Simple Answers Service Intervals

The water pump is driven by a belt, chain or gear and only operates while the engine is running. It has a limited life span and sooner or later will have to be replaced. You can check your owner's manual to find out how long your water pump should last. Some can fail at only 40,000 miles, or 65,000 kilometers, but almost all of them fail by 100,000 miles, or 160,000 kilometers.

Water pumps don't gradually wear out; they fail. In other words, they're either working or they're not. A failed water pump has to be replaced.

Water pumps can fail in two ways; they can spring a leak or their bearings fail. Leaks can come from a cracked pump but usually develop at the gasket where the pump attaches to the engine.

If you hear a low-pitched grinding sound coming from the water pump, it's time for a new one. If you see coolant leaking in the area near the pump, it needs to be replaced. Also, coolant on the driveway could indicate water pump failure. Many water pumps aren't visible because they're under a plastic cover, so you may have to take your vehicle to Dave's Auto Repair to know if the water pump has failed.

If your water pump is run by the timing belt, then it should be replaced when you replace the belt. Most timing belts need to be replaced at around 60,000 to 90,000 miles, or 100,000 to 145,000 kilometers. The labor for replacing a timing belt is about 90% the same for replacing a water pump, so it's cost-effective to take care of them both at the same time.

Also, if your water pump develops a leak (if it's powered by the timing belt), you have to replace the timing belt as well since contamination by coolant fluid damages the belt. It just makes sense for Nevada City residents to replace both of these parts whenever either one needs it.

Replacing a water pump at Dave's Auto Repair is a car care issue that almost all of us Nevada City residents face eventually. They don't last forever. On the other hand, we can extend the life of most of the components of our vehicle through preventive maintenance. Just as exercise and diet keep our heart healthy, regular check-ups and fluid changes will keep our vehicles healthy. Talk to your friendly and knowledgeable Dave's Auto Repair service advisor.

At Dave's Auto Repair we install quality NAPA replacement parts.

Mar 15th, 2021

With front-wheel drive being so common these days, the differential is just taken care of during a transmission service, so most folks don’t even have to think about it. And most rear-wheel drive differentials don’t need to be serviced for many miles, so it’s understandable that it’s not something on the top of mind. So, it’s not uncommon for people to not know they have a differential let alone know that it needs service.

To better understand what a differential does, think about a high school track. There are lanes marked off on the track. For the long-distance races, the starting lines are staggered. The starting lines for the outside lanes are ahead of the starting lines for the inside lanes. That’s to compensate for the longer length of the outside lanes. Staggering the starting lines means that each runner has the same distance to run.

The differential compensates for the difference in speeds on drive wheels between the inside wheel and the outside wheel in a turn, because they must travel together through slightly different distances. 

Differentials do a lot of work and require very heavy-duty parts. And those parts need protection. The differential fluid lubricates the gears in the differential and keeps them cool. The fluid eventually gets dirty and worn down. Some kinds of differentials require special additives that breakdown over time. So, manufacturers recommend intervals for replacing your differential fluid.

Your service technician will drain the used fluid and check it out for metal bits, which could be a sign of excessive wear on the gears. He’ll then replace the fluid and install the additives if necessary.

Four-wheel drive vehicles need special attention to their differentials because they have a differential on both the front and rear axles that work at different times and sometimes under heavy loads – so they may need to be serviced at different intervals.

Your service advisor can look up the manufacturer’s recommended service interval or you can check your owner’s manual.

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Feb 1st, 2021

Most in the Chicago Park area may not know much about transfer cases, but if you have a four-wheel drive vehicle, you've got one. It makes sure you have power available for both the front and rear axles when driving around CA.

For example, if you have a rear-wheel drive SUV, power goes to the rear wheels until you need four-wheel drive. That's when the transfer case steps in and transfers some of the power to the front wheels as well. You might use a shift lever to go into four-wheel drive, it could be a button on the dash or it might even go into four-wheel drive automatically, depending on your vehicle.

The transfer case is serviced at Dave's Auto Repair by periodically draining its fluid and replacing it with fresh fluid. We also check for leaks and damage. Transfer case fluid cools and lubricates the gears, chains, bearings, shafts and other parts for Nevada City motorists. Over time, the additives in the fluid wear out and it doesn't protect as well. Also, bits of metal and clutch material wear off and contaminate the fluid. There isn't a filter in the transfer case, so if Nevada City drivers allow the contamination to stay for too long, it'll further accelerate wear.

