Tangent and Albany Auto Repair

Happy 1st day of fall! Preparing your vehicle for the fall season involves specific considerations to ensure safety and functionality as the weather changes. Here are the top 10 things to do to get your vehicle ready for fall: Check Heater and Defroster: Ensure your vehicle's heater and defroster are working properly. As the weather gets colder, you'll need these systems to keep the interior warm and to maintain clear visibility. Inspect Tires and Tread Depth: As road conditions change with wet leaves and potential early frost, adequate tire tread becomes even more critical. Check tire pressure and consider switching to winter or all-season tires for improved traction. Replace Wiper Blades and Fill Washer Fluid: Fall often brings rain and fog, so replace worn wiper blades to maintain clear visibility. Also, ensure your windshield washer fluid is topped up with a solution that can handle colder temperatures. Battery ... read more

Spark plugs are an important component of the ignition system in your vehicle. Over time, spark plugs can become worn out, corroded, or covered in deposits, which can lead to poor engine performance and reduced fuel efficiency. Here are some reasons why you might need new spark plugs: Wear and Tear: Like any other part of your car, spark plugs wear out over time. The electrodes on the spark plugs can become worn down, which can cause misfires and other engine issues. Corrosion: Corrosion can occur on the spark plug due to exposure to moisture or other contaminants in the engine. This can cause the spark plug to fail to ignite the fuel mixture properly. Deposits: Deposits can build up on the spark plug over time, which can reduce its effectiveness in igniting the fuel mixture. This is often caused by oil or fuel additives. Fouling: Fouling occurs when the spark plug becomes covered in a layer of fuel, oil, or other contaminants. This can cause misfires and other engine problems. If ... read more

A turbocharger is a device used in internal combustion engines to increase their power output by forcing more air into the engine. It works by using exhaust gases to spin a turbine, which then drives a compressor that pumps more air into the engine's intake system. When an engine burns fuel, it produces exhaust gases that exit the engine through the exhaust system. These exhaust gases have a lot of energy in them, and a turbocharger uses this energy to spin a turbine. As the turbine spins, it drives a compressor, which forces more air into the engine's intake system. This additional air allows more fuel to be burned, which results in more power output from the engine. The turbocharger is essentially a type of forced induction system that increases the density of the air entering the engine, allowing more fuel to be burned and producing more power. It is commonly used in high-performance cars, trucks, and other vehicles to increase their power output without adding excessive w ... read more

Changing your transmission fluid is an important part of maintaining the health and longevity of your vehicle. Here are a few reasons why you should have your transmission fluid changed: Prevents damage to your transmission: Over time, transmission fluid can become contaminated with dirt, debris, and metal particles that can cause damage to your transmission if left unchecked. Regularly changing your transmission fluid can help prevent this damage and extend the life of your transmission. Improves transmission performance: As transmission fluid ages, it can become thick and sluggish, making it harder for your transmission to shift gears smoothly. Changing your transmission fluid can help improve your transmission's performance and make shifting gears easier and smoother. Saves you money in the long run: By preventing damage to your transmission and improving its performance, regular transmission fluid changes can help you avoid expensive repairs or even a complete transmission r ... read more

Getting your car ready for back to school involves ensuring its safety, reliability, and functionality. Here are the top 10 things to do to prepare your car for the upcoming school season: Check Fluids: Ensure that your car's fluids are at appropriate levels. This includes engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and windshield washer fluid. If any of these fluids are low or dirty, have them replaced or topped up. Inspect Tires: Check the tire pressure and tread depth. Properly inflated tires improve fuel efficiency and handling, while good tread depth ensures safe traction. Consider rotating or replacing tires if needed. Brake Inspection: Have your brakes inspected by a professional. Ensure that brake pads and rotors are in good condition, as reliable brakes are crucial for safety. Battery Check: Inspect your car's battery for signs of corrosion and ensure it has sufficient charge. Cold weathe ... read more

Teaching your teenager about maintaining a vehicle is a valuable life skill that can save them money, ensure their safety, and promote responsible ownership. Here are some important things your teen should know: Regular Maintenance Schedule: Explain the importance of regular maintenance tasks, such as oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, and fluid checks. Following the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule helps keep the vehicle running smoothly and prevents potential issues. Oil Changes: Teach your teen how to check the oil level and understand when an oil change is needed. Explain the different types of motor oil and why choosing the right one is essential. Tire Care: Show them how to check tire pressure and tread depth. Properly inflated tires improve fuel efficiency and handling, while good tread depth ensures safe driving in various weather conditions. Fluid Checks: Familiarize y ... read more

  Here are a few potential reasons: 1. Low refrigerant levels: If the refrigerant levels in your car's AC system are low, it can cause the system to stop working. This can happen due to leaks in the system or normal wear and tear over time. 2. Electrical issues: The AC system in your car relies on electrical components to function. If there is a problem with the electrical system, such as a blown fuse or faulty wiring, it can cause the AC to stop working. 3. Faulty compressor: The compressor is a key component of the AC system, and if it fails, the system won't work. This can happen due to a number of reasons, including wear and tear or a lack of regular maintenance. 4. Blocked or clogged condenser: The condenser is responsible for removing heat from the refrigerant. If it becomes blocked or clogged, it can prevent the AC system from working properly. 5. Malfunctioning blower: The blower is responsible for circulating the cooled air throughout your car's interior ... read more

The battery light on your car comes on when there is a problem with your car's charging system. This could mean that the alternator is not working properly, or that there is a problem with the battery itself. If you see the battery light on, it is important to have your car checked by a mechanic as soon as possible. Here are some of the reasons why your battery light might come on: * **Loose or corroded battery cables:** If the battery cables are loose or corroded, they may not be able to provide enough power to the car. This can cause the battery light to come on. * **Problem with the alternator:** The alternator is what charges the battery. If the alternator is not working properly, the battery will not be able to charge properly. This can cause the battery light to come on.   * **Damaged cells or plates inside the battery:** If the battery cells or plates are damaged, they may not be able to hold a charge properly. This can cause the battery light to come on. * **Faulty w ... read more

We're adding on and doing a remodel. After a very long time and what seemed like would never happen we are finally under way. We have had our share of hiccups and road blocks. They broke ground back in September and then things got delayed. We received our permits from the county in December and they pour concrete a few weeks later. Two weeks ago they started framing and now we have two walls up. I am sure we will have more hiccups and it will take time.  The new portion of the shop will house 4 new bays with 20ft ceilings. We will be able to accommodate those larger and taller vehicles as well as some medium duty pickups. We will still service all makes and models cars, pickups, and vans.      We are so excited for this opportunity to serve our clients and our community. We have a women's clinic and a new drivers clinic in the works. We believe that everyone should be well informed on how to take care of their car. The clinics will cover how to ... read more

A turbocharger loves clean engine oil and coolant. Having your engine oil changed at the recommended interval will keep your turbocharger working properly. Your engine oil should be changed every 5,000 miles and we always recommend using full synthetic engine oil. This will help to prevent the breakdown of the engine oil due to the higher temperatures. We also recommend a cooling system fluid service every 36 months. Over time your coolant stops protecting your engine due to electrolysis and corrosion. The corrosion-inhibiting components in your coolant break down and stop protecting your engine from damage. Some engines may need a corrosion and anti-cavitation additive. Give us a call and let us take care of you. Happy Adventures, Heather Our specials can be found here - Specials - J & H Automotive, Inc Ready to make an appointment … ... read more