Maple Valley Auto Repair

Everyone knows the importance of regular oil changes, but there's more you can do to keep your car in top shape. Routine maintenance will ensure your car runs smoothly and help you avoid costly repairs. The items here are listed by recommended timeframes, but check your car's manual for specifics. Monthly Once a month, check your fluid levels and top off as necessary. Inspect the air filter for excess debris and dirt. Ensure the tire pressure is right and check the tread depths for wear. Examine headlights, brake lights, and turn signals for any problems or burnt-out bulbs. Every Few Months The exact amount of time varies by car, but you typically need an oil change every few months. The filter should be changed as well. Take this opportunity to examine all the belts and hoses. Every Six Months Have your tires rotated and wheels balanced about every six months so that they wear evenly. Inspect the brakes at the same time. Give your car a good wash and wax to keep it looki ... read more

Automotive professionals generally agree a car's battery should be replaced every three or so years. Beyond that length of time, batteries become increasingly unreliable and prone to dysfunction. In some cases, however, a car may need a replacement sooner than the standard three year mark. Continue reading to learn the signs a car's battery needs to be replaced and steps you can take to prevent premature deterioration. Signs Your Car's Battery Is Nearing the End of Its Lifespan Suboptimal functioning. A good time to check for this is right after you start your car. Start your car and turn on your headlights. Are they dim? When you rev the engine, do the lights become brighter? This is a sign your car's battery is not able to sufficiently support your car's power demands. Your car is new. Newer cars tend to have more features which require the power of the car's battery in order to function. Due to this increased demand, newer cars tend to put more strain on ... read more

You may think "it's whatever" when you accidentally hit a curb or ram into a pothole, but you might start noticing some adverse effects later on. These hazards can cause significant destruction to your vehicle if you are not careful. More specifically, they can cause misalignment with your wheels. This can cause you to lose handling and control of your car. Luckily, a quality wheel alignment from Rainer Automotive can have your wheels pointing in the right direction and angles again. Here are some of the warning signs that signify you are due for a wheel alignment: Vehicle Pulling to One Side If your car starts pulling left or right when you are trying to drive straight, it usually means you need a wheel alignment. This can put you in significant danger if you are on a busy road, so please have your car looked at by a professional immediately. Crooked Steering Wheel Your steering wheel should be straight and centered when driving straight. If you can't seem to rep ... read more

Most modern cars have a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that most people don't even know about. A TPMS is a system that is intended to recognize early signs of underinflated or deflated tire pressure. It has many sensors on each tire that can send out a warning light to your dashboard whenever it reads a dangerous pressure. The TPMS light looks like a horseshoe or tire with an exclamation symbol in the middle of it. Whenever you see this light on your dash, it means you require maintenance and to do a manual pressure reading.   The TPMS light essentially means that there's something wrong with your tires, that something is causing them to be underinflated. The best thing you can do when you see this light is pull over to a safe spot. Using a pressure gauge, you should manually check each tire. Most gas stations have a tire pressure station where you can measure and fill your tires.   Tire pressure is measured in two units: psi (pound-force per square inch) ... read more

It is nearly October, which means it is Fall Car Care Month! At Rainier Automotive, we were hoping you could take a moment and appreciate your car for all it does. This month celebrates a month of vehicle maintenance awareness in the hopes of reminding drivers like you that taking a few maintenance procedures can save you the trouble of a vehicle breakdown. Below are our top tips on what you should check for Fall Car Care Month! Battery - You simply cannot start your car with a weak or dead battery. To ensure you have successful starts, please ensure that your connections are tight, clean, and corrosion-free. The summer heat could've taken a toll on your battery, so you should also have it tested before fall is in full swing. If it is older than three years old, then you should definitely replace it by default. Air Filters - You should take some time to check your filters since they are often forgotten. And we're not just referring to the one under the hood. Most vehicles hav ... read more