Stockton Auto Repair

  The answer is YES, you should! If you're taking a long trip, checking in on your car is always a good idea. You never know what might happen, and it's always better to be safe than sorry. The best way to check in on your car is by using a service company. We'll run diagnostics on your car while they're tracking it across the country and even around the world. This means that if anything goes wrong with your car while you're driving, they'll be able to fix it right away instead of having to wait until you get back home. When Should You Do The Check Up? It depends on your car. If your car is new, it is most likely in good condition, and there's no need to worry about it before a long trip. However, it is not unheard of for a new car to break down. If your car is old or has trouble starting, you may want to check it before you go. If you have any concerns about the condition of your car, check out our website or consult us for more ... read more

All Hondas are built to be reliable and long-lasting but some car parts will need repairs or replacement over time. Brakes are the crucial safety system of your Honda. At Toole’s Garage we offer full range of brake service and repairs, including brake pad replacement, brake caliper replacement, rotors replacement, brake fluid testing and replacement, to name just a few. For your safety, we highly recommend regular Honda brake inspections and service.   Warning signs your Honda needs a brake service Because brakes are so important to your safety, it is important to recognize signs of potential brake issues:   Unusual noises If you hear squeaking, squealing or grinding sounds when you engage your brakes, call a mechanic. Squealing and squeaking noises can indicate that your brake pads are getting worn, while grinding noise can mean that brake pads are worn out and rotors and calipers are grinding against each other. Grinding noises are ... read more

In one of our recent blogs, we mentioned that a faulty, loose, or damaged gas cap could trigger your check engine light to come on your dash. Most people assume it is no big deal and shrug it off, but this is a huge mistake. If your gas cap is causing problems, it is not something you should delay replacing. It can allow dirt and grime to escape into your vehicle’s fuel system, and it can allow fuel fumes to escape. What Are the Causes of Faulty Gas Caps? Unsecured Cap - While this problem is technically damage-free, you should fasten your gas cap ASAP. This problem happens after someone fills up their tank and forgets to fasten it or neglects to tighten it enough.   Broken Cap Seal - Gas cap seals keep the fuel in the tank pressurized and closed off completely. When the seal is worn, it can cause a leak in pressure.  Wrong or Poor Gas Cap Installation - It may be a surprise, but gas caps are not universal. If you installed an ill-fitting one, it could cause yo ... read more

What Is A Timing Belt? A timing belt is a rubber-and-plastic belt that keeps your engine running. It connects the crankshaft to the camshaft and keeps them in sync, so that your engine's valves open and close together in time. The timing belt also drives the water pump and air conditioner compressor. What Are The Signs Of An Aging Timing Belt? If your car has over 100,000 miles, on it, you may want to consider replacing your timing belt. If you hear a squealing noise coming from under the hood of your car, this is a sign that your timing belt needs to be replaced. You should also check for cracks in the timing belt itself, which will make it unsafe to use. You may need to replace your timing belt if you notice any of the following warning signs: A squealing sound when you start your car A loud thumping noise when you start up your car Vibrations in the steering wheel when you accelerate or decelerate Vibrations in other parts of your car's body, such as its doors or wind ... read more

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