New Orleans Auto Repair

If your check engine light or "service engine soon" light is on, that is your vehicle's way alerting you. It is telling you to bring it into a repair facility as soon as possible.      Check engine light can come on for many different reasons. It could be on because of an evaporative emissions leak that can be caused by something as simple as forgetting to tighten your gas cap. It could also be on for a more complex engine or drivetrain problem.  Your check engine light can light up in two different ways. It can either stay on solid or flash. When it is on solid it is less urgent than when it if flashing.  We recommend getting your vehicle in as soon as possible, but you do not have to suspend use of the vehicle or have it towed in.  It is not a good idea to ignore your check engine light. Even if you think the light is not on for a serious problem, more problems can develop. The mechanics at Tim's can  preform a Level O ... read more

Does your car battery keep draining? A drained battery, especially if it happens more than once, is often a sign of a problem. A jump start may get you driving for that day, but more often than not there is something that needs attention.  A vehicle with a battery that is frequently drained is likely:  1) A failed battery  2) Having a problem in the starting and charging system 3) Experiencing a parasitic draw Failed Battery The easiest and most likely cause of your battery draining is that your battery’s internal chemical reaction is getting weaker. A result of the weak reaction is it can not store the energy needed to start your vehicle after it is sitting unused for a few hours.  An un intrusive battery load test is the best way to determine the strength of your battery. We can measure the strength of your battery and compare it to what the battery should have.  Starting and Charging System Problem A ... read more

Have you ever wondered if it was ok to drive with your check engine light on? Your check engine light is your vehicle's way of letting you know a malfunction is occurring. While there is a very large range of problems that can cause a check engine light your vehicle does offer some help in categorizing.  Your check engine light can be lit in 2 different ways: Flashing check engine light Solid check engine light Flashing Check Engine Light A flashing check engine light is more urgent. It is not recommended to drive a vehicle with a flashing check engine light very far. The check engine light event that is occurring could be damaging your catalytic converter. We recommend you stop using the vehicle – immediately drive to your Auto Repair Shop or have it towed. Their mechanics winn need to do some diagnostic work to find the cause. Solid Check Engine Light When a solid check engine light comes on, that is your vehicle ... read more

    Wondering if you need to have your vehicle aligned after buying a new set of tires? The answer is YES and here is why.  New tires are an investment in your vehicle and more importantly an investment in your safety. Wheel misalignment will cause your new tires to wear prematurely and drastically shorten the life of your new tires. Normal use of your vehicle (especially on the rough roads in the greater New Orleans area) will cause your vehicle to become misaligned. Starting fresh with a newly inspected suspension on a properly aligned vehicle will give your tires what they need to serve you for the long haul! We recommend alignments on all vehicles getting new tires. A freshly aligned vehicle combined with our Tire Protection Plan is the best way to keep your tires on your vehicle for as long as safely possible.   We can help you with tires and ... read more

Is your car overheating? If you notice your vehicle temperature gauge climbing, you are having a problem with your vehicle running hot. Although running engines create heat, your vehicle's engine cooling system was designed to help regulate your engine temperature. Two main issues that can cause your vehicle to overheat:  1) Low coolant level or no coolant in the engine and radiator  2) Engine cooling fans is malfunctioning A low cooling system is an indication of a coolant leak. How coolant leaks are detected is we will artificially pressurize your cooling system with a special tool and then visually inspect the system to locate leaks. Did you know that your vehicle's cabin heater is part of the engine cooling system? Sometimes your vehicle has a cooling leak internally in the engine, meaning that your cylinder head or cylinder head gasket is allowing coolant to leak into one of the cylinders of the engine. A tell of an in ... read more

Does your car pull to the right? Your vehicle should travel straight when you drive on a smooth flat road. If you notice that your car is pulling or drifting to the right when driving, this could be an indication of a tire problem, an alignment problem or a braking system problem. Tire Problem A tire that has developed a very irregular wear or a slipped belt can cause your car to pull. As tires age the bond that holds the steel belts and tread to the tire carcass deteriorates, this can cause a section of the tire tread and belt or the entire tire tread and belt to shift and cause a pull in the vehicle or a bump sensation and a pull. Tires with slipped belts are unsafe and should be changed. If changing all four tires it is also recommended to align the vehicle afterwards. Alignment Problem Problems with your alignment can cause your vehicle to pull or drift to the right or left or both. It can also be ... read more

    Synthetic Oil vs. Conventional Oil – what is the difference?! We get this question a lot. Most modern vehicles require synthetic engine oil, but where does it come from? Most importantly, why is synthetic oil the right choice for your vehicle's oil changes if it is required?  Synthetic Engine Oil uses a synthetic base stock. Many times the beginnings of the base stock comes from crude oil but that is just the beginning. The base stock goes through a much more involved process where the molecules are broken down and then re-built into uniform shapes. Additives, friction modifiers and cleaners are added to the synthetic base stock and it is ready for use. Synthetic oil does a superior job of reducing friction, limiting wear and being able to lubricate in tighter tolerances (less space). Conventional Engine Oil uses refined crude oil as its base stock. Crude oil is cleaned, filtered and held under pressure and heat and one ... read more

   Knowing if your brakes are bad is critical. Your brakes are possibly the most important safety system on your vehicle because brakes need to work properly every time!  Brake Repair or Replacement is needed when: 1) A  brake warning indicator is lit 2) A squeal or grinding noise is heard when stopping  3) A shake is felt when applying brakes  4) Measuring at or below 3 mm of friction material Brake Warning Indicator If your brake warning is illuminated on your instrument cluster we recommend not driving your vehicle until the brake fluid level is checked. The BRAKE warning can come on for several reasons, but a particularly dangerous and common reason for the light is low brake fluid. If your brake fluid is low that is an indication that you either have worn brake components somewhere in the system or you may have a brake fluid leak. After topping off your brake fluid we strongly recommend having your vehicle checked ... read more

Figuring out what kind of tires your vehicle needs can be confusing. Tires are a major wear item on your vehicle and they not only wear by use but also by age. Buying tires is often a cost vs. benefit decision, so the tires you choose for your vehicle should: 1. Be the proper speed rating and size for your vehicle 2. Fit your road condition needs 3. Fit your mileage needs 4. Fit your budget needs     Size Every vehicle has a white and yellow sticker inside of the driver’s door jamb. This sticker is called the tire placard and it states the acceptable size / sizes of tires, the required speed rating and the recommended tire pressure. We recommend following your vehicle's guidelines for tires. Having the right size, type and air pressure in your tires will not only ensure your vehicle performs as designed, it will also help make sure your traction control system works and will help you as much as possible during emergency maneuvers ... read more

   The automotive repair industry is an essential part of our economy. Helping people safely travel in reliable transportation is one of the things that keeps our country moving. For as large as the automotive repair industry is there is often no clear path for people who want to start careers as Mechanics. Trade schools offer degrees, different manufacturers and associations offer certification processes, and many businesses will not hire without real world experience. Many potential new Mechanics find themselves not knowing where to start. In our opinion the best place to start a career as a Mechanic is to find an Auto Repair Shop that is focused on providing a positive work environment and on the job training. Starting your career as a mechanic working as a helper with an experienced mechanic or group of mechanics is the best way to gain a large amount of real world experience in a short period of time. Auto Repair Shops are much more likely to hire a trainee with a good ... read more