Sometimes it is EASY to see if your car or truck needs to come into our shop for professional repairs!
1. You see steam rising from the engine!
2. The Check Engine Light is on!
3. The engine starts, but there is an odor that is not right.
4. You hear grinding or thumping noises.
These are the top 4 things our drivers in Sacramento, CA tell us when they have a problem with their car or truck. There are many others but it is always a great idea to get your vehicle in fast when you have any of these. Acting quickly and making necessary repairs as soon as possible, you could be saving yourself from the cost and hassle of breaking down along the road.
Your check engine light indicates that your vehicle system, such as the ignition, fuel injection, or emission control, is not operating properly, even if the vehicle appears to be running normally. Ignoring the check engine light can negatively impact your fuel economy or cause damage resulting in more costly repairs.
You know your vehicle better than anyone else and each one is different in how it drives as well as the noises they make on a daily basis. However, any noise that is new, different, or suspicious may indicate a problem, including a high-pitched squeal, grinding or thumping. If you hear anything out of the ordinary let us know as it may indicate a problem on your next time in for an oil change or service visit. If it is a serious change in the way your car or truck sounds, stop by for a spot check so we can see if it is a problem. Sounds under the hood, such as hissing, can also indicate that your vehicle is in need of attention and a real problem needing immediate attention to avoid high repair costs.
Smells can signal engine damage so if you smell: burnt rubber, hot oil, gasoline, the sweet smell of syrup, burning carpet, and rotten eggs you have a problem. Driving your car or truck every day you should be comfortable on the streets of Sacramento and in need of our technicians here at Sac Valley Diesel for your standard oil change, tire rotation, and brake checks! Any odd smells are a problem needing a special spot check! When you smell any peculiar odor, you should not ignore it.
Another symptom of engine damage is excessive amounts of smoke or steam. Although some smoke is normal on your older trucks and cars, excessive amounts of dark smoke, in particular, indicates that oil is leaking into the combustion chamber and is being burned along with the gasoline. If you are "blowing smoke", then we need to see you sooner rather than later!
Our job here at Sac Valley Diesel in Sacramento, CA is to keep you driving safely and keep your repair costs down. We take that seriously and love what we do. Anytime you have a problem or a question on car maintenance or service - truck service - issues with your vehicle simply give us a call or stop by! We love our customers!
