Brentwood Auto Repair

The brilliance of the automatic transmission is how easy and seamless it is to switch from one gear to another. That is why most manual transmissions are phasing out. Even though the newer, more modern automatic transmissions are longer lasting, it is still imperative that you maintain their parts and fluid. Did you know that it costs more to replace them than it is to replace your car’s engine? Read on to learn more about the common problems of automatic transmission and what you can do to prevent them.   8 Signs of Transmission Problems Grinding or shaking when switching gears Slipping gears Leaky transmission fluid Unresponsive transmission Dashboard warning light Burning smell Humming or clunking noises Jerking movements If the issue is minor, your mechanic may recommend a transmission fluid flush to mitigate the problem. Other solutions may include resetting your vehicle’s internal computer. If the problem is left to develop or is more severe, you may re ... read more

The term "tune-up" is overlooked by drivers. This type of service is not commonly used today as the modern car has given the word a new meaning. Since vehicles no longer have a carburetor and have transitioned to an electronic fuel injection system, a tune-up today is similar to preventative maintenance. A tune-up today at Monkey Wrenches involves a series of maintenance items performed under the hood.   Understanding the modern tune-up and how it can be advantageous can help your car go a long way. An engine tune-up involves repairing, cleaning, and replacing combustion-related components under the hood. It includes checking the condition of your spark plugs, wires, fuel injectors, engine air filters, and more. A tune-up can look different from car to car, depending on its age and the miles it has covered.  What Are the Advantages of a Tune-Up? Prevent unnecessary breakdowns Lower repair costs Uphold vehicle’s resale/trade-in value Improve fuel economy ... read more

When it's hot outdoors, it's aggravating and uncomfortable for a car's air conditioner to emit warm air. You anticipate that the air will be chilly so that you can ride comfortably. If car A/C feel warm, it indicates that there is an issue with the air conditioner. Here are six potential causes of an air conditioner blowing out warm air: 1. Low Refrigerant Charge Your air conditioning system might be low on charge. A low charge in the A/C may be the cause of inadequate cooling, and recharging it is the only solution. This is the most common cause of car A/C malfunctions. 2. Electrical System Malfunction Your car's air conditioner is electrically powered. Therefore, electrical system failure is another cause of your car's air conditioner blowing warm air. If any of the fuses, relays, or switches in its setup don't work right, the whole electrical system could stop working. 3. Damaged Compressor The refrigerant is circulated throughout the system by the com ... read more

Your car’s cooling system is responsible for keeping your engine cooled off, to prevent overheating. It works together to bring a flow of coolant fluid in and out of the engine. This liquid is a mixture of water and antifreeze, and it is absolutely necessary. Read on to learn more about how the complex system works: Radiator - This part cools off the antifreeze solution by allowing air to pass through the tube to dissipate the heat from the motor. Water Pump - The pump pulls the cooled antifreeze from the radiator and moves it to the engine block, cylinder head, heater core, and eventually back to the radiator. Head Gasket - This seals up the critical parts of the engine. It prevents motor oil and coolant from mixing with each other. Heater Core - It allows heat to reach the cabin when you need it. It utilizes the heat from the antifreeze blown in by the blower.  Thermostat - This piece keeps track of the engine temperature. It is closed when the motor is cold to warm i ... read more

When it comes to owning your own car, we understand that the slightest things can have us paranoid about our cars. It is hard to tell whether your vehicle needs repairs or not. What is concerning and what isn’t? If something is feeling off about your car, the best thing to do to be sure is by taking it to an auto repair shop for an inspection and diagnosis.   Much like when you aren’t feeling well, you go to a doctor to figure out what’s wrong – the same goes for your car. Being cautious will end up saving you money in the long run and will prevent more problems from potentially worsening. At Monkey Wrenches, we have an expert team with state-of-the-art equipment who can accurately diagnose and repair any issue.   Your vehicle will typically alert you something is wrong with an unusual feeling, sound, or even smell. Below are some examples: Weird Feeling Bumpy or rough ride Shaking or stiff steering wheel  Vibrating vehicl ... read more

