Orangevale Auto Repair

Are you ready for the holidays? A wonderful gift idea is our prepaid oil change card. For only $100 you can give the peace of mind of 4 oil changes and courtesy safety inspections included with each oil change. Each service includes: oil and filter change full courtesy inspection visually inspect brakes lubricate chassis and hinges check and top off all fluids check all lights and air filters This gift is great for: new drivers the friend that is too busy to keep their vehicle maintenance up to date students on a budget anyone who owns a vehicle As a bonus, the card also includes $70 of discounts on other important car maintenance needs. We would love to answer any questions you may have. Please call us for details at 91

As winter approaches, and the rain begins... is your car ready? Some of the things you want to check on your vehicle before the rain arrives are: -Are your windshield wipers in good shape? The hot Sacramento sun literally 'bakes' your wiper blades. Street Tech keeps most wiper blades in stock and will put them on for you free of charge so you can clearly see the road ahead. -How do your tires look? Ever hear the expression Where the Rubber Meets the Road? It means where it really counts, and the same is true of your tires. Good tire tread helps squeeze water out between your tires and the pavement. Without sufficient tread your car can hydroplane, and you could lose control of the vehicle. -Planning on going 'up the hill'? If you plan on driving over the Sierra's to Reno or Tahoe, you will want to make sure your car's cooling system is up to par. The proper mixture ... read more

How many mechanics do you know that have their very own app for Android and iPhone? Well, you know at least one... Street Tech!Using the Street Tech app you can.... Request an Appointment Keep Track of Scheduled Maintenance on your vehicle Get great deals and find coupons. Get your 7th oil change free! Check out your Kelly Blue Book value. Find Safety Tips and Car Care Tips Use our Engine Recorder and Part Cam! (You know you want to!) There is even a Street Tech game!  

Everybody loves a new car! That feeling driving off the dealer lot basking in that new car smell! Oh, What Pleasure! Many of us get that urge to trade in the car that we've had for years for something shiny, new and younger... but there are many benefits in keeping that older car, and perhaps restoring some of the love you once felt. Here we have listed some of the benefits of an older car. This stuff you probably won't see in any slick TV commercials. 1) No Car Payment. Yep that's right, imagine what fun you can have with that $500 a month. Even factoring for the occasional repair cost on an older car, you will almost never pay anything close to what you pay on an annual car payment. 2) Lower insurance rates and car registration fees. More money you get to keep in your pocket. 3) Someone ding your door? Who cares! Not worrying about minor dings and scratches is one of the most u ... read more

Everybody loves a new car! That feeling driving off the dealer lot basking in that new car smell! Oh, What Pleasure! Many of us get that urge to trade in the car that we've had for years for something shiny, new and younger... but there are many benefits in keeping that older car, and perhaps restoring some of the love you once felt. Here we have listed some of the benefits of an older car. This stuff you probably won't see in any slick TV commercials. 1) No Car Payment. Yep that's right, imagine what fun you can have with that $500 a month. Even factoring for the occasional repair cost on an older car, you will almost never pay anything close to what you pay on an annual car payment. 2) Lower insurance rates and car registration fees. More money you get to keep in your pocket. 3) Someone ding your door? Who cares! Not worrying about minor dings and scratches is one of the most u ... read more

We have all seen that logo...but what does it mean? What is required to get it? What is "behind" it? ASE, is short for the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. Since 1972 the independent non-profit organization has worked to improve the quality of vehicle repair and service by testing and certifying automotive professionals. Because the ASE program is primarily voluntary, ASE certification becomes a self-selecting credential that weeds out the incompetent. ASE certification was created to help make automotive technicians better. It's a tool that helps our technicians grow, learn and increase performance. Recent research shows that the act of preparing to take an ASE Certification exam actually improves a service tech's knowledge and retention. Other research shows a greater first-fix accuracy, lower comebacks, and higher cu ... read more

We have talked before about warning lights, but we wanted to go a little more in depth and give you more information about the lights, the color of the light, and what they can mean. Remember, Color is King! Here is a thumbnail guide to actions you should take in a warning light situation. Red indicates a potentially serious problem or safety issue. Attend to it! Red may also indicate an important reminder. Examples of Red Lights include: Brake Light - This is an unusual case, it can mean something extremely serious, or it could just mean your parking brake is still applied slightly. If this light comes on while driving, safely pull over, and check to make sure your parking brake is not applied. If it's not, it may indicate a more serious problem. Your car's brakes could potentially fail. This light is different to your ABS light (see below). Oil Pressure - This means your engine is not getting enough oil to properly lubri ... read more

Memorial Day is approaching, which signals the beginning of road trip season. This summer many people will be heading out on that great American road trip! We live in a beautiful part of the world, with such wonders and great places to explore! How could you resist? Here are a few things to think about before-hand to help you get the most out of your adventures. Budget- It is amazing how quickly things can add up when we are on the open road. It is a good idea to set a realistic budget for how much you can afford to spend each day on meals, lodging, and fuel. Route- Plan the route to your destination and your stopping points for breaks. There is the TripTik Travel Planner (AAA.com/triptik) which allows you to map your itinerary and make adjustments at anytime. It also helps locate gas stations, campgrounds, electric-vehicle charging pods, as well as hotel ... read more

We all know how the cost of gasoline can eat into you family's budget, but are there ways to make that 'bite' a bit smaller? Yes! Unfortunately we don't have a time machine, and can't get you back to buck a gallon gas, but we can trim that gas bill a bit with these helpful steps. Keep your engine tuned up - A misfiring spark plug can reduce fuel efficiency by as much as 30% (Fuel Savings up to $1.00 a gallon)Keep your tires properly inflated - Keeping tires properly inflated, will not only make your tires last longer but they will keep you safer. Of course proper tire pressure will save you gas too! Under-inflated tires will lower your gas mileage by 0.3% for every 1 psi (pounds per square inch) pressure. Always use the recommended tire pressure for your vehicle, you can find the proper tire pressure for your vehicle on the sticker in your drivers door-ja ... read more

Say you're driving home from work on a Friday afternoon. You're looking forward to getting home, having dinner, perhaps a refreshing beverage and a little relaxation. You're daydreaming about the pleasures that await you, and all of a sudden the car in front of you comes to a dead stop. In that split second, what are you going to rely on to save your weekend (and maybe your life)? You guessed it... Your Brakes! The brake system is your car's most important safety system. Brakes are a normal wear item on any vehicle. They periodically need to be replaced for safety reasons and performance. The entire brake system should be checked every year. The most wearable parts of the braking system include the brake pads/shoes, rotors/drums, calipers, and brake fluid. Speaking of brake fluid, the brake fluid should be changed every 30,000 miles, or as directed in your owners manual. Contaminated brake fluid may lead to corrosion ... read more