Stockton Auto Repair

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