Prince William County is made up of many organizations that do good things in the community.
HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire is a supporter of local non-profits, including the Prince William Humane Society (PWHS) and The Arc of Greater Prince William.
“We live and work in the community and want to give back to worthwhile causes,” HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire Owner ST Billingsley said.
How we support local non-profits
We offer free oil change services as well as free Virginia Safety Inspections and emissions tests to The Arc of Greater Prince William.
Last year, HomeTowne Auto Repair helped the humane society acquire its new Paw Bus and get it road worthy.
PWHS, an animal welfare organization that finds homes for adoptable pets, is using its new to transport pets to shelters, events and vet appointments.
HomeTowne shares information and flyers from K9s Serving Vets with customers, as well.
K9s Serving Vets is a non-profit that helps Veterans who are seeking a service dog.
Our support of What’s Up Prince William
We also support our community by helping fund What’s Up Prince William (WUPW), a news site that covers non-profits, community issues, and good things that people and organizations are doing in Prince William County.
In 2019, WUPW was able to do more than $66,000 of in-kind services to 20 non-profits, at no cost to the non-profits.
HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Michelin and BFGoodrich tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.
Have you noticed an oil leak between your vehicle’s front two tires?
There are a number of reasons that could be behind it.
Needing a new valve cover gasket is one of them. Technician Jason replaced this part on a 2015 Jeep Patriot on Tuesday.
What is a valve cover gasket?
The valve cover covers the rocker arms, valve springs and seals on top of the engine. It goes between the valve cover and cylinder head, so oil doesn’t leak from the top of the engine.
“It can also cover up any other oil leaks, so it’s very important to keep this … up to par,” Jason explained.
Other oil leak culprits
An oil leak doesn’t necessarily mean that the valve cover gasket needs to be replaced.
Many components can leak oil, including the oil pan, oil filter housing — also known as the oil filter adapter — drain plugs, and front and rear crankshaft seals.
Depending on the make and model, a vehicle may have oil cooler lines that can leak.
HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Michelin and BFGoodrich tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.
Written by Sydney Jones, General Service Technician for HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire
Annual state inspections have become a thing of controversy in recent years all over the country. Many states have removed them from their vehicle requirements altogether, and Virginia is considering doing the same. But is this really a good idea?
As of 2017, Utah is one of seven states in the United States that not does not require state inspections. This past summer, I traveled to Utah with my boyfriend and his family and immediately noticed that the cars with in-state licence plates had no inspection stickers.
At the time, I was unaware that they were not required to have inspections done every year, like Virginia. However, I did notice many more broken down cars on the side of the roads or in peoples’ driveways.
We even drove around town in his grandmother’s car, which was in very poor shape itself and an inspector would more than likely deem it an unsafe vehicle.
Between November 27 and December 1 of 2019, Utah State Police responded to 598 motor vehicle accidents during snowy weather.
Part of this can be attributed to the fact that Utah doesn’t often get snow, but a very large part of the reasoning is the fact that Utah does not require state inspections, and most of these cars were not safe to drive in any condition other than sunny and dry.
It is immensely dangerous for states to stop requiring annual state inspections because people have no idea what they’re driving.
The majority of people do not know how to measure their brakes or tell if their exhaust pipe has a hole in it under their cab, causing them to breathe harmful emission gases.
It’s difficult for someone whose expertise is not in the general automotive field to diagnose a misfiring cylinder or tell if their upper and lower radiator hoses need replacing.
For someone who doesn’t know these things, maintaining a vehicle is nearly impossible.
Being required to take your car to a professional in the automotive field once a year should absolutely remain a requirement to keep everyone on roads safe.
If your vehicle is falling apart in places that you don’t know about, you put yourself and everyone else on the road in danger.
Many argue that doing away with state inspections saves the $20 a year or the extra $150 they would have to pay for an unexpected repair in order to pass an inspection. But that $20 to tell you your car is fine, or that $150 to fix an unsafe component is far cheaper than a lost life or a totaled car when that unsafe car loses a wheel or the brakes go out.
