
Is your diesel having issues starting up? Do you hear a knocking noise? Is there blue colored smoke coming from your engine? Don't ingore the signs, those could all be signs of engine failure. One of the leading issues that lead to diesel engine failure is fuel contamination. Fuel contamination comes in different forms, but always has the same result - engine trouble and fuel system failures. Here’s what you need to know about fuel contamination with diesel trucks, from Zylstra Automotive & Diesel in Visalia, CA.

Cars, trucks, and SUVs use and create multiple liquid substances. Here’s what you need to know about the puddle of liquid under your vehicle, from Zylstra Automotive & Diesel in Visalia, CA. There are a few different substances that can pool under an automobile, and some are more serious than others. Knowing what to look for and what to do could save you from hassle with your vehicle in the long run.

All trucks, from a Chevy S-10, to the largest, heavy-duty trucks on the road, are classified into categories. Trucks are categorized by weight into classifications 1-9, and each grade comes with its own set of regulations and license requirements. Here’s a quick guide, from Zylstra Automotive & Diesel in Visalia.

Your car’s belts and hoses are essential to the cooling, air conditioning, and charging systems, and the engine. Here at Zylstra Automotive & Diesel in Visalia, our team takes them seriously as we understand that ignoring the routine replacement intervals will result in a costly breakdown that could leave you stranded. There are so many components tied together with your belts & hoses that it isn't just a simple belt or hose requiring repairs when you allow things to progress to the stage where your car or truck has a breakdown due to a faulty belt or hose.

Awareness and safety are at the top of our list of concerns here at Zylstra Automotive & Diesel, even more so with all the recall scare that happens in the news. We think a well-maintained car is a safe car that can also save you money in the long run. Here are our top ten tips for keeping your family safe, saving you money, and keeping your car running smoothly.

Car enthusiasts would argue that "those were the days". Everything you drove was built like a tank and had the chrome on it so you enjoyed washing it but NO power steering. For most of us, it is hard to remember life without power steering – cranking those great big steering wheels? It was a pretty good workout. Now power steering is standard. The heart of any power steering system is its pump. The pump pressurizes the power steering fluid that provides assistance for steering. Most pumps are driven by a belt that is run by the engine – a few are electrically powered. A high-pressure hose passes fluid from the pump to the steering gear. A low-pressure hose returns the fluid back to the pump. Here at Zylstra Automotive & Diesel in Visalia, CA we know that you depend on that power steering and check your fluid & hoses religiously!

Your Ram, Chevy, or Ford diesel pickup is a big truck. All that weight takes some strong stopping power and takes its toll on your brake pads - especially if you ever pull a trailer or carry heavy loads. Whenever you need a brake job, Zylstra Automotive & Diesel in Visalia, CA has your back.

Have you always wondered what a spark plug does? Our team here at Zylstra Automotive & Diesel is here to help you out. It's simple in theory but does quite a lot of work for such a small piece of equipment. Your spark plug forces electricity to arc across a gap like a bolt of lightning at high voltage and fits into your engine's cylinder head, where it “sparks” to ignite the fuel and creates combustion within your engine. Without it, you wouldn't be able to drive your car or truck.