Folsom Auto Repair

Is your Vehicle Ready for the Spring Season? Follow the checklist at the bottom of this blog to find out! If you live in an area where they salt the roads during the winter, you should be washing your car on a regular basis. Regular car washes will protect the paint from corrosive debris like salt! For the rest of us, after a long and cold winter, we know that our cars are sorely overdue for a car wash but, what else can you do to prepare for Spring?  You will want to have your vehicles' cooling system checked. Check for any cracks or leaks in the radiator or hoses and turn on the A/C to make sure it is blowing cold air! Lastly, be sure the coolant and antifreeze levels are topped off or replaced.  With longer days and shorter nights around the corner, that means road trips! You are going to want to have your battery tested, tires inspected, and your fluids topped off or replaced if your vehicles' mileage is at or close to a maintenance interval ... read more

While biking and taking public transit are effective ways to reduce your carbon footprint, they aren't always feasible for specific individuals. Some of our lifestyles necessitate driving a car, and you shouldn't feel guilty about it. There are little things you can do to make driving greener. Here are some tips that can you can make a difference for the environment (and your wallet): Travel lighter - Truthfully, when was the last time you cleaned out your trunk? If you like to store extra junk in your vehicle, the odds are that it is weighing your vehicle down, causing excess drag, fuel consumption, and emissions.  Cut down on A/C - While you may be tempted to crank your A/C up in the warmer months, you should consider rolling down the windows instead.  Check your tires - Having properly inflated tires are critical in providing safety and efficiency. As a result, your car will burn less fuel (hence, fewer emissions). Avoid idling - If you know your car needs to b ... read more

Most manufacturers recommend that you have your vehicle battery on average every three years. Once a battery reaches this age, it becomes unreliable and unable to hold a sufficient charge. In some circumstances, your car may need a replacement before it even reaches three years. Signs That Your Vehicle Battery Needs a Replacement You notice faint or flickering lights. If your headlights, dashboard, or infotainment center randomly go dim or flickers, it is a clear sign that you need a new battery. It means that your car can no longer distribute enough power to your car's different electrical functions. You constantly have trouble starting the car. This is one of the most prevalent symptoms of a weak battery. If you're grabbing the jumper cables too often, you should go and get your battery tested.  The battery dashboard warning light is on. This glowing red light is in the shape of a battery, and it usually means that one or more of your electrical components needs atte ... read more

If you're not a mechanic, you may not even know you have a cabin filter. But all vehicles have one. Cabin filters filter out air, smoke, dust, and much more. Read on to see why you should change your cabin filters on a regular basis.   What happens if you don't replace cabin air filters? It can be dangerous if the cabin filter isn't changed when it needs to be. The following below tells you what happens if the cabin filter doesn't get changed:   Health Issues The cabin filter makes sure the air is safe to breathe, and that means keeping out pollutants. If the filter is clogged or even dirty, that's when breathing can be an issue, especially if you have asthma or other health issues. It's a good idea to check the cabin filter and get it replaced at least once a year to avoid health problems altogether.   Windows Fog Breathing can make the windows fog if it's too warm in the car, but usually the cabin air filter helps reduce the condens ... read more

Over 100 million Americans are expected to travel (over 50 miles) on the road for the holiday season. With such a large number of people out on the road at once, traffic congestion is inevitable. To ensure you and your loved ones arrive at your destination safely, you need to do some pre-planning beforehand. Here are Folsom Automotive Service LLC's holiday travel tips! Tip #1 - Get a pre-trip inspection Before you embark on your journey, please take your car to our shop. Our certified team of technicians can assist you with the following: Measure tire pressure and tread depth Inspect and replace wiper blades Refill windshield washer fluid Test your vehicle battery and More! Tip #2 - Pack an emergency kit  You'll need the following items: Jackets, hats, and blankets Flashlights with new batteries Warning flares or triangles Paper towels Drinking water and non-perishable snack bars Basic tools Spare tire Jumper cables First aid kit Phone charger Tip #3 - Av ... read more

