Tangent and Albany Auto Repair

Experiencing vibrations or shakes while driving can be disconcerting, raising concerns about your vehicle's performance and safety.  1. **Wheel and Tire Imbalances:**    One of the most frequent reasons for a car to shake is imbalances in the wheels and tires. Uneven distribution of weight or tire wear can lead to vibrations, especially at higher speeds. Regular tire rotations and wheel balancing can help prevent this issue. Tire rotations should be done every 5,000 miles.  2. **Wheel Misalignment:**    Misaligned wheels can cause uneven tire wear and result in vibrations. If your car consistently pulls to one side, it's a sign of potential wheel misalignment. Aligning the wheels properly can eliminate shakes and improve overall handling. We recommend an annual alignment for you vehicle. Pot holes and other hazards can cause your alignment to be misaligned.  3. **Worn or Unbalanced Tires:**    Tires with uneven wear or those that ... read more

Winter is here, and it's time to think about the best tires for snowy roads. Two main types are studded and studless snow tires, and each has its own strengths. Let's explore the differences to help you choose the right ones for your winter drives.  Studless Snow Tires: Quiet and Snow-Friendly Studless snow tires are made with a softer material to grip snowy surfaces better. They don't have metal studs, so they're kinder to roads. These tires work well in the snow, giving you good control and handling. Their soft rubber can bend with the snowy road bumps. Good Things about Studless Snow Tires: 1. All-Around Use: These tires work great in different winter conditions, making them good for places with lots of snow. 2. Not Too Loud: Because of their soft material, these tires don't make much noise on dry roads, so your ride is smoother and quieter. 3. Gentle on Roads: They're less likely to damage roads, which is good if you're in an area that ca ... read more

Travel season is an ongoing affair, and your checklist should adapt to the circumstances. Below, we've assembled a comprehensive list of must-haves for your journeys. Oregon's climate is a diverse tapestry, with each part of the state offering its unique weather conditions. The coast is often marked by blustery, rainy weather with a touch of chilliness. The mountains introduce the challenges of snow, ice, and wind. The Willamette Valley delivers a mixed bag of meteorological surprises, including plenty of rain, wind, fog, occasional hail, and rare snow and ice occurrences. Our temperatures are typically moderate, but we do encounter a few stretches of cold weather each year. Snowfall is a fleeting guest. Venture eastward across the mountains to the high desert of central Oregon, and you'll find even colder winters, considerable snowfall, and bone-chilling temperatures. Yet, the azure skies and sunny days compensate for the frigidity. As you proceed further east, the patter ... read more

Spark plugs are an important component of the ignition system in your vehicle. Over time, spark plugs can become worn out, corroded, or covered in deposits, which can lead to poor engine performance and reduced fuel efficiency. Here are some reasons why you might need new spark plugs: Wear and Tear: Like any other part of your car, spark plugs wear out over time. The electrodes on the spark plugs can become worn down, which can cause misfires and other engine issues. Corrosion: Corrosion can occur on the spark plug due to exposure to moisture or other contaminants in the engine. This can cause the spark plug to fail to ignite the fuel mixture properly. Deposits: Deposits can build up on the spark plug over time, which can reduce its effectiveness in igniting the fuel mixture. This is often caused by oil or fuel additives. Fouling: Fouling occurs when the spark plug becomes covered in a layer of fuel, oil, or other contaminants. This can cause misfires and other engine problems. If ... read more

Changing your transmission fluid is an important part of maintaining the health and longevity of your vehicle. Here are a few reasons why you should have your transmission fluid changed: Prevents damage to your transmission: Over time, transmission fluid can become contaminated with dirt, debris, and metal particles that can cause damage to your transmission if left unchecked. Regularly changing your transmission fluid can help prevent this damage and extend the life of your transmission. Improves transmission performance: As transmission fluid ages, it can become thick and sluggish, making it harder for your transmission to shift gears smoothly. Changing your transmission fluid can help improve your transmission's performance and make shifting gears easier and smoother. Saves you money in the long run: By preventing damage to your transmission and improving its performance, regular transmission fluid changes can help you avoid expensive repairs or even a complete transmission r ... read more

Teaching your teenager about maintaining a vehicle is a valuable life skill that can save them money, ensure their safety, and promote responsible ownership. Here are some important things your teen should know: Regular Maintenance Schedule: Explain the importance of regular maintenance tasks, such as oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, and fluid checks. Following the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule helps keep the vehicle running smoothly and prevents potential issues. Oil Changes: Teach your teen how to check the oil level and understand when an oil change is needed. Explain the different types of motor oil and why choosing the right one is essential. Tire Care: Show them how to check tire pressure and tread depth. Properly inflated tires improve fuel efficiency and handling, while good tread depth ensures safe driving in various weather conditions. Fluid Checks: Familiarize y ... read more

We know the prices at the pump are hard to see and we know you are feeling it at the pump, we are too. We have a few tips to assist you with getting the best fuel mileage from your vehicle. Make sure your tires have the correct air pressure. On the off chance that they are short on air, it will cause additional drag. Additional drag means less fuel mileage. Air filter - if your air filter is dirty, it will make your engine work harder, the harder it works the more fuel it uses. Fuel filter - this concerns mostly larger vehicles like pickups and larger SUVs. They have a fuel filter on the frame rail or engine. These need to be changed regularly. If they are not then it will restrict fuel and the engine will have to work harder causes it to use more fuel. Engine oil - your engine oil is one of the most important parts of your vehicle. When your engine oil is older it gets contaminated with fuel due to the ignition cycle. This will also affect your drive train and cause your engine to ... read more

This depends on the type of engine oil that your vehicle uses. If your engine uses conventional or synthetic blend oil then it is recommended that you change your oil every 3,000 miles. If your vehicle uses full synthetic oil then you should have your oil changed every 5,000 miles. We know that many manufacturers are pushing oil change intervals to greater lengths. Some are pushing them to as long as 10,000 miles.  The issue with delaying your oil change is that your engine oil starts to break down. Fuel and combustion gases build up in your oil, then your oil gets thin. This means that your engine oil is no longer protecting your engine as it should.  Many vehicles will consume a small amount of oil while driving. Most manufacturers state that your engine may consume up to 1 quart of oil per 1,000 miles driven. By extending your oil change you may run the risk of damaging your engine if it were to run out of oil.  Checking your engine oil on a regular basis is a good ... read more

Do you hear anything at all? If you hear a click then it could be a faulty starter. Over time the contacts on the starter wear down and stop connecting. The other reason is the brushes on the inside of the starter wear down and no longer carry the electricity you need to start your vehicle. Give us a call and let us take care of you.   Happy Adventures,  Heather

If you've ever been driving and heard a knocking sound coming from your engine, you may have wondered what was wrong. Don't worry, you're not alone! A lot of people have this same question. In this blog post, we will explain what engine knocking is and what it means for your car. Engine knocking is a knocking or pinging sound that can occur when the air/fuel mixture in the engine's cylinders is detonating in more than one place at a time. This can happen for a number of reasons, such as low octane fuel, deposits on the piston or valves, or incorrect ignition timing. If you hear an engine knocking, it's important to take action right away. If left unaddressed, engine knocking can lead to serious engine damage. We recommend for you to make an appointment and we can properly diagnose the reason your engine is knocking. We hope this blog post has helped you understand a little bit more about engine knocking and what it means for your car. If you have any further ques ... read more