Automotive Repair

  • Radiator Cooling Fan Won’t Turn Off?

    Automotive radiator

    At Zylstra Automotive & Diesel in Visalia, CA, we know how annoying little quirks and issues can be. A common problem vehicles experience is a cooling fan that doesn’t kick on and off when it’s supposed to. While a fan that won’t kick off is far less troubling than a fan that won’t turn on, it’s still a problem that needs to be fixed for a variety of reasons. Here’s why, and what you should do.

  • Remanufactured Engines…Just Asking For Trouble?

    3-D blueprint of car with a physical engine in it

    Has the day finally come to replace your engine? If your engine is tired, worn out, and problematic, we can help at Zylstra Automotive & Diesel. First, let's take a look at remanufactured engines; what they are, what ‘remanufactured’ means and why they’re a great way to give your car a new life.

  • Replacement Engine Maintenance to Keep Your Engine Running

    Engine Maintenance

    Once your engine is installed, you’ll want to keep it running right. Zylstra Automotive & Diesel in Visalia, CA has you covered. Sometimes, engines just wear out - however, most of the time they meet an early demise as a result of improper maintenance. Keep your engine running like new by maintaining it the way your technician recommends.

  • Reputable Auto Service

    mechanic holding tool in shop bay

    Looking for the best auto service in town? Why stop there? At Zylstra Automotive & Diesel, we're not only home to the best service you'll find here in Visalia, CA, but the best you'll find - anywhere. 

  • Routine Maintenance for Your Suspension

    mechanic working on the suspension of a vehicle on a lift

    The steering and suspension systems are key safety-related systems that largely determine your car’s ride and handling. Have these systems checked regularly, at least once a year, and usually with a wheel alignment.

  • Save Money and Know the Signs of Engine Failure

    Car Dashboard with 0 RPMs and the oil light on

    Fleet cars, vans, and trucks see a lot of wear and tear. If your engine has already called it a day, then it’s obviously case closed - you need a new engine or a new vehicle. However, there are many times when an engine is about to go down, and you can get it taken care of before it kicks the bucket for good - saving you time and towing in the process.

  • Save Your Engine Before It Quits

    fleet

    Fleet cars, vans, and trucks see a lot of wear and tear. If your engine has already called it a day, then it’s obviously case closed - you need a new engine or a new vehicle. However, there are many times when an engine is about to go down, and you can get it taken care of before it kicks the bucket for good - saving you time and towing in the process.

  • Service that Goes the Extra Mile

    mechanic handing keys to a customer

    At Zylstra Automotive & Diesel in Visalia, we are fully dedicated to providing excellent customer service. Our technicians work hard to ensure timely, friendly, and efficient maintenance and repairs that you can rely on.

  • Some Red Flags You Should Look For

    glow plug

    Glow Plugs are an essential component of your diesel engine. However, a faulty glow plug can go unnoticed or be neglected for quite some time; your truck will still start and run, so it’s an easy issue to overlook. At Zylstra Automotive & Diesel in Visalia, CA, we want you to know what to look for, and why you should be concerned with a bad glow plug.

  • Sometimes it is obvious, others we have to hunt for it!

    car wiring chewed up photo

    Here at Zylstra Automotive & Diesel in Visalia we often do diagnostics and sometimes the problem is obvious after hooking the car up to the computer and reading the codes.  However, sometimes it isn't obvious during a test drive or after hooking it up to all those computer programs!  You know there is a problem and a Check Engine Light is on with the fleet customer telling you the car has been having issues starting and the light has been going off and on depending on several factors.  No pattern, no simple answer but the problem becomes obvious when you start following the "threads of the issue" thanks to all that ASE Technician training.

  • Spark Plug Maintenance is Essential

    spark plugs

    “Spark plug” is a word you are likely familiar with; it’s one of those car terms that you’ve heard your whole life. You know they’re important, you know sometimes they need to be changed. But how do you know when it’s time to replace them? What do they do, and where do they go wrong? Zylstra Automotive & Diesel in Visalia has the answers.

