Cypress Auto Repair

Going on a long trip in your car will exact a toll on it. When traveling so many miles, probably on vacation, you want your vehicle in tip top shape. Breaking down in the middle of nowhere with all that luggage could be devastating. You should definitely have a mechanic check your vehicle before a long trip. They should check the following: Battery Start by checking the part of the car that gets you going: the battery. You should ensure that the battery has no corrosion and the connection to the cables is tight. If there is corrosion, have the mechanic clean it off with a wire brush. Check the battery for leaks and swelling which indicate serious issues. Tires Your car tires will undergo some deterioration on a long trip. They will also affect the quality of your travels so you should ensure the tires are in great shape before the trip. Check the treads and wear on the tires which will help with braking. Ensure they are properly inflated too and repair punctures or tears. Replac ... read more

If you know a thing or two about automobiles, you’ve probably heard the term “spark plug,” mentioned. It is an indispensable component in the internal combustion system, and your car needs it to start. Without one or a functional one, your car will not get from place to place at all.  What is a Spark Plug? A spark plug is a piece used for firing the explosive mixture of air and fuel inside an internal combustion engine. Spark plugs can be made of different types of metals, with copper, platinum, and iridium being the most common. The stronger and more durable the metal that makes up your spark plug, the longer it will last. How Do Spark Plugs Work? When you turn the key or push the button to start your engine, it starts with the spark plug sending an electrical signal through the ignition coil. The plugs provide enough energy to move your engine, and it constantly fires throughout your drive.  How Do Spark Plugs Wear Down? As mentioned, spark plugs ar ... read more

Most cars come with a user manual that is a guide for how to maintain and use the vehicle for maximum efficiency. However, some situations might require extra effort. If you want to create a maintenance schedule for your car, here is a schedule you can follow. Regular maintenance Most providers suggest different things to check for at 30000, 60000, and 90000 miles. A few other parts need frequent checking including; Motor oil and filter changes The average car is designed to travel between 3,000 and 8,000 miles without engine oil and filter maintenance. The maintenance interval can be extended by up to 15,000 miles when using synthetic oil. No matter how little you drive, you should change the engine oil at least once in every 12 months. Caring for the Tires The majority of more recent cars will come equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system. You'll need to purchase the traditional tire pressure gauge if you don't already have one of these. The tires should be rotat ... read more

Brake pads boost safety and protect your car's braking system. Still, these components wear out with time due to regular friction. The duration needed to replace brake pads will depend on various factors. Such include the material, driving habits and your vehicle brake fluid condition. Car repair experts and manufacturers often advise replacing pads after each 30,000 to 70,000 miles. However, it's vital to conduct regular inspections to identify when you need new components. Signs Indicating You Should Replace Your Brake Pads Identifying when to replace brake pads without an expert's help may be daunting. However, looking out for various aspects can ensure timely replacement and avoid damage. One common sign of worn-out brake pads is a strange noise when driving. Such may result from grinding metal wear indicators. It may also occur when brake pads rub against the rotors. Other signs of worn-out brake pads are: Vibration when you press the brake pedal Increased stoppi ... read more

Drivers in the Cypress, CA area often aren’t sure when they are due for an alignment service; some people don’t even completely understand what that even means. Integrity Transmission & Auto Repair is one of the most trusted auto repair shops in the area, and we are here to help you understand your car better so that it can get the proper care it needs.    Let’s get to the basics! A wheel alignment is simply a service that involves changing the angles of axles and tires of your car to get the suspension back into the correct form. The suspension system is the mechanism that connects your wheels to your car. A proper alignment ensures every part is in sync so that your vehicle can get optimal handling and safety.    Proper realignment makes your tires last longer and runs smoother. When the wheels are misaligned, the other surrounding components can suffer the consequences as well. This is why missing a needed alignment service can be a cost ... read more

