Why Would the Check Engine Light Come On?

You’re driving smoothly down the road when all of a sudden the “Check Engine” light comes on.  Why would the check engine light come on, you wonder?  Your car seems to be operating just well.  Should you drive straight to an engine repair shop and call a tow truck? Don’t panic!  A check engine light rarely signals anything disastrous.  

So why would the check engine light come on?  There are some issues that could trigger that little light:

• Loose gas cap
• Damaged vacuum hose
• Damaged ignition coils 
• Failing catalytic converter
• Worn out spark plugs. 

Although it’s okay to keep driving for a few more miles, the smart thing to do is get your car into your auto shop as soon as potential.  This will let you know for sure what’s going on in the engine and avoid a possible expensive engine repair. The important concern is to make sure that long-term damage isn’t taking place in your engine and that you aren't compromising the safety of your vehicle.  

Need to find quality engine repair?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Proshop Automotive for more information about why would the check engine light comes on and make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in Colton, CA, and the surrounding areas.

Wondering what Does Regular Car Maintenance Include?

As a conscientious driver, you want to make sure your vehicle is as safe as potential while going down the road.  While some things may seem too small to be concerned about, when it comes to vehicle maintenance, everything is vital.  And of course, it is always wise to double-check the vehicle maintenance checklist listed in your owner’s manual.  

So what does regular car maintenance include?  Here is a general list of vehicle maintenance items:

1. Windshield Wiper Blades –. When the blades are exposed to excessive heat or cold for months on end the rubber may stiffen and no longer wipe the water off the glass.  Replace wipers at least once a year, or more if you live in a rainy climate
2. Car Battery, Starter, and Alternator – A car battery should be replaced about every 5 years.  If your lights appear dim and you run a lot of accessories, it may want to be replaced more often.  Have the starter and alternator inspected out too.
3. Brake System (rotors, pads, and calipers) – Replace the brake pads at about every 50,000 miles.  If you do a lot of stop-and-go driving, you may want to replace these braking components more often.
4. Accessory Drive Belt/Serpentine Belt – This belt should usually be replaced about every 60,000 to 100,000 miles.  This belt is crucial as it operates many parts, including the alternator, water, and power steering pump, air pump and the A/C compressor. 
5. Radiator, coolant, hoses, and belts – The radiator circulates coolant and water throughout the engine to prevent it from overheating.  Have it checked and the coolant/water mixture inspected about every 6 months.  Hoses may want to be replaced about every 75,000 miles.  
6. Air Filter – For most cars, the air filter should be replaced about every 15,000 to 30,000 miles, depending on the driving conditions.  If you don't do a lot of driving, have it replaced at least every 3 years, as it becomes brittle.
7. Transmission – Don’t wait until you have shifting issues and a major repair before having a checkup of your transmission.  You may simply want a transmission flush.
8. Tires – Keep the correct inflation pressure in your tires, and have tires rotated about 6 months.  Depending upon the tread wear, tires should be replaced about every 45,000 miles.
9. Oil and Filter Changes – This is a small but critical service that keeps your engine running smoothly and efficiently.  Follow the recommendation stated in your owner’s manual for the right oil change interval.

What does regular car maintenance include?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Proshop Automotive for more information about vehicle maintenance and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in Colton, CA, and the surrounding areas.

Wondering what does a diagnostic test do for your car?

Annual physical inspections help keep you in good health, right?  The same is true for your car!  Regular diagnostic tests can detect car issues before they require costly repair, or worse, leave you stranded on the side of the road after a breakdown.  While some vehicle owners think diagnostic tests are only compulsory when the check engine light comes on, there are many benefits to taking a proactive approach to car maintenance, including the need for a car tune up.   

So what does a diagnostic test do for your car?  Using specialized software and thanks to built-in processors, microchips and sensors, diagnostic tools speedily and accurately point to issue areas within the engine, transmission, brakes, exhaust system and other major components, as well as performance problems with the fuel injector, airflow and coolant, ignition coils, and throttle. 

