Orangevale Auto Repair

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

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