San Antonio Auto Repair

Regular car maintenance is essential to optimal performance. Though many mechanics and repair shops agree you must maintain your car, they disagree on the maintenance schedule. The car's manufacturer will often set a maintenance schedule. The factory scheduled maintenance is what is often referred to as 30/60/90K maintenance. It means you should take the vehicle for service every thirty thousand miles even though the car feels fine. Read on to find out more: What Does the 30/60/90K Involve? The 30/60/90K maintenance schedule is primarily about taking the car for service after traveling the 30k miles. However, the service itself will begin by evaluating all the car's major systems and components. The service will also include fluid changes, including coolant, transmission, engine fluids, and oil. It will also involve evaluating, repairing, and replacing car filters, including air, cabin, and fuel filters. Wheel rotation and alignment will be done during the service. Computer ... read more

Brake fluid can often be forgotten by many drivers. When it comes to car fluids, people think of coolant and engine oil. And most motorists think about their brake pads when it comes to the braking system. When you leave brake fluid in your vehicle for too long, it can get dirty and become less effective. Next time you have your brake pads checked, make sure you ask to have your brake fluid looked at too. Signs of Bad Brake Fluid Low, dark, or contaminated brake fluid Spongy brakes Unusual brake sounds Increased brake distance Brake Bleeding Vs. Brake Fluid Flush Worn brake fluid is more than just a simple fix. Topping it off with new fluid may not make a difference, and it sometimes requires bleeding or flushing the brakes.  Brake Bleeding - Eliminating trapped air inside the braking system by pumping new fluid into the system without getting rid of all the old fluid completely. Bleeding brakes help reset brake functionality and fix the problem of spongy ... read more

While keeping up with proper car maintenance can be a drag, maintaining this good habit can save you a lot of stress in the future by allowing you to catch serious car issues early. Most car issues are caused by build-up or wear and tear on the internal components of your car, so by proactively checking to see if anything needs cleaning or replacement, you'll be able to prevent many serious (and significantly more expensive) issues from developing. What Are Some of the Most Common Signs That It's Time for a Fuel System Cleaning? Your car is unusually inefficient with fuel. When your car's fuel injection system is operating at its best, you'll enjoy savings and conveniences due to the good mileage. Conversely, if your fuel system needs cleaning, it will start to become increasingly inefficient due to clogging. You should pay close attention to your average fuel mileage and how it changes, as this is one of the clearest signs you can use to determine if it's time f ... read more

Vehicle batteries are often forgotten about until drivers experience starting problems. They are out-of-sight and out-of-mind components, but that shouldn’t be the case. If you’re one of those people, don’t be surprised to see a car battery dashboard warning light eventually.    The battery warning light can mean many things, including a dying battery and even a faulty alternator. Before you grab a hold of your jumper cables, take some time to look into the issue (either yourself or at an auto repair shop). The problem can be more complex than you think.   Warning lights serve a purpose: to warn you of car problems (obviously)! If the battery light continues to stay on after you’ve jump starts your car, it means there’s a serious problem. This light can come on for a number of reasons, including: A loose or damaged battery cable A problem with the alternator  Excess corrosion/acid leak Damaged cells or plates inside the battery ... read more

It’s that time of the year again – the back-to-school season has seemed to make its way around. Whether you’re a college/high school student driver, a parent with kids, or any driver commuting during rush hour, you’re going to experience an influx in road traffic. With everybody heading back to school, the team at Eurasian Auto Repair has your interest at best. We want to make sure your tires are in good shape to properly grip the roads. So, how can you tell when it is time for new tires? Tread Wear Is Low  Tread depth is the most important aspect of tires to check for when you’re unsure if whether it is time to replace your tires. Legally, your tires should be 2/32 of an inch to be on the roads. However, traction is no longer sufficient when it reaches 3/32 or 4/32 of an inch. You can check your tread depth by using a penny or quarter at home. You can also check the wear indicator bars if your tires have those. If you need assistance measuring your ... read more

Brake rotors are essential parts of your vehicle. They are the ones responsible for stopping the wheel from spinning when brake pads fasten on them. Brake rotors appear smooth when out from the manufacturer, but they can be worn out with time. In other words, they can lose their smooth surface, which results in what we call warping. There are several things that can cause brake rotors to warp. Here are the common ones. Constant breaking If you are running your car down the hill and you constantly keep your foot on the brakes, you are creating intense heat that can lead to rotor warping. So, it is advisable to shift into a lower gear when driving downhill to avoid unnecessary braking. Emergency braking Emergency braking, also known as sudden braking, can also cause the rotor to become warped. This is especially true if you are at high speed and suddenly apply the brakes. The friction created produces a lot of heat which can cause the rotors to warp ... read more

The engine of a vehicle typically works well on normal temperature. However, if your engine begins to overheat, you must know what to do to avoid long-term damage. Temperatures in a normal vehicle engine vary from 195 °F to 220 °F. At these temperatures, the engine maintains correct pollution management, as well as consistent performance and excellent fuel efficiency. However, an engine's cooling system may sometimes fail, causing the engine to overheat. Here's what to do. Turn on the heating system It may seem paradoxical, but it is advised to turn on the heating. It draws heat away from the heated engine into the passenger cabin, reducing the strain on the engine's cooling system. In some cases, this may be enough to reverse the overheating. If the warning light goes off or the temperature gauge returns to neutral, it is an indication that it has worked. Pull Over When your engine overheats, the first thing you should do is pull over and let it cool down. If y ... read more

If you're like most drivers, you probably check your car's battery periodically as part of a standard self-check. If your car's battery is low, you might notice. But if your car's battery is fine, you probably don't second-guess your car's electrical system. When your car's electrical system is functioning normally, it should not be possible for it to fail. However, when your car's alternator fails, precisely what happens. If your car's alternator isn't working, your car won't start and won't stall. Instead, it will just turn over but not start. The problem could be anywhere in your car's electrical system. But the most common problems are caused by the alternator. The following are ways how to know if your alternator is faulty;   Warning Light If your car's alternator warning light comes on, this could indicate a faulty alternator. The system's warning light comes on when your alternator is not working correctly. The ... read more

Coolant, also known as antifreeze, is a special fluid that flows through most car engines. It is coined coolant because it is responsible for keeping your engine cooled down at a stable temperature range. The solution typically has ethylene glycol, water, and other protective additives. It is also easy to detect as it is usually bright green, blue, or pink.   Did you know that your engine produces A LOT of heat when it runs? Without coolant, your engine would break down a lot quicker. Thankfully, you have a cooling system filled with coolant fluid that runs in and out of your engine block and heads.    You might be wondering, "If the coolant has water, why can't you use water as a substitute?" Water alone is not enough to keep your engine at a stable temperature due to its boiling and evaporating points. Furthermore, water has a higher freezing point, making it likely to freeze in the winter. Therefore, coolant is a perfect combination of both glycol an ... read more

Are your headlights becoming a hindrance instead of helping your daily drives? Even after the many car washes you've had, your headlights still seem to be blurry. You wonder, "what gives!" The truth is foggy or yellowed headlamps are a common problem for many drivers, so you shouldn't stress. All you may need to fix your problem is professional headlight restoration.   To understand this service, you should know the basics, including what headlights are made of. If you go and tap on your headlights right now, you'll probably notice that they aren't made of glass. Over the years, automakers have opted to use polycarbonate, a form of hard plastic to resist shattering in auto accidents. While this plastic is incredibly durable, it can get dirty really quickly. It also has a UV film to protect the lens, but the coating can degrade over time due to oxidation. Through constant exposure to UV rays, harsh chemicals, and roadway debris, your headlights will like ... read more