Chico Auto Repair

Your vehicle engine really needs clean air to operate efficiently. It takes about twelve thousand gallons of air to burn a gallon of gas in your vehicle engine.And clean air is much better than dirty. When your air filter's dirty, it simply can't trap any more dirt, so the dirt just passes through into your air intake system. From there it can get into the vehicle engine combustion chamber. And burning dust and pollen in your engine as you drive around CHICO does you no good. The verdict: When your engine air filter needs to be replaced, it needs to be replaced.How often depends entirely on how dirty the air is in CA where you drive. A simple visual inspection by a friendly and knowledgeable D AND E AUTO REPAIR technician will tell you when you need a new engine air filter in your vehicle. When you look at the air filter on your furnace in your home and see it's all clogged up with dust and dirt, you don't hesitate to replace it. But ... read more

We rely on our brakes to safely slow and stop our vehicles. You’ve probably had the experience where you’ve slammed on your brakes and started to skid. When your wheels are locked up, you are just sliding over the road. And if the road is wet or slick or covered with gravel – you really get out of control. Steering is next to impossible. That is why anti-lock brake systems (ABS) were invented: to help you maintain control in extreme stopping conditions. As mentioned, control is lost when your wheels lock up, ABS keep your brakes from locking – helping you stop while maintaining your ability to steer. Sensors on each wheel equipped with ABS, monitor wheel spin and compare it with vehicle speed sensors. When you are pressing on the brakes, still traveling forward, but your wheels are not turning, the ABS system steps in and modulates the brakes. They ABS quickly “pumps” the brakes, not allowing the wheels to lock-up while still applying braking press ... read more

We love living in Chico, and we all have Butte County pride. But in the summertime -- especially this summer -- many of us are itching to travel out of Chico. Home is home, but some of us want to go camping, seek cooler climates, hit the beach, or drive across our beautiful country. Here are some of the best summertime road trip destinations from Chico in 2021. Sacramento -- Not too far away from Chico is Sacramento’s Old Town by the waterfront. Yeah, it’s a tourist trap, but it’s fun! Now that we get to ease COVID restrictions, there is a lot to do in Sacramento. We love getting a horse-drawn carriage tour to see the sites and soak in the history of the gold rush. If you love fondue and want to treat yourself to something special, visit The Melting Pot in Sacramento, which recently reopened in April. Truckee -- Want to head into the mountains to cool off a little? Truckee is an adorable town, and the outdoors will be calling you to get out and play. You have many a ... read more

All engines have either a timing belt or a timing chain to synchronize the opening and closing of the intake and exhaust valves.  This keeps the engine running smoothly and efficiently.  If the timing is off, it may not run at all.  Timing belts need to be replaced on a schedule.  A broken or slipping timing belt could cause extensive engine damage. Timing chains are being used more and more in modern engines.  They are more durable and usually do not have a recommended replacement interval.  However, timing chains and their associated components do wear over time.  The tensioner and guide rails can wear causing the chain to be loose.  A tooth on a cam sprocket could break allowing the chain to slip.  You don’t want to wait for a complete failure (and possible extensive damage) so you need to watch for the signs of impending failure.  You may notice sluggish performance, reduced fuel economy, or difficulty starting when the timi ... read more

Air and fuel are mixed together to be burned in your engine. You request how much of each you need by how hard you press on the accelerator, by going up or down a hill or by how much you are carrying in your vehicle as your drive around CHICO. Based on how much air you need – and how much is available – your engine management computer sends the needed amount of fuel to your engine. But what if the computer is getting the wrong information about how much air is coming into your engine? Well, it would send get the wrong amount of fuel and your engine wouldn't perform the way you need it to. The Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor measures the volume, temperature and density of the air coming into your engine. With that information, the computer calculates how much oxygen is available to burn and adjusts the amount of fuel it sends. A dirty or damaged MAF sensor will provide inaccurate air flow readings, which can lead to drivability problems, damage your catalytic converter, set ... read more

Photo by Arek Socha from Pixabay At D&E Auto Repair in Chico, we believe in helping our community, one car repair at a time. But we appreciate that not everyone is as into car service and maintenance as we are. Over the years, many car owners have asked questions about preventive maintenance, repairs, and other issues concerning their vehicles. That is why we assembled this list of frequently asked questions. Here are the top 10 FAQ's we receive from our Chico neighbors about auto repair: How do I know what the tire pressure of my tires is supposed to be? It's conveniently printed on a sticker on the inside of the driver's seat door for you.  What is the difference between timi ... read more

Today’s vehicles have more electrical components and do-dads than ever before. This really strains your electrical system, making it hard for the battery to keep up. Think about it: electric seats, seat heaters, power locks, windows and sunroofs. And then we have all the power outlets for our cell phones, computers, and DVD players. We also have navigation systems and powerful stereos. Plus, there are all the engine and transmission computers, traction control, stability control, anti-lock brakes, sensors and on and on. Even the security system is running off the battery while the car is turned off. And of course, summer heat can take a real toll on battery life. Fortunately, battery technology has given us resilient batteries that are able to meet these strenuous requirements. But the fact is; batteries just wear out over time. Eventually, every battery gets to the point where it cannot hold enough of a charge to start your car. Sometimes batteries need to be replaced because t ... read more

In CHICO, CA, the days when CHICO drivers changed their spark plugs every couple of years has ended. Back in the day, spark plugs really did wear out that often. A couple of things are different now… First, spark plugs are made of better materials that last longer for CHICO drivers and they're designed better. The second reason spark plugs used to have to be changed in vehicles and other autos was that they were fouled up with carbon deposits. The deposits built up when fuel wasn't burned completely. With modern engine management controls that just doesn't happen as often. Engine control computers precisely time when fuel is injected into the engine and when spark plugs fire. Unless something's wrong, spark plugs just don't foul like they used to. Electricity from the battery goes into a coil that allows power to build up to anywhere from 12,000 to 45,000 volts, depending on the vehicle. The engine management computer tells the coil when to release the pow ... read more

Grant Porter on Unsplash Now that we’re in April, temperatures are rising, and we will be using our automotive A/C more often. In this month’s blog, we offer some tips on how to beat the heat in Chico. First and foremost, let’s talk about the health of your automotive air conditioning system. If COVID kept you home most of the time and you put fewer miles on your car throughout the pandemic, you may be surprised to learn that your vehicle is in significant need of a safety inspection.  We are NOT saying this to scare you. We advise a complete safety inspection of your car because it sat for too long without getting the drive time it needs. Your A/C system could have an excess of mold, refrigerant leaks, an ... read more

Your suspension system keeps your car up off the road. From there, it’s responsible for a smooth and comfortable ride. It also keeps your wheels firmly planted over bumps and through curves. Your suspension system has many critical parts that do a big job. They should be inspected for damage and excessive wear at least once a year. A good time would be when you get your semiannual alignment check. Here are some warning signs of suspension problems: the car pulls to one side, wandering, erratic steering, uneven tire wear, leaning, shocks bottom out, poor ride or handling, oil leaking from shocks, and excessive bouncing. Now suspension parts just wear out over time. Shocks and struts eventually lose their ability to control your ride. If you’re in an accident, your suspension can be damaged or knocked out of alignment. Even a minor accident, like hitting a curb, pothole or large rock can mess things up. If you suspect suspension problems, ask for an inspection and let us s ... read more