Brentwood Auto Repair

Your vehicle's exhaust may be able to tell you that your engine is in serious trouble. If you think about it, you should rarely ever see your exhaust. You might see steam on a cold morning or at night from time to time, but the exhaust is usually never seen. If you begin to see a ton of exhaust smoke spilling out of your tailpipe, then it's most likely a sign of trouble. Please make sure you note the color of the exhaust as it can help your trusted mechanic diagnose the issue: Black Exhaust If your tailpipe releases dark clouds of exhaust smoke, your engine is burning too much fuel. In rare cases, it can even lead to a fire. It's essential to pull over right away if your engine releases a lot of black exhaust, especially if the smoke is coming out of the hood too. You can trust the expert team at Monkey Wrenches Inc. to locate and repair the problem for you. Blue Exhaust If your exhaust smoke is blue or grayish, it's vital to stop driving your automobile. Blue ... read more

Most people don’t give their shocks and struts any thought, and others might not even know what those things are. If you care about your safety, then you should periodically check on your suspension system. Otherwise, the quality, comfort, and safety of your ride can be compromised. What Are Shocks & Struts?  Struts have a coil spring attached on the outside and other things in a singular unit, and shock an independent spring on its own. They are both intended to absorb road impacts to ensure a smooth and stable ride. Every vehicle’s suspension system has a shock or strut at every wheel. Depending on your vehicle, you can even have a mix of both. Even though these components are made to last a long time, they don’t live forever. When they age, they will affect your vehicle’s overall performance. Here are the top signs that your shocks and struts need service: Uneven Tire Wear - While premature tire wear can be attributed to many things, it can indi ... read more

As a car owner, it's important to be aware of the symptoms of a bad oxygen sensor. Read on to discover the symptoms of a bad oxygen sensor. What Is an Oxygen Sensor Inside a Vehicle? This crucial piece of equipment measures the oxygen in your car's exhaust. If it isn't functioning properly, it can cause several problems. Here are some symptoms of a bad oxygen sensor that needs to be replaced. 1. The Check Engine Light Is On One of the most common symptoms of a bad oxygen sensor is that the check engine light on your dash will be illuminated. This is because the oxygen sensor is responsible for monitoring the air-fuel mixture in your engine, and when it senses that the mixture is too rich or too lean, it will trigger the check engine light. 2. Your Engine Is Running Rough Another symptom of a bad oxygen sensor is that your engine will run rough. This is because the oxygen sensor is responsible for maintaining the correct air-fuel mixture in your engine, and when it go ... read more

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