Brentwood Auto Repair

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

Fuses usually shut down as a safety mechanism to prevent the entire system from overloading. Odds are, you're going to experience a burnt fuse in your home and your car at some point in your life. Fortunately, changing a dead fuse is similar wherever it takes place. To swap out a burned-out fuse in your vehicle, please do the following: Step 1: Find the Fuse Panel First of all, you need to find where the hub is located in your car. If you need assistance, please refer to the owner's manual. In most cars, you can find it under the steering wheel. Step 2: Extract the Cover Once you locate the panel and open the covering, look on the opposite side for a diagram depicting each fuse and what part of the vehicle it powers. You might see various numbers and colors that explain different amperages. Step 3: Find the Blown Fuse The blown fuse will almost always be black or look broken.  Step 4: Disconnect the Broken Fuse You can use your hands or some grasping tool to remove ... read more

Changing your oil is one of the most essential and simplest car services your car needs. High-quality, fresh, clean engine oil helps prevent excess friction from taking place within the engine. Additionally, it also prevents corrosion by keeping the engine lubricated. As oil gets dirty over time, it becomes less effective at doing these tasks. If it's been a long while since you've had an oil change, your check engine light may light, or you may notice a leak in extreme circumstances. It can even come as a surprise if you see a puddle of oil under your vehicle after running an errand. Below are of the most common causes of oil leaks: Blown Head Gasket - If you own an older vehicle, the head gasket can get blown. There's also another possibility that the rubber material enclosing the engine block may have decayed.  Damaged Oil Filter - The filter contributes to the flow of oil. A leak may occur as a result. Damaged Oil Pan - Your oil pan sits relatively close to the ... read more

The transmission, sometimes known as a gearbox, is the component in your car that transfers power from the motor to the wheels. With such an essential role in your vehicle, the transmission also requires regular check-ups and services to perform optimally. It can also wear down over time, and it'll signal warnings as a result: warning lights, fluid leaks, burning carpet smell. If you experience any of these indications, we highly recommend you take your vehicle to Monkey Wrenches ASAP.    Your mechanic can do three different types of operations to your transmission: repair, replacement, and rebuild. Transmission Repair A transmission repair is the most economical option of the three services. Repairs are to fix minor mishaps with the transmission. This type of procedure includes repairing specific components, various mods, and resealing. Transmission repairs do not involve the reassembly of the entire system. Our expert team will assess the severity of your transmissi ... read more