Van Nuys Auto Repair & Service Center

The PCV Valve is a little, inexpensive part that does a big job for Van Nuys drivers. PCV stands for Positive Crankcase Ventilation. The crankcase is the bottom area of the engine that holds the oil. When the sedan engine’s running, fuel is burned to generate power. Most of the exhaust from combustion goes out through the exhaust system. But some exhaust blows by the pistons and goes into the lower engine, or crankcase. These hot gases are about seventy percent unburned fuel.This can dilute and contaminate the oil, leading to damaging engine oil sludge. It can also cause sedan engine corrosion, something we see occasionally at AutoAid & Rescue. At high speeds on Van Nuys freeways, the pressure can build up to the point that gaskets and seals start to leak. Back in the old days, engine makers simply installed a hose that vented these g ... read more

Suspension systems will continue to operate effectively for many years and tens of thousands of miles. Eventually sedan components do wear out, but how long that takes depends a lot on how you drive in Encino. As you can imagine, if most of your driving is on smooth CA highways, your shock absorbers will last a lot longer than if you do most of your driving on bumpy roads or hauling heavy loads. In addition to just wearing out, sedan suspension components can be damaged in an accident or by a hard impact – like a pothole, hitting a curb or a rock in the road. Because the life span of shocks can vary so widely, your sedan manufactruer recommends periodic inspections. During an inspection at AutoAid & Rescue, your family Encino service technician will check for worn, broken or missing parts. Let me give a rundown of the major suspension components. First there are the ... read more

Every Van Nuys car owner who has taken their car in for an oil change has been told that their engine air filter’s dirty. Here’s what goes into the determination of when to change the filter: First, your sedan owner’s manual will have a recommendation of when to change the filter. Second, a visual inspection by your Los Angeles technician may determine that your filter it is visibly dirty and needs to be changed. Now, most air filters purchased in Sherman Oaks, Encino, or Tarzana don’t cost a lot to replace. It’s just that CA people hate getting caught with an unexpected expense. On the plus side, though, changing a dirty air filter at AutoAid & Rescue can often save enough on gas to pay for itself before your next oil change in Los Angeles. Think about a dirty furnace filter in your Encino home. When i ... read more

Today's AutoAid & Rescue auto maintenance article focuses on your serpentine belt. Your serpentine belt is a long belt that’s driven by your engine. It winds around several accessories that power important automotive systems. Let’s go over them. First, the serpentine belt drives your sedan air conditioning system. It spins the compressor that makes the cool air that takes the edge off the summer heat in Los Angeles. Next, the belt powers the alternator. The alternator creates electricity that’s used by your sedan’s electrical systems and also charges your car battery. All Los Angeles drivers know that without the alternator, the battery will go dead in a few miles. The serpentine belt may also run the pumps for both the power steering and power brakes ... read more