Fresno Auto Repair Shop Guide to Routine Vehicle Maintenance

car mechanic smiling at the camera while working on auto repairs

Are you a driver in Fresno, CA? If so, you know that car repairs are important — and expensive. But while you should never ignore problems in your vehicle, it’s smart to look for ways to reduce your car’s need for repair.

By making routine vehicle maintenance a priority, you’ll be able to save money down the line and spend less time worrying about your vehicle’s well-being. Get started with our comprehensive guide to this form of maintenance and advice on finding an auto repair shop Fresno residents trust to take care of their vehicles.

Why Is Routine Maintenance Important?

Few steps you can take to protect your car will have a bigger impact than keeping up on routine auto maintenance. This type of maintenance is meant to protect your vehicle from developing serious problems later in its life span.

Of course, you’ll have to spend some money to take care of your Fresno vehicle’s routine maintenance needs. But while it can be tempting to avoid this auto service, doing so definitely isn’t a good idea. Routine maintenance can lower your car’s risk of developing severe problems later on, which means this work can help you save quite a bit in the long term.

How To Create an Auto Service Schedule

If they’ve already done some research on finding an auto repair shop, Fresno drivers have probably heard that it’s wise to set up oil changes every 5,000-7,000 miles. This is an excellent place to start building your oil change schedule, but you might need to adjust it based on your own situation. For example, it’s wise to get oil changes every 3,000-5,000 miles if you:

Tow or haul heavy loads
Drive during hot weather
Take short trips
Are a high-mileage driver

You’ll want to follow the service schedule established by your vehicle’s manufacturer for other routine preventive maintenance services. Car manufacturers often ask drivers to get auto parts checked and replaced after 30,000 miles, 60,000 miles, and 90,000 miles.

Do You Need Fresno Auto Repair Ahead of Time?

Following schedules for oil changes and other routine maintenance work can go a long way toward keeping your vehicle in good condition. However, this won’t eliminate the possibility of unexpected issues.

Specifically, you’ll want to look for a Fresno auto repair shop the moment you notice strange:

Sounds. High-pitched shrieking while applying your brakes, low rumbles, sharp clicks, and other odd sounds can all spell trouble for your vehicle.
Smells. Unusual odors in your car are always worth taking seriously — even if they aren’t unpleasant. For example, a sweet, maple syrup-like scent can indicate that you have a coolant leak.
Feelings. Vibrations in your steering wheel, trouble shifting gears, a soft brake pedal, and other problems need to be looked at by professionals.
Sights. If your check engine light turns on or you spot a fluid leak under your car, make an appointment for auto service right away.

Any issues that fall into these categories should be viewed as auto maintenance must-dos. Don't wait until it's too late! Contact Goodguys for car repairs and maintenance today.

auto mechanic explaining car repairs to customer

Essential Auto Repair and Maintenance Services

If you live and drive in Fresno, auto repair and maintenance services that should be on your radar include:

Oil Changes

Fresh motor oil isn’t just good for your vehicle — cars need this fluid to run correctly. Many different auto shops in Fresno offer oil change service, but the best shops in the area go the extra mile by providing full-service oil changes to their customers. Along with oil replacement, these oil changes include tasks like:

A thorough vehicle inspection
Lubrication of your chassis
New oil filter installation
Tire rotation (at your request)

Brake Service

When you notice issues like grinding, squealing, and vibrations, it’s time to take your vehicle to the shop for brake repair work. Still, even a fully functional brake system needs attention occasionally. Schedule brake inspections every 6,000 miles or six months to avoid unexpected brake failure.

Auto AC Repair

Everyone knows the weather in California can get hot, and that means AC problems in your vehicle are something you can’t neglect. Whether your AC system is completely nonfunctional or your fan is just annoyingly loud, these issues must be addressed by knowledgeable auto AC pros before they can get worse.

Transmission Repair

Your car’s transmission takes power from the engine and transfers it to the wheels as torque. When this component runs into trouble, your car won’t be able to function like you’d expect. A faulty transmission can cause anything from gear shifting issues to an immobilized vehicle — and the transmission’s complexity means it should only be looked at by experts.

