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Standard Auto Care in Sacramento has a blog and videos that keep automobile owners abreast of what’s happening in the always changing automotive industry. Tom Hipp and his team of auto mechanics value our customers and want them to be as informed as possible. Check out Standard Auto Care’s blogs-videos:

Articles:

Signs Your Toyota Needs a Repair

Many Sacramento drivers will wait until an accident occurs or their Toyota flat out stops before bringing it in for a repair. Unfortunately, this choice will only prolong your repair time and will typically result in an even more expensive repair. Just because your Toyota is still able to function on the road, doesn’t mean that it isn’t in need of an urgent repair. To help you avoid an expensive repair, or potentially ruining your Toyota for good, we have put together this short list of warning signs that it’s time to bring your Toyota in for a repair. Your Check Engine Light Has Come On It’s common for many drivers to ignore the little “check engine” light on their Toyota and blame it on a faulty fuse or broken light. However, this is one warning sign you should always check up on. Even if your engine isn’t in real danger, it could be a sign that an engine-related issue has occurred. The longer you put off this repair, the more likely ... read more

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Auto Repair

Important Maintenance Checks and Repairs for Your Nissan

If you are hoping to maintain the quality of your Nissan, it’s important to find a Sacramento auto technician that can handle both larger Nissan repairs and simple maintenance checks. Bringing your Nissan in for the right repairs at the right time is the key to keeping your vehicle running smoothly and without problems. Still, many drivers have a hard time sticking to the recommended auto schedule for their Nissan, which can lead to some major problems. To help, we have created a short repair and maintenance calendar for your Nissan.   Simple Nissan Repairs to Perform Once a Month   Each month, there are minor maintenance repairs that should be done on your Nissan to prevent any damage from occurring. These auto maintenance Sacramento, CA checks are simple, but should still be done by an auto technician that understands and has prior experience working with Nissans. You will want your auto ... read more

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Auto Maintenance

What to Ask an Auto Technician about Your Honda Repair?

Many Sacramento drivers dread bringing in their Honda for a repair. When something goes wrong with your Honda, it seems like just the tip of the iceberg as you begin the long and expensive journey of getting your vehicle repaired. This is why it’s so important to ensure you are asking the right questions before and during the repair process to save yourself time, money and headaches. While being without a vehicle may spark some urgency, it’s best to take your time when speaking to a repair technician about your Honda. 1. “Can you show me the problem with my Honda?” While the majority of auto technicians aren’t trying to rob you blind, there are always a few bad apples in the mix. By asking this simple question, you can gauge the reaction of the technician and easily tell if what is being said is the real problem at hand. If you request to see the part that’s no longer working, or to see where it’s failing, you’ll be able to determine if ... read more

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Auto Repair

Why You Should Trust Standard Auto Care with Your GM Repair

We get it. Repairing your GM vehicle can be stressful, especially if you don’t have a Sacramento auto technician you can trust. Being without your GM vehicle can make it difficult to care for your family and responsibilities, not to mention the rising costs of repairs. At Standard Auto Care, we have everything you’re looking for when it comes to your GM repair. Here we will be discussing a few reasons why Standard Auto Care is the right repair shop for your GM vehicle. Standard Auto Care Offers Nationwide Warranties Afraid of paying for an expensive repair, just to have you GM vehicle break down again? Chances are you would like to avoid paying for the same repair twice, which is why working with a shop that offers a warranty is the smartest choice you can make. At Standard Auto Care, we offer all of our customers a 3 year 36,000 mile nationwide warranty that includes parts and labor. Why would we offer such a thing? Because we have so much faith in our ... read more

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Auto Repair

Finding the Right Auto Technician for Your Ford

When it comes to taking care of your Ford, you don’t want to wait until something has gone wrong to find the right auto technician. Not all auto technicians hold experience working with Ford’s and when you are without a car, you are more likely to make a rush decision in an attempt to get your vehicle back as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, this can result in the repair shop taking even longer to repair your Ford and costing you more money than it should. To prevent this from occurring, it’s best to find a shop you like ahead of time so when a major repair is necessary, you know who to turn to. Talk to Those You Trust Have any friends or family members with Fords? It’s best to speak with them to receive a recommendation on who they trust with Ford repairs. General reviews are great to go off of, but you will want some feedback specific to your car brand. Speaking to someone you trust will also ensure you are receiving a genuine referral and not just someone ... read more

