Los Altos Auto Repair

Cayenne here today on this beautiful spring day!  The saying goes, if you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch.  Some say the same things about their wheels.  Big is better, they say, or go home.  We will bark about big wheels today, so let's get rollin'!

A lot of us Los Altos drivers like our vehicles to reflect our personalities. We're picky about color and body style. We'll customize anything from floor mats to window tints to license plates. One popular way for CA motorists to customize a vehicle is to get new wheels.

Wheels come in thousands of designs. Custom wheels can add personality, style, or sass to a vehicle. Many of these customizations involve getting a bigger wheel.

Fifteen- or 16-inch wheels used to be the factory standard, but today, because many Los Altos drivers like the look of larger wheels, many vehicles are available with 17- or 18-inch wheels. Optional 20-inch or larger wheel packages are also available in Los Altos.

If you want to upsize the wheels on your current vehicle, however, you should know it's not a do-it-yourself project. There are factors to consider to ensure your wheel change doesn't jeopardize your vehicle's safety.

First, you need to understand rolling diameter. The rolling diameter is the overall height of a tire. If you increase the rolling diameter of your tires when you upsize your wheels, you may need to modify your suspension to ensure the larger tires fit within the space and don't rub in turns or over bumps. If that's more work than you're willing to do or pay for, then you need to maintain rolling diameter when you change your wheels.

It's not as hard as it sounds. Imagine a doughnut. That doughnut represents rolling diameter, so you can't make the doughnut bigger. However, you can increase the size of the doughnut hole. That gives you a bigger wheel. Tires with reduced sidewalls on larger wheels will preserve your rolling diameter.

Rolling diameter is important because your wheels and tires still need to fit inside the wheel well. Also, your speedometer, odometer and anti-lock brakes are all programmed to work with a specific rolling diameter. You'll throw off the readings on your speedometer and odometer if you change your rolling diameter. And for your anti-lock brakes to work properly, your rolling diameter must be within 3% of the factory recommendations. While some Los Altos drivers who upsize may not be concerned about meter readings, throwing off the brake system is a serious safety hazard.

Further, many vehicles in Los Altos are now equipped with electronically controlled suspensions. Changing the rolling diameter will negatively affect this system as well, which can lead to a less smooth ride and lower handling performance as well as safety concerns.

Your friendly and knowledgeable Allied Auto Works tire professional may be able to reprogram your vehicle's computer to adjust for a larger (or smaller) rolling diameter.

So to maintain rolling diameter, you'll need tires with a shorter sidewall. These tires will be designed to give the sidewalls the strength they need to maintain ride quality. Consider that doughnut again. As the wheel (the doughnut hole) gets bigger, the sidewall of the tire (the width of the remaining doughnut) gets shorter. That means the tire holds less air. The sidewalls have to be made stiffer to compensate for the decreased air capacity.

To improve their strength, the shorter tires will also be slightly wider than your previous tires. But this means you'll have a larger contact patch, or, in other words, a larger area of tire making contact with the road. This can actually increase your handling performance and decrease braking distances. Many CA auto buffs customize their wheels just for this reason—they want the improved performance rather than looks or style. If you drive a truck or an SUV around Los Altos, you might be interested in the extra control an upsized wheel can provide.

Now, that larger contact patch still has to fit inside your wheel well without rubbing when cornering or when bouncing over bumps or potholes on Los Altos roads. This is termed fitment, and you may need a few adjustments so your new wheels will fit properly. You may need spacers so that your brakes will fit inside the new wheels, as well.

Allied Auto Works tire professionals are experts at mounting, adjusting, and customizing wheels. They can give you a lot of good auto advice on wheels and tires, including how they affect driving performance and car care. They can help you select wheels and tires that will suit your driving needs and habits.

For example, if you drive off-road around Los Altos, you should consider a higher profile tire. This type of tire will protect your rims from damage while you're bouncing over rocks. Or, if you tow a trailer or haul heavy loads around CA, you'll want a tire with a load rating equal to your demands. Your friendly and knowledgeable Allied Auto Works tire professional can help you with these types of concerns.

Once you've got your new wheels, have your service advisor at Allied Auto Works see if you need an alignment. You don't want those new wheels and your higher performance compromised by poor alignment. Get the most out of your investment by getting the work done right at Allied Auto Works in Los Altos.

Last but not least, remember tire pressure. With larger wheels, your new tires will hold less air and they'll need slightly higher pressure. You'll need to stay on top of preventive maintenance and keep them properly inflated. Be sure to check their pressure at least once a week. If you don't keep your tires at their correct pressure, they will wear out really fast. It will also affect your braking and handling performance.

