Automotive Industry News & Information - Always On Time Auto & RV Repair

Person driving with hands on the steering wheel

We’ve all been here: You start up your vehicle in the morning and begin to back out of the driveway. Before your hand reaches the volume dial on the stereo to crank up your favorite morning radio duo, you hear a noise coming from your car. A vehicle shouldn’t make that noise, yet yours is. And it sounds bad. But is it?

There is a reason we check your brake fluid when you come in for a service check. Maintenance pays big dividends and we want to avoid high repair costs for our Santa Clarita drivers. Did you know that brake service isn't just all about the brake pads, drums & rotors? That we have found low brake fluid to be the cause of a large percentage of brake issues here at Always On Time Auto & RV Repair? Seriously, brake fluid is an important part of your braking system and with your service intervals being less frequent on the newer vehicles 5,000-10,000 more miles this has become an issue! Why?...

Your vehicle's belts and hoses are essential to the cooling, air conditioning and charging systems, and the engine. Don’t take these routine replacement intervals for granted because they can break down and leave you stranded.

What is the purpose and importance of your belts and hoses? The timing belt keeps the crankshaft and camshaft mechanically synchronized to maintain engine timing. Whether serpentine, V-belt, or fan belt (the belts on the outside of the engine), they all transmit power from the front of the engine to accessories that need to be driven, such as the air conditioning, the charging system, and fans. Radiator and heater hoses carry coolant to and from the engine, radiator, and heater core.

If you spend much time on the road, you’ll eventually encounter a flat tire on your vehicle. At Always On Time Auto & RV Repair in Santa Clarita, CA we want to prepare you for what you should do next. First, get out of traffic immediately. It’s best if you can stop on solid, flat ground, out of the way of traffic where other drivers can see you. Don’t continue driving; your steering is compromised, and you risk damaging expensive components, including your rim. Next, decide whether you want to call a tow truck, or change the tire yourself. If you have towing and assistance then you can call for help but it is always great to be able to handle the situation yourself if need be as there is not always cell phone service and you sometimes do not have the luxury of the added time it would take to wait for that assistance.

At Always On Time Auto & RV Repair in Santa Clarita, we know that the difference between a vehicle that runs for 80,000 miles and a vehicle that makes it to 400,000 miles depends on one thing; maintenance. Here are a few tips to avoid some of the most notorious vehicle killers out there.

Keeping our customers safe and on the road is our goal at Always On Time Auto & RV Repair in Santa Clarita, CA. When something goes wrong with your engine or your vehicle's electrical system, your car will usually let you know immediately. However, when the rubber meets the road, you need to know that your tires are in great shape as well.

At Always On Time Auto & RV Repair in Santa Clarita, we believe it’s important for you to know how different systems in your car, truck, or SUV operate. Whether you want to know what to watch out for, or you’re just curious about how things work, we’re here to supply the answers.

Vehicle belts aren’t that different than the belts that hold up your trousers. They need to fit properly and stay in place, and if they break, sag, or wear out, you’ll probably wish you were wearing a different belt that day. The same goes for the belts in your car. Your engine compartment is a punishing environment, and while all auto belts are made of materials designed to be both flexible and tough, even the toughest materials will eventually wear out due to the extreme temperatures under the hood.