Automotive News & Information - CME Smog & Auto Repair

Fuel economy isn't far from the minds of our Vacaville 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.

Fuel Systems are particularly important on diesel trucks, whether you drive a Ford, Chevrolet, or Dodge pickup. At CME Smog & Auto Repair in Vacaville, fuel system maintenance and repair is a service we prioritize, since we know how essential a reliable fuel system is.

The fuel system is an integral aspect of any combustion engine, but it’s particularly important on diesel trucks. Your Ford, Dodge, or Chevrolet pickup requires a perfectly functioning fuel system, devoid of buildup, leaks, and debris, to provide you with the most powerful and efficient engine performance possible. At CME Smog & Auto Repair in Vacaville, we understand that fuel system flushing is an essential process in maintaining a properly functioning engine.

It is inevitable that the sun will rise and set each day - so too is the inevitability of clutch wear if you drive a vehicle with a manual transmission. Unlike the sun, however, you have a lot of control over how fast that wear occurs. Here’s some information on riding the clutch, and why you should stop doing it!

What is “riding the clutch”? - Let’s start by defining exactly what we’re talking about here. “Riding the clutch” is one of many phrases in automotive slang, which circumnavigates the explanation of something sort of complicated. Any time your clutch pedal hangs out in the purgatory between fully depressed and fully released, except for the purposes of shifting or acceleration, you’re riding the clutch. Avoid using the clutch pedal to manage speed as much as possible. If you’re sitting at a stoplight or a stop sign, you might catch yourself letting the clutch out halfway to keep the car at a standstill instead of using the brake, or taking advantage of the clutch to drive slowly.

One of the more annoying issues a car, truck, or SUV will develop is a grinding or scraping sound when you hit the brakes. What is it, and how do you make it stop? At CME Smog & Auto Repair in Vacaville, CA we have the answer.

Obviously, the dirtier your fuel system is, the bigger the improvement you will see in performance and fuel economy after a fuel system cleaning. But it is important not to wait until your system is running poorly. If you do, by the time you get a cleaning, you’ve wasted hundreds of dollars in gas or even possibly damaged your fuel injectors and catalytic converter.

If your transmission isn’t shifting correctly, you’ll want to be careful about how you choose to proceed. The best thing to do is turn the vehicle off and have a professional take a look at it, but if that isn’t an option, there are some steps you can take to ensure nothing gets damaged. At CME Smog & Auto Repair in Vacaville, CA we can take a look at your issues and also give you some tips on what to do when that option isn't available yet.

Auxiliary transmission coolers are one of many ways the aftermarket can improve the quality and durability of your vehicle. From CME Smog & Auto Repair in Vacaville, CA, here’s some information concerning auxiliary coolers, why you might need one, and what it can do for you.