Now, your owner's manual may not have a recommended interval for when you should change your transfer case fluid – so ask your Nevada City service advisor at Dave's Auto Repair. There are several things that affect how often you should change the fluid, so tell her how often you use four-wheel drive: if you drive in wet Nevada City environments like places you cross streams or drive through mud and snow. That kind of stuff really shortens the drain interval.

Transfer case parts will eventually wear out and you'll have to make repairs. But properly servicing your transfer case at Dave's Auto Repair will keep that day as far in the future as possible.

At Dave's Auto Repair, we install quality NAPA replacement parts.

May 21st, 2020

Wiper blades may not be the most exciting topic for most Nevada City residents - but they are pretty important. Most of us Nevada City residents have had an experience when a sudden snow or rain storm hits while we're driving; then when we turn on the wipers - nothing but streaks. This can be especially disconcerting at night when the glare of on-coming headlights distorts your vision.

Simple answer: change your wiper blades<http://davesautorepair244.mynapatools.com/contact-us/> BEFORE they fail. Check them out every couple of months just to see how they are working. Of course, the more you use your wipers, the sooner they'll wear out. Areas with lots of storms or those who drive a lot in CA where there are bugs and road grime will use their blades more.

But even when you're not using your blades, they are exposed to sunlight, ozone, soap and extreme hot and cold CA temperatures which lead to deterioration. Your blades can just rot away and fall apart before you need them. Of course, using your wipers when the blades are torn can lead to scratches in your windshield. Nevada City residents don't want to risk windshield replacement over the cost of a couple of wiper blades.

Now let's talk about wiper blade upgrades. Nevada City residents can upgrade both the design and the wiper material. Let's start with the material. Traditional black rubber blades do a great job of clearing your windshield when they are new. Over time, all of the conditions mentioned above damage them and degrade their performance. Silicone blades are far less affected by environmental conditions and will simply perform better for a longer time for Nevada City residents.

There are two elements to the design. First, the wiper blade itself: Some have a single wiping edge. Others have multiple edges - kind of like a multi-blade razor. The idea is to maximize wiping power during both swipes of the blade.

The other design element is with the wiper frame. This is the structure that applies pressure on the blade as it passes over the windshield. A conventional frame has four to six contact points on the blade. These apply pressure used to clear water and snow. A beam frame provides uniform pressure along the entire surface of the wiper. Their shape catches the wind passing over the vehicle to provide additional downforce to help get a clean swipe. A hybrid frame has four to six contact points as with a conventional blade, but also incorporates an airfoil to provide additional downforce as with beam blades.

So which blade should you choose? Well always use at least the grade and design that came with the vehicle from the manufacturer. Upgrade for better performance and longer lasting blades. The extra cost of premium blades is a good value for this safety system.

While you're at it, make sure you have plenty of windshield washer solvent (use a winter formulation when Nevada City temps drop below freezing) and that your washer nozzles are working well. Talk with your friendly and knowledgeable Dave's Auto Repair service advisor about upgrading your wiper blades.

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You may be surprised to learn that 40% of traffic fatalities take place at night even though there's 60% less traffic. It goes to show how important proper visibility is to nighttime driving.

Obviously, a clean windshield is important - so are good wiper blades. Your headlights play a big role as well. There are two main concerns. One is with the headlamp, or bulb. The other is with the lens.

The fact of the matter is that headlamps go dim over time. You just need to replace them. Some vehicles come with a standard blub which you can replace, or you can upgrade to a halogen bulb that's much brighter. Halogen costs a little more, but you'd be amazed at the difference.

It's a good idea to replace your headlamps once a year. The idea is that your lamps never dim to the point that they become a safety issue. Just take care of it at a fall oil change so that your lights will be bright for the coming long winter nights.

The other big issue is the headlamp lens. For the last couple of decades, most lenses are made of plastic which can get cloudy or yellow. That blocks a lot of light. You can replace the lens, but each lens assembly can cost as much as $350 to $400. It's much less expensive to restore the lens if it isn't broken.

We use a process of special cleaners and polishes to remove the yellowed and hazy layer of the lens. We then apply a hard-protective finish. When we're done, your lenses really are as good as new.

The price depends on the size of the lens and how yellowed or cloudy it is. You can even restore taillights and turn signals.

So, combining a headlamp restoration with new bulbs will light up the road like a new car. Can you clearly see the advantage?

My brake light is on, is that urgent?

Common sense will tell you that if you can't stop, you are endangering yourself and others. Brake warning lights are there to warn you that something is wrong with this vital safety system.

There are several reasons a brake light will come on, but if yours does, get it to your NAPA AutoCare Center and have it checked out right away.

Here are some possibilities of what's going on when you see that brake warning light.

