Articles:

Timing Chain Replacement in Valley Springs CA

Most car owners know that timing belts need to be replaced every 60,000 to 100,000 miles, but what about timing chains? Aren’t they supposed to last forever? Not quite. Even though timing chains can last much longer than timing belts, any given timing chain may require a replacement. The most frequent reason for timing chain replacement is stretching – yes, timing chains can stretch, causing misfires or poor engine performance. Audi vehicles in particular are known for stretched timing chains. Signs of Timing Chain Problems: Unlike the timing belts which can fail without a warning, typically your vehicle’s timing chain will give you advanced notice that things are going wrong – here are 3 hard to miss signs that the timing chain needs to be inspected by a professional mechanic:   Metal shavings – if during oil change your mechanic finds metal shavings in the engine oil, timing chain problem could be the cause Engine misfires or la ... read more

Volkswagen Service and Repair in San Carlos CA

At Toole’s Garage in San Carlos we offer comprehensive Volkswagen maintenance services, diagnostics and repairs – whether you drive a classic VW Beetle, or a brand new Jetta (that’s right, you don’t have to take your new VW to a dealer – at Toole’s Garage we offer better service than the dealers, and a better warranty as well – and your right to service your vehicle at an independent auto repair facility is guaranteed by Federal law – regularly servicing your VW at Toole’s Garage fulfills the requirements to keep manufacturer warranty in force .) Volkswagen vehicles can provide reliable transportation, but do require regular maintenance and occasional repairs. At Toole’s Garage we can provide manufacturer recommended maintenance services, as well as diagnose and repair any problem that may plague your VW. In addition to following manufacture recommended schedule of services, we are huge believers in regular oil changes. New ... read more

Mercury Service and Repair in San Carlos CA

Even though Ford discontinued the Mercury brand in 2010 and ended production in 2011, there are still hundreds of thousands of Mercury vehicles on the roads and plenty of Mercury fans. At Toole’s Garage in San Carlos we offer comprehensive Mercury service and repairs, whether you drive a Mercury Grand Marquis luxury sedan, a Mercury Mountaineer SUV, or a classic Mercury Cougar. We have the skills, diagnostic equipment, and trusted parts sources to keep your Mercury in great shape for years to come. As your Mercury ages, regular oil changes and service become crucial. Not only because fresh oil extends engine life, but also because each visit gives us an opportunity to perform a complimentary digital vehicle inspection and spot any developing problems. When we catch the problems early, it allows us to correct them at a much smaller cost then when the problems manifest with outright breakdowns or malfunctions. Often we can alert you to upcoming maintenance / repair needs so you ca ... read more

Hummer Service and Repair in Valley Springs CA

  The Hummer is a remarkable vehicle, and with its roots in the military, it’s designed for stability and toughness. Hummer, a civilian version of the military Humvee, was first introduced in 1992 – over thirty years ago. Since then it has undergone a number of changes, giving rise to H2 and H3 models, and recently, in 2022 it became a Hummer EV – a fully electric vehicle. Rest assured that at Toole’s Garage in Valley Springs we can service and repair any Hummer model you happen to own, whether gasoline powered, diesel or electric. As your Hummer ages, it will require more maintenance and repairs will become more frequent as well. At Toole’s Garage we are focused on regular oil changes and inspections. Regular oil changes extend engine life, and the free digital vehicle inspection we offer with every service or repair allows us to spot potential trouble and to nip it in the bud. If we do find items that need repairs, all work performed by our nation ... read more

Chrysler Service and Repair in Valley Springs CA

Given the increasing complexity of modern cars, it is important that your auto repair service provider employs highly trained technicians and uses cutting-edge digital tools. At Toole’s Garage in Valley Springs, we offer comprehensive auto Chrysler maintenance and repair services, and our technicians, certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) are equipped with the latest digital diagnostic tools that can talk to your Chrysler’s onboard computers.  So whether you drive Chrysler 300, or the state-of-the-art Chrysler Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid Minivan, our technicians can provide your vehicle with everything it needs, and we provide you with our nationwide 36 months / 36,000 miles warranty. Regular maintenance is crucial to maintaining the optimal condition of your Chrysler. Even if your car seems to be running smoothly, regular maintenance is designed to ensure that it will continue to do so in the future. With every service or repair we o ... read more

