Stockton Auto Repair

Seeking remedies for spongy brakes? The brake pedal should have a firm feel when depressed. If it is soft and spongy, there is a problem, and because brakes are an essential component of vehicle control, you should have your vehicle inspected immediately to determine the problem. This article will examine the symptoms and causes of a soft brake pedal. We will also discuss how to keep your brakes in pristine condition. Symptoms Of Spongy Brakes Spongy brakes can be a sign that your car's brake system has some issues, and you need to get it inspected as soon as possible. If your brake pedals keep sinking, it's a tell-tale sign that the brakes in your vehicle are not working properly. Some cars have a built-in dashboard light that lights up when the brake system is compromised. Common Causes Of Spongy Brakes You may have moisture build up from brake fluids that absorb over time. A mechanic will help you flush the brakes (this is commonly called brake bleeding). Low brake fl ... read more

It's road trip season, and that means it's time to get your car ready for it. Hot temperatures, dirt, debris and rain can take a toll on your car. With these tips, you will be on the road sooner than you know it. Tip #1 Ensure your Air Conditioner is working Nothing worse than going on a road trip in a hot car! You'll want to make sure that the AC is working before you go anywhere. This can be especially true if you go anywhere. Tip #2 Get Oil Changed, and it's filter too Before traveling anywhere, you'll need to check your oil. More than likely, you'll need to change the oil. Did you know that your oil filter needs to be changed too? If you don't know how to do it yourself, come into the shop, and we'll do it for you. Tip #3 Ensure all lights are working This is common sense because you may drive at night or in the fog that needs lights on. With that said, you'll need to make sure that all the lights are working. This includes headlights, back ... read more

On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) scanners are used to discover potential problems with your car. It connects to the car's internal computer system. OBD scanners are plugged directly into the OBD port in your car which scans the stored data to identify everything from loose wires to oxygen level issues. OBD scanners use error codes to display the automotive issue. The scanner reads the data which is recorded using Electronic Control Units (ECU) which are tiny computers also known as subsystems, each controlling a different vehicle part. When you start your car, the OBD system starts scanning the engine components to check performance. If there is a major error the "check engine" light will switch on. While it is not time to panic, it is a good idea to have your vehicle checked if this happens. The OBD system tracks and detects errors, for any component that impacts the engine. Some important components would be: Engine Misfires Emissions Control Systems Computer Systems ... read more

Temperatures fluctuate and can sometimes change rapidly. When this happens or when the summer brings its sweltering heat your car may need some help adjusting. Cars creates a lot of energy, mainly heat energy. This heat energy is controlled by a cooling system. Without this system cars would overheat very quickly and cause irreprable damage to other parts of the car including the engine. Cooling systems use antifreeze to keep the engine's temperature at a constant. Antifreeze is a fliud that contains 50% distilled water and 50% ethylene glycol. This fliud can withstand temperatures bellow zero degrees and above 250 degrees without freezing or boiling. When is it Time to Flush Out Your Cooling System? There are several common signs a car may present when it is time to flush out your cooling system. Temperature Gauge: If your temperature gauge located on your dash board is always high and your car overheats frequently then it is time to flush and replace the coolant. Sweet Smell ... read more

Out of your many car essential fluids, transmission fluid should be in the top 3 list of most important. This fluid provides lubrication for your transmission components. And if you know a thing or two about cars, transmission parts are not cheap to replace. Therefore, regular transmission fluid maintenance, including flushes and changes, is vital in preserving the system's parts.   How Often Do I Need Change The Transmission Fluid? The frequency depends on the type of car you drive and the transmission. However, according to most manufacturers' maintenance schedules, it is best to change this fluid every 30,000-60,000 miles for manual cars. In contrast, automatic transmissions may need it less often, at 50,000-100,000 mile intervals. Your transmission fluid gets spoiled over time. And frequent stop-and-go traffic can cause it to wear down quicker. Additionally, towing and hauling weighty loads will cause the liquid to degrade sooner.   What to Note When In ... read more

