Olympia Auto Repair

The job of your car's alternator is to ensure that the battery remains charged while driving and it also provides current for electrical components such as the power windowns, radio, lights, and more. While often times when your car won't start up or you suspect an electrical issue your mind goes to the battery, the alternator is often a culprit of these symptoms.  Both your vehicle's battery and altnerator can actually be removed from your vehicle and brought into any auto repair shop or auto parts store for testing. The testing will essentially test the charge of these components and will determine whether or not either of these components are the problem. Other electrical components can also cause issues with your car starting and electrical components such as bad wiring or circuits.  Here are the common causes of a failed alternator:  Bad Rectifier Diodes Bad Shaft Bearings Bad Wiring Bad Brushes Broken Alternator Belt Blown Out Fuses If your car ... read more

Whether you're a parent who will be driving your kids to school, or you're a student planning on driving yourself, the back to school season can be hectic in the beginning - ironing out your schedule and figuring out your morning routine.  Driving during the back to school season can be hectic, which is why it is important to prepare yourself as much as possible for the road. Here are some key items we recommend packing into your vehicle to have on hand throughout the school season:  Jumper cables - these will come in handy if you find yourself in a nostart situation while at school or other location away from home Emergency phone numbers - important numbers such as towing services, auto repair shops, etc. that will be necessary in the event of an emergency, breakdown, or accident Non-perishable snacks and water - these can definitely be of use when on the road, and if you get hungry in the middle of the school day. It is also great to have snacks on hand for the ... read more

Your vehicle's brakes are important to the overall operation of your vehicle. They allow you to slow and stop when needed, and without working brakes, your safety on the road can be compromised. This is why we always recommend that a brake inspection is needed at the first sign of a problem with your brakes.  An issue with your vehicle's brakes can show itself in a number of different ways, whether it be that your brakes just aren't working like they used to or you start to hear a strange squealing noise when pressing down on the brake pedal. Any sign can indicate an issue and can be a cause for concern. As soon as you notice anything different with your vehicle's brakes, don't hesitate to get to your local trust auto repair shop as soon as possible. Here are some of the brake signs that you should never ignore:  Brake pedal feel spongy Brake pedal goes to the floor Car vibrates when braking Change in brake performance (takes longer to brake)  ... read more

Gas prices are always on the rise, and we understand that it can be frustrating when you own a vehicle that isn’t that great when it comes to gas mileage. You may have considered buying a new car with better gas mileage, but luckily there are ways that you can improve your current vehicle’s gas mileage.  Here are some ways on how to improve your car’s gas mileage:  Stay on top of your vehicle’s regular maintenance and service - this will make sure that all of your vehicle’s components are working at their best and will give you the best fuel efficiency from your car   Drive smarter and smoother - try not to hit the gas or brakes hard while driving. Give yourself plenty of time to speed up and slow down. This will give you the best gas mileage.    Try to avoid driving during traffic, if possible - stop and go traffic burns up our fuel faster than anything else. Avoiding heavily trafficked areas will give you the best fuel effi ... read more