Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire’s emissions inspection program has been recognized.
We received a certificate of appreciation for observing licensing requirements and conducting inspections in a “dedicated and commendable” way.
Emissions inspection recognition
The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) manages the Vehicle Emissions Testing.
An emission inspection is required every two years for cars housed in certain localities, including Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park.
During the test, inspectors confirm information, including the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), and check for certain components that have to do with emissions control systems.
Our certified inspectors are encouraged to follow the regulations and look for anything that doesn’t meet them.
“While doing the inspections, we communicate with the DEQ about issues that arise, such as tampering or gray areas,” Owner Scott Whitling said. “This helps us make sure that we’re staying in compliance.”
Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Goodyear tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including BMW and Mercedes. Services include oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.
An Audi came in because its check engine light had turned on.
A check engine light comes on for many reasons. In this particular case, it was not flashing.
If you have a flashing check engine light, that means you may have a problem that is going to cause catalytic converter damage or could cause some other engine problems because there was a misfire.
It was also low on oil, which was causing some different problems. There were some codes, because these engines that have variable valve timing are – a lot of times – controlled by oil control valves, which adjust the valve timing.
We were able to clear the codes, reset the maintenance monitor systems, and get this vehicle back on track.
Other reasons that the check engine light turns on can be anything from a sensor not recording or sending the signal correctly to a loose gas cap. The light may also indicate evaporative control problems or even issues with your transmission.
So, when the light comes on you don’t really want to wait a long time to get it checked, even if it’s just a matter of coming to your local auto repair shop and having them check the codes.
If we see a code that has to do with a gas cap, we’re able to just take a look at it real quick, make sure the gas cap seal isn’t broken, tighten it up, clear the code and let you drive it. If it comes on again from an EVAP code, then we can get into diagnostics. But this is one of the things you just don’t really want to wait too long to get addressed.
Even regular maintenance on Audis has to be done correctly. Using the wrong weight of oil, or not getting the cap back on, or knocking off a vacuum line can actually trigger a check engine light.
Sometimes, with these vehicles, a little hose can come loose and you won’t even notice it. Even the dipstick not being pushed in all the way can cause an issue that an Audi can actually pick up.
If you do get an oil change and your check engine light comes on a day or two or three afterwards just talk to your auto repair shop and they may be able just to check something real quick.
This is a very small list of reasons why your check engine light can come on:
Gas cap
Oxygen sensor
Catalytic converter problem
Misfire
Coils
Plugs
The evaporative system
Sensors
Wrong oil and low oil
Transmission problems
ABS or traction control problem
So if your check engine light does come on, call your local auto repair shop. Let them at least check the codes and see if there’s anything that’s serious. If you keep your vehicle maintained, you can have many years with your Audi.
Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Goodyear tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including BMW and Mercedes. Services include oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.
If you’re looking for a local auto repair shop to take care of your Nissan Frontier or if you’re lucky enough to have one of the older Nissan pickups, there are many ways that you can keep your vehicle running for a long time.
These are a few services we recommend to help maintain it.
Nissan Frontier oil change
Obviously, when you’re looking to perform a Nissan Frontier oil change you want to change the oil filter with a good quality oil filter.
Steve’s Auto Repair uses synthetic oil in all of our oil changes. Using the correct weight of oil is very important.
We do carry BG products such as MOA, CF5, and 44K. Two of them are fuel additives, and they actually help keep the injectors, top of the Pistons, and the intake valves clean.
A lot of carbon can build up in today’s vehicles, especially those using cheap gas and traveling in stop and go traffic.
BG MOA is an oil additive you may use with regular oil and synthetic oil. It helps keep things lubed up and addresses lifter noise that you might get with older vehicles.
During an oil change, we rotate the tires, check your brakes, check your cabin air filters, and basically do a mini state inspection.
Changing the cabin air filter
A lot of times, the cabin air filters get really dirty with leaves and pollen.
When changing it, our technicians can also spray BG Frigi Fresh in the air intake system. This disinfectant kills bacteria, mold and viruses.
You should make sure to clean any leaves and pine needles that collect on the cowling area, as well. Debris in the cowling area, which is the bottom of the windshield, may clog the cabin air filter.
Checking the battery
The next thing is the battery and making sure to test it. Extremely cold or hot temperatures often kill a weak battery.
On the Nissan Frontier, you can actually still check the water on most of the batteries, and you either use distilled water or a special battery water.
Using anti-corrosion pads is another maintenance tip we recommend. Batteries are known to leak a little bit of acid. Not only does it corrode the battery terminal, it can also eat up the battery tray and the battery.