Buick Service and Repair in Valley Springs CA

Buick is a venerable brand that we fully support at Toole’s Garage in Valley Springs – from oil change and brake repair to check engine light diagnostics, transmission service, auto air conditioning refill and repairs, and major engine repairs as well. Our nationally ASE certified technicians are some of the best in the country, and will treat your Buick with the care it deserves. Whether you drive Buick Regal, or one of the Avenir Buicks, our Valley Springs auto care facility has the cutting-edge equipment, access to the latest Buick repair information databases, and we provide our clients with a 36 month / 36,000 mile nationwide warranty. We are big fans of following manufacturer’s schedule of services. These not only involve oil changes and other fluids changes, but also call for inspections of various sub-systems of your Buick, to catch any developing problems early, and to keep your Buick reliable and ready to take you places at a moment’s notice. At our ... read more

Engine Timing Explained - Why Is It So Important

Engine Timing Explained - Why Is It So Important

Do you know what makes your engine tick? What determines how efficiently and powerfully your engine runs? The answer is engine timing, a complex and crucial process that synchronizes the movement of your engine's valves and pistons. Engine timing is responsible for regulating the combustion of fuel and air in your engine, which translates into the power and performance of your vehicle. Let's take a closer look at this fascinating component! The Basics - What is Engine Timing? Engine timing refers to the coordination of the opening and closing of the engine's valves in relation to the movement of the pistons. This synchronization is not a mere mechanical formality but a carefully calculated maneuver that ensures the engine operates at its optimal efficiency. Ignition Timing Ignition timing, a vital subset of engine timing, governs the preci ... read more

Prius Service in Valley Springs, CA

Servicing your Prius should be a regular affair, both to keep your Prius in top shape, and also to prevent unnecessary repairs. Fortunately, Prius vehicles rarely break down, but regular service is what keeps even those rare repairs at bay. Oil change is, naturally, the most frequent, and some would argue, most important service. Regular oil changes extend engine life. They are doubly important for Prius vehicles, though, because most Prius models tend towards excessive oil consumption. Some of the older Prius vehicles can consume as much as 1 quart per 1000 miles driven. At Toole’s Garage in Valley Springs, we recommend that you check engine oil regularly, and top it off every 1000 – 2000 miles, especially if  your Prius tends to consume engine oil in large quantity ( your vehicle should consume very little engine oil between oil changes – 1 quart over 5000 miles would be considered borderline excessive). Another reason to bring your Prius to our Valley Sprin ... read more

Prius Inverter Replacement in San Carlos CA

Prius vehicles continue to be some of the most popular cars on the Bay Area roads. Well-known for their reliability and longevity (300,000 miles for a well maintained Prius is not unusual). However, with that longevity come some repairs – in the case of a typical Prius it may mean inverter replacement. Prius inverters have not been trouble free - Toyota did issue a recall for Prius inverter related problems. Some vehicles suffered thermal damage to the system which may result in inverter failure. In addition, on older Prius vehicles, the inverter can simply fail due to age. Typical symptoms of the inverter problem is your Prius going into neutral, and hybrid system warning and power steering warning coming “on”. This could indicate that inverter replacement may be a necessity. To be sure, and to avoid blindly “throwing parts” at a problem, we recommend taking your Prius to a professional mechanic who specializes in hybrid vehicles. Our San Carlos auto ca ... read more

RAM Promaster City Service and Repair in San Carlos CA

If your RAM Promaster City needs service, or diagnostics or repairs, Toole’s Garage in San Carlos offers complete Promaster care. Our nationally ASE certified technicians have extensive RAM diagnostic experience, and use state-of-the-art digital diagnostic tools to get to the bottom of any problem your RAM may exhibit. Whether it’s the heated seat is not working, or your Promaster City has electrical system problem, we can get to root cause of the issue and get it fixed. If your Promaster City is a fleet vehicle, inquire about our priority fleet service – we want to get your van back on the road so it’s making you money. When you bring your vehicle to our San Carlos auto repair facility, our friendly service advisors will take great care of you and your vehicle, and you can also expect a free digital vehicle inspection that will keep you up to date about the condition of your Promaster, and a nationwide 36 months / 36,000 miles warranty on all repairs performe ... read more

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