Issaquah Auto Repair

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

After driving your automobile for a while, you will probably begin to approximate how much your full tank typically costs and how many miles a full gas tank will last you. However, there are specific car problems and personal habits that can change the frequency of your visits to the gas station. If you notice that your vehicle's fuel economy has significantly decreased, you may need to re-evaluate your vehicle's condition with our list below.   Lousy vehicle maintenance is one of the top reasons for poor fuel economy. The better care you take of your car, the better it will run and perform in the long run. You'll end up spending less money on gas and repairs when you invest in high-quality vehicle maintenance. A routine vehicle inspection here at Autoworks of Issaquah will keep your vehicle always running at its best.   Here are some of the most common explanations for why your vehicle has seen a reduction in fuel economy:  Mechanical Problems Incorrec ... read more

There's no such thing as the ideal driver because we've all been guilty of certain bad driving habits. While things like forgetting to use a turn on a signal can annoy other drivers on the road, some lousy driving practices can do some major damage to your vehicle. Let's break down five of the most common driving habits that can hurt your car and how you can avoid them.   SLAMMING INTO POTHOLES Some places may have more pothole problems than others, but the reality is that you can find potholes anywhere. These sneaky road gashes can cause more than a bumpy ride. When hit head-on, potholes can also damage your car's suspension, steering, and wheel alignment. In order to curb this problem, stay alert and drive defensively to help avoid potholes. In some cases slowing down can help by minimizing the impact and the potential damage.   SPEEDING OVER SPEED BUMPS Like hitting potholes at high speed, going over a speed bump too fast is another driving habit that ... read more

The steering system is a crucial part of your car because it enables you to control your vehicle. If your steering wheel becomes rigid or suddenly locks up, it can result in an accident. Many parts make up the power steering system, allowing it to turn with little resistance effectively. Even when a minor issue occurs within the system, it can jeopardize the whole system. It would be best if you got the problem diagnosed immediately to prevent unnecessary injuries. These are the most common reasons why your steering wheel has become hard to turn.   Bad Steering Rack The steering rack plays a crucial role in the power steering system. It's composed of the pinion and rack, and over time it can deteriorate from usage. If the steering wheel gets hard as soon as you turn on your car, the steering rack may be the root of the problem.   Faulty Serpentine Belt The serpentine belt is a long rubber belt that wraps around numerous car parts such as the power steering pump, alt ... read more

  Shocker! Your technician says your vehicle needs new shocks or struts. You’ve heard it before. What are these things, anyway? And do you absolutely need them?   What are Shocks & Struts? All vehicles come equipped with shocks, struts, or both. Shocks, or a shock absorber, do precisely what you’d think: they absorb unevenness or bumps in the road, allowing the vehicle to maneuver steadily. Struts, on the other hand, serve a similar purpose and are designed differently. Both are affixed to your vehicle’s suspension system and are an integral part of steering, handling and control, comfort, and safety.   What’s Their Purpose? Typically when people think of shocks and struts, they envision the vehicle’s movement and the comfortability of the ride. However, shocks and struts are crucial for your safety. When struts and shocks wear, it allows your wheels to spring back, making them less able to grip the road. Therefore, worn-out shock ... read more

Brake rotors are a vital component of your vehicle's braking system. When the brake pads wear down, they no longer work as effectively and need to be replaced. At this point, you may also want to have your brake rotor inspected for any signs of damage or corrosion. This is important because if there are any issues with the rotor, it will not perform well in stopping your car and could cause sudden and unexpected failure while driving. In our post today, we will discuss when you should replace your brake rotors so that you can avoid these kinds of problems. Brakes Pulsating The brakes should be silent and smooth as long as the rotors are less than a few thousandths of an inch out-of-round. Brake pedal pulsation is not always indicative that replacement to brake rotors may be needed, but it can still mean something isn't right with your car's braking system. Brakes Overheating Riding your brakes or braking downhill can easily warp the brake rotors due to overheating. In m ... read more