The yellow outlined symbol of an engine is most drivers' biggest nightmare. It means that your car is in trouble, and it usually requires you to take your vehicle to the repair shop. Let's take a look at the top 5 common causes that will trigger your check engine light: Catalytic Converter Out of the five problems we are going to talk about, this one is the most dreaded. The reason for that is because it can be costly to replace the catalytic converter, and your vehicle needs it. The catalytic converter is a portion of your car's exhaust system known for its chemical converting capabilities. If you notice a rotten egg odor along with the check engine light, the cat is probably the problem. Loose Gas Cap If you happened to forget to screw on your gas cap last time you filled up your car, SUV, or truck, then it will cause your check engine light to come on. If there's a gap for any other reason, such as a damaged cap, please have it replaced as soon as possible. Mass ... read more

Your vehicle's alternator is a machine that charges and replenishes the vehicle battery. Similar to having to replace your battery eventually, you're going to have to get a new alternator too. You will start to notice various warning signs when an alternator is on its last leg. If you pay attention to these indications and head to a mechanic beforehand, you're less likely to become stranded down the road.   One obvious sign that you need alternator repair is if your vehicle suddenly becomes tough to start.    Another symptom that you may need a new alternator is when your accessory lights become dim. Accessory lighting includes the ones on your dashboard, dome light, headlights, and clock/radio. If they dim or malfunction when starting up or accelerating your vehicle, your alternator may be pushing its limits.    Any unusual noises coming from under the hood can also signify that you are experiencing alternator issues. A whining sound can be t ... read more

Nothing is more annoying than a loud squeal whenever you push on your brake pedals. Beyond the ear-piercing noise, you should take the sound seriously as it could mean trouble for your braking system.    As you may know, brakes are a vital part of every vehicle, but they can be a safety hazard without proper maintenance. There are a few circumstances where brake noises can be normal. You can expect brake sounds when they are not warm, newly replaced, used in wet weather, or rough road conditions. However, the noises should not linger beyond those scenarios. Let's examine some of the common causes behind squeaky brakes:   Worn Pads Worn-out brake pads are the leading cause of squealing brake sounds. The sound should be taken as a warning to replace the pads before they cause damage to the rotor.   Slamming On the Brakes Too Hard While driving, you may face many obstacles unexpectedly. For instance, you may have to dodge another vehicle or other dangerous ... read more

When you purchase something new or expensive, you are likely to get a strong urge to care for the item. To take care of such a significant investment, like your car, you need to read the manufacturer's manual. The owner's manual will ensure that you know how to maintain your new ride and how to keep it running in good shape for years to come. The pages contain everything you may need to know about the car and the scheduled maintenance routines you need to stick to for the car's extended longevity.   Proper Vehicle Maintenance Your vehicle's owner's handbook is a guide listing how much maintenance is needed to ensure it delivers the desired performance and durability. The manual also specifies the repair techniques for proper auto care. After reading it, you'd be able to interpret the warning lights and when you need fluid changes and flushes.    Knowing Your Car There's more to a car than its brand name and model. All vehicles are machi ... read more

A car tire blowout is one of the most dreaded and potentially dangerous things on the road. It's even worse when you are a new or inexperienced driver as it can make you panic, ultimately losing control of your car. Based on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports, tire blowouts are responsible for over 75,000 road accidents killing over 400 drivers. Well, before these numbers get you all terrified, you should understand that a tire blowout does not always mean impending danger. How you react the first few seconds after the incident makes all the difference. So How Do You Handle a Tire Blowout? Stay Calm and Do Not Hit the Brakes The first best thing you can do during a car blowout is staying still and doing nothing at all. Do not hit the brakes, turn the steering wheel or even remove your foot from the gas pedal. Taking any of this action will make you lose control, making things worse. Tightly Grip the Steering Wheel and Steer Straight Once your tire blow ... read more