Auto Repair Services: What should you do about a flashing Check Engine light?

Oh no, my check engine light is on! If you've said that before, you know it's time to enlist the help of an auto repair mechanic. Schedule an appointment for diagnostic auto repair services as soon as possible. There could be a number of things going on under the hood--a major engine repair, or simply a gas cap that is loose. Whatever it is, you will want to take care of those two scary words illuminated on your dash—Check Engine.

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 Unfortunately, it seems that a Check Engine light problem usually ends up with professional auto repair time. But don't mortgage the house just yet. There are some fairly common issues that can make the "Check Engine" light come on. The good news is that these issues can be corrected without a lot of time or money

    * Loose gas cap -- Some cars measure how much pressure is building up inside the gas tank by tracking your driving style together with how much pressure is in the tank, then setting off an alarm if it varies a certain 

percentage from the average. The sensor thinks something is wrong and triggers the Check Engine light. You can try to tighten the gas cap and then wait about a week. If the light hasn't gone out by then, call your auto repair specialist for help.

    * Wet Engine -- An electrical disturbance under the hood can cause a sensor to take a funny reading, triggering the Check Engine light. Even water dripping onto a spark plug wire can set it off. However, the most common occurrence is the vehicle owner who sprays his engine down at the high pressure car wash, shooting water into every crevice, triggering the light.

    * Bad spark plug wires -- As spark plug wires age and wear out, they may develop tiny cracks which can let little bursts of electricity out. This electricity was supposed to be going to a spark plug, and since it didn't, the engine will misfire slightly, meaning one of the spark plugs didn't spark enough, causing the Check Engine light to come on. If your spark plug wires are looking frayed and worn, schedule an auto repair service to check them out and have them replaced if necessary.

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Wheel Alignment or Wheel Balancing? What’s the Difference?

Many people often get confused as to what service is actually needed when they hear the terms wheel alignment or wheel balancing. These conditions are actually miles apart with basically not much in common except a wheel, and that both conditions affect the forward motion and drivability of the vehicle.  Simply stated, a wheel alignment is a vital part of car maintenance  to keep your vehicle going straight down the road without drifting side to side. Wheel balancing will smooth out a vibrating or pulsating steering wheel caused by unbalanced tires.

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How do I know whether I need wheel alignment or wheel balancing?

The most common symptoms that signal that your vehicle needs a wheel alignment is...

    * Severe wear on the inside or outside edge of your tires; and
    * Drifting problems when you let go of the steering wheel.

However, there are a few other conditions that may cause the same results and require car repair:

    * low tire pressure
    * worn out brakes,
    * front end problems

Even though every vehicle has a unique setting established by the respective automaker for a specific alignment, i.e., factory default settings, these default settings will unfortunately be compromised due to the unevenness of the pavement, the crown of the highways, vehicle accidents, and daily driving in general.

Auto manufacturers recommend that you have a wheel alignment every time you have your tires replaced, notice uneven wear, or if the ball joints, tie rods or suspension has been replaced. However, if the front end of your car is under repair, hold off on an alignment until the new parts are replaced. A wheel alignment may be necessary after many types of vehicle repairs as they may interfere with the wheel alignment. There is no need to pay for a second alignment.

If you need expert advice on wheel alignment and/or wheel balancing, contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Wentland Diesel Service by calling 541-938-3875 or go on-line at http://www.wentlanddiesel.com/ for more information. Our auto and light truck repair and diesel service shop serves vehicle owners in Milton-Freewater, OR, Walla Walla, WA, Pendleton, OR and surrounding areas.

5 Warning Signs of a Needed Truck or Car Service

In order to keep your vehicle in optimum running condition, it requires regular truck or car service. There are particular warning signs and symptoms that indicate when a certain type of car repair is required.

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Here are a few warning signs to be on the lookout for:

   1. Leaking Fluids

      If you notice leaking fluid, have it checked immediately. It's usually an indication that hoses have broken, gaskets have lost their seals or fluid containers have cracked or come unattached altogether. Leaks also pollute the environment.

   2. Poor Fuel Economy

      If your vehicle has noticeably poorer gas mileage, it is usually an indication of poor engine performance. It may simply need a car service tune up or a carburetor or fuel line cleaning. If this is ignored it could lead to a more expensive truck or car repair to be fixed at a later time.

   3. Screeching Brakes

      This is one of the most obvious warning signs that something is wrong. Take it to a professional car repair specialist. Typically, screeching noises usually come from brakes that are wearing out. Consider the way your brakes feel when you step on them. They should be easy to push and feel soft. Sometimes, the brakes may feel as if they are grinding, or they may cause you to stop with a jerk. In some instances, your brakes may feel mushy, or they may feel hard to push down. All these may be signs that a vehicle's brake system is not working properly and you should schedule a truck and car repair.

   4. Excessive Engine Noise and Vibration

      A certain amount of vehicle vibration and shaking is typical with most cars and trucks. However, if it is excessive, it can be caused by wheels out of alignment or improper balancing of tires. Serious shaking and vibration is detrimental to the proper operation of your vehicle and can lead to other serious problems.

   5. Sluggish or Restrictive Gear Shifting

      When you shift gears, they should shift almost instantly. When transmissions take longer than usual to shift from one gear to the other, it typically indicates a problem with the transmission. Transmission systems are typically expensive to repair and replace. Address this problem as soon as possible to avoid a more serious and costly truck or car repair.

Noticing any of the above problems? Visit the nearest truck and car service center. Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Wentland Diesel Service by calling 541-938-3875 or go on-line at http://www.wentlanddiesel.com/ for more information about truck and car repair. Our auto and light truck repair and diesel service shop serves vehicle owners in Milton-Freewater, OR, Walla Walla, WA, Pendleton, OR and surrounding areas.