Northridge Auto Repair

Preventative maintenance is the routine care and upkeep of a vehicle to keep it running smoothly and to prevent major problems from occurring. The goal of preventative maintenance is to identify and address potential issues before they become more serious and costly to repair. By regularly performing preventative maintenance, you can extend the lifespan of your vehicle and reduce the risk of unexpected breakdowns or costly repairs. Here are some common preventative maintenance tasks that are recommended for most vehicles: Oil Changes: Regular oil changes are one of the most important preventative maintenance tasks. Oil helps to lubricate the engine, reduce friction, and keep the engine cool. Over time, oil can become contaminated and lose its effectiveness. Regular oil changes help to maintain the health of the engine and reduce the risk of serious problems. Tire Rotations: Regular tire rotations help to evenly distribute wear on the tires, which can extend the lifespan of the tires ... read more

When you see the check engine light on, it can mean a variety of things. It is one of the car's main diagnostic lights that appears. Will it damage your car if you keep driving with the lights on? Let's find out. Figure Out the Problem ASAP This is one of the most obvious things to do when the light is on. Once you've figured out what is the problem is, you can determine from there if the car is safe to drive. Sometimes, it can be something as simple as low oil pressure or the engine overheating. In that case, you can fix the problems yourself and the light will most likely go away. Keep in mind that some cars have a red light, which means stop using the car, and some have a yellow light, which means investigating the cause. Don't Drive Fast If the engine check light is on, the worst thing you can do is drive at higher speeds. Instead, go slower and take it easy on your engine. If you are carrying a load, make sure that the load is as light as possible. Until you ... read more

Brake fluid is one of those car fluids that tend to get overlooked. When most people think of brakes, they immediately jump straight into looking at the brake pads or shoes, calipers, and rotors. While brake fluid doesn’t require as often of service as motor oil, it is essential in enabling your vehicle to slow down and stop on time. One of the biggest problems with brake fluid is that it gets contaminated over time. The most common culprits are water/moisture and copper. First off, water is a big enemy of brake fluid because it causes rust with many of your brake components. On another note, moisture can dilute the brake fluid and cause its boiling point to lower. Therefore, moisture in the brake system can lower your stopping power and increase your chances of overheating brakes. In extreme cases, brake failure can occur from moisture in the brake system. You will need to have your brakes bled, or brake fluid flushed to combat this problem. Copper is also another contaminati ... read more

The cooling system plays a major role in your vehicle – simply as its name states, it cools down the engine to prevent overheating. And one major component in the cooling system that contributes to this effort is the radiator. The radiator is in charge of dispensing coolant fluid or antifreeze, which is the chemical fluid that dissipates the heat in the engine. If your vehicle is running too hot, we recommend bringing your car, SUV, or truck to RM Automotive for a thorough inspection. It can very well be one of the following cooling system problems: 1) Leak Since coolant fluid constantly flows throughout the system and into the engine, this fluid is vulnerable to leaks. However, a radiator leak is a major cause for concern. Without a sufficient amount of coolant reaching your engine, your car will run too hot. If you notice a bright color fluid underneath your vehicle with a sweet scent, it is most likely a leak. 2) Corroded Radiator Since the radiator is a metal structure, it ... read more

Fall is the perfect time to get your car ready for the winter months ahead. October is fall car care month, so it's the perfect time to check your car's fluids, battery, and tires. Make sure your car is in good working order before the snow and ice hit. Winter can be tough on your car, so it's important to be prepared. Below are a few maintenance items to check out. Fluids As the weather gets colder, it's important to make sure your car is ready for winter. One of the most important things to check is your fluids. Make sure you have enough windshield wiper fluid and oil. Another thing to check is your antifreeze levels. You don't want your engine to freeze up, so make sure you have enough antifreeze in your radiator. Battery Your car battery is one of the most important components of your vehicle, and it is important to check it regularly to ensure that it is in good working order. This is especially true in the winter when the cold weather can cause automotive ... read more