Auto Repair in Camarillo

When you take a corner in your vehicle, it’s supposed to feel controlled and stable.  But you might notice one day that your vehicle feels like it is unstable, or even like it’s floating.  It can be a scary sensation that gets your attention.  If you feel that as you change lanes or when turning a corner, it’s important that you not ignore it because the culprit may be your vehicle’s sway bar.

Another term for it is an anti-roll bar, and helps keep your vehicle balanced while you take a turn.  The sway bar connects your suspension’s left and right sides, helping to distribute its weight evenly.  When it’s working the way it’s supposed to, those turns feel predictable and rock-solid.  But when there’s a problem, you’ll notice your handling isn’t as reliable as it used to be. 
 
One of the most common issues involves worn sway bar links or bushings. A sway bar link is a small rod that connects the sway bar to the vehicle’s suspension.  A bushing is what secures the sway bar to the vehicle’s frame or subframe. Keep driving on rough roads and they’ll begin to wear out.  Your vehicle might lean in turns, “clunk” when you hit a bump or your steering will feel loose.

Don’t ignore these symptoms.  While you might think you can put up with an uncomfortable ride, failing sway bars can increase stopping distances.  Plus, you might find it harder to keep your vehicle under control on a slippery road. You might be wearing out other parts of your suspension, too, which can lead to expensive repairs down the road.

Bring your vehicle to us so a technician can inspect the sway bar, links and bushings. When the problem spots are found and fixed, you’ll get back your solid, precise handling, turn corners with confidence and enjoy the safe handling you remember.

Camarillo Car Care Center
2739 Daily Drive
Camarillo, CA 93010
805-482-2853
www.camarillocarcare.com

You may not think too often about your brakes, but one part of them plays a big role in your vehicle’s safety and performance.  That part?  The brake pad.  Every time you press your brake pedal, those pads create friction against the rotors, converting your vehicle’s motion into heat and bringing you to a controlled stop. When your brake pads are worn and unhealthy, this process becomes slower, less predictable and far more dangerous.

One reason it’s important to maintain good brake pads is stopping distance. As pads wear down, they lose the ability to generate consistent friction. You may not realize it, but just a slight increase in stopping distance can be the difference between avoiding a collision and having one. Worn pads also make your braking uneven or shaky, and it can quickly reduce your confidence in your brakes.

Your vehicle’s pads also protect other parts of your braking system. If they wear too thin, the metal backing can grind directly into the rotors, causing deep grooves, overheating and costly damage. This may lead to expensive repairs and compromise your ability to stop safely.

Another critical factor is managing heat in your brakes.  Brake pads must withstand extreme temperatures, especially during sudden stops, towing or highway driving. Pads in good condition can prevent brake fade, a temporary but dangerous loss of braking power caused by overheating.

Think of it this way.  Your brake pads are your vehicle’s first line of defense. Replacing them on time ensures shorter stopping distances, smoother braking and protection for the entire brake system. Maintaining them can deliver major safety benefits and peace of mind every time you drive.

Camarillo Car Care Center
2739 Daily Drive
Camarillo, CA 93010
805-482-2853
www.camarillocarcare.com

Gone are the early days of driving when people had to manually shift gears in their vehicles.  Now, though, we are spoiled by automatic transmissions that seem like they’ll go forever.  Like everything mechanical, automatic transmissions can develop problems. 

Signs trouble is brewing sometimes starts with small changes in how your vehicle feels, sounds or responds.  Knowing these signs can save you from major repairs.

One to watch out for is shifting that’s rough or delayed. Sometimes your vehicle will hesitate before it changes gears, or there’s a jerk when it shifts.  Maybe it feels like the transmission is slipping out of gear.  These are all signs you should bring it in for one of our technicians to check out.

Another thing to pay attention to is a new noise you don’t ever remember hearing before.  Your shifts should be quiet, but if you hear a clunking, grinding or humming sound during shifts, this could be a sign of low transmission fluid or worn-out parts.  It could also indicate worse things to come.

Use your nose to know if something might be wrong.  If you smell burning, it could be a sign of transmission fluid that is overheating or deteriorating.  Your eyes also might spot leaking fluid around your vehicle, especially if it’s red or pink.  That’s a good time to have us check yours for leaks.

Other signs of transmission issues are an illuminated Check Engine light, hesitation during acceleration or your vehicle not moving at all when it’s in gear. 

Your transmission delivers power from the engine to the wheels, and being aware of small changes in how your vehicle shifts, sounds or feels can be clues  problems are developing.  When you notice them, give us a call and have us check them out before you find yourself up shifts creek without a paddle.

Camarillo Car Care Center
2739 Daily Drive
Camarillo, CA 93010
805-482-2853
www.camarillocarcare.com

You have a nice road trip planned out.  You’re all packed, sit down in the driver’s seat, go to start your vehicle up and… Nothing!  You might hear a click, but that’s it.  What do you do now? 

