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Goodyear Assurance All-Season Tire great all year long

In Tires and Wheels by Steves Auto Repair and Tire

There are many tires being produced that can be used throughout the year.

If you are searching for a tire that will be dependable for all types of weather, the Goodyear Assurance All-Season Tire is the way to go.

Is snow or rain expected? What about sunshine? Living up to its name, this Goodyear tire is able to take any of it in stride. 

It’s the type of tire you want on your vehicle when the weather seems a bit uncertain, or a storm comes up unexpectedly.

Drivers who choose this option can safely travel to their destination, no matter what mother nature has in store.

The Goodyear Assurance All-Season Tire isn’t just for a certain make or model. It can go on various kinds of vehicles, including sedans, SUVs, crossovers, and trucks.

Tire tread offers traction

This tire has become the “go to” among lots of motorists for several reasons.

Earlier, we mentioned that it’s reliable, a characteristic that stems from the way the tire is designed.

When you take a close look at the tire tread, you will see biting edges running across it. These small features play the important role of making sure you have traction all year long.

You will be able to confidently maneuver your vehicle whether the sun is out, it’s pouring, or snow is falling. 

Located in the middle are wide grooves, which improve the tire’s grip in wet weather by pushing away water and slush.

So, you can be confident that it will maintain contact with the road and you have a lower chance of hydroplaning.

Goodyear Assurance All-Season gives you control

Traction isn’t the only perk that the tread provides. It’s able to decrease the amount of noise you hear when driving, as well.

The Goodyear Assurance All-Season Tire also has large shoulder blocks that give you better control in dry and wet conditions.

Another benefit is it comes with a long lifespan.

Backed by a 65,000 mile warranty, this tire will be there to weather the elements with you for years to come.

Other Goodyear Tires available

The Goodyear Assurance All-Season Tire is a great option for the different seasons. However, it isn’t the only all season tire that Goodyear Tire produces.

Other reliable tires we recommend include the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady Tire and the Goodyear Eagle Sport All-Season Tire.

Before setting your eyes on a specific tire, talk to someone who works in the automotive industry or a local tire shop. 

If you don’t take your car to a particular tire store in Woodbridge, feel free to contact us. We sell a wide range of tires, including Goodyear Tire, Kelly Tire and Dunlop Tire. Our staff would be happy to help you choose the right one for your vehicle.

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.

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Timing belt: When it should be changed

In Maintenance by Steves Auto Repair and Tire

In order for a vehicle’s engine to work properly, its timing needs to line up correctly. The timing belt has a part to play in this. Located around engine components, it ensures that the crankshaft and camshaft are running at the same rate.

Because of age and day-to-day use, timing belt replacement is sometimes necessary. 

A new one is normally installed when the vehicle hits a certain mileage. Some manufacturers recommend changing it every 60,000 miles, while others say every 100,000 miles. You should also get a new one if it’s cracked or jumps time.

Whatever the reason, it’s best if you don’t avoid changing the belt. Internal engine damage may occur if it breaks, or if components are banging against one another because it’s out of timing by too much. 

Bad timing belt signs

So, how do you know if you need a new timing belt?

Since timing belts have other parts over them, you won’t be able to just pop up the hood and see if they have become worn or are broken.

But a bad timing belt can result in some problems you may notice. These issues include engine misfires, which may occur if the engine is out of timing.

The car not starting is another indicator. This happens because the timing-related parts aren’t turning and compression isn’t being created by the engine.

You might hear noise the components are creating, as well.

Timing belt replacement cost

There isn’t a set answer for how much getting a new timing belt costs. Depending on the vehicle, the cost to replace a timing belt can be anywhere from $300 to $3,000. It could really run such a wide range, because of the amount of work involved.

The job isn’t only limited to changing the belt. Sometimes the job is as simple as installing a new belt and tensioner. However, the job may also be a little more complicated or involve other components. One of our technicians, for example, recently put a new timing belt on a Volkswagen when he went to replace the turbocharger. 

Many vehicles have two timing belts, multiple tensioners, and idler pulleys, and certain cars have water pumps that are driven off of the timing belt. Those are the type of parts that you will want to replace while you’re there.

We also like to change the camshaft and crankshaft seals at the same time, because if they start leaking after you finish that work then you need to do it all over again. This happened with a Volvo a couple of years ago.

Yes, performing the extra maintenance will cost more because of the additional time and parts needed, but it will be much less time consuming and expensive in the long run.

