Olympia Auto Repair

Olympia Auto Services

Regular Maintenance

We can fine-tune your car


Routine car maintenance is mandatory in order to keep a car running well. The following guidelines are the approximate intervals many car manufacturers suggest auto maintenance service be performed. Always refer to the owner’s manual, dealer or authorized service professional at Olympic Transmissions & Auto Care in Olympia for the particular service and intervals required.

Every 3,000 to 7,000 miles- The oil and oil filter should be replaced according to the manufacturer’s recommended auto maintenance schedule with a majority suggesting the oil and oil filter be replaced between 3,000 and 7,000 miles. Inspection of the transmission fluid level, coolant, power steering fluid, windshield washer fluid and wipers, tires and all exterior lights is also vital to vehicle health.

Every 15,000 to 30,000 miles- Replace the air filter every 15,000 miles and every 20,000 miles inspect the battery and coolant. Most 25,000-mile maintenance service requires replacing the fuel filter. Every 30,000 miles, replace the air filter and power steering fluid. Inspect the coolant, radiator hoses, HVAC system, brake pads and all suspension components.

Every 35,000 to 50,000 miles- Inspect and replace the battery every 35,000 miles, as needed. Every 40,000 miles replace the spark plugs and spark plug wires, and inspect the ignition system and suspension. These checks are recommended again at 45,000 miles and 50,000 miles.

Every 60,000 miles- Replace brake pads and brake fluid, radiator hoses, coolant, power steering fluid and timing belt. Inspect the HVAC, suspension components and tires.

Oil changes and air filters are very important parts of engine maintenance; however, a regular, thorough inspection of all engine, transmission, cooling, brakes and suspension components should also be performed. The owner’s manual provides a routine auto maintenance schedule based on engine mileage for most vehicles.


Tune-Ups

We take care of your vehicle


Tune-Ups

If you have ever heard any automotive talk you have probably heard the word – Tune-Up mentioned. What is a Tune-Up and how can it help your vehicle? When you drive, heat and friction causes wear and tear on the vehicle’s components and systems. As with all preventative maintenance performed on an automobile, tune-ups can prevent major engine performance issues from occurring on a vehicle in the future. By replacing worn or faulty parts, regular tune-ups help to maintain vehicle safety and performance. A tune-up at Olympic Transmissions & Auto Care, includes in most cases the replacing the Spark Plugs, Ignition Wires or Boots, PCV Valve, and the Air and Fuel Filter. We also perform a service that we call the Induction Service on every vehicle when we perform a tune-up. What is an Induction Service? It is the cleaning of the cleaning of the Intake Manifold, Oxygen Sensors, Catalytic Converter, Valves, Throttle Body and the Fuel Injectors.

You could get better gas mileage—by an average of 4% or 16¢ per gallon—with an engine tune-up1

The owners manual on every vehicle should state how often the manufacturer recommends that you get a tune-up, but as a general rule it is every two years or 30,000 miles, whichever comes first. Driving under extreme temperature and weather conditions will make parts wear out faster.

Top reasons your vehicle needs a tune-up:

  • Difficult to start
  • Knocking in the engine
  • Power loss
  • Poor gas mileage
  • Stalling
  • Exhaust odor
  • Rough idling
  • Diesling– the engine keeps chugging a few seconds after the ignition is shut off

Items included in a tune up, but not limited to:

  • Check all vital fluid levels – engine oil, transmission fluid, coolant, brakes, power steering
  • Check safety items such as lights, wipers, tires (including inflation pressure), horn, etc.
  • Check belts and hoses
  • Check battery/charging voltage
  • Check distributor cap and replace if necessary
  • Check ignition wires and replace if necessary
  • Check ignition performance – firing voltage and ignition patterns
  • Check idle speed
  • Check choke – carbureted engines
  • Check compression and/or power balance – identifies bad fuel injectors as well as compression problems
  • Check manifold intake vacuum – reveals exhaust restrictions
  • Check exhaust emissions – verifies fuel mixture, ignition performance and emissions performance
  • Check vehicle computer for trouble codes
  • Clean fuel injectors
  • Install new air filter
  • Replace fuel filter
  • Replace spark plugs
  • Replace PCV valve
  • Replace rotor

Olympic Transmission and Auto Care, serving the Lacey and Olympia areas, can tune up your vehicle!


Brake Service, Inspection and Repair


The brakes on your vehicle are extremely important for the overall safety of you and your passengers. Regular brake pad checks are strongly recommended – your brakes should be inspected at least once a year.

Brake Fluid Exchange

Parts, like the rubber in the valves in the master cylinder, calipers and wheel cylinders deteriorate. Little bits flake off and dirty the brake fluid, compromising the effectiveness of the brake system. In order to ensure your brake fluid is doing its job well, the brake fluid should be flushed.

