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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:

Yearly Archives: 2017

How Do You Know if You Need Alternator Repair in Sacramento, CA?

The alternator is an important part of the car that keeps your battery charged and powers the electronic components when the car is running. The alternator works with the battery to provide electricity. It can be challenging for an inexperienced person to identify whether they are dealing with battery or alternator problems. If you are having power problems with your car, the best thing to do is contact a mechanic in Sacramento, CA. At Standard Auto Care, we can help with alternator repair and other maintenance tasks for your car. Signs that You Need Alternator Repair There are several signs that indicate it is time to repair the alternator. Keep in mind that it is common for the alternator to wear out over a lengthy period. This car repair is a standard maintenance task that will be required at least once or twice during the lifespan of the car. How does the car react when you turn the key? If you notice it ... read more

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Alternator

Best 5 Mobile Apps for Road Trips

Best 5 Mobile Apps for Road Trips

Autumn can be the best time to take a road trip. Why? The kids are back in school, a lot of people are busy with work, and many hotels are less booked. To get you in the mood for a day trip or a weekend getaway outside of Sacramento, here are five of the best mobile apps for road trips.   Foliage Leaf Peepr: See autumn leaves with this app.     Yelp: Find out the best places to dine, to shop, and to visit with this app.     Waze Navigation and Live Traffic: Find alternate traffic routes with this app.     GasBuddy: Discover lower gas rates with this app.     City Tour Worldwide: Tour historical cities with this app.   But before you hit the road, make sure your vehicle is ready. Now is the perfect time to make sure your oil has been changed, your fluids are topped off, your tires are in great shape, your wheels are aligned, and your fuel is burning efficiently. If you’re not certain your car, truck, or SUV is road-read ... read more

Prepare Your College Students For Safe Driving Back To School

Prepare Your College Students For Safe Driving Back To School

With the summer now behind us, the ‘back-to-school’ season is upon the families of Sacramento! Except for parents of recent high school graduates and older, their school supplies have changed from crayons and construction paper to laptops and car keys! Especially if this is your household college student’s first trip to their university, preparing them with all the supplies, resources, and basic skills they’ll need for the coming school year is important, and that includes preparing them to drive safely. Here are a few ways to help your teen drive safely to and from college this year: Pack their car up with emergency tools: glow sticks, jumper cables, a car jack, a spare tire, first aid kit, a backup phone charger, etc. Show your teen how and when to use all of these tools, so that in the event of an emergency they can really help. A few blankets, some non-perishable snacks and sealed water, and a flashlight with some batteries are all good items to store in t ... read more

How To Tell If Your Vehicle’s A/C Needs Service

Sacramento can sure get sizzling hot this time of year. With temperatures between 90 – 110 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s hard to stay cool whether you’re indoors or in your vehicle. But how do you know if your vehicle’s air conditioning system is doing okay or if it’s struggling to keep your car cool? Here are a few signs indicating that your vehicle’s A/C unit needs service: 1. Your air conditioner is blowing hot, even when you have it turned to the coolest setting. 2. There’s a funky smell of mildew coming from the air vents. 3. You hear strange sounds, or you don’t hear the air compressor come on at all. 4. You see puddles of water forming on your floor mats under the air vents. 5. You spot greasy film on the A/C components, indicating there’s a refrigerant leak. If your vehicle is showing any of these signs, it would be a wise move to bring it into us here at Standard Auto Care in Sacramento. Our team of auto mechanics will per ... read more

Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Timing Belt

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

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Timing Belt

Common Car Radiator Myths

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

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Radiator

What Your Auto Technician Wishes You Knew About Engine Repair

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

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Uncategorized

What Causes Clutch Damage

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

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Clutch Repair

5 Important Tips to Remember Auto Maintenance

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

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Uncategorized

Finding the Right Auto Repair Shop

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

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Auto Repair Shop
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