Your problem may be a bad ignition switch. There are other symptoms you may notice.  A failing ignition switch can cause your vehicle to stall while you’re driving. That presents a significant safety risk.  You may notice dashboard lights flickering when the key is in the “on” position.  Accessories like the radio, headlights or other electric components may turn on and off at random. And you may notice the Check Engine light coming on intermittently.  

If you’re experiencing any of these problems, it’s important to have a technician take a look at it soon.  They’ll go through your system thoroughly, checking battery voltage and cables, then make sure your starter is working the way it should.

The technician will conduct tests to make sure there’s continuity and voltage in each of your switch’s terminals in the “Accessories, Power and Start” positions. They will also scan for diagnostic trouble codes designed to narrow down ignition and power issues.  

If they determine it’s a bad ignition switch, they’ll remove the old one and install the new one. Many newer vehicles have anti-theft systems, and the new switch and key may require programming.  Once the new one is in place, they’ll test all of the switch’s positions and make sure electrical components such as the lights, sound system and dashboard are working correctly.

Camarillo Car Care Center
2739 Daily Drive
Camarillo, CA 93010
805-482-2853
www.camarillocarcare.com

Your vehicle depends on wheel bearings.  Sitting between the wheel’s hub and axle, they allow your wheels to spin smoothly, bear the vehicle’s weight and work in harmony to stay aligned with other parts.  

Wheel bearings can fail in several ways, and they may send the driver some pretty clear clues.  Sometimes they make strange noises, or you may feel vibrations instead of the usual smooth ride. The most common signs are grinding or humming noises, uneven tire wear and steering vibrations.

Wheel bearings can fail when they are contaminated with water, road salt or dirt that slips in through a broken seal that’s designed to keep those things out.  If lubrication gets too old or overheats, it can create friction and heat that will cause the bearing to fail.  If you’ve hit some hard potholes or curbs, that can also damage a wheel bearing.

Unfortunately, wheel bearings can’t be fixed; they have to be replaced.

Once a wheel bearing is worn, replacement is the only fix—bearings cannot be repaired. When you bring your vehicle in, a technician will give it a road test and listen for noises on turns.  If your bearing needs replacing, the technician will use the appropriate part for your vehicle and make sure the axle nut is torqued to factory specifications.

If you can avoid driving in deep water, keep your tires balanced and make sure your suspension and brakes are maintained, you might minimize the chances of damaging a wheel bearing.  

You probably don’t think about your wheel bearings very much, but they are important to good vehicle performance.  When they’re healthy, your wheels will rotate smoothly, handling will be stable and your braking will feel solid and predictable.

Camarillo Car Care Center
2739 Daily Drive
Camarillo, CA 93010
805-482-2853
www.camarillocarcare.com

With the price of new vehicles these days, you might be thinking about saving some money by buying a used one.  But when you go to look at a vehicle, how in the world do you know what you’re getting into?  

A look around the outside and a short test drive likely doesn’t give you the confidence that what looks like a great buy won’t turn into an expensive mistake. That’s where having a professional technician inspect that vehicle can give you some welcome peace of mind.

The technician will look for things that most of us won’t see, such as leaking oil and other fluids, electrical problems and brake wear. Many issues can’t be seen unless the vehicle is put on a hoist and inspected from all angles, like damage from an accident.   They’ll take the vehicle for a test drive as well, looking at powertrain performance, how the suspension behaves and listening for unusual noises. 

The relatively small cost of an inspection can turn up problems that could cost hundreds of dollars to fix later.  It also gives you negotiating options, asking that the seller take care of the issues at their cost before you buy.  Depending on the extent of the problems, you can offer to buy the vehicle at a reduced price or, if the issues are serious, you might decide not to buy it at all.   

If you are concerned about how safe the previously owned vehicle you’re considering is, the inspector will make sure the brakes, steering and structural components are up to specifications.  They’ll also use a device that checks there aren’t any computer warnings that the previous owner may have just had cleared.  

Getting a professional inspection of a used vehicle you’re thinking about buying can reveal problems and determine how reliable your “new to you” vehicle is likely to be. That’s what you call a smart move.

Camarillo Car Care Center
2739 Daily Drive
Camarillo, CA 93010
805-482-2853
www.camarillocarcare.com

When your vehicle’s wheels are out of balance, they’ll likely give you some clues.  Your steering wheel might shake, the floor or seat vibrates and you might find your vehicle pulling to one side.  Other signs? Your tires might wear unevenly and may make odd noises. Plus, fuel economy might not be what it used to be.

It's important to keep your wheels balanced to keep your ride smooth and prevent wear on other parts of your vehicle.  Unbalanced, vibrating wheels can cause several parts of your suspension to wear prematurely, such as your ball joints, tie rods, struts, shocks and wheel bearings, all potentially expensive repairs.  

Balanced wheels give you a safer vehicle to drive since they improve stability and make your steering respond better.  They also will help you save fuel.

If you notice signs your wheels might need balancing, bring your vehicle in so a technician can check them.  They’ll check each wheel on a computerized balancing machine which can simulate driving at high speed.  The machine helps locate spots where weights can be placed to even out the balance.

