Tangent and Albany Auto Repair

  Car manufacturers are extending oil change intervals to 7,500 miles or more, there is even a commercial on TV that says you only need to change your oil on an annual basis. There are a few problems with waiting so long to change your oil. One is oil consumption - these same manufactures that tell you only to change your oil every 7,500 miles don't tell you that you engine can consume/burn up to 1 quart of oil per 500 miles. Yes you read that correctly 500 miles. For some people that is one or two tanks of fuel. That means if your car holds 5 quarts of oil, that you will be out of oil before you get to 2,500 miles, unless you are checking your oil every time you get fuel; this could cause catastrophic failure to your engine. It would not be covered under your factory warranty - they expect you to check your oil to make sure it's at the proper level and if you're not then it is considered neglect. We still recommend that if your car uses regular oil then to change it ... read more

  Why are diesel engines more efficient? You know I didn't know the answer to this one, with as long as I have been married to a master certified tech who all he does is talk about cars - okay so I'll give him 85% of the time he's talking about cars - you would think this one would have crossed our conversation. I talked with Jason and asked him why...his response was one that you would expect he started to go on and on. I said I need simple, people are asking, plus after all these years I still don't understand when he starts getting technical on things, or maybe just glassing over. Simply it is because diesel fuel has 30% more energy than gasoline, which makes it more efficient. If you would like more of the technicalities I can get those for you too.  Happy Adventures Heather

Continuing Education - did you know that Jason and our technicians go to training monthly. The spend at a minimum of 8 hours a month in a class room learning about the new technology that is coming. They are learning about everything from gas, diesel, hybrids and electric. We want to be prepared so we can take the best care possible of you and your vehicle.  Let us take care of you. Happy Adventures Heather

Why does my diesel smoke? When your diesel is smoking that is typically (not always) unburnt fuel. That means that smoke is raw diesel coming out the tail pipe. When you're looking for fuel economy is not the way to go. We can make your pickup run more efficiently and still have all the hauling capabilities that you purchased it for.  Happy Adventures Heather

  Why is my car overheating? When your car or pickup is overheating it is most likely due to low coolant or antifreeze. There of course are many other reasons for it to overheat, but that is typically the most common. It is important for your engine to have coolant in it and the correct type. If you're engine is overheating it's time to have it checked out.  Did you know we do alignments too. We do! We can take care of your vehicle top to bottom, bumper to bumper.  Happy Adventures Heather

  Why is my car loud? That's an excellent question and unfortunately it's not an easy answer. The best advice I can give you is for you to make an appointment and we will check it out for you so you have one less worry.  Happy Adventures Heather

It's week three of school being back in. In our house we are settling into back into our schedule and things are going well (so far). I have a driver now so that is taking a huge load off in the mornings too. This is not to say everything is just peaches and cream - trust me I have plenty of the where is this and that and why aren't you dressed and you're going ot have to eat this on the way to school.  This is our last year of having three in three different schools, next year we're starting the down hill slope and we're at two schools. I thought I drove a lot before school started but now with all that drop-ff and pick-up stuff along with high school sports my car is getting a workout for sure. It's almost ready for another oil change and probably a little scheduled maintenance too.  Give us a call and let us take care of you. We will make you a maintenance schedule for your car so you know when and what is due.  Happy Adventures Heather

    Over the weekend I was lucky enough to take my oldest son on an overnight backpacking trip near Detroit. We hiked in 6 miles to Twin Lake, spent the night and hiked out Sunday morning. It was his first time for this type of thing. Before we got to the trailhead it was 6 miles of rough road that our max speed was 5mph. I am thankful for the fact that we had a well maintained pickup and I wasn't worried about walking back to find help.   On every invoice from us you should have a custom maintenance schedule for your vehicle. This way you know when your car/pickup/van is due for service again. We want you to have fewer surprises (the bad kind) and you can plan ahead. Our goal is to get you to where you want to be whether it's to work, school, shopping or your next adventure.   Happy Adventures Heather

We get this question a lot. The engine icon is the check engine light. It could be as simple as a faulty gas cap or it could be something serious. The best way to know is to make an appointment and we will check it for you to make sure you're safe on all your adventures.  Happy Adventures Heather

  My car doesn't start? This is one of those things that I dread the most. I depend on my car to start every single time I want it to, and when it doesn't it can cause major problems. Let us take a look at it and get you back on the road to where you need to be. Happy Adventures Heather