Maple Valley Auto Repair

Engine oil is arguably the most important out of all the fluids you have to put in your car. This is true because it keeps your engine cool and prevents damage and friction. Ensuring you have the right amount of oil is a significant car ownership responsibility. Regularly monitoring your oil will ensure your engine performs well and lasts a long time. Fortunately, checking your oil levels is an easy task that any driver can do!   Follow These Steps to Check the Oil Level in Your Vehicle Before you get into the nitty-gritty of it, you should have your owner's manual nearby just in case you have problems locating the dipstick or other general questions. Some modern vehicles use electronic oil monitors instead of dipsticks. If your car, truck, or SUV has an oil dipstick, follow these steps to inspect your motor oil: Ensure the vehicle is parked on flat ground and that the car engine is off and cooled down. Locate the dipstick under your hood. Pull the dipstick out and wipe ... read more

Everyone knows the importance of regular oil changes, but there's more you can do to keep your car in top shape. Routine maintenance will ensure your car runs smoothly and help you avoid costly repairs. The items here are listed by recommended timeframes, but check your car's manual for specifics. Monthly Once a month, check your fluid levels and top off as necessary. Inspect the air filter for excess debris and dirt. Ensure the tire pressure is right and check the tread depths for wear. Examine headlights, brake lights, and turn signals for any problems or burnt-out bulbs. Every Few Months The exact amount of time varies by car, but you typically need an oil change every few months. The filter should be changed as well. Take this opportunity to examine all the belts and hoses. Every Six Months Have your tires rotated and wheels balanced about every six months so that they wear evenly. Inspect the brakes at the same time. Give your car a good wash and wax to keep it looki ... read more

Automotive professionals generally agree a car's battery should be replaced every three or so years. Beyond that length of time, batteries become increasingly unreliable and prone to dysfunction. In some cases, however, a car may need a replacement sooner than the standard three year mark. Continue reading to learn the signs a car's battery needs to be replaced and steps you can take to prevent premature deterioration. Signs Your Car's Battery Is Nearing the End of Its Lifespan Suboptimal functioning. A good time to check for this is right after you start your car. Start your car and turn on your headlights. Are they dim? When you rev the engine, do the lights become brighter? This is a sign your car's battery is not able to sufficiently support your car's power demands. Your car is new. Newer cars tend to have more features which require the power of the car's battery in order to function. Due to this increased demand, newer cars tend to put more strain on ... read more

You may think "it's whatever" when you accidentally hit a curb or ram into a pothole, but you might start noticing some adverse effects later on. These hazards can cause significant destruction to your vehicle if you are not careful. More specifically, they can cause misalignment with your wheels. This can cause you to lose handling and control of your car. Luckily, a quality wheel alignment from Rainer Automotive can have your wheels pointing in the right direction and angles again. Here are some of the warning signs that signify you are due for a wheel alignment: Vehicle Pulling to One Side If your car starts pulling left or right when you are trying to drive straight, it usually means you need a wheel alignment. This can put you in significant danger if you are on a busy road, so please have your car looked at by a professional immediately. Crooked Steering Wheel Your steering wheel should be straight and centered when driving straight. If you can't seem to rep ... read more

Most modern cars have a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that most people don't even know about. A TPMS is a system that is intended to recognize early signs of underinflated or deflated tire pressure. It has many sensors on each tire that can send out a warning light to your dashboard whenever it reads a dangerous pressure. The TPMS light looks like a horseshoe or tire with an exclamation symbol in the middle of it. Whenever you see this light on your dash, it means you require maintenance and to do a manual pressure reading.   The TPMS light essentially means that there's something wrong with your tires, that something is causing them to be underinflated. The best thing you can do when you see this light is pull over to a safe spot. Using a pressure gauge, you should manually check each tire. Most gas stations have a tire pressure station where you can measure and fill your tires.   Tire pressure is measured in two units: psi (pound-force per square inch) ... read more