Low brake fluid-A sensor has detected that the brake fluid level is low. The technician can determine if you need more fluid. The technician can also determine if there's a leak in your brake system. Low brake fluid could also be a sign of worn brakes pads. An inspection can reveal brake problems. Just topping off the brake fluid can leave critical problems unaddressed.

The light will also come on if there is a sudden loss of hydraulic pressure in the brake lines. This could be from a brake line rupture. This could be caused by road debris cutting a brake line or simply from corrosion eating through a line. Your brake light will come on at the same time the line ruptures, and you will have little warning. Always keep in the back of your mind that you have your emergency brake as one more way to stop.

The brake light may come on when your parking/emergency brake is on. It could be as simple as you left your parking brake on.

Another brake related warning light is the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) light. This system has many components; a bad wheel sensor or damaged wiring may be the culprit. Your technician has a special diagnostic tool to track this one down.

Brakes aren't something to neglect. When you see that brake warning light come on, take your vehicle to your NAPA AutoCare Service Advisor as soon as possible.

What is your EGR Valve?

It is pretty amazing how auto makers have been able to consistently build more powerful engines in vehicles that get better fuel economy while at the same time meeting increasing environmental standards. One of the little miracles that helps make this happen is the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Valve. The EGR valve routes some exhaust back into the air intake system in both gasoline and diesel engines. The exhaust gas takes up some space in the engine cylinders, replacing some of the oxygen-rich air that would otherwise be in there. This means that the fuel burning event is cooler. Cooler combustion means fewer harmful nitrous oxides are produced.

Your EGR valve can get gummed up, messing the timing and amount of exhaust that is supposed to be recirculated in the engine. Symptoms of EGR valve problems are rough idle and poor engine performance. Performance can be restored by cleaning or replacing the EGR valve, depending on how dirty it is.

EGR valves in diesel engines are particularly susceptible to becoming clogged because of the high soot content in diesel exhaust. [Note: the soot is ultimately filtered out of the exhaust further down the exhaust system, but not before it passes through the EGR valve]

There are a couple of things you can do lengthen the life of the EGR valve in your diesel engine. First, extended idling allows for more soot build up because the engine operating temperature is reduced as it idles and the valve is not opening and closing, allowing particulates to accumulate in the valve. Next is fuel quality. Diesel fuel has a cetane rating: the higher the rating, the better the combustion will be. Unfortunately, the cetane rating is rarely posted on the pump and can vary from location to location. Adding a cetane booster to the fuel tank can help with this.

So, if you are experiencing rough idling or poor performance in your gas or diesel vehicle, have our expert technicians diagnose the problem. They can set things right and restore your vehicle's performance.

Dec 30th, 2019

If you’ve walked through the automotive fluids section of an auto parts store, you’ll know how overwhelming the sheer number of products available can be. How do you know what’s right for your vehicle? 

As you know, these fluids all serve a function in making your car run. Your vehicle manufacturer has specified a particular type of fluid for every system from the motor, to the cooling system, brake fluid and so on. When you realize that not every variation is applicable to your vehicle, the task becomes more manageable.

First let’s talk about why there are so many varieties. Starting with motor oil, we see that manufacturers match the properties of a particular weight or type of oil with the design needs of the engine. For example, engines with sophisticated valve trains often require a thinner weight of oil. 

Some vehicles come from the factory filled with synthetic oil and the recommendation to use it for life. The safe bet is to always use what the factory recommends. The recommendation is what‘s been proven to work in function and durability tests. The recommended oil is also a factor in determining oil change interval schedules. 

A good quality oil has more additives that are engineered to clean and protect the engine. They cost a bit more but are worth the extra protection. If you buy budget oil, you might want to consider shortening your oil change interval.

Sometimes fluids are developed specifically to meet the needs of a particular family of engines. An example would be coolant. Because of the different materials used to build the cooling system, the coolant must be formulated to protect those parts, which vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, from corrosion. We’ve seen special coolant for General Motors, Volkswagen, Chrysler and others.

The same is true of transmission fluid and brake fluid in recent years.

The good news is that your service center has databases that tell them the recommended fluids for your vehicle. This takes all the guess work out. If you have some special needs, like a higher mileage engine or want enhanced performance, ask your service advisor for upgrades or additives that’ll meet your needs while being consistent with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Of course, your full-service oil change will top off your fluids. But it’s a good idea to have some of everything at home in case you need to top something off yourself or to take on a trip. Ask your service advisor or check your owner’s manual for fluid specifications.

747 Zion St

Nevada City, CA 95959

530.265.6706

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