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Frequently Asked Questions
What forms of payment do you accept for your services?
At Diablo Auto Care we accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Cash and Checks.
How often do I need a tune up?
About every 2 years or every 30,000 miles
Why do I need "scheduled maintenance?"
Regular scheduled maintenance practices will often find
small problems and keep them from becoming bigger problems.
But remember, no matter how well you take care of your
vehicle, there is always something that could fail.
No one can predict the future!
How often should I change my fuel filter?
Every 15,000 miles or once a year. (Not changing the
fuel filter on-time is a leading cause for early electric
fuel pump failure.)
My "check engine light" just came
on, but the car is still running okay. What should I
do?
Even thought the car is "still running okay"
you should have a computer diagnosis done to find out
why the check engine light came on. It can be driven
like that, but it should be checked as soon as possible.
My car just "clicks" when I try to start
it. What is wrong?
- - Possible weak battery.
- - For later model Ford vehicles (mid to late 1990's)
a possible ignition switch electrical failure.
- - Starter solenoid failure, high resistance in start
system wiring.
- - The starter is bad and needs to be replaced.
- - The battery cables and clamps are dirty, corroded
or loose.
- - You should have the the Starting/Charging system
checked and repaired.
My battery light is on. What should I do?
First, don't shut the engine off unless you have to.
It may not start again. Perhaps the alternator belt broke
or came off. With serpentine belt tensioners, failures
are common on later model vehicles. Most often, it is an alternator that has failed. You
should have your vehicle's charging system checked for
proper operation and repaired if needed.
What is that "clicking" sound when
I turn?
That "clicking" noise you hear is most likely
a CV axle that has a torn boot and dirt and debris
has
gotten in and the grease has all been thrown out. The
CV axle needs to be replaced (replacing only the torn
boot will NOT cure the noise). This problem is most common on Imports: Honda, Subaru, Nissan, Toyota,
Mazda, Mitsubishi...and on most any front wheel drive
vehicle.
Why do my brakes squeal?
In the old days, brake pads were made of asbestos,
which, a few years ago, was outlawed by the federal
government.
Most brake pads now are made of hard, semi-metallic
materials. One result is that brake squeal has become
common, as the hard brake pad grinds on the steel rotor.
This is normal and is not necessarily an indication
of brake failure. On the other hand, squealing brakes
may also mean your pads are worn out, and the metal
behind the pad is scraping against the rotor. A brake
inspection is the only way to find out for sure.
Using
cheap generic pads can cause a squeal as well.
Why should I get an Alignment for my car?
The wheels on your car will often get out of "align"
on your car, causing premature tire wear, as well as
handling problems. On older cars, this problem was
limited
to the front wheels, but on most newer cars it affects
all four wheels, which is why the 4-wheel alignment
has become the standard. Many parts of your suspension
(tie rod ends, idler arms, control arm bushings, ball
joints, struts, et cetera) work to keep your
wheels in line over a wide variety of conditions.
If
any of those parts are bent or worn, they will throw your
wheels out of alignment. If the car seems to pull
to
the left or the right when letting go of the steering
wheel, you should definitely have the alignment checked. Pull
may also be caused by radial tires.
Why do you recommend a fuel injector service?
Fuel injectors can cost a hundred dollars or more a
piece, and you may have one for each cylinder. Cleaning
them before they are plugged can remove harmful deposits
and keep them spraying in top form. After they plug,
replacement is sometimes the only option. It is very
important to keep the fuel injector clean. The most common cause of injector fouling results from
unused gasoline evaporating inside the fuel injector after
the car is turned off. Fouled injectors may give no overt symptoms, even while
they are cutting your mileage and pumping extra pollution
into the air. When they get bad enough, they can cause
hard starting, hesitation, and loss of power. On a scope,
they will show the cylinders out of balance on a power
balance test. In order to pass a smog inspection, they
have to be inspected and properly cleaned.
I don't have any way to get back home after I drop my car off; do you have a loaner car?
We don't have any loaner cars, but we do have shuttle service available to get you home or back to work.
Have a question about your car? Call us at (925) 362-0101
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