Fisk Automotive

Is your vehicle's window not operating as it should be? We can help! Sometimes the window glass will slip off track, making it fall down each time you try to roll your window up. Other times, the window regulator (the motor that moves the window up and down) has failed. It can also be an issue with the window switch itself, or a blown fuse. No matter which of these issues are causing your window(s) to malfunction, our technicians at Fisk Automotive are here to help. Give us a call today to get your window repair scheduled.

Pothole damage is never fun. Aside from tire damage, bent wheels, and cracked wheels, other damage is also possible. A bad pothole could knock your vehicle out of alignment, damage your shocks, struts, wheel bearing, and even cause a failing ABS system. If you notice any drivability issues, schedule an inspection with us as soon as possible. Some issues, such as a failing ABS system, can be an immediate safety hazard to you, and those driving around you.

Fisk Automotive Welcome to Fisk Automotive! We provide professional and convenient automotive services locally here

Notice your brakes aren’t performing as they should be? Sometimes this means you need new brake pads. Other times, your vehicle needs new brake pads and rotors. Typically, brake pads are recommended every 10,000 to 20,000 miles but every vehicle is different. Rotors are typically recommended every 50,000 to 70,000 miles. However, it’s incredibly challenging to determine when you’ll need pad and rotor replacement because everyone has different driving habits. Aside from different driving habits, someone who frequently uses their vehicle to tow a trailer or boat will have different needs than someone who uses their vehicle primarily as a commuter in the city. Give us a call to schedule your next brake inspection. We’ll be able to inform you of the condition of your brakes, as well as if parts need replacing now, or if the brake repair can wait.

Why should you have your tires rotated? Having your vehicle’s tires rotated prevents uneven tire wear, which maximizes the lifespan of your tires! A good rule of thumb is to have your tires rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles. Most cars should have their oil changed every 5,000 miles, so if you pair each oil change with a tire rotation, your tires will be in great shape when it comes to evening out the wear and tear over the lifespan of that set of tires.

Fisk Automotive Welcome to Fisk Automotive! We provide professional and convenient automotive services locally here

Have you noticed an exhaust smell inside the car when you start your vehicle? This can be a sign of an exhaust leak. An exhaust leak forms when exhaust gasses, that are produced inside your vehicle’s engine while running, leak out before going through the entire exhaust system. Aside from an exhaust smell, other signs of an exhaust leak include poor fuel economy, poor performance, engine sounds much louder than normal, or rattling sounds from the exhaust while accelerating. If you’re noticing these signs, we recommend giving us a call to have a technician inspect the problem as soon as possible. Give us a call, we’re here to help

A common repair recommendation is an axle seal replacement due to it leaking. If you have had this repair recommended, you’re probably wondering what is leaking, and what does an axle seal do? A vehicle’s axle seal sits between the axle and the transmission, and prevents transmission fluid from leaking past the axle. You may not notice any spots on your driveway, because they tend to leak more at high speeds. Eventually, if not repaired, one or more leaking axle seals can lead to possible transmission damage. Our service advisors are always here to help prioritize any repairs or services necessary, so if this repair is recommended to you, we can help you decide if it should be taken care of immediately or at a future service.

Fisk Automotive Welcome to Fisk Automotive! We provide professional and convenient automotive services locally here

One of the most common recommended repairs we see for BMWs is replacement of the Oil Filter Housing Gasket (seal). This part is essential because it connects your oil filter to your engine oil. When the filter is not working, this leads to contamination in your vehicle’s engine, which, as you can imagine, can lead to more serious issues down the line. Leakage in your housing leads to a drop in engine oil levels that can cause your vehicle to overheat, as well as produce bad combustion. A sign that this part may be failing is a small oil leak at the front of your vehicle. If you notice an oil leak, it isn’t always due to this one part, but it is critical to get it inspected by a technician as soon as possible so a small problem does not turn into a big problem. Your friendly service advisors here are always happy to take your call if you have any questions!

Fisk Automotive Welcome to Fisk Automotive! We provide professional and convenient automotive services locally here

What does a serpentine belt do? The serpentine belt drives the water pump, power steering, alternator, and air conditioning. It even charges the battery! As you can imagine, when this fails, your vehicle will leave you stranded. But how do you know it’s time for replacement? On average, a new serpentine belt will last between 60k to 100k miles. That’s a large window, but everyone has different driving habits. Different environments also affect the wear and tear of a serpentine belt. Other clues it may be time for replacement are cracks in the teeth of the serpentine belt, the belt is shiny or frayed, produces squeaking noises, you are having issues with power steering, or you are having issues with the battery. If you’re thinking a replacement might be needed, give us a call! We are also happy to inspect the serpentine belt for you during your next service.

