The Harm of Skipping a San Diego Oil Change

Things Your Mechanic May Not Want You to Know

We would all be a little smarter if we knew some basic things about the vehicles we drive, yet we continue to rely on experts to help us diagnose problems with our cars and fix them. We are often made to trust that these technicians are honest enough to tell us the truth about our vehicles. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. 

In fact, most mechanics will go out of their way to keep their clients in the dark in order to make a few extra bucks. Many mechanics understand some basic truth about vehicles that they would not want most of us to know. Instead, they would prefer to deal with uninformed car-owners so they can upsell the repairs and charge you extra money. Luckily, a little knowledge can go far. Here are a few things your mechanic does not want you to know. 

The Infamous Check Engine Light

The leading reason for a check engine light coming up on the dashboard is due to the gas cap not being screwed on properly. A sensor in the vehicle responds when the gas cap is not properly secured and extra oxygen seeps through the gas line. The check engine light almost always goes off once the cap has been tightened or the entire tank of gas is empty. Keep this in mind next time your check engine light comes on. Before you start to panic, just give the gas cap a few extra turns. You could potentially save yourself a significant headache and an expensive bill from the repair shop. 

Car Batteries Almost Never Need To Be Replaced

Mechanics love to tell people that their car battery has died, but most issues with the battery are actually due to the wires connecting the battery and not the battery itself. Over time, the posts where the wires are connected to the battery will corrode. This impacts the contact which provides the power that reaches the vehicle from the battery. What is the fix for this issue? Well, one fix is a can of soda. Take some Coca Cola and pour it on the wires where the wires connect to the battery. The soda will start to eat away at the corrosion and restore the connection. This is a quick and easy fix you can do at home without the help of a mechanic. It can also save you from having to spend money on a new battery. Most car batteries that are running low on power can just be recharged, without being replaced entirely. Although, batteries can actually die and will need to be replaced.

Most Repair Shops Lie About Rotating Your Car Tires

Things Your Mechanic May Not Want You to KnowSo, you have brought your car into the shop and paid a little bit more to have them rotate your tires. After all, mechanics advise that the tires be rotated in order to make sure that all the tread wears evenly. The only concern is that when you get your car back, you cannot really tell if the tires have been rotated. They look the same as when you brought it in. This is because very few auto repair shops will actually rotate your car tires. They will lie and say that they did while taking an extra $50 or so out of your pocket. Even more, there is a serious debate about if rotating your tires is really needed. Certain studies found that tires wear out just as fast whether they are rotated or not. In order to make sure that your vehicle tires are actually rotated, take a piece of chalk and mark them before bringing your car into the shop. 

You Probably Don’t Have to Change Your Oil

The majority of mechanics will claim that your vehicle needs an oil change every 3,000 miles, but that is not necessarily true. Most vehicle experts agree that the oil in a car should be changed once every 7,500 miles at the earliest, although some will also claim that an oil change every 10,000 miles is perfectly fine. It is just as important to check your oil levels in your engine and making sure they are topped off as it is to change the oil. While mechanics will say that your oil is dirty and bad for your engine, the truth is that the engine will burn off the oil, causing it to evaporate over time. Basically, dirty oil just is not a huge issue for modern cars. However, the oil does get lower over time, so buying new oil and pouring it in yourself is recommended. 

The Biggest Issue With Brake Pads Is Rust

Do you notice the brakes of your vehicle screeching? Are you starting to become concerned? Well, they should not be making any noise. The biggest issue with brake pads is rust. Rust is a major issue in climates such as those in San Diego where there are constant humidity and salt in the air due to the ocean. Rust can be quickly and easily scraped, brushed, or blasted off You do not have to shell out of a lot of money for new brake pads. In fact, the majority of people can scrape the rust off their brake pads on their own with the help of a YouTube video guiding them. Although, if you are not comfortable doing this yourself, a trusted San Diego auto repair shop can perform this service relatively cheaply. At some shops, technicians will offer to check your brake pads for free. Some of these mechanics will claim that you need a whole new set of brakes, which is not necessarily the case. 

San Diego Auto Repair Shops

Automobile Repair Shop San Diego is a family-owned and operated business that has been providing the best auto repair experiences in San Diego. We will offer you hassle-free auto repairs starting with a precise damage assessment or estimate. We will tow your vehicle for FREE to our shop, organize for a rental car, and work directly with the insurance company to streamline the repair process. We will even pay up to $500 of your deductible. Contact our San Diego auto repair shop today to see how we can help.