Olympia Auto Repair

As fuel prices rise dramatically, it would be best to find ways to reduce how much you spend on gas. Getting the most out of the fuel in your car is an excellent idea. You not only save money, but you also save the environment by reducing emissions. The following are tips to increase your car's fuel efficiency: Fix Your Tires The state of your car's tires significantly influences fuel efficiency. Most people use more fuel than they should because they have improperly inflated tires. Therefore, you should regularly check your tires' pressure to ensure it is optimal. If there are any tire pressure issues, resolve them immediately for better fuel economy. Balancing and rotating your tires will also help with fuel economy. Lose The Junk The weight of your vehicle determines how much fuel it consumes. Therefore, you should remove any unnecessary items in the car to reduce its weight. Reducing the car's weight benefits fuel efficiency and your vehicle's components ... read more

Your brakes are the #1 most critical safety feature on your car, SUV, or truck. And it can be quite alarming if you notice that your brake pedal feels spongy or soft. A soft brake pedal often means that there is an issue with your brake system that requires repairs. Below are some common reasons why your brake pedal may feel spongy: Air in the Brake Lines: Air bubbles can form in your brake lines, which can cause your brake pedal to feel spongy. The brake lines can become compromised when the brake system is opened up for repairs, or if the brake fluid level gets too low. Bleeding the brake lines can remove air bubbles and restore the proper brake pedal feel. Worn Brake Pads: Over time, your brake pads can wear down and become thin, which can cause your brake pedal to feel spongy. It makes your brakes work harder to create enough friction with the brake pads to slow your car.  Leaking Brake System: If there is a leak in y ... read more

Engine knocking is a common problem that many drivers experience at some point. It is a loud tapping or knocking sound that can come from your engine when you're driving. If you hear an engine knocking, it's crucial to get it checked out by an experienced mechanic as soon as possible, as it can indicate a severe problem with your engine. What Causes Engine Knocking? There are many reasons why your engine might start knocking. Some of the most common causes include: Low-quality fuel: If you're using low-quality gasoline or diesel, it can cause knocking in your engine. As the fuel burns unevenly, it can cause pressure waves that create a knocking sound. Overheating: When your engine gets too hot, it can cause the metal parts to expand and contract, creating knocking sounds. Incorrect ignition timing: If your spark plugs are firing at the wrong time, it can cause knocking in your engine.  Worn or damaged en ... read more

Headlights can stop working very often because of their constant use. If you are driving and someone is flashing their high beams at you, they probably want to let you know that one of your headlights is not working. It can go unnoticed that happens more often than you think but don't worry. Here are several headlight problems you might experience and what they mean. Dim Headlights Working but dim headlights? The problem may lie in either insufficient power or foggy lenses. A dying car battery can cause electrical malfunctions like headlight dimming, which can be resolved by recharging or changing the battery at a repair facility. On the other hand, there are a couple of ways you can fix foggy lenses. You can have them changed, polished, sanded, or swap the whole headlight if needed. We advise you to visit a mechanic if you suspect any other symptoms of a dying batter because it might get more serious. One Headlight Is Not Working If only one of the headlights is not working ... read more

Every car is fitted with a cooling system that prevents it from overheating and damaging your engine. It usually restores and maintains the right and optimum operating temperature in your engine block. The cooling system comprises the radiator, fan, thermostat, fan, water pump, freeze plug, and other vital components. When to get your Cooling System Repaired Your vehicle progressively heats when you start the engine, and the cooling system is critical in ensuring it remains healthy without any exposure to damaging heat. However, the cooling system components may malfunction and cause problems. Ensure it's repaired if you notice the following signs of cooling system trouble. Smoking This is usually the most significant sign of a car overheating. When you notice smoke coming out under the hood, you should pull over immediately to a safe place and check. It's a common sign of overheating, indicating cooling system trouble. Low Coolant Level When you notice a drop in your co ... read more

