Car Care Tips

  • Do You Know How Your AC Works?

    hand on car air conditioning vent

    When you get in your car, truck, SUV, or minivan to drive and the A/C does not work what could be wrong? Here at Wayne & Sons Automotive Repair, we have some simple answers to help you understand how your vehicle A/C system works. The first question we are asked is "Why isn't my air conditioner blowing cold air?" Let's talk about what could be happening. 

  • Do You Know The Difference Between Gasoline Grades?

    At some point, while waiting for your tank to fill up, you’ve probably wondered what the difference is between the choices of gasoline at the pump. Typically, you see three buttons, with a number between 85 and 98, in ascending order and ascending prices. These numbers are octane ratings, which you probably know; but what is an octane rating, really?

  • Do You Smell One Of These Smells? It's Time To Bring Your Car In.

    girl smelling vents

    If you’ve owned a vehicle long, particularly one with a few miles on it, you have probably encountered a peculiar smell that grabbed your attention. Scents that you encounter while driving (emanating from your vehicle, not the horse farm down the road) are indicators of your vehicle's health and often the first warning that something may be wrong. Wayne & Sons Automotive Repair in Santa Rosa has assembled this list to prepare for you for the next time you smell something odd, so you’ll know what’s going on next time you notice a funny smell.

  • Don't Fret Over That Flat Tire

    man changing a tire on side of roadIf you drive, you’re eventually going to have to deal with a flat tire. Flat tires often come at the most inconvenient times but knowing what to do and how to handle them will help you be comfortable when the need arises. So if you find yourself with a flat, here’s what to do next, from Wayne & Sons Automotive Repair in Santa Rosa, CA.
  • Electrical systems issues - what are the symptoms, and what can you do about it?

    mechanic working on auto electrical system

    Every year, vehicle electrical systems get a little more complicated. These days, many cars on the road contain up to a mile of wiring, running throughout every corner of the vehicle. With all those wires, there’s bound to be an issue at some point; Wayne & Sons Automotive Repair in Santa Rosa, CA is here to help you recognize a potential electrical issue, and know what to do about it.

  • Exhaust issue don't have to be exhausting, and here's why

    exhaust on a vehicle

    Exhaust issues are extremely common, no matter what type of car, truck, or SUV you drive. At Wayne & Sons Automotive Repair in Santa Rosa, CA, we can get your exhaust back in shape in no time.

    Exhaust issues tend to be neglected, and we get that; there are just other parts of your vehicle that you'd rather focus on. Besides a clogged catalytic converter, there isn’t much risk of damage from a bad exhaust system - it negatively affects your gas mileage, and the sound is annoying, but other than that, it’s an issue many people learn to live with. 

  • Extending the Life of Your Engine

    Mechanic taking apart of an engine out from under the hood

    An engine can last anywhere from 50 to 500,000 miles depending mostly on how well you maintain it. While some engines are certainly more reliable than others, all of them depend on maintenance to fulfill their greatest potential. Wayne & Sons Automotive Repair in Santa Rosa, CA has provided for you some of the determining factors of engine lifespan, to help you make sure your engine lasts as long as it possibly can.

  • Factors Affecting Fuel Economy

    mechanic giving advice

    Fuel economy isn't far from the minds of our Santa Rosa drivers and we hear these questions daily such as: Why can certain cars zip along at close to 40 mpg while others are lucky to get anywhere near 20? As it turns out, there are as many factors that go into how well your ride does at the pumps! Here are the 10 factors that have the greatest impact on fuel consumption that we would like to share with you. 

  • Feels Like Trouble (Is your vehicle driving right?)

    Nobody knows your vehicle better than you; if you suspect it isn’t driving the way it used to, there’s a good chance you’re correct. The truth of the matter is there are countless reasons and remedies for such a broad subject, but Wayne & Sons Automotive Repair in Santa Rosa, CA has compiled a list of a few common problems that can cause a vehicle to drive poorly.

  • Fix Foggy or Cloudy Headlights

    headlight

    Foggy headlights are a problem that has arisen in the past couple of decades, as we have moved away from glass sealed beam bulbs and into an era of plastic lenses with bulbs inside. While modern headlights are superior to the sealed beam headlights of years ago, they do tend to fog up after years of use. It’s a good trade for far better illumination and easier replacement, but an issue nonetheless. Hours and hours of heat, sunlight, and age eventually cause them to cloud up, which can reduce visibility at night in addition to worsening the appearance of your car, truck, or SUV. From Wayne & Sons Automotive Repair in Santa Rosa, CA, here are some tips on taking care of your foggy or cloudy headlight issue.

