Los Altos Auto Repair

Cayenne here, and we all don't like to fail on something, especially on our first try, but it happens.  Your car may have even failed its first attempt on its emissions, and I am sure you want to know why.  So today, we will bark about why your car could have failed on its emissions test. 

We all want to breathe clean air and keep our planet green.  One of the ways to do that is by requiring all vehicles with internal combustion engines to pass an emissions test.  That’s because these vehicles can be big polluters.  

Everyone wants their car to pass the test so they can continue their day-to-day driving routine.  But then comes that one day when they tell you your vehicle has failed.  Why does that happen?

One of the most common reasons is that your gas cap is leaking or loose (or maybe you don’t even have one on your vehicle!).  The gas cap is supposed to seal in vapors, but sometimes its seals or gaskets dry out or crack. Replace it, and you’re good to go.

Another common reason your vehicle failed the test is that your catalytic converter isn’t doing its job. It is supposed to convert toxic gases from your engine into ones that don’t pollute the air.  There are many reasons the catalytic converter may not be working.  It may be physically damaged, or the steady flow of exhaust gases has fouled the converter. 

You may have a bad oxygen sensor. It’s supposed to measure how much oxygen is in your exhaust.  This can cause the air-fuel mixture to be too rich, resulting in too many hydrocarbons in the exhaust. Your ignition system may also have problems, such as worn-out spark plugs.  Dirty fuel injectors can contribute to excess emissions.

Believe it or not, a dirty engine air filter may be the culprit. If it hasn’t been replaced for a while, your vehicle may be emitting too many hydrocarbons -  something that will cause your vehicle to fail the emissions test.

You can usually avoid a failed emissions test by maintaining your vehicle regularly.  The best way to do that is by bringing it to our trained technicians so your vehicle gets the service it needs, scheduled and non-scheduled.  Plus, you’ll be doing your part to keep our air clean.

Here is my inspirational quote for this week,

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

Emergency, Emergency!  Hey it's the Duke here and today we are going to bark about emergency items you should have in your vehicle.....besides extra dog bones of course.  So let's get barkin' on this important subject today!

"I never expected it could happen to me." Countless drivers have said that after an emergency, they turn their lives upside down. So before that happens to you, let's think about planning for an emergency with a few things you should keep in your vehicle.

• Road flares. If you've ever driven by a disabled vehicle sitting at the side of the highway at night, you know how terribly hard it is to see, especially in bad weather like rain.  If you are the one in that broken-down vehicle, you run the risk of being hit by a vehicle whose driver literally may not be able to see you.  The best emergency signal includes one or more road flares.  There's a reason police officers and firefighters carry them in their vehicles.  When you see a series of burning red flares at the side of the road, you know something serious is going on.  These are far more visible at a much longer distance than nearly any other portable signal device.

• Fire extinguisher.  Thousands of vehicles catch fire every year.   Most fires start small but can get out of control. Having a fire extinguisher in your vehicle is vital, and several small ones are designed especially for the job.  Since many different types of vehicle fires can start, make sure the extinguisher you choose will handle every fire, from gasoline to electrical. Some have handy mounting brackets. And keep it up to date!

• Flashlight.  Sure, your cell phone likely has a light in it.  But you will need that phone for communication if there's an emergency. Plus, the light’s just not that bright.  So carry an LED flashlight designed for automotive use.  LEDs produce a lot of light with little power; plus, many of those designed for vehicles include a lantern, which will light up a wider area. It’s vital if you have to read your vehicle's jack instructions or tend to an injured person.

• Drinking water and snacks.  If your vehicle breaks down during bad weather and you may be forced to stay with it for a long time, you'll need food and water to survive until help can arrive.  These are simply the necessities of life, so have a small supply on hand, just in case.

Other things like basic tools, a first aid kit, a space blanket and jumper cables are also good ideas.  Many service repair facilities offer these items for sale, and you can ask your service advisor for suggestions.  While it's fresh in your mind, plan a shopping trip and put together your own emergency kit now.  Sure, you can put it off, but you may find yourself stuck in a difficult situation, saying to yourself, "Only if…"

and for this week, here is your inspirational quote,

"The only way to do great work is to love what you do." - Steve Jobs

Duke

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

Hello Los Altos, Cayenne here!  You swap your winter boots for flip-flops in the summer.  Why not change your winter engine oil for summer, hot-weather oil?  While it may make sense, there's some good news.  Most drivers don't have to, and here's why were barkin about this today.  

Engine oil can be made in different thicknesses.  That thickness is called viscosity, which is how easily it flows.  Now, it makes sense that the hotter it gets, oil gets a little thinner and doesn't lubricate as well.  So if you used a thicker oil in the summer, it's logical that it would protect better in the hotter weather. 

While there was a time when oils could be only made in one viscosity, times have changed.  Using an ingenious formula, oil can now be created that changes its viscosity (called "multi-viscosity") as the temperature rises and falls.  It self-adjusts to match the conditions.  Now, that's what I call a great invention.

In most temperate climates, you don't have to swap out the type of oil you use in your vehicle each season. There are exceptions in extreme climates, but your service advisor can advise you on that.  Your vehicle's owner's manual recommends the proper viscosity oil to use.

Remember that even though you may not have to switch to a different type of oil, you DO have to CHANGE the oil at specific intervals.  That's because oil eventually breaks down and picks up contaminants, and if you have old, dirty oil in your engine, it can cause damaging friction and heat. Regular maintenance at your vehicle service facility will ensure your vehicle runs like a well-oiled machine. 

My inspirational quote for the New Year,

"Believe you can and you're halfway there." - Theodore Roosevelt

Cayenne

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