Annual State Inspections are required for everyone’s safety and removing this is compromising the safety of millions. Do yourself and everyone around you a favor, and get your state inspection done every year and don’t drive an unsafe car.
HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Michelin and BFGoodrich tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.
While you’re driving your Buick, you may feel that the car is pulling to one side. It could be time for you to get a wheel alignment.
A vehicle pulling in one direction, uneven tire wear, and a crooked steering wheel are signs that a tire alignment is needed.
Read about problems that could be mistaken for a tire alignment problem in this article.
Curbs, potholes and suspension wear can cause tires to go out of alignment.
We recommend tire alignments when you get new tires and every 15,000 miles.
What happens if you don’t get regular Buick tire alignments
If you drive a Buick and don’t have an alignment performed regularly, you run the risk of having tire wear problems. This not only means that your tires will wear out sooner, but there will also be a chain reaction of symptoms.
For example, if you have a tire that wears out on the outer shoulders and it gets bad enough, then your car might start traveling to the left.
At that point, a new alignment won’t address the issue, because it has become a tire problem.
We have state-of-the-art equipment, and specs for all makes and models.
More information about what happens during tire alignments can be found in this blog post.
In addition to alignments, we provide an assortment of services, including repair for Buick cars and SUV’s.
HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Michelin and BFGoodrich tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.
Do you want to save money and prevent auto repairs from cropping up down the road? You can by taking care of your vehicle.
One way to maintain it is through an automatic transmission fluid exchange.
On Monday, Sydney and Jason conducted this service on a 2010 Kia Forte.
Performing an automatic transmission fluid exchange
They used a BG Transmission Fluid Exchange Machine.
“We hook it up in series to the car, and as the car is running it pumps out old fluid while the machine pumps in new fluid,” Sydney, a General Service Technician, explained.
For some vehicles, an automatic transmission fluid exchange is recommended every 35,000 to 45,000 miles. Others may not need it until they reach 120,000 miles.
Why this service is important
The transmission fluid helps keep the transmission clean, so it’s important to change it regularly.
As the fluid breaks down, it doesn’t function the way it should.
Automatic transmissions use hydraulic pressure and clutch plates. If the hydraulic fluid isn’t at the right level or working correctly, it can do premature wear on the clutch, which can lead to transmission problems.
HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Michelin and BFGoodrich tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.
The engine is one of the most vital parts of a vehicle. How long it lasts can range from a couple of years to the lifetime of the vehicle.
This component reached its limit on a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
In addition to its check engine light turning on, the vehicle hesitated when accelerating. A tapping sound could be heard from inside the engine, as well.
Checking the spark plugs was the first step for the technician. During a diagnostic test, there was a misfire on one of the cylinders.
Misfires can happen when there’s an excessive amount or not enough air or fuel. They may be caused by bad spark plugs, ignition coils, timing belt or fuel injectors.
The Jeep was also in need of an oil change. When he was removing the oil, the technician noticed metal shavings that resembled glitter. This led him to believe that the issue laid deeper.
Sometimes, metal shavings in oil mean that there’s a design flaw. It can also be a sign that certain components – like the timing chain or intake or exhaust valves – are experiencing wear or that maintenance is needed.
Metal shavings in oil
Other signs that a new engine is needed
Misfires and a car that seems to be struggling to accelerate aren’t the only symptoms you may notice when it’s time for engine replacement.
Knocking noises can be heard if you need a new engine. Certain codes could appear, too.
There’s no code that tells you that you have a bad engine, but codes can serve as a starting point and indicate related problems. These include knock sensor codes, codes associated with timing and cam position, misfire codes and cam and crank correlation codes.
Shuddering, a car that won’t start, and smoke coming from the exhaust are other possible signs that engine replacement might be required.
A flashing check engine light is another indicator you should be watchful for. When this happens, the vehicle could be telling you that there’s an engine problem. You shouldn’t drive it if the check engine light is flashing.
