Albany Auto Repair

Have you heard the news? Investing in your car is now safer than keeping money in the bank 😅   Sorry, I had to, but for real new car prices, fuel prices, Interest rates, all of it is through the roof! Now is the time to keep up the maintenance on your current car or even get an older car you stashed away back on the road.   New cars are great, but so is saving money. We can’t do anything about fuel prices, but a well-maintained vehicle will get the best mileage possible; no, a huge truck isn't going to get better mileage than a little car, but that truck can gain several MPG from proper maintenance.    Take this recent purchase, a  2012 Ford F-450, needed to tow a large trailer with. It could be purchased cheaply because the previous owner did not take care of it well and it needed a few mechanical repairs.   We don’t do paint or bodywork here at Crabtree Auto, but we can handle all the mechanicals of whatever you drive!   ... read more

Springtime is approaching, and with better weather, Spring Break, and all-around fun times ahead, the last thing you want to deal with is car trouble!   Like spring cleaning, your car or truck can benefit from a good cleaning and checkup. The cold, wet, and sometimes snowy winter can be hard on everything, especially for shocks, brakes, and other components under the car.    And things like air conditioning don't get much use during the winter, so it's a good idea to ensure it's in top shape. The last thing you want is to be on a warm sunny spring break just to find out it will be a hot drive back home without A/C!   A spring inspection, including fresh fluids and filters, will keep the Spring smiles rolling.   We are ready to help you get ready for spring! Schedule your spring checkup today. So give us a call or schedule your appointment today with the link below.   https://www.crabtreeautorepair.com/appointments

Why does my Air Conditioner smell?   Tax season. It's a touchy subject no one LIKES Taxes, but for some it means a little extra money to catch up on things like bills and repairs.    The extra cash helps with some of those bigger repairs you may have been putting off. Like that annoying oil leak, or the A/C you have been limping along for awhile or a new issue just popped up that you need to address.  Or maybe even a new set of tires!   We are prepared to help with any car related issues big or small! Call or Click today to schedule your appointment. We also offer maintenance plans to keep your car in the best shape possible at all times   At Crabtree Automotive we work on all makes and models, even European.  From Honda’s to Audie’s.  So give us a call or schedule an appointment today with the link below.     https://www.crabtreeautorepair.com/appo ... read more

How Do I Know When I Need an Alignment?   Does your car pull to one side or the other going down the road? Front tires wear different than the back? Strange vibrations? The thought “Jesus take the wheel” comes to mind. Well, that's a problem, let's fix it.   A functioning automobile should go down the road straight and smooth and when you make a turn the steering wheel should return to center almost on its own. Also, all tires should wear evenly and at the same rate.   If any of these statements aren't true for you then it's time for an alignment!   Alignments need a specialized computer and laser system to ensure all four wheels are within the factory's recommended specifications. It is also always advisable to have an alignment done anytime you install a fresh set of tires.   So schedule with us today to get you going back down the road straight.     At Crabtree Automotive we work on all makes and models ... read more

This unfortunately is not something you can identify on your own.  There are multiple reasons why a heater is not properly functioning.  This is where a good mechanic comes in handy.  Crabtree Automotive has two amazing technicians that can diagnose anything.     Here is a list of some signs to keep a lookout for which will help with diagnosing.   Not hot air coming through the vents. Airflow doesn’t seem to blow as hard. Odd odor coming from the vent. Windows fogging. When you check your overflow reservoir there is nothing in it.   Check engine light. Your vehicle is overheating. Coolant is leaking.     These issues can be very costly if left unchecked.  Save yourself some money and have a trusted mechanic look at it right away.  These issues can be something as simple as closed or clogged vents, extremely dirty air filters