When your wheels are properly balanced, you’ll find the ride will be smoother without all that vibration.  Your tires will wear much more evenly and you’ll notice a nice improvement riding in the cabin.

Keeping your wheels balanced should be part of your regular vehicle maintenance.  Consider having them balanced every 5,000-7,500 miles (8,000-12,000 km).  Always have wheels balanced when you get new tires.  Also, have wheels checked after you hit a pothole or curb hard or if you notice the tread on your tires wearing unevenly.  

Camarillo Car Care Center
2739 Daily Drive
Camarillo, CA 93010
805-482-2853
www.camarillocarcare.com

Here’s one part of your vehicle you may never have heard of: the control arm.  It’s the part that connects the wheel hub and steering knuckle to your vehicle’s frame.  What it does is lets your wheel move up and down while keeping it aligned with your vehicle.  

Most control arms have things called ball joints and bushings.  They take a constant beating and wear out after a while.  It’s important to make sure your control arms are in good shape so your steering is stable and handling easy.  It also reduces wear on your tires and allows your suspension parts to wear evenly.  

How do you know if you need a new control arm?  You might feel clunks or knocking sounds every time you drive over a bump.  Your tires may wear unevenly and you might feel your steering wheel vibrate.  You might find your vehicle pulls to one side when you’re driving. 

If you notice some of these signs, it’s a good idea to bring your vehicle over so one of our technicians can check things out.  If they find you need a new control arm, they’ll remove the old one, install the new one and tighten bolts to specifications recommended by the manufacturer. 

Sometimes we recommend replacing other components, such as sway bars, if it appears they’ve worn out.  It’s also a good idea to have us replace both control arms to keep your handling even.  And after a control arm replacement, it’s best to have us perform a wheel alignment.  

Camarillo Car Care Center
2739 Daily Drive
Camarillo, CA 93010
805-482-2853
www.camarillocarcare.com

In an effort to keep the air we breathe clean, modern vehicles with internal combustion engines are designed to reduce the emissions by recirculating exhaust gas into the engine.  It has a part that controls how much of that gas to put back into the engine, and that’s known as the EGR valve.

EGR stands for exhaust gas recirculation, and when your fails or get blocked up, you might notice a few of telltale signs.  You may find your acceleration is slow or uneven, your vehicle stalls or idles roughly, you notice a knock or ping when you step on the gas or your fuel economy isn’t what it used to be.  

If your vehicle has those symptoms, bring it in so a technician can track down what is causing the problems. It’s important to have your vehicle checked because a bad EGR valve can lead to expensive engine damage if the combustion temperatures get too high.  An overheated engine can cause your head gasket to fail.  Plus, you may damage your vehicle’s valves and cylinders.  A bad EGR valve can also result in damage to your catalytic converter, another expensive item to replace. 

Our technicians can scan your vehicle’s computers for codes, test the EGR valve and inspect its wiring and vacuum lines.  If they determine it’s the EGR valve, they’ll install a new one with a new gasket, reconnect the electrical plugs and vacuum hoses, then check how the system is working by taking your vehicle for a test drive. 

When you’re back on the road, you will know that your emissions will be cleaner, your fuel economy better and your engine should last longer.  

Camarillo Car Care Center
2739 Daily Drive
Camarillo, CA 93010
805-482-2853
www.camarillocarcare.com

When something goes wrong with one of your tires, one of the first things that goes through your head is: Do I have to buy a new tire, or is it possible to save this one with a repair? Understanding when you can have a tire fixed and when you need it replaced can prevent you from driving an unsafe vehicle and save you from expensive repairs later.
Some tire issues can be repaired, such as punctures in the tread less than 1/4 inch in diameter.  One of our technicians can patch or plug your tire safely, and it will perform virtually as well as a replacement.  But if the tire’s sidewall is damaged or if there are big punctures or deep cuts, then it’s probably wise to replace it.  If your tire has bulges you can see, significant tread wear and cracks, cracks, definitely replace it.

Looks can be deceiving.  Your tire may appear to be almost new.  But all rubber ages, and many manufacturers recommend replacing tires every six to ten years, regardless of how good they may look.
  
Another thing to consider is uneven wear on tires.  Sometimes that can be caused by driving on them when they were under- or over-inflated.  If your vehicle was out of alignment and you put a lot of miles on its tires, that may also mean they need replacing. 

The main factor is safety.  If you drive on a tire that hasn’t been repaired properly or you keep driving on a compromised tire, you can wind up having a blowout and lose control of your vehicle. On the other hand, if you replace a tire before it’s necessary, that can be an unnecessary expense.
The answer is to have a trained tire technician regularly inspect your vehicle’s tires.  They are qualified to decide if a tire can be saved. The important thing is to catch all issues early.  Consulting a professional technician ensures you’ll make the right decision so you are less likely to have an unexpected blowout.  That will save you money and can help provide you with peace of mind.

Camarillo Car Care Center
2739 Daily Drive
Camarillo, CA 93010
805-482-2853
www.camarillocarcare.com