So smile and show off your vehicle around CA. Make it all yours. Bumper stickers, vanity license plates, custom wheels — strut your stuff!

Cayenne

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
alliedautoworks.com

Hello Brandy here and did you know that people near Los Altos, CA, often ask Allied Auto Works how often they should have a particular service done. It's a great thing to ask. You can look at your owner's manual or have your Los Altos, CA, service advisor at Allied Auto Works look up your vehicle in a service database. What you find is often a surprise to people – there are actually two service schedules. 

One is the regular schedule and the other is the severe service schedule. Service intervals are shorter on the severe service schedule. When asked, most folks in Los Altos will say that their driving is normal and that the 'regular' schedule probably applies to them. 'Severe service' sounds pretty extreme – 'I don't drive like that.'

Well, here is what the manufacturers say constitutes severe driving conditions; you can draw your own conclusions.

• Most of your trips are less than four miles (six and a half kilometers).
• Most of your trips are less than ten miles (16 km) and outside temperatures are below freezing.
• The engine is at low speed most of the time – not on the highway. You operate your vehicle in dusty areas.
• You regularly tow a trailer or carry heavy loads.
• You drive with a car-top carrier.
• You do a lot of stop-and-go driving.
• You drive in very hot or very cold weather.

If that's severe driving, what constitutes regular driving? Well, it would look something like this: I live somewhere with moderate temperatures all year round – I'm thinking San Diego here. And I live close to a freeway on-ramp. Everywhere I need to go is right off the freeway, at least 4 miles (6.5 km) from my home. I can drive at a steady 60 miles per hour (100 kph) when I'm on the freeway.

I don't know about you, but that doesn't sound like my normal driving. It sounds more like ideal conditions. I live where it gets hot in the summer and cold in the winter. I run short errands around Los Altos. Occasionally, we load up for family trips.

For me, normal driving includes elements of severe service driving. So here's what I tell people: think about how you drive, where you live, where you go, and what you expect to do with your vehicle in the near future.

Picture a line with 'regular' on one end and 'severe' on the other, and make a judgment on where you fall. If your regular oil change recommendation is 5,000 miles (8,000 km) and the severe service recommendation is 3,000 miles (5,000 km), when should you change your oil? For me, it's closer to 3,000 miles (5,000 km). For my wife, it's closer to 5,000 miles (8,000 km). Your Los Altos, CA auto service advisor at Allied Auto Works will be happy to discuss this with you and help you sort it out.

Just a quick word on why severe service intervals are shorter. One has to do with heat. That can either be external heat from the weather, engine and transmission heat from stop-and-go driving, or working extra hard, moving heavy loads, or towing. The heat causes fluids like oil and transmission fluid to break down more quickly, making them less effective.

Another factor is water. Moisture naturally collects in fluids as they cool. In your motor oil, for example, if you don't drive long enough for the oil to fully heat up, the water won't evaporate. Water in the oil can lead to the buildup of damaging sludge.

If you live where the air is dusty or polluted, fluids will become contaminated and filters will get dirtier more quickly.

So make an honest evaluation of your driving conditions. You've made the commitment to take care of your vehicles, so it only makes sense to follow the right schedule.

I leave you with this scheduling quote,

"What gets scheduled gets done." — Anonymous

Brandy

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
alliedautoworks.com

Did you know that dogs have a "maintenance mindset?" Hi Duke here, and you probably want to know what that means.  Dogs often exhibit a "maintenance mindset" in that they thrive on routine, predictability, and consistent care, which support their physical and mental well-being.  People, on the other hand, do not always have a "maintenance mindset" when it comes to their vehicles.  So today, I will bark about having a mindset for maintenance... let's get focused and barkin'!!!

When it comes to their vehicles, some Los Altos residents don't have a maintenance mindset. They know they need to take care of their cars, but it's really hard to get them to remember to do it. Los Altos drivers generally accept that many things in life require regular maintenance, but just may not have applied it to their vehicles.

Here's something that will help: The key to good vehicle maintenance starts with the oil change. Think about it – when you go in for a full-service oil change, your friendly and knowledgeable Allied Auto Works service advisor will check all your fluids. If one of them is low, he can look for the reason. If your serpentine belt is cracked, he'll see it and let you know. Corroded battery cable – they've got you covered. And at Allied Auto Works, we check whether your vehicle manufacturer has recommended any services at your current mileage.

