Auto Repair in Camarillo

Name someone you know who enjoys spending a lot of money on gasoline.  Yeah, me neither. That’s because it costs quite a bit to keep fueling your vehicle.  

One way to save money on gas is to get good fuel economy, and most of today’s vehicles are designed to maximize your mileage.  But you might find you’re filling up more frequently than you used to and are wondering what can cause your fuel economy to tumble.  Here are a few possible reasons your mileage has been headed downhill.

A logical spot to start is in your fuel system.  You may have a faulty fuel injector or an old fuel filter clogged with debris.  Another problem might be oxygen sensors, which measure the air coming into your engine and the emissions going out. An illuminated Check Engine light may be a sign of trouble there. Plus, worn-out spark plugs can reduce your fuel economy. 

Under- inflated, or over-inflated, tires can also be a cause. Make sure they’re all at the same pressure.  When’s the last time you changed your engine air filter? One that’s clogged and dirty can rob you of better fuel economy. Another bandit is a dirty, leaky, or clogged exhaust system, so have it checked out by a pro.

Finally, how you drive can also mean wasted gasoline. Jackrabbit starts and speeding use more fuel than smoother acceleration.  And if you often sit there with your engine idling while you’re waiting somewhere, you’re throwing fuel away.  Just turn the ignition off.

Try out some of these fuel-conserving habits and they’ll pay off for you in the long-run.

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

It’s always more comfortable in your vehicle when you can control temperature and humidity in the cabin. Air conditioning, which is standard on most newer vehicles, is a vital part of that comfort, and a key component of that system is the condenser.

The condenser converts the refrigerant gas into a liquid by cooling it down.  There are a few reasons the condenser can fail.  It can start leaking, which is usually caused by faulty seals and tubes, or debris from the road can damage it since it sits in a vulnerable spot at the front of your vehicle.  

Another way your condenser can be damaged is when bits of metal are released after your vehicle’s air conditioning compressor fails and are sent into the condenser. In both cases, you will have to have the condenser replaced as well as other components that are part of the system.

Here are signs that your condenser needs replacing.  When you turn on your air conditioning, it won’t make the air as cold as you’re used to it getting.  Or it may not get cold at all. Since other things can cause those symptoms, it’s best to bring your vehicle in to us to have one of our technicians determine where the problems are.

They’ll check the system’s pressure and thoroughly inspect for leaks.  If the problem is the condenser, they’ll replace it, refill the refrigerant, search for any more leaks in the system and give your air conditioning a final test to make sure it’s operating correctly.  

Keeping your air conditioning system working helps maintain the value of your vehicle.  It not only keeps the cabin cool when it’s hot outside, but also helps the defroster work properly and controls humidity in all seasons and climates.  Now, that’s very cool.

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

Think about this the next time you’re driving.  Your front wheels can steer your vehicle and, at the same time, the wheels can move, even with all the irregularities in the road moving them up, down and in different directions. Pretty amazing engineering, wouldn’t you say?

What allows that are parts called ball joints.  Most vehicles have them only in the front, but there are some vehicles that have them in the rear as well.  When you consider all the bumps and turns your wheels are subjected to, it’s not hard to imagine the wear and tear these ball joints endure. After any vehicle has put on many months of road time, these ball joints will start to wear out. 

You may find your vehicle’s front wheels clunk when you are on the road, it may not hold the road as well when you go over a bump, or you may feel vibration in your steering wheel and your tires may start to wear unevenly.

When you start to notice any of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to bring it in to have one of our technicians look at what’s going on. If you keep driving with worn out ball joints, you can cause your tires to wear out more quickly.  And if you go even longer, you might find your suspension can collapse, meaning you won’t be able to keep your vehicle under control.  

Many vehicles have upper and lower ball joints, depending on what kind you are driving.  The upper ball joints usually don’t bear any weight while the lower ones do.

When our technician replaces your ball joints, they’ll take your wheels off, then remove the control arm(s).  After replacing the ball joints, they’ll inspect the rest of your suspension to make sure there aren’t any other components that need attention. In some cases, you’ll also need to have your wheels aligned after this service. 

So, when you hear those clunks or feel those vibrations, they may be signs your steering and control over your vehicle aren’t as good as they need to be for dependable, safe driving.  Heed the warning signs and keep your steering and suspension performing the way they’re designed to.  

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

When you notice one of your headlights has gone out, it’s important for the safe operation of your vehicle to get it changed and working again.  Not only is replacing a headlight important for your ability to see in the dark, but it’s also vital that it be lighting your way and aimed correctly so oncoming drivers aren’t blinded.  

