Issaquah Auto Repair

If you're planning to travel for the holidays, you might already be dreading the drive. While the scenery might be great, if you're the driver, the time can drag if everyone else is on a device while you're left staring at the pavement. Here are some ideas for games to play in the car suitable for most ages that adults will also enjoy. A bonus is that none of these require any equipment (no one needs more clutter in the car, am I right?) Fortunately/Unfortunately This game involves one person starting with a statement that begins with "unfortunately," then the next person adds to this with a statement that begins with "fortunately." The wilder and wackier the statements, the better. "Unfortunately, this highway is known for alien abductions." "Fortunately, I've been abducted before and can vouch for the food." Category ABC's Someone chooses a category, such as "movies, " and th ... read more

One of the procedures which a vehicle owner should be most familiar with is the so-called winterizing. This is a sequence of steps to be taken before winter moves in every year in order to prepare your car for the coming winter conditions. As the winter season in the state of Washington is notoriously severe, drivers should approach this procedure with the utmost attention. Surely, you wouldn’t want to be stranded in the deep snow by the side of the road at 35 degrees (or sometimes even less!), or experience something even worse as a result of a neglected safety issue. Our certified and experienced mechanics here at Autoworks of Issaquah are ready to lend you a hand with the preparation of your vehicle for the coming season. We are going to go through several steps that will ensure your safety and peace of mind while on the wet or snowy Washington roads. First of all, it would be a good idea to take care of your car’s battery, as it is probably the most important factor ... read more

Proper wheel alignment is necessary when it comes to safe car handling. All of your vehicle's wheels need to be properly aligned with each other in order for the tires to travel straight and to avoid premature wear. When you drive with bad wheel alignment, your tires will typically wear down quickly and you may have trouble steering or controlling your vehicle. This is why recommend getting your wheel alignment taken care of as soon as you notice an issue. While a wheel alignment is typically recommended every 6,000 miles or so, there are a few different instances that can happen that can cause your wheels to be forced out of alignment. They are typically related to bad driving habits, road conditions, and more.  Having regular wheel alignments performed will keep your tires in great condition, saving you money on tires over the years. You'll also get better fuel efficiency, performance, and protect your vehicle's suspension components from unexpe ... read more

It's officially the fall season, and here in Issaquah, we can expect the showers to start falling soon and the weather to cool down in the next few weeks. When the leaves start turning colors and we suddenly need to wear our sweaters again, it's time to think about your vehicle's maintenance.  See, during the summer, the heat can take a toll on our vehicles. The warm temperatures can wear out parts faster and can break down important fluids. Plus, many drivers tend to use their vehicles more often during the summer because they are taking road trips or have some time off work to spend time with family. In any case, it's important to have your vehicle serviced and inspected after the summer to restore your vehicle and ensure that it is ready for the weather changes to come.  Here in Washington, we are no stranger to the rain, and with the rainstorms on their way, getting your vehicle prepared will save you time, money, and trouble. Here are some of the mainte ... read more

Noticing a leak coming from underneath your vehicle can be worrisome. As soon as you see a leak, be sure to inspect the liquid to determine its color and where it is coming from. Fluid leaking from your car could mean a variety of different things, and the color of the liquid is usually an accurate indicator of where that leak is coming from. Here are some of the colors to look out for if you notice a leak: Red - Red fluid usually points to a transmission or power steering system leak. This can stem from a broken transmission seal or a hole in a line between systems.  Orange - Orange liquid can be tricky. The orange color can actually indicate leaking antifreeze or just regular condensation that is rusty from the radiator. Transmission fluid can also look orange particularly if the fluid is old.  Yellow - Yellow fluid is a sign of a radiator coolant leak. This can begin to leak if there is a loose hose clamp or a damaged o-ring.  Green - Green fluid leaking can poin ... read more

When you first own a vehicle, one of the most important services that you learn about is your vehicle's oil change. It is the most frequent service that your vehicle receives and is one of the most vital in terms of engine performance and longevity. It is typically required between every 3-6 months but can vary for newer vehicles. Your vehicle's owner's manual is the best source for understanding how often your vehicle needs its oil change.  Your vehicle's engine oil has the important job of keeping engine parts lubricated and clean. It does tend to wear down quicker than the other fluids inside of your vehicle, which is why oil changes are more frequent. If you have an oil change nearing, we advise you to never consider skipping it! Here are some of the reasons why you should never skip an oil change:  A skipped oil change can lead to severe engine damage which can be costly to repair.    Running on old oil can lead to poor fuel efficiency ... read more

There's something truly special about the summertime - the warmer weather, kids are out of school, and vacations planned from months earlier are finally coming into view. It is also a time where many people are using their vehicles more, whether they are visiting friends or family or taking their car for a road trip. With the increase in the use of our cars, it is important to get our vehicles ready for the summer heat and ensure that they will last through the next couple of months without major issues.  The summer tends to take a toll on our vehicles, due to both the heat and increase in use. In order to control and maintain the extra wear and tear, there are certain things that you can do as a vehicle owner to help prepare your vehicle for the summer.  Have your vehicle inspected here at Autoworks of Issaquah before any long trips. Road trips are a popular occurrence around this time of year, and before you hit the road, you'll definitely want to ensure that ... read more

Having a working car air conditioner in the summer is essential to keeping comfortable, cool, and safe on the road. When you find that your air conditioner doesn't work on a hot summer day, you'll have a very uncomfortable and probably sweaty ride ahead of you. As soon as you notice that your vehicle's air conditioning system either doesn't work at all or isn't as cold as it used to be, we recommend bringing your vehicle into our shop for an A/C system inspection.  If you are experiencing problems with your car's A/C, you may be wondering what could be causing you issues, and whether or not the repair is a big or small one. Let's look at some of the common issues that can occur when it comes to faulty air conditioning systems and what causes these problems to occur.  Air doesn't blow out of vents - if you notice that no air is blowing out of your vents at all, this can be caused by a faulty blower motor or fan.  ... read more

Issaquah is surrounded on three sides by what are known locally as the Issaquah Alps: Cougar Mountain on the west, Squak Mountain to the south, and Tiger Mountain to the southeast. Most of us living in Issaquah have become accustomed to mountain driving, especially when traveling to some of our beautiful state parks. Mountain can be dangerous, however, due to its winding roads and steep slopes. We urge you to take extra precautions whenever you find ourself driving through mountainous areas and remember the following safety tips.  Engines can tend to overheat when chugging uphill. This is why it is so important to have your vehicle's cooling system properly maintained. Coolant circulates throughout the engine and ensures that the temperature is regulated, especially in situations of high RPM. If you are driving with a faulty cooling system component or low coolant, you may find yourself in an engine overheating situation while driving in the mountains. If you do suspect a coo ... read more

Across the United States and around the globe, we are dealing with a pandemic that is quickly spreading and disrupting our everyday lives. While there is a lot of uncertainty around what we should do to prevent COVID-19 from continuing to spread, the best thing we can all do as citizens is ensure that we are following the CDC's recommendations and our government's orders for staying home and practicing proper sanitizing techniques.  Here in Washington, you may wonder if you can get your car serviced or repaired while we are ordered to shelter in place. The good news is, auto repair is considered an essential service and we remain open to help with all of your auto repair needs. While we remain open, we will also take special precautions to ensure that we are not contributing to the spread of the coronavirus.  If you are currently out of work or working from home, now is a great time to get your oil changed if you're due or cross off that repair that you've b ... read more