Palmer Auto Repair

If you've ever driven a car with smelly air coming out of the vents, you know how unpleasant it can be. This problem can be caused by a variety of things, including bacteria, bad smells from the interior of the car, and even mold. In this blog post, we will discuss why your car vents might be blowing smelly air. Bacteria: Bacteria can cause a musty smell in your car. This is because they thrive in moist, dark environments. If you have ever had a wet towel or piece of clothing that sat in your car for too long, you may have noticed a similar smell. The best way to prevent this from happening is to make sure that you keep your car clean and free of any moisture. If there is moisture and mold damage deep in the AC System then you will need to bring it to an Auto Repair Shop for further investigation. Bad smells from the interior of the car: If you don't regularly clean your car, it can start to develop a bad smell. This is because dirt, dust, and other debris will build up on th ... read more

The summer season offers an exciting opportunity for road trips and, unfortunately, car problems. Why? A heavy amount of heat can affect your car's crucial components. So, if your summer cheat sheet is filled with trips to the beach, let's help you enjoy the season safely. Go through this checklist before you decide on driving in those harsh weather conditions. Change the oil Summer weather is harsh and can turn your engine smoking hot. That is why lubrication is vital. Never wait too long to change the oil unless you are attempting fate. Your engine is more likely to wear if the oil level reduces. So, ensure your engine is lubricated on regular basis. Check your brake system Inspecting your brakes to ensure they function well is a no-brainer. But checking your braking system is more than just brakes. Inspect brake pads, brake fluid, rotors, etc., to ensure they are all safe to drive even on the steepest slope. Inspect you're A ... read more

  A flat tire is a nightmare. It is always advisable to know what you are doing before starting. This is true for changing a tire as well. If you don't know how to change a tire, it might be best to get someone else to do it for you. If you have a flat tire, it's imperative that you change it as soon as possible. Learn how: What Tools Do You Need To Change a Flat Tire? The first tool you should grab for changing a tire is an air compressor. You can use the tool to inflate tires with air or even replace a flat tire with a spare one. A jack and a set of spare tires are essential tools for changing a tire. A lug wrench is also helpful in loosening the lug nuts. Here are some tools that can help you change a tire. Jack. Tire iron. Tire wrench. Rags. What Are the Steps to Changing a Tire? The process starts by locating the spare tire and jack. The next step is to remove the lug nuts, loosen the bolts, and remove the old tire. The next step is to place the new tire on t ... read more

The exhaust system must function efficiently for proper overall health and performance of a vehicle. The functioning of any system requires the harmonious interaction of all its parts in order to function well. If one part of a system doesn't function as it should, the whole system will fail. Although we hope that things work as they should, the unexpected sometimes happens. The following is a list of typical exhaust system problems. Loud engine When you have an excessively noisy engine, it could be a sign of exhaust problems. The exhaust system will emit an annoying sound if you have a faulty exhaust manifold gasket. The sound is quite loud when the vehicle is cold or accelerating. Reduced Speed and Power You won't be able to accelerate well or quickly if you have a problem with your exhaust, and you won't obtain the same amount of power when you accelerate. This problem will continue to worsen if the exhaust leak remains unaddressed. Reduced gas efficiency The fuel ... read more

One of your car's most essential and inexpensive maintenance items is your windshield wiper blades. They're often overlooked, but they are necessary for preserving visibility, primarily through inclement weather. Knowing when to replace them is vital in protecting you and your vehicle. Here are three key things to look for when checking the condition of your windshield wiper blades! Sound You've probably heard the loud groan/shriek of an old windshield wiper running before. It's loud, annoying, and super distracting. A good set of wipers should run seamlessly without any sounds at all. If your wipers sound incredibly squeaky, it may be time to replace them. Streaks In addition to the irritating sound, you may notice that your windshield wipers aren't working as well as they used to. If your wipers aren't clearing off the rain or snow properly, you may notice streaks that impair your vision instead of helping it. You may try wiping the wipers down with a cle ... read more

