Snellville Auto Repair

When the season changes from fall to winter, you have a to-do list for your car to prepare for icy and snowy roads and cold temperatures. You then keep yourself safe and prevent any unnecessary damage to your vehicle. We have a few tips to assist. Check Your Coolant Levels Every year before winter, check the coolant levels in your car. Add a 50/50 mix of coolant and water. Ideally, flush out the system first before adding any coolant. Evaluate Your Battery Make sure your battery is in good condition before running your vehicle in cold weather. The frigid temperatures can drop your battery's performance, thus causing you to have trouble starting your automobile. A decent battery will hold up better. As you inspect your battery, assess the cables and terminals, as well, to ensure they're tight and corrosion free. Assess Your Tires At the beginning of winter and several times throughout, check your tires' air pressure. The temperature change can cause a decrease in your ... read more

There are certain times and scenarios where you can’t save your vehicle from doom. Breakdowns and accidents happen all the time on the road, and you’ve probably seen them. One of these days, that person on the side of the road may be you. While the team at Snellville Auto Center does our best through maintenance and repairs to prevent this from happening, we want you to feel prepared just in case.  Some people cringe at the thought of calling for a tow because they think it will cost them a ton of money. However, the additional cost of calling a towing company is nothing when it can save you hundreds of dollars in car damage. Some car emergencies are that urgent. That is why it is important for you to stay educated on how your car performs and be able to catch signs of unusual smells, sounds, and leaks. All of these are indicators that can signal a breakdown is on the way. So, when should you call for a tow? Check engine light is flashing Oil pressure light is on ... read more

By now, you've probably heard of the catalytic converter. But what exactly is it, and what does it do? The catalytic converter is a vehicle emission control device that converts exhaust fumes into less toxic gases. But what happens when this essential component isn't working correctly? A faulty or bad catalytic converter can cause all sorts of problems for your car. This blog post will discuss a few telltale symptoms of a bad or faulty catalytic converter. Check Engine Light is on One of the most elemental signs that your catalytic converter might go bad is if the "check engine" light comes on. This check engine illumination could indicate that the converter is not functioning correctly and needs replacement. Suppose the oxygen sensors in your car detect that the exhaust fumes conversion is wrong; it will trigger the check engine light. Car Engine Suffers Poor Performance During startup, it's likely to hear the engine stalling or sputtering. A bad converter l ... read more

Depending on the problem, it may or may not be damaging to your engine to continue driving. For example, a loose gas cap may not cause damage, but low oil pressure or overheating issues can cause serious damage. If you are unsure what the problem is, it is best to get it checked out right away. Let's look at the things that can cause the check engine light to come on. A Loose Gas Cap If your check engine light is on as a result of a loose gas cap, it is not likely to damage your engine. However, it is important to fix the problem as soon as possible to avoid any potential issues. A loose gas cap can cause your car to lose fuel efficiency and may eventually lead to engine damage if not fixed. The best way to fix a loose gas cap is to tighten it until it is snug. You can also try replacing the gas cap with a new one. Spark Plugs Going Out If your check engine light is on as a result of spark plugs going out, it is important to take care of the problem as soon as possible. Contin ... read more

When your battery grows old and corrodes, it can severely affect your battery's charge. In fact, thick corrosion can cause your car to not start at all. Read on to learn more about battery corrosion and what you can do about it. Understanding Corrosion The best way to explain how battery corrosion starts is due to poor battery maintenance. If you add too much water to your battery, it can cause leaks and corrosion. Since most car batteries hold a mixture of acid and water, they can corrode easily if the substance leaks out. Another common cause of corrosion is overcharging your battery. However, battery corrosion can develop easier as the battery ages.   If you see a buildup of white, blue, or green substances around your battery terminals, it is corrosion. The color of the corrosion itself can be very telling of the nature of the problem. White corrosion is often caused by leaking acid from the battery casing. Whereas green materials tend to develop when oxygen occurs wit ... read more