Mason European Auto Repair

Preparation for winter must include your car. Winterizing the vehicle ensures it will handle the debilitating conditions and serve its purpose. There is a myriad of things you should evaluate in your vehicle to get it ready for winter, so a checklist will be immensely helpful. The following is a winter maintenance checklist for your vehicle: Wiper Blades and Washer Fluid Snow can severely impede visibility when driving during winter. Your line of defense includes the wiper blades, which should wipe all the snow off the windshield. Therefore, ensure the blades do not miss spots or leave streak marks. Consider getting winter wiper blades that have thicker rubber ends. They will ensure good contact between the wiper and windshield, clearing the windshield and allowing you to see during winter. The washer fluid will also help clean the windshield when driving during winter. A winter fluid with antifreeze is the best solution. Fluids The fluids contained in a vehicle are a grave dang ... read more

You’re driving on the road and minding your own when you look down and see it – the check engine light. Even though there isn’t a noise or smell triggered by your check engine light, it is a symbol that is hard to miss. This light is feared by many motorists because it can mean so many different things. Some of the problems it indicates are more serious than others, which is why you should immediately seek out a diagnostics scan. Here are the most common reasons why your check engine light may be on. Loose or Damaged Gas Cap After filling up at the gas station, you should always remember to tighten the gas lid until you hear the click. The gas lid prevents harmful pollutants from getting into the tank and keeps your fuel from evaporating. When the CEL comes on, the first place you should check is the gas cap. If retightening doesn’t reset the light, check for signs of damage. If you don’t find anything, you should move on to get a scan. Faulty Oxygen Se ... read more

It is not uncommon for your car to smell a little funky. If you are like most people, you are probably used to the smell of stale air coming out of your vents, or the aroma of engine oil and gasoline that lingers on your clothes after getting gas. But there are some smells that are not quite as common—and they can be more than just a little, bit alarming. If your car starts to smell like rotten eggs, it could mean something serious is going on under the hood. When your car smells like rotten eggs, it can be a sign of trouble! Not every case of a foul-smelling car is going to be a major problem, but it is always best to have it checked out by a professional. What Causes It? The most common cause of rotten egg smelling cars is the broken catalytic converter and the presence of hydrogen sulfide—which is what gives rotten eggs their distinctive scent. Hydrogen sulfide can come from any number of sources: the fuel system, the cooling system and even the exhaust system ... read more

Have you recently bought a car and want to keep it in great shape, or have you realized that your car has been slowly falling apart? Either way, old or new, there are preventive measures you can take to improve your vehicle's lifespan. Changing spark plugs Your car's correct operation depends on a number of little but crucial pieces. Spark plugs are parts of the engine that produce the spark needed to ignite the gasoline or air combination and cause the combustion that runs your engine. Spark plug maintenance is necessary because a worn-out or broken spark plug reduces engine performance. Replacing belts Regardless of how many varied belts your type of vehicle has, it's crucial to regularly inspect them to ensure they're operating properly. Poor belt quality might result in subpar performance and costly maintenance. So, get your belts examined, and replace them if necessary. Oil checks and changes To make sure the engine operates smoothly, it's crucial to chec ... read more

Tire rotation is an important part of car maintenance, not only for driving safety, but also for the life span of your vehicle. Rotating your tires might be required to stay covered under your vehicle's warranty, so it's time to get rolling! Some might ask why this is even necessary since your tires rotate the whole time you are driving...but this is a different type of tire rotation altogether. Rotating tires is a cheap procedure often paired with an oil change. If you've noticed shaking while traveling at higher speeds then you might need to rotate. If you see uneven tire wear or loss of tire pressure then you might need to rotate. Tire rotation means switching the location of each tire's position on your car. Usually, it is ideal to rotate your tires every 5,000 miles, or whatever your dealer recommends. Rotating tires gives an opportunity to check them out for possible damage. You can also inspect the tread depth, air pressure and more. If you have been noticin ... read more