Martinez Auto Repair

Brake rotors are integral to the vehicle’s braking system. They play a role in helping cars slow down and come to a full stop. When you press on the brake pedal, force is transferred to clamp the brake pads onto the rotors. Over time, brake rotors go through wear and tear and eventually fail. Here is a guide on how to tell when you need to replace your brake rotors: 1. Your Vehicle Shakes When Braking If your steering wheel and/or seat vibrates when you apply the brakes, there’s a good chance that you need brake service. While you should hope that it is just the brake pads, warped brake rotors often cause this uneasy feeling. 2. You Hear Squealing or Grinding Noises Squealing noises during braking often point to worn brake pads. However, squealing or scraping when you’re not braking is a sign that your brake rotors need attention. Have a professional mechanic inspect your brakes to be sure. 3. You Notice Grooves on the Rotor You can walk around to physically ins ... read more

Whatever vehicle you drive, the manufacturer has preset a routine maintenance program to keep your car or or truck operating at peak performance. This is known as factory planned maintenance, or 30/60/90K maintenance, since the typical timetable for these procedures is every 30,000 miles or so. Unfortunately many drivers see this maintenance schedule as optional—after all, why take the car in if it seems to be running well? The maintenance plan, however, isn't a trick to get you to spend money at the auto repair shop—it's essential for the general health of your car and to avoid expensive and needless auto repairs in the near future. Why Should You Keep Up With The 30/60/90 Maintenance Plan? There are some very good reasons why the 30/60/90 maintenance plan is a good idea for your vehicle. Your warranty may be voided. It may prevent minor issues from becoming major ones, costing hundreds of dollars in repairs. It has the potential to extend the life of your ca ... read more

Have you ever smelt an awful odor emanating from your vehicle's air vents? The foul odor will jolt your senses whenever you switch on the air conditioner. Odors in the air conditioning system can arise from a variety of places. Your air filters, for example, might be clogged, or your air conditioner gas could be leaking. However, mold buildup is one of the air conditioning systems' most common causes of musty fumes. What exactly is the issue with mold? Odor The worst issue is mold's musty odor, which leaves passengers miserable. The more mold can grow, the more serious the situation gets. It Swiftly Spreads It spreads quickly as a fungus, becoming embedded in floor carpets and upholstery, and may cause the following conditions: Congestion in the nose Inflammation of the throat Wheezing Eye irritation is a condition in which the eyes get irritated. In difficult situations, it can impair lung function and lead to long-term health i ... read more

What is a Serpentine Belt? A serpentine belt is a long belt used to transfer power from one engine accessory to the next. The belt connects the alternator, air conditioning, power steering pump, and water pump. Some people will refer to the serpentine belt as a fan belt or an accessory belt. Older models of vehicles used multiple sets of accessory belts to function, but the design has since been streamlined to only need one serpentine belt. While using just one serpentine belt is efficient, the only downside is that damage to the belt can cause the entire car to stop working. If your serpentine belt break, the AC will stop working, you will lose control of the steering wheel, and the engine is in danger of overheating. Eventually, your battery will die, and the vehicle will lose all functions. In addition, since the serpentine belt is made from rubber, it might damage the engine accessories during a tear. This is why replacing your serpentine belt before it breaks is so important. W ... read more

Car noises are often a sign of something going wrong with your car. When you hear these sounds, it is best to have professionals check your vehicle. Here are a common vehicle sounds that indicate trouble: Clunking Sound Different factors can cause clunking sounds, such as worn-out ball joints and loose or damaged suspension parts. An inefficient or improperly adjusted brake system can cause this sound. Shuddering Noise This shuddering noise is like a rumble or shaking noise. The causes could be a cracked head gasket or worn valve seal. Too much oil pumped into the engine from a leaking oil pump can cause it. A faulty fuel injector can also cause this sound and excessive carbon buildup inside the combustion chamber. Thumping Sound This sound might mean that you have an exhaust leak, low tire pressure, or a faulty suspension component, such as shock absorbers or struts. The most common symptoms of the problem are vibrations in the steering wheel, shaking while driving at high speed ... read more

As winter fades away and the warmer months begin, your car needs extra care. If you were driving a lot during winter, chances are that your car's body gathered road salt which can cause rusting. You also need to think about your tires and battery. To help you figure out what to prioritize, here is a spring maintenance checklist for your vehicle. Wash Road Salt Take your car for a proper wash, including underneath to wash away road salt. Effective salt removal requires a lot of pressure. It will protect the paint job of your car, which will protect its resale value.  Change Your Tires Your winter tires may not do well during warm weather. Winter tires are engineered to give traction on ice, but they will wear out quickly in spring and summer. Consider swapping them out and storing them away for later in the year. Check Your Wheel Alignment Driving in winter is likely to have interfered with your car's suspension. You might have hit a curb or driven through potholes. T ... read more

In this day and age, there are tons of debate about whether a tune-up is necessary or not. Some say it's a waste of money, while others swear by the service. Before jumping to conclusions, read on to learn more about what tune-ups consist of and how they can benefit your vehicle's needs. The truth is the term "tune-up" has changed the meaning of today's modern vehicles. This outdated term is also known as your preventative maintenance or factory maintenance schedule. This type of service serves to check your car's essential parts to perform efficiently. Here is a list of items that a mechanic will typically check, change, or replace during a tune-up: Fuel filter Air filter Spark plugs or coils Timing belt Lights Car battery PCV valve Tires Important fluids & more. How frequently you require a tune-up depends on your vehicle's make, model, and age. For an older vehicle with a non-electronic ignition system, it will typically need a tune-up ev ... read more

Your car's battery is what gives your vehicle life - it creates the energy needed to keep your vehicle running. A dead car battery means a vehicle that won't run, so don't ignore the signs of a dying car battery! So, how long do car batteries last and how do you know when to get a new one? Most car batteries last anywhere between 3 to 5 years. It can depend on the quality of the battery. If your car battery is on its last leg, you may notice certain symptoms. However, testing is always recommended at our shop because the issue can be with the battery, but it can also be an alternator or other starting/charging system issue. Here are some symptoms that can indicate your car battery is dying: You notice that your vehicle's headlights look dim When you try to start your car, you hear a clicking noise Engine cranks slowly when you try to start your car Your car backfires The check engine light has turned on Your car's electrical components are failing such as th ... read more

Driving a car may be intimidating for both new and experienced drivers if one denies the car proper servicing. A brake is a crucial part of the car as it helps it to stop. Ignoring replacing the worn-out brake pads is risky; failing to change the brake fluid is equally life-threatening. Checking the Brake Fluid Checking the brake fluid is easy because the tank that carries it is translucent to let you see the level. It is wise not to open the brake fluid reservoir unless you plan to change the liquid straight away. Leaving the brake fluid container open may risk the entry of moisture that will contaminate the brake fluid. How Regular should you Change the Brake Fluid The majority of the vehicles have a specific routine for changing the brake fluid. The time for changing the brake fluid is often determined by the type of car and it's driving condition. Thus, it is not easy to specify the time unless you know the model of the vehicle. The recommendations for changing the brake fl ... read more