EuroCar Service, 5821 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, WA (2022)

12/28/2021

Is it time for a transmission service? A transmission service is generally recommended every two years or 30,000 miles, though it can vary depending on the vehicle. If you can’t remember the last time your transmission was serviced, give your friendly service advisor a call so we can help. Symptoms your transmission needs care for include: trouble shifting, grinding, shaking, check engine light, leaking fluid, burning odor.

12/22/2021

Cold weather is tough on batteries—especially if they’re not fully charged. For example, once temperatures hit 32°F, a car battery can lose about 35% of its strength. If its charge was already low to begin with, this could cause an unpleasant surprise the next time you go out to start your car!

Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to prevent your battery from draining when the temperatures drop:

● Make sure all your exterior and interior lights are off when your vehicle isn’t running
● Check that all doors and the trunk are fully shut (leaving a door or the trunk ajar could cause an interior light to stay on and drain the battery)
● Unplug all power-drawing accessories, like cell phone chargers
● Inspect and clean your battery terminals
● Tighten the battery connection cables
● Park your vehicle in the garage; if you don’t have a garage, park the front of the car downwind

Remember, most car batteries last about 5 years—so if yours is nearing that age, visit EuroCar Service for a battery test! We can also help you with basic battery maintenance.

12/13/2021

How are your wiper blades performing? Often, it’s hard to tell when your vehicle is in need of wiper blade replacement until it starts raining hard, or you drive through a snowstorm. Ask your service advisor to have your technician examine your wiper blades at your next service appointment. We’ll inform you of any unexpected wear and tear, and help you choose a good replacement blade if needed.

12/08/2021

Do you need to replace the third brake light if it stops working? In some states according to state law, you’re required to have all brake lights and turn signals well-maintained and in good working condition. Not only could a burnt-out third brake light be cause for a ticket, but studies have shown that it’s an important safety feature that reduces rear-end collisions. Sometimes it can be difficult to know if the third brake light has burnt out. Many vehicles have bulb dashboard warnings that will alert you if a bulb has burnt out, but not all of them do.

Fortunately, our technicians check whether all your lights are working when you have your car serviced. Just one more reason to keep up with your routine maintenance!

12/06/2021

Is it time for tire replacement? We’re here to help. Now is a great time to replace your tires, especially if you have holiday road trip plans. Be sure to inspect your spare tire, too. Worn tires cause your vehicle to take longer to stop when brakes are applied, and they make it easier for your vehicle to hydroplane. There’s an increased risk of tire blow out, and it even negatively impacts fuel economy. Schedule your service appointment today to ensure your tires are safe for your upcoming travels.

12/01/2021

Planning a road trip during the holidays? Now is the time to schedule necessary maintenance or repair to ensure your vehicle is safe and reliable for your travels this winter. Did you know cooler weather can magnify problems such as hard starts and sluggish performance? If you notice your car starting to act up, let’s get the issue resolved so it doesn’t interfere with your plans.

11/30/2021

Is it time for a coolant system check? Generally, coolant services are due approximately every 30,000 miles or 3 years. So if you’re not sure when it was done last, or if you’ve purchased a used vehicle in the last three years, it’s a good idea to check if yours is due (our friendly service advisors can help with this). Your coolant system is what keeps your engine running at the right operating temperature, so it’s critical that it’s running optimally. Give us a call today to schedule your coolant service, especially if you see the pictured light on your dash.

11/22/2021

As weather gets cooler, it’s that time of year where critters like to make nests under the hood of your vehicle. This can cause significant damage under the hood, so here are some tips to help minimize the chances of this happening to your vehicle:

• Parking in the garage? Leave your hood up. This will deter some critters looking for a dark place to build their nest
• Don’t leave your pet’s food in the garage (or other food rats/critters will find to snack on)
• Has your car been sitting for a few days? Whether it’s parked inside or out, inspect under the hood before you attempt to start the vehicle. If you see a nest give us a call before you start your vehicle
• Block rat size entrances into your garage with wire mesh

11/17/2021

Cold weather can be hard on batteries, so it’s always wise to have your battery and charging system checked before winter hits, especially if your battery is over 3 years old. Our technicians can assess the health of your battery and alternator, check the connections, and clean any corrosion that might have developed. Schedule your appointment today by calling (650) 216-9390!

11/12/2021

Are your tires ready for winter travel? With the holiday season coming up in just a couple of weeks, now is the time to schedule your tire replacement. Most of us have put off car maintenance once or twice, but safety parts such as brakes and tires are critical to be taken care of when they’re due. Not sure if you’re in need of brakes or tire replacement? We are happy to inspect both of these for you, just give us a call!

11/08/2021

Have you noticed leaves or dirt in the crevices of your vehicle? Surprisingly, this can lead to leaks stemming from trunks, sunroofs, and other locations where fall leaves and dirt build up. It’s not something many people think would cause a leak, but when you have time, consider cleaning those crevices. While cleaning the leaves it would also be a good time to clean your wiper blades to keep them in tip top shape for when you need them.

11/03/2021

Oxygen sensors measure the amount of unburnt oxygen in the exhaust system so the engine’s computer can determine the correct air-to-fuel ratio. Although these sensors typically last a long time, they can sometimes fail. This generally happens because the sensor becomes contaminated by bad fuel or coated with residue from the engine burning oil. Contaminants from the road, like rock salt, can also cause issues. If you notice:

• The check engine light is on
• The engine is running rough
• Black, sooty smoke coming from the tailpipe
• Your fuel economy is noticeably lower than it used to be

You could have a bad oxygen sensor! Unfortunately, replacing the sensor doesn’t always solve the problem—sometimes other repairs are needed, too. Schedule an appointment and have our technicians take a look. They’ll let you know if it’s the sensor and if any other issues need to be addressed.

10/27/2021

Fuel system cleanings are easily overlooked as a maintenance item by many of our customers. During a fuel system cleaning service, we’ll remove any debris and deposits that have built up over time, helping to preserve critical parts in your fuel system while simultaneously bringing better fuel economy. With the ultra high fuel prices today, and busier roads than ever, fuel economy is more important than ever before.

10/20/2021

We’ve all seen drivers who are in a hurry to accelerate at the stoplight, but what they don’t realize is “jackrabbit starts” and uneven acceleration puts more stress on the engine’s valves and cylinder heads. This can cause the moving parts to wear out faster, as well as any other components that are connected to them. Fast acceleration also generates more heat, which is the enemy of every engine. Slow, even acceleration while driving is best—for your engine, your tires, your brakes, and even fuel efficiency!

10/18/2021

Did you recently buy a used vehicle? One question we get often is “how do I know what services it needs?” It can be challenging to tell what maintenance services have been done, and which have been skipped by the previous owner on your own. We recommend bringing the vehicle in for a bumper to bumper inspection. Our technicians will get a thorough look at your vehicle and can recommend any further maintenance services or repairs necessary.

10/12/2021

So you accidentally put Regular gas in your car that calls for Premium. It happens! We do not recommend making this a habit though, because it can lead to damage that costs well over the money saved by purchasing Regular. It can damage valves, pistons, spark plugs, and lead to the dreaded engine knock. Now if you accidentally put Diesel in your gas vehicle, that’s a different story. If you happen to catch it before you start your vehicle, immediately call a tow truck as this can severely damage your vehicle if not addressed immediately. Then, give us a call and we are happy to help you.