Changing a headlight used to be something a driver might try to do themselves.  But that was back when headlights were standard sizes and fairly easy to access on your vehicle.  That has all changed with new technology and designs in today’s vehicles.  Most lamps are now LEDs, and there are different sizes, intensities, and shapes in different vehicles. Accessing those bulbs has also grown extremely difficult in some cases, and we recommend you have one of our professional technicians do it for you.

It's just as important that your brake lights and side marker lights work, too, as they contribute to the safe operation and visibility of your vehicle.  A technician will check to see what is causing a light not to illuminate, which could be a bulb, but also could be a problem with the electrical system in that bulb’s circuit.

Having all your lights working is not only a matter of convenience, but a matter of safety too.  So don’t be in the dark when you don’t have to be. Let our technicians light up your life a little by making sure all your bulbs are working right.

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

Your vehicle’s engine is an engineering work of wonder with many complex parts working in harmony to get you down the road. One of those simple but important components is called a serpentine belt. It is driven by a pulley on the engine and transfers that power to many of your engine’s most important components.  The serpentine belt may drive the alternator, water pump, power steering pump and air conditioning compressor.  

When it’s working like it should, you won’t even notice the serpentine belt.  But when it starts to fail, you may hear a squealing noise coming from under the hood as the belt starts slipping.  Heat and time take their toll on the serpentine belt, causing it to crack or even to start shredding.  When this happens, it may not drive your alternator correctly, and your battery light may come on.  If the water pump isn’t turning, your engine may overheat, causing the heat gauge to show hotter than usual.

When the serpentine belt isn’t doing its job, it’s important to get it serviced very soon.  Letting it go too long can result in many more expensive repairs to multiple parts on your vehicle, especially if the belt breaks.  

Regular vehicle maintenance is important, and an inspection of your serpentine belt should be one of those things you should have one of our technicians do periodically.  While the belts can last for years, it’s important to detect any beginning of wear earlier rather than later.  In addition to the condition of the belt, the technician can also check to make sure pulleys are aligned properly and that the belt is routed correctly.  

Your vehicle’s serpentine belt is one of those components that you won’t even notice when it’s doing its job, and maintaining it will help you avoid surprises at the worst possible time.  

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

Heat is one thing that can damage a vehicle, especially if a problem isn’t taken care of soon.  Be on the lookout for signs that it’s getting too hot in some parts of your vehicle, starting with the most obvious one: the heat gauge/warning light on your instrument panel.

When you see that heat gauge heading into the H zone or the warning light comes on, it’s often because your engine’s coolant is contaminated or running low.  It’s important to let a pro look at it soon before serious damage is done,

The radiator is another trouble spot that can cause overheating.  It has a fan that needs to run properly, and it needs to be free of debris and dirt. Another radiator trouble spot is the core.  When it gets clogged and coolant isn’t circulating as it should, an overheated engine can be the result. Have your cooling system checked regularly, including its thermostat.

Your water pump is another part of the cooling system that can wear out, and when it’s not working right, your engine can get hot quickly.  It should also be on the list of regularly checked engine components.

Finally, your vehicle has several rubber belts and hoses that play vital roles in making sure the coolant is getting where it needs to be.  It’s important to have those inspected by a technician before they fail and heat starts to build up.

Your vehicle’s cooling system is complex and critical to its operation. Plus, it must be maintained so it does what a vehicle’s engineers designed it to do.  When it comes to your vehicle, cool is cool, hot is not.  

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

When you see some liquid sitting underneath your vehicle, your mind starts churning.  Is that normal? Is that something serious, or did I just spill my drink? Here’s a quick list of what those fluids look, smell and feel like, as well as what they might be. No, we don’t recommend you taste them to verify.

   •    Clear and underneath your air conditioner or under the end of your tailpipe. It’s likely something as simple as condensed water.  This probably doesn’t need immediate attention, but you should keep checking periodically.
   •    Oily, brown, golden or black.  That could be the sign of engine oil leaking.  Oil may also smell if it has been leaking on metal and burning.  This is one you should have checked out fairly quickly.
   •    Green, blue, red, yellow, purple or orange and watery under the engine.  Smells sweet.  May be coolant (antifreeze) and a sign of a leaking radiator, hose or clamp.  Also, could mean your water pump is shot or radiator is broken or cracked.  The more that’s there, the more important it is for us to check it out soon.
   •    Yellow, slippery and smells a little foul.  Could be brake fluid. This is one that you should bring to us quickly to have us inspect.
   •    Red or pinkish and collects under the engine or middle of your vehicle.  Could be power steering fluid.  Here’s another one that should be checked by a professional soon.
   •    Red or brown liquid from around your transmission or between your radiator and the transmission, smells sweet.  You might smell burning from around your engine area, too.  Might be transmission fluid.  Another one where it’s important to have a pro look at it soon.  