Now is a good time to check to make sure everything’s working correctly, including your lights and windshield wipers, and even clean the windows. A lot of people will clean the outside but forget to do the inside. So, when it’s sunny, it could be hard to see.
These are just a few ways to maintain your Nissan so that you are able to continue enjoying it for years to come.
Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Goodyear tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including BMW and Mercedes. Services include oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.
A tune up used to involve replacing parts, such as spark plugs, spark plug wires, and the distributor cap and rotor.
Mechanics would change the air filter and fuel filter, replace points in the condenser – if the car was old enough – and even perform an oil change, depending on the time frame.
It could also consist of adjusting the distributor to change the timing, cleaning the throttle plate and the choke on the carburetor, and making air fuel adjustments, including setting the base idol.
Through the years, as vehicles have become more advanced with fuel injections and computers, what is considered a tune up has changed.
Tune up services offered today
Changing the spark plugs is one service that continues to be offered. However, the mileage between spark plugs has gone from 30,000 miles to between 60,000 and 105,000 miles in most vehicles today.
This increase is due to the ignition systems being Coil on Plug (COP) and the materials that the spark plugs are made out of, such as iridium and platinum, lasting much longer.
Of course there’s still air filters, but a lot of the time the fuel filters are integral with the fuel pumps in the gas tanks, depending on the vehicle.
One service that helps greatly with today’s vehicles is cleaning the throttle body and doing a fuel induction service. The way the PCV systems are made, more carbon gets built up in the intake and the valves than it used to.
While you’re driving, computers take care of a lot of adjustments you used to have to make. However, it’s more important than ever to maintain your vehicle or to do the tune up at the interval, even if your vehicle is running just fine. Computers will try to compensate for a problem that an automotive technician could catch during the regular tune up.
Using the right spark plugs
It is also very important to use the correct type of spark plugs for your car or truck. While a cheaper spark plug may technically allow your vehicle to run, you could be asking for the check engine to turn on for weird issues and possible damage to your engine.
The way vehicles are designed nowadays, it could be very difficult to get to the spark plugs. You used to be able to work on them in your driveway, but today it could take four or five hours to reach them, depending on what you have to take off to get to them.
SHOP TIP: Because some spark plugs are very hard to get to, when you go in for a tune up, ask to see your spark plugs. Unfortunately, when working with other shops, we have seen that the front three have been changed but not the three in the back.
Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Goodyear tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including BMW and Mercedes. Services include oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.
It’s important for car owners to know what their vehicle needs and to go to a reputable mechanic or repair shop.
If they don’t, there could be consequences down the road.
One of our technicians installed a new transmission on a 2016 RAM 2500 SLT.
A few weeks ago, the customer came in after the check engine light turned on. They had also noticed the truck revved high when they were shifting into fifth and sixth gear.
Initially, we tried to address this problem by performing a transmission fluid exchange. Unfortunately, due to a lack of maintenance, the transmission was too far gone.
To get to the transmission, the technician removed many components, including the front drive shaft, rear drive shaft, transfer case, and parts of the exhaust system.
What does a transmission do?
The transmission is a component that transfers the engine’s power to the wheels. Without it, a vehicle isn’t able to run correctly.
What happens during a transmission fluid exchange?
The contaminants in the transmission fluid tend to stick to the sides. So, we start a transmission fluid exchange by injecting a cleaner that suspends the contaminants in the fluid.
Doing this enables us to get the broken down fluid out.
Our technicians replace old transmission fluid with new fluid using a BG Transmission Fluid Exchange Machine.
Once the exchange is complete, we add in a conditioner that increases the effectiveness of the transmission fluid and extends its lifespan.
BG makes a variety of products, including BG Quick Clean, conditioners, as well as fluid for manual transmissions and different types of automatic transmissions.
Here is a video about the transmission flush process:
When should you have a transmission fluid exchange done?
We suggest having a transmission fluid flush performed every 30,000 miles.
How often you should do this service is also based on the manufacturer’s recommendations. Some encourage brake fluid exchanges more frequently.
There are also a couple of signs indicating that the fluid needs to be changed. These include a burnt smell and fluid appearing darker.
Why should you have a transmission fluid exchange performed?
Transmissions experience a lot of stress as you travel through traffic, causing operating temperatures to arise. That coupled with oxidation leads the transmission fluid to break down.
The transmission is one of the most expensive parts of a vehicle. Transmission fluid exchanges clean the transmission, helping it last.
In the case of the 2016 RAM, regular transmission fluid exchanges were not done.
Taking the time to learn about and keep up with the services your vehicle needs is worth it. This maintenance can prevent components from going bad prematurely and help you avoid expensive repairs.
Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Goodyear tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including BMW and Mercedes. Services include oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.
