Sacramento Auto Repair

Timing belt replacement can be a costly repair, which is why many Sacramento drivers tend to put it off as long as they can. In fact, recent studies have shown that one in every five vehicles needs a new belt. However, ignoring this problem can result in damaging the rest of your vehicle, particularly your engine. Once your timing belt completely fails, your vehicle will not be able to operate and in many cases can leave you stranded. To avoid such situations, be aware of the following signs to change your timing belt as early as possible. You Notice Material Loss Similar to the way you would inspect your tire for wear, you want to check your timing belt for any loss of material. As the material deteriorates, you lose traction, which can cause the timing belt to slip out of place. This is especially true for vehicles that are carrying a particularly heavy load, such as a trailer or caravan. Your Belt Shows Signs of Abrasion If your belt’s edges loo ... read more

The radiator on your vehicle plays a major role in how well it functions. As the weather grows warmer in Sacramento, many drivers become concerned with the health of their radiator as rising temperatures can cause this vital part to fail. This concern can cause drivers to seek out information. Unfortunately, among the wealth of information available, there’s always a bit of bad mixed in with the good. Here, we will discuss some common myths about radiators so you can separate fact from fiction. Myth #1 Insects Can Seriously Damage Your Radiator There’s a common belief that insects hold the potential to ruin your radiator. While this could be true in some cases, it would have to be an extreme case of hundreds of insects hitting your vehicles at a high speed. In a more realistic scenario, your vehicle may gradually collect insect remains over time, but even in that case the cooling coils would dehydrate any sign of insect life. If you’re really concerned about ... read more

For the majority of Sacramento drivers, there are few words in the English language scarier than “Engine Repair”. Thanks to a slew of misconceptions, most people assume all engine repair is expensive and takes an extensive amount of time. However, there are a number of smaller issues that can occur within the engine that aren’t as expensive as you’d imagine. And there are a number of steps you can take to reduce the chance of needing engine repair at all. Here’s a short guide to what your auto technician wishes you knew about engine repair. There’s a Difference Between Engine Repair and Engine Maintenance While both are necessary to keep your vehicle running smoothly, there’s a big difference between engine repair and engine maintenance. Engine repair occurs when a necessary part of your engine isn’t working properly while engine maintenance involves routine checks, inspections and part replacement to keep your vehicle running sm ... read more

Automatic vehicle drivers in Sacramento may be alarmed when they notice their clutch suddenly slipping out of place. Clutch repairs vary in size and can range from a small, affordable repair to a complete clutch replacement. While there are a number of signs that will let you know you’re in need of a clutch repair, it’s also important to be aware of what can cause clutch damage before it occurs. Here are some common causes of clutch damage so you can reduce your chances of needing clutch repair. Incorrect Gear Selection Too often, drivers aren’t fully aware of which gear is correct for driving their vehicle at various speeds. As a result, they can choose a low gear while driving at a speed that causes the plate to accelerate to an excess speed. This increased strength can damage the clutch plate, requiring extensive repairs. Shifting at the Wrong Moment Similar to choosing the wrong gear, if a driver shifts into an incorrect gear before adjusting the ... read more

If you’re like most Sacramento drivers, the last thing you want on your hands is a costly vehicle repair. When you’re without a car, it puts a hold on family, work and other responsibilities, not to mention the extra hassle of making replacement travel arrangements. Unfortunately, you can reduce the chances of needing auto repair by simply staying on top of your auto maintenance. While auto maintenance seems like a simple routine on paper, the majority of drivers tend to forget about it until serious damage happens to their vehicles. Here are 5 simple, but important tips to stay on top of your auto maintenance routine.   Tip #1 Consult Your Owner’s Manual While it may seem dull to get into that thick owner’s manual that came with your car, it’s a vital part of staying on top of the required auto maintenance. Your owner’s manual will let you know exactly how often your vehicle needs to be serviced and the specific type of oil, coolant ... read more

