Stockton Auto Repair

When the California sun heats up your car, you want to make sure your air conditioner is blowing cool air to keep you and your passengers comfortable throughout your drive. If you turn it on just to feel warm and hot air, then it can be unbearable. There are several reasons why your vehicle’s air conditioner stops blowing cold air. Read on to learn more about A/C recharges. Why Is My Car A/C Blowing Warm Air? Every vehicle needs a sufficient supply of refrigerant to make cold air. Refrigerant is like the fuel for your engine – without this chemical, it can’t cool down the air. Refrigerant gets passed through the compressor to pump cool air for you and others to enjoy. When you bring your vehicle to Toole’s Garage, the first thing we will likely test is your refrigerant levels.    Low levels of this cooling substance can be attributed to many things, including leaky seals. A common culprit is an A/C compressor since it is the part that spreads the r ... read more

  Seeing the check engine light (CEL) on your dashboard is no fun – but it’s not the end of the world either. There are literally hundreds of reasons why the check engine light may come “on”, and many are not expensive to repair. Having said that, if the check engine light is flashing, it’s important to stop as soon as possible (in a safe spot) and to turn off the engine. Driving while the check engine light is flashing can result in very expensive repairs.  But if the CEL is on, but not flashing, you have options. We recommend contacting your friendly Stockton mechanics at Toole’s Garage in Stockton – we are experts at check engine light diagnostics and repairs.  As previously mentioned, there are many, many conditions that can cause the check engine light to come on – from something as simple as a faulty gas cap, to spark plugs problems, to major engine or catalytic converter issues.  That’s why we recommend ... read more

If you operate a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, then you most likely have a fuel filter that you should tend to. Fuel filters are responsible for blocking out debris and other harmful particles in the fuel that sit in the fuel tank. It ensures that the fuel is clean before entering the fuel and engine components. At some point, the filter will get clogged and fail to perform its job.    Therefore, changing your fuel filter is a necessary part of car maintenance. In most scenarios, you will notice early signs of a worn fuel filter. Here are some of the most prominent symptoms: Engine Starting Problems - Rarely will a dirty fuel filter prevent your engine from starting at all. It may take a lot longer than usual for the engine to crank before it actually starts. Rough Idling or Misfires - When the fuel filter is clogged, it causes low fuel pressure in the engine. Therefore, you may notice rough idling and misfires. The check engine light may even come on as a r ... read more

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