Chico Auto Repair

When you're looking for a go-to mechanic, it's best to find one that has been granted approval by the Automobile Association of America (AAA). It's an organization that has gained motorists' trust over the years and they don't endorse just anyone. There are a number of requirements that have to be met for an auto shop to gain AAA-approval. Here's a look at six of them. Good Standing with the BBB If an auto shop is regarded highly by both AAA and the Better Business Bureau, then it's likely a garage you can trust. Offer Warranty A reputable mechanic is going to back up its work with a warranty that will provide you peace of mind. Computerized Diagnostics For the highest level of service, cutting-edge technology will be incorporated into diagnostic equipment so that the mechanic can pinpoint the problem and get to work quickly, so you can get your vehicle back as soon as possible. ASE-Certified Mech ... read more

While any time of the year is a good time for auto maintenance, there are some particular steps to take to help ensure that your vehicle performs well and keeps you safe on the road when the overnight temperatures start to drop around freezing. From adding new antifreeze to brake inspections, there are a number of ways to get your vehicle ready for winter. Here's a look at six of those ways. Check Heaters and Defrosters When you come out to your car in the morning after a cold, cold night, you want to be confident that you'll be able to defrost quickly and get on your way. New Antifreeze After flushing out the old stuff, you can replace it with the new to make sure that it's fully doing it's job. Check Battery and Charging System Cold weather can be brutal on a battery and you don't want to end up stranded on the side of the road in the wintertime. Check Tire Tread and Pressure In winter ... read more

For better or worse, dealing with auto repairs comes with the territory of owning an automobile. It's inevitable that eventually you're going to once again find yourself seeking repairs at the shop, hoping that the damage isn't too bad and that the bill will be fair and reasonable. Since you can't predict the next time you're going to need a repair shop's services, it's best if you keep the phone number of a reliable, versatile mechanic stored in your contact lists. It'll make the whole process more comfortable and convenient. Whether you need brake work, complex engine repair, or anything in between, you want to be able to be confident that you're doing business with a reputable shop. Here's a look at four kinds of auto repair provided by the best mechanic in Chico. Brake Repair There's no system in your vehicle that is more critical to your safety out on the road than your brakes. When you first notice a potential problem with your brakes, you ... read more

To ensure that your car, truck, or SUV continues to perform at a high level, while also retaining maximum resale value, it's of great importance that you get to the shop for regular maintenance. We don't often stop to consider the degree of stress through which we put our vehicles, but the reality is that with each number that flips on the odometer, wear and tear is occurring. Even if you're not making cross-country treks, the miles and the wear add up just the same as you drive back and forth between your home and the office. Here's a look at six types of maintenance offered by a reputable mechanic in Chico. 30/60/90k Maintenance Your vehicle rolled off the factory line with a maintenance plan already established. It's important to keep up on this plan to retain the validity of your warranty. Tune-Up If your car, truck, or SUV is fresh out of the showroom, you probably won't need a tune-up for some time. However, once your odometer cro ... read more

When you're trying to find yourself a go-to mechanic, it's always best if you find one that has expertise in a variety of areas of auto repair. From transmission services to complex engine repair to factory-scheduled maintenance, you want a mechanic who can do it all. Here's a look at what a great auto shop in Chico can do for you. Expert Brake Repair Your safety on the road is heavily dependent on having a brake system that is functioning at as high a level as possible. You just can't foresee when you might end up sharing the road with an intoxicated or distracted driver. There are a number of different symptoms that could mean it's time for you to get to the shop for brake repair. For one, a common sign is squealing. You've likely heard that high-pitched squeaking coming from your brakes at some point. While some people tend to delay getting to the shop when this symptom arises, the reality is that it's a sign of problem that isn't going to get better on ... read more

We tend to just jump into our vehicles and fire them up without thinking about what it really takes to get moving. But the reality is that it's actually a rather complex process that enables your car to roar to life and take off down the road. It requires a particular mixture air, fuel, and electricity, as well as specialized parts that make everything go. The next time you're turning your key, you might stop to think about the complexities involved with getting your car out of your driveway. Nonetheless, some things will inevitably go wrong. There are a number of reasons that could result in your vehicle not starting. Here's a look at five of those reasons. Failing Alternator This is what charges up your battery. If it's not operating, you will soon run out of juice, and be left stranded. Bad Starter You should become particularly suspicious of your starter as a culprit if you turn over the key and are hearing a clicking soun ... read more

While automotive fluid leaks are somewhat commonplace, you still want to take the issue seriously when it arises. It's a good idea to take an occasional look at the ground below where you park to see if anything is accumulating. A fluid leak doesn't necessarily mean that you're on the verge of a repair nightmare. Still, you'll want to get the problem taken care of to ensure that it doesn't escalate into something requiring more extensive repair. The average driver can probably recognize an oil leak, but other types of leaking automotive fluid can be more difficult to tell apart. It can be of great benefit to be able to identify the kind of leak that is coming from your car so that when you go to the shop, you'll be able to save the mechanic some of the diagnostic time it would otherwise take to figure it out. Here are some tips on how you can tell apart the different kinds of fluid leaks. Brake Fluid This tends to appear as light brown. If it is leaking, i ... read more

Many vehicle owners are hesitant to get their rig into the shop unless signs of an obvious problem are present. However, by getting in for maintenance, many serious problems can be avoided in the first place. It's easy for people to forget that a vehicle is a complex piece of machinery, composed of an abundance of moving parts that all fit seamlessly together. With each mile that passes, those parts experience wear and tear. Even if you're not trekking back and forth from coast to coast, those miles around town still add up just the same. By getting in for maintenance, you can help to ensure that your car will be able to see as long a lifespan as possible. If you're driving a new car that recently came off the lot, then you may not need a tune-up for some time. But the general rule of thumb is that once your vehicle crosses the 100,000 mile mark, you'll want to get in for a tune-up every 10,000 to 20,000 miles thereafter. Regardless of mileage markers, there are som ... read more

It's easy to forget just how important the fuel filter is to your car's ability to perform at its peak, but it's crucial that, when your car starts showing symptoms of a fuel filter problem, you move quickly to get a new one. Sure, the fuel filter is a purchase for your car that is not exactly the most exciting. It doesn't have the flair of a new paint job, nor does it even generate the kind of enthusiasm as a new license plate frame. Nonetheless, it performs an essential task and needs to be taken care of appropriately. The fuel filter is what makes sure your engine doesn't suck down contaminants, such as dirt and little paint chips, as it goes about ingesting gasoline. Eventually, the fuel filter will start to get clogged up, and when it does, it's likely to show symptoms of the blockage. The important thing is that you're able to recognize the signs as they arise, so that you're able to get your car into the shop to have it quickly changed out. When it comes down ... read more

Your car is essentially part of your family. It has character and you may have even given it a name. And what other inanimate object would give a name to? Probably not your freezer or washing machine. Your car feels like its part of the family because it plays such a supportive role in helping you go about your day-to-day life. You've built a routine and your car is the vessel that delivers you through it. You drop the kids off at school, then it's off to the office, then the grocery store, and finally back home, before starting it all over again the next morning. And its easy to forget that, as you go about your business each day, your car is incurring wear and slowly breaking down. Your vehicle is a collection of myriad moving parts, intricately fitting together to do their job. The incredible stresses that these parts are put through eventually cause enough damage that breaking points are reached. Even the most finely-crafted automobiles will break down eventuall ... read more