When it comes to auto repair, many Sacramento drivers have a difficult time finding a repair shop they can rely on. No matter the size, all auto repair comes with its own level of stress, and things are only made worse when repair shops hit drivers with hidden costs and dishonest service. While not every auto repair shop may be out to get you, there are certainly steps you can take to ensure your vehicle is left in the right hands. Here we will be sharing some simple tips to ensure you’re happy with the auto repair shop you choose for your vehicle. 1. Don’t Wait Until Things Get Serious When your car is in need of a major repair, chances are you don’t have the luxury of shopping around. You need your vehicle to get you to and from work, pick up kids and handle other important responsibilities. That’s why we recommend finding the perfect auto repair shop before your vehicle even needs a repair. Use routine maintenance opportunities like oil changes, tire ... read more

Sacramento BMW owners face the challenge of finding a reasonably priced auto repair shop that they can trust with the many facets of BMW repair. BMWs are complex driving machines, and an auto repair shop must be equipped with the proper computers and tools to effectively repair any issues the vehicle may have. Fortunately, Standard Auto Care in Sacramento is fully equipped with the tools needed to handle any BMW repair, and that’s not the only reason to trust your luxury vehicle with us. Here we will be discussing why you should choose Standard Auto Care for your next BMW Repair. Standard Auto Care Offers a Warranty You Can Rely On Repairing luxury vehicles, like a BMW, can often be a pricey experience, which is why the last thing you want is to pay for the same repair over and over again. At Standard Auto Care we offer a 3-year, 36,000 mile nationwide warranty on all of our repairs. This means if you paid to have it fixed once, there’s no need to pay to ... read more

Many drivers in Sacramento put off repairs for as long as possible to avoid having to spend extra time and money. While this may work for smaller repairs, there are some repairs that need to be handled immediately or drivers will run the risk of having to pay even more or having a dangerous accident occur. Repairing your vehicle’s alternator is one repair that you should consider immediately if you plan on staying safe on the road. Unfortunately, many drivers mistake signs of a faulty alternator for other vehicle issues. To help clear things up, we have created a short list of signs that your alternator may be in need of a repair. Your Lights Have Dimmed One sign that frequently goes unnoticed, is dimmed lights on your vehicle. Many drivers don’t pay much attention to their lights, and if they do notice their lights have dimmed, they attribute it a faulty light bulb. While it may be as simple as a bulb in need of replacing, dimmed lights can also be a sign that the ... read more

If you only plan on driving on perfectly flat roads with your vehicle, your suspension may not be a big deal. However, for the majority of Sacramento drivers, there’s no such thing as a perfectly flat road. Your suspension helps keep your vehicle aligned, and controls the ride and handling of your vehicle. Without your suspension, you will quickly lose control of your vehicle, putting both your car and your life in serious danger. The best way to ensure you remain safe on the road is by being aware of any signs telling you your suspension may need a repair. To help, we’ve created a short list of suspension trouble signs to be on the lookout for. You Notice Bumps in the Road more than Usual When it comes to particularly rough roads, it’s normal to feel a bit of bumpiness. However, if you’re suddenly noticing every little bump on roads that usually feel smooth, take it as a sign that your suspension may need a repair. In this scenario, chances a ... read more

If you are like most Sacramento drivers, the words “transmission repair” sounds expensive and stressful. While repairs may range in cost and timing, you can always help reduce the chance of an expensive transmission repair by catching the signs early and taking your vehicle to an auto technician as soon as possible. While it may be tempting to “ride it out” and ignore signs of trouble, this can result in further damage and possibly needing your entire transmission replaced. To help save you from the extra hassle, we have put together a short list of transmission trouble signs. It’s a Struggle to Shift Gears To stay safe on the road, you’ll need to be able to shift gears at a moment’s notice. If you find that there is a hesitation while changing gears or the gear falls out of place while you’re driving, it could be a major sign that your vehicle is in need of a transmission repair. Also be on the lookout for problems li ... read more