Fisk Automotive Welcome to Fisk Automotive! We provide professional and convenient automotive services locally here

Does your headlight constantly go out? One of your brake lights? It can be frustrating when you see a light go out soon after it was replaced. Or even more confusing, sometimes the light will work and other times it won’t. This leaves you wondering, does it need to be replaced? Or is it going to keep working from now on? Chances are, your vehicle has a bad circuit. For example, if your left brake light keeps going out soon after you replace it, or it randomly works, this could mean your vehicle needs a brake light circuit replacement. Next time one of your lights goes out, if it has gone out more frequently than you’d expect, mention that to one of our friendly service advisors. This information helps us ensure your brake light (or whichever light is the issue) isn’t going to go out again next week…or next month

Does your vehicle seem to shift harder than it should? When was the last time you had a transmission fluid service? If you drive an automatic vehicle, we typically recommend this service every 30,000, 60,000, or 90,000 miles depending on the vehicle. That’s a lot of oil changes in between, making it easy to forget. Our friendly service advisors can take a look at your service history with our shop to help you determine if it’s due by mileage. Otherwise, your vehicle’s manual will provide that information. Or, our technicians may advise a transmission fluid service as a starting point to getting your vehicle shifting smoothly again. Give us a call today, and our technicians will get to the bottom of the issue for you.

Fisk Automotive Welcome to Fisk Automotive! We provide professional and convenient automotive services locally here

Have you ever noticed the front end of someone’s car bouncing up and down excessively while driving down the highway or over bumps? Does this describe your vehicle? This issue is most often caused by worn shocks and/or struts. Struts control the bouncing of the shock springs, and if they are worn or have failed, this is when you’ll see the excessive bouncing. If this is happening to you, schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience. Often, the worn parts can cause the car to try and compensate for the issue and wear down additional parts quicker than normal.

Fisk Automotive Welcome to Fisk Automotive! We provide professional and convenient automotive services locally here

Ever turn on the heat or the A/C in your vehicle and almost no air blows out of the vents? This can be incredibly frustrating, especially when it’s a cold winter morning, a hot summer day, or you need to defrost your windshield. In many cases, this problem is caused by a faulty blower motor. Aside from minimal air coming from the vents, loud noises when you turn on the air are also common. If your vehicle’s HVAC system only blows hot, or only blows cold, this may be a blend door motor issue. If you suspect your blower motor or blend door motor is failing, schedule an appointment with us and our technicians will confirm the issue and replace one of these parts if necessary.

Have you noticed your vehicle’s lights seem more dim than normal? Are you having trouble starting your vehicle, or notice unusual noises? These are signs that the alternator is beginning to fail. If you notice these signs or the alternator warning light shows up on the dash, give us a call. A failing alternator leads to a car that will not start, and we want to prevent this from happening to you!

We find that poor fuel economy is often something that could be improved with some simple things as noted below. Though everyone has different driving habits, here are some questions that can help you identify what would improve your vehicle’s fuel economy:

-Do each of your tires have the correct pressure?
-Does your vehicle have a check engine light on? It could be a sensor that might have failed
-When was the last time the spark plugs were changed? If over 100,000 miles, it’ probably time
-Restricted fuel injectors? We can service them on the car in most cases and restore performance
-Is the air filter restricted with dirt and debris? Time for a new one
-Do you often sit in your car while the engine is idling?
-Is your vehicle up to date on its maintenance services, such as an oil change?

There are additional reasons your vehicle may be experiencing poor fuel economy; even worn brakes can contribute. If you are concerned about your vehicle’s fuel economy, mention it to one of our friendly service advisors so that we can find the underlying cause of the issue for you.

Is your vehicle’s heater or defroster blowing cold air? Some of the reasons this could be happening include things like a broken thermostat, blower motor stopped functioning, leaking radiator, clogged heater core, low coolant level, blown fuses, wiring issues, and more. Some repairs are more extensive than others are but we recommend scheduling an appointment soon to prevent the problem from getting worse. Remember, if your check engine light starts flashing pull over as soon as it is safe to do so and call a tow truck. This is a sign the engine is overheating.

Fullerton Auto Repair & Maintenance Auto Repair Fullerton. Not only are we an auto repair shop you can trust, we have a reason to be trusted with our ASE Blue Seal and AAA approved auto repair

The catalytic converter theft rate continues to rise, with thieves continuing to steal them because of their resale value and requires little effort on their part. Many are stolen in less than 5 minutes! With the replacement cost ranging anywhere from $1,000-$6,000+, consider having us install theft prevention for you. Since makes and models vary with how this theft prevention is accomplished, give us a call so we can work with you and your specific vehicle.

How are your wiper blades performing? Often, it’s hard to tell when your vehicle is in need of wiper blade replacement until it starts raining hard, or you drive through a snowstorm. Ask your service advisor to have your technician examine your wiper blades at your next service appointment. We’ll inform you of any unexpected wear and tear, and help you choose a good replacement blade if needed.

Is it time for tire replacement? We’re here to help. Now is a great time to replace your tires, especially if you have holiday road trip plans. Be sure to inspect your spare tire, too. Worn tires cause your vehicle to take longer to stop when brakes are applied, and they make it easier for your vehicle to hydroplane. There’s an increased risk of tire blow out, and it even negatively impacts fuel economy. Schedule your service appointment today to ensure your tires are safe for your upcoming travels.

