Boise Auto Repair

Fan belts are important to cars. During the colder months, we see (and hear) more squealing fan belts. Wear and tear will eventually loosen all belts but in colder weather, metal engines and parts shrink a bit, causing loosening. A squealing belt is you car's way of warning you of problems and you should come in right away to have it looked it. In the old days, a car three or four fan belts, each one powering the alternator, water pump, air conditioner or power steering. If one belt broke, chances are you could at least make it to the next service station for repairs. Most newer cars just have one belt, called the serpentine belt, that threads through the engine and powers all these things. It's a more efficient system but if that belt breaks, the car will likely fail immediately due to loss of function to multiple systems. In addition to all the noise, a belt about to fail will also show signs of wear ... read more

People sometimes wonder why they should pay a little more for an oil change at an auto shop, when a quick-lube joint could change their oil for less. We do lots of oil changes, hundreds a year. Every now and then, during the course of an oil change, we find a more serious problem, something that could lead to an engine failure. The kind of thing that makes your engine stop on the freeway without warning. We discover these things and give our best assessment of what's at stake and how to fix it. Sometimes, the fix is simple and other times not. But the point is these problems would most likely be overlooked at one of the quick-lube business. When we do an oil change, we have a trained, experienced technician look for a variety of potential problems in the engine, transmission, suspension, exhaust, drive train and more. Staff at a quick-lube place don't have the training, time or interest in the overall car. Their job is to change your oil; ours is to assure reliability, over ... read more

We change about 438 gallons of oil a year, all of which is recycled, mostly into heating oil. We'd love to have a way to put that oil to better use and Valvoline now has a product, NextGen, which is 50 percent recycled oil, and we are pleased to offer it to our customers. We are eager to adopt environmentally friendly practices that offer at least the equal benefit of standard products. This review at Green Auto Blog sums it up pretty well. Motor oil is 85 percent oil and 15 percent additives. When motor oil wears out, it's the additives that need replacing and the oil itself is fine. Valvoline's process removes the carbon, impurities and spent additives and returns the oil to its refined condition, then restores the additives. Even virgin oil is recycled, because crude oil is in an extremely impure state and it's only through refining that it attains the purity needed for engin ... read more

We mostly deal with the insides of cars, but we're also interested in the whole package. This story from thecarconnection.com has good information about the need to wash ash residue from your car. In Idaho, August has seen weeks of smoke-filled air from wildfires and a good deal of that has wound up on cars. According to the story, if water is allowed to mix with the ash on the car, it will create potassium hydroxide, which is similar to drain cleaner and will etch paint. The best solution is to keep your car garaged, but that's not possible if you're out driving. A good car wash or at least rinsing it off the car daily is the next best option

With all the heat in Boise lately, we're seeing more and more people coming in with overheating problems, at least once a day and sometimes several a day. People tend to neglect their cooling system because they don't see it or hear it - bad breaks squeak, a faulty air conditioner doesn't cool and transmission problems make the car drive strange. But cooling systems don't attract much attention. Excessive heat is bad for many of a car's systems, including the battery and tires. According to AAA, overheating is one of the top causes of breakdowns, right after flat tires. Overheating can quickly destroy on engine. If your warning light comes on, get it fixed right away. Here are some great tips also if you're dealing with an overheating emergency. You need to act immediately if you see the engine temperature warning light come on or steam starts coming o ... read more

We like cars and we especially like unusual cars and vehicles. To indulge our taste, we have Pinterest boards. Have fun browsing them!

Our Boise public relations firm, Alexander and Associates, has been working with our customers to make videos about Plantation Tune Tech. The most recent one is below - please stop by our YouTube channel and tell us what you think

A common cause of breakdowns is overheating, especially during summertime. Your cooling system should be completely flushed and refilled as recommended in your owner's manual. The level, condition, and concentration of the coolant should be checked periodically. (A 50/50 mix of anti-freeze and water is usually recommended.) If your car overheats - or if you are doing regular maintenance at home - never remove the radiator cap until the engine has thoroughly cooled. A professional should check the tightness and condition of drive belts, clamps, and hoses. Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Weather Service, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Federal Citizen Information Center, Washington State SAFE KIDS Coalition

The techs over at Pep Boys have put up some good tips for air conditioner care, including warning signs. If you experience any of these, don't take any chances and bring your car in for a checkup. A/C system doesn't cool vehicle to set temperature Fan/blower does not work when set in A/C mode Fan/blower is louder than usual Some or all of the dash controls do not work Heater, top and side vents, or defroster do not work A/C or engine makes loud noises when the heat or A/C is turned on Vehicle stalls or idles roughly when A/C is turned on Vehicle runs hot or overheats when A/C is on There is water on the car's floor Electric engine cooling fan quickly cycles on and off Unusual odors come from interior vents A/C unit has not been serviced regularly Windows fog when defroster is ... read more

Care and Maintenance Tips Keep Your Car Running in Top-Notch ConditionWe've compiled our best expert advice, surprising tricks, and car care tips to prolong the life of your automobile! 1. Be patient during the break-in period You've bought your dream car and now you want to make it last at long as possible in top condition. Here are some things to remember as you pull it out of the dealer's lot: During the break-in period, typically the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km), keep your speed under 55 mph (88 kpm) or to the speed recommended by your car's manufacturer. Avoid heavy loads on the drive train, such as towing trailers, and loading the roof rack or trunk with heavy construction materials. Do not allow your new car to idle for long periods - this is good advice for the life of your car, but especially during breakin. The oil pressure generated by doing so may not be sending oil to every part of your engine. Use only ligh ... read more