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What Does the Color of Your Exhaust Smoke Mean?

What Does the Color of Your Exhaust Smoke Mean?

Your automobile’s exhaust smoke can be very telling about your engine and exhaust system. When you smell or see something off about your car, it should never be ignored. If you ever catch excess exhaust smoke spewing out your vehicle’s rear end, it is clear that you need to see a mechanic.    Depending on the color of the exhaust smoke, your car problem can mean different things. Exhaust smoke can be black, white, and blue. Read on to understand your car’s various smoke signals: Black Smoke Black smoke suggests the fuel and air mixture in your engine is too rich, meaning there’s too much gas or too little air. This can be caused by leaking fuel injectors or a filthy air filter.  White Smoke White smoke is a warning sign that your head gasket is leaking coolant. When this happens, it puts your engine at risk of overheating. If the coolant gets burnt, you will see thick white clouds coming out of your car.  Blue Smoke If you notice blue ... read more

Is it Safe to Drive With the Coolant Light On?

Is it Safe to Drive With the Coolant Light On?

The coolant pressure warning light is a very important one for you to know – it means that your vehicle’s engine is overheating. If this warning is initiated and you're wondering if you can continue driving, the answer is no, you should not.    An overheating engine is a very catastrophic event that can lead to expensive repairs. In this scenario, you should pull over immediately and call for a tow to prevent the damage from spreading. The sooner you can get your car into Autobahn Auto Repair to get this issue fixed, the better off your car will be.   The damage could be anything from failing or blown gaskets to failure of pistons and valve stems. All of these require professional repairs, and they can be avoided with proper maintenance.    Steps to Take When Your Coolant Light Comes On If you're on the road, pull over to a safe spot and turn off the engine.  Let the engine cool off before taking a look under the hood. Check you ... read more

Healthy & Tasty Road Trip Snacks

Healthy & Tasty Road Trip Snacks

We're sure many of you have some road adventures coming up as we approach the spring and summer. And what is a road trip without the essential snacks! Whether salty or sweet, there's a go-to that you can pack for everyone. Plus, you don't worry about paying for snacks at gas-station prices. Here are some snacks you should bring on your next road trip!   Granola/Protein Bars If you're a foodie, you know that snack bars can be tricky. Some are marketed to be healthy but include high amounts of sugar and unknown chemicals. The best bars have natural ingredients like oats, nuts, natural sugars, etc. If chosen correctly, they'll provide you with enough energy without having an energy crash.   Fresh Fruit When you're on the road and hungry, take some fresh-cut fruit with you. You don't have to feel guilty for overindulging in them as you would with chips or candy.   Beef Jerky Snacking on something high in protein, like jerky, is a great wa ... read more

Why Is My Motor Oil Leaking From My Car?

Why Is My Motor Oil Leaking From My Car?

It doesn't take a car enthusiast to know that oil changes are the most important maintenance item. Your vehicle needs fresh and clean engine oil to reduce the friction and heat within the engine compartments. Without it, your engine parts will wear down so much quicker and overheat. Furthermore, it also has anti-corrosive properties.  Over time, motor oil picks up debris and dirt and gets contaminated, making it less effective at its job and hurting its mechanical parts. If you leave your oil unchanged long enough, it will start to leak.    How Do Oil Leaks Happen? Blown Head Gasket - If you own a vehicle with old age that is prone to overheat, the head gasket will likely get blown. When this happens, your motor oil will leak out. Clogged Oil Filter - Neglecting an oil change also means skipping out on a filter change. When the filter gets old, the condition and flow of the motor oil can be compromised, leading to potential leaks and engine damage. Damaged Oil ... read more

Winter Must-Haves to Store In Your Trunk

Winter Must-Haves to Store In Your Trunk

During this cold time of year, the weather can become unpredictable. It can be dry and bitter one day and snowy or icy the next. The horrible weather is a massive contributor to vehicle accidents in the winter. So to stay prepared and safe this winter, we recommend stocking up on these must-have winter essentials: Portable phone charger While this doesn't directly impact your car's performance, you never know when your phone might shut off. If the vehicle breaks down and you have a dead phone battery, how would you ask for help? Flashlight A flashlight can help if you need to pull off to the side and check out things under the hood. It can also come in handy when you need to signal help from other drivers. Foldable shovel A collapsible or compact shovel is an ideal item to have on hand, just in case you get stuck in a pile of snow. Ice scraper and snow brush An ice scraper and snow brush can save you tons of time if you've got a windshield covered in snow or ice. Yo ... read more