What Can a Car Diagnostic Test Tell You?

Your engine has worked solidly during the hot days of summertime.  With fall approaching, now is a good time to clean out the sludge left in your car from summertime before your car has to go through winter.  How do you do that, you ask?  Schedule an engine diagnostic test.  But what can a car diagnostic test tell you, you are wondering?   

With the use of a specific computer, an engine diagnostic test can analyze the total performance of your vehicle and determine whether any adjustments are required on any of the operating systems.  A problem can be identified exactly before they become major problems so that your auto mechanic doesn’t have to guess what kind of repair is needed for your vehicle.  

A car diagnostic test can indicate issues associated with many components and systems of your vehicle.  The age of your vehicle, the number of miles on the odometer, and the maintenance history will determine what your auto mechanic includes in the tune up service.  Normally though, a car tune up should include most of the following items:

• Spark plugs
• Fuel pump and filter
• Fuel injectors
• Engine timings
• PCV valve
• Points and condenser.

About once a year, schedule an engine diagnostics to uncover minor issues that can’t be seen.  A diagnostics test is also good if you want to inspect out a used car that you may be thinking of buying.

Need to know more about what can a car diagnostic test tell you?  Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Auto Max of Oregon for more information about car tune ups and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves car owners in Canby, OR, and the surrounding areas.

How Often Do Brakes Need to be Replaced?

Have you started to worry about how often do brakes need to be replaced?  This may be because you are starting to notice that you are sliding to a stop at red lights although you are pressing tough on the brake pedal.  It’s time for some needed brake repair.  There is not a set brake repair schedule in your owner’s manual but how often brakes need to be replaced depends on how rapidly or slowly your brakes are wearing, which is largely determined by how and where your drive.  

If you wondering how to know when you need brake repair, here are some signs that most driver can notice themselves:

• Noisy brakes – When the pads are worn down, squealing sounds or a metal-on-metal grinding sound is created when the built-in wear sensors scrape against the brake disc. 
• Vibrating brake pedal – You will feel the brake pedal pulsate from a disc that has become warped due to continuous overheating.
• Leaking brake fluid – If brake fluid leaks onto the warm motor, you may notice a burning smell while driving.
• Longer stopping distances – If you have to push the brake pedal down to the floor, the brake liner is wearing out.  Because this happens gradually over time, don’t let it reach the hazardous stage before you think about brake repair.
• Steering issues – If the front brake pads are worn down too far, you may feel the steering wheel tug or the car pull to one side or the other while braking.
• Dash Warning light – Newer vehicles have electronic-wear sensors that will illuminate a warning on the dash panel when the pads wear down to a specified measurement.  

Tip to remember:  A visual inspection is still the best way to inspect the condition of your brakes.  Ask your auto mechanic to check your brakes at every tire rotation service (generally about every 6 months).

Do you know how often do brakes need to be replaced?  Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Auto Max of Oregon for more information about brake repair service and to make an appointment. Our auto shop proudly serves car owners in Canby, OR, and the surrounding areas.