A good rule of thumb is to have your brakes flushed about every 30,000 miles (48,280 kilometers) or so. Note that brake flushing and bleeding the brakes are two different procedures. Brake flushing involves removing all the brake fluid from the system and getting all-new, clean fluid inside. Brake bleeding just means removing enough brake fluid to get air bubbles out of the brake lines. So, make sure you get your brakes flushed regularly.

Replacing Brake Pads, Rotors, and Calipers

Just as your gas mileage will vary depending on where and how you drive, so it goes with the life of brake pads (or linings), the friction material that gets pressed against a metal disc or drum to stop your vehicle. Brake pads wear every time the brakes are applied. So, if the vehicle is often driven in stop-and-go traffic, the faster the pads wear out. The size and weight of the vehicle also have an impact on how fast the brake pads wear out. Unfortunately, there is no clear-cut schedule that tells you when it’s time to replace the brakes, so having them checked and listening for signs is crucial.

Brake pads wear every time the brakes are applied.

Top Ten Signs of Brake Wear:

  1. High pitched squealing
  2. Vibration in the steering wheel when stopping
  3. Grinding noises when stopping
  4. Increased braking distances
  5. Longer pedal travel
  6. Feeling the car “pull” to the left or right when stopping
  7. A weak emergency brake
  8. A bad smell after coming to a hard stop
  9. Pedal “fade”
  10. Not stopping

Rotors and calipers are another component of the braking system that need replacing when worn down or not working properly.

Other Brake Services

Brake drums, brake hoses and steel lines as well as master cylinders and bearings need attention, especially as a vehicle ages. We can help with these services as well.

Let Olympic Transmission and Auto Care serve you here in Olympia/Lacey!


Fuel system cleaning and repairs


Any time a car is driven, it will come in contact with airborne particles and dirt kicked up from the surface of the road. If these get into the fuel system of the car they are going to cause some problems. It does not necessarily mean that the vehicle will break down, but the chances for inefficiency are great and sooner or later there will be a major repair required. Making sure fuel tank filters are changed on a regular basis will help prevent contaminants from entering into the fuel system.

A complete cleaning of the fuel system should be performed every 15,000 miles or so

(always check the owner’s manual to see if they have an exact mileage recommendation for such maintenance). A full job can include inspecting the fuel injectors and the air intake to make sure that everything is clean, and there is no obstruction. This will do a lot to improve the overall performance of the vehicle. The fuel injector and the air intake are extremely important because the combination of fuel and air generates a car’s power. The better the fuel injector and air intake are maintained, the more muscle in the drive there will be. Flushing out the fuel lines will see to it that residue build up doesn’t happen.

Signs of trouble

-Engine stutter, hesitation, stumbling – without the proper air/fuel mixture, the combustion inside the cylinders is impeded
-Engine misfire – poor air/fuel mixture in the cylinders can cause an incomplete combustion event. The cylinder can miss a stroke, causing immediate engine power loss and a noticeable sound effect. When this becomes severe enough, the driver will feel a jerking action from the engine and/or powertrain.
-Performance loss – the engine needs sufficient fuel for proper and strong combustion. If combustion is impeded, engine power suffers
-Rough idling/engine stalling – uneven supply of fuel during idling can cause RPM to fall too low and result in stalling
-Failing emission tests – the drop in fuel combustion efficiency causes incomplete or uneven fuel burn, increasing emissions
-Increased Fuel consumption (bad gas mileage) – when fuel combustion efficiency is negatively affected, you will often need to burn more fuel to achieve the desired levels of performance

Fuel Pumps

Worst case scenario is when a fuel pump goes bad and needs replacing.

Sometimes a failing fuel pump will give some clues to its impending failure, but more often than not the pump just dies with little or no warning. At times an aging pump will become noisy, being more pronounced when initially turning the motor over. The buzzing sound may get louder and louder as the pump nears the end of its life. This is more typical of roller vane fuel pumps (like those used on older Volvo RWD models) than turbine-style pumps which are typically much quieter.

A failing fuel pump may cause hard-starting or cause a noticeable drop in engine performance when accelerating hard or when driving at highway speeds-but not always. New original equipment fuel pumps will usually last 100k to 150k miles or more-but may fail sooner if the pump becomes contaminated with dirt, rust, or debris inside the fuel tank.

Whatever your fuel system need, Olympic Transmission and Auto Care in Olympia will help you get on your way!


Cooling System Flush Service


Cooling System Flush

A cooling system flush is an important part of preventative maintenance and helps to keep your car healthy and on the road. The major components of the cooling system are the water pump, freeze plugs, the thermostat, the radiator, cooling fans, the heater core, the pressure cap, the overflow tank and the hoses.

Your cooling system is what keeps your car from overheating. It works by circulating a mixture of water and coolant through the engine. Over time the coolant mixture becomes contaminated with scale and rust, which can clog and damage the cooling system components. A cooling system flush essentially flushes out the entire system of contaminants and replaces the coolant mixture with fresh coolant and water.