  • Have an Off Track Window in Your Vehicle? Here's What to Do

    Car windows

    Automotive windows are one of those things that you take for granted, until something goes wrong. One of the more irritating issues a window can develop, is dislocating from its track while attempting to roll it up or down. Why does this happen, and how do you fix it? At Wayne & Sons Automotive Repair in Santa Rosa, CA, we’ve got answers to your questions and solutions to your problems.

  • Have you checked your battery? If it looks like this - It's bad!

    corrosive battery in car image

    When you are having trouble with your car or truck starting and you open the hood up to take a peek to see this....you'll see what an overly corroded battery looks like. This happens naturally over time on vehicle battery terminals.  If you are like 99% of normal Santa Rosa drivers, you don't check your oil or your battery so you don't keep an eye on the amount of corrosion that's building up on your car or truck battery.  Here at Wayne & Sons Automotive Repair, we do and there are solvents that we can use here in the shop during a battery maintenance service that will help slow the corrosion process but nothing that can prevent it 100%. Way before it gets to this point, we will be suggesting you consider replacing the battery. 

  • Hints Your Transmission Is Failing

    transmission in car

    At Wayne & Sons Automotive Repair in Santa Rosa, CA, we know that transmissions are witchcraft to most people. More often than not, if major damage has occurred, it’s a lot more time and cost-effective to just replace the entire unit and get a fresh start. Our trained technicians at Wayne & Sons Automotive Repair want to keep you informed so you are aware of what to look out for.

  • How are your transmission mounts?

    transmission

    Your transmission mounts keep your transmission in place and suppress vibrations coming from the drivetrain. How do you know when to replace them or when they’re going bad. At Wayne & Sons Automotive Repair in Santa Rosa, CA, our goal is to educate you about your vehicle so that you can drive it safely and prolong its life. 

  • How Do You Know When to Get a Tire Rotation & Wheel Balancing?

    Tire in automotive shop

    The interval for the tire rotation could depend on a recommendation from either the tire manufacturer or the vehicle maker. The interval is typically around 5,000 miles but could range from 3,000 to 8,000 miles. So why do tires need to be rotated and how do you know when the right time is for your vehicle?

  • How Low Is Too Low - Let's Talk About Your Fuel Gauge

    gas pump putting fuel into vehicle

    If you drive a car, truck, or SUV that runs on gasoline, there's a good chance you’ve run it low on fuel a few times (or more than a few times,) and maybe even run out of gas completely a time or two. At Wayne & Sons Automotive Repair in Santa Rosa, CA, we like to provide information applicable to you. Running a vehicle low on fuel is something we’re all guilty of, and most of us don’t think twice about it. But, can it be bad for your car?

  • How to Improve The Longevity of Your Tires

    tread on a tire

    Everyone knows to get routine tire care every so often. Tire rotations, alignments, and even replacements are necessary to ensure your tires stay in competent condition and don’t pose any harm when you’re driving. At Wayne & Sons Automotive Repair, it’s important to us that your tires perform well and are safe to be on the road. Routine maintenance is sometimes not enough to get the most out of your tires. Here are just a few tips and steps to extending the lifespan of your tires, so they can continue to take you wherever you need for as long as you need.

  • How to Keep Your Older Vehicle in The Best Shape!

    Tail lights on bumper of older car

    As your vehicle ages, it not only gains sentimental value but a number of maintenance measures arise as well. Vehicles from previous decades have the potential to keep their value and functionality for many years. But how can you make that possible? Here are some tips from Wayne & Sons Automotive Repair to keep your older vehicle running and on the road for a long time!

  • How To Prevent A Transmission From Overheating

    Part of a transmission

    At Wayne & Sons Automotive Repair in Santa Rosa, CA, we know that the key to keeping a transmission reliable and in shape is taking care to prevent an issue in the first place. Here, well explore a condition which has a lot of potential to cause your transmission harm: overheating.

  • How to Reduce Your Vehicle Maintenance Costs

    Man working under the hood of his vehicle

    If you want to avoid nasty and unexpected surprise maintenance costs, sticking to a regimented schedule of preventative maintenance is something you are going to want to get used to. The reason being is simple – frequent maintenance will keep your vehicle in good health, ensuring you get the most out of all those expensive-to-replace parts. While it might sound counterintuitive, the best way to reduce maintenance costs is to stick to a prescribed maintenance schedule.

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Wayne & Sons Automotive Repair, LLC

1845 Piner Rd Unit B
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
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location small (707) 546-3492
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Weekdays:   8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturdays: By Appointment Only
Sundays: Closed

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