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

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

   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

We see many vehicles that are having drivability problems. It is inevitable that most vehicles will have a failure sometime in their life that will cause them to run poorly. A very common symptom that vehicles give is a shake on acceleration. When your car shakes on acceleration you will often feel a bucking / rough driving sensation while accelerating in your vehicle. A shake on acceleration may be more than an annoyance, it may be an indication of a larger problem developing. Shakes on acceleration could be caused by an engine management, engine, transmission or driveline failure.      A good way to start with determining the source of your shake is to see if you have any indicator lights on your dash. A check engine light, or service engine soon light if on would be the best place to start looking for the failure. A light would be an indication that your problem lies in either the engine management system or an electrical / mechanical failure in the engine or transm ... read more