Tangent and Albany Auto Repair

Why Is My Car's A/C Blowing Hot Air? Experiencing a blast of hot air from your car's A/C on a scorching day can be frustrating. Several factors might be causing this issue.  Refrigerant Leak One of the primary reasons your car's A/C might be blowing hot air is a refrigerant leak. The refrigerant is essential for cooling the air inside your car, and if there’s a leak, the A/C system can’t function properly. Leaks can occur due to damaged hoses, connections, or the compressor itself. The A/C compressor will not turn on if the refrigerant is low.  Faulty Compressor The compressor is where the magic happens. It compresses the refrigerant and circulates it through the system. If the compressor fails, the refrigerant won't move, and you’ll get nothing but warm air. If you're compressor is failing or has failed it may make strange noises and typically you will have a complete lack of cooling.  Clogged Condenser The refrigerant gets hot ... read more

The open highway beckons, promising adventure and escape. But before you buckle up and blast the tunes, a little preparation can ensure your road trip is smooth sailing (or cruising, as the case may be). This guide will equip you with the knowledge to get your car road-ready and yourself packed and prepped for an unforgettable journey.   First off get a Checkup:  Schedule a pre-trip inspection. They'll ensure your car is in tip-top shape, checking fluids, tires, belts, hoses, and lights. Fluids and Filters: Fresh oil, coolant, and wiper fluid are essential. Consider replacing air filters for optimal engine performance and cabin comfort. Tire Talk:  Check tire pressure and tread depth. Don't forget the spare! A roadside tire change is much easier with a properly inflated spare. You can request this to be checked at your vehicle inspection.  Pack an Emergency Kit:  Be prepared for minor mishaps. Include a jack, lug wrench, jumper cables, flares, a fla ... 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

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 additivesFouling: Fouling occurs when the spark plug becomes covered in a layer of fuel, oil, or ... read more

Most do. The water is coming from your evaporator core inside your dash. While using your air conditioner the evaporator core will create condensation. This condensation drains out the bottom of your vehicle through a drain tube. This is completely normal and how the system is designed to work. If you see water on the inside of your vehicle you may have a plugged drain tube or other problem. 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 … Appointments - J & H Automotive, Inc Want to know more … About Us - J & H Automotive, Inc Would you like to join our m ... read more

Why does my car smell? What does it smell like? Is it a sweet smell or a stinky smell? A sweet smell could be from your cooling system. Coolant or antifreeze has a sweet smell. This could come from any of your cooling system components. If you have a stinky smell then it could be a mouse that went for a ride along. They will crawl inside your dash and make a nest. The good news is the nest is removable, and once it is removed the smell will go away. 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 … Appointments - J & H Automotive, Inc Want to know more … About Us - J & H Automo ... read more

You will need to have a proper diagnosis performed on your vehicle when this light appears on your vehicle's dashboard.  Today's vehicles have complex systems that can set your check engine light off for various reasons. The problem could be simple or extreme depending upon the codes that are stored in your car or pickup's computer. The situation could become drastically worse if the check engine light is flashing. In this instance, it is not a good idea to drive the vehicle. Having a proper check engine light diagnostic performed by a qualified mechanic could save you a lot of time and aggravation. 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 … Appointments - J &am ... read more

We want to wish everyone a very happy independence day. We hope you get to enjoy this day with your family and friends. We have a family tradition to go down to the Harrisburg parade each year. We hope you have similar traditions with your family. The shop will be closed July 4th and 5th this year to allow our employees to have an extra day to spend with family. Jason and I have spent many years working on the 4th of July when we If you're working please be safe.  Please take a moment to reflect on our great nation and everything that it's been through.  See you Monday! Happy Adventures,  Heather

School will be out in a couple of weeks and that means summer fun right? Well it should, but worrying about your vehicle and wondering if it's ready for all the fun isn't much fun at all. A pre-trip inspection and an oil change is always a good idea before hitting the road. The last thing you want is for your good time to be hampered by a preventable breakdown. It's best to have these done a week or two prior to your trip. This is to ensure that if you do have an issue then it is fixable prior to your vacation and one less thing on your mind while you're packing.  We hope you have a fabulous summer and you're safe on the road. Give us a call and let us take care of you.  Happy Adventures,  Heather

When does my car need a tune up? That just depends on the engine that you have in your vehicle. Some are due every 30,000 miles and others can wait until every 90K. Either way regularly scheduled maintenance is the best thing for the health of your vehicle and to keep you on your way. Give us a call and we will get you on the schedule. Happy Adventures Heather