Did you know that car’s engine is made up of hundreds of complex components working together? Those components are there to ensure that your vehicle starts and runs properly. Over time, these components can wear out, resulting in a loss of performance and fuel economy.

In this section, you will learn what a “tune-up” is, and tips to help you know when it’s time for a tune-up. The technicians at Pronto Auto Repair are trained to work on today’s high-tech engines. We’re here to help maintain your vehicle and extend its life.

Every automobile has different needs, depending on past use and driving conditions. That’s why we offer a range of automotive services, from simple checks to more involved repairs

TUNE UP

Maximize gas mileage and power, and increase the overall life of your vehicle, with regular tune-ups. Tune-ups should happen at least every 30,000 miles or every two years, depending on the age and mileage of the car. A tune-up makes sure that often overlooked “little things” work correctly and get replaced if needed.

Here is a typical tune-up:

Replace the fuel filter. Filters get clogged with particles, and it can decrease the car's efficiency and power.
Change the spark plugs and check the plug wires. Bad plugs or wires lead to mileage inefficiency, loss of power, and rough starts. We'll want to make sure you get new plugs and replace old wires.
Replace the distributor cap and rotor. Some cars do not come with these items, but if you have them, we can replace them.
Check the ignition system and timing. Older vehicles rely on ignition timing.
Make needed adjustments to valves and check/replace gaskets if oil is leaking.
Belts are an important part of the tune-up. We check all your belts and replace them if we see signs of wear and tear.
Check all fluids and top off any levels.
Change oil and filter if needed.
Check and replace the air filter.
Check and adjust the clutch in cars with manual transmission.
Service battery. Clean cables, add distilled water, and clean terminals.

The Tune-up process and service may vary from car to car or based on time since your last tune-up service. Prices may also vary based on your vehicle and selected services.

SMOG CHECK

Smog Check: Test Only

Are you due for a smog check? Bring your vehicle into our station to get a smog check today. We are a licensed station that takes pride in thorough inspections. We will send you back on the road, legally approved. If your vehicle needs other repairs to meet state regulations, we'll recommend them.

Make an appointment or come in with your vehicle today.

Tip: Want to improve your odds of passing a smog test? Regularly maintain your vehicle by following your owner's manual guidelines.

Smog Check: Gold Shield Certified

We are a licensed smog check station and Gold Shield Certified by the Bureau of Automotive Repairs. This means that we can legally certify vehicles classified as "Gross Polluters" as well as vehicles directed to Test-Only stations. Best of all, our shop both tests your vehicle and makes repairs conveniently in the same place.

Our knowledgeable staff follows state regulations for smog testing and will check that your vehicle adheres to mandates. If for some reason, your vehicle does not match regulation standards, our staff will let you know what needs repairs. Our professionals are also licensed to perform the necessary services to get you legally back on the road. After completing the emission repairs, our Gold Shield certifies your vehicle right away.

Give us a call or come into our one-stop shop today for a smog check and repairs.

Smog Check: Repair Only

Has your vehicle recently failed a smog check? Are you due for a smog check and not sure your vehicle will pass? Get all the smog repairs you need; simply bring it to our service station. Our professionals know the importance of a street-legal vehicle and work hard on your repairs.

OIL CHANGE

Engine oil is what lubricates a car’s engine, allowing it to run smoothly and last longer. Car owners must maintain a car’s engine by changing the oil and using the oil appropriate for their car's make and model. Every car comes with a “check oil” light and an oil filler under the hood. These components allow car owners to monitor their oil levels and add oil as needed, without having to hire a mechanic.

An important part of routine car maintenance is changing the oil regularly. The necessary frequency of oil changes has become a point of contention among experts. The Engine Oil Bible maintains that engine oil can’t be changed often enough, but Nordic group insists that, with the advent of detergent oils and multi-weight oils, some vehicles can go as far as 6,000 miles before needing an oil change. The best course of action is to check the owner’s manual and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

An obvious benefit of changing one’s own oil is saving money, but oil change services frequently advertise bargains. If the “check engine oil” light comes on while driving, this is a strong indication that the car is running low on oil. A driver does not need a mechanic to add oil. However, if the oil light stays on or lights up shortly after adding oil, there may be a leak and a mechanic should look at the car.

