Burbank Auto Repair

If you love to take their pets out to restaurants, hotels, grocery stores, movies, malls, and more, who's to stop you from taking them on a road trip? Traveling with pets may seem like a handful (which it can be), but it can pay off in the end. It may make the trip more fun and complete. Before you embark on a little adventure with your furry friend, you should beware of a few things:   The Window Issue While it is nice to get fresh air in the car, it can be considered unsafe to do it with your pet unsupervised. Your cat or dog may hang too far out the window. Or debris and other obstructions can come face-to-face with your pet. It’s better to keep the windows up this time around! Install a Harness Strapping your little one down may sound inhumane, but it isn’t because it is all for the benefit of their well-being. There are specific items that help secure your pets, comfortably. You may have to deal with some whining at first, but it will realize it isn&rsquo ... read more

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