North Idaho Auto Repair

Your vehicle is equipped with many, many sensors and microprocessors that are routinely monitoring your car’s operational capabilities. This includes sensors that would trigger dashboard indicator lights such as the check engine light if a problem is detected. However, these sensors aren’t foolproof and there are issues that are more easily diagnosed using your own senses, particularly your hearing. Weird noises coming from your car are a clear indicator that there is trouble onboard. The following are just a few of the common sounds of trouble that may be produced by your car if it is having trouble operating. Rumbling engine Does your car’s engine sound much louder than it used to? Is it particularly loud during rapid acceleration? This if often a sign of an exhaust leak. This noise may be accompanied by heavily decreased fuel efficiency or a vibrating gas pedal or steering wheel, if the leak is bad enough. Screeching when braking D ... read more

Despite having almost no moving parts the exhaust system is one of the hardest worked systems in your car, truck or SUV. It removes harmful fumes from the engine in order to increase performance,reduce engine noise and convert hazardous gases into less harmful emissions.. Exhaust problems cause your engine to work harder than necessary which will reduce your vehicle’s fuel efficiency and could put you at risk of breathing of toxic fumes. If you experience any of these signs of exhaust problems contact your auto mechanic right away to have the issued properly diagnosed and repaired. Decreased Fuel Efficiency One of the signs of a potential exhaust leak is a reduction in fuel efficiency. An exhaust leak means can alter the readings of the oxygen sensor, which is located in the exhaust system. A leak prior to the sensor will cause high O2 readings, which will result in the vehicle burning additional gasoline than is necessary. A leak could cause a reduction i ... read more

Isn’t it amazing that you can be traveling at 60 miles per hour and then slam on the brakes, which instantly apply and begin to slow you, bringing you to a stop in about 100 feet or so? Well that is the ideal situation. Unfortunately brakes that are not properly maintained may develop common braking problems that could result in car wrecks and bodily harm. Keeping an eye and ear out for these issues will ensure you have plenty of time to get the brakes repaired by a professional auto mechanic, should a problem arise. Squealing or Howling Brakes The brakes should never make any noise. If you hear squealing, howling or grinding when you apply the brake pedal it is a sign of low brake pads. The noise could either be caused by a small warning mechanism built into the pads or it could mean you have no brake pads left and metal is grinding on metal. Car Pulls to the Side when Braking If your vehicle tries to swerve left or right when you hi ... read more

Cars and trucks rely heavily on multiple fluids in order to properly operate their numerous systems. The hydraulic mechanisms of your vehicle allow it to run, drive and stop safely and reliably. These fluids are vital to the operation of your vehicle, so anytime you think your vehicle may have a leak be sure to get the issue checked out right away by a professional mechanic. To help describe the problem you’re having to the mechanic use this guide to try and identify what the fluid may be. These are the most common fluids that leak from cars, trucks and SUVs. Engine Oil The most simple fluid to identify is also the most common one that leaks. Oil is generally black or light brown and it will leave a nasty stain in the driveway. As Oil runs through the motor it may be able to seep from many different places where there are gaskets and seals. Some leaks don’t need immediate repair, while others are crucial. Ask your mechanic for honest advice. Brak ... read more

Family Broken Down On Country Road When it comes to car trouble there are many ways you may figure out something is wrong. While your car itself is quite smart, what with all its computers and all, it is often up to you as the regular driver to pay attention to signs of a problem. There are a few common types of symptoms that can occur for all makes and models that will represent an issue. If you notice any of these signs of car trouble get to the auto shop as soon as possible. Strange Noises Noises are a common sign of trouble. Some of the ones you are likely to encounter is a howling or squealing noise when braking, representing worn brake pads, or a grinding noise that occurs as your vehicle’s transmission shifts. The latter likely indicates your car is running low on transmission fluid. Odd Vibrations Should you ever feel your car shaking or vibrating, from one location or another, a trip to the mechanic will be needed ... read more