Car Battery Replacement

If you’ve ever had trouble starting your car, your battery may be to blame. Car batteries only last five to seven years; if your battery is around this age or you’ve been finding it harder than usual to start your engine, it may be time for a car battery replacement.

Engine Repair

You don’t need us to tell you how important your car’s engine is. Of course, that means you should take any problems with this vital component seriously. As soon as your check engine light turns on, it’s time to start looking for a shop that can perform a tune-up service to set things right.

Steering and Suspension Repair

A vehicle’s steering and suspension systems include many components, all of which ensure it steers like it should and doesn’t bounce on the road. But if you’ve had to deal with unusual bouncing, bad handling, rapid tire wear, or stiff steering, these systems might need attention.

What To Look For in a Fresno Auto Repair Shop

Fresno drivers deserve the best when they need auto repair or maintenance work — whether they’re planning a straightforward oil change or a complicated engine repair. That means they should find an auto shop that delivers:

ASE-certified mechanics
Multiple convenient locations
A wide range of services
Valuable online coupons

No matter what type of Fresno auto repair or maintenance you’re looking for, trust Goodguys Tire & Auto Repairs to get it done! We offer all the perks listed above and more, and we’ve been providing our services to local drivers since 1976. Schedule your next maintenance or repair appointment at Goodguys today!

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Fresno Auto Repair Shop FAQs

What do auto maintenance and repairs include?

Every auto repair shop in Fresno may not include the same maintenance and repair services. These services refer more to an act, rather than a specific service. In fact, maintenance and repair are two different things.

What is car maintenance? The term “maintenance” refers to performing particular services on your vehicle to ensure that its parts and components are operating optimally. Your vehicle will need many different maintenance services throughout its lifetime, and you can find your particular vehicle's exact maintenance needs in your owner's manual. Routine maintenance also plays a vital role in preventing the need for costly auto repair throughout the life of your vehicle.
What is car auto repair? In contrast, “auto repair” includes replacing a broken or failed component of your vehicle. Auto repair can involve the replacement of a small component, such as an oxygen sensor, or something major, like a transmission. The exact cost of an auto repair will depend on the type of part that needs to be replaced, as well as the amount of effort that must go into replacing such a part. However, your average auto repair will cost significantly more than a maintenance service, which is why it is so strongly recommended that you perform timely maintenance on your vehicle throughout its life.

How do you know if your car needs a tune-up?

One of the main aspects of a vehicle tune-up is the replacement of your spark plugs. In a gasoline-powered engine (diesel engines do not have spark plugs), your spark plugs are responsible for igniting the compressed air and fuel mixture inside your cylinders. Without perfectly functioning spark plugs, your engine can effectively become disabled.

One of the easiest ways to determine whether or not your vehicle needs a tune-up is to look at your odometer. Nearly every manufacturer recommends that drivers perform a tune-up at 100,000 miles. This is because spark plugs are usually operational for about this long.

Here are a few other ways to know whether or not your car needs a tune-up:

If, perhaps, you purchased a used vehicle and you're not sure whether or not a tune-up has already been performed, our repair shop in Fresno, CA, is more than happy to inspect your vehicle for you. Schedule an appointment, let us know what issues you’re experiencing, and one of our ASE-certified mechanics will fully inspect your vehicle for you.

What happens if I don't service my car?

Neglecting to maintain your vehicle is a certain recipe for disaster. Without routine maintenance, your vehicle would certainly break down and require hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars to get it back on the road.

Let's take the oil change as an example. An oil change is one of the simplest services that you can perform on your vehicle; however, it is also one of the most important. Your oil is responsible for protecting the vital components of your engine and must be changed regularly to properly protect your engine and keep it clean. While your oil does a great job at protecting, cooling, and lubricating your engine, it will lose its protective properties over time.

Once your oil has lost its protective abilities, your engine will begin to run hotter, as friction will greatly increase between its many moving parts. Eventually, friction will lead to excess heat, which could cause permanent damage to your engine — a repair that could cost thousands of dollars to repair.

A similar fate awaits other components not serviced on time. To promote the longevity of your vehicle, we recommend sticking close to your manufacturer's recommended service schedule.