San Carlos Auto Repair

Anyone who drives a gasoline car regularly should be familiar with the most common types of maintenance, especially when overlooking them can compromise one's safety. In addition to damaging the performance and mechanics of the car itself, neglecting to change spark plugs regularly can put drivers at risk of untimely or dangerous breakdowns. Here's how to know when to replace spark plugs. What Is a Spark Plug? Spark plugs are composed of a metal center electrode, an outer casing made of steel, and a ceramic insulator which contains an air gap. While the car runs, the spark plug transfers an electrical charge of very high voltage from the ignition coil outside of the engine and brings it into the combustion chamber inside of the engine. This results in a spark which lights the fuel in the engine, giving the car energy. The Lifespan of a Spark Plug How long a spark plug can go before being replaced varies by what type of spark plug is in the car. Copper tip spark plugs can la ... read more

When NBC News surveyed Americans about their car maintenance habits in 2016, only 26 percent of drivers stated they were "confident" about how to change their car oil. While 14.9 percent was "somewhat confident," 23.1 percent was "not very confident," and a whopping 36 percent reported feeling "clueless." For these confused drivers, there's bad news: overlooking an oil change long-term can do some serious damage to one's car. Why Changing Engine Oil Is Important Most people are familiar with the importance of changing the oil in their car, but many don't understand exactly why it is so important. Because cars have so many moving parts, they can rub together and result in friction and heat. Oil is necessary to lubricate the engine and reduce the amount of heat it produces, preventing overheating and engine damage. However, because engine oil is subjected to such high levels of heat, it can break down over time and become less efficie ... read more