What can cause engine problems?
Some engine problems can’t be prevented or resolved.
For example, we found a hole in the engine block of a Hyundai Santa Fe when removing the starter. It appeared that the hole was caused by something breaking. This led to the motor locking up.
A hole in the engine block of Hyundai Santa Fe
Engine replacement extends to problems with other components, too.
If the timing chain or timing belt breaks on an interference engine, the valves can come in contact with the pistons, causing the valves to bend.
Investing in a new engine could also be in your best interest if there are cylinder head problems or common variable valve timing (VVT) issues, such as sludge buildup.
Taking care of your car
The lifespan of an engine can be extended through proper maintenance. This includes regular oil changes – typically every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, depending on the vehicle.
There are also oil additives, such as BG MOA, that keep sludge from collecting and offer additional protection.
You should also make sure that air filters are replaced and fluid exchanges and tune ups are performed.
Taking care of your car doesn’t just keep the engine running correctly. It could also prevent problems and expensive repairs in the future.
HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Michelin and BFGoodrich tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.
A customer came to HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire, because their vehicle’s check engine light had turned on.
They stated that they weren’t having any problems when driving the car, but the light had turned on a couple days earlier.
The check engine light coming on is one problem that can be addressed through diagnostic testing.
You may have heard of this process if you’ve had something going on with your car.
Diagnostics might sound unnecessary, but it’s a very helpful and important part of getting your vehicle back on the road.
The importance of performing diagnostics
Diagnostic testing goes beyond reading a code or looking over a vehicle.
Anybody can take a car to have a code read, or check it out themselves with a flashlight. Diagnostic testing enables technicians to dig deeper into the problem.
Codes are like zip codes — they tell us where in the neighborhood you’re supposed to be. However, further investigation is necessary, because they can mask other issues.
For example, there could be a code for a catalytic converter and we could say, “OK. We read the code. Replace it.” But the code could really be caused by oxygen sensors that aren’t reading correctly.
Through diagnostic testing, technicians are able to determine the actual reason for a failure or problem, which can help you save money in the long run.
Diagnostic testing process
The diagnostic testing process begins by gathering relevant information from our customers.
This includes any sounds, a problem (or problems) they are experiencing, when they are noticing an issue, and any incidents that may be connected with it.
Providing as much information you can helps us narrow down the investigation and come up with a solution more quickly.
Once all of the details have been collected, our Woodbridge mechanics will conduct a courtesy inspection, where they ensure that nothing seems amiss on the vehicle.
Then, the technicians try to encourage the problem to reoccur. This includes performing a test drive, which helps them determine if there are any odd noises or the car isn’t running correctly. As the procedure continues, we hope to zone in on a certain part of the vehicle and, eventually, the cause itself.
While diagnosing a noise or behavior, we also do our own research using Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) – in case it’s a common problem with this type of vehicle. Additionally, our employees utilize diagnostic equipment with built in diagnostic capabilities and other resources that are tailored to auto repair shops.
Using a scan tool on a Jeep
It can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint the problem, especially if what the driver is experiencing isn’t occurring all the time.
For example, the A/C on a Chevy Colorado we’re working on next week will randomly stop blowing air. That could be caused by a few different problems – it may have a bad blower motor or the wiring may need to be replaced.
So, performing diagnostics can take time. You may even need to pick up the vehicle and bring it back when the problem starts happening more frequently.
HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Michelin and BFGoodrich tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.
Many car components play a role in an engine’s operation. Timing chains are one of the items that keep it running the way it’s supposed to.
Located in the front of the engine, the timing chain keeps the camshaft and crankshaft running in correct timing. The crankshaft and camshaft ensure that the engine valves open.
Some cars use timing chains while others come with timing belts.
Wet belts can also be found on certain vehicles today. Instead of a chain, there’s a belt in the oiling system.
How to tell that a new timing chain is needed
Hearing sounds when starting the vehicle is one indicator of a timing chain problem.
