Tangent and Albany Auto Repair

Ice can have various effects on your vehicle, and understanding these impacts is crucial for maintaining safety and preserving the longevity of your vehicle. Here are some ways ice can affect your vehicle: 1. **Traction and Control:**    Ice on roads significantly reduces traction. This can lead to difficulty in maintaining control over your vehicle, especially during acceleration, braking, and turning. Icy conditions increase the risk of skidding and accidents, emphasizing the importance of driving cautiously and adopting defensive driving techniques. 2. **Braking Distance:**    Icy surfaces extend the braking distance of your vehicle. Due to reduced friction, it takes longer for your brakes to bring the vehicle to a complete stop. Drivers should anticipate this increased stopping distance and maintain a safe following distance from other vehicles. 3. **Battery Performance:**    Extremely cold temperatures, often associated with icy conditions, can aff ... read more

We are delighted to share exciting news – our services have expanded to include medium duty trucks, and with this enhancement comes a notable upgrade in our infrastructure. Equipped with new lifts and specialized equipment, our commitment to providing comprehensive solutions for businesses that rely on these vehicles is now more robust than ever.  1. **Enhanced Capabilities with New Lifts:**        Our commitment to providing top-tier service is exemplified by the introduction of new lifts tailored for medium duty trucks. These lifts enhance our capabilities, allowing for efficient inspections, maintenance, and repairs. With improved accessibility and stability, our technicians can address your medium duty trucks' needs with precision and thoroughness. 2. **Specialized Equipment for Comprehensive Solutions:**    In tandem with our service expansion, we've invested in specialized equipment designed to cater specifically to the intricac ... read more

Experiencing vibrations or shakes while driving can be disconcerting, raising concerns about your vehicle's performance and safety.  1. **Wheel and Tire Imbalances:**    One of the most frequent reasons for a car to shake is imbalances in the wheels and tires. Uneven distribution of weight or tire wear can lead to vibrations, especially at higher speeds. Regular tire rotations and wheel balancing can help prevent this issue. Tire rotations should be done every 5,000 miles.  2. **Wheel Misalignment:**    Misaligned wheels can cause uneven tire wear and result in vibrations. If your car consistently pulls to one side, it's a sign of potential wheel misalignment. Aligning the wheels properly can eliminate shakes and improve overall handling. We recommend an annual alignment for you vehicle. Pot holes and other hazards can cause your alignment to be misaligned.  3. **Worn or Unbalanced Tires:**    Tires with uneven wear or those that ... read more

Discovering a puddle of coolant beneath your car can be a cause for concern, as it indicates a potential issue within the vehicle's cooling system. Let's chat about the common reasons why cars may leak coolant and the importance of addressing coolant leaks promptly to maintain your vehicle's optimal performance. 1. **Damaged Radiator:**    A damaged or corroded radiator can be a primary culprit for coolant leaks. Over time, exposure to heat and environmental factors can lead to cracks or weakened areas in the radiator, allowing coolant to escape. 2. **Worn or Loose Hose Connections:**    The cooling system relies on hoses to transport coolant between the radiator, engine, and other components. If these hoses become worn, cracked, or have loose connections, it can result in coolant leaks. Regular inspection and replacement of damaged hoses are crucial preventive measures. 3. **Faulty Water Pump:**    The water pump is responsible for cir ... read more

Let's delve into the details of brake fluid contamination and the importance of a brake fluid service. Brake fluid plays a critical role in ensuring the proper functioning of your vehicle's braking system. It operates within a closed hydraulic system, transmitting the force applied to the brake pedal to the brake components near the wheels. Over time, brake fluid can absorb moisture from the air, especially in humid conditions. This moisture contamination can have significant consequences for your vehicle's safety and performance. When moisture infiltrates the brake fluid, it lowers the fluid's boiling point. Under normal braking conditions, the friction generated can cause the temperature of the brake fluid to rise. If the fluid has a lower boiling point due to moisture contamination, it can lead to the formation of vapor within the brake system. Vapor is compressible, unlike brake fluid, which is designed to be incompressible. As a result, when vapor forms, it can c ... read more

