Welcome to our Blog page!

Our blogs are updated once a month, usually on the first day of the month. On this page, we offer advice, tips, and insights for becoming a safer driver and for better travels on Chico roads. Bookmark this page and remember to check back!

If you need auto repair service, don’t forget that you can schedule an appointment at this link for D&E Auto Repair in Chico. We look forward to seeing you! Remember that you are a part of the family at D&E Auto Repair in Chico. We’re located at 3328 Esplanade St., Chico, CA 95973.

Category Archives: Maintenance

Get A Tune-Up Before Spring Break!

Get A Tune-Up Before Spring Break!

Photo by Jamie Street on Unsplash Get A Tune-Up Before Spring Break! When it comes to taking care of your car, a tune-up is essential. With a tune-up, you’ll enjoy improved performance and fuel efficiency, avoid unexpected repairs during your vacation, and stay safe on the road with a reliable vehicle.  Why Tune-Up Before Your Road Trip? Improved performance and fuel efficiency are two of the most significant benefits of a tune-up. A tune-up will help your engine run more efficiently, resulting in better performance and improved fuel economy. That means you’ll save money on gas and enjoy a smoother ride on your trip.   Getting a tune-up before you leave is also a great way to avoid unexpected repairs during your vacation. A tune-up will ensure that your car is in the best condition possible, reducing the chances of any breakdowns while you’re away.  ... read more

Categories:

Maintenance

Here Is How You Can Properly Clean Your Windows

Here Is How You Can Properly Clean Your Windows

Photo by Mark Boss on Unsplash   Here Is How You Can Properly Clean Your Windows Whether you’re an everyday commuter or a work-from-home, you probably look out your car windows more these days than the windows in your home. These windows serve a much more vital function, too. In fact, the condition of your windows can significantly impact how you drive. In this article, we’ll give you our top tips for window cleaning. But first, let’s explain why cleaning your car is essential.  Having A Clean Car Is a Safety Measure. It's essential to take care of your vehicle, so you can drive confidently and know you are doing everything possible to keep yourself safe in the car. A clean car is a safety measure, and anyone driving a dirty car can attest to this. If the sunlight hits just the right way while your windows are dirty, it can become nearly impossible to see ... read more

Categories:

Maintenance

Why a Little Check-Up On Your Vehicle Matters

Why a Little Check-Up On Your Vehicle Matters

Photo by Nina Mercado on Unsplash Why do a little check up on your vehicle matter a lot  As vehicle owners, we all want our vehicles to look brand new; we clean them and wash them often to make them look nice. But you should also consider having them in good condition by giving them the proper maintenance it needs.  This month’s blog will share why a little checkup on your vehicle matters. As you had invested thousands of dollars when you bought your car, you should consider giving it an often checkup to ensure it works appropriately and prevents more significant issues.  Extend the life of your vehicle: By following the regular maintenance schedule, you can prevent more significant issues with your car. Wh ... read more

Categories:

Maintenance

Top 10 FAQs About Auto Repair

Top 10 FAQs About Auto Repair

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

Categories:

Maintenance

Service Intervals 2

Question: I'm really confused about auto service intervals for various items on my car. Help! D AND E AUTO REPAIR Answer: The simple answer for CHICO residents is to follow the vehicle's recommended service intervals listed in your owner's manual or in your service center's database. But the team at D AND E AUTO REPAIR in CHICO sympathizes with CHICO residents because of the confusing intervals for modern vehicles. The days of simple rules of thumb that applied to most vehicles are long gone. For example, let's look at an oil change: manufacturers' recommendations run anywhere from every 3,000 miles (5,000 kilometers) to 15,000 miles (24,000 kilometers). This big range comes from engine design and recommended types of oil - so CHICO residents really do need to read and follow the recommendations for their specific vehicle. Your owner's ... read more

Categories:

Maintenance

Simple Answers from D AND E AUTO REPAIR in CHICO : Severe Service

Question: What is a severe service maintenance schedule?D AND E AUTO REPAIR Answer: When I was a kid in CHICO, Sunday meant having a bath, getting dressed for church and then hanging up my Sunday clothes soon as we got home. Mom didn't have to wash those clothes but once a month or so. Now, Saturdays were another story entirely: catching lizards, splash contests in mud puddles and crawling through the brush with GI Joe. Those clothes went straight into the laundry basket. My Sunday clothes – easy use. My Saturday clothes – hard use. They required a different laundry schedule. Severe service maintenance schedules are kind of like that for CHICO drivers. “Normal” driving has a regular schedule; “hard” driving has a severe service schedule. Service intervals are shorter on the severe schedule. Most owner's manuals will describ ... read more

Categories:

Maintenance

The 3 Vehicle Service Items You Shouldn't Put Off

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

Categories:

Maintenance

Timing Chain

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

Categories:

Maintenance

D AND E AUTO REPAIR Tech Question On Your Check Engine Light

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

Categories:

Maintenance

Making Your Vehicle Last With Regular Service in CHICO

A lot of people in CA have older vehicles. They're good commuters, grocery-getters or toy-haulers. They enjoy that fact that they're paid off, or soon will be. They would gladly like to keep their vehicles for 200,000 miles/320,000 kilometers or more – as long as it's economical to do so. There are plenty of people in CHICO whose vehicles are running after 150,000 or 200,000 miles (240,000 or 320,000 kilometers). We can learn from what they're doing to keep our own cars on the road. A common denominator is that they never skip an oil change. That may sound a bit unsophisticated, but it's really not. First off, oil is the life blood of your engine and it needs to be clean to properly lubricate. Skipping oil changes leads to clogged oil filters and sludge that can damage your engine. Enough said. There's another reason the scheduled oil change is so important. It's simple — a ... read more

Categories:

Maintenance
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