The driver of a Mazda Miata, for example, brought their vehicle in when they heard a noise at certain revolutions. This symptom was caused by a variable valve timing sprocket, which had a broken pin.
A new timing chain was installed and special tools were used to make sure everything lined up properly.
Overtime, timing chains can become loose and create a rattling sound. Sometimes, a whining noise may be heard if the chain is rubbing against another component.
If something is wrong with the timing chain, it could trigger the check engine light.
A lot of the newer vehicles will have a cam sensor or multiple cam sensors. A cam correlation code or a camshaft crankshaft correlation code may appear. Depending on the car, you could have one code or several. This can occur if oil changes aren’t performed correctly or frequently.
Many vehicles rely on the timing chain running right and not stretching out. A worn timing chain can also impact cam phasers that move back and forth by oil pressure. So you may also receive cam phaser codes when the chain is bad.
If you do get a camshaft correlation code, one of the easiest things you can do is check your oil to make sure it isn’t low. Low oil can increase the wear of your timing chain components. Since the cam phasers and tensioners aren’t able to operate correctly if there isn’t enough oil, having the correct amount of oil could solve your problem.
The camshaft can get out of time if the chain is stretched or one of the guides becomes broken or worn. As a result, the valves won’t open and close at the correct time, potentially causing a misfire.
Timing chain maintenance
A timing chain’s lifespan depends on the manufacturer. Some vehicles could have timing chain problems as early as 60,000 or 90,000 miles. Other cars can go 300,000 miles without seeing an issue.
However, just because they tend to last thousands of miles doesn’t mean they should be neglected.
Oil change maintenance is one of the biggest factors behind the timing chain’s lifespan.
If you aren’t having oil changes performed regularly – no matter what the manufacturer is – you are greatly increasing your chances of having problems.
Possible issues may also be discovered during oil changes, helping you avoid major repairs in the future.
HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Michelin and BFGoodrich tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.
This week, I decided to have the oil changed for my Volkswagen Beetle at HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire.
Since it was already going to be in the shop, I also asked them to do a Virginia Safety Inspection.
While they were conducting the inspection, they discovered that the Constant-Velocity (CV) Boots have ripped.
What are CV boots?
The CV Boot is part of the CV Axle, and it holds in grease for the CV Joint. The CV Axle powers the wheels from the transmission.
If a vehicle loses the grease, it will cause more metal on metal friction overtime. This creates more heat and shortens the CV Joint’s shelf life.
If properly maintained, CV Boots can last 20 years. However, as soon as you get any type of oil or air mixture, it’s really bad for the rubber and causes the rubber to crack and break.
I wouldn’t have known about the CV Boots being ripped if they hadn’t performed a Virginia Safety Inspection. Depending on where you go, that sort of problem can be missed during a regular oil change.
HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Michelin and BFGoodrich tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.
HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire in Woodbridge is a Michelin, BFGoodrich and Uniroyal tire dealer.
We do sell other tires, depending on the needs of the customer and what kind of vehicle they have.
As a tire shop, we can repair tires, as well. We use a patch plug from the inside, according to the Tire Industry Association guidelines.
Doing a patch plug from the inside allows you to see if there is other tire damage on the inside that you wouldn’t be able to see if you used a string plug.
We have employees who have completed training on tires.
Other tire shop services
A tire shop is also able to check your vehicle’s wheel alignment and make any needed adjustments.
You should get an alignment when you’re getting tires. This helps with the longevity of the tires, so they don’t wear out too quickly because of a suspension or steering component problem.
Some of the discount tire places only put on tires, they don’t perform alignments and they may not necessarily do a patch plug from the inside.
HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire also recommends road hazard warranty on the tires. Therefore, if you have a problem with your tire — like, if you hit a curb or something damages the tire’s sidewall — it would be covered. At discount tire places, they may not offer that.
A lot of the time, the manufacturer’s warranty doesn’t cover items that puncture the tire while driving on the road.
HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Michelin and BFGoodrich tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.