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Auto Repair Shop

Preventative Auto Maintenance for Your Vehicle

In Sacramento and throughout the country, drivers have a habit of putting off auto maintenance until something goes wrong. Unfortunately, this often results in paying more for repairs and having to go an extended period of time without your vehicle. By choosing to follow up on simple auto maintenance checks you can extend the life of your vehicle and reduce the chance of serious damage occurring. While most drivers have the best intentions of keeping up with their auto maintenance Sacramento, CA, we understand life has a tendency of getting in the way. To simplify the process we have put together a short auto maintenance checklist to help you stay on top of your vehicle’s needs. Monthly Checks: Have an auto technician inspect your “check engine” light Have your vehicles interior and exhaust pipes cleaned Have head lights, tail lights, and interior lights checked Have the condition of your tires ... read more

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Auto Maintenance

Signs its Time for an Engine Repair

There is nothing Sacramento drivers dread more than seeing the worrisome “check engine” light illuminate on their dashboard. While it may be true that engine troubles are a major inconvenience (for both your transportation and your wallet), by simply paying attention to the right signs early on, you can catch any engine issues from the start and have them repaired before things escalate into larger problems. To help you recognize potential engine trouble early on, we have put together a short list of signs to be on the lookout for with your vehicle. Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire One of the earliest signs of engine trouble an unusual amount of exhaust smoke coming from your vehicle. A simple way to tell what’s occurring within your vehicle is by looking at the color of the smoke. If the smoke appears blue then it’s a sign of oil burning, while white smoke indicates coolant is burning and black smoke is a sign of an increase in g ... read more

What You Need to Know About Timing Belt Replacements

While the majority of Sacramento drivers may be familiar with routine maintenance and repair such as oil changes and engine checks, many aren’t aware of when or why they may need their timing belt replaced. First, it’s important to understand what your timing belt is and why you need it. Your timing belt is responsible for perfectly timing the opening and closing of your valves in synchronization with the up-and-down movements of your pistons. Over time, this belt needs to be replaced to continue to allow your vehicle to smoothly function while on the road. While most driver will be faced with replacing a timing belt during the life of their vehicle, it may not need to happen as frequently as you may think. In fact, most vehicle owner’s manuals suggest that timing belts be replaced anywhere from 60,000 to 106,000 miles. High mileage cars may be able to continue with a timing belt past its interval time, however, it isn’t recommended for maintaining a quality ve ... read more

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Timing Belt

Signs That Your Vehicle is In Need of a Clutch Repair

In Sacramento and throughout the country, countless drivers rely on their clutch to allow them to smoothly shift gears while on the road. Unfortunately, due to time and external factors, this important mechanism can become jammed or fail, making your car dangerous to drive. While a clutch repair is a less expensive process than other transmission issues, no one enjoys being inconvenienced by having to be without a vehicle or shelling out extra cash. The key is to catch the problem as soon as it occurs to ensure your clutch can be repaired quickly and affordably. To help ensure you are aware of any potential issues with your clutch, we have put together a short list of signs to be aware of. Difficulty Shifting Gears The first, and most obvious, sign of needing a clutch repair is experiencing difficult while shifting gears, or noticing that your vehicle is slightly shaking every time you attempt to shift. This symptom may be most noticeable when attempting to put the c ... read more

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Clutch Repair

Finding The Right Auto Repair Shop For You

If you live in Sacramento, CA, or the surrounding areas, you know there are a lot of auto repair centers and mechanic shops from which to choose. Everyone needs their vehicle serviced from time to time. And, hopefully less often, everyone needs repairs. If you are new to the area or are recently looking for a repair shop to call, choosing wisely can be daunting! How do we—as car and truck owners –choose the right repair shop for our vehicles? At Standard Auto Care, we want to help guide you in choosing a trusted auto repair shop in Sacramento, Ca, for your vehicle, whether you choose us or not. This quick guide should have you feeling confident in finding the right place for your vehicle in no time. 1. Certification Wherever you go and no matter what type of vehicle you own, your repairs should be completed by a certified mechanic/technician. Look for ASE accreditation. 2. Price Price alone s ... read more

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Auto Repair
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