Jacksonville Auto Repair

Is your Chevy Silverado check engine light come on? Did you get an Evap code P0449 or P0445? Maybe even the auto parts store told you to try a new gas cap and the light is still on? If you have a check engine light on in your Chevy Silverado and it is showing an Evaporative Emissions code, Sandalwood Car Care can accurately diagnose your truck's issue and in many cases have you back on the road the same day with a nationwide warranty. Evap codes generally do not effect your vehicle's performance but will impact your vehicle's emissions and could lead to additional issues down the road. You may even notice a slight fuel smell since there is a leak. There a few main causes for evap codes in your Chevy Truck: - Gas caps can be a likely culpirt if left on loose or the seals have worn out - your vehicle's evap system is pressurized if the cap doesn't seal - Evap Canisters (charcoal canisters) these are generally the culprit if gas cap does not clear codes ... read more

Having the correct tire pressure is an important part of regular maintenance of your car, and it's also a necessity for being a good driver. The amount of air pressure in your tires has an immediate effect on the quality of your driving, especially when braking and turning. Aside from these concerns, seasonal temperature changes can also effect the performance of your tires, and the overall pressure within them. Let's start with the basics, of tire pressure. Like most maintenance suggestions and requirements, always check the user manual and manufacturer's schedule for when to have certain repairs and what is required. Your car's user manual and maintenance handbook will also tell you the exact psi requirements for your tires, and you can also find this information on the tires themselves. Always check the psi in your tires regularly, during scheduled maintenance and tune-ups (your mechanic should always do this for you), and it's a good idea to go ... read more

Towing, or using one vehicle to move a disable second vehicle, is a common and useful service. It's also one that's much more complicated than it seems, requiring lots of vehicle and industry specific knowledge to ensure safe transport. If your car is broken down at the side of the road, chances are good that you do not have time to call around for referrals, but choosing the right auto shop or towing service is important in getting the job done well. That's what makes knowing a few tips before you call so important. When it comes to towing services, what you know and do before the tow can save you a lot of hassle later. It's always important to consider these tips: Know Your Situation Before you call the auto shop or towing service, collect as much information about the situation as possible and provide it to the service. Things like location, type of vehicle, condition of the vehicle, and whether or not the vehicle is stuck can help the service d ... read more

Just like brakes, it's easy for drivers to tell when the clutch is wearing out and needing a replacement. A worn out, or wearing out, clutch can be harder to handle. You might notice that the pedals seem to stick more, and that pushing the clutch in requires more force than normal. A clutch in need of repair can also lose the smoothness of a clutch in good condition; you might notice a shakiness or jerking motion when the clutch moves from gear to gear, or even total loss of control at times, as the clutch slips out of gear entirely. The clutch doesn't usually last the lifespan of the car. Depending on the vehicles make and model, and how well the clutch is treated, the clutch may or may not last more than 50,000 miles. Even the climate of where you live and drive, and your commute-type can affect the clutch. A driver that sits in city traffic all day, inching along, uses the clutch a lot more than a driver that coasts down the highway. Hot weather also affect ... read more

When you take your car in to the auto shop for servicing, you have every reason to expect to be treated with honesty and integrity. However, it's pretty hard to know when you are lied to, over charged, or taken advantage of, when automotive care is not your expertise. So how do you know when you are getting honest auto repairs? It all boils down to the details. What You Should Expect With Routine Maintenance Taking your car into the auto shop for routine maintenance is always a good idea. It prolongs the car's useful life, prevents larger repair bills, and it prevents you from having to deal with unexpected problems and expenses, or wondering whether or not you really need this repair. When you take your vehicle into the auto shop, the technician should tell you what services will be performed, how long it will take, and the cost. Honest auto shops want you to know these details and strive to perform the work as described. What Abo ... read more

We all fear that time of spring when everything turns yellow in color and everyone we know seems to come down with hay fever. The effects of pollen on air quality during spring are obvious in indoor and outdoor settings, but it's really important not to neglect the effects of pollen on your car. When you think about it, our cars are on the front lines of the war on pollen. Imagine if you went out for a jog one spring day, but you magically acquired a new super power that enabled you to run at 50 miles per hour. It be a total blast at first, but after the first few blocks you be wheezing and sneezing from all the pollen suddenly rushing into your face and lungs. Why are air filters so important? We tend to think of our cars as solid, and totally protected from the elements like rain and wind. But lots of air flows through our vehicles when we drive, both into the interior cabin of the car where we sit, and under the hood into the engine and machinery. That's why there ... read more

Knowing when to take your vehicle into the auto shop for struts and shocks repair can be kind of tricky. The damping characteristics of shocks and struts diminish slowly over time, making it difficult to detect a problem. Usually when a driver notices that there is a problem, it's well past the time of needing replacement. Shocks and (or) struts are part of your vehicle's suspension system. Not all vehicles have both shocks and struts; some only have one or the other. Each aid in the vehicle's stability and handling. There's no strictly set time for shock and strut replacement as part of it depends on driving conditions such as how you drive and the condition of the roads. Some need replacement at 30,000 miles, and others can go as long as 60,000 miles. There are however some good indications that it's time to get in to the auto shop and have them looked at by service technician. Signs that it's Time to Replace or Repair Struts Shocks and struts are re ... read more

Sometimes tires don't get the time and consideration they deserve. We just buy them and count on them to serve us for a certain amount of miles. They deserve a lot more of our respect though; tries are one of the vehicle's most important safety features and everything from the type to tread matters in the tire's performance, and ultimately your safety. That's why it makes sense to get help from automotive professionals when choosing tires. There are Many Types of Tires There are many types of tires. That's great, right? It is if you know what tires are the right size and type for your car and driving considerations. Tires are more than a flexible rubber container for air. They actually have between 19 and 25 different components that make them well suited to a particular purpose and vehicle. You'll need to match the tire's attributes to your type of vehicle, load, driving conditions, driving style, and weather conditions to find one most suited to y ... read more

It's a busy weekday morning. You barely get out the door in time, and when you get to the car, start the ignition, and a dashboard warning light comes on- the check engine light. Uh-oh. The check engine light is probably every drivers most hated warning light. It gives no details about what is wrong, and the list of potential problems goes on and on, ranging from minor malfunctions to costly problems. NOTE: If your check engine light comes on and is flashing, this indicates a serious problem and you should get to the nearest auto repair facility immediately. Top 3 Most Common Causes of the Check Engine LightOxygen Sensor : The oxygen sensors in your car helps determine how much fuel you burn. A defective oxygen sensor effects mileage calculation and leads to a decrease in fuel economy. While oxygen sensors are a relatively easy and inexpensive part to replace, failing to replace them in time can eventually destroy your catalytic converter. And dependin ... read more

If you own a service fleet of trucks, trailers or vans, you know how difficult it can be to find a reliable repair service that will perform good maintenance and take great care of your fleet vehicles. It's important to find a shop and technicians that know your business and know the unique needs of fleet vehicles. Why is regular maintenance for fleet vehicles so important? You may not think of your fleet vehicles as needing regular maintenance, but fleet vehicles often acquire mileage faster than most person vehicles if they spend the majority of the day driving, instead of just commuting like personal cars. Scheduled, routine maintenance helps your fleet vehicles stay in great shape and in peak performance - which makes for easier driving, better gas mileage and minimal repair costs down the line. In addition to the repair costs of major part failure, when your fleet vehicle is out of commission, you know that you not only incur costs from the repair, but the detrimenta ... read more