The oil change becomes kind of a focal point, a way to check in to see what needs to be done. The fact is that vehicle inspection surveys consistently reveal that over 80% of vehicles have one or more unperformed repair or maintenance services. Vehicles are generally very reliable and can take a lot of abuse and neglect. But you have to remember that vehicles are complicated machines. There are parts and fluids that are critical to their operation. Without them, the vehicle won't run at all.

So when you come into Allied Auto Works for an oil change, you get advice from your friendly, knowledgeable service advisor and reminders about recommended services so you can avoid a total failure. And remember that your friendly and knowledgeable Allied Auto Works service advisor can help you work out a maintenance and repair plan, prioritizing and scheduling the work to make sure you and your family are safe and to help you avoid expensive breakdowns.

I leave you with this thought,

A mind is like a parachute. It doesn't work if it is not open.

Duke

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
alliedautoworks.com

Cayenne here and can you think of anyone who enjoys aging, even us canines?  Wrinkles where you don't want them, gray hair, eyes that won't focus anymore,  hearing loss, and no stamina.   Now, I must say, my nose is still everything at 16 years of age (that's dog years), so it makes up for my other senses, which are not as acute as they were when I was a young pup.  Where am I going with all this.....your tires.

Believe it or not, your tires age, too, and they don't get better the older they get.  And here's the important thing to know, even if they can still pass a tread depth test, they may simply be too old to be safe 

Here's the best way to understand this.  Have you ever found an old deck of playing cards with a rubber band wrapped around them?  Try stretching the rubber band.  SNAP! It's all cracked and brittle.  And you haven't stressed that rubber one bit since the time you put them in that drawer.

Now you know what's happening to your tires.  Rubber ages.  Just like us, the day we come into the world, we start to go downhill (no pun intended).  Oh, engineers can make a tire last longer than ever before.  But that gas that keeps us alive—oxygen—seems to love to chemically mix with some components in rubber.  Oxidation causes rubber to become hard and brittle.  The rubber band test.

Is there an age test that can tell you when a tire is too old to roll? Well, not really.  They don't all age the same.  Hot climates can make tires wear out more quickly.  Some experts say a tire can last up to 10 years, but it should be inspected every year after age 5.  Others say tires should have an expiration date of 6 years.

Since no one would ever ask a tire its age, how do you know how old one is? Believe it or not, tires made after the year 2000 have a date code stamped on either the inside or the outside of the sidewall.  It's a four-digit number; the first two tell you the week, the second two tell you the year. So if it has the number 1916, it was made in the 21st week of 2016. 

Another way to find out whether your tires still have enough life left is to have your vehicle service facility inspect them.  They look for signs of age, such as developing cracks in the rubber, the condition of the sidewalls, and, of course, that old standby: tread.  If it's time to "retire" them, discuss options with your service advisor.

I leave you with this funny quote about aging

"The older I get, the more clearly I remember things that never happened." — Mark Twain

Cayenne

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
alliedautoworks.com

Hi all, Brandy here and you know there is nothing worse than not getting a clear picture.  You know what I mean.  We've all been through it. The vehicle ahead of us kicks up mud, slush, snow, or salt on our windshield, and we can't see a thing.  And not being able to see a thing when we're driving?  Not a good thing.  So today, I will bark about how to get a nice, clear picture of what is ahead of you.  Let's get barkin'!!

We've all been through it. The vehicle ahead of us kicks up mud, slush, snow or salt on our windshield and we can't see a thing.  And not being able to see a thing when we're driving?  Not a good thing.

Debris on a vehicle's glass can be blinding when driving directly into the sun.  And other things can ruin visibility: scratches on the glass, fogged windows, mineral deposits. 

So let's make one thing clear:  Your windows.  Here are some tips.

• Number one rule: don't use abrasives on glass. That means no gritty cleaners designed for metal.  Avoid at all costs those dark green abrasive pads on some kitchen sponges designed to clean metal pots and pans, UNLESS the manufacturer specifically says they can be used on glass.
• Use the appropriate cleaner for the substance being cleaned. Special automotive glass cleaners are available, and your Allied Auto Works service advisor can make recommendations.
• Vinegar can work wonders. Sometimes you'll see hard, grayish water spots on your windows that nothing seems to take off. Distilled white vinegar (available in the grocery store) gets rid of them safely, quickly and easily.
• Use a microfiber cloth designed for cleaning glass; that's what professional detailers choose.
• Clean the insides of windows, too. The film that forms on the inside of vehicle windows can result from plastic interior surfaces decaying in the heat of sunlight (plastic contains oil). The film can also be caused by cigarette smoke. Clean that oily layer off thoroughly.

