Downey Auto Repair

When your car’s “Check Engine” light comes on, it’s usually accompanied by a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach. The light could mean a costly problem, like a bad catalytic converter, or it could be something minor, like a loose gas cap. But in many cases, it means at minimum that you’ll be visiting the car dealer to locate the malfunction and get the light turned off. The Check Engine light — more formally known as the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) — is a signal from the car’s engine computer that something is wrong. The car dealer’s service department can diagnose the problem for about $75. But there’s a way to preview what the problem might be. Prior to 1996, carmakers had their own engine diagnostic systems, primarily to ensure their cars were compliant with Environmental Protection Agency pollution-control requirements. Starting with model-year 1996, automakers standardized their systems under a protocol calle ... read more

As we hit the roads during Winter cold snaps, of course it’s important to drive safe, but there are certain maintenance tips you can use, to make sure your car is the safest it can be. “Your battery, check your charge levels, if you feel the engine cranking when it’s cold out, it’s best to go and get your battery checked,” said Steve Lajiness, master technician at Premier Car Care Center. “Check your tires….use the penny trick of putting the penny in the tread. Do not attempt to open or close the window if it has a sheet of ice over it,” said Lajiness. For Edna Krueger, she’s already prepped her car for the Winter, but says its not enough to just worry about yourself, but those that may not be able to Winter prep their car on their own. “Looking in on elderly people around here, and see if th ... read more