Columbus Auto Repair

Put the wrong fuel in your tank? Leave the engine off. That one decision gives you the best chance of keeping the repair manageable. Starting the car to move away from the pump sends contaminated fuel toward components that depend on the right fuel to work properly. It happens surprisingly easily when you're driving a rental, borrowing a truck, or switching between gas and diesel vehicles. The damage depends on what went into the tank, how much you added, and whether you drove afterward. A car that stayed at the pump needs different repairs than one that stalled several miles down the road.   How Wrong Fuel Reaches the Fuel System The tank is only the beginning of the fuel's journey. Pumps push it through filters and lines toward the injectors, which deliver carefully controlled amounts to the engine. Once the wrong fuel travels through that system, removing it becomes more involved than emptying the tank. If you caught the mistake before starting ... read more

The flex pipe is one of those exhaust parts most drivers never think about until the car suddenly sounds louder than it used to. You may hear a ticking or raspy exhaust noise when accelerating, smell exhaust near the front of the vehicle, or notice a vibration that seems to come from underneath the engine. Its job is simple but demanding. The flex section allows a small amount of movement between the engine and the rest of the exhaust system. Without it, normal engine movement would put much more stress on rigid exhaust pipes, flanges, and welds. Once the flex pipe cracks, that movement also makes the leak grow quickly.   Engine Movement Constantly Works the Flex Section An engine does not stay perfectly still while it runs. It rocks slightly when you accelerate, shift into gear, or let off the throttle. The exhaust manifold or downpipe moves with the engine, while most of the exhaust system is supported farther back underneath the vehicle. The flex pipe ... read more

Vehicle lights are easy to forget about because most of them work without drawing attention to themselves. You may notice a headlight that burns out, but a failed brake light, license plate light, side marker, or interior lamp can go unnoticed for quite a while. A good habit is to check your exterior lights every one to three months and have them looked over during regular maintenance. Interior lights can be checked at the same time. It is also smart to inspect the lighting system before a long trip, after electrical work, or anytime you notice flickering, dimming, or a warning message on the dashboard.   Why Exterior Lights Deserve Regular Checks Exterior lights do much more than help you see at night. They also let other drivers know when you are braking, turning, reversing, or simply sharing the road with them. Because of that, even one failed lamp can create a safety concern. The problem is that many exterior lights are difficult to check from the dri ... read more

A clicking sound during a turn is one of those noises that quickly becomes hard to ignore. It may happen only in parking lots, during U-turns, or when pulling into a driveway with the steering wheel turned sharply. At first, the car may still steer normally and feel completely fine on the road. The most common cause is a worn CV joint, but it is not the only possibility. Loose wheel-well panels, steering parts, suspension joints, and even tire contact can produce a similar sound. Paying attention to when the clicking happens can help narrow down where it is coming from.   A Worn CV Joint Is Often The Cause Most front-wheel-drive vehicles use CV axles to send power from the transmission to the wheels. CV stands for constant velocity, and each axle has joints that allow it to keep transferring power while the wheels turn and the suspension moves. The outer joint works at its sharpest angle during tight turns. As the joint wears, its internal bearings and gr ... read more

Most drivers have done it at least once. A noise shows up, a light comes on, or the car feels a little different, and the first thought is that maybe it will go away. Sometimes it does. More often, the car gave an early warning before something larger began to take shape. The hard part is knowing which symptoms can wait and which ones should be checked sooner. A car does not have to feel broken to need attention. These five problems are easy to downplay at first, but they can become costly when ignored for too long.   1. A Small Fluid Leak Under The Car A few drops under the vehicle may not look like much. Maybe it is oil. Maybe it is coolant. Maybe it only appears after a longer drive. The temptation is to wipe it up, keep driving, and see what happens. Fluid leaks deserve more respect than that. Engine oil protects moving parts. Coolant keeps the engine from overheating. Brake fluid helps create stopping pressure. Transmission fluid protects the shiftin ... read more