ENGINE REPAIR

Your Check Engine Light (CEL) warns you that your vehicle's computer found a malfunctioning component in your emission control system. You may see “check engine,” "service engine soon,” or “check powertrain.” Or, the light may show an engine picture, perhaps with the word “Check.” To determine the actual problem, we use an electronic scan tool or a diagnostic computer to retrieve Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC).

Some common issues that turn on the check engine light include:

Your gas cap isn't on tight enough; we suggest checking before calling us
Water got into your engine somewhere
The spark plugs don't function correctly
Your vehicle is emitting high levels of pollutants

In any case, you should bring your vehicle to us, and we can inspect your vehicle, diagnose the problem, and take care of it. Leaving your engine light on can cause serious problems with your car in the long run.

TRANSMISSION SERVICE

Using the latest in state-of-the-art technology, we will install a safe and effective cleaner to suspend harmful varnish and sludge from the transmission valve body, torque converter, and lines. Install new high-tech fluid with conditioners. Engine & Transmissions, Repairing or replacing your transmission can be one of the most expensive repairs you may have to make on your vehicle. Maintaining your transmission according to your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations, not only prolongs its life, but can prevent a costly repair or breakdown in the future.

BRAKE INSPECTION

Brake System Components That Can Fail, Fail. Brakes are pretty much the most important safety device on your car. If you’ve ever partially lost your brakes in the past, you’ll agree that it’s not something you want to experience again. Inspecting your brakes twice a year for wear and damage can protect you and your passengers. Additionally, it will also help save you money by catching any damage before it becomes too costly.

The master cylinder, the heart of the vehicle's braking system, holds the brake fluid when it is not being delivered to the brakes through the brake lines. If brake fluid leaks because the master cylinder is worn or brake lines are plugged or broken, the fluid cannot be delivered, and the brake pads will become ruined.

The brake fluid itself can become dirty or contaminated as it draws rust-causing moisture and picks up other debris, or it can break down from excess heat. Clean brake fluid is either clear or slightly yellow, while dirty brake fluid may be brown or even black. Old and dirty brake fluid can damage ABS brake systems internally.

The brake lines connect to the master cylinder through a combination valve, which combines a metering and proportioning valve. It regulates the pressure on the front and rear wheels to make sure both sets of brakes are applied simultaneously. A malfunctioning combination valve may cause the wheels to lock up.

Brake pads and shoes can be made of ceramic, metal, or organic materials, while the disc rotors and drums they press against are made of metal. Because the pads and shoes create friction to stop the car, they gradually wear down over time and may wear away completely, letting the metal of the calipers and cylinders they are attached to grind against the rotors and drums and damage them. (Some pads have a metal strip attached that sounds a warning whistle when the pad becomes too worn, but this strip sounds only when the car is in motion and the brakes are not applied.

WHEELS ALIGNMENT

Improve your vehicle’s handling, increase tire life, and drive with safety by checking your tires every month to insure that they are inflated with the right amount of air pressure. We offer a wide range of tires for your vehicle. Let our professionals help you find, balance, and mount the right tires for your car. Call us and let us help you with your tire services.

Tire Pressure Monitoring System Can Saves Lives.

Most people ignore their tires, yet tires are undoubtedly a critical safety component on a vehicle. Where the rubber meets the road affects traction, handling, steering, stability, and braking. Because of this, a sudden tire failure can have serious consequences, especially if it occurs when operating at high speeds.

Nearly 250,000 accidents occur in the United States per year due to low tire pressure.

