Los Altos Auto Repair

Hey, it's the Duke. I am sure you have heard the saying "Being in the right place at the right time," meaning timing is everything, and that includes your timing belt. If your timing belt is not working at the right time, everything in the engine is affected. So today, we will bark about how important your timing belt or chain is. So let's get barkin' before time runs out!

There’s an important part in your vehicle that shields your timing belt, timing chain, or cam belt from debris and gunk that can be kicked up from the road. It’s called the timing cover. It’s important because the timing belt or chain coordinates parts of your engine called the camshafts and crankshaft. When they’re in sync, everything runs smoothly. When they’re not, it can cause some serious engine problems.

If your vehicle has a timing belt, without the protection of the timing cover, that belt can come loose from the timing gears or break.  If your vehicle has a timing chain, the cover keeps engine oil circulating around it, lubricating it.  When that starts to leak because of a bad gasket, the chain may not get adequate lubrication.  

If your vehicle has a timing cover problem, you may notice engine oil leaking if a gasket is not sealing tightly.  You may hear a strange metallic sound coming from the engine.  Another sign that timing is off is that you notice you’re losing power when you’re going up a hill. 

Usually, the timing cover will not wear out. But if you drive on roads where you’re getting a lot of debris and dirt kicked up into your engine compartment, the timing cover can get damaged and affect your vehicle’s operation.  It eventually could lead to engine problems, so if you notice any of the symptoms mentioned, have one of our technicians inspect your timing cover and gasket.  

Here is my "Time" quote for this week,

"Better three hours too soon than a minute too late." – William Shakespeare.

Duke

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
650.968.7227
http://alliedautoworks.com

Cayenne here. I love to go for car rides with wind in my hair and smooth driving down the road. Sometimes, though, my owner's car gets all bouncy, and that is not enjoyable at all.  What could that be you say, well it's probably the shocks.  So today, we are going to bounce right into this subject.

When Los Altos drivers think about preventive maintenance, what usually comes to mind is oil, fluids and brakes. We don't generally think about our shocks or struts, but these auto parts keep our tires on the road.

Los Altos drivers don't think about shocks as often as oil changes because shocks and struts last a long time and wear out slowly. They don't need to be checked as often as our brake pads or air filters. When your shocks have 50,000 miles (80,000 kilometers) on them, their performance will have noticeably degraded. If you want to restore the handling and ride designed for your vehicle, try replacing your shocks and struts.

Of course, if you drive off-road around Los Altos, carry heavy loads, tow a trailer or put in a lot of mileage on poor driving surfaces, your shocks or struts will wear out more quickly. You'll need to replace them more often or upgrade to better shocks.

Your suspension system uses springs and shocks to absorb the “shocks” and vibrations of driving over road surfaces. Springs support the vehicle's weight, suspending it above the axles so the body of the vehicle is protected from most of the bumps on the road. Shocks control the bounciness of the springs by moderating rebound. They also push your tires down onto the road's surface, maximizing traction. Without shocks, your wheels would bounce over bumps and lift against curbs and corners. Shocks are important to the safe handling of your vehicle as well as a comfortable ride. Struts are a combination shock and spring in one unit.

Worn shocks result in lowered vehicle handling performance. If your vehicle “squirms” around corners or gets “floaty” over bumps, then you need to check your shocks. If the rear end of your vehicle squats while accelerating, the front end dips while braking, or one corner sags, you probably need new shocks.

If you're unsure whether you need new shocks or if you're considering upgrading to a higher quality shock, then consult your friendly and knowledgeable Allied Auto Works service advisor. He or she can advise you on the condition of your shocks and how to match your driving needs to the quality of your shocks.

At Allied Auto Works, we know good vehicle care is essential to the safety, performance, and efficiency of your vehicle. It can improve the comfort of your ride as well.

Here is my bouncy joke for this week,

How do you make a water bed more bouncy?

You use spring water.

Cayenne

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
650.968.7227
http://alliedautoworks.com

Duke here. You have heard people say, "Give me a break!" but today, I will give you a Brake—brake lights, that is. If that little brake warning light pops up on your dash, do you know what it means? Well, if you said no, you wouldn't be alone. You know it has something to do with your brakes, but exactly what? You're not sure. One of the reasons is that it could mean many different things.

It could be something simple, like putting your parking brake on and forgetting to take it off. This is an easy fix; you'll be on the road in seconds.

Or, it could mean there's something wrong with your anti-lock brake system. That is a pretty complex symphony of speed sensors, computers and wiring, and sometimes things get a little out of whack. You could have a defective sensor or some wiring may have gotten damaged or come loose. A trained technician at Allied Auto Works with special equipment can sort it all out.

It's also possible you have low brake fluid. That could be caused by a number of things. One simple reason is that your brake pads have worn down. Replacing them could solve the problem. Another possibility is that you have a leak in your brake system. That could be serious. If your brake fluid level gets really low, your stopping power goes down along with it, and a vehicle that can't stop is a safety hazard to you and others on the road.

Of all the warning lights on your instrument panel, pay attention to the brake warning light. If it comes on, come on over to Allied Auto Works very, very soon. A vehicle is great when it's moving. But if it can't stop, well, that is a disaster waiting to happen.

We’d love to hear from you. Let us know if you have any questions.

I leave you with this breaking and entering joke from my favorite Looney Tunes friends,

Elmer Fudd and Daffy break into a distillery.

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
650.968.7227
http://alliedautoworks.com