Auto Repair in Camarillo

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