Your eyes and nose can be helpful to spotting things that need attention on your vehicle.  When in doubt, head on over to see us so a technician can check it out.  Taking care of it sooner rather than later could save you an expensive repair down the road.

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

If you are like most drivers, you don’t worry too much about what shape your radiator hoses are in.  But they are a vital part of your coolant system, helping carry engine coolant from the hot engine to where it is cooled off in the radiator.  

When the cooling system has a problem, you will likely see your vehicle’s temperature gauge showing you it’s running at a higher temperature than it usually does. Or maybe the low coolant light has come on.  If either of these happens, it’s important that you not drive too long since a hot, running vehicle can suffer expensive damage quickly.

Radiator hoses can be damaged by being subjected to temperature extremes, both hot and cold. In addition to the temperature gauge climbing or low coolant light illuminating, there are other clues that may tell you your vehicle is leaking fluid.  You may notice a green, yellow, brown or purple fluid pooled on the ground around your vehicle.  

At any of these signs, it’s time to bring your vehicle in for service soon.  A technician can inspect hoses for leaks, deformities and other problems, as well as looking for cracks and wear.  They’ll also check the condition of the water pump, since problems with it can be another reason coolant will leak out from under your vehicle.

It is better to periodically have your hoses checked rather than waiting until they fail.  How often you should have yours replaced depends a lot on what vehicle you own, and in what conditions it is driven. Rubber degrades not only by temperature but also by what materials it comes in contact with.  For example, oil leaking on a radiator hose can prematurely cause that hose to fail. Age is another factor.  

We recommend you have one of our technicians inspect your cooling system regularly so you don’t get “hosed” by a failure at an inconvenient time.

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

You may have heard someone say they just got the air filter replaced in their vehicle.  But did you know your vehicle has two different major air filters and they both perform quite different—but very important—duties?

Today’s vehicles have a cabin air filter, and an engine air filter.  The engine air filter cleans the air that enters your engine so it can run better, and so contaminants don’t foul vital parts.  While the cabin air filter keeps the air inside the vehicle’s cabin clean, the place where you and your passengers sit.  

It is important that you have each of these types of filters changed at regular intervals, or earlier if either shows signs that they’re contaminated. Your vehicle’s owner’s manual often will recommend how long that interval should be.

First, let’s look at the engine air filter. Your vehicle’s manufacturer will offer guidelines on how often you should change the engine air filter as a matter of routine, by mileage or time interval.  

If you see signs of engine air contamination, such as misfiring, an illuminated check engine light, smoke coming out of your tailpipe, or loss of power, you may need to have the engine air filter replaced sooner.  

Next, the cabin air filter.  Again, the vehicle manufacturer will suggest how often you should replace it. But if you notice excess dust in the cabin, on the dash, console or seats, a bad smell in the cabin, or lower air flow out the heating and cooling ducts, you should have us check to see if your cabin air filter needs replacing. In either case, we’ll make sure we replace your air filters - either engine or cabin - with ones that are right for your vehicle.  

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

Every day that goes by, our bodies get a little more wear and tear on them.  Our vehicles have the same issue.  The older we get and the farther we travel, certain parts start showing some wear.  

Think of your hips. There are parts of our vehicles that are similar to them; just like hips allow your legs to pivot in several directions, your vehicle has similar parts called ball joints, and they connect your vehicle’s wheels to the suspension, allowing them to move together.  These ball joints get a good workout every time the vehicle is moving, especially on bumpy roads.  

Usually, these joints are well lubricated with grease, so they’ll work smoothly and quietly. They’re surrounded by a rubber sleeve called a boot, but that can wear out with age or exposure to moisture or debris.  When the rubber breaks, the grease can leak out, and damage accelerates.

When the ball joints start wearing out, you may start to hear clunking sounds that come from the corners of your vehicle.  You might hear it more clearly when you are turning a corner or going over a bump.  Over time, it might get worse.  Other signs are sloppy steering, vibrations when you’re moving and uneven tire wear.
If a ball joint gets extremely worn, it’s possible you can lose control of your vehicle, a dangerous situation indeed.

If you notice any of these symptoms, bring it to us so a technician can diagnose the problem.  If they determine you need a new ball joint, the technician will check the condition of all the suspension components.  We usually recommend if one of a pair of ball joints goes bad, the other is likely quite worn as well and should be replaced, too. In no time, you’ll be back on the road with an updated agile suspension that feels young again.  

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