Chico Auto Repair

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

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