  • Take a break and let's look at your brakes

    mechanic repairing brakes

    Obviously, your brakes are pretty important. At Zylstra Automotive & Diesel in Visalia, CA, we are here to make sure your car, truck, or SUV stops like it should.

    Your brake system is made of many components that all have to work correctly for your brakes to operate seamlessly. If one thing needs to be repaired, the whole system is compromised. Brake pads, rotors, hoses, calipers, and metal lines all play a part in stopping your car. Our team is equipped to make sure all of those parts are in working order, so you can be safe on the road ahead. 

  • Take care of it or high repair bills? Which do you prefer?

    Oil gunked up on an engine.

    We see this with our fleet customers, our regular Visalia car pool drivers and our diesel truck drivers so it isn't just one type of driver that ends up with a nightmare on their hands costing thousands of dollars to repair, asking about the costs of a JASPER replacement engine!  The fact is your driving habits and maintenance habits can easily avoid this issue!  6 EASY STEPS - Service, Tires, Don't Ignore Service Engine Lights, Keep it Clean & Stop Driving Crazy!

  • The ABS Light - why is it on, and what should you do?

    abs light on dash lit up

    Have you ever noticed your dashboard ABS icon lit up? If you have it means there is an issue that needs to be diagnosed, ABS issues don’t need to be ignored long. The anti-lock braking system, or ABS, is an important feature on every modern car, truck, or SUV. It has been legally mandated since 2013 in the US but was standard on almost every vehicle even prior to that. Here’s what you need to know to make sure your ABS system doesn’t fail, from Zylstra Automotive & Diesel in Visalia, CA.

  • The Ins & Outs of Your Turbochargers

    mechanic fixing turbocharger

    Now that you know why your turbo is necessary, you’ll want to know what the turbocharger is made of. Turbos are intricate and precise components, but not actually all that complicated or difficult to understand. Here’s a rundown on the parts of a turbocharger, from Zylstra Automotive & Diesel in Visalia, CA.

  • Thinking About Buying a Used Car

    man handing girl car keys

    Buying a used vehicle can be a risky endeavor, but also a rewarding one. Buying used, even if the vehicle is close to new, will save you a lot of money compared to the price of a new vehicle off the lot. However, there are some inherent risks that come with purchasing a used vehicle; here is how to best avoid trouble.

  • Time to Replace Your Diesel Engine? Let's Explore Your Options

    diesel

    Whether you drive a Chevy, Dodge, or Ford diesel truck, there are a variety of options out there for a replacement engine. Depending on your truck's worth, it may depend on the type of engine and the amount of money you want to put into it. You can purchase a used, rebuilt, remanufactured, or even new diesel engine to replace your old. At Zylstra Automotive & Diesel in Visalia, CA, we’re here to help you choose the right one. 

  • Tips for Being a Better Driver

    driving car on highway

    Nearly every day, you drive your vehicle. Whether it be a couple of miles to the store or a full-on road trip across the nation, you want to make sure that your vehicle is safe to drive and the systems are in check and/or up-to-date. Here are a few reminders to check and see if your vehicle is running in top shape.

  • Tips for Better Gas Mileage

    fuel gauge on a vehicle

    Your gas mileage mostly depends on what kind of car you drive; engine displacement and vehicle weight are the largest determining factors on gas mileage, and there’s not much you can do to change either of those. That doesn’t mean attempting to improve your fuel economy is a completely hopeless endeavor, however. With these tips from Zylstra Automotive & Diesel in Visalia, CA, you might be surprised how much your fuel mileage can be improved.

  • Top Questions to Ask A Mechanic, When Routine Services Are Being Preformed

    technician

    A good technician will give your car a quick inspection whenever you have maintenance performed. Fluid levels, tire condition, dashboard lights, and a variety of other items typically are briefly explored whenever you bring your vehicle in for maintenance. At Zylstra Automotive & Diesel in Visalia, we're good at noticing things that need repair, but the fact of the matter is that only you know your car. You know when your car feels off when its been serviced last (or that it hasn't been serviced at all,) and have at least some vague idea of what’s going on with your vehicle day to day. Here are some questions you can ask us next time you come by the shop;

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