Auto Repair in Camarillo

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

When your vehicle’s power steering is in top shape, it’s effortless and precise, making direction changes easy; you’re hardly even aware of it.  But power steering can develop problems, and if you don’t pay attention to them, you may wind up needing expensive repairs.

Many systems use power steering fluid, which relies on the pressure of that fluid to help turn your vehicle.  If there’s a leak in your system, the fluid can leak out, and you can lose that power assist.  You’ll know something is wrong if you can feel the steering becoming more difficult, especially at low speeds.  You may hear a whining sound when you turn or notice spots of fluid under the vehicle,

Another component of power steering that can fail is the pump that pressurizes the fluid.  It can wear out, and you can lose your power assist.  Clues you have a bad power steering pump are a whining sound that increases when you turn your wheel and the feeling that the steering isn’t responding as quickly as it used to,

Many power steering systems are driven by a belt, and they can fail or get loose.  Symptoms include a squeal when you start your engine, power assist that comes and goes or cracks in the belt.

A gear that moves your wheels (called rack and pinion) can wear out or fail. Signs include fluid leaking, uneven or stiff steering, a clunking sound when you turn or lots of play in your steering.

Other power steering problems include air in your system or a faulty pressure valve.  

If you have electric power steering, it uses electricity instead of fluid.  Different things can fail, such as wiring or motor issues and a failing steering torque sensor.  Whether you have hydraulic or electric power steering, periodically bring your vehicle in so we can have a technician track down any issues and get your steering system pointed in the right direction.

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

If your vehicle is newer than the mid 2000s, it likely doesn’t have a once-popular ignition system which uses a distributor cap and rotor.  But if your vehicle is old enough to have them, it’s important to make sure they receive regular attention since they’re instrumental to your engine running smoothly.

Here’s now a distributor cap and rotor system works.  The distributor cap sits on top of the distributor, while the rotor goes around underneath it. They take high-voltage electricity from the ignition coil and send it to each spark plug in the correct firing order. That is what enables your engine to run smoothly and efficiently.

Because they’re mechanical, eventually the distributor cap and rotor will wear out. Think how much heat, vibration and electrical stress the distributor cap is endures. That can result in it cracking and the terminals corroding.  Another problem may develop called is called carbon tracking where a line of carbon acts as a conductor to bypass the usual route the electricity takes. Plus, the rotor can wear down and the spark may wind up going to the wrong cylinder.

You’ll notice signs like the engine is hard to start (if it starts at all), it misfires, your fuel economy deteriorates, your power decreases or idling is rough. If you drive in a damp or humid climate, moisture can also interfere with the electrical path.

It’s important to have a technician regularly replace the distributor cap and rotor, typically anywhere from 30,000-50,000 miles/50,000-80,000 km.  Each manufacturer has its own interval, so it’s best to follow their recommendation.  After the distributor cap and rotor are changed out, you should notice much better performance. And your vehicle will be more likely deliver the reliability you’re expecting.

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

We’re used to bringing a vehicle to a stop and hardly noticing the engine’s even running when we’re sitting still.  But sometimes you might notice it running rough when you’re idling.  Your vehicle is shaking, vibrating and making sputtering noises.  You may even notice the tachometer on your instrument panel is showing the engine’s RPMs are moving all over the place.  

Rough engines can be caused by a whole lot of different things.  One possibility is a problem with your fuel system.  You might have a fuel pump going bad, or a clogged fuel filter is restricting your fuel’s pressure. Maybe your fuel injectors have gotten plugged or dirty.  

Maybe it’s something wrong with your ignition system.  Your spark plugs may be on their last legs or the plug wires may be worn out.  The ignition coils which create sparks at your cylinders may be failing.  

Another thing that can cause an engine to run rough can be problems with getting adequate air to it.  Your engine air filter may be obstructed. Modern engines have a lot of sensors that tell the engine’s computers how to adjust fuel and timing, and some of those sensors might have seen better days.

There can be serious mechanical issues with your engine, such as worn piston rings, a leaky head gasket or bad valves.  Your timing belt could also be the problem.  

And, remember when your Check Engine light comes on, it can signal it’s detected something wrong in the way the engine’s components are working together. 

Your engine should be smooth and quiet when you’re sitting at a stop light.  If it’s not, head on over to let one of our technicians track down the problem.  We can have you back to being a smooth operator in no time.

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