Chico Auto Repair

When we think about the kinds of situations where brakes are especially important, our minds tend to conjure up images of rainy or snowy weather. But in reality, there is no system more crucial to your safety every time you get behind the wheel, rain or shine. You could be the most defensive driver in the world, but you still never know when you might encounter a swerving drunk or a giant deer. Every time we drive, even just to the grocery store, we are trusting our brakes to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe from the hazards we are surrounded by. Therefore, at the first sign of any kind of brake trouble, it's a good idea to take the car into the shop as soon as possible. With brakes, as with many components of your car, small problems can soon escalate into major disasters. When you first notice squealing, grinding, veering, or any other problem, you'll want to be sure to address the issue before it becomes more expensive---and more dangerous. There are a numb ... read more

Your vehicle is composed of a number of features that increase the safety and comfortability of your vehicle's ride. The suspension is one of them and it plays an important role in both of these categories and the overall driveability of your vehicle. Not only does the suspension help absorb every crack and bump in the road creating a soft ride it also helps to prevent your vehicle from rolling over during cornering. If you experience any of these issues surrounding failing suspension be sure have it repaired in order to maintain a safe ride. Rolling Feeling If your get the sensation that your car is going to roll over during cornering there is likely some wear in the suspension or a fault with the anti-sway bar. Aside from rolling you may feel as if the vehicle is going to spin out or just not make the corner. This feeling will happen if the suspension system is unable to shift the vehicle's center of balance during corning. Oily Struts ... read more

Car batteries are meant to have a long life, unlike the double As in your TV remote which may only last a few months. A vehicle battery that continues to die can be a major inconvenience as the battery is what provides your vehicle with the initial electrical charge necessary to start the vehicle. The battery also powers all the accessories when the vehicle is not running, giving you lights, music and other infotainment. If you experience regular battery trouble it is likely caused by one of the following issues. Dirty Terminals Intermittent battery trouble is usually caused by dirt or corrosion on the battery terminals. This is an easy fix. Simply disconnect the battery and use a wire brush to clean the terminals of any debris and contaminants then reconnect the battery ensuring a snug connection on both the negative and positive terminals. Automatic Detection Problems Newer vehicles have systems that will keep electricity flowing to a ... read more

The cooling system in your vehicle helps to regulate the temperature your engine operates at to ensure that it doesn't overheat. Overheating can cause major internal engine damage requiring expensive repairs. One of the first signs of a cooling system leak will likely be the temperature gauge in your vehicle's dash rising to the red zone. If this happens or some other symptom occurs to make you suspect a cooling system leak bring your vehicle to a mechanic right away. You will also want to bring your car to the local mechanic if you discover any of the following issues. Puddle of Coolant Fluid in the Driveway The most obvious sign of coolant system issues is if you find a puddle of green fluid in the driveway. This means you have just discovered a serious coolant leak in your vehicle. Call your mechanic and describe the problem to see if they recommend having your vehicle towed or if it is ok to drive to the auto repair shop. Radiator Rust or Dis ... read more

Owning a vehicle is a great convenience for many people, but being out on the road has it's dangers. In order to do your part to keep your car safe you should be aware of issues that could be potentially dangerous to you, your passengers and other drivers on the road. Many systems in our cars are designed to help improve the safe driving experience, but it is up to you as the driver the ensure these systems are properly maintained so you can have full control over your vehicle. Power Steering System Flushs New vehicles utilize a power steering system that makes turning on a dime a breeze. But it requires regular maintenance in order to operate properly. The power steering system uses hydraulic force to make it easy to corner. This fluid can disintegrate over many miles due to rapid changes in temperature. Power steering fluid flushes are necessary at certain mileage intervals to keep the system working well. Bad fluid can damage many components of the stee ... read more

The exhaust is a very important system on your vehicle. It removes hazardous emissions from the engine, routes them past the passenger cabin, converts them to less harmful emissions and then expels them out the tailpipe at the back of your vehicle. And it does all this with virtually no moving parts, aside from the internal exhaust valves. Despite it's lack of motion the exhaust system is one of the hardest worked parts of a vehicle and it is important that it receives proper repair should it fail. This will ensure good health for you and your car. Here are 3 signs it's time for exhaust system repair. Bad Vibrations If a car vibrates it can mean a lot of different things, but one of the most common causes is an exhaust leak. You will often feel a small constant vibration while driving that will get worse as you accelerate. A vibration due to a small exhaust leak can often be felt in the steering wheel or the gas pedal. An exhaust leak can mean fumes ... read more