Posted on 8/31/2020
A properly running engine should run and start smoothly without excess noise or vibration. If you being to notice that your vehicle is “running rough”, meaning that you start to notice loud noises, vibrations, and an overall decline in performance, you are likely dealing with an engine problem. As soon as you notice a change in your vehicle’s drivability, it is important to have your vehicle inspected. Engine problems should never be ignored and the sooner you fix the problem, the more money you’ll save yourself over time. As soon as you start to notice drivability issues, be sure to note down the symptoms you are experiencing. Do you notice that your engine is “running rough”? Is your car idling rough? Does your car stall between switching gears? Is your engine revving without you pressing on the accelerator? Do you notice any other strange noises, smells, or vibrations? Letting our experts know exactly what is going on with your vehicle wil ... read more
Posted on 7/20/2020
While the summertime is the perfect season to jump in the car and head out on an adventure, the warm temperatures can definitely take a toll on your vehicle. With the increase in driving and the hotter weather, it is important to remember not to neglect your vehicle and to stay on top of your car's summer maintenance needs over the next couple of months. Most car owners don't realize how much the heat can actually affect their vehicles. Realizing what you can do to help your vehicle through the heat can allow you to avoid costly breakdowns and repairs that can put a wrench (no pun intended) in your summer plans. Here are some of our top summer tips to help your vehicle survive the heat: Have your battery tested and cleaned. Battery juice tends to evaporate quickly during the warmer days, and a battery that is already nearing the end of its life may die completely unexpectedly. A quick battery test can tell you if your battery is in good condition and cleani ... read more
Posted on 6/24/2020
Many Americans will gather on July 4th each year to celebrate Independence Day of the United States. It's typically a celebration full of fun, food, and vibrant fireworks shows. With the increased amount of vehicles on the road, it's important to plan out your day and ensure that you are comfortable getting to your destination. Did you know that July 4th is the most dangerous day to drive in America based on a study by Geotab completed back in 2017? Why is July 4th considered a dangerous day to drive, and what measures can you take to keep you and your family safe on the road? The main reason why July 4th has an increased amount of accidents and fatalities is due to the high amount of alcohol consumption. This leads to drunk driving, which causes 28% of all vehicle crash fatalities according to the CDC. This is why it is so important to never drink and drive, and help encourage others to avoid doing the same as well. If you or your family are partaking in consuming alcoh ... read more
Posted on 5/27/2020
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
Posted on 4/21/2020
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
Posted on 3/24/2020
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
Posted on 2/26/2020
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
Posted on 1/30/2020
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
Posted on 12/30/2019
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
Posted on 11/22/2019
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