Thursday, 27 March 2014

Auto Repair Shop Offers Driving Advice for Surviving Potholes!


How many potholes do you drive over in your daily commute? Many of them may be small, and some of them may be quite large, all resulting in a very bumpy ride. Drivers need to be extra careful navigating the roads, especially on rainy days and at times close to dawn and dusk. Auto repair shops are busy taking care of urgent auto repair for vehicles suffering from pothole damage.

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Potholes are typically caused when the constant freezing and thawing of water under the pavement weakens the road and causes large cracks, which when combined with the weight of vehicles, eventually turn into potholes. That is why severe winter weather often results in roads full of potholes, and auto centers full of damaged vehicles. 

A reliable auto shop offers pothole-driving tips to help reduce the risk of damage to your vehicle:


  • Leave plenty of room in front of your vehicle so you can avoid potholes without getting into an accident.
  • If you can't avoid a pothole, slow down before you hit it. Braking directly over a pothole can actually cause more damage.
  • If needing to drive over or through a pothole, hold the steering wheel firmly to avoid losing control.
  • Use caution when driving over a puddle of water--it might be a deep pothole in hiding.
  • Take roads you know so you know about where any potholes are located.
  • At night, try to drive on well-lit roads so you can see the surface and see the pothole before you hit it.

Most drivers know that running over a large pothole is bad for tires. But even small potholes can cause serious damage, such as alignment problems or structural damage to the tire itself. Potholes may also cause your tires to blow out if they are underinflated.

However, damage doesn't stop at tires. Did you know that some potholes can have as much impact on your car as a 35 mph car crash? In a blink of the eye, you can experience even more extensive damage when your car hits a pothole–to shock absorbers, suspension system, struts, rims and alignment.

If you notice any of the symptoms below, be sure take your vehicle into your preferred auto shop to have it checked before any damage gets worse:


  • Your car pulls to the left or right, which could indicate an alignment problem.
  • Uneven tire wear, which could indicate an alignment problem.
  • Low tire pressure.
  • Bulges or blisters on the tire sidewalls.
  • Dents in the wheel rims.
  • Loss of control, swaying, excessive bouncing, or bottoming out, which could indicate problems with the steering or suspension.

Need a quality and affordable auto repair for a vehicle suffering from pothole damage? 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 repair shop provides car and truck repair, including diesel service, to the vehicle owners in Milton-Freewater, OR, Walla Walla, WA, Pendleton, OR and surrounding areas.

Saturday, 22 March 2014

Is a Car Tune Up Necessary in Today's Vehicles?

Today's vehicles no longer have any of the components left in them that were part of the traditional car tune up. Advanced technology requires meeting emissions standards put in place since at least 1996. So you may be asking if a car tune up is still necessary and if so, what does it look like today?


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In older model vehicles, a tune up traditionally consists of the following:


  • Recalibrate the carburetor: The carburetor was responsible for creating an air and fuel mixture which was then pulled into the cylinders.
  • Reset or replace the points: Points were moving parts responsible for timing the spark to ignite the air and fuel mixture.
  • Replace worn out high voltage wires: Wires which ran from the distributer and points to the individual spark plugs.
  • Replace spark plugs: or reset the gap if the spark plugs were not replaced.

Today's tune up involves advanced technology:


  • Carburetors were replaced by fuel injection systems which use electronics to measure the fuel added to the intake.
  • Distributers and points were replaced by electronic ignition systems.
  • High voltage wires have been replaced by coil/plug ignition systems. This means that the high voltage is created at the spark plug so there are no high voltage wires that ever need to be replaced.
  • Most of today's cars and trucks have the spark plugs buried underneath the overhead cams, making them hard to replace. Accordingly, many vehicles are now equipped with platinum tipped spark plugs that will last for 100,000 miles or more.

So, thanks to advances in technology, a regular "tune up," as we remember it, is no longer required. However, it is still important to follow the recommended maintenance service intervals for your vehicle. Not only does this honor the warranty, but most importantly, it will ensure that your car performs safely at peak efficiency.

Need a professional truck or car tune up? 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 shop provides car and truck repair, including diesel service, to the vehicle owners in  Milton-Freewater, OR, Walla Walla, WA, Pendleton, OR and surrounding areas.

Sunday, 2 March 2014

Diesel Fuel Service Tips for Winter Weather!

