Pleasanton Auto Repair

So, everyone in the Pleasanton California area knows how great helium is – you know, party balloons, squeaky voices. But a lot of people around Pleasanton still haven't heard about the benefits of nitrogen in your tires, and how it can help your tires. Here's some great advice from AutoNetTV, brought to you by Precision Auto Repair. Nitrogen has actually been around for a long time in the Pleasanton California commercial sector, but it's just starting to catch on for private vehicles in the 94566 zip code area. Why nitrogen in your tires? Air is air, right? Actually, it turns out there is a difference. The heart of the matter is maintaining proper tire inflation. When your tires are properly inflated, they last longer, handle better and more safely, and save you money at the gas pump. The problem is that tires filled in Pleasanton with regular air can lose a pound and a half of air pressure every month. This just happens as the oxy ... read more

We all know that under inflated tires wear out more quickly. Under-inflation is also a major cause of tire failure. More flats, blow outs, skids and longer stopping distances are all results of under-inflated tires. It's hard to tell when a radial tire is under-inflated. If your manufacturer recommends 35 pounds of pressure, your tire is considered significantly under inflated at 26 pounds. The tire may not look low until it gets below 20 pounds. Uncle Sam to the rescue! A new federal law requires manufacturers to include a Tire Pressure Monitoring System - or TPMS system - in all vehicles by the 2008 model year. Some 2006 and 2007 models already have TPMS. The system is a dashboard mounted warning light that goes off if one or more of the tires falls 25 % below the manufacturer's pressure recommendations. The law covers all passenger cars, SUVs, mini vans and pick up trucks. The system must also indicate if it has a malfunction. This technology ha ... read more

This fuel saving tip is so simple, no one from here to San Ramon will believe it. It has to do with your gas cap. The first thing is to make sure it's screwed on tight. If it's loose, gas vapor will be constantly leaking out; wasted gas. And air will get in and that can cause your oxygen sensor to read incorrectly and the oxygen sensor will tell the engine management computer to adjust the fuel-air mix and, well, you get the picture; you'll be burning more gas around San Ramon than you need to. This could cause the check engine light to come on as well. A worn gas cap can have the same effect. If you constantly smell gas when you walk by your tank, you might need a new gas cap. So, twist your cap until it clicks three times – that means it's on tight. Have your San Ramon area service advisor at Precision Auto Repair inspect the cap to see if it needs to be replaced. See, I told y ... read more

Today's Precision Auto Repair auto maintenance article focuses on your serpentine belt. Your serpentine belt is a long belt that’s driven by your engine. It winds around several accessories that power important automotive systems. Let’s go over them. First, the serpentine belt drives your Honda, Acura, Toyota or Lexus air conditioning system. It spins the compressor that makes the cool air that takes the edge off the summer heat in Pleasanton. Next, the belt powers the alternator. The alternator creates electricity that’s used by your Honda, Acura, Toyota or Lexus’s electrical systems and also charges your car battery. All Pleasanton drivers know that without the alternator, the battery will go dead in a few miles. The serpentine belt may also run the pumps for both the power steering and power brakes. And, on many Honda, Acura, Toyot ... read more