Sacramento Auto Repair

Can I Repair My Hybrid Battery Instead of Replacing It? One of the most important features of owning a hybrid vehicle is battery life. Consider either reconditioning or rebuilding your hybrid battery power source if you need to change the existing battery. Understanding which option is best for your battery will depend on a battery diagnosis. Take your hybrid vehicle in to be seen by a trained repair expert. Professionals will guide you through the differences between a recondition and rebuild for your battery and how to choose the correct option for you. Reconditioning involves diagnostics and methods such as: Grid charging Discharging Balancing Cycling The process is designed to isolate defective or compromised modules or cells for replacement and often helps the battery revert the battery to a more functional condition. There are other signs your hybrid vehicle battery needs reconditioning, which include but are not limited to: When your fuel economy drops o ... read more

If you own a car, motorcycle, or any other type of vehicle, you must have come across the terms "2- stroke or 4- stroke combustion engine" at one time or another. Here, we have compiled the differences between the two to help you understand the basic working. Understanding Combustion Engines The engines in our vehicles are referred to as "internal combustion engines" because they produce power by the combustion process. Each combustion cycle takes place inside the cylinders and depends upon the upward and downward "strokes" of pistons. It comprises of following steps: Intake of air and fuel- pistons move downward to allow the air and gas/fuel to enter while the intake valve is open. Compression of gases- intake valve closes and pistons move up to compress the air, fuel mixture. Combustion of gases- spark plug ignites the compressed gases to produce a burst of power. Exhaust of waste ... read more

It's easy to take some parts of our car for granted when thinking about what might need a repair or replacement. We often think of repairs and replacements that our engine might need, or another complex, expensive part of our car. Our windshield wipers are easily forgotten about. When they play such a vital role in ensuring we can see clearly when we drive, it's important to maintain them. While it's recommended to replace your windshield wipers every 6-12 months, the length of time wiper blades and frames last can vary. The best thing to do is to inspect them regularly and if you see any signs that they're damaged or wearing out, take your car to a mechanic for an inspection and replace the wipers if needed. Signs of Damage It's easy to say that you need to inspect your blades regularly. But what do you actually need to look for? How do you know if you need new windshield wipers? Streaks and Smears: Windshield wipers are supposed to keep y ... read more

Cabin filters may be long forgotten until the air inside your vehicle becomes difficult to breathe. They can be easily written off as out of sight, out of mind. Changing the air filter is a relatively inexpensive service that usually takes less than an hour of wait time. Most drivers remember to change the cabin filter during their oil change service in the spring. However, the winter is just as important as the spring to replace the air filter. Below are three critical reasons you should replace your cabin filter during the winter.   It increases the efficiency of the defroster. The benefits of a clean cabin filter are more noticeable during the winter. New filters help the defroster perform efficiently. Clogged filters can cause the windshield defroster to struggle to clear during the winter due to the vents' restriction. Dirty filters that are neglected can take so much extra time to defrost the window that limits visibility, creating a mor ... read more

Proper vehicle maintenance doesn’t just involve oil changes and car washes; your wheels play an integral role in performance as well. If your wheels are misaligned, the tires will wear quicker than usual and cause the drive to become more challenging. You may even find yourself making more frequent trips to the gas station due to decreased fuel efficiency. If you recently drove over a deep pothole or hit a curb, it may have knocked your vehicle out of alignment. Below are five common signs it’s time to schedule a wheel alignment service.  Abnormal Tire Wear  If your tire tread has become significantly worn since the last time you’ve checked, it may be more than just a sign that you need to replace the tires. Abnormal tire tread usually indicates the wheel alignment is off. Signs to look out for on your tires is wear that’s only in the center, tire feathering, cupped tires, or wear that’s only on the outer edges. Unusual tire tr ... read more