April is National Car Care Month, and now is the ideal time to kick-start your vehicle's preventative maintenance regimen, especially if you allowed it to idle during winter. A little TLC goes a long way toward extending the life of your vehicle, keeping it functional and prepared for summer travel and beyond. Spring Maintenance Checklist for Car Owners Replace your oil and filter. Changing your oil and filter at the suggested intervals in your vehicle's owner's handbook is one of the most effective methods to keep your engine operating smoothly. Check your fluid levels. When changing the oil and filter, you also ought to check the fluid levels. Conduct a visual inspection of your power steering, brake, and gearbox fluids, as well as your windshield washer fluid and coolant. Change your wiper blades. If your wiper blades are worn or broken, they will be ineffective in the face of relentless spring rains that impair vision. Conduct a check of your charging system. You s ... read more

In the wake of current events in the world, we're sure you're feeling the weight of it at the gas pump. The national record for unleaded gasoline has soared high. While ditching our cars may sound good, it's not logical for some of us who need to drive to work or take our children to school. Instead, we can alleviate some of the pain by implementing fuel-saving techniques into our lifestyle. Here are several tips that can save you some money and fuel! #1 - Get Rid of Unnecessary Weight Your car is not an everyday storage unit. If you have heavy items like heavy sports equipment, tools, or more, it's best to leave them in your home storage. A lighter car will require less energy to accelerate and brake, making your fuel consumption go down. #2 - Quit Harsh Acceleration and Braking It should come as no surprise that aggressive driving leads to increased fuel consumption. Instead, go for subtle movements, and you'll notice a change in your mileage.  #3 - Keep ... read more

As a vehicle owner, you should know that every car, SUV, truck, van, etc., need consistent care and attention to perform efficiently. You have a responsibility to follow your vehicle's maintenance schedule to ensure it can last you for as many miles as possible. Factory-recommended maintenance, also known as 30/60/90K service, helps prevent problems from occurring and keep your vehicle running smoothly, so you never have to experience breakdowns. Staying on top of this service also allows you better track your vehicle's maintenance history.  Most vehicle manufacturers follow a 30/60/90K rule. These numbers have significance and refer to the number of miles between each major service. They should occur roughly around 30,000, 60,000, and 90,000 miles. Though items like oil changes and oil filter replacements are regular services you should have done more frequently, they can still be a part of your factory scheduled maintenance. What Does 30/60/90 Service Involve? A profe ... read more

There are distinct parts of the automobile that are extremely necessary for your safety. While some are well known, like your brakes, airbag, and seatbelt, some aren't talked about enough, like the power steering pump. Your power steering pump is a vital part that you need to have working for your car to run safely and smoothly. Its job is to apply the right amount of pressure to your wheels so that you can have proper control and steering of your vehicle. Below are several of the signs that your power steering pump may be giving out: Sign #1 - Whining Noise When You're Turning the Wheel Whenever you hear an unusual sound come from your car, you know that it's almost always never a good sign. If it occurs only when you're turning or moving the steering wheel, you know that the problem is probably coming from the steering system. You may have a fluid leak in the power steering pump. If you let it run close to empty, your entire steering system can fail, so please immed ... read more

Wondering if turning on your car heater really helps to stop the car from overheating? According to automotive experts, the answer is yes — at least temporarily.   How Turning On Your Car Heater Helps Combat Overheating When you're driving down the road and your car shows signs of overheating, experts say turning on the heater can help. The reason is that when the heater is running inside of the car; it pulls heat away from the engine.   The engine can begin cooling as it disperses heat into the passenger compartment. If this trick doesn't work, or if your vehicle is constantly overheating, bring your vehicle into our shop.    Why Is My Engine Overheating? After the vehicle cools down and you're in a safe location, the next question to ask yourself is what caused the car to overheat in the first place? The cause of engine overheating can be because of a wide range of factors. Some issues that cause overhea ... read more