Signs You Need a Timing Belt Replacement

The engine of any vehicle relies on perfect timing. As it cycles through the process, your engine relies on its camshaft and crankshaft to open valves and move pistons are required. Your timing belt takes care of that, but sometimes vehicles need a timing belt replacement. 

About the Timing Belt

Your timing belt plays a vital role in how your engine functions. Durable, reinforced rubber or another synthetic material makes up the timing belt. It loops around the camshaft, crankshaft and supporting gears to maintain the perfect synchronicity. In certain vehicles, your timing belt will also play a role in additional features, like the water pump or balance shaft.

Most timing belts should be replaced every 60,000 to 100,000 miles. Replacement should be part of your regular maintenance procedure. If you fail to replace your timing belt when necessary, it can lead to serious issues including engine failure.

Sign #1: Check Engine Light

Don’t ignore your check engine light. While an old timing belt is not the only reason this light may illuminate, it can contribute to it. Your vehicle’s onboard computer monitors your engine’s performance. When a timing belt malfunctions or goes wrong, it impacts this performance. Because of this, it can trigger your check engine light, indicating that you need to get to a mechanic as soon as possible.

Sign #2: Unusual Sound Effects

As a timing belt begins to fail, you might notice some unusual sounds coming from under the hood. A high-pitched screech or whirring sound may occur, typically while you idle, accelerate or when you first start your car. A ticking noise can indicate low oil pressure. When this happens, your engine will not have the oil needed to lubricate moving parts, such as the camshaft efficiently. This can cause additional wear and tear on your timing belt, causing it to prematurely fail.

Sign #3: Engine Won’t Start

If your timing belt has snapped, your vehicle’s engine will no longer be able to start. If the belt broke while your car was off, you have likely avoided significant repairs. However, if the timing belt broke while your vehicle was running, you can expect major internal engine damages.

Contact Us for a Timing Belt Replacement in Spokane Valley

At Lloyd’s Automotive, our technicians are standing by to handle all of your automotive needs in Spokane. If you believe you have a timing belt issue, contact Lloyd’s Automotive today.

Towing Insurance vs. Paying for It Yourself

We all fear the day our car breaks down and leaves us stranded. Many insurance providers offer customers a towing service in Spokane Valley as part of their coverage. Below, we discuss the pros and cons of this option.

Costs of a Towing Service

Cost is one of the biggest reasons we hear. After all, a tow service can seem steep in certain situations and areas. (Not so with Lloyd’s Auto Repair! We know a repair can be an unexpected expense and do our best to provide reasonable prices and quality services.) However, insurances that provide towing services as part of their package are not doing this for free. There will be a built in additional cost on increase should you elect to add this to your insurance premium.

Using a Towing Service

Most drivers rarely need the help of a towing service. In fact, most people go for years without having to call for a tow truck. When you add up the additional insurance costs you pay into, you may find that you are wasting hundreds of dollars every year on a service you may only need once. This means a one-time call to a towing service in Spokane, for example, can actually save you hundreds in the end when compared to maintaining an insurance premium with a towing package added on.

Wait Times for Towing Services in Spokane Valley

If you purchase an additional towing service through your insurance, your wait time will likely be much longer. Calling a local towing company directly often means you simply have to wait for the driver to get to you. However, if you use your insurance company, you likely need to first contact them. The insurance company will then need to determine who the nearest towing company is whom they have a contract with before calling to dispatch them to your location. If they do not contract with a local company, this may mean you not only have a delay due to the insurance agent having to contact the towing company, but also you will have to wait for the tow truck to arrive from a further distance away. (If your vehicle will be taken to their location, you have an additional distance you will need to go to retrieve your car or tags.)

Contact Us for Towing Service in Spokane Valley

If you need a towing service in Spokane Valley, WA, Lloyd’s Auto Repair can help. Keep our contact information handy and give us a call for all of your automotive needs.

Signs You Need Engine Repair in Spokane

The more miles you put on your car, the more wear and tear you put on it. All that wear and tear can add up after a while and lead to engine breakdown. When your engine breaks down it’s pretty easy to spot. Here are signs you need engine repair in Spokane.

Stalling

This is a very obvious and dangerous sign. Stalling is when your vehicle dies suddenly while it’s idling or while driving. If this happens you need to take your car in to get it looked at as soon as possible.

Leaking Fluids

Look under your car for any puddles. If your car’s been parked for a while you may notice a discolored stain on the ground beneath it. Leaking fluids can be a sign of a major problem or can lead to major problems if they’re not taken care of quickly.

