Tangent and Albany Auto Repair

(541) 248-1346
Mon - Fri: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Monthly Archives: February 2021

Is it better to drive with a dirty air filter or no air filter at all?

It is better to drive with a clean Air Filter of course, but when the option is dirty or none, then a dirty Air Filter is better than nothing at all. Even though the dirty Air Filter is restricting air flow to your engine, it is still preventing debris from entering your engine. These pieces of debris can cause damage to your Piston Rings. When this happens, it can also damage your Cylinder Walls causing a lack of Compression. Best practices is to change your air filter when they are dirty to keep your engine running properly. Give us a call and let us take care of you.  Happy Adventures, Heather

Categories:

Air Filter

When is my timing belt due?

This depends on your engine. Most engines need the timing belt changed around 90,000 miles. Some engines need to be done at 60,000 miles. This is regular maintenance that is recommended by the manufacturer.  If this belt breaks, then it can cause damage to your engine and cylinder head. If that happens then the cylinder head will need to be removed, the valves inside the engine repaired or replaced then cylinder head re-assembled. This can all be prevented by regular maintenance. Give us a call and let us take care of you. Happy Adventures, Heather

Categories:

Timing Belt

My car does not want to come out of gear.

This could be due to an issue with your parking pawl that is located inside your transmission. When you park on a hill and put your car into park your car will rock back or forward slightly and then it rests on the parking pawl. Over time this can damage your parking pawl and it will make it difficult to get your transmission out of park and into gear. When you park on an incline of any type while still in gear set your parking brake, let your car roll onto the brake then you should put your car into park. This will prevent damage to the parking pawl. Give us a call and let us take care of you. Happy Adventures, Heather

Categories:

Transmission

My battery light came on and my gauges stopped working

Most times we find when your battery light comes on it means that your alternator has failed. When you alternator fails it stops charging your electrical system and then your car is only running on the battery. This will typically only last 10 minutes or so before your car will die. If your battery light comes on while driving you should get to the nearest safe spot to pull over and turn off your car. I say this because on newer cars if the battery dies it can cause damage to your car's computer and other electrical components.  Give us a call and let us take care of you.  Happy Adventures,  Heather

Categories:

battery light

My pickup is sluggish

Your pickup may be sluggish due to an issue with your spark plugs. If your spark plugs are worn then they will not fire properly and this can cause a run-ability issue and a lack of power. Many spark plugs are good to 100,000 miles, but they is based off of an average of 12,000 driven miles per year. That would be closer to 8 years. After that the spark plugs can start to have issues due to age.  Give us a call and let us take care of you.  Happy Adventures,  Heather

Categories:

Spark Plugs

My coolant is low - why?

Your coolant could be low due to an issue with a radiator hose. Over time your radiator hose will break down and the hose will start to leak. It can become damaged due to age or break down from the repeated heating and cooling cycles over the years of driving. Your radiator hoses should be serviced every 75,000 to 100,000 miles.  Give us a call and let us take care of you.  Happy Adventures,  Heather 

Categories:

Hoses

Why does my car have a coolant leak?

Your car could have a coolant leak if one of your cooling system hoses has failed. If this is not addressed then it can cause an overheating issue that could possibly damage your engine. This should be repaired as soon as possible to prevent an issues with your car.  Give us a call and let us take care of you.  Happy Adventures,  Heather

Categories:

Coolant
J & H Automotive, Inc is committed to ensuring effective communication and digital accessibility to all users. We are continually improving the user experience for everyone, and apply the relevant accessibility standards to achieve these goals. We welcome your feedback. Please call J & H Automotive, Inc (541) 791-2886 if you have any issues in accessing any area of our website.