Boise Auto Repair

Since there was so much wildfire smoke in the air in August and September, we've had several people ask us if that would affect their engine air filter. No, forest fire smoke won't do anything to your engine air filter. The smoke particles are so tiny, they just pass through the filter like other small particles. The smoke may irritate your eyes and lungs, but it's harmless to your engine. However, most cars have a cabin air filter, which is designed to clean the air blown out your cabin air vents. This filter will remove the small particles that bother people and smoky air will shorten its life. A lot depends on how often you use your heater and air conditioner, or even just turn on your fan. Also, most cars allow you to choose between ouside air or recirculating cabin air. When you recirculate the air, the filter is bypassed and not used. When you switch to bringing in outside air, your filter is engaged and this will eventually clog it up. Some cabin air filters are ... read more

Benjamin Phillips, Plantation Tune Tech auto technician We are pleased to welcome back Benjamin Phillips, who has been an auto tech at Plantation Tune Tech since 2008 but took some time off in the past year and is now back at Plantation. Benjamin is certified by the American Society for Automotive Excellence. He has worked at a number of dealerships and independent shops over the years and has a wide variety of automotive skills. He studied automotive technology at the Sequoia Institute in California. Says Benjamin, "I enjoy helping people out and getting them back on the road and I like the diagnostics - it's the puzzle part, trying to figure out what's wrong. It's a challenge because nothing is ever the same." Benjamin lives in Boise with his wife and five children and enjoys camping and spending time with his family