Auto Repair in Poway

One request I get as the owner of Poway’s Precision Automotive is to install “OEM” parts. There is often some confusion about what an “OEM” part is and what it really means for your vehicle. If you are looking for an auto repair shop in Poway, or anywhere else, this is a good question to ask.  OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. These parts are not necessarily the same as the genuine parts that come from the dealer, but they are from the same manufacturer that provided the parts to the assembly line when the vehicle was produced. Aftermarket parts are not made to the same standards as the factory uses and often are of low quality and do not last as long. There are so many different parts manufacturers these days that it is important to work with an experienced mechanic, like the certified technicians we have at Poway’s Precision Automotive, to make sure they are using quality parts in their auto repair shop. At Poway's Precisi ... read more

Many customers in Poway will ask me “what does my car need?” when the check engine light comes on. The short answer is we don’t know until we have one of our technicians at Poway's Precision Automotive hook up a scanner and do a complete diagnostic to get the full picture of what is going on with the check engine light. If you are driving around Poway and the check engine light is blinking, this usually indicates a misfire that can cause damage to the engine or emission system. If the check engine light is flashing, we don’t recommend driving the vehicle to prevent costly repairs. There are some auto parts stores that will check the car out with a check engine light code reader, but that will only generate a fault code and not tell you the check engine light meaning. The vehicle will still need to be diagnosed by a trained professional, to make sure that the fault is verified. In the long run this will save you time and money.   If you ... read more

Modern cars are very complicated, with many complex systems, and most often require a computer or scanner for proper communication to diagnose. Our technicians at Poway’s Precision Automotive are highly trained and fully equipped to handle these situations. The first step to proper diagnosis is to verify the concern. This usually involves a proper interview with the client to find out how and when the vehicle is acting up, and then have the technician be able to reproduce the symptom with the vehicle.  The next step is to check for any DTC’s (diagnostic trouble codes) and perform a full vehicle scan. This will check all of the control modules for possible clues (not just the module that is having the problem). The next step is finding the proper resources and then testing the vehicle, which often includes hooking up test equipment and monitoring the system in question while it is malfunctioning.  One of the most important pieces of this puzzle is verifying the ... read more

Is your vehicle consuming oil between oil changes, and requires you to add oil periodically? As manufacturers try to lower emissions, they use piston rings that reduce friction.  As a result, the piston rings can easily become stuck with carbon deposits. This will cause lower compression and oil escaping past the piston rings into the combustion chamber, causing the vehicle to burn oil. Our premium oil change includes a cleaner that is ran through the engine before draining the oil to loosen up the existing carbon, then an additive is poured into the new oil to condition the new engine oil.  This combats sludge in the engine, provides longer oil change intervals, and reduces engine oil consumption keeping piston rings from sticking. If your vehicle is using oil between oil changes and you notice the oil level is low, we advise you ask about our premium engine oil service. If you have been going extended intervals and not been following recommended maintenance schedules, we ... read more

Understanding how to check your vehicle's transmission fluid can help you in times where you feel like your transmission is underperforming, and aren't sure of the exact cause. While checking your vehicle's transmission fluid can inform you of whether low transmission fluid is an issue, we recommend bringing your vehicle into Poway's Precision Automotive if you ever suspect that there is a problem with your vehicle's transmission. Here is how to check your vehicle's transmission fluid:  Put your vehicle in park and let the engine run.  Locate the transmission fluid dipstick, which is usually sticking out of the transaxle.  Pull out the transmission fluid dipstick. First, use a towel to wipe the fluid on the dipstick. Check the consistency of the fluid - it should be pinkish or clear and have an oil like consistency. Black or dark brown fluid that has chunks in it is a very bad sign and means you are due for a transmission fluid exchange ... read more

Driving daily in traffic can be stressful, especially when vehicles are bumper to bumper and everyone is rushing to get to work on time. But arriving already stressed out to work can hinder your productivity and mood, so learning ways that you can help de-stress yourself on your commute can be extremely beneficial.  If you're looking for ways to de-stress during your work commute, here are some of our recommendations to try:  Find a good podcast to listen to on your way to work. Getting involved mentally in a podcast can get your thinking going and take your mind of the stress of your commute. Be sure to start up the podcast before you hit the road, that way you aren't fidgeting with your phone on the road.  Make sure your cell phone is out of sight on the road. Especially if you have a work phone, because seeing work emails and messages pop up while driving can be distracting and put even more stress on the drive.  Plan ahead and give yourself plenty of ... read more

After constant use of your vehicle, you start to become familiar with the many noises that your vehicle may make and what is normal. However, there are certain noises that may happen unexpectedly that can indicate there is an issue with your vehicle, and should never be ignored. As soon as you hear any of the following noises, bring your car into our shop for an inspection.  Chirping or Squealing Sound From the Wheel A cyclic chirping or squealing noise coming from the vicinity of a wheel often indicates a wheel bearing or axle bearing that is failing. Usually the noise will change with the speed of the vehicle, and it may come and go at various speeds. This noise should not be ignored because if the bearing fails, it may cause the wheel to lockup or come loose from your car. Scraping or Grinding Noise When Braking If you hear metallic scraping or grinding noises when braking, it probably means your brake pads are worn out and your vehicle nee ... read more

Unlike an oil service, tune-ups are a larger service that are typically required every 30,000 miles or so, depending on the age of your vehicle and your driving habits. If you are wondering when your vehicle will be due for a tune-up, the best thing to do is to refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual. The owner’s manual will lay out when a tune-up is due for your vehicle and what services are included.  Even though tune-ups are usually needed on an interval basis, they can sometimes be needed prior to the recommended mileage due to excessive driving. Some signs that your vehicle may need a tune-up include: Lack of overall performance Decrease in fuel efficiency Car constantly stalling Engine running rough Start up troubles If you notice any of the symptoms listed above, your vehicle may be due for a tune-up. If you’re unsure, you can visit your local auto repair shop for an inspection. Some typical tune-up services include spark plug replacement, fuel ... read more

With the constant traffic associated with commuting and driving to our destinations in populated cities, the daily driving tends to take a toll on our vehicles. You may not realize it, but driving in traffic actually causes more wear and tear on our vehicles than a normal drive. If you’re one of those who drives on the daily, here are some tips on how to extend the life of your vehicle and increase your vehicle’s fuel efficiency.  Drive Safely Giving yourself plenty of time to slow down or stop behind the vehicle in front of you actually protects your vehicle. When you drive the speed limit, you’ll increase your vehicle’s fuel efficiency and you’ll be much safer on the road.  Stay on Top of Regular Maintenance Making sure your vehicle is always properly maintained is a great way to extend the life of your vehicle. When you have regular inspections or service, you avoid major repairs and unwanted breakdowns that can happen when a car is poorly ... read more

When it comes to brakes, any sign that there is a problem should be considered urgent. If you ever notice a strange noise or suddenly know that there is a lack in performance while braking, it’s time to have your brakes inspected. Your brakes are extremely important because they help you slow and stop when needed. As soon as you notice something off about your brakes, it is important to have your vehicle inspected at our shop to determine what the cause may be. Repairing the issue early on will save you money and will also help protect you and your family while driving.  Your vehicle’s brake pads are an essential component of the brake system and help produce the friction that allows your vehicle to stop or slow down. However, brake pads do not last forever and will need to be replaced periodically. Over time, they begin to wear down and will need to be replaced. Here are 5 telling signs that your brake pads are due for a replacement:  If your brake pedal vibrat ... read more