Now that you have clean windows, here's how to keep 'em clean.

• Replace your wipers at least once a year. Rubber deteriorates with age, even if you rarely use your wipers.
• You might consider a newer type called a "beam" blade. Most have an aerodynamic design that cleans your windshield better, especially at higher speeds.

Your service advisor at Allied Auto Works can recommend quality wiper blades for your vehicle and install them properly.

Visibility.  See what we mean?  And if that doesn't work, get some glasses.....lol  

Brandy

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
alliedautoworks.com

Hi Cayenne here. A driver brought her vehicle into the shop the other day and told us she was getting lousy fuel economy and that the engine was running rough.  Plus, the Check Engine light was on.  Our technician checked the code the engine had generated (which indicated why the Check Engine light was on) and found the problem.  It was a faulty Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor.  So today we are going to flow into the MAF sensor and what it does.  As I always bark.....Let's get barkin'!

This MAF sensor is an important part of your vehicle.  What it does is calculate the amount of air going into your engine.  As you may know, air is taken into your engine where it's mixed with fuel.  Then the spark plugs fire, the explosive fuel/air mixture detonates, and these sequential explosions provide the power to get your vehicle moving down the road. 

It makes sense that if the MAF sensor isn't sending the engine's computers the correct information about the amount of air entering the engine, the fuel/air mixture won't be right. It will be either too rich (too much gasoline relative to the amount of air) or too lean (not enough gasoline relative to the amount of air).

In this driver's case, the MAF sensor was damaged and needed to be replaced.  Another thing that may cause the MAF to give an incorrect reading is if its wires are dirty or faulty.  So, replacing or cleaning the wires important as well.

Other symptoms that your MAF sensor is bad? If your engine hesitates when you step on the gas, stalls, or your vehicle is jerky when you accelerate. 

A malfunctioning MAF sensor is not just bad for performance.  Driving with your vehicle in that condition can cause more damage to your engine.  When you bring your vehicle in for us to check, a technician will thoroughly examine your engine to make sure all issues are taken care of.

As I always say, go with the flow unless you are entering dangerous territory, then turn around and go another way.

Cayenne

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
alliedautoworks.com

Hi Duke here today.  Today it is about POWER!  We all love power, and when it comes to your vehicle, the engine is probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a power plant.  But it has another power source that is vital as well: the alternator.

The alternator generates the electricity that powers your lights, power windows, sound system, and navigation.  Maybe you've started seeing those electrical components behaving in strange ways.  Maybe your power windows are going up and down a little bit more slowly than they used to.  Or perhaps your engine doesn't start as easily or is misfiring.  

Other signs of a failing alternator are headlights that are either brighter or dimmer than usual.  If your battery keeps going dead, it could be that the alternator isn't recharging it.  

The alternator has to get its power from somewhere, and in vehicles with internal combustion engines, that power comes from a drive belt powered by the engine.  Sometimes that belt can fail.  If you hear a whining sound, it could mean the alternator bearings aren't turning as freely as they used to. You could even notice a burning smell.  Oh, and when you see your battery light illuminated on your dashboard (it looks like a rectangle with a - and + inside), it may be warning you that your alternator is not healthy.

Bring your vehicle in to us for a diagnosis if you notice any of these symptoms.  If your alternator is bad, we can recommend a new or remanufactured one to replace it.  Some new alternators are warranted for life and remanufactured units usually are guaranteed as well.  

It's important to your vehicle's health to have its alternator consistently output the right amount of power.  It may not be as well-known as the other power plant under the hood, but it's a vital part of helping your vehicle run the way it is designed to.  

I leave you with a powerful joke,

Did you hear what the foolish gardener did? The guy planted a light bulb and thought he’d get a power plant.

Duke

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
alliedautoworks.com

Brandy here today, and as a dog, I love the breeze in my face when riding down the road, even on a warm day.  For humans, maybe not so much.  So today we will talk about AC Condenser Replacement.  How cool is that?  Let's get barkin'!

It’s always more comfortable in your vehicle when you can control the temperature and humidity in the cabin. Air conditioning, which is standard on most newer vehicles, is a vital part of that comfort, and a key component of that system is the condenser.

