Palmer Auto Repair

Your car's battery is responsible for supplying all the electrical power in your vehicle. While the alternator also plays a crucial role, the battery is responsible for storing and providing energy for various functions, most importantly, starting the vehicle.  Let's explore some warning signs that may indicate a battery is on the verge of failure. With these four signs, you will easily spot a dying battery from afar and will avoid unpleasant situations like a non-starting car. 1. Unusual Odor A battery that is leaking fluid emits a distinct smell, similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. If you notice such an odor, it is vital to address the issue promptly. Contact a mechanic to inspect and resolve the problem to prevent further complications. 2. Electrical Malfunctions When a battery fails, it can lead to electrical malfunctions within the vehicle, particularly in the interior. If you experience slow window operation or flickering lights ... read more

If you drive regularly or are just a car owner, knowing how to change a tire is a useful skill to have. It can save you from being stranded and from unnecessary towing services, which can simply be avoided. Here are a few steps you can follow to ensure an easy and simple tire change, no matter where you are: 1. Find a Safe Location If you have a flat tire, try to find a safe, flat location to change it. Avoid hills or busy roads, and turn on your hazard lights. The safest place is a well-lit parking lot. But if you can't find one, safely park at the side of the road. 2. Gather the Necessary Tools You will need a spare tire, a jack, and a lug wrench. Especially make sure that the spare tire is in the trunk if the car has been owned before because a lot of drivers tend to leave it at home. 3. Loosen the Lug Nuts Use the lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts on the flat tire, but do not remove them yet. Just loosen them enough so th ... read more

Have you noticed your car pulling to one side when you're driving? Or maybe you've experienced excessive tire wear or vibrations through the steering wheel. Well, these are symptoms of misaligned wheels. But in addition to the three listed above, there are other symptoms that also point to the same problem. If you want to take a closer look at six of them, continue reading to find out. 1. Uneven Tire Wear If your tires are wearing down unevenly, it's an obvious indication that your wheels are not aligned properly. This can lead to more frequent tire replacements, which cost way more than a simple wheel alignment, so make sure to visit a repair shop ASAP. 2. Vehicle Pulling To One Side Is your vehicle pulling to one side while driving? This is a sign that the wheels need alignment. This can be dangerous as it affects your ability to steer your vehicle properly causing you to lose control. 3. Crooked Steering Wheel If y ... read more

While driving, you don't feel every little bump your car goes through, and the ride is generally smooth. This is because of the suspension system, which absorbs all of the impacts your car goes through. But as it's used all the time, even for the smallest difference in the road, it starts to break and fail. In this blog, you will read about five noticeable and easily spottable problems that point at a suspension system that's going bad. Bumpy Or Hard Ride One of the most obvious signs of a damaged suspension system is experiencing a harder, bumpier ride than usual. This can be caused by a part of the suspension or by other components and systems affecting it. Because of that, we recommend visiting a mechanic for a professional examination and evaluation. Drifting Or Pulling While Turning When driving on the highway or on a straight road - have you noticed the car pulling to one side slightly? If the answer is yes, this can be caused by the shocks, lower control arm, or ... read more

When looking for a new car, you will have to consider a couple of things. Do you want a Sedan, Coupe, or SUV? Different trim and package options alongside different colors. But before all that, you have to choose between four options: Diesel, gas, hybrid, and electric. Hybrid and electric are self-explanatory, but what about diesel and gas? If you want to know the differences between the two, you are in the right place. Combustion Process Both diesel and gas cars have combustion engines. One operates with gas and the other with diesel, and that makes the process different. In gasoline engines, the fuel is mixed with air, compressed, and ignited. On the other hand, in diesel engines, the air is firstly compressed, so it becomes hot, and diesel fuel enters the mix, exploding because of the high temperature. This is the simple explanation of the difference between the gas and diesel combustion processes. Horsepower and Torque One big difference is the output of horsepower and torque ... read more

