Los Altos Auto Repair

Brandy here, and I have some electrifying automotive tips for you today.   The "Alternator!"   Yes, that exciting, powerful part you all have wanted to know more about.  Let's start barkin' and get the sparks flying.

Your alternator makes electricity to start and run your engine and all of the vital electrical systems in your vehicle. That’s everything from the on-board computers to the turn signals. And of course, there is the entertainment system, seat heaters, power windows, and everything you plug into the power outlets. After your alternator makes enough electricity to do all that, it recharges your battery with what’s left over.

When Los Altos drivers constantly have a low or dead battery, the alternator is usually a prime suspect. However, the alternator is just one vital component of the starting/charging system, and a problem with any of the other components could be the actual cause.

In addition to the alternator, the charging/starting system includes the battery, starter, serpentine belt system and all of the electrical cables that connect them. Your Allied Auto Works service advisor uses a systematic process to test components and connections to identify the source of your trouble. The initial symptoms determine where to begin the diagnostic process, and he follows the procedure until he tracks down the culprit.

For example, diagnostic tests at Allied Auto Works could reveal that the alternator is not generating enough electricity to keep the battery charged. Is the alternator bad? Not necessarily. A worn serpentine belt tensioner could be allowing the belt that spins the alternator to slip. So the perfectly good alternator is not spinning at the proper speed. The solution for Los Altos drivers is to replace the serpentine belt system – not the alternator.

The good news for Los Altos drivers is that our highly-trained technicians at Allied Auto Works can properly diagnose all your vehicle troubles and make the necessary repairs to get you back on the road in Los Altos.

Give Allied Auto Works a call and let them know Brandy sent you.

I leave you with this,

Electricity is really just organized lightning." – George Carlin

Brandy

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

Happy Holidays!!!  Cayenne here, and the season is bright and cheery.  Since everything is so bright, I thought we would talk about the importance of your vehicle being bright, such as headlights. So let's get barkin' and turn up the lights.

You've probably noticed how much easier it is to see when you're driving during the day compared to at night. It's one of the main reasons that about half of all fatal vehicle accidents happen when it's dark.

That's why it's important that your vehicle's headlights are in top condition and working properly.  That means that they're aimed correctly and producing the amount of light they are intended to produce.

For many years, headlights were a standardized size and shape.  They were what is called a "sealed beam," and when you needed to replace one, it was pretty simple.  You just took the old one out and plugged a new one in. 

But now there are hundreds of different types of lighting systems on vehicles, producing light with such illuminating technology as light-emitting diodes (LEDs), halogen bulbs, high-intensity discharge (HID) bulbs, and more.  Some vehicles have systems that turn your lights in the direction you turn your steering wheel so you can more clearly see where you are going.

Now that it's not so simple to change headlamps or bulbs, it's wise to consult your service advisor.  They can tell you what your options are.  There may be ways to upgrade your lighting with new headlamps or components, but it's important not to install parts that could damage your vehicle.  For example, the headlight housing could be damaged if a bulb burns too hot for its design. 

It's also good to check the regulations and laws where you live.  Some regulate the color of light your headlamps can shine and how bright they can be. It's wise to leave headlamp replacement to a technician.  Some are tricky to get at, and modern engine compartments can be packed so tightly that it's hard to maneuver around all of the other engine components to reach the headlamp compartment.

Oh, one other thing to keep in mind.  Even if your headlamps are both working, you might notice people are flashing their lights at you, even when you don't have the high beams on.  That could mean your headlamps are aimed wrong; for the safety of the other drivers and yourself, have your technician check your headlamps' aim.

You'll see the light when you have good visibility at night.

Cayenne

Duke here on this brisk but beautiful Los Altos day.  You know, sometimes when I go for a car ride, I do not get good vibes.  In fact, I feel vibrations, and that my friends mean something is not right.  Today we will bark those vibes.....driveshaft failure.  Let's get barkin'!

When you feel your vehicle vibrating as you're driving down the road, one cause could be something you may not have ever seen: your driveshaft.  It is underneath the vehicle and most drivers don't climb under there to take a look very often.  The driveshaft is a cylindrical part that transmits rotational power from your engine to your drive wheels.  If you have a four-wheel drive vehicle, you may have two driveshafts. 

The drive shaft has bushings, and when they wear out, they can be a likely source of vibrations.  When the bushings are in good condition, they prevent the driveshaft from vibrating.  And if you don't get your vehicle repaired fairly soon after discovering vibrations, they'll continue to get worse and cause other components of the drivetrain to wear out.

The driveshaft is, of course, only one part of the drivetrain.  It includes other parts such as axles, transmission, differentials and joints.  They all work together and need to be maintained properly.  When a driveshaft fails, symptoms can be more than just vibrations.  They include difficulty turning, rattles, clunks and squeaks coming from underneath your vehicle. You may even feel a shudder when you accelerate from a stop.

Driveshafts can fail when they get corroded or damaged by rough roads, curbs and debris. A trained technician with experience working on drivetrains uses specialized equipment that doesn't further damage other parts of the drivetrain.  Sometimes the entire driveshaft must be replaced; sometimes the problems can be fixed by replacing individual components. 

Your vehicle's drivetrain was engineered to propel you smoothly down the road.  When time and distance begin to take their toll, have your vehicle looked at by Allied Auto Works.  They'll know how to properly pinpoint what's causing your problems and restore your vehicle to the reliable, smooth, safe machine its designers worked hard to create.

I leave you this quote about bad vibes,

"Negative people need drama like oxygen.  Stay positive, it will take their breath away." - Unknown

Duke

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

I am one lucky dog!  Brandy here and my dog pals, Duke & Cayenne, let me bark a second time in a row for The Barking Lot.  This time it's all about cabin air filters and engine air filters..................what is the difference? 

You may have heard someone say they just got the air filter replaced in their vehicle.  But did you know your vehicle has two major air filters, and they perform quite different—but very important—duties?

Today’s vehicles have a cabin air filter and an engine air filter.  The engine air filter cleans the air that enters your engine so it can run more efficiently and contaminants don’t foul vital parts.  While the cabin air filter keeps the air inside the vehicle’s cabin clean, the place where you and your passengers sit.  

It is important that you have each of these filter types changed at regular intervals, or earlier if any show signs of contamination. Your vehicle’s owner’s manual often recommends how long the interval should be.

First, let’s look at the engine air filter. Your vehicle’s manufacturer will offer guidelines on how often you should change the engine air filter as a matter of routine, by mileage or time interval.  

If you see signs of engine air contamination, such as misfiring, an illuminated check engine light, smoke coming from your tailpipe, or loss of power, you may need to replace the engine air filter sooner.  

Next, the cabin air filter.  Again, the vehicle manufacturer will suggest how often you should replace it. But if you notice excess dust in the cabin, on the dash, console, or seats, a bad smell in the cabin, or reduced airflow through the heating and cooling ducts, you should have us check whether your cabin air filter needs replacing. In either case, we’ll make sure we replace your air filters - either engine or cabin - with ones that are right for your vehicle.  

Since the holidays are around the corner, I leave you with this funny Christmas quote,

“Santa Claus has the right idea. Visit people only once a year.” — Victor Borge

Brandy

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