Olympia Auto Repair

Winter, Christmas, white snow covering everything – sounds lovely doesn’t it? It really is! However, with the cold weather that winter brings, there are certain car care things you need to know. Let us look at some car maintenance tips:Coolant Do you know what the role of the coolant is during the winter? Its purpose is to make sure that the water in your car’s cooling system doesn’t freeze over the cold nights. As you can guess, that is of the highest importance, so check the amount and condition of your coolant. The coolant should be a mixture of antifreeze and water in an about 50/50 ratio but that may vary based on the type of antifreeze you have chosen. Battery Put in simple words – your car’s battery performance may suffer in the winter due to the low temperatures. This is due to the fact that the vehicle requires a stronger current from the battery in order to start the engine. You can c ... read more

After you have your vehicle for years, you start to recognize just how much your full tank of gas costs you and how much a full tank will last you throughout the week during your usual routine. If you notice that your vehicle is getting as good of gas mileage as it used to, there may be an underlying issue. There are certain car problems that can happen that may leave you with a fuel economy that has decreased and you might be filling up your gas tank more often than usual. So what are these car issues, and how can you prevent them? Failing to properly maintain your vehicle is always a reason behind bad fuel economy. The better care you take of your vehicle, the better it will perform and the longer it will last you. You'll spend less on gas and repairs when you invest in proper vehicle maintenance. A regular vehicle inspection here at Olympic Transmissions & Auto Care will keep your vehicle always running at its best and ensure that you get the best fuel effici ... read more

When driving, you rely on your brakes to slow or stop your car when you need to. You don't think twice about it - you step on the brake pedal, and the system does its job. However, have you ever had to deal with bad brakes? A failing brake system can be really scary on the road and is definitely something you want to avoid as a vehicle owner. How can you best maintain your vehicle's brakes, and what are the signs of brake trouble to look out for?  While some brake issues can be obvious, some can be more subtle. The best thing you can do is get to know how your vehicle drives, that way you can quickly identify an issue with your brakes. Here are some of the symptoms to look out for that can indicate a problem with the brake system: Brake warning light has turned on Squealing, grinding, or squeaking noises Vibrating or wobbling when braking Leaking brake fluid Soft or spongy brake pedal Car pulls to one side when braking Car bounces up and down when it stops short Ne ... read more

The cooling system in your vehicle has an important job. This system helps to transfer heat that is emitted from your engine to the radiator, where that heat is then released. Without a working cooling system, your engine will likely overheat and corrosion to major parts will occur. This rapid wear can lead to expensive repairs. If you suspect a problem with your vehicle’s cooling system, it's important to have it inspected and repaired as soon as possible to avoid engine damage.  A properly working cooling system will circulate coolant throughout the engine to lubricate components and acts as a transmitter of heat. If your vehicle is constantly overheating, this can be an indication of a cooling system problem. We recommend that your vehicle’s cooling system is inspected at least once a year. Our experts will look at fluid levels, look for leaks, and check parts of your engine for corrosion. If the coolant is dirty or low, we will recommend a cooling system flush ... read more

You turn on your vehicle to go about your day and look at the dashboard to see that the check engine light has turned on. We understand this dreaded feeling, and how scary it can be not knowing what the issue could be or whether or not it is severe. Even worse, you see the light is flashing. What does it mean when the check engine light is blinking and does it indicate a serious problem? The first thing every driver should know is that a flashing check engine light means trouble. This is a sign to get your vehicle into our shop right away for an inspection. But what exactly does a blinking check engine light indicate?  A flashing check engine light typically means that you have a catalytic converter issue. The catalytic converter has a really important job in your vehicle's emissions system because it is the component that converts harmful gas emitted from the engine into less harmful gases before they are released into the atmosphere.  If you see the check engine ligh ... read more

When it comes to the summer, many drivers don't realize that the intense heat can take a toll on our vehicles. This is for a number of reasons, including the temperature increase, traffic, and using our vehicles more frequently. It's also common for vehicle owners to have trouble starting their cars during the summer. However, can the heat actually drain your car battery?  Your vehicle's battery is important because it helps power your vehicle upon start-up and helps to keep your electrical components running. The anatomy of the battery is much like a battery you use at home like a AA battery in the sense that your battery runs on battery acid. Without battery acid, the battery doesn't work anymore and loses its "juice".  What happens is, the warmer weather actually causes battery acid to evaporate quicker. This decrease in battery acid can cause a decrease in the battery's overall function and eventually lead you to need a new battery.  ... read more

As a vehicle driver, you're probably familiar with the term "driving stick", which refers to driving a car with a manual transmission. While both automatic and manual transmissions are efficient when it comes to moving your vehicle, there are specific differences and pros and cons for both types of transmissions.  The job of the transmission is to essentially create torque by transferring power from the engine to your vehicle's wheels. The higher speed that your vehicle is traveling, the higher gear required. When driving an automatic transmission vehicle, the gear will automatically shift, while the manual transmission requires the driver to use a clutch to shift gears.  There are a few different reasons why some drivers prefer a manual transmission to an automatic transmission. For one, some believe it enhances the driving experience. It makes you feel more involved when driving, and gives the driver full control over the gears. Manual transmissions can ... read more

Getting stuck without a working air conditioning in your vehicle seems to always happen on the day warmer days when you need it most. Driving with the windows down isn't the end of the world, but your comfort while driving is significantly decreased. Understanding what symptoms you are experiencing can help you identify what could be the cause of your issues and how quickly you need to get it fixed.  There are many different working components in your vehicle's air conditioning system, much like the one you might have at home. These components include a compressor, condensor, evaporator, metering device, hoses or lines, and refrigerant. All work together seamlessly with help from the electrical systems to keep you cool while driving. Here are some of the common symptoms of a faulty air conditioning system: Air doesn't blow out cool No air comes out of vents Noises when A/C is running Mold or mildew smell coming from vents No air coming out of the vents can indica ... read more

Here at Olympic Transmissions & Auto Care, we know that times are uncertain with the rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus throughout the state of Washington. As a community, we are all doing our part to stay home and use proper precautions to prevent further spread of the virus and ensure the health of ourselves and our families.  While there is currently a shelter in place order here in Washington, auto repair is considered an essential service and we are still open to serve you. Many of those in Olympia work in healthcare or other essential fields and still need to travel to work every day. Also, you may still need a reliable vehicle to get you to the store to get the food and necessities that your family needs. This is why staying open is so important, so that you can maintain a working vehicle during these tough times.  At Olympic Transmissions & Auto Care, our team is committed to doing our part in protecting the health and safety of our community. We w ... read more

You see the warning light above illuminate on your dashboard and wonder - do I get three wishes? Just kidding. Although this warning light may look like a Genie's lamp, it is actually a very important warning indication. This light indicates low oil, which is one of those warning indicators that you should never ignore. Actually, when you see this light on, it is vital to stop your engine and avoid driving. Here's why! Your vehicle requires oil to run - that is a given, considering you have to get your vehicle's oil changed every 3 to 6 months. Without the proper levels of oil, your engine is at risk for some serious damage. This is because engine oil has the important job of lubricating the engine and its parts to reduce the wear of working components and ensure that the engine temperature is regulated. When you take the engine oil away, you get metal to metal contact and and overheating engine - and a very sad wallet.  Typically, this warning light will come on whe ... read more