Los Altos Auto Repair

Cayenne here on this beautiful Autumn day, and did you ever wonder what one of the best things is to ever happen to your vehicle's engine?  It's the little thing that usually looks like a can, the oil filter.   So today we will bark about the important job your filter does and making sure you are filtering through and using the right one for your vehicle.

Just like your kitchen sink strainer filters out errant particles of food that could clog your drain, the oil filter cleans out small particles that could cause harm to your engine.

Your engine operates in a dirty, hot environment and gathers a multitude of tiny contaminants, including dirt, dust, small metal shards, and unlucky bugs that get sucked in.  Get those things circulating in your engine, and those little particles can cause friction, which starts wearing out those finely machined metal parts. 

You know how important it is to change your oil regularly.  It's vital that you change your oil filter at the same time to keep the oil as close to brand new as possible.

Most oil filters resemble a metal can with holes in the bottom.  Inside, there are carefully chosen materials that can screen out contaminants while allowing the lubricating oil to pass through.  Early oil filters were made from steel wool, metal mesh, or actual screens. Then they tried fabric filters using materials such as linen and cotton.  Finally, a less expensive disposable filter using paper and cellulose did the trick.

Cellulose or other synthetic media are used in most oil filters today.  Cellulose is inexpensive and effective.  Fibers filter out particulates, allowing the oil to flow.  The other synthetic media have the ability to screen out even tinier particles while not significantly restricting the oil from getting through.  Engineers continue to work on even more advanced filter materials.

Choosing the right oil filter is something our experts at Allied Auto Works can help you with, as there are many options available.  Factoring into that decision are your driving habits, how far you drive, and the temperatures to which your engine will be subjected.  While some filters may cost more than others, they may be worth the investment to extend the life of your engine. 

However, most important is remembering to have your oil changed at Allied Auto Works regularly, at the intervals recommended by the vehicle's manufacturer. Just like you wouldn't want to have a plumber come over to fix a clogged kitchen drain, you certainly wouldn't want to have to pay for major engine repairs if regular oil and filter changes could prevent them.

Today I leave you with a "Filtering" quote,

"It's a common mistake to speak the same to everybody. We all have different filters." ~ Julian Treasure

CAYENNE

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

Hey Duke here as we roll into Autumn here in Los Altos.  It is still going to be warm, actually, with temperatures reaching 96 degrees here, but the days are getting shorter, so it is essential that your headlights are in working order.  So today we will bark about the importance of both headlights working......let's dim the lights and get barkin'!!

Did you know that having a burned-out headlight can result in your rearview mirror reflecting some flashing lights? In other words, you might get pulled over by the police for only having one working headlight, because in most places it's against the law. 

Not only is it illegal to drive with one headlight burned out, but it's also dangerous. You can't see down the road nearly as well at night with only one headlight, and other drivers can't see you as easily either.

The good news is many newer vehicles warn you when one of your headlamps burns out. When that happens, have it taken care of as soon as you can.  While there was a time when all headlamps were pretty much the same, that is no longer the case. There are halogen, Xenon, LED and other technologies used in modern vehicles.  Plus, there are sealed beams (similar to those found on older vehicles) and capsules.

If you have a burned-out headlamp, ask your service advisor for recommendations.  Usually, when one side goes, the other isn’t far behind. Many suggest replacing both headlamps at the same time.  Your vehicle's owner's manual can tell you what the manufacturer recommends.  You can also ask your service advisor about upgrading to a headlight that may provide better visibility. 

In order to make sure you're able to see down the road the way your vehicle was designed and not blind oncoming drivers, it's vital that new headlights be aimed properly.  That's another good reason to have this service performed by a technician. Now, that's a really bright idea.

I leave you with this,

A thought-provoking question asks, "If your car could travel at the speed of light, would your headlights work?"

Duke

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

Cayenne here, and those who know vehicles believe the steering system may be the most vital component of them all. Perhaps you've found over the years that your steering has gotten loose. Or maybe suddenly, your steering wheel has gotten very hard to turn. Let me steer you in the direction of understanding why this may be happening.  Let's get barkin'!

First, loose steering. This can likely be the result of wear and tear on the components that connect the steering mechanism with the wheels. Those parts can be ball joints, Pitman arms, or tie rods. These parts take a lot of abuse on the road, thanks to railroad tracks, potholes, uneven surfaces: you name it. It's important that they be checked regularly and maintained at Allied Auto Works.

Second, the hard-to-turn wheel. Virtually all vehicles on the road have power steering. There are a couple of different types, though, so let's deal with each. By the way, when they fail, your vehicle's steering can suddenly go from easy peasy to really hard to control.

Some vehicles have hydraulic power steering. It uses a hydraulic fluid that can either leak out or become contaminated. When that happens, you can lose that power assist. There's also a belt involved, and if it becomes worn, stretched or cracked (or even breaks), you'll find yourself struggling with the wheel. If you hear a loud whine coming from the area in the engine compartment when you are steering, that could mean your power steering pump is failing. The best way to avoid these problems is regular maintenance.

Recently, manufacturers have been utilizing electric power steering systems, which offer several advantages over hydraulic systems. They have electric motors that—like everything mechanical—can fail. Sometimes a fuse to the power steering motor will blow, but simply replacing the fuse often doesn't get to the root cause of the problem. A Allied Auto Works technician can evaluate the system and recommend a solution.

Steering issues are all about safety and should be addressed as soon as possible. When you tell your service advisor, try to be specific about the signs and symptoms. It's one way to steer clear of trouble on the road.

I leave you with a funny quote about steering clear of trouble,

"A positive attitude is a choice, like walking to the other side of a street to avoid trouble or making a 180-degree turn when you feel you're heading in the wrong direction" —Richard M. DeVos

Cayenne

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

Hey Duke here and you probably have heard that expression, "A stitch in time saves nine." In other words, if you fix an issue at its early stages, it will prevent a much more difficult problem later. That's certainly the case with your vehicle and here's a true story to demonstrate it.  Let's get barkin' into this story. 

A driver noticed his vehicle was due for an oil change, so he took it in to his service facility early in the morning so he could wait while the work was performed. The technician routinely checks the battery on vehicles just before extreme weather is approaching (cold or hot), so with winter coming up, he hooked up the load tester (it measures voltage while a load is put on the battery). It showed the battery wasn't holding a charge well.

The technician also checked the manufacturing date on the battery (most batteries have a date stamped in code somewhere on them). The date showed it was five years old. While batteries can last more than five years, many technicians say you should expect to get anywhere from three to six years out of them, depending on what they go through.

So, this battery was getting a little long in the tooth, and it wasn't holding a charge particularly well. But how much current was it being sent by the vehicle's alternator? If it wasn't getting enough, that might be a factor. A test of the charging system showed the alternator was putting out the correct amount of power. The technician recommended replacing the battery, and the driver agreed.

That was the stitch in time. Had the technician not checked the battery, that driver likely would have been stranded the next time he tried to start his vehicle on a very cold day. What was originally supposed to be just an oil change led to a technician's sharp diagnosis and a little preventive maintenance for one fortunate driver. Sometimes timing is everything.

And if you did not know what a "stitch in time" means, here you go,

The proverb “a stitch in times saves nine” is one of the most famous sayings in the world of phrases and idioms. The basic meaning of this proverb is- one should act on time to solve a problem before it turns complex or unmanageable.

Duke

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