An overheating car can be caused by various issues within the cooling system. The cooling system is responsible for regulating the engine temperature and preventing it from getting too hot. Here are some common reasons why a car might overheat: 1. **Low Coolant Level:** Insufficient coolant (antifreeze) in the radiator can lead to inadequate heat dissipation. Check the coolant level in the reservoir and radiator regularly, and top it up if necessary. 2. **Coolant Leaks:** Leaks in the cooling system, such as from a radiator hose, water pump, or radiator, can result in a loss of coolant. This leads to a decrease in the system's ability to cool the engine. 3. **Faulty Thermostat:** The thermostat regulates the flow of coolant through the engine. A malfunctioning thermostat may get stuck closed, preventing proper coolant circulation and causing the engine to overheat. 4. **Faulty Water Pump:** The water pump is responsible for circulating coolant through the engine and radiator. I ... read more

When it comes to the smooth operation of your vehicle, many factors play a crucial role, and among them are the often-overlooked motor mounts and transmission mounts. These sturdy components are responsible for securing your engine and transmission, ensuring they work seamlessly with the frame of your vehicle. Let's chat about the significance of motor and transmission mounts, their functions, signs of wear, and why keeping an eye on them is essential for a trouble-free ride. Understanding Motor Mounts: A Sturdy Foundation Motor mounts, also known as engine mounts, are structural components that connect your vehicle's engine to its frame. Their primary function is to support the engine and absorb the vibrations and movements generated during operation. This ensures a smooth and stable ride, preventing excessive noise and reducing the impact of engine vibrations on the vehicle and its occupants. Signs of Worn Motor Mounts: 1. Excessive Vibrations: If you notice an ... read more

A ball joint is a crucial component in the suspension system of a vehicle. Its primary function is to connect the control arms (or wishbones) to the steering knuckles, allowing for the flexibility of movement in different directions. This connection enables the front wheels to pivot and move up and down, facilitating the vehicle's suspension and steering systems. The ball joint consists of a ball and socket mechanism. The ball joint is attached to the control arm at one end and to the steering knuckle at the other end. The ball inside the joint allows for a smooth articulation, allowing the wheel to turn left and right, and to move up and down over bumps and irregularities in the road. Over time, ball joints can wear out due to the constant movement and stress they endure. When a ball joint fails, it can lead to issues such as poor steering control, uneven tire wear, and compromised handling. Therefore, regular inspection and maintenance of ball joints are important for ensuring ... read more

Winter is here, and it's time to think about the best tires for snowy roads. Two main types are studded and studless snow tires, and each has its own strengths. Let's explore the differences to help you choose the right ones for your winter drives.  Studless Snow Tires: Quiet and Snow-Friendly Studless snow tires are made with a softer material to grip snowy surfaces better. They don't have metal studs, so they're kinder to roads. These tires work well in the snow, giving you good control and handling. Their soft rubber can bend with the snowy road bumps. Good Things about Studless Snow Tires: 1. All-Around Use: These tires work great in different winter conditions, making them good for places with lots of snow. 2. Not Too Loud: Because of their soft material, these tires don't make much noise on dry roads, so your ride is smoother and quieter. 3. Gentle on Roads: They're less likely to damage roads, which is good if you're in an area that ca ... read more

Travel season is an ongoing affair, and your checklist should adapt to the circumstances. Below, we've assembled a comprehensive list of must-haves for your journeys. Oregon's climate is a diverse tapestry, with each part of the state offering its unique weather conditions. The coast is often marked by blustery, rainy weather with a touch of chilliness. The mountains introduce the challenges of snow, ice, and wind. The Willamette Valley delivers a mixed bag of meteorological surprises, including plenty of rain, wind, fog, occasional hail, and rare snow and ice occurrences. Our temperatures are typically moderate, but we do encounter a few stretches of cold weather each year. Snowfall is a fleeting guest. Venture eastward across the mountains to the high desert of central Oregon, and you'll find even colder winters, considerable snowfall, and bone-chilling temperatures. Yet, the azure skies and sunny days compensate for the frigidity. As you proceed further east, the patter ... read more