This is how timing belts can be a little bit of an investment, but it’s well worth it.

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.

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White, blue or black smoke from your car

In Diagnostics by Steves Auto Repair and Tire

It can be a little concerning when you notice smoke from your car exhaust. This occurred to me recently when a friend started their Chevy Colorado. 

If this happens to you, you might think, “What’s wrong?” and “Is it safe to drive my vehicle?”

Before taking off down the road, you need to make sure your car is drivable. There are a few areas you can check:

  • Take a look at the temperature gauge, which tells you if the engine coolant temperature is where it should be.
  • Make sure there aren’t any warning lights or alerts on your dashboard.
  • Check the oil level and coolant level to ensure they aren’t low.

What to do if you notice smoke from your car

Wondering what to do if there’s white smoke from exhaust? What if you notice blue, gray or black smoke from your car? 

Having the car checked out by a trained automotive expert – like an ASE certified technician – is your best and safest option.

If you don’t see any warning lights and everything seems to be OK, drive the vehicle to a nearby auto repair shop as soon as possible.

If there is a problem, or something changes when you start traveling – if it starts overheating, for example – you should pull over at a safe location and call a tow truck. 

Choosing to ignore alerts, low fluid levels, or odd behaviors for too long could lead to more damage.

What do different smoke colors mean?

You can get a better idea of what’s causing the smoke by looking at different factors, like the color and the smell.

White smoke coming out of exhaust can be the result of a few different problems. It may indicate an engine problem or that coolant is going into the combustion chamber. A cracked cylinder head, a head gasket that’s leaking, or a cracked engine block are other possibilities.

A sweet smell is typically associated with antifreeze or coolant. Meanwhile, the smell of fuel can mean that the issue lies with the fuel system.

Blue, gray and black are other colors of smoke to watch out for. If the smoke from your car is gray or blue and you notice a smell that seems bitter, it might mean that the engine is burning oil. The situation could occur if valve seals are leaking, piston rings have become worn, a PCV valve is clogged, or the crankcase is overfilled with oil

Not using the correct kind of oil and not having regular oil changes performed may also cause this problem. We recommend oil changes every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, depending on the vehicle. 

Grey or white smoke coming out the back of the vehicle – but not necessarily the tailpipe – could be an external leak, such as engine oil dripping or transmission fluid leaking from a cooler line onto the exhaust.

Too much raw fuel burning could lead to black smoke that has a gasoline smell, a problem sometimes caused by a fuel pressure regulator that has failed, a bad engine sensor or ignition part, or a fuel injector that’s leaking. 

You should have your vehicle serviced at a car repair shop, because some of them – including Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire, an auto repair shop in Woodbridge, Virginia – perform visual inspections and note anything out of the ordinary, such as oil leaks and coolant leaks. Internal leaks are more difficult to diagnose, but your mechanic can help determine the problem and help you and your family stay safe on the road.

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.

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What does engine repair mean today?

In Maintenance by Steves Auto Repair and Tire

What does engine repair actually mean on a car now?

It used to mean taking the engine apart and replacing different parts, including valves, pistons, connecting rods, crankshafts, camshafts. All of that is still correct.

But when most people think of engine repair, it has to do with not only internal but what is on the engine, what makes it run.

Internal engine components:

  • Valves
  • Pistons
  • Connecting rods
  • Crankshafts
  • Camshafts
  • Bearings
  • Oil pump
  • Cylinder heads
  • Intake manifold

Exhaust manifold

External and internal engine repair

When you’re talking about these different parts, you start with the ignition system. On the engine, that can be anything from the coils, spark plugs, wires, distributor cap and rotor, distributor – if the vehicle is old enough to have one. It could also be an ignition module that might be bolted on top of the engine or on the valve cover.

It could also have to do with the cooling system that’s on the engine. Maybe it’s the serpentine belt or the idler pulleys, and all of these go with the water pump. Serpentine Belt

Water pump parts:

  • Serpentine belt
  • Idler pulleys
  • Water pump
  • Belt tensioner
  • Radiator hoses
  • Engine coolant thermostat
Subaru timing belt and timing belt guide pulleys.

Subaru timing belt and timing belt guide pulleys

When you’re talking about internal components as far as engine repair, the most common now are timing belts and timing chains. Along with that job may go some idler pulleys, timing chain guides, and crankshaft and camshaft oil seals.

