time. There are many people who still need to use their vehicles to get to work, to the store, or to check on at risk loved ones, and in order to do so your vehicle needs to be working. If your vehicle needs a service or you find yourself without a working vehicle when you need it most during these tough times, you can have peace of mind knowing that Small World Auto Center in Eugene is here to help. We know that many folks in Eu ... read more

Timing belts, located in the front of the vehicle, are responsible for controlling the timing of a vehicle’s crankshaft and camshaft, with the timing belt being made out of rubber. This sophisticated rubber compound can get worn very quickly and become cracked from wear and tear. If your vehicle’s timing belt breaks, the engine will stop running immediately, and significant damage to your engine may ensue. Timing belt replacements can be a very costly expense, however not replacing it can damage your engine. Our technicians always recommend that you consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual as it will give a mileage reference point for when it may be time for a replacement. Depending on the vehicle manufacturer, timing belt replacements are usually recommended around 60,000 – 100,000 miles. You can also contact our ASE certified technicians at Small World Auto for a diagnostic. Just by looking at the timing belt, it’s hard to tell if it deserves a replac ... read more

Owning a vehicle goes beyond just driving it every day. On top of relying on it to get us where we need to go, we are required to take care of it and ensure that it receives the proper maintenance and service. With how often we drive our vehicles, you would assume that many car owners know a lot about their vehicles. In reality, some car owners don't even know their vehicle's make, model and year! There are certain things that every car owner should know about their vehicles just to be more informed overall. You'll feel more confident as a car owner and be able to handle any car situation with ease. Here are our top 5 things that every vehicle owner should know:  Year, make and model of your vehicle - this will come in handy for insurance purposes, at the mechanic, DMV, etc.  The VIN number - we know this is a long one, but if you can't remember it be sure to write it down and keep it with you in your purse or wallet Maintenance schedule - understand your ... read more

The year has come to an end and it's that time when we start making resolutions and changes for the next coming year. Making resolutions is more than just making a to do list - it consists of taking a look at your previous year and deciding what changes you want to make in your life to progress forward and enhance the overall quality of your life.  When making your 2020 resolutions, don't forget to think about your vehicle. Our cars are what get us from place to place and we expect them to always be reliable. However, many of us don't stay up to date with maintenance and can often times neglect the health of our cars. Going into the new year, making changes when it comes to vehicle care can help you save money and car troubles throughout 2020.  Here are some ideas on resolutions to make for your vehicle: Keep track of important maintenance items and write them down on a calendar or device. Set reminders throughout the years of when these services are due so tha ... read more

It's that time of year where many of us will be celebrating holidays and enjoying our time off from school and work to relax and spend time with family and friends. If you're planning a Thanksgiving road trip, regardless if its a couple hours or longer, traveling with children in the car can be a handful. Not only do you need to be well prepared with snacks and drinks, but you'll also need a way to either keep them asleep or entertained to make the ride go smoothly.  Here are some awesome car road trip games for Thanksgiving travel for both the adults and the kids to enjoy to pass the time and make everyone's time in the car enjoyable!  1. I Spy - A classic in car rides, I spy can be fun with the little ones. Someone finds something nearby or in the car, and says "I Spy" and starts describing it, such as "I spy something green and tall". Great way to pass the time! 2. The Alphabet Game - This one is fun! Youngest in the car picks a categ ... read more

It's not yet winter - but it's almost time to start preparing your vehicle for the colder winter weather. Snow is in our future, and making sure your vehicle is ready and staying on top of winter vehicle maintenance will ensure that you're ready for any weather.  Winter can tend to take a toll on our vehicles, from low tire pressure to the effects that road salt can have. The best way to prevent long term damage from occurring is by preparing your vehicle for the winter weather. Here are some of the top common winter car maintenance tips that will help you stay safe through the season:  Swap out your regular tires for your winter tires Check your tire pressure weekly Check your tire tread to make sure you'll be safe driving in rain/snow Always keep your gas tank half full Have your windshield wipers replaced Consider getting a layer of polymer wax added to protect from road salt and debris Make sure you are up to date on your vehicle's recommended ... read more

Seeing a leak underneath can be a cause for concern, especially if you aren’t sure how serious it might be. When you see a leak, be sure to inspect it and make a mental note of the color and where the leak appears to be coming from. Fluids can leak due to a number of reasons, and the severity of the leak can vary depending on the source. Here are what some leak colors can indicate: Clear - Clear liquid isn’t a leak at all, but is just condensation from the air conditioning system.  Red - Red fluid can come from the transmission or power steering system, caused by a broken transmission seal or a hole in a line between systems.  Pink - Pink fluid usually is power steering fluid or transmission fluid, as mentioned above. Orange - Orange can indicate leaking antifreeze or just regular condensation that is rusty from the radiator. Transmission fluid can also look orange if it is old or dirty. Yellow - Yellow fluid can indicate a radiator coolant leak, caused by a ... read more

We understand that car maintenance can be confusing at times, especially when you are uncertain about when and why services need to be completed. Although maintenance is usually always explained more thoroughly in your vehicle’s owner’s manual, your local auto repair shop is a great source as well when it comes to staying current with your car’s maintenance. Here are the 5 most important car maintenance services that should never be missed for your vehicle: 1. Oil Change The service that car owners are most familiar with - the oil change. Although it may seem like a small routine service, oil changes have a huge effect on the overall health of your vehicle. They are important for keeping your engine protected and should never be missed.  2. Tune-up A vehicle due for a tune-up has usually reached a certain milestone in terms of mileage. The services needed for a tune-up with vary depending on your vehicle and what it needs. A tune-up will basically revamp your ... read more