Visalia Auto Repair

While many car owners find it tempting to skip their oil change, putting off this service can have major consequences on your vehicle. Whether you drive a diesel SUV or a gas-powered sedan,  your Hyundai relies on engine oil to keep its motor cool while it operates. Furthermore, engine oil is key to cleaning your engine. As it flows throughout the system to lubricate engine parts, it also cleans and picks up dirt along the way. Once it grabs this grime, it will sift it through the oil filter.   The most important aspect of motor oil is its lubricating properties. Engine oil can prevent your Hyundai’s engine components from bumping against each other to prevent friction damage, corrosion, and quick wear and tear. That is why it is imperative that you have your oil changed according to your manufacturer’s recommended oil change interval.   Oil change intervals are typically done in miles intervals. Depending on your engine design, vehicle model, and the age ... read more

Also known as a cam belt, a vehicle's timing belt helps ensure combustion in the engine runs consistently, keeping you safe as you cruise the roads with your Honda. The cam belt is a continuous loop of rubber with ridges that interlock with the crankshaft's and the camshaft's teeth, synchronizing the movement of the two engine parts. The systematic synchronization ensures the exhaust and intake valves within the engine open and close in time with pistons. What if the Timing Belt Breaks? The engine stops working efficiently or stalls the moment your timing belt breaks. If the belt breaks while you're driving your Honda vehicle, the camshaft will stop turning, causing some engine valves to remain in an open position. The crankshaft continues to rotate, moving pistons up and down. This defect makes the pistons strike the valves that are left open. It may, in turn, trigger heavy engine damage inclusive of shattered or bent valves and destroyed pistons. Also, there could ... read more

A catalytic converter works hard to make sure that clean air goes through your Lexus. When there are issues with it, you may be exposed to harmful emissions. Here are the symptoms of a bad catalytic converter. Engine does not perform as well If you've been noticing that your engine isn't performing the way it should be, look at the catalytic converter. If the converter is clogged, it means that the car will not function well. Even a crack in the catalytic converter can lead harmful gas into the engine, making it perform poorly. Rattling Noises If you are hearing rattling noises, check on the catalytic converter. The reason it does this is that it may be failing, or it's just done for. The rattle is more noticeable when you turn on your Lexus, and it will worsen over time. Sulfur Smells If you are smelling sulfur, investigate that as soon as possible. This would mean that the catalytic converter is not working right to produce odorless sulfur dioxide. Check Engine Lig ... read more

Our Acura can make a lot of sounds – some can be normal, which is why most car owners don’t give much thought when they hear a slight ping. However, when you catch a new and alarming sound, you should never ignore it. Your Acura could be signaling to you that something is wrong. Here are 5 concerning car noises that your Acura can make: Hissing Under the Hood If you hear this sound, it can mean that you have a fluid leak. When coolant leaks, it tends to hit the hot part of the engine. If coolant leaks onto the engine block or manifold, you may hear a hissing noise whenever you accelerate. Rattling Steering Heavy vibrations coming from your Acura’s steering system can be an evident sign that something is wrong. From a loose nut to low power steering fluid, you don’t want to ignore this for too long. Bring your car to us for inspections before it is too late.  Popping Exhaust If you hear a loud band or pop coming from your exhaust pipes, it could mean y ... read more

There's no greater fact that Asian car brands remain to be the most reliable vehicles on the market. Out of all the brands on the market, Asian makes tend to stand highest for their dependability. The top brands from this car segment include Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Mazda, Subaru, and Kia. On the other hand, studies have shown that European vehicles scored the lowest. Read on to learn why their reliability stands year after year. Asian automakers employ the very best engineers, who are very meticulous in the details of their many vehicles. They consider style, speed, performance, price, and reliability when designing their vehicles. Moreover, the brand considers all the possible ways that the car can fail and implement ways to prevent them. Asian cars tend to be mass produced in larger quantities than other cars. Therefore, there's more supply, making its price point be more favorable. The brands look to oversaturate and dominate the market. They use long-la ... read more