Parts associated with timing belts include:

  • Timing belt tensioner
  • Camshaft seals
  • Crankshaft seals
  • Timing belt idler pulleys
Timing chain and timing chain guides.

Timing chain and timing chain guides.

These are items related to timing chains:

  • Timing chains
  • Timing chain guides
  • Timing chain tensioner
  • Timing chain sprockets
  • Camshaft seals
  • Crankshaft seals
Cadillac engine repair.

Cadillac engine repair

Engine-related problems

Some people may think of engine repair as the control system, like your check engine light comes on and what’s related to the engine.  

Oil leaks is another problem that people associate with it. That can be anything from the oil pan, the valve cover gaskets, the rear main seal or crankshaft seal. With the way these cars are designed now, even the oil pan can be in three different pieces.

Components that are connected with oil leaks:

  • Oil pan 
  • Valve cover gaskets
  • Rear main seal
  • Crankshaft seal
  • Oil pan gasket
  • Intake manifold gaskets
  • Oil filter housing
  • Timing chain cover gaskets
  • Cylinder head gaskets
  • Oil pumps
Land rover engine repair.

Land rover engine repair

You also have engine maintenance, which people will call engine repair. Now we’re talking oil changes and fluid exchanges. Then, there’s maintenance due to time and mileage, such as belts and hoses. 

Engine maintenance services:

  • Oil changes
  • Fluid exchanges
  • Fuel system service
  • Tune up
  • Belt replacement
  • Air filter
  • Fuel filter
  • Radiator hoses
  • Engine coolant

Whether you think engine repair means work on the engine, in the engine, or associated with the engine, Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is your local auto repair shop that can take care of all your needs.

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.

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Brake repair: What you should keep in mind

In Brakes by Steves Auto Repair and Tire

At Steve’s Auto Repair, we rotate tires and check brakes for our digital vehicle inspection, which is done as part of our oil change.

Lincoln Mercury.We conducted an inspection on a Lincoln Mercury and learned that the customer didn’t notice that the brakes had gone metal to metal. Because we are a full service shop, we are able to take care of these kinds of jobs.

What brake repair looks like

Grinding noise on brakes.

Grinding noise on brakes

In this particular case, the brake pads and rotors were simply worn down and need to be replaced. However, it’s important to keep in mind that brake repair doesn’t just involve changing the brake pads and rotors. It’s about looking at the rest of the brake system to make sure everything is working correctly.

You also need to check the bleeders on the calipers. Make sure we can actually open them and bleed the brake fluid out. Are there any hardware issues that have to go with the brake caliper? Is the brake caliper piston boot torn? Is the caliper piston seized where it won’t retract into the caliper housing? Those are some other problems that can occur and make the brake pad and rotor wear faster than just normal wear and tear. 

A brake line going bad can also cause this. There’s an issue called “brake line checking,” which is when a little piece in the brake line becomes loose. When you press the brake, the fluid goes past. As you release it, a piece acts like a flap, preventing the fluid from releasing and maintaining pressure on the brake.

In order to conduct brake service correctly, you need to release the bleeders before you push the pistons back on the brake caliper. You don’t want to be cramming dirt back into the Anti-lock braking system (ABS) or the master cylinder. 

Once the brake job is done

Technician performing brake fluid exchange.After everything is put back together, you will want to do a brake fluid flush. We use the BG fluid, which has a flushing agent in it. So, it’s not just a brake fluid exchange, like some other places do. Over a period of time, the brake fluid will get some moisture in it and – under extreme braking – the moisture can boil, resulting in a soft pedal. These problems arise as the brakes heat up when you’re coming down from the mountains after visiting with grandma or when you’re commuting. If you’re a commuter, you’re braking all the time. Even if you’re in stop and go traffic, you’re heating up the brakes quite a bit.

Using the correct lubrication on the back of the pads, or the metal contact points for the hardware or the calipers where they meet on the caliper bracket is also a necessary step in brake repair.

Using an impact gun, using an electric impact, or torquing the wheels back down is one of the last things often missed at a lot of places, including people who are working on their vehicles at home. Not using a torque wrench can automatically mess up the brake job from the get go. You start getting some lateral run out, which can cause some brake pedal pulsation later. Then, you basically have to do the brake job all over again. 

Wherever you go to get your vehicle worked on, ensure that it has ASE certified technicians. Our techs are trained to look for these different types of conditions and make sure that the brake job is done right.

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.