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Tire pressure light one? Bring your vehicle in for and inspection!
$49.95
+ cost of Freon
air conditioning repairs fremont
$39.95
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TPMS DIAGNOSTIC

Must present at time of service. Cannot be combined with other offers.

SEASONAL SPECIAL

FREMONT AUTO TECH

With more than 30 years of experience, the mechanics at Fremont Auto Tech have been providing professional and affordable automobile repair and maintenance services to the residents of Fremont, CA and all surrounding cities. Our trained and certified technicians specialize in Japanese auto service, but can provide service to all makes and models. We understand how important your vehicle is to you. We want to get you back on the road as safe and quick as possible. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call us directly at (510) 796-5599  today!

gear

  • Fluid Replacement

  • Tire Rotation

  • Oi, Lube & Filter Change

  • Air Filter

  • Filter Replacements

  • Properly Inflate Tires

  • Brake Repairs

  • Engine Repairs

  • Air Conditioning Repairs 

  • Transmission Repairs

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  • Tune Up

  • Timing Belt

  • Shocks & Struts

  • Suspension Repair

  • Battery Replacement

  • Computer Diagnostics

  • Electrical Diagnosis

  • Exhaust Systems

  • Tire Services

  • 30/60/90k Maintenance

OUR VISION

Since Fremont Auto Tech opened its doors in 1992, they have been a leading auto repair shop in Fremont, CA. We are proud to serve residents throughout the area including those from Union City, Newark, Hayward, San Leandro, and Milpitas. Not only do we provide repairs you need, but we also provide the maintenance services that are crucial to preserving the life of your car.

$28 Oil change
AAA member discounts available
$75 off and job over $500 in labor costs
$30 off and job over $250 in labor costs
$15 off and job over $100 in labor costs

CALL FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE! (510) 796-5599

CAR MAINTENANCE 101

How Often Should You Change the Engine Air Filter?

Each vehicle's maintenance schedule varies on how often the air filter should be changed. You might be able to tell by looking at when a filter needs replacing, such as finding black areas on the section through which outside air enters. Air filters on most engines are fairly easy to access, but you can check the location in your owner's manual if you need help. If you can't find your engine air filter and/or it's been more than 3 years or 30,000 miles, you probably should get a new one. A clogged air filter can hurt acceleration by 6% to 11%. For that reason, it's a good idea to periodically visually check the engine air filter.

 

When Do You Need a Wheel Alignment?

If your car drifts to one side, and you have to turn the steering wheel away from the center position to drive straight, that is an indication that your wheels are out of alignment. Underinflated tires can also cause a vehicle to pull to one side, so check if that could be a possibility. You might also want to inspect your tires to see if there is uneven wear, such as the tread being worn off along one edge, another sign of an alignment issue. However, it can be hard to separate normal from excessive wear, so unless you're well-trained, have a certified technician take a look.

 

Some vehicles require only that the front wheels be aligned, but many car-based models require four-wheel alignment. Alignment specifications differ by vehicle. Depending on the vehicle, proper alignment involves setting the camber (inward or outward tilt of the wheels when looking head-on), caster (wheel tilt front or back looking from the side), and toe-in or toe-out (looking down at the wheels from above). The adjustments are measured in fractions of an inch and require specialized alignment equipment.

 

Wheel alignment isn't usually listed by vehicle manufacturers on the recommended maintenance schedule, so how often it should be done is open-ended. If your vehicle tracks as straight as an arrow, your wheels likely are properly aligned. Even so, it's a good idea to have your alignment checked annually, such as when you have your tires rotated. You certainly should have it done when you buy new tires so they don't immediately start to wear unevenly. 

 

What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?

That is a signal that the onboard diagnostics system (or OBD II) has detected a malfunction in the vehicle's emissions, ignition, or fuel systems. It could be something as simple as a loose gas cap or something as severe as a faulty catalytic converter, so you shouldn't ignore it. All cars and light trucks have onboard diagnostics that are supposed to detect engine-related problems that affect the emissions control systems. The check-engine light (typically a yellow or orange outline of an engine with the word "Check") should come on for a few seconds every time you start the engine with other warning lights. If it stays on, that means there is a problem.

 

  • If the check engine light is flashing, that usually indicates a misfire or other serious issue, and it should be dealt with quickly at an auto repair shop. Ignoring a flashing light increases the chances of additional problems, including damaging an expensive catalytic converter.

  • If it isn't flashing, you should first tighten the gas cap because a loose cap can trigger a warning. See if the light goes off after several starts over the next day or so. Replacing a worn gas cap that doesn't fully seal may also solve the problem.

 

If that doesn't do the trick, an auto technician will need to diagnose the problem by electronically tapping into an OBD II connector under the dashboard to read diagnostic codes that will help isolate what caused the light to go on, such as a bad spark plug or oxygen sensor. Even if your vehicle seems to be performing well and your mileage isn't dropping, it's a bad idea to just ignore a check-engine light. Something is wrong, and it's likely to get worse. In addition, if you live in an area where vehicles have to pass periodic emissions tests, an activated check-engine light usually means your vehicle will automatically fail.

 

How Often Should You Rotate Your Tires?

Most vehicle manufacturers recommend that the tires be rotated on the same schedule as oil changes. In most cases that means every 7,500 miles or 6 months, though some have stretched the oil-change interval to 10,000 miles, such as on many Fords, Volkswagens, and Toyotas. BMW allows up to 15,000 miles between oil changes, but that is too long to wait to rotate the tires. Unless you drive fewer than about 7,500 miles per year, you should probably rotate tires every six months or so.

 

The tires mounted on the drive wheels of any vehicle perform extra duty because they apply power to the pavement. On front-wheel-drive vehicles, that power is amplified by the weight of the engine and transmission, and because the front tires do most of the work in turns. Rotating the tires between the front and rear a couple of times a year spreads out the burden, so they wear evenly.

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