Chico Auto Repair

Photo by Simon Berger on Unsplash 3 Hybrids That Are Changing The Game: A Guide to Hybrid Vehicles in Chico Hybrid vehicles are changing the way we think about transportation. They offer a combination of gasoline and electric power, resulting in better fuel economy, lower emissions, and a reduced carbon footprint. If you're in Chico and looking to invest in a hybrid vehicle, D&E Auto Repair can help you maintain and service it. In this blog post, we'll look closely at three hybrid vehicles changing the game.   Hybrid vehicles are a type of vehicle that uses a combination of gasoline and electric power to operate. They offer better fuel economy and lower emissions than traditional gas-powered vehicles. Hybrid vehicles are becoming increasingly popular in Chico, and D&E Auto Repair can help you maintai ... read more

Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash Every January, I'm full of ambition for the year ahead and eager to improve my life. But if you're like me, it only takes a few weeks before those lofty resolutions fade into oblivion.  If you want to keep your resolutions this year (and save money!), then be sure that fuel economy is on your list!    Fuel economy—the fuel you use for each mile you drive—is one of the most critical factors in determining your overall cost to own and operate a car. I have some easy tips for keeping your gas costs down in the New Year…as much as you can control it, anyway.  Check Your Tire Pressure Tire pressure is an essential factor when striving for better fuel economy. Low tire pressure can increase rolling resistance, increasing the power your engine needs to push the vehicle forward.   Be sure to chan ... read more

Photo by Spencer Backman on Unsplash How To Celebrate The Holidays With Your Family You've got to love the holidays, but let's be honest: they can get a little stressful. Between shopping, cooking, and traveling, finding quality family time can take lots of energy and effort. Below, we’ve listed a few of our favorite activities to partake in during December, perfect for the whole family! Gingerbread House-Making Party  If you’re looking to host an event for your family, why not throw a gingerbread house party? This is a great activity that children of all ages can enjoy, so invite as many extended families as you like!   Make sure plenty of options are available and let them go crazy! To make it fun for kids, set up stations where they can decorate their own gingerbread houses. You may also want to plan some games incorporating food or have it as ... read more

 Why It’s Essential To Pay Attention To The Warning Lights On Your Vehicle’s Dashboard  Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash Vehicles are more advanced than ever, with a wide range of sensors and other technologies designed to keep your engine healthy, your tires properly inflated, and your brakes working like new. That's why drivers must pay attention to the warning lights on their dashboards to catch problems as early as possible.  See a mechanic if anything pops up on the dashboard as soon as possible.  It’s essential to come into a mechanic as soon as something pops up on your dashboard, even if you have other plans or don’t think you have the time. Going in to see someone will ensure that there isn’t a more significant, more costly issue at hand. Even if something is wrong with your vehicle that will require intensive labor, ge ... read more

Photo by Daniel @ bestjumpstarterreview.com on Unsplash   What to do when your car overheats  You're happy driving on the road on a hot summer day when your vehicle's engine starts smoking out of nowhere, and you have to pull over. What will happen next?!    Engines can overheat for many other reasons, but the most common is caused by the warm seasons, mainly during the summer. This can happen to anyone's engines when they overheat due to the hot weather. Lucky, we are here to help you and give you some advice on what to do when your vehicle overheats.    Tips on what to do  Turn off the air conditioner: Running the A/C puts a heavy load on the engine; the best thing to do ... read more

Photo by Raphael Rychetsky on Unsplash   With the weather warming up and spring break coming up, it can be perfect timing to take your family on a road trip! You can have time to explore and relieve some stress while still socially distancing too. If you are planning on getting behind the wheel and going out to explore the state, this month's blog is ideal for you as we will share some of the best road trips for spring break.   But before you get into your vehicle, and start with the adventure, ensure your vehicle is working correctly so you can prevent any issues on the road or any other major accidents. We want you to have the best experience of your life, and because of this, below are some ideas of road trips that you ... read more

Photo by Kiy Turk on Unsplash   Our auto mechanics at D&E Auto Repair in Chico are thankful for trusting us with your vehicle and choosing us as your auto repair shop. We're grateful for becoming a loyal client with us, and we appreciate each of you! We realize that you could have chosen any other auto repair shop, but you chose us and trusted our mechanics! Trust is a hard-earned currency nowadays, so we are glad that we were able to earn yours.    With the holidays coming soon, we should stop for a little and reflect on all the hard work we have done during these challenging times and the people that have been there for us. Always remember that being grateful helps people connect to something larger than themselve ... 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

With high fuel prices comes lots of gas saving advice.  Some of it, like what you hear on AutoNetTV, is great.  Some is myth.  And some is just designed to prey on people desperate to save some money on gas. When you get one of those e-mails that’s going around telling you how to save gas, try to think it through.  Does it really make sense?  Does it defy the laws of physics?  Do some research on the internet or ask your service advisor. There aren’t any magic pills you can drop in your gas tank and the government hasn’t suppressed a device you can clamp on your fuel line to make your car run on air. So next time you get one of those e-mails, check it out with an automotive professional.  You’ll get more bang for your buck with an oil change or an engine air filter replacement. Give us a call D AND E AUTO REPAIR 3328 D ESPLANADE CHICO, CA 95973 (530)

Steering is one of the things we take for granted in our vehicles.  Let’s break it down into two areas: first, the power assist and second the actual parts that steer the vehicle. Most people under 40 have never driven a car or truck without power steering.  Most vehicles today have a hydraulic power steering pump that provides boost to help you steer.  The pump is usually driven by the serpentine belt, but some newer vehicles have an electric pump.  Some vehicles even have an electric motor that directly powers the steering. The important thing to keep in mind is that these pumps and motors will eventually wear out and the hoses will start to leak.  You can postpone that day by having a power steering service from time to time.  We will drain the old fluid and replace it with fresh fluid.  This removes water and contaminants that can corrode power steering parts.  Ask your service advisor for the recommended change interval. What about ... read more