When the check engine light comes on too many drivers ignore it, because they can’t tell there is a problem with how their car is performing. However, by putting off diagnostics and repairs the issue will only get worse, meaning the repair bill will grow right along with it. If your vehicle’s check engine light has come on do not hesitate to get it checked out. The following are a few of the most common reasons that little orange glow will come about. Loose Gas Cap If you fail to tighten the gas cap after filling up, or if the cap is cracked or otherwise broken, it may allow fuel vapors to evaporate up and out of the filler hose, meaning you’re wasting gas the engine didn’t even get a chance to try and burn. Misfiring Misfiring can occur for a number of reasons but it is important to resolve this issue quick as it will drastically reduce your fuel efficiency and engine power. Common reasons for misfiring includes worn spark plugs or b ... read more

In the automotive world the term tune up is tossed around as much as a lonely cherry tomato in a salad. It seems like no one can ever stick a fork in it’s true meaning. Well, that’s because if you ask 5 different mechanics what a tune up is, you’ll likely get 5 different answers. The term first developed with the invention of the automobile, and generally referred to tuning the carburetor, which is the part that fed gas to the engine. Today’s vehicle’s no longer have this part, but that hasn’t stopped the term tune up from still being widely used. In general it means conducting small services that help the vehicle run better. These are 5 common aspects of a tune up. New spark plugs and plug wires The spark plugs are fed an electrical charge via the spark plug wires which thus creates a tiny burst of fire that ignites the air/fuel mixture in order to power the pistons. When the plugs become corroded or burnt, which will happen after about 30,000 miles of u ... read more

Today’s vehicles are full of electronics that provide passengers with endless entertainment and drivers with directions and hands free operation of infotainment systems. But vehicle electronics also monitor the road, helping to avoid accidents by powering things like backup cameras and there is a vast amount of sensors that control engine speed, monitor air pressure and so much more to keep our cars safe. Auto electrical problems can cause major issues in different vehicle systems. If you have electrical trouble you may lose your headlights or wipers, your navigation could fail or your car may not run right or even start. These are some of the most common electrical problems in cars. Bad Spark Plugs or Wires Spark plugs are what create the power necessary to drive the pistons in the engine up and down. They require a small electrical charge in order to do so and if the plugs or the wires they are connected to go erode or fail in some other way the engine wi ... read more

Routine maintenance is an important part of any vehicle’s life. All vehicles are designed with maintenance needs in mind, and these are translated by the engineers into a maintenance schedule that is listed in your vehicle’s owner’s manual. Major maintenance services are generally referred to as 30/60/90K maintenance because they are done at 30,000 mile intervals. However there is one service that is necessary much more frequently in order to keep your vehicle healthy. For most vehicles oil changes should be completed between every 3,000 and 5,000 miles. But why is this service so important to complete? The main reason, to prevent catastrophic engine failure. Here is how regularly changing your oil keeps your vehicle healthy. Regulates Engine Temperature Engine oil is scientifically engineered to be able to help control the temperature of the engine as it operates by absorbing heat. But as oil ages it begins to break down, losing its ability to do so and it ... read more

As your car runs it produces emissions that contains fumes that are very poisonous to people, or any oxygen-breathing being for that matter. The exhaust system in your car prevents these gases from getting into the passenger area and it also helps to improve fuel efficiency by monitoring the makeup of your vehicle’s emissions and calculating the correct air/fuel mixture based on the readings. But you can monitor your exhaust as well and likely determine if engine trouble is occurring! If you see excess smoke being emitted from the tailpipe take note of the color, as it may indicate the problem within your car’s engine. These are the most common colors of exhaust and what they may mean for your vehicle. Black Exhaust If your car is producing thick, black exhaust it often indicates the burning of excess amounts of gas. This is usually caused by a faulty MAF sensor, which measures the amount of incoming air and calculates the proper amount of gasoline to mix w ... read more