Issaquah Auto Repair

Night driving is daunting and dreadful for most drivers. But with a few precautionary measures, it's safe. Still, there is an increased risk of accidents at night than daytime. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), fatal road crashes triple during the night. This is mainly from poor depth perception and visibility. Tips for Driving Safely at Night Keep your view clear Ensure your windshield is clear and clean from dust, bugs, grease, and other obstructions. A dirty view increases the effects of glare. Also, check your side mirrors. If they have any cracks, fix them immediately. Know how to use your beams When driving on rural or open roads, use high beams. But, if another vehicle is approaching, dim them to avoid blinding the other driver. Also, don't use high beams if you are behind another car. Experts recommended using adaptive lighting systems that automatically adjust beams in the presence of other vehicles. Adjust your dashboard ligh ... read more

The shock absorber is a vital component in a vehicle's suspension system that plays a necessary role in preventing your vehicle from bouncing. It does so by absorbing the road impact. Over time, the shocks will need replacing. Read on to learn more about the warning signs of worn shock absorbers. Signs that your shock absorbers need replacement The following are some warning indicators that your shock absorbers need to be replaced: 1. Rough ride The most obvious indicator of a shock absorber issue is a bumpier ride. If you feel like you're about to lose control of your car over a bump or pothole, check your shocks. 2. Bad steering Steering difficulty is another shock absorber issue symptom. The steering wheel may be stiff whenever you turn or change lanes, and the vehicle may tend to lean in the process. 3. Instability when Braking When shock absorbers don't work right, they can cause more than just suspension problems. When you brake, your vehicle may feel unstable ... read more

Spark plugs are one of the essential parts of a car's engine. They're what ignites gasoline when you crank the car's engine, and they're also responsible for running the car. But if it's not working right, it can cause problems. That's why you'll notice bad or failing spark plug indicators. Different indicators of a bad or failing spark plug are listed below. The Car Can't Start If your vehicle is tough to ignite or has difficulty getting it going, you may have a failing or faulty spark plug. The spark plug acts a big part in getting the car's engine moving. Your vehicle needs the gasoline to ignite to start the vehicle. A bad spark plug will only make this process harder. Deteriorating Gas Economy If your car's fuel economy is deteriorating, it can be due to a faulty spark plug. A faulty spark plug will make starting the car difficult and cause the vehicle to use more gas. The Car Has Trouble Accelerating The engine can fail when you try t ... read more

Fuel injectors are one of the most important components in keeping your car running smoothly. They help deliver the right amount of fuel to the engine, and if they aren't working properly, it can lead to all sorts of problems. If they become clogged or damaged, your car can start to experience several problems. Here are some of the signs that you may have bad fuel injectors: 1. The engine is misfiring If your engine is misfiring, it could be because the fuel isn't being delivered evenly to all cylinders. This can cause a loss of power and efficiency. 2. The car is hesitating or stalling If your car hesitates or stalls when you try to accelerate, it could signify that the fuel injectors are clogged. 3. The engine is running rough If the engine is running rough, it could be because the fuel mixture is too rich or too lean. This can cause a loss of power and efficiency. 4. The car is consuming more fuel than usual If your car seems to be consuming more fuel than usual, it ... read more

When your car doesn't start up in the morning when you're on the way to work, you're probably thinking that your battery is dead. Did you leave your headlights on overnight, or is it completely out of the blue? Regardless, you'll definitely not be starting the day off on the right foot. Time and time again, we've had people come into our shop after already replacing their car battery and still finding that their vehicle won't start up or stay running. Typically, this is because the issue wasn't with the car battery in the first place - the problem was actually the alternator. What is the alternator and what does it do? While the car battery is essentially to generate the power needed to get your vehicle started up and running, it is actually the alternator that helps recharge the battery as your car runs. If the alternator is faulty, your battery will fail to stay charged. Here are a few symptoms that can point to alternator problems: Car won't start ... read more

