Fuel savings maintenance tips and put cash in your pocket

San Jose Auto Repair offered some gas-saving maintenance and driving tips to help you conserve fuel.
Here are some suggested ideas:
Vehicle gas caps – About 17 percent of the vehicles on the roads have gas caps that are either damaged, loose or are missing all together, causing 147 million gallons of gas to vaporize every year.
Under inflated tires – When tires aren’t inflated properly it’s like driving with the parking brake on and can cost a mile or two per gallon.
Worn spark plugs – A vehicle can have either four, six or eight spark plugs, which fire as many as 3 million times every 1,000 miles, resulting in a lot of heat and electrical and chemical erosion. A dirty spark plug causes misfiring, which wastes fuel. Spark plugs need to be replaced regularly.
Don’t be an aggressive driver – Aggressive driving can lower gas mileage by as much as 33 percent on the highway and 5 percent on city streets, which results in 7 to 49 cents per gallon.
Avoid excessive idling – Sitting idle gets zero miles per gallon. Letting the vehicle warm up for one to two minutes is sufficient.
Observe the speed limit – Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. Each mph driven over 60 will result in an additional 10 cents per gallon. To maintain a constant speed on the highway, cruise control is recommended.

Car maintenance and servicing tips to avoid expensive car repair bills

Regular servicing may not be frequent enough to uncover potential problems such as radiator fluid leaking (causing engine overheating and damage). One morning per month, before you start your car, take two minutes to do the below quick six checks 

1. Oil level – pull out the oil dipstick, wipe it with the paper towel, push it in and out again and look at the two marks near the end of the stick (one is maximum, the other minimum).  The oil should be clear and between the two marks.
2. Brake fluid – it’s usually a small, clear tub with an easy-to-remove top.  Make sure the fluid is above the minimum line.
3. Radiator coolant level – unwind the cap to the radiator.  The coolant should be green or red and very close to the top.  Do not open if the engine is hot.
4. Water in wipers – usually located near the driver’s window.  Keep it topped up.
5. Transmission fluid for automatic vehicles – there’s another dipstick to pull out.  The fluid must be clear. (Note, manual vehicles do not use this fluid).
6. Look under your car – for any recent, wet drips as this could be a sign of something serious such as an oil leak.

Weekly tasks

1. Tyres – check your tyre pressure each time you refuel.  Your manual will tell you how many PSI to put into each tyre.  Keeping your tyres inflated assists in fuel economy, handling in poor conditions and makes them stronger against damage.
2. Wash windows – inside and out for better visibility.  You’ll be surprised how dirty they get.
3. Keep interior clean – remove or secure any loose, heavy items because in a crash, they could cause fatal injury. Keeping your car free of unnecessary objects can also help with fuel economy.

You can avoid most costly and disruptive breakdowns by completing scheduled servicing and these simple do-it-yourself checks. However, despite this, cars will still have major mechanical failures and if you do encounter costly car repairs, contact San Jose Auto Repair  to see if we an negotiate you a better deal.

Call us at (408) 258-6625 to know about common repairs, as well as answering your questions and providing better solution of your problem.

What Is That Noise? You Should Take Your Car in for Maintenance?

Weird noises happen all the time. When you start up your vehicle, accelerate or even step on the brakes, you may hear noises that weren’t there before. In this case, you may need repairs to be made immediately. Thankfully, most noises are indicators of a problem that will get worse if you don’t have them remedied, but will allow you to still drive to the auto repair shop for a repair.

Clunking Sound When Braking

If you step on the brakes and hear a clunking sound, there are three likely causes:

• Steering system
• Brake calipers
• Brake hardware

All of these components will indicate that your vehicle should be brought to a shop for maintenance.

Squealing Brakes

One of the most common noises. Many brakes have an indicator on them that will make the brakes squeal when applied. If you hear squealing that is only present when braking, you will likely need:

• New brake pads or shoes

There is also the chance that dirt entered into the rotors, drums or shoes and is making a loud noise. If you have recently had brake work done on your vehicle, this may also be a sign of improper caliber installation.

Grinding When Shifting

Depending on your transmission type, grinding when shifting can be a variety of different things, including:

• Worn clutch
• Internal transmission damage
• Adjustments needed to a clutch

If you are lucky, adjustments will be the only maintenance needed. Otherwise, internal damage can be very costly to repair.

Squealing Coming from the Engine

Loud squeals coming from the engine often occur during acceleration, but in severe cases, these squeals may be present when idling. What causes these squeals?

• Drive belts that are sleeping or loose
• Drive pulleys not aligned properly
• Worn or stretched belts that need replacement

Popping Sound from the Engine

Engine popping can be a variety of different problems. You will want to see a mechanic immediately, but normally, the problem is not severe. Popping and hesitation are often seen in the engine when:

• Air or fuel filters are clogged
• Water has seeped into the gasoline
• Spark plugs or spark plug wires are dirty, worn or need to be replaced

There are other problems that may cause popping including the carburetor or catalytic convertor.

Rattling Coming from the Rear

Rattling sounds that come from the back of the vehicle are often exhaust problems. A loose bolt or mounting bracket may be the only problem.

Clicking When Turning

Do you hear a clicking sound when turning? This can be:

• Brake pads that are loose
• CV-joints that are worn

You will want to seek immediate maintenance at this point.

