Sako's Automotive

The automobile industry has adopted R-134a as industry standard for air conditioning refrigerant. While testing has showed that R-134a is not as efficient as the R-12 Freon previously used in all cars, R-134a does not contain the environmentally harmful CFCs found in R-12.

While you may have been able to diagnose and troubleshoot every problem under the hood with your last car, newer model vehicles can be a bit trickier. When you lack the time necessary to learn how to troubleshoot your new car’s air conditioning issues, we’re always here for you.

Early drum brakes worked via systems of levers and either rods or cables, similar to bicycle brakes today. Modern brakes, however, work on hydraulic pressure provided by oil in a cylinder with pistons. This system first started showing up in the mid-1930s.

Steering that is loose or has too much give in it needs to be tightened up. The adjusting sleeve may be loose or worn out, the front end may need aligning, or badly worn tires could be the issue.

The adage “If you can’t find it, grind it” may lend a bit of humor to the attempts of the novice driver learning a stick shift, but when you can’t shift gears, or they grind regardless of how smooth the shift should be, there may be a problem with the clutch or the flywheel.

What’s that noise? If you hear a knock or clunk when your car hits a bump, it’s typically a sign your shocks or struts are worn and need replacement. In some instances, however, it may indicate problems with the ball joints or strut bearings.

Most suspension systems rely on one of four types of springs. Coil springs, which are actually coiled torsion bars, are most familiar. Torsion bars are long metal bars that twist in response to road forces. Leaf springs consists of metal layers, hence the name leaf.

Keeping your electrical system in your car in the best shape possible will prolong the life of the electrical components. The first place to start is the battery and its connections. Removing any debris, rust, or corrosion will benefit your car’s performance.

In addition to causing heat buildup in the transmission, when the transmission fluid is low or broken down, it does not lubricate as it should and can cause gears and bearings to wear down to the point where the transmission will need to be rebuilt or replaced.

One common myth is that a coolant leak is present only if the fluid separates into two parts. In fact, when coolant contaminates engine oil, high fluid temperature will cause the water portion of the coolant to evaporate, leaving the ethylene glycol portion behind. This results in a loss of engine lubrication and the formation of sludge.

One very good reason to take your car into a repair shop for service is because they speak your car's language. With modern technology, it's easy to hook into your car's computer and diagnose issues. Some newer cars can even transmit information wirelessly.

If you notice that you have to fill up your gas tank more often than normal, it’s time to take it into the repair shop and have the exhaust system checked out. When the exhaust leaks, your engine works harder and therefore is going to require more fuel.

Looking to have more control over your suspension system? While stock suspension usually isn't adjustable, after market all-in-one suspension can have spring adjustment plates and adjustable dampening valves to change how stiff or loose your suspension is to match your driving style.

According to Consumer Reports, auto maintenance and repair costs make up about four percent of the total cost of car ownership over a period of five years. Aside from depreciation (48 percent), an owner’s biggest expense is fuel (24 percent.)

When the drum brake was invented in 1902, woven asbestos was used for the brake linings because of its heat resistance. This practice continued into the 1980s, when people became aware of the hazards of asbestos. Nowadays they're made out of safer materials, and brake experts know how to protect themselves when working on older cars.

One of the common noises that indicates a vehicle requires service is a pinging sound coming from the engine. This usually indicates timing problems, although it can occasionally be caused by poor quality fuel. It's wise to take the vehicle in to a repair shop as soon as possible.

After a certain amount of time and use, the additives in motor oil will be depleted, and the oil will become too dirty to work well, which is why you change it. To make your sure your oil is in good shape, it's better to get it changed often.

A lot of modern engines use thinner viscosities than earlier engines for a variety of reasons, one of which you'll really appreciate on a cold morning. A thinner motor oil makes it much easier for an engine to start when cold.

It happens to us all at some point: you turn the key in your car’s ignition, and you get bupkis. If it happens rarely, it is probably just a one-time problem, and jumping the battery will take care of it. If it is happening with regularity, though, there is a problem somewhere in the electrical system.

If your car or SUV is equipped with a rear window wiper, it has the same components as the windshield wipers have. When it is not working, the problem is usually with the fuse, the switch, or the wiper motor.

One common problem area for car suspension systems involves the tie ends. Basically, the tie ends are what connect your steering box to the steering arm and pivot your tires when you turn the wheel. When these start to fail, tires will feel loose and the suspension under the car will start to shake a little.

In 1933, a New York company began installing air conditioners in cars, and the advancement was so monumental at the time that it was reported in Popular Science. The A/C units had to be specially installed in cars, and were usually in limousines or luxury cars.

Brake pads typically need to be replaced every three to five years, or 30,000 to 70,000 miles. That’s quite a big range. The reason? It depends on what kind of driving you do — city vs. highway— and how you drive.

Trying to shift a manual without the clutch engaged will lead to grinding gears, but what if this happens when the pedal is depressed? This is because the clutch is still engaged (dragging clutch), but a transmission expert can help fix the problem.

Poorly maintained vehicles cost owners more than the expense of regular maintenance. They are more likely to be in accidents. When repairs are necessary, they are more costly. They also lose value more quickly and have shorter lives than cars that are regularly serviced.

Many new vehicles made today have changed the required service increments from every 3,000 miles to every 10,000 miles, and this includes changing the oil. New technology and better engineering have made this possible by creating a much more efficient engine.

We tend to call the regular maintenance service we get every 3,000 miles an "oil change," and while a big part of it is the oil change, that's not all that's done. The service will include extras like checking fluid levels, changing/checking filters, or lubricating key parts.

Keep in mind that it’s always recommended that you have your car aligned whenever you replace any major suspension components. Getting your car aligned in a relatively inexpensive procedure and can really affect the handling of your vehicle.

Modern engineering has designed automatic transmissions so they will work smoothly while they transition between the gears. That means that if you notice anything other than completely smooth shifting, you probably have a transmission problem, but a transmission expert can help.

If you are replacing halogen bulbs in your car or truck yourself, be careful with how you handle them. The oils on your hands can contaminate the glass and cause the bulbs to fail prematurely. Hold them by the plastic base, use a cloth, or wear gloves.