Burbank Auto Repair

It’s the time of the year again where most of us get a good amount of money added to their bank account balance with their yearly tax refund. Depending on income and tax bracket, the average taxpayer received up to $2,800 this February which means we all have a little bit of extra cash on hand. But what should you spend it on? With a need for personal transportation and rising gas prices in California, it’s important to have your car running smoothly to improve efficiency and keep it from breaking down. Here are four ways to spend your tax refund wisely on maintenance for your car! Tires If you don’t remember the last time you changed your tires, it's time! Throughout your car’s life and daily usage, wear and tear due to road conditions, temperature changes or driving behavior will eventually decrease the tire tread. Investing into some new tires that match your driving needs is therefore a great way to spend some of your tax refund! Fresh rubber does a g ... read more

The serpentine belt is a long, snake-like belt under the hood that transports the power necessary to run your vehicle's accessories, like your alternator, power steering pump, water pump, A/C compressor, and more. Sometimes, it can be referred to as the accessory belt or fan belt. The serpentine belt typically has a v-shaped ribbing that runs vertically, and you can find it on the crankshaft outside the engine. Because the serpentine belt is made of rubber, it will age over time and need replacing. A serpentine belt should not be a part you wait to break before giving it attention. Otherwise, it can severely damage the engine and surrounding parts. If the serpentine belt shows signs of wear and tear, it would be wise to ask your mechanic when you should replace it. Some of the signs of wear and tear for a serpentine belt include: Physical evidence (fraying, glazing, cracking, tearing, etc.) Dim or faint vehicle lighting A dashboard warning light comes on Performance loss (bat ... read more

An automotive oxygen sensor, or O2 sensor, is responsible for detecting the oxygen levels in your exhaust gases. The sensor measures it and sends this information to the car's computer to ensure a smooth and controlled combustion process. Without it, your car would be running very inefficiently and even dangerously in some cases.   The automotive O2 sensor is a small piece that you find in most cars, SUVs, and trucks nowadays. It prevents engine knocking, which occurs when the engine misfires or fires too soon before burning the air and fuel mixture. The sensor prevents engine damage by measuring and allowing the correct oxygen levels.   Oxygen sensors are commonly located in the exhaust pipe to monitor combustion efficiency in an engine. Their position is to return some of the air that burned with high-temperature oxygen gas during the process. The sensor uses a heated wire or platinum wire as its heat source and ejects a low-current electrical cue in response to shi ... read more

It is essential to make sure your car is ready to cruise smoothly on roads during the stubborn winter season. To do this, you'll need to have a maintenance checklist. Read on to discover some of the activities you can include in the checklist.   Check All Fluids Checking to make sure that your car’s fluids are topped off and in good condition can help prevent breakdowns and vehicle trouble during the holiday season.    Battery Check During low temperatures, chemical reactions in the battery slow down when restarting the car. It can, in turn, be hard to ignite your car since the battery needs more current to start the engine. Running a battery load test is important because you can see if it has enough Sulphuric acid and distilled water to enable the car to start during low temperatures. Additionally, check the battery cables and terminals if they have a crack and ensure Sulphuric acid and distilled water is full to the re ... read more

Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Oil Level Sensor Maintaining your car is similar to keeping your body healthy, you have to understand what it needs and don’t ignore warning signs. When it comes to engine oil, it acts like blood, circulating through the engine making sure all its moving parts run smoothly for hundreds of thousands of miles. Any type of combustion motor, whether it is a 4 cylinder or V8, requires a certain amount of oil to keep metal parts properly lubricated. With old, excess or low amounts of oil, serious damage can occur to the engine. To avoid that issue, every car is equipped with an oil level sensor, notifying the driver when oil levels are unusual. Where Is My Oil Level Sensor Located? Your car’s oil level sensor is located inside the engine’s oil pan, where it is placed to measure the amount of oil prior to starting the engine. Depending on the car, many oil level sensors are accessible towards the lowest point of the oil pan from ... read more