Winter storms have come and gone, and will probably come again. What steps are you taking to ensure your diesel engine starts and runs properly? Here are a few diesel fuel service tips to help keep your diesel engine running smoothly and make it through the cold winter temperatures:


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  • Treat your fuel with a good quality winter additive to lower its pour and cold filter plug points and improve cold weather starting.
  • Check your fuel filter element frequently and change it as needed.
  • Consider an in-line fuel heater.
  • Consider an engine block heater when the temperatures drop below the teens.
  • In an urgent situation, an alcohol additive may be added to the fuel tank and filter element to keep your fuel from gelling and clogging the fuel filter. This should start the fuel flowing again after a few minutes. Warning, heavy alcohol use may damage non-metal materials in your fuel system.

There are generally three things that effect the starting of a diesel engine:

Cranking speed. Commonly, a diesel engine needs to crank at approximately 200 RPM to start properly. Things to check are: the condition of your batteries, the battery cables and the starter.

Compression. Diesel engines rely on the heat generated from compressing the air in the combustion chamber to ignite the fuel. If the compression is low, the heat is low as well. An engine which uses glow plugs to start when the engine is cold may experience a hard-start condition when the engine is warm if the compression is low.

Condition of the fuel system. If the fuel pump is weak or the conditions of the injectors are poor, the engine may be hard to start. On some fuel systems, hard-starting may be the first sign of a fuel pump that is failing. If the fuel tank is located lower than the fuel injection pump, a leak in the fuel system may allow the fuel to drain back to the tank when the engine sets for several hours.

Hard starting, no start, blue or white exhaust smoke, and rough running are signs that you need a diesel fuel service performed by a qualified technician. 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 shop provides car and truck repair, including diesel fuel service, to the vehicle owners in Milton-Freewater, OR, Walla Walla, WA, Pendleton, OR and surrounding areas.


Sunday, 16 February 2014

Transmission Repair: Slipping Problems?

Is your vehicle slipping on more than just ice on the roads? Is it having shifting problems? If so, you may be looking at a potential transmission repair. This is why it is so important to take care of even the smallest details of vehicle maintenance on a regular basis, including a transmission service.

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Often, when vehicle owners hear the words "transmission repair," it can cause a lot of anxiety. The most frightening aspect is the looming financial outlay for this kind of repair service. It is especially true if you have neglected basic transmission service as recommended by the manufacturer.

Here are two maintenance tips that will help you keep your car or truck in peak operating performance:

    * Maintain regular fluid and filter change intervals. Keeping up with your vehicle's fluid and filter changes at the recommended intervals is vital for its lasting performance. While some fluids, like brake fluid, clutch fluid and coolant don't demand attention as often as an oil change or a transmission flush, they're just as important. A typical transmission repair consists of changing the filter and filling up the level of fluid. It's quick, easy and can save you some serious transmission repair dollars down the line. Mark your calendar for one day a month to check the level of fluids, along with any other issues that could cause potential problems, such as tire pressure, chips or cracks or windows, dings or dents that could rust, or the condition of the windshield wiper blades.

    * Schedule at least two inspections of the motor during the year. A highly trained mechanic can diagnose potential problems before they actually happen. Most transmissions should be checked and serviced twice a year, which includes a transmission flush. To take the time to have a check up with a good transmission repair technician twice a year is cheap insurance for the investment in your vehicle.

For a car or truck that is 'out of gear,' take it to a transmission service center and leave it in the trained and skilled hands of a trusted professional. 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 shop provides car and truck repair, including diesel service, to the vehicle owners in  Milton-Freewater, OR, Walla Walla, WA, Pendleton, OR and surrounding areas.

7 Tips for Quality Automotive Service!

Don't get stranded out in the cold with car problems. If you are experiencing car problems, make sure you find an experienced automotive repair mechanic trained in diagnosing car problems to recommend the right automotive repair. As you know, there are many components of a vehicle that can fail, causing problems, resulting in an inconvenient and costly automotive repair. An expert auto mechanic will know the appropriate diagnostic tests to run and rule out any issues that are not the true problem. Don't pay for an automotive repair that really isn't necessary.
If you are looking for Brake Replacement Milton-Freewater OR your search can be over with our Wentland Diesel Auto Repair Milton-Freewater OR Shop . Also find Oil Changes Milton-Freewater OR services with us.

Stay alert and watch out for any of these issues listed below and have them taken care of promptly in a timely automotive service. You may have already experienced some or all of them at some point in time.