If this important service is not done every 3 years or 30,000 miles, you may experience damage to the water pump, corrosion and leaks in the radiator or heater core, head gasket leaks & eventually, complete engine failure.

Things to watch for

-Check antifreeze/coolant level monthly. Only use a 50/50 solution of anti-freeze/coolant and water.
-Water quality plays an important role in protecting the cooling system. A high mineral content may cause scaling or corrosion. Deionized or distilled water should be used in 50/50 solution.
-CAUTION: Do not remove the radiator pressure cap when the engine is HOT.
-Inspect belts monthly. Replace belts that are worn, frayed or glazed. Adjust belts when more than 1/2 inch can be depressed between the pulleys.
-Belts with spring-loaded tensioners do not require manual adjustments.
-Replace bulging, rotten, or brittle hoses and tighten hose clamps. If a hose looks bad or feels too soft or too hard, it should be replaced.

When you have questions or need help, call Olympic Transmission and Auto Care in Olympia! We will make any necessary adjustments or repairs and get you on your way.


Steering and Suspension


Suspension System

Your vehicle’s suspension system serves two main purposes. It manages road holding and handling, aiding the safety of your vehicle as it maneuvers on the road, and it helps to provide driver and passenger comfort by reducing bumps, vibrations and noise. Shocks and struts are major parts in the suspension system, and their wear has a very real impact on the safety of your vehicle. Worn shocks and struts can effect how your wheels touch the road, causing swaying, hydroplaning, impaired performance and diminished road handling and holding.

If you take a peek under your car, the suspension system is essentially everything that connects your wheels to the car’s frame. These are important, heavy duty parts that do a lot of work. They need to be inspected for damage and extreme wear at least once a year. The best time for this is when you get your annual alignment service.

Signs of Suspension System trouble

-Vehicle sways or leans on turns
-Vehicle “nose dives” when you apply the brakes
-Excessive bouncing after hitting a road bump
-Harsh, bumpy or shaky ride
-Steering is stiff or makes noise
-Fluid leaking out of the shock or strut body
-Shock or strut bodies are dented or damaged
-Mounts or bushings are broken or worn
-Cupped, uneven tire wear

Causes of Suspension System Failure

Some suspension parts just wear out with use.

Shocks and struts eventually lose their ability to control your vehicle’s ride. Wheel bearings need to be repacked every couple of years, and some suspension pieces need to be lubricated when you get your oil changed.

Accidents, even as small as hitting a large rock or curb in Olympia, can cause suspension to be damaged or knocked out of alignment. Potholes, especially on under inflated tires, are huge culprits for suspension problems also. If there is no way to avoid a pothole, slow down when crossing it to preserve your shocks and struts.

Let Olympic Transmission and Auto Care in Olympia, care for all your suspension system needs! We can maintain and repair your vehicle when needed, and keep your vehicle steering straight!


Transmissions


Transmission…..what comes to mind for most people is the mechanism in your automobile that helps shift your vehicle from one gear to another. It is very important!

A transmission service is part of your routine maintenance, just like replacing your engine oil. New fluid restores the holding power between the clutches, reducing slip and heat production. At the same time, flushing the old fluid washes away tiny particles of clutch material and metal shavings.

Your transmission has many parts that work together– the four most important parts for you to know about are the bell housing, gears, transmission fluid and the filter.

The bell housing is a cone-shaped metal case underneath your vehicle. Unless your car is involved in an accident, the bell housing very seldom needs repair, as its main function is a case for the transmission itself.

Although the automatic transmission changes gears for you, they still have to be changed. The gears are broken into main gears and planetary gears, and all need to work properly for your vehicle is to move. Damaged or worn gears can cause various problems and may necessitate a repair or rebuild.

Transmission fluid is perhaps the most important part of automatic transmission. Failure to maintain adequate levels of fluid will result in many transmission problems. Fluid leaks cause various problems and are one of the most common types of transmission repairs.

The transmission fluid filter helps your car’s automatic transmission fluid to stay clean in order to help prevent wear and tear on the gears and other moving parts. Periodically changing your transmission fluid filter will help you avoid many common repairs as well.

Here at Olympic Transmissions & Auto Care, we have been trained and certified in a wide variety of transmissions. Olympic Transmissions & Auto Care of Olympia offers a variety of warranties starting with a 1 year local warranty up to a 3 year/100,000 mile Nationwide transferable warranty.

We value our customers’ trust, and we strive to ensure that the transmissions we install are inspected, tested, and updated with the latest technology to make sure that only the BEST is installed in your vehicle. You can rest assured that, when having a transmission installed by Olympic Transmissions & Auto Care you are receiving the highest quality available in the automotive industry today!


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