The condenser converts the refrigerant gas into a liquid by cooling it down.  There are a few reasons the condenser can fail.  It can start leaking, usually due to faulty seals and tubes, or debris from the road can damage it, since it sits in a vulnerable spot at the front of your vehicle.  

Another way your condenser can be damaged is when bits of metal are released after your vehicle’s air conditioning compressor fails and are sent into the condenser. In both cases, you will need to have the condenser replaced, along with other components of the system.

Here are signs that your condenser needs replacing.  When you turn on your air conditioning, it won’t make the air as cold as you’re used to it getting.  Or it may not get cold at all. Since other things can cause those symptoms, it’s best to bring your vehicle in to us to have one of our technicians determine where the problems are.

They’ll check the system’s pressure and thoroughly inspect for leaks.  If the problem is the condenser, they’ll replace it, recharge the refrigerant, check for any additional leaks in the system, and give your air conditioning a final test to make sure it’s operating correctly.  

Keeping your air conditioning system working helps maintain your vehicle's value.  It not only keeps the cabin cool when it’s hot outside, but also helps the defroster work properly and controls humidity in all seasons and climates.  Now, that’s very cool.

Stay cool as a cucumber ~ proverb

Brandy

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
alliedautoworks.com

Cayenne here today on this warm Spring day.  Did you know that a dog's eyesight is perfectly adapted for hunting and navigation in low-light, dawn, or dusk conditions?  The fact is, dogs have a high number of rods and a reflective membrane called the tapetum lucidum, allowing them to see much better in the dark than humans.  When you drive your car at night, you need some help, and that is where headlights come in.  So today we brighten things up and talk about bulb replacement.  Let's get barkin'!

When you notice one of your headlights has gone out, it’s important for the safe operation of your vehicle to get it changed and working again.  Not only is replacing a headlight important for your ability to see in the dark, but it’s also vital that it be lighting your way and aimed correctly so oncoming drivers aren’t blinded.  

Changing a headlight used to be something a driver might try to do themselves.  But that was back when headlights were standard sizes and fairly easy to access on your vehicle.  That has all changed with new technology and designs in today’s vehicles.  Most lamps are now LEDs, and they come in different sizes, intensities, and shapes across different vehicles. Accessing those bulbs has also grown extremely difficult in some cases, and we recommend you have one of our professional technicians do it for you.

It's just as important that your brake lights and side marker lights work, too, as they contribute to the safe operation and visibility of your vehicle.  A technician will check what is causing a light not to illuminate, which could be a bulb or a problem with the electrical system in that bulb’s circuit.

Having all your lights working is not only a matter of convenience but also a matter of safety.  So don’t be in the dark when you don’t have to be. Let our technicians light up your life a little by making sure all your bulbs are working right.

Here is my joke for the week,

Why did the Dalmatian go to the eye doctor? He kept seeing spots!

Cayenne

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
alliedautoworks.com

Hey it's Duke today and I have a sticky situation.....my parking brake.  We've all been there.  You park your vehicle on a steeper-than-usual hill and worry it might roll down while you're running your errands.  So you decide you'll use the parking brake.  When you get back, you release the parking brake, hit the ignition, put it in gear and—uh, oh—you can feel the parking brake is still on.  It's stuck.  What do you do now?

Welcome to the world of infrequently-used parking brakes.  Yes, they do stick for several reasons. It's common for components to corrode and get locked up.  Sometimes, if you have applied it extra hard, it can jam.  It could be a rusty cable, or it could be a spring that doesn't return the brake to its disengaged position.  Some pieces just break when they're stressed for the first time in a while. A caliper or the pivot arm it's on can also stick.

There are a few things you can try to unstick it.  Carefully rock your vehicle by putting it first in drive and then reverse.  You have to be careful doing that, though, because sometimes you can damage the transmission.  You can try working the parking brake control a few times to see if that will loosen the corrosion.  If you can't unstick it, you can try driving slowly a short distance to a repair facility near you.  Sometimes it won't cause damage to the brakes but it depends on how tightly the parking brake was applied and what was stuck.  You may also have to have your vehicle towed to a repair facility.

In any case, once you've noticed these symptoms, have your vehicle's brakes inspected by a professional who can address the root cause.  Better yet, don't let your vehicle get into this condition; regular maintenance and inspections by a trained technician should prevent you from getting stuck somewhere due to a stuck parking brake.  You could use a "brake" like that.

I leave you with my sticky joke for the week,

"Why are millionaires sticky?  Because they are rolling in dough."

Duke

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
alliedautoworks.com