Shops specializing in automotive repair service and repairing passenger automobile repair, including engine rebuilding or reconditioning and collision service. They also wash, steam, and paint automobiles.
Poor maintenance can lead to unreliability and costly breakdowns. Look for warning signs like a rumbling sound, the “check engine” light on the dashboard, or uneven tire wear. Contact RSC Automotive Repair now!
- Engine
The engine is a vehicle’s heart, responsible for everything from power and acceleration to air conditioning. A malfunctioning engine can have serious consequences, including overheating and even engine failure. Regular maintenance and promptly addressing any signs of trouble can prevent costly repairs down the road.
The most common automotive repair services include:
1. Oil Changes: Oil changes are one of the most important maintenance tasks, keeping the vehicle properly lubricated and reducing friction and wear. They also help the engine run more efficiently by lowering emissions and preventing overheating.
2. Suspension & Steering Repairs: The suspension and steering systems are crucial for handling and safety. A malfunctioning suspension or steering system can lead to instability and unsafe driving conditions. Common problems include worn shocks, struts, or bearings.
3. Battery & Electrical Repairs: Modern vehicles rely on complex electrical systems, from turning the ignition to running the air conditioner. Repairing these systems can help prevent breakdowns and extend the vehicle’s lifespan.
4. Head Gasket Repairs: Head gasket repair is the most serious engine repair form. During this process, the mechanic will disassemble the engine and inspect its internal components for any signs of damage or wear. They will then replace the faulty parts and reassemble the engine.
It is important to choose an established, reputable auto repair shop. Ask friends, family, and coworkers for recommendations, and check online reviews. Also, visit the repair center to assess its cleanliness and organization. Finally, ask for estimates from several shops before making a decision. Be wary of any quotes that are significantly lower or higher than the competition.
- Transmission
The transmission transfers the engine’s power to your vehicle’s wheels. It can either be manual (a stick shift that you operate by hand), automatic (you select park, reverse and drive but the car does the shifting for you), or CVT (which uses pulleys to change gears). While it isn’t a common part to need repair or replacement, it is one of the more complex parts in your car and requires more knowledge than a simple engine repair.
Often, the first sign that something is wrong with your transmission are strange mechanical noises such as buzzing, whining or a loud grinding sound. Usually this is caused by worn gears or synchronizers. Other signs include low or dirty transmission fluid, leaking hoses or pan, and slipping gears. It is important to catch these problems early as delaying repairs can result in further damage and more expensive fixes.
Most of the time, when a transmission does need repair it is because one or more of the soft parts have gone bad – clutch components such as bearings, gaskets and O-rings, seals and transmission lubricant. While hard parts like converters, pumps and shafts are a bit more durable, they do wear out as well. These soft parts tend to go bad together and need to be replaced as a package.
Rebuilding a transmission involves taking the unit apart, cleaning and inspecting all the components and replacing the ones that are worn or damaged. It’s a more complicated and involved process than replacing just a few components like the clutch, but can be cheaper than a new transmission. Getting a repair estimate is the best way to determine which option is more cost-effective.
- Brakes
The brake system slows and stops your vehicle by converting the motion of the car into heat through friction. Over time, the parts and materials that make up the braking system degrade and wear. Whether it’s due to age, harsh driving conditions or simply the normal operation of your vehicle, regular brake inspections and repairs are important to avoid more costly and dangerous damage.
It’s easy to see when a vehicle’s brake pads are getting low and need replacing. But there are other issues with the braking system that you may not be able to detect. For example, measuring the thickness of a rotor requires a special tool and is beyond the ability of most do-it-yourselfers. Leaks and other problems deeper within the hydraulic brake system are also beyond a do-it-yourselfer’s ability to check or repair. If you’re not able to spot these issues, you could continue to drive until the braking system is completely out of commission.
A standard brake inspection by a professional should take about half an hour or less. This doesn’t include any other brake maintenance or repair work that might be needed.
When you get behind the wheel of your car, you’re used to how your brakes sound and feel – and how quickly they bring your vehicle to a stop. If something seems off, such as a soft or spongy pedal that takes more pressure to press down, it’s worth taking your car into Les Schwab for a closer look.
Over thousands of miles, the braking system develops impurities and moisture through continuous compression, expansion and pressure. If not regularly cleaned and replaced, these can contaminate the brake fluid. This contamination, in turn, contributes to deterioration of the hydraulic brake components. If this deterioration goes unnoticed, it can cause the brake master cylinder to overflow and eventually break down.
- Tires
Tires are the only point of contact your car has with the road and play a major role in the vehicle’s safety, performance and ride quality. Among other things, tires support the vehicle load, transmit traction and braking forces to the road surface, absorb road shocks, and change and maintain direction of travel. Consequently, it’s important to inspect the tires regularly and to have them repaired as needed.
Most passenger tires are pneumatically inflated structures made of rubber and fabric. The outer layer of the tire is natural or synthetic rubber and is covered with a tread to provide grip on the road. Inside the tire, there are nylon cords that strengthen it and steel belts that add strength and rigidity. In addition to the inner and outer layers, most tires contain a filler and a carcass. The filler is a synthetic rubber material that fills the space between the inner and outer layers of the tire, adding comfort and reducing the amount of air that leaks from the casing.
Some vehicles come with run-flat tires that are designed to allow the driver to drive for short distances at low speeds after a puncture. These tires can be repaired by placing a plug in the hole from the inside of the tire and using sealant to keep it in place.
If you have a flat tire, it’s important to have it fixed quickly. In general, tires with excessive wear or sawtooth or feathered edges should be replaced. It’s also important to have the air pressure in your tires checked on a regular basis. If they are underinflated, this can cause uneven wear and a reduced lifespan.
- Electrical
A modern automobile is full of electric components, from the lights and radio to the windshield wipers and air conditioning. While some electrical issues may be impossible to prevent, others can be easily nipped in the bud with a little knowledge and prompt action. By understanding the electrical system, how it works, and how to recognize signs that you need auto electrical repair, you can ensure a safe, reliable vehicle for miles to come.
The most important component of the electrical system is the battery, which provides the power needed to run all the other electrical components and start the engine. If the battery can’t hold a charge or provide enough power to start the engine, it will need replacement. A technician can test the battery for its case integrity, polarity and ability to produce an adequate amount of power with a specialized diagnostic tool.
Another essential electrical component is the alternator, which produces energy to recharge the battery. If the alternator doesn’t do its job correctly, the battery won’t hold a charge and other systems will experience problems. An experienced technician will be able to diagnose alternator problems by conducting a thorough inspection of the unit and checking the condition of all associated cables and wiring.
Finally, the electrical system contains one or more fuse boxes that protect circuits by blowing fuses when they draw too much current or are subject to short circuits. Fuse problems can be a sign of other electrical issues and should always be brought to the attention of a professional automotive repair specialist.
While we love to give helpful advice here on the blog, working on electrical components should only be done by a trained professional. There’s a very real risk of damaging expensive electronic equipment or even starting a fire.