Did you know that rodents in your car could be a problem, particularly in rural areas? When it gets cooler outside, rodents and other critters like to hide under the hoods of cars for warmth. You might be wondering, "how do they even get in your car in the first place". Leaving your doors and windows open is one easy way for them to slip in. And smaller creatures can squeeze into the engine compartment through vents or small openings.  How It Can Be a Problem When mice and other animals reside under the hood, they can build nests and bite down on your belts and wires. The wire problem is the most common as rodents love to take advantage of the plant-based coating on most of the wires under the hood. Not only can that cause major problems for your engine and quality of ride, but it can go as far as starting a fire. In conclusion, you should know that animals hiding under your hood is not an uncommon occurrence. Tips to Protect Your Vehicle from Rodent Damage  Pa ... read more

Valentine's Day is just beyond the horizon, and we already know that you probably have plans to spend time with your loved one. We love the holiday and the celebration, and now is as good a time as ever to remind you not to forget to give love to another important thing in your life - your car! Show your vehicle some love this Valentine's Day by bringing it to our auto shop for service. Have you been putting off your next oil change, or is there a pesky problem that you've been ignoring over the past couple of months? If so, why not take the time now to get your vehicle the much-needed TLC that it deserves. When you ignore your vehicle's needs, you end up costing yourself more time and money in the long run, not to mention stress. A well-maintained vehicle will last you for years to come, so staying on top of your car's needs and getting services performed as needed will protect your vehicle's overall value and keep you safer on the road. A service at our sho ... read more

The catalytic converter in your vehicle is an important part of the exhaust system. The exhaust system ensures that toxic fumes do not build up inside your vehicle and that your car has the best fuel economy possible. While your car’s engine goes through the combustion process, harmful gases are passed through the catalytic converter. The catalytic converter will transform those harmful gases into less damaging ones, which are then released from your car. Over time, catalytic converters can fail, which can lead to poor engine performance, dangerous exhaust fumes, and not passing emissions testing. The causes behind a failing catalytic converter include incorrect timing, the wrong fuel/air mixture, bad spark plugs, a malfunctioning oxygen sensor, and more. The most obvious sign of a catalytic converter problem is an illuminated check engine light and the smell of rotten eggs. Here at Toole’s Garage in Stockton, CA, we are here to help when you need catalytic converter repa ... read more

All cars have a thermostat and it is the most important component of a cooling system. It regulates the flow between the coolant, radiator and engine. Although it is very small in size, the job it performs is very important to make sure that the temperature is safe to operate. How does a car thermostat work? Coolant will flow through the engine, and then it picks up the excess heat. It then leaves the engine and goes to the radiator. Here the excess heat is removed. It will then go through the cooling system and ends back in the engine. The thermostat is a valve that is situated between the engine and radiator. When the coolant is too warm, the valve opens and lets the hot coolant through to the radiator where it is cooled down. If the coolant is not hot, the valve will stay closed and the coolant will continue to circulate in the block. The thermostat has a type of wax that expands when the heat gets a certain temperature, and this will let the valve open up. When ... read more

Toole’s Garage Stockton recommends regular oil change every 5000 miles or 6 months. If your vehicle uses conventional oil, we recommend motor oil change every 3000 miles. Regular oil changes are crucial to your vehicle’s engine longevity. Modern engines work very hard, and at high temperatures. Due to stringent government mandated fuel economy standards, vehicle manufacturers attempt to minimize weight of the vehicles, while maximizing performance. Modern engines tend to be smaller, yet work harder and run hotter. Engine oil deteriorates in high-heat environment and loses its correct mechanical and chemical properties. Thus regular oil changes become even more important. During an oil change, we drain out old engine oil, along with impurities and debris it collected while circulating through the system. We also replace the oil filter. When we refill the engine, the new oil contains just the right mechanical and chemical properties to lubricate, protect, a ... read more