Chico Auto Repair

Ever had one of those shopping carts – you know the one with a messed-up wheel that wobbles like crazy.  Your cart shakes and pulls to one side – if you’re not careful it’s clean up on aisle three.  Wheel alignment on your car is a lot like that.   One or more of your wheels can get out of alignment; you feel a vibration in your steering wheel – which may also be off-center.  Your vehicle might pull to one side and your tires start to wear unevenly – you could chew through a tire in a few months.  Sometimes wheels get knocked out of alignment by something big like hitting a curb or slamming into a pothole.  But everyday driving takes a toll and vehicles lose alignment over time.  That’s why vehicle manufacturers recommend an alignment check at regular intervals. In your alignment inspection, your technician will check your tires and your suspension system for damage.  He’ll test your alignme ... read more

When it comes to vehicle service, a lot of people procrastinate.  The reasons? Don't want to spend the money, don't have time to get it done, it's not urgent.  Sound familiar? Here are the three service items you shouldn't put off, no matter what. Oil Change.  Oil is one of those things that just quietly does its job.  You don't see it working; you don't hear it working.  Heck, you don't even know it's there.  Oil is the substance that keeps the metal parts in your vehicle working together and not fighting each other.  It keeps things gliding smoothly and prevents wear and tear every second your engine is turned on.  Don't put off changing it!  Check with your NAPA AutoCare Service Advisor and your owner's manual to know how often to have it changed, either by distance you travel or time that goes by – and they’ll know the correct oil for your vehicle. Tire Pressure.  It's so eas ... read more

As your engine runs, the intake valves need to open up to allow air into the engine. They remain closed while the air and fuel is compressed and ignited, powering the piston. Then the exhaust valves open to release the exhaust. This all has to be timed very precisely. It is the job of the timing belt or timing chain to make sure all of this is synced up properly. Timing belts are made of a very tough compound that can last for a long time. Timing chains are made of metal and last for a very long time as well. If your vehicle has a timing belt, your vehicle's owner's manual has a schedule for replacing the belt. If your vehicle has a timing chain, there may not be a specified schedule for replacing it, but that doesn't mean that the timing chain system is indestructible and never needs attention. For example, the chain runs on sprockets on the crankshaft and the camshafts. A broken tooth on a sprocket can cause the chain to slip a little. When timing is off a little y ... read more

D AND E AUTO REPAIR Tech Question: I'm Alex. My Check Engine Light came on in my vehicle. I've tried several things to make it go off but nothing has worked. What should I do? D AND E AUTO REPAIR Answer: Like Alex, most of us in CHICO have experienced a check engine light coming on suddenly. We're frustrated because we don't know why. Of course that's perfectly understandable: There are hundreds of reasons for the check engine light to come on – and there's only one light. Alex said she tried several things to get the light to go off – but it didn't work. Her goal was to get the light to turn off. I would suggest that the goal should be to find out what caused the light to come on in the first place – and fix it. You can search the Internet and find millions of sites with tricks to get your ... read more