A Knocking Noise

If you hear a knocking noise from the hood of your car that usually means the engine bearings are worn. This can require a lot of work but you could be in store for a lot more work if you don’t get it taken care of.

Rough Idle

If you notice that your car sputters when it’s idling or randomly while you’re driving it’s a sign of engine problems. This could require an easy fix like putting in new spark plugs or something more extensive. A good mechanic will find the source of the problem easily.

The Check Engine Light

Sometimes your vehicle will really let you know that something is wrong with the engine. If the check engine light comes on take the car in as soon as you can to find out what’s going on. The longer you wait the more damage you do to your engine.

Engine Repair in Spokane

If you notice any of the above signs do you need engine repair in Spokane. It’s important to go to a good mechanic you can trust. Some mechanics may try to fool you into thinking you need more work than is actually required. Others won’t have the skill needed to fix your vehicle. This can lead to more work down the road. It could also lead to more damage to your vehicle. If you need engine repair in Spokane go to Lloyd‘s Automotive. Our skilled mechanics will get the job done right and do it for an affordable price. Contact Lloyds today for all your engine repair needs.

 

Wheel Alignment at a Tire Shop in Spokane WA

You might not think that proper wheel alignment is an essential part of vehicle maintenance, because, after all, you steer while you drive, the car doesn’t steer itself. However, it is an important step to maintaining safety and optimal performance. Although you might try to do it yourself, this is one service that you should depend on the experts to do correctly, specifically at a tire shop in Spokane, WA.

The Importance of Wheel Alignment

When you get new tires, or even when you’re just coming up on a routine service, it’s always important to make sure you get a wheel alignment when recommended. One of the simplest reasons for this is that it extends the life of your tires, thus saving you money. Without proper alignment, you might notice that your car veers more to one side than the other, doesn’t drive straight, or even vibrates! As your wheels become misaligned, your tires will wear unevenly, making it harder for you to drive safely, and it can cause havoc in your vehicle’s driving performance and fuel economy in general, creating even more issues in the long run. You don’t want to leave this type of maintenance for the last minute, and you don’t want to be caught in the middle of a blizzard or rainstorm with misaligned wheels. You might ask, “How do they even get misaligned, if the wheels are being installed correctly?” Your wheels can become misaligned because of anything from uneven tire wear and incorrect installation to bumpy roads and accidents, so it is important that you do not neglect routine wheel alignment. You should rely on a trained professional to install and align your wheels to ensure you get the most accurate alignment.

Get Your Wheels Aligned at a Tire Shop in Spokane WA

Want to know more about wheel alignment at a tire shop in Spokane, WA? Give us a call at one of our three locations to get information on wheel alignment services, among many other automotive services. Our trained and professional staff will ensure that your car gets the care it needs and that you get the peace of mind you deserve.

When You Need New Tires

The last thing you want to happen is a blowout. Changing your tires regularly isn’t just a good idea; it’s a safety concern. Before you hit a Google search for a “tire shop near me,” consider these key points that are crucial to your tires.

New Tires Aren’t a One-Size-Fits-All

Even if a certain tire fits a certain type of car, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best option. Putting the wrong tires on your car or truck can mess with your warranty, and put you out of service long before your tires were ever supposed to falter. Selecting the right tires for your car takes specifics.

Do You Require Quiet Tire Operation?

Some tires are built with steel cables for strength, but add to noise. If you’re travelling with others or you’re constantly listening to the radio in the car, this may not be an issue, but it’s still best to discuss with your technician before deciding on a set of tires.

Buying One Tire as a Time Isn’t Good

Replacing the one tire that’s flat or had a blowout is a bad idea. You’re going to put a strain on your other tires, your new one, and have inconsistencies with air pressure all over the place. This will impede upon your performance, the durability of your tires, and potentially void your warranty altogether depending on the specifications laid-out by the tire manufacturer.

If your friends are telling you to “just replace the one that’s messed up,’ they don’t know what they’re talking about. It’s a short-term solution to a long-term problem, and messes with your vehicle’s overall performance.

Looking For a “Tire Shop Near Me”?

Don’t spend time searching “tire shop near me” – the solution is right in front of you. Call or message us today to schedule an appointment, and get a new set of tires on your car that are perfect and long-lasting. You rely on your vehicle for so many things; it’s time to rely on Lloyd’s Automotive to give your vehicle the attention it deserves, and the solutions your family needs.