Yakima Auto Repair

A check engine light could mean various types of troubles for your vehicle. These issues include oxygen sensor failure, spark plug problems, a vacuum hose leak, and even something as minor as a loose gas cap. While you should never neglect a check engine light, it isn't always an urgent matter. On the other hand, a flashing check engine light is different. A flashing engine light does require attention ASAP.   What Happens When Flashing Check Engine Lights Turn On? A blinking check engine light will show up on your dashboard is almost always correlated with engine misfires. A misfire means that the engine is dumping uncombusted fuel into your car's exhaust system. Engine misfire is a serious issue because it can quickly raise the temperature of the catalytic converter. If the temperature gets too high, the catalytic converter will sustain damage and require costly repairs. It can be severe enough to start a fire in your vehicle.   There are three main reasons why ... read more

While it may be startling, seeing exhaust smoke shoot out of your tailpipe can be a cause for concern. Whenever this happens, you should make a note of the color of the gas. The color of the emission can give you an insight into what is going on inside your vehicle. The colors of your exhaust smoke can be gray, blue, black, or white. Here is what the colors signify:   Gray Smoke Gray exhaust smoke is the least common, but it can be a tough one to diagnose. If the fumes are a solid gray color, that may suggest that your transmission fluid or engine oil is burnt. It is essential to have your vehicle assessed by a professional to determine if you need any repairs.   Blue Smoke Blue exhaust, similarly to gray exhaust, indicates that oil is burning. The first thing you should do is to ensure that you have an adequate amount of motor oil. While you inspect the oil, check for any signs of leaks. Leaks can be caused by leaking valve seals, broken piston rings, or worn cylinder ... read more

  Perhaps you're the car owner who doesn't drive frequently; maybe you've been working from home, and that has reduced your daily commuting to work. That means that you'll not go enough mileage to warrant an oil change, but the duration you need to change the oil is due. Such a shift in driving schedule can compel you to ask yourself, "should I change my oil, even though I haven't reached the mileage limit?"   How Often Should You Change Engine Oil?   Vehicle manufacturers usually indicate the recommended maintenance schedule for various parts of the car. The interval is generally indicated in mileage (for example, every 6,000 miles) and time (every six months). Whichever threshold you attain first, it's recommended that you take the car for an oil change. Usually, people reach the mileage interval first.   Nonetheless, engine oil decomposes with time. That's why it's critical that you also focus on t ... read more

Today's modern vehicles are equipped with an on-board diagnostics system or OBD. Think of this system as your vehicle's computer. It is connected to many different sensors throughout your vehicle and basically monitors your vehicle's performance. It keeps track of your vehicle's needs, and can also detect when a problem occurs. In this instance, you'll notice a warning light appear on your dashboard, letting you know that you need to bring your vehicle to an expert mechanic for further diagnostics. Your car's computer system is able to report on performance and translate any issues into codes for better understanding. When something is wrong with your car, you can bring your vehicle to the professionals here at Westside Car Care. We use state-of-the-art scan tools that plug into your vehicle's computer and can run a report to see where the issue is. Basically, the engine computer is able to read the input from various sensors in the engine in 'real-t ... read more