Van Nuys Auto Repair & Service Center

Today we want to talk about timing belts. They’re something that many Van Nuys drivers don’t know much about and yet your vehicle won’t run if it’s broken – and it could cause many thousands of dollars damage if it does break. A broken timing belt is usually a tale of woe. Even though timing belt replacement is scheduled in the owner’s manual, it’s not the kind of thing that most Los Angeles car owners remember because it’s not well understood. Let’s review what a timing belt does. As you know, the engine’s power is generated in the cylinders. A piston rides up and down in the cylinder. During the first down stroke, an intake valve at the top of the cylinder opens and air and fuel is drawn into the cylinder. Then the piston returns to the top, compressing the fuel and air mix. At the top, the spark plug fires, igniting the fuel pushing the piston down in the power strok ... read more

You may know that all 2008 model year and newer cars, mini-vans and light trucks in Van Nuys come with a tire pressure monitoring system. Many slightly older vehicles around Van Nuys have these systems as well. A tire pressure monitoring system – called TPMS – consists of sensors on each wheel that measure tire pressure. If tire pressure drops 25 percent below the manufactruer’s recommended pressure, the sensor sends a signal to a monitoring unit that causes a warning to light up on the dashboard. When you see the warning light, you know it’s time to put some air in your tires. There are many benefits to driving with properly inflated tires around Van Nuys. First is cost savings. Running at the correct air pressure improves fuel economy. Driving on under-inflated tires is like driving through sand – it drags down your fuel economy. You’ll a ... read more

There are some things Los Angeles consumers should know about Van Nuys automotive service and repair. First and foremost, AutoAid & Rescue cares about you and your family’s safety. And we really appreciate your business. AutoAid & Rescue in Van Nuys wants to build a trusting relationship that becomes the foundation for a mutually beneficial experience for years to come. Building on that foundation, there are some things that would help you understand the auto service and repair business better. First, it can be really hard to fix cars. The days of shade tree mechanics are long gone. The majority of automotive systems are computerized. It takes a lot of training and very expensive equipment to diagnose and repair modern vehicles. The technicians that work for AutoAid & Rescue need extensive computer training – not just how to run the diagnostic systems, but also searching for the right part ... read more