About 75 % of roadside flats are preceded by a slow leak or under inflation. According to a recent survey, America could reduce its fuel consumption by 10 % and save a collective $2 billion a year by keeping tires properly inflated.NHTSA estimates that tire pressure monitoring systems could prevent as many as 79 deaths and 10,365 injuries each year in the United States.

What is the Effect of Under Inflation?

An estimated 23,000 accidents and 535 fatal accidents annually involve blowouts or flat tires. Maintaining proper tire air pressure is not only a major safety concern, but can also affect the handling and performance of your vehicle.

Why Is It More Expensive and Time-Consuming to Have Tires Serviced Rather Than Rotated?

Technicians use special diagnostic tools to test and recalibrate sensors any time a tire is moved from one location on the vehicle to another. A sensor must be tested to make sure it is functioning correctly, and also must be reprogrammed whenever tires are moved from one position to another during rotation. OEMs recommend a sensor service kit be installed every time a tire is serviced. These kits include replacement parts to properly service the sensor. Sensors are powered by a battery that usually has a life of 6 to 8 years. The sensor has to be replaced when the battery fails because the batteries are not replaceable.

30K, 60K, 90K MAINTENANCE SERVICE

Ensure maximum miles without major break-downs with routine car maintenance at 30,000, 60,000, and 90,000 miles. Scheduled maintenance allows us to do a point-by-point vehicle inspection, tune-up (spark plugs, filters, etc.), oil change, and transmission maintenance. Depending on your miles and the vehicle, we may change belts, re-time your vehicle, and test the battery.

Cost per vehicle can vary depending on inspection, so please call us for vehicle-specific service information and pricing.

A/C SERVICE

Did you know that without regular maintenance, an air conditioner loses about 5% of its original efficiency per year? This means that without proper maintenance, your air conditioning unit may be performing as poorly as other models that are years older! But there is good news; you can still recover most of that lost efficiency. Schedule an appointment with one of our factory-trained professionals—we understand all aspects of AC repair, from modern computerized components to environmental disposal concerns. Turn to us, your qualified source for everything related to your air conditioning system.

The following is a brief schematic of some of the basic components that comprise this system:

Compressor:

The compressor is a belt-driven device that compresses refrigerant gas and transfers it into the condenser. The compressor is the core of your vehicle's air conditioning system.

Condenser:

The condenser's primary function is to cool the refrigerator. The condenser dissipates heat released by compressed gases and condenses them into high-pressure liquids.

Receiver (Drier):

The receiver is a metal container that serves as a storage receptacle for the refrigerant; also known as a drier because it absorbs moisture from the refrigerant and filters out harmful debris and acids. You should change your drier every 3–4 years to ensure quality filtration and prevent any chemical damage.

Orifice Tube/Expansion Valve:

The orifice tube (also known as the expansion valve) is a controlling mechanism that regulates refrigerant flow throughout the system. It also converts high-pressure liquid refrigerant (from the condenser) into low-pressure liquid, so that it can enter the evaporator.

Evaporator:

The evaporator removes heat from the inside of your vehicle. The evaporator allows the refrigerant to absorb heat, causing it to boil and change into a vapor. When this occurs, the vapor leaves the evaporator through the compressor, cooling your car and reducing humidity. The evaporator houses the most refrigerant in the heat transfer process, and harmful acids can corrode it. This corrosion typically damages the evaporator beyond repair.

SHOCKS & STRUTS

Your car's suspension and steering system allow your wheels to move independently of the car while keeping it “suspended” and stable. Any play or uncontrolled motion in these systems results in handling deterioration and accelerated tire wear. Also, your vehicle's alignment affects the condition of the suspension and steering systems. Contact our professional staff today for an inspection, or schedule repairs to your vehicle's suspension and steering system.

SUSPENSION SYSTEM

Worn or loose components affect the suspension system's ability to control motion and alignment angles, resulting in vehicle handling and stability deterioration, as well as accelerated tire wear. The suspension system includes:

Control arms
Ball joints
Springs (coil or leaf)
Shock absorbers
Struts

Call us: (408) 776-6868