After pulling out of the driveway, you discover something strange where your automobile had just been. You don't know what that small, dark area or that small pool of car fluid is for. There are several different kinds of automotive fluids, some of which are completely normal, while others may cause problems. So what kind of fluid could it be? Fortunately, different car fluids come in different colors, and you can usually tell by looking at them. Oil Spill An oil leak is typically indicated by a little black spot or a black puddle. When oil is put into an automobile, it is amber in color when it first enters the engine. As the oil lubricates the engine, it gradually turns black over time. The oil pan and numerous engine gaskets are the places where oil leaks happen the most frequently. It might be challenging to locate oil leaks because they are typically small and highly localized, but a failed gasket is almost always to blame. Fluid Coolant Leak It's presumably coolant i ... read more

Winter can be harsh on a number of your vehicle’s components, including the battery, tires, and even wipers. However, one underlooked part that motorists tend to forget to check this time of the year is belts and hoses. Read on to learn more about your belts and hoses and why it is important to inspect them before winter: With temperatures already dropping near or below freezing in Palmer, AK, you must know that your rubbery belts and hoses might not be able to withstand it. What you should do is pop open the hood to spot-check your belts and hoses, including the timing belt, accessories belt, radiator hose, and more.  In particular, you should look for the following signs: Cracks or tears Bulges Glazing Overly soft spots Leaks Unusual sounds (while the engine is on) If you are concerned with the condition of your vehicle’s belts and hoses, feel free to bring your car to our auto repair shop. With our expertise and state-of-the-art equipment, we can evaluate yo ... read more

What does a catalytic converter do? A catalytic converter (often referred to as a "cat") is part of your car's exhaust system, a metal canister that measures between 10-14" long, generally located near the exhaust outlet. Vehicles with combustion engines emit ‘smog,' which is composed predominantly of hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide. Catalytic converters can reduce up to 90% of a vehicle's harmful emissions and convert them to carbon dioxide, water vapor, nitrogen and oxygen, which are less harmful gasses. How do catalytic converters work? Catalytic converters work by filtering vehicle emissions through a chamber containing two catalysts, ceramic substrates coated in three rare earth metals: palladium, platinum and rhodium. The substrates, which look like a honeycomb, maximize the surface area available for conversion and help retain the high temperature (at least 400°F) required for conversion to take place. As exhaust passes t ... read more

Unless you are a first-time driver, the most experienced understand their cars when something is wrong. However, some issues are glaring, like a brake shudder. This is shaking felt in the pedal or steering wheel when you brake. Causes of Shaking When You Brake Issues with rotors or discs cause a brake shudder. The most common reasons range from minor to major problems. But here are the most frequent causes. Wheel alignment issues If you notice a shudder when you brake at high speeds, it could indicate misaligned wheels. When driving your car and it begins dragging to one side, it's a common indicator of wheel misalignment. Poor brake condition Damaged, worn, and warped brake pads cause shaking and vibrations when you brake. A squeaking sound usually accompanies it. But the brakes could also be dirty from oil, soil, and other debris, causing vibrations when trying to grasp the rotors. Suspension issues Sometimes your car may shake not only when you apply the brakes but also ... read more

Maintenance is one of the best ways to save yourself from future headaches with your car, and this holds true for maintaining your fuel system. Keeping the fuel system clean will prevent issues from gunk buildup in the system, and will keep the system from degrading the components of your fuel system. If you notice any of the telltale signs of poorly functioning fuel delivery, it might be time to bring your car in for a cleaning: Decreased power when going uphill or towing Shuddering and rough starts and idles Spongy feeling gas pedal Slow acceleration If you bring your car in for a fuel system cleaning with our highly trained technicians, you can expect that your car will be put through the 4-Step Fuel System Cleaning. This process was specifically designed to reach even the most inaccessible spots in your car with specialized tools, which will leave your car's fuel system squeaky clean and functioning at top performance for a long time. The 4-Step Fuel System Cleani ... read more