Sacramento Auto Repair

  The replacement of brake pads depends on several factors such as your driving habits, the type of vehicle you have, and the condition of the brake pads themselves. As a general guideline, brake pads typically need to be replaced when they have worn down to a thickness of around 3 millimeters (or 1/8 inch). However, it's important to note that this can vary, so it's recommended to consult your vehicle's manufacturer guidelines or consult with a qualified mechanic for a more accurate assessment. In addition to thickness, there are some signs that may indicate the need for brake pad replacement: Squealing or squeaking noises: Brake pads often have wear indicators that produce a high-pitched sound when the pads are nearing the end of their life.   Reduced braking performance: If you notice that your braking distance has increased or you need to press the brake pedal harder to achieve the same level of braking power, it may be a sign that your brake pads are wor ... read more

Preparing for a Memorial Day road trip involves ensuring your vehicle is in good condition and equipped with essential items for a safe and enjoyable journey. Here's a checklist to help you get started: General Inspection: Check the overall condition of your vehicle, including tires, brakes, lights, and windshield wipers. Look for any signs of leaks or damage. Ensure your vehicle registration and insurance are up to date. Fluids: Check and top up the engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and windshield washer fluid. Tires: Inspect the tire tread depth and condition. Replace any worn-out tires. Ensure all tires are properly inflated, including the spare tire. Verify the tire pressure using a tire pressure gauge. Battery: Examine the battery terminals for corrosion. Clean them if necessary. Test the battery's charge and consider replacing it if it's old or weak. Lights: Check that all headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signal ... read more

Preventative Maintenance for your vehicle is important to keep up with, as it will increase the efficiency of how your vehicle runs, and drives, and increase the longevity of your vehicle's major components. In this article, you will find several reasons why you will want to and must get into the habit of Preventative Maintenance for your vehicle.  Safety: Regular maintenance helps to ensure that your vehicle is operating safely. For example, here at Sacramento Specialty Automotive, we have seen numerous occasions where a customer comes in stating that their vehicle is taking a lot longer to stop when exiting the highway, or their vehicle is pulling them into the next lane over! This is a very unsafe driving condition caused by neglecting regular maintenance and now the repairs are costly because we waited too long to address them.  Reliability: Preventative maintenance will save you from unexpected part failures, causing breakdowns and other mechani ... read more