Olympia Auto Repair

Your car holds and depends on different fluids to function, and most parts rely on specific liquids for optimal performance and efficiency. This is why it's frustrating when you notice a liquid patch on the ground where you parked your car. Many questions run through your mind, which may drain your energy and peace. While these fluids should not leak, you may encounter this problem at some point. The leaks could be a minor issue or a sign of a bigger problem. Since car fluid colors vary, understanding the meaning of these leaks may help you avoid the guesswork. Types of Car Fluid Leaks and How to Identify them Oil Leak An oil leak is a common problem for many car owners and one of the easiest to spot. When you notice a black stain, puddle, or patch under your car, it is usually an indicator of an oil spill. The problem is a sign of a faulty gasket that an expert must check. Gear Oil Leak This problem is common in manual transmission vehicles. The oil leaks slowly. It's also ... read more

  Getting your vehicle ready for summer fun doesn't have to be a headache. Ready for an oil change and wondering what is the difference between a conventional, semi-synthetic, and synthetic oil change? Keep reading to learn how often you should get an oil change and learn the difference between oil change options below. How Often Should You Get An Oil Change? According to the automotive experts at Car and Driver, the time between oil changes for your vehicle can vary depending on a few factors. Most vehicles require an engine oil change around every 3000-5000 miles. In most cases, vehicle manufacturers recommended specific mileage intervals according to factory maintenance schedules. Factors that can affect how often you need to change your engine oil include the following. Vehicle Age Engine Oil Type Date of Last Engine Oil Service Best Oil Change for Your Vehicle Operating your veh ... read more

Wouldn't you love to breathe fresh, clean air while driving? If so, consider changing your cabin air filter. Going too long without changing it means potentially breathing in contaminated air. Make sure you change your cabin air filter as necessary to get the air you deserve! What Is a Cabin Air Filter and What Does it Do? A cabin air filter is an air filter, usually made out of multi-fiber cotton or other engineered materials, in your vehicle that filters out various air contaminates which include but are not limited to: dust, pollen, exhaust gases, dirt, smoke, and other air pollutants. By doing so, it provides clean air to your vehicle's ventilation system. The cabin air filter also prevents your vehicle's ventilation system from being clogged up by debris such as leaves, for example. When Should You Change Your Cabin Air Filter? Typically, you would want to change your cabin air filter every 15,000 to 30,000 miles through various factors such as the air quality and ... read more

There are risks to driving during the day, but the risks are higher at night because you can't see as well and you may be tired from the day's activities. Here are some tips to stay safe while driving at night. Seeing the Road This is the most important part of driving because of the guidelines for the different lanes, turns, street signs, etc. being laid out on the road. To ensure your view isn't obstructed at night, it's a good idea to make sure you keep your windshield and your headlines clean. If you have cracks in them, you may want to get them replaced. You should also be using your high beams in rural areas or on open roads, but make sure you are being courteous to other drivers. Precautionary Steps If you know ahead of time that you're going to be driving at night, you may want to make sure you take a nap or get a couple of extra hours of sleep the night before to make sure you're not too fatigued to stay awake. Keeping a snack in the car can be a go ... read more

There's no doubt that the older we get, the more difficult it becomes to drive. Your eyesight may worsen, and memories of certain driving rules may slip out of your mind. But just because we start to age and it becomes more challenging doesn't mean that you should give up their driving. There are many things that the elderly can do to stay safe on the road. Here are some of our top safety tips for senior drivers: Find The Right Vehicle For You Many older drivers don't like the bells and whistles that come with high-tech cars. Nonetheless, they can be distracting for older folks. So if you're a senior looking for a car, it's best to go with the basics or what you already know.  Stay Healthy and Active Being in shape can benefit your driving as well. By getting enough exercise and plenty of sleep, you will feel more flexible and alert on the road. Consequently, it will be less strenuous for you to turn the steering wheel, look over your shoulder, or do other ... read more