The muffler and the exhaust are both parts of a car's exhaust system. The main difference between the two is that the muffler is designed to reduce noise, while the exhaust is designed to remove fumes and other waste products from the engine. How Do They Work The exhaust system starts at the engine, where fumes and waste products are produced. The exhaust then travels through a series of pipes to the muffler. The muffler is designed to reduce noise by deflecting sound waves away from the engine. Finally, the exhaust exits the vehicle through the tailpipe. What Are the Benefits One of the main benefits of having a muffler is that it can make your car significantly quieter. This can be beneficial if you live in an area where noise pollution is a problem or if you simply want to enjoy a quieter ride. Additionally, a muffler can also help to improve fuel efficiency by reducing back pressure on the engine. While both parts are important, they serve different purposes. The muffler i ... read more

The 4th is one of the most celebrated holidays in the United States, and we are nearing that time soon. Many Americans are looking forward to getting out of the house this summer for the holidays. If you have not solidified your Independence Day plans yet, we’ve got the right ideas for you. Check them out below: Go on a road trip - What is a summer without a planned road trip. Fourth of July is the perfect time to go to the beach, visit faraway families, or any other destination away from home.  BBQ and throw a cookout - For some people, the best part of Fourth of July festivities is the food! Hot dogs, wings, and burgers are the essentials. You can always host a cookout and invite all your loved ones for a fun time. Some people take it to the park for an awesome view of the fireworks.. Go camping - Summer camping is nothing but a good time. If you want to escape the bustling city lights and noise, camping is the best way to go about it. Bring your loved ones together ove ... read more

When you think of headlight maintenance, most people probably think of replacing the bulb. However, you can regularly keep your car headlights nice and bright by regularly cleaning them at home. While car washes can get some of the dirt and grime off, a trusted way to remove the yellowish or hazy appearance is by using a solution.    Oxidized headlights can be dangerous as they can significantly reduce the brightness of your car lights. To solve the problem, you can use household items to restore your headlights. The two methods include vinegar and baking soda or toothpaste.   For the first method, you'll require a soft cloth, white vinegar, baking soda, and car soap. Using a 1:2 ratio of baking soda and vinegar, mix the solution together. Rub the cleaning solution onto the headlight and rinse with water. Voila - it’s that easy!   Toothpaste offers the right amount of cleaning strength for your headlights. You will need toothpaste, car soap, masking ... read more

When the oil light flashes up on the dashboard, it can mean your vehicle has low oil pressure. The drop in oil pressure could signify a few things, including if your motor oil is down, dirty, or you have an oil leak. Even though you don't burn through motor oil as fast as you do with gas, it will eventually get low after driving. If you're driving along and notice your oil warning light come up on your dashboard, you need to figure out what the light is telling you. Modern vehicles have two different lights related to their vehicle oil system. The first orange light shows that it is time to change your oil. You Should Not Drive Your Car When the Oil Light is on The second red light is the more serious of the two. Its job is to alert you to a potentially critical issue. Check your vehicle's owner manual to understand better what oil lights to watch out for on your car. If in doubt schedule an appointment for routine maintenance. When the oil warning light shows up on you ... read more

One of the most common occurrences today is the theft of catalytic converters. These gadgets turn the dangerous fumes from the vehicle into harmless gasses for release to the atmosphere. It is a requirement for vehicles to have the system, which is usually located near the exhaust manifold. Thieves look for catalytic converters as they contain various precious metals such as palladium, platinum, rhodium, and copper. They then sell the converters to unscrupulous dealers for $200 or more a piece, depending on the vehicle type and metals inside the converter. The cost of replacing a catalytic converter maybe four to five times the selling price of the stolen one. Damage to surrounding parts may raise the cost even higher. What Vehicles Do Thieves Target? Thieves tend to target vehicles whose catalytic converters are easy to access. These include SUVs, pickup trucks, vans, and crossovers. They also tend to pick cars that have been left unattended for long periods, espec ... read more