Chico Auto Repair

Required Smog Tests (Also Called Smog Checks) Reduce Air Pollution Dramatically Host: Let’s talk about smog tests. Why are they so important to the consumer? Robert: Well, they may seem like a inconvenience to the consumer, but really, they’re there…smog regulations are there to make sure that less pollutants go into our atmosphere and so us and our future generations are able to breathe clean air. Host: So they’re important to everyone. Robert: They really are. How Often Do You Need a Smog Test? Host: And how often do you need your vehicle, your used vehicle to come in to a…for a smog check? Robert: Well let’s start with brand new. If you buy a brand new vehicle, in California you have six years before your first smog check is due. If you buy a used vehicle, and I mean if you buy a used vehicle that is one year old, it is based on county and city depending on how populated t ... read more

Brake Life Depends on Your Driving Habits Host: Robert, let’s talk about brakes. Clearly these are an important safety feature of the vehicle. How often should you replace your brakes typically? Robert: That’s a hard question because it’s depending on how you drive. So there’s the person who drives in the city, and they’re a stop-and-go driver. They like to step on the gas and get to the next stop light and then slam on the brakes to slow down before they run the light. Host: Which must increase the wear on the brake system. Robert: Yes, it does. Then there’s the little old lady, who, she cruises along, doesn’t drive too fast, she’s very easy on her brakes, her brakes are going to last a very long time. Host: What would be a typical range? Robert: Typical ranges, people are not super hard on their brakes but a little bit easier. We all have things to do and we’re all in a rush and brakes are really one of the last things on our mind, until it’s a problem. So one of the things I always ... read more

Did you know your vehicle has a hidden filter that treats air inside the passenger compartment? Ignoring this inexpensive maintenance item can lead to costly repairs. Robert, what are cabin air filters, what’s their purpose? Robert: Well the cabin air filters, it’s not the filter inside the engine, it’s the filter that’s under your dash, which is specifically for your heater and AC. What happens is, when you have rain or dust and debris, it goes in through your vents, gets blocked in that filter, and your blower motor which is the fan for the air that blows on your face, it has a hard time pushing the air through. So it can burn out that motor, it can burn out the power resistor that helps that motor work. So it’s one of those things where the manufacturer recommends every 12,000 to 15,000 miles, which is roughly every year. Sometimes that can be overkill, but if yo ... read more

If your “Check Engine Light” comes on, bring your vehicle in as soon as possible. We have all the latest tools to diagnose the issue and get you back on the road quickly. We’re here today with Robert Lugo of Doctor of Motors, talking about auto maintenance and what you need to know about maintaining your car. Robert, let’s talk about the check engine light today. Why does the light come on in your vehicle? When that comes on, what does it mean? Robert: Well, pretty much the computer, or the vehicle, has only one way of telling you that something is wrong. And the computer has anywhere from 5,000 to 8,000 different codes, which are different areas of the vehicle that are having a problem. Host: Five thousand? Robert: Yes. So when that happens, that’s the indication for you to get ready to find the nearest shop. Host: Does it have anything to do with tune up? Robert: Tuning…vehic ... read more

What is a warranty? A warranty is a promise, often made by a manufacturer, to stand behind its product or to fix certain defects or malfunctions over a period of time. The warranty pays for any covered repairs or part replacements during the warranty period. If you own a car, you know how important it is to keep up with routine maintenance and repairs. But can a dealer refuse to honor the warranty that came with your new car if someone else does the routine maintenance or repairs? The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, says no. In fact, it’s illegal for a dealer to deny your warranty coverage simply because you had routine maintenance or repairs performed by someone else. Routine maintenance often includes oil changes, tire rotations, belt replacement, fluid checks and flushes, new brake pads, and inspections. Maintenance schedules vary by vehicle make, model and year; the best source of information about routine scheduled maintenance is your owne ... read more