    * no-start problems (battery, starter, fuel filter, etc)
    * brake problems (pads, drums, rotors, calipers),
    * strange sounds when stopping, starting, or just driving (rattles, ticks, grinding, and crunches)
    * dashboard warning lights (check engine light blinks, or stays on)
    * suspension issues (shocks, axles, alignment, balancing)
    * electrical system (spark plugs, combustion)
    * transmission (engine repairs)

Remember: Observe what you see, hear, and feel. Make notes of how often, what situations, etc. that you notice any problems. You will then be able to describe these signs to your automotive repair technician in precise terms. This will ensure you receive the appropriate automotive repair as quickly as possible, hopefully, with little or no frustration, plus saving you money on unnecessary repairs.

Need quality automotive service performed by professionals? 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 automotive repair shop provides car and truck repair, including diesel service, to the vehicle owners in Milton-Freewater, OR, Walla Walla, WA, Pendleton, OR and surrounding areas.

Friday, 31 January 2014

Brake Replacement: Troubleshooting Brakes!

When your auto mechanic recommends a brake replacement, are you confident it is really true? How can he tell for sure that the master cylinder has failed? Or is he just trying to push a brake repair to other work being done on your car? Is he looking after your best interests and your safety, rather than taking you for a ride with a brake replacement?


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So that you are more informed vehicle owner, here a few signs that the Master Cylinder is failing:

    * The brake pedal feels soft and squishy. As constant pressure is maintained on the pedal (like at a stop light), it will begin to sink to the floor as the brake fluid leaks internally to the master cylinder. This is called "extended travel." You may have to "pump" the pedal to regain normal pressure and keep the car from moving forward as the brakes slowly release. The red warning dash light should come on to indicate low fluid, or excessive movement "travel."

    * An external fluid leak could be possible. A mechanic should typically see a fluid leak during an under-hood inspection. The master cylinder usually has a plastic reservoir that holds the brake fluid, mounted with rubber grommets. These grommets can leak brake fluid that can be seen with the naked eye.

    * The metal brake lines can leak fluid. The metal lines attached to the master cylinder can leak fluid at the threaded connections, or from the internal O-rings. When this happens, the fluid will drip down the power brake booster (what the master cylinder is bolted to). This kind of leak usually leaves a tell-tale sign of blistering, bubbled paint.

Check out the following items if you experience any of the symptoms explained above:

    * Check brake fluid level and add more as needed;
    * Make sure the cap fits snuggly and is not leaking or shows obvious signs of past leakage;
    * Visually inspect for external fluid leaks;
    * Wipe away accumulated dirt and debris for ease of future inspections;
    * Have a brake inspection if more than 1 or 2 ounces is needed to top off the reservoir;
    * Don't put off any needed repairs or a brake replacement.

Are you looking for professional advice about a potential brake replacement? 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 brake 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.

Wednesday, 29 January 2014

7 Tips for Quality Automotive Service!

Don't get stranded out in the cold with car problems. If you are experiencing car problems, make sure you find an experienced automotive repair mechanic trained in diagnosing car problems to recommend the right automotive repair. As you know, there are many components of a vehicle that can fail, causing problems, resulting in an inconvenient and costly automotive repair. An expert auto mechanic will know the appropriate diagnostic tests to run and rule out any issues that are not the true problem. Don't pay for an automotive repair that really isn't necessary.

If you are looking for Transmission Repair Milton-Freewater OR your search can be over now with our Wentland Diesel Automotive Service Milton-Freewater OR  shop. Meet our Car Air Conditioner Milton-Freewater OR Mechanic to solve any of your Car Problems.

Stay alert and watch out for any of these issues listed below and have them taken care of promptly in a timely automotive service. You may have already experienced some or all of them at some point in time.

    * no-start problems (battery, starter, fuel filter, etc)
    * brake problems (pads, drums, rotors, calipers),
    * strange sounds when stopping, starting, or just driving (rattles, ticks, grinding, and crunches)
    * dashboard warning lights (check engine light blinks, or stays on)
    * suspension issues (shocks, axles, alignment, balancing)
    * electrical system (spark plugs, combustion)
    * transmission (engine repairs)

Remember: Observe what you see, hear, and feel. Make notes of how often, what situations, etc. that you notice any problems. You will then be able to describe these signs to your automotive repair technician in precise terms. This will ensure you receive the appropriate automotive repair as quickly as possible, hopefully, with little or no frustration, plus saving you money on unnecessary repairs.

Need quality automotive service performed by professionals? 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 automotive repair shop provides car and truck repair, including diesel service, to the vehicle owners in Milton-Freewater, OR, Walla Walla, WA, Pendleton, OR and surrounding areas.