Before the emergence of car diagnostic tests, identifying issues was timesaving and costly.  Vehicle owners normally only brought their cars to mechanics after a breakdown or other severe malfunction. Now, computerized components can detect issues long before they cause a breakdown. Diagnostic tools can also inspect a car’s computer system for manufacturer notifications and stored information about the car’s history, giving technicians a complete picture in order to perform the best repair potential.  This saves time and money spent troubleshooting an issue--you don't have to pay for repairs performed on a "trial-and-error" basis.

Many auto technicians recommend taking your car in for a diagnostic check at least once a year.  This can uncover minor issues that can’t be seen or heard.  Diagnostic testing is also a useful tool when you’re inspecting out of a used car. Both private sellers and expert car dealers should agree to a diagnostic test before you commit to buying, and if they don’t, that’s a sign you should walk away from the deal.

What does a diagnostic test do for your car?  It means that your auto mechanic can identify the issue quickly; order parts as compulsory; and have it fixed before it becomes a more expensive repair. 

Are you wondering what does a diagnostic test do for your car?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Proshop Automotive for more information about a car tune up and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in Colton, CA, and the surrounding areas.

What Would Cause a Headlight to Keep Burning Out?

Driving home late one night, you notice that one of your headlights is scorched out. You remember replacing that bulb not too long ago and wonder if there is an issue.  With winter’s dark days and nights around the corner, this is a concern.  Halogen bulbs and sealed beam headlights have very fine tungsten wire filaments inside that emit light when heated.  Constantly replacing headlight bulbs is not only an inconvenience and expense but also an indication that there could be an underlying issue with your vehicle.  

So what would cause a headlight to keep burning out?  Here are several problems that could be the cause:

• Vibration -- Vibration can be caused by driving over rough roads, the bulb is not securely mounted in the headlight assembly, there is a bent bulb socket or headlight housing, the headlight housing is not securely attached to your car, or the front wheels are out of balance.
• Touching the bulb -- You should always wear gloves or use a cloth if you have to touch the glass of the bulb.  If you touch the glass with your bare fingers, oil from your skin will adhere to the glass and may cause hot spots on the glass when the bulb is on, resulting in uneven heating and probably breakage of the glass. 
• Temperature extremes -- Heat is compulsory for the headlight filament to emit light; though the hotter the filament gets, the less durable it is. If you do an excessive amount of night driving or drive with daytime running lights, the increased amount of time that your lights are on will heat the filament to a higher temperature.  Also, if you drive in cold climates, bulb filaments become more brittle and are more susceptible to breakage, especially if accompanied by vibrations from rough roads and potholes.
• Turning on headlights before starting the car -- Normally, vehicles divert electrical power from any accessories that are on in order to deliver maximum power to the starter motor. If you turn your headlights on before starting your vehicle, the lights will turn off and then come back on when the engine starts, shortening the headlight bulb life.
• Water leaking -- Signs of condensation inside the headlight housing is a sign that water is leaking into the housing.  Because water and electricity don’t mix, any condensation may cause a short circuit. Also, condensation coming in contact with a hot bulb may cause it to break. 

Do you want to know more about what would cause a headlight to keep burning out?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Proshop Automotive for more information about headlights and brake lights and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in Colton, CA, and the surrounding areas.

Wondering how Often Do You Really Need To Change The Oil?

New and inexperienced car owners may be asking this question of their mechanic.  For those of you who have owned a vehicle for very long have possibly heard it said many times--read your owner’s manual to know what kind of oil change and mileage interval the manufacturer recommends for your car!  This is still sound advice for all drivers.

There are some good reasons why it is compulsory to change engine oil.  Consider the benefits listed below:

• Extends your engine’s longevity
• Optimizes your vehicle’s performance
• Prevents excessive engine wear and tear
• Keeps engine parts lubricated
• Prevents engine overheating

So how often do you really need to change the oil?  Over time, oil deteriorates and loses its effectiveness.  Many auto mechanics still rely on the advice of changing the oil every 3,000 miles or three months, whichever comes first.  With today’s advancements in the types of motor oil available as well as advanced engine technology, this mileage interval may now be as much as every 15,000 miles.