A water pump is a part of your car's cooling system that contributes to keeping your vehicle's engine cool while it's being driven. While a damaged water pump doesn't need immediate attention (in most cases), you should not put off its repair.    Top 3 Signs of a Damaged Water Pump Leaks - This is the most obvious sign that your water pump may be giving out. Coolant leaks are usually bright colors, so you'll be sure to notice it on the ground.  Engine Overheating - If your engine is heating up more than it needs to, you should consider taking your car to the auto repair shop. An overheating engine can cause irreversible damage to your engine. You will sometimes see it happening as steam will come out from under the hood.  Whining Sounds - If you hear the unusual sounds coming from the front of the engine, you should probably look into it. It may mean that there is a loose cooling system part. One possibility is that the bearings in the water ... read more

There's nothing worse than opening your car door and realizing the smell lingering in the air is coming from your vehicle. When something pungent wafts from your car's cabin, your first instinct might be to start searching the interior for the source. But if the smell is a sulfuric, rotten eggs smell, it's a sign of something more serious than a forgotten bit of lunch rotting under your seat.   What causes a vehicle to smell like rotten eggs? The most common cause of a rotten egg smell in your car is a faulty catalytic converter. The catalytic converter is an essential part of your car's emission system that removes harmful gasses from your car's emissions before they can be released into the environment. When it stops working, all those gases are released into the air, turning your car into a stink bomb of sulfuric gas.   If your catalytic converter is broken, it will need to be replaced by a qualified mechanic, but there are a few o ... read more

An engine head gasket is a ringed panel that is located between the engine block and cylinder head. Its primary function is to barricade the cylinders from potential coolant leaks or oil leaks. The head gasket is situated next to one of the hottest parts of your car. And when your engine is on the brink of overheating, it can cause the head gasket to fail. A blown head gasket can cause immense destruction to your motor, and a professional should inspect it as soon as it’s safe to do so. To prevent this catastrophe from happening, you need to look out for any of these three warnings: Engine Misfiring and Rough Idling Depending on your car, sometimes you can find some head gaskets between combustion chambers. If you have a blown head gasket, the assemblies can not withstand the stress and pressure, which will result in rough idling and engine misfiring. White Exhaust Smoke  Coolant could escape into the combustion chamber if a leak exists within the system and get burned a ... read more

The month of October may mark the start of the holidays as we kick off the start of Fall and Halloween. To mechanics, we recognize October as Fall Car Care Month. This means you should start getting your vehicle ready for the cooler months ahead. The weather will begin to change rapidly in Olympia, WA, and it will bring new challenges to your daily commute. Now is the perfect time to be aware of what your car needs! We highly suggest you inspect these fall maintenance items: Brakes - The fall will bring unexpected rain, fog, and even ice. Braking in these conditions can be tricky, and bad brakes can make the situation more dangerous. Your mechanic should examine the rotors, fluid, pads, and lines to ensure that everything is working correctly. Battery - A dead car battery isn't unusual during the colder months, so make sure that your battery has the power to hold a charge. Our techs at Olympic Transmission & Auto Care can test your battery and determine whether you need a rep ... read more

There's nothing better than pulling out of your car shop knowing your car is safer and more controlled. This is especially true after your brake pad replacement. However, you are caught off guard moments later when you hear the annoying squeak (again)! Are new brakes supposed to squeak? Well - sometimes. The truth is that new brakes can cause noises, but you need to use your context clues and listen carefully in case it is a brake problem. Let's go over the reasons why your new brakes may be squealing!   MOISTURE If it is raining or snowing, the precipitation can get onto your pads and rotors, causing them to squeal. Likewise, overnight condensation accumulating on the metal parts can also cause the same effect. The noise should subside as you drive, so do not panic. CONSTANT USE With new brake pads, you probably feel like you can take on anything! Well - not everything! You should remember that constant pressure on the brake pedal and aggressive stops can cause ... read more