Loud Squealing When Turning

Extremely loud squealing when turning is often a sign of a worn ball joint. This will need immediate replacement.

Popping Noise in the Back of the Vehicle

When accelerating, fuel injectors or a hole in the car’s exhaust may cause a loud popping sound. Leaks in the exhaust or fuel injectors are the common culprit and will need to be repaired by a professional.

Engine Ticking

Engines that tick are quite common. The most common problems that cause ticking include:

• Engine valves being stuck or that need adjustment
• Sludge in the engine
• Valve lifters that have collapsed

If your vehicle is making an odd noise, it is time for you to bring it into the shop for maintenance. This will allow you to have your vehicle inspected and repaired promptly before any major damage is seen.

Are You Looking For Good Auto Mechanic?

A good way to avoid expensive automotive repairs is to have a trusted mechanic who is familiar with your car. Having a good mechanic on your side can be very helpful when it comes to regular maintenance because they are familiar with your car’s needs and can provide good preventative maintenance. Good preventative maintenance can help prevent a major breakdown. Furthermore, your repairs might be a little less expensive if there is a breakdown because a regular mechanic can more easily figure out the cause. There are many different automotive repair shops you can choose from and finding a mechanic shouldn’t be that difficult. However, finding a trustworthy mechanic’s shop that can do quality work is key. There are a few techniques and tips you can employ in order to find a good mechanic.

The most important thing to remember when looking for a good mechanic to perform affordable quality work is to never wait until you have a vehicle breakdown to find an auto mechanic. This is one of the biggest mistakes a vehicle owner can make because in the event of a major breakdown, they panic and simply hire the first mechanic they find in the phone book or online to diagnose and fix the vehicle. Many times, the repairs can cost more because the vehicle owner does not have the time to shop around for an affordable mechanic. If you look for a mechanic ahead of time, you are more likely to find one who is both skilled and more affordable. Finding a mechanic through word-of-mouth recommendations is one of the best ways to find a good mechanic. If you have a friend with a older car that runs well, you can find out who their mechanic is to begin the search for an auto repair shop. If you cannot find an auto repair shop through direct word-of-mouth recommendations, you can check you local listings online. Searching online can be helpful because mechanic listings online will also include customer reviews that will give you a better idea of who well that particular shop or mechanic can service your car.

You can also educate yourself on automotive repair in order to avoid major problems and to have more knowledge on automotive repair. Automotive education can help you to better understand preventative car care needs in order to avoid major repairs. Furthermore, when you take your car to a mechanic for servicing you will have the advantage of knowing if the mechanic is credible, simply by knowing what type of issues your car has.

Automotive repair can be expensive, but some of this expense can be avoided if you have a good mechanic that can perform regular preventative maintenance.

In San Jose Auto repair doesn’t have to be a costly, protracted ordeal that leaves you in the dark about what exactly the mechanic did to your car. There are vehicle professionals who know what they’re doing!
Contact us today for more details. Call at (408) 258-6625 or fill form for online appointment http://sanjoseautorepair.com/appointment/

Need to Know About Car Batteries

San Jose Auto Repair, we’re here to help you understand just what’s going on with your vehicle’s battery and electrical system.
On average, a battery will last 3 to 5 years, but driving habits and exposure to extreme elements can shorten the life of your car battery. At San Jose Auto Repair, we offer a free battery check-up with every visit to our store. This is a quick diagnostic check to estimate the temperature at which your battery may fail. It also gives you some idea how much battery life you have left. One little test tells you if your battery is good to go.
The car battery provides the jolt of electricity necessary to power all the electrical components in your vehicle. Talk about a pretty huge responsibility. Without battery power, your car, as you’ve probably noticed, won’t start.
Fortunately, there are various indications and symptoms that your battery may need replacement:

1. you attempt to start the vehicle, the cranking of the engine is sluggish and takes longer than normal to start. You’d best describe it as the “rur rur rur” starting noise sound.
2. Check engine light: The check engine light sometimes appears when your battery power is weak. Strange system indicator lights–such as check engine and low coolant lights–could mean there’s a problem with your battery.
3. Low battery fluid level: Car batteries typically have a part of the casing that’s translucent so you can always keep an eye on your battery’s fluid level. You can also inspect it by removing the red and black caps if they are not sealed.
4. Bottom line: If the fluid level is below the lead plates (energy conductor) inside, it’s time to have the battery and charging system tested. When fluid levels drop, it’s typically caused by overcharging (heat).
5. The swelling, bloating battery case: If your battery casing looks like it ate a very large meal, this could indicate a battery gone bad. You can blame excessive heat for causing your battery case to swell, decreasing your battery life.
6. there’s a stinky, rotten egg smell: You may notice a pungent, rotten egg smell (sulfur odor) around the battery. The cause: Battery leaks. Leaking also causes the corrosion around the posts (where the + and – cable connections are located.) The gunk may need to be removed or your car may not start. –
7. Three years + battery age is considered an old timer: Your battery can last well beyond three years but, at the very least, have its current condition inspected on a yearly basis when it reaches the three year mark. Battery life cycles range from three-to-five years depending on the battery. However, driving habits, weather and frequent short trips (under 20 minutes) can drastically shorten the actual life of your car battery