Though, depending on your driving habits and situations, you may not be able to rely on the mileage interval.  If your car starts to exhibit one or more of the warning signs below, it’s time for an oil change!

1. Dark and dirty oil.
2. Noisy engine because of lack of lubrication
3. Oil change warning light comes on. 
4. Smoke coming from the muffler. 
5. Oil smell inside the car, combined with gas or exhaust fumes. 

Even though oil changes are relatively simple and inexpensive, many car owners neglect this service because of busy schedules and budget considerations.  Though, many auto shops offer oil change coupons for their customers to help make this service more affordable.  Be sure to ask your mechanic, or go online to your shop’s website and find their oil change coupons.

Are you wondering how often do you really need to change the oil?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Proshop Automotive for their oil change coupons and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in Colton, CA, and the surrounding areas.

Wondering when is a wheel alignment necessary?

Are you having car alignment issues and wonder how it is affecting your tires, suspension and steering systems? A misalignment issue normally means that the tires on your car are not pointing in the same direction as the steering wheel.  This will shorten the life of your tires by thousands of miles as well as compromise the steering and suspension systems.

A car alignment issue can develop over time, but it’s more likely to be caused by a specific incident.  If you drive down poorly maintained roads, through potholes, or even hit a curb, your car alignment can be greatly affected.  

You may be wondering, “When is a wheel alignment necessary?”  Here are some noticeable signs to watch for:

• Vehicle pulls to the left or right as you’re driving on a straight road
• Uneven or rapid rubber and tread wear on your tires 
• The steering wheel is crooked even when driving straight
• Squealing tires

What are the benefits of the correct car alignment?  Here are a few good reasons:

• Boosts your car’s handling and safety, 
• Increases fuel efficiency,
• Prevents damage to crucial steering and suspension components, and 
• Extends the life of your tires.  

When should you have a car alignment service?  Normally, it is a good idea to have the alignment inspected about every 6,000 miles, which is about every other oil change.  Or, as soon as you start to notice premature wear on your tires.  The price of a car alignment service is much less than buying a new set of tires!

Are you wondering when is a wheel alignment necessary?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Proshop Automotive for more information about our wheel alignment services and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in Colton, CA, and the surrounding areas.

Wondering What Causes Headlights to go out?

Have your headlights suddenly stopped working?  Or are they looking dim and fogged over?  Take note of the type of failure and head to your auto shop.  Even though headlight technology isn’t complex, there are many ways that headlights can fail.  First of all, your Auto mechanic will want to know whether both lights failed at once, or just one, and whether or not the high or low beam mode still works.

So what causes headlights to go out?  It's commonly an electrical issue or a physical problem with the bulbs themselves. Based on which bulbs have stopped working, and under what circumstances, you can use the following information to narrow down a solution:

1. One headlight doesn’t work.  This is usually caused by a burned out bulb. If it still doesn't work after replacing it, suspect a wiring or fuse issue.  
2. Both headlights don’t work.  Bulbs usually don’t burn out together, but it’s still vital to rule that out by checking for power. Most total headlight failures are caused by a bad component like a fuse, relay. Wiring issues can also cause both headlights to stop working.
3. The high beams and/or the low beams don’t work.  Most headlight failures that are limited to just high or low beams are related to a relay or the high beam control switch.
4. Headlights seem dim.  If your headlights always seem dim, the issue could be foggy lenses or worn out bulbs. If your headlights seem to dim during specific circumstances, there may be a charging system problem.
5. Other headlight issues.  Caused by some combination of bad bulbs, wiring or relay issues, and bad switches.

In the past, many car owners were able to replace burned out headlights or brake lights themselves.  But with the design of today’s vehicles, headlights and brake lights are much harder to access.  If you don’t own the right tools and diagnostic equipment, it is much smarter to go straight to your mechanic who understands how to check the headlight system, inspect the fuses, and take a look at the switch and relays.  

Wondering what causes headlights to go out?  Call the ASE-certified technicians at Proshop Automotive for more information about headlights and brake lights and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in Colton, CA, and the surrounding areas.