Driving with your car's wheels out of alignment can not only affect your ability to properly steer your car, but can also wear down your tires excessively and unevenly. If you're reading this, you're probably wondering how you can tell if your car needs an alignment and what you can do to test it. Let's talk about how to identify bad wheel alignment and the benefits of having it fixed! Getting a wheel alignment performed will realign the angles of your wheels so that your car travels straight and true. Over time, your wheels can fall out of alignment just with normal use of your vehicle. Also, you may find that your wheels are forced out of alignment if, for example, you hit a pothole or a speed bump at a high speed. Typically, your car will need a wheel alignment every 2 years or so. So, how can you tell if you need a wheel alignment performed? Here are some of the symptoms to look out for: First and foremost, to test if you need a wheel alignment, see how your vehi ... read more

The brake rotors are a part of the brake system that stops the wheels when you press down on the brake pedal. They spin with the wheels and help slow their motion as the brake pads clamp down on the rotors. You will brake countless times while on the road, which is why the brake rotors and other brake components tend to wear down over time. They are constantly withstanding a lot of heat and pressure. The brake rotors can often become warped over time due to the immense amount of heat they endure. The surface of the brake rotors can become uneven, which can affect your braking system's efficiency and performance. With that information, how long do you think brake rotors last? Brake rotors typically last anywhere between 30,000 to 60,000 miles on average. Warped or damaged rotors can sometimes be resurfaced, which can leave them operating like new again. There are a couple of different ways that the brake rotors can be damaged, so let's take a look at them. Brake rotors can ac ... read more

It is that time when most places record the lowest temperature possible. As you prepare your house for the cold days, remember that your car is affected by the freezing temperatures like any asset you own. Possible Ways Cold Weather Can Affect Your Car It would help if you had proper winter preparation as you enter the colder months to help minimize the effects. Here are the results of cold weather on your car. 1. It may Cause Corrosion The most affected parts of the car include the brakes and the undercarriage. The metallic element of the vehicle, when exposed to salty roads in the winter. As you drive through the roads during this period, you expose your car undercarriage. Besides, the cold temperatures shrink the vehicle's metallic parts. 2. Cold Weather Can Cause Tire Pressure Fluctuation Like the metallic parts of your car, cold temperatures can cause your tire pressure to fluctuate. Low temperature shrinks the air in the tire, leading to a decrease in pressure. However ... read more

This last Saturday, January 7, 2017, we had our first ever women's car care clinic. We are hoping to make this a regular series for women only to help educate and empower them about automotive matters. We had so much fun learning about automotive basics, getting up close and personal with vehicles in the shop, and drinking some tasty wine from The Alaska Wine Wagon. We covered everything from the basics of internal combustion engine operation to the importance of good tires. This program is designed to be a stress free, friendly, and encouraging environment for women to ask questions and learn about car care. I've been in the automotive industry for over 18 years and still feel the effects of being in a male dominated industry. Our goal is not to make this about gender, as no one deserves to feel inferior when making significant investments in the longevity of their vehicles, but a female only clinic has been in high demand for several years. Edmonds Import Aut ... read more

Well, it finally happened. Winter in Alaska. I glanced down at my outside temp readout this morning as I started my car and confirmed what I had suspected--negative digits. For those fortunate enough to have a garage to keep their cars warm and toasty, this post is not for you. As the temp outside dips steadily south, take time to consider your vehicle and it's needs in colder weather. If you don't have an oil pan or block heater installed already consider getting one installed. Some vehicles can support a block heater to keep the engine warm because the engines come equipped with freeze plugs. If your vehicle does not have a freeze plug for a block heater to be installed (VW and Audi come to mind), you can still have your vehicle equipped with a oil pan heater. An oil pan heater is a heating element that attaches to the engine's oil pan and keeps the oil warm. Keeping the oil warm in colder temps is vital to keep the top end of the engine properly lubricated on st ... read more