Everyone has experienced morning frost or ice covering their windshield. When there's a blanket of ice on your windshield, you have no choice but to count on your vehicle's defrosters. Your defrosters are very important to have, especially this time of year. So, if your car defroster stops working, it's only reasonable to wonder why. Read on to learn more about your vehicle's windshield defroster and why it may be malfunctioning. To start off, most vehicles today have both front and rear defrosters. And they both work independently. Front defrosters come from vents controlled by the car's heating and cooling system, whereas rear defrosters are wired electrically.  A broken defroster can make your commutes hellish; these are some reasons why your front or rear defroster may stop working: Stuck Controls (Front) Broken buttons are a typical case of a defective front defroster. If the dial or buttons are jammed, it won't engage the defrosters - simple as th ... read more

You may think you are spared whenever you hit a curb or fly through a pothole, but it may not always be the case. These nasty road obstacles can wreak havoc if you are not careful. More specifically, they can cause your wheels to go out of alignment. A wheel misalignment means that you have at least one of your wheels pointing in the wrong direction. You will probably face a lot of difficulty handling your vehicle, but you will be exposed to more road hazards as a result. Here are several symptoms that indicate you are due for a wheel alignment: Sign #1: Vehicle Pulling to One Side Your car pulling to one side is the most prominent sign that you need your wheels realigned. If the road you're cruising on is flat and straight, your vehicle should continue to drive straight. However, if it is veering off to the left or right of the road, take it into an auto shop immediately. Sign #2: Steering Wheel Off-Centered Your steering wheel should be properly aligned when driving on a stra ... read more

When you consider driving hazards, parking lots might not be the first setting that you think of. However, every year, thousands of parking lot accidents happen that lead to injuries and even death, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). It would be best if you were especially careful this time of year, like the grocery store and mall parking lots see an increase in vehicle traffic. To help you stay safe, we're looking at how parking lots tend to happen to begin with and what you can do to stop. Distracted driving is higher in parking lots than on regular roads and highways. Drivers tend to think it's safe to make a phone call, adjust their GPS, change their tune, text, set alerts/reminders, check emails, browse social media, and do whatever when driving in the parking lot. That is not the case! Please do not start doing these things unless your car is parked safely. Confusion is another widespread reason why parking lot accidents happen. Who has the right of way? Is ... read more

You have probably heard all the bad things surrounding oil sludge. But what exactly is it? Oil sludge is a dense, jelly substance that is formed when engine oil is oxidized and contaminated in a car. It is made up of contaminants and often sticks various engine parts, and inhibits oil flow.  How Does It Form? Oil sludge can be found anywhere: on the surface of the engine, inside the oil pan, or a valve cover. Because engine oil goes through high temperatures and pressure, it is susceptible to oxidizing when exposed to air. The molecules in motor oil break down during oxidation and can combine with dirt, fuel, metallic scraps, water, gases, and even coolant. This combination of gunk is sludge and stores heat instead of releasing it, making it more challenging for the cooling system to do its job.  Sludge can form for various reasons. The most common explanation for oil sludge is frequent drives in heavy traffic. Too many short-distance trips and long periods of stop-and-go ... read more

If you've ever purchased a vehicle from a dealership, chances are you've heard the phrase 30/60/90K maintenance. The manufacturer recommends this auto repair and maintenance routine to keep your car running at its best, usually every 30,000 miles (hence the intervals 30/60/90K). Most people feel this is just a ploy by the dealer to milk more money out of them. However, the maintenance schedule can be super advantageous for all parties. For instance, you can save money on more costly repairs down the road. The factory-recommended maintenance intends for you to perform maintenance on time and resolve any minor issues your car may encounter in its lifetime. Here are several reasons why it's critical to follow it: Your manufacturer warranty may depend on it. Some car producers won't honor the agreement if you ignore the maintenance schedule. It can save hundreds or thousands on expensive repairs. Replacing a timing belt at 90K miles, for example, costs a few hundred doll ... read more