04 Feb Does Your Car Need New Spark Plugs? Sometimes, car troubles can sneak up on us. An occasional engine misfire and a rough engine idle don’t seem that urgent. But when you notice poor fuel economy as well, you should have your spark plugs inspected. Below are some faulty spark plug warning signs to watch for and some benefits of new spark plugs. What Are Spark Plugs?Spark plugs are small automotive parts that screw into the cylinder head of an internal-combustion engine. Combustion engines create power by compressing a mixture of air and gasoline, then exploding the mixture via ignition. First, the spark plugs draw power from the car battery through the ignition coil and distributor. Then they convert that electrical energy into a spark that ignites the air/fuel mixture. Finally, the spark plugs help remove excess heat from the combustion chamber to the vehicle’s cooling system ... read more

31 Dec Antifreeze: Winter Weather Protection for Your Car Invest in protection for your car this winter and schedule a cooling system service with your local auto shop. They will ensure your car heater and defroster are working correctly for winter driving, which is vital as the temperatures continue to drop. The service technician will also check for coolant leaks and inspect the quality of your antifreeze. Winter DrivingWinter driving creates unique challenges for your vehicle. One way to protect your car in winter weather is to flush & refill the antifreeze in the cooling system every 30,000-60,000 miles.Antifreeze vs. CoolantIs there a difference between antifreeze and coolant? Technically, yes, there is a difference. Antifreeze is an undiluted chemical solution. It may be composed of ethylene glycol (an organ ... read more

06 Aug Auto Maintenance: Back-to-School Car Care Checklist I know summer is still in full swing, but it is time to start thinking about when the kids go back to school. If you have little tikes, that means driving them to school, sports events, band practice, dance lessons, and other after school activities. If you have kids that drive themselves to school, that means making sure their cars are safe and ready to handle anything this school year throws at them. This back-to-school car care checklist should help. It deals with basic auto maintenance, common car issues, and some auto safety tips. Basic Auto MaintenanceThe very best way to take care of your car is to always do the routine maintenance. Your owner’s manual has very valuable information on which services are needed, and how often. Most manufacturers suggest that a maintenance service be performed at key mileage milestones, like every 15,000/30,000/60,000 miles. If any of these mileage milestones are ... read more

03 Jun Why Service Your Car’s Cooling System? The days are getting longer and warmer, so you are probably spending way more time in your car. However, before you plan that big camping adventure or epic road trip, you may want to make sure your vehicle is in tip-top shape. Now is the perfect time to service the cooling system in your car or truck. A vehicle that is overheating, leaking coolant/antifreeze, or has a dirty radiator, should get checked out right away. Nothing ruins a road trip faster, than being stranded on the highway with your hood up. Maintaining a well running cooling system is really important to prolonging the life of the internal components of your engine.What Does My Cooling System Do?As you probably know, the cooling system in your vehicle provides a very important function. Combustion engines generate a lot of heat, and that heat builds up in your engine compartment ... read more

09 Apr ABS Brakes: Service and Repairs in Hillsboro, OR The brakes in your vehicle are one of the most important systems to keep in good condition. Sometimes your ABS brakes require repair, replacement, or you may need to resurface rotors to get you back on the road driving safely. Learn more about ABS brakes, including the signs that you require a brake inspection below. What Are ABS Brakes?ABS brakes refer to an anti-lock braking system, which is the mechanism in your car that engages in emergency situations, allowing you to sustain command of your car. When you’re navigating the road during adverse weather, anti-lock brakes can save your life and the life of your passengers. Instead of having your front or rear brakes lock up when you abruptly slam on your brakes, ABS brakes work to brake and release within seconds, which keeps your vehicle from veering out of control. This process can be imitated manually, by pumping your brakes when you notice your ve ... read more