San Mateo auto repair

The car's braking system undergoes constant pressure when you drive around. You need them in order to decelerate or come to a complete stop when you need to. Therefore, a brake problem can be terrifying to deal with.  One thing that can significantly wear down your brakes is pressing down on them too hard. The extra pressure heats your brakes, making them more susceptible to wear and tear. But can it damage your car? You might have to brake abruptly in certain situations, such as trying to avoid hitting another vehicle (or bicyclist or pedestrian). Understandably, you have to do it from time to time. But the answer is that braking too hard can damage your braking system. Firstly, it can dramatically wear down your brake pads. We recommend keeping a safe distance between you and other cars to prevent hard brakes. Secondly, you should be cautious of your surroundings and practice safe driving. As mentioned before, braking harshly will heat up your brakes, making them suscept ... read more

The cooling system is one of the most important parts of the automobile, yet it is often overlooked and forgotten about. Think about it – your vehicle’s engine would simply overheat all the time. When this part of your vehicle is not working, you know you’re in deep trouble. Read on to learn about the most common symptoms of cooling system problems. 1. Your Temperature Gauge Is Rising One of the most obvious signs that your car is overheating and requires cooling system repairs is a high temperature gauge reading. If you notice the needle pointing up higher and higher as you drive, you should pull over immediately to cool off your car. We recommend getting a tow so that you can recover your vehicle’s cooling system and avoid engine damage.  2. Your Coolant Levels Are Low Checking your coolant is key to maintaining a healthy vehicle. If you constantly have to top off your fluid, you might have a leak. Another indication is if you see a bright-colored fl ... read more

You're driving down the road when you hear a strange noise and notice a puddle on the ground. You pull over to inspect and see that it's engine oil. Now what? If you're like most people, your first instinct is to panic. But don't worry; we've got you covered. In this article, we'll discuss the different car fluid leak types and how to identify them. Each of these fluids has its unique color and smell, so it shouldn't be too hard to tell them apart. If you're unsure what type of fluid your car uses, check the owner's manual or take it to a mechanic for a diagnosis. Well, here are the most common ones: Oil Leaks Your car needs oil to run smoothly, and if there's a leak, it can cause all sorts of problems. If it leaks, you'll usually be able to see a black puddle on the ground, and the smell will be pretty strong. If the oil is fresh, there's a good chance that the leak is from the engine. If it's been there for a while, the oil may h ... read more

Fuel injectors are an important component of your vehicle’s fuel system that sprays a balanced amount of fuel to allow your engine to run. Over time, these small components can get dirty and grimy and lose their effectiveness. As a result, it can cause major deficiencies in your vehicle's performance.    We provide quality and affordable fuel injection services at Four Car Garage. Our professional technicians guarantee your vehicle will ride smoother as if it were brand new. That is the whole point of a fuel injection service. This service is a thorough maintenance process where a mechanic inspects and cleans the various parts in your fuel system to ensure optimal engine performance.    At Four Car Garage, our repair specialists will not only clean your fuel injectors but we will ensure the entire fuel system is running in tip-top shape. Our team will: Inspect the fuel injection system’s connection points Examine vacuum lines Monitor the press ... read more

Every vehicle has a couple of air filters, one in the engine compartment and one in the passenger cabin. Read on to learn what they do and how often they should be changed. Engine Air Filter The engine air filter is located under the hood. Your engine has an air intake system to provide a balanced air and fuel mixture for the combustion process. And the quality of the air entering your engine is equally important as the fuel coming in. That is why your engine air filter is put in place to keep out the dust, dirt, debris, bugs, and other contaminants that can harm your engine parts.  How Often Should the Engine Air Filter Be Replaced? In short, you should simply exchange it when it looks dirty. If it gets too full or clogged, your engine may not get enough airflow. Moreover, your engine may be at risk of more wear and tear. The frequency of your air filter change can vary depending on the air quality of the environment you drive in. Most professional mechanics will recommend a ... read more