Planning a road trip during the holidays? Now is the time to schedule necessary maintenance or repair to ensure your vehicle is safe and reliable for your travels this winter. Did you know cooler weather can magnify problems such as hard starts and sluggish performance? If you notice your car starting to act up, let’s get the issue resolved so it doesn’t interfere with your plans.

It’s time for a coolant system check! Winter is just around the corner. Generally, coolant services are due approximately every 30,000 miles or 3 years on older cars and 100,000 or 5 years on vehicles with long life coolant. Refer to your manual. If you’re not sure when it was done last, or if you’ve purchased a used vehicle in the last three years, it’s a good idea to check to see if yours may be due (our friendly service advisors can help with this). Your cooling system is what keeps your engine running at the right operating temperature or suffering damage from freezing temperatures if you’re up in the mountains, so it’s critical that it’s running optimally. Give us a call today to schedule your coolant service, especially if you see the pictured light on your dash at 714.526.3303.

As weather gets cooler, it’s that time of year where critters like to make nests under the hood of your vehicle. This can cause significant damage under the hood, so here are some tips to help minimize the chances of this happening to your vehicle:

• Parking in the garage? Make sure the garage door is not left open after you park. Your nice warm engine makes a great place to nest and stay comfortable. Keep your car window up or only slightly cracked
• Never leave your pet’s food in the garage or “snacks” in your car or other food rats/critters will find to snack on). Windows up, fast food leftovers cleaned out
• Has your car been sitting for more than a few days? Whether it’s parked inside or out, inspect under the hood before you attempt to start the vehicle. If you see a nest activity or droppings, give us a call before you start your vehicle
• Block rat size entrances into your garage with wire mesh or other solid material. Cardboard or boxes won’t cut it. Small mice can get into a hole as small as a ¼”. Rats can go through a quarter sized hole
• Seek out a professional exterminator if you suspect critters
• Want to see rat damage? Go here: https://youtu.be/FZze2SJr9Bs

Wet weather season is here! Are your tires ready for winter travel? With the holiday season coming up in just a couple of weeks, now, not later is the time to schedule your tires for replacement if needed. Most of us have put off car maintenance once or twice, but safety items such as brakes and tires are critical components that should be taken care of when they’re due. Not sure of the wear and condition of these items? Just give us a call at 714.526.3303!

It’s fall! Have you noticed fallen leaves or dirt in the crevices of your vehicle? Surprisingly, this can lead to leaks stemming from trunks, sunroofs, and other locations where fall leaves and dirt build up. It’s not something many people think would cause a leak, but when you have time, consider cleaning those crevices or rubber seals with a soft brush or a damp terry towel. While cleaning the leaves it would also be a good time to clean your wiper blades to keep them in tip top shape for when you need them. Support the backside of the blade while you wipe down the rubber blades with a damp cloth.

Fuel system cleanings are easily overlooked as a maintenance item by many of our customers. During a fuel system cleaning service, we’ll remove any debris and deposits that have built up over time, helping to preserve critical parts in your fuel system while simultaneously bringing better fuel economy. With the ultra high fuel prices today, and busier roads than ever, fuel economy is more important than ever before.

Did you recently buy a used vehicle? One question we get often is “how do I know what services it needs?” It can be challenging to tell what maintenance services have been done, and which have been skipped by the previous owner on your own. We recommend bringing the vehicle in for a bumper to bumper inspection. Our technicians will get a thorough look at your vehicle and can recommend any further maintenance services or repairs necessary.

So you accidentally put Regular gas in your car that calls for Premium. It happens! We do not recommend making this a habit though, because it can lead to damage that costs well over the money saved by purchasing Regular. It can damage valves, pistons, spark plugs, and lead to the dreaded engine knock. Now if you accidentally put Diesel in your gas vehicle, that’s a different story. If you happen to catch it before you start your vehicle, immediately call a tow truck as this can severely damage your vehicle if not addressed immediately. Then, give us a call and we are happy to help you.

Why bring your vehicle to the auto shop for an oil change if you know how to do it yourself? It’s nice to not have to worry about disposing of the oil properly, but there’s an even bigger reason. Our auto repair facility provides a safety inspection with each oil change service. Our technicians can spot worn down parts, and safety issues that need to be addressed in the near future. Bringing your car to Fisk Automotive for an oil change can lead to reduced repair costs (from catching minor issues before they become more significant), and help to avoid unexpected breakdowns or no-starts in the future.

Catalytic Converter theft is on the rise, but we are happy to offer our customers solutions that deter those thieves and save your vehicle from expensive Cat theft repairs. You’ve probably heard that they’re commonly stolen out of the Toyota Prius, but did you know that the Toyota Tundra is a target for Cat theft, too? Check out this recent review from one of our awesome customers, Mike G.

When was the last time you waxed your vehicle? Now is the perfect time to do so! Not only does washing and waxing your vehicle get rid of summer dirt and grime, but it adds a layer of protection to your vehicle for the winter weather to come. Bring your car in for an oil change and service, so you’ll be good to go for the season ahead!