The mass air flow sensor (MAF) is a component that calculates and decides how much air should go into the engine for the combustion process. Your vehicle should keep the right balance of air and fuel in the engine’s combustion chamber. Over time, the MAF tends to get dirty, which can cause miscalculations in airflow. As a result, the engine will run too rich or too lean, causing issues. Read on to learn more about the top signs of a bad mass air flow sensor: Illuminated Check Engine Light When your motor runs an unbalanced air-to-fuel ratio, your check engine light will come on. It will read a MAF error code during diagnostics. Dark or Black Exhaust Smoke When your engine doesn’t allow enough air and too much fuel into the combustion chamber, it can cause excess black smoke to blow out the tailpipe. In some cases, it can linger in the catalytic converter and cause a clog. Poor Fuel Economy Along with dark exhaust smoke, you will also notice a drop in your fuel mileage ... read more

A car signals or lets you know when something is wrong. Common indicators of trouble include illuminated dashboard lights, strange sounds, and smells. Also, the manufacturer's manual may state the approximate timeline of most parts, like the battery. While there's no specific lifespan, a car battery needs replacement at least every three years, depending on some factors. But first, here are signals to replace your battery. Signs that it's Time to Replace Your Car Battery It's frustrating when your car fails to start, and after checking, everything seems fine. Look out for these signals of a dying battery. Dim Headlights When you notice your headlights are no longer as bright as they used to be, your battery is not generating enough power. If it persists after recharging, replace it. Low Engine Starts If your engine requires a lot of cranking before starting, it indicates that the battery is not keeping enough charge like before and it's dying. Misshapen Batt ... read more

When driving, any foreign feeling or sound is an indication of something wrong. If you suspect your suspension needs to be fixed, here are some symptoms to look out for; Drifting or pulling along bends When turning, a vehicle with a malfunctioning suspension system would frequently drift or pull. The risk of a rollover increases since the shocks are no longer stabilizing the vehicle body against the gravitational force of a turn. Having trouble steering When steering becomes challenging, especially when traveling at low speeds, it may indicate that your suspension or steer systems aren't working properly. Power steering fluid could be low, the power steering pump might be broken, the power steering rack might be leaking, or the control arm bushings can be worn out. You can feel every hole and bump You probably have a suspension system issue if you can feel every bump and divot in the road. if you drive over potholes and feel like you've sped over a significant speed bump ... read more

The steering wheel is one of the many parts that make up your vehicle’s steering system. It is necessary to give you optimal control of your vehicle. When you need to change directions in your car, you need to be able to move your steering wheel swiftly. If you notice your steering wheel stiffening or locking up, please get repairs immediately.    Below are some of the reasons why your steering wheel is stuck: Worn Steering Rack The steering rack is made up of the pinion and rack. And this part is ultimately connected to the steering wheel. If the rack is worn down, it can affect your steering capabilities. Low Power Steering Fluid Poor lubrication could be the culprit of your hard-to-turn steering wheel. If you have a leak in your hydraulic power steering system, it can certainly cause a stiff steering wheel. Leaks can occur for a number of reasons including cracked or damaged hoses.  Faulty Serpentine Belt The serpentine belt is a long belt that runs thro ... read more

Engine problems can appear in several ways, like noises, vibrations, or colored smoke from the exhaust pipe. Color emission indicates something is wrong with the engine, especially a liquid leaking inside the engine. You can tell what's wrong by looking at the color of the smoke. These are the three most common types of smoke that comes out of your car's exhaust when something is wrong with the engine. Exhaust Smoke Is Black Black smoke coming from your engine means that the amount of fuel in the air is too high. Either the fuel injectors put in too much fuel, or the intake valves don't let in enough air. There could be a dirty air filter, a fuel injector leaking, or a fuel pressure regulator that isn't working right. A rich engine can lead to serious problems. And your car is using too much gas to keep the engine running. You could also have a bad sensor or fuel pressure switch that is causing the fuel system to have too much pressure. If so, you might notice that t ... read more