County Line Auto Repair

When driving through rough roads, a pothole, or a bump, the struts and shocks cushion you from any shocks. Even though they are used interchangeably, shocks and struts are entirely different parts that are crucial to the stability and safety of your vehicle. What are shocks? Often referred to as shock absorbers, shocks are the main component of the suspension system. They absorb and control the impact of the movement of the vehicle's suspension and springs. Shocks ensure the tires are always in contact with the surface of the road. In the absence of shocks, the wheels of a car will vibrate and bounce off the road's surface erratically. The main components of a shock absorber include a coil, a piston, and hydraulic fluid. When your car hits a pothole, the shocks start a compression cycle. The piston presses into the hydraulic fluid that serves as a conduit to slow down the coil and relax back in place. This makes the ride feel less bumpy. There are three types of shocks; mono ... read more

What Vehicle Parts Can Potholes Damage? Potholes are very common especially during the wet season. They pop up at any point on the road and are sometimes inevitable to hit. This means that you will hit a pothole or two at one point or the other while driving. Unfortunately, these depressions may damage various parts underneath the vehicle, especially if you hit them at high speeds. Here are some of the car parts that potholes can damage. Tires Tires take in most damage from potholes. Note that potholes have hard, sharp edges that puncture the tire as the vehicle hits one. They may snap the threads that hold the tire together or slice the sides of the rubber. Unfortunately, when a tire gets a sideway bubble or a separated thread, you must replace it. Rims When potholes are particularly deep and huge, they can break twist rims from their strong impact. Vehicle rims are not designed to handle impact force from hard angles in potholes ... read more

You might be wondering why your engine oil gets dirty fast and why you need to replace it so often! Actually, the new oil that you are putting in the engine of your vehicle is keeping it smooth so that you can run your car smoothly. Plus, it's clean too! But, let's find out what happens to this clean oil that gets so dirty. What's Causing The Engine Oil To Be Dirty? Your engine oil gets dirty and you are wondering what's the possible reason behind it. Well, the following reasons are possible: Engine Oil Is Doing Its Job Yes, you heard that right! The engine oil is simply doing its job that makes it dirty. Think about the number of times the engine oil is moving through the car's engine. It gets dirty over time. Plus, the oil changes its color and viscosity overtime. No wonder you need to change it with a new one. Your Vehicle's Oil Filter Is Old The oil filter in your vehicle is responsible for catching the contaminants in the engine oil, but over time whe ... read more

Nothing is more nerve wracking than hearing the warning "ding", and looking down at the dashboard to see that the "check engine" light has come on in your car. Don't panic, and pull over to the first safe location that you see. The warning lights in your car are tied to the vehicles onboard diagnostic system. The problems that it detects are stored as trouble codes in your onboard diagnostic system, and the codes are read by a diagnostic computer that your mechanic will hook up to your vehicle. Those codes will tell your mechanic what the car issue was, when, and how many times it occurred. Usually the warning light doesn't signify an emergency situation, but sometimes it does. There are five incredibly common reasons for the "check engine" light to come on. The first is that the oxygen sensor needs to be replaced. A faulty oxygen sensor can lead to bad fuel economy, and it has a potential to cause spark plug and catylytic converter damage to you ... read more

Proper wheel alignment is an important aspect of vehicle maintenance, and you need it to ensure that you can continue driving your can safely and happily. Unfortunately, it is highly overlooked. A lot of drivers choose to live with the signs and symptoms of poor wheel alignment, nor aware of how easily the issue can be solved. Below is a rundown of some common signs that that should remind you that your car needs a wheel alignment. Your Car Pulls to One Side When Driving If you are driving on a straight road with little effort on the steering wheel, and your car seems to be pulling to the right or left, then you have to visit your mechanic for wheel alignment. The Steering Wheel Is Not Centered When you are driving on a flat road, the steering wheel should be sitting perfectly centered and straight. Of course, some degree of discrepancy is acceptable, but if the steering wheel is noticeably off-center on either side, it may be time for you to take your car for wheel alignment. The ... read more

Dirty fuel injectors can have some sneaky consequences. While you’re stopped at a red light, does the idle feel rough? Do you find yourself making frequent trips to the gas station? Dirty fuel injectors may be the culprit. Your vehicle has a fuel filter, pump, and injectors that work together to supply the engine with an adequate amount of clean fuel. Working together, they maintain a healthy mixture of fuel and air. If the fuel filter is dirty, a cleaning service is an easy way to restore power and boost performance. How do you know when it’s time to have the fuel injectors cleaned? Below are five common signs to look out for.  There’s a noticeable decrease in fuel efficiency.   There are a variety of issues that can impact gas mileage. If your tires are properly inflated and you aren’t carrying extra weight, you may want to check the fuel injectors. Dirty fuel injectors will limit the amount of fuel that reaches the engine.&nb ... read more

There’s nothing more off-putting than noticing a gas smell inside your car. If you just made a stop at the gas station, the scent may have lingered inside the cabin, but if you notice that the smell is coming from your vehicle, it’s time for an inspection. Gasoline and its vapors are toxic and, in some cases, constitute a significant fire risk. Under normal driving circumstances, you should not smell gas inside your vehicle. Below are three common reasons why the inside of your car may smell like gas.  There’s a Fuel Leak If the gas smell is coming from the engine compartment, there may be a leak in the fuel system. For most vehicles, fuel injectors spray a precise amount of fuel into the engine during each cycle. Over time the seals around the injectors can degrade or become worn and leak. A leak that develops in the fuel line will also produce a noticeable gas smell. Do not wait until you notice a fuel leak beneath your vehicle before you get an ins ... read more

If you’re transporting a large number of items, fitting it all in your trunk may feel like a game of Tetris. It’s even more aggravating when you open your trunk only to find that items have completely spilled over and scattered across in an array. Below are a few tips for organizing your trunk to create more space and less spillage: Collapsible Storage Bins  Collapsible storage bins are great because you can keep them collapsed in the trunk. When you need an organized storage space, they easily fold open. If you’re worried about these bins sliding around your trunk, you can use a ... read more

A major benefit to your vehicle’s health and longevity is regular tire rotations and maintenance. During a rotation, your tires are moved from one position on the car to another. The process involves moving the front tires to the rear, and the rear tires to the front. It’s usually done in a cross-diagonal direction, so they’ll also change sides. A tire rotation prevents uneven wear and helps prolong their lifespan.   It’s best practice to have your tires rotated during your oil change service. If you need suggestions on the best oil change schedule, check your owner’s manual or give us a call. Our technicians would be happy to check your oil and suggest the best time for your next service.   Your tires serve an essential purpose because they’re the only aspect of your vehicle that makes direct contact with the road. Well maintained tires are a must since they influence how your vehicle brakes and handles. A scheduled tire rotati ... read more

Summer is officially here, and spring is well past us. Outside temperatures are rising and filling the air with uncomfortable heat. Some days you’ll need to get into your car and start driving right away bearing heat levels that can fry an egg. Listed below are a few essential tips on how to keep cool during the blazing summer: Find a place to park in a shaded area. Parking in the shade will keep the interior of your vehicle cooler. While this may seem like a basic tip, parking in direct sunlight can bring the inside of your car cabin to over 115°. If you can’t find an area with shade, try covering your interior with a light-colored cotton bed sheet or sunshade. Some automotive shops may sell dashboard covers as well.   Be strategic in how you use your air conditioner. For the first five to ten minutes, use the fresh air mode to cool the inside of your car. Afterward, use the recirculation to enhance the cold air and maintain the cool breeze.     ... read more