San Carlos & Valley Springs Auto Repair

Regular oil change is one of the simplest, yet one of the most important maintenance services that will keep you BMW humming through the years. Fresh engine oil not only has the correct chemical and mechanical properties, but it also carries away dirt and gunk that gets created when various moving parts of the engine work in close proximity. The longer the interval between oil changes, the greater the degradation of the oil’s chemical and mechanical properties due to age and heat, and also, the greater the amount of gunk and dirt that the engine oil circulates through the engine – because engine oil filter has a limited capacity to filter out all those impurities. That’s why with every oil change professional mechanics also provide a fresh oil filter, so the system can work as designed, and provide maximum lubrication and cleaning for the engine. The rule of thumb says that you should have your BMW go through an oil change every 5000 miles (if using 100% synthetic o ... read more

One of the recurring services your Hyundai will need is battery replacement. Most car batteries last about 4-5 years. Over time the battery will weaken until replacement will become a necessity. At Toole’s Garage in San Carlos we offer wide range of Hyundai services, and battery replacement is one we perform regularly. Before we would replace a battery, though, we will test it to make sure it can still hold a charge. Sometimes what appears to be a dead battery is really some other problem – failing alternator, or a parasitic electrical drain. Before we recommend spending money on parts, we will make sure as to the root cause of the problem. Fortunately car batteries exhibit a range of symptoms before they fail, so if you notice your Hyundai exhibiting any of the signs listed below, bring it to our San Carlos auto care facility for a battery checkup – last thing you want is to be stuck in the middle of nowhere with a dead car battery. Here are the symptoms that indi ... read more

The engine is one of the most important components of your BMW as it provides the power that moves it. It needs regular maintenance to deliver peak performance. Technicians who work at our Valley Springs auto care center could write volumes on BMW engine repair – obviously for the purpose of a blog post, we shall provide a highly abbreviated overview, and really only of the symptoms to watch out for. We highly recommend regular maintenance, which extends engine life, and provide predictable and worry-free ride. Signs your BMW’s engine needs repair The following signs are your BMW’s way of hinting that you need to book an appointment with an auto repair shop for engine repair. Excessive exhaust smoke One of the top signs of a failing engine is that your BMW starts producing a large amount of smoke. Ideally, your exhaust should produce translucent vapor not smoke. If you notice that the color is blue, black or white and it’s i ... read more

Your Audi comes with a variety of systems that play unique roles in the overall performance of the vehicle. One of such vital system is the evaporative control system (simply known as EVAP) and its purpose is to contain gasoline fumes, so they are not released into the environment. It’s your Audi’s way of controlling pollution. Driving with a leaking evaporative system puts you and your passengers in danger of inhaling harmful fumes. It will likely cause the check engine light to come “on”, with the most common codes being: P0442 - Evaporative Emission System (EVAP) Small Leak Detected P0455 - Evaporative Emission System (EVAP) Large Leak Detected P0446 - Evaporative Emission System (EVAP) Vent System Performance If your vehicle has hard time starting after you fill the gas tank, it could also indicate potential EVAP problem. At Toole’s Garage in San Carlos we can diagnose any EVAP issues your Audi may experience. Typically we will first read the faul ... read more

    You’re cruising along the highway in your Honda, not a care in the world and then you glance at the dashboard only to see that the check engine light has popped on. Now you’re confused because you don’t know whether your car will stop running on the highway or how much it would cost to fix the issue. If you find yourself in this situation, the best course of action is to drive to a trusted auto repair shop. If the check engine light if flashing, pull over as soon as it is safe to do so and shut off the engine – running the engine at this point could cause significant damage   What does the check engine light mean? When the check engine light in your Honda illuminates, it could be due to a variety of things. Here are some common reasons to know: Loose gas cap This is a surprisingly frequent cause of the check engine light turning “on”, so it should be the first place you che ... read more

Rough surfaces, potholes and bumps could wreck havoc on your Honda but the suspension system is why that doesn’t happen. It is responsible for delivering a comfortable driving experience by smoothing out the effects of the bumps and potholes. It also helps to keep your tires in contact with the ground, giving you controlled ride and preventing rollover accidents. Since it’s hard at work every day, over time various suspension components may wear down or even break. Toole’s Garage in San Carlos offers full range of suspension testing and repairs. Signs your Honda needs suspension repair Suspension deterioration usually happens gradually, over extended period of time, and we do not notice these gradual changes. Only when it’s repaired do we realize how much better the car handles, and how much smoother it rides. Here are some signs to watch out for: Oily shocks If the shocks are leaking oil, shock replacement is a necessity ... read more

Your Audi’s dashboard contains a number of warning lights that tell you the status of your vehicle. Tire Pressure Monitoring Light (TPMS) has an exclamation point, surrounded by something that is supposed to represent a tire. If your Audi computer turns on this light, it’s telling you that one or more of the tires are under-inflated – or that there is a problem with the TPMS sensor system.   What is TPMS? The TPMS or Tire Pressure Monitoring System became a mandatory component on U.S. vehicles since 2008. Its main function is to alert you of notable change in air pressure occurring in the tires. In other words, the system monitors your tires to inform you whenever they are either overinflated or under-inflated. Tire-related problems are one of the highest causes of accidents in the world and this system was designed to address this issue. By alerting you to unusual pressure in the tires, TPMS helps to prevent problems such as flat tires, uneve ... read more

Electrical faults in an automobile can cause a great deal of inconvenience as they affect the overall performance of your Chevrolet. Moreover, they can be some of the most difficult problems to track down, especially if the problem is intermittent, as electrical problems often are.  If your Chevrolet has an electrical fault, call your local mechanic to make an appointment. At Toole’s Garage in Valley Springs we offer full range of electrical system diagnostics and repairs. Signs your Chevrolet has an electrical problem Electrical warning signs come in various forms, so you need to know what to look out for when checking for possible faults. Here are some signs to look out for.  Engine won’t crank Your Chevrolet needs sufficient electrical power to start and turn. In most instances where an engine refuses to crank or start, the problem could be a dead battery, a failing starter or an electrical drain. Blown fuse ... read more

Many vehicle owners assume that a dead battery is the only culprit whenever their Subaru refuses to start. While this may the case in many instances, another possible reason why you may struggle to get your vehicle’s engine running is a failing starter. The starter is a vital component that cranks your engine when you turn the key. Signs your Subaru needs a new starter When the starter in your Subaru fails, you can’t go anywhere. However, there are signs your vehicle gives you before your starter stops working. Here are the top symptoms: Engine won’t turn over The most obvious sign that your car’s starter is getting bad is when you push the start button or turn the key and the engine refuses to crank or cranks slowly. You may even hear the clicking sound when you turn the key yet get no response. It may start eventually, but it clearly struggles to get going. Strange noises When you turn the key or push ... read more

Your vehicle’s brake system comprises a number of components that all play a critical role in ensuring your safety and that of your passengers. Brake pads press against rotors to create friction that slows down your Audi.  Since they’re a contact wear item, brake pads suffer wear and tear and need replacement from time to time. Signs your Audi needs brake pads replacement Since brake pads are just one of the several components that make up the brake system, identifying the symptoms of worn or damaged brake pads can be tricky. Here are common signs to help you figure out that brake pads might be the problem:   Noisy brakes If you hear a grinding noise anytime you press the brakes, it’s likely because the brake pads are worn out. These strange noises are produced when metal scrape against metal between the brake pad backing plate and the rotor. Brake warning light Your Audi’s brake system has a dedic ... read more