San Diego Auto Repair

A timing belt is located in your car's engine behind the drive belts. The job of the timing belt is to keep the movement of the crankshaft synchronized with the camshafts by precisely timing the opening and closing of the valve with the movement of your engine's pistons. At some point in the life your car, the timing belt will need to be replaced, and it is one of the more expensive maintenance procedures you can have done on your car. Manufacturers recommendations about replacement vary anywhere from every 60,000 to 100,000 miles. So, how can you tell whether or not your car has a timing belt or whether is has a timing chain? Most newer models of cars have timing chains instead of timing belts. You can check your owner's manual if you're not sure. The benefit of having a timing chain is that they don't need to be replaced unless they develop a problem. Lack of regular oil changes, low oil levels, and/or using poor quality engine oil can all result in the need for a timing chain re ... read more

Basic car care is really not that difficult. The are a number of simple things that you can do on your own to keep your car running smoothly and in top shape. The following is a list of simple car care tips that are basic to all vehicles: Check the levels of all of your car's fluids Check the tire pressure on a regular basis Change the windshield wipers if they start to show wear Check the battery for leaks, cracks, and terminal corrosion Check the condition of your air filter Clean your vehicle on a regular basis Refer to your owner's manual for the correct information on basic maintenance and service. Have your car checked out a garage at least one time per year and follow the recommended maintenance schedule. That you can do even if you're not a mechanic Even if you're not "mechanically inclined", there are some things that you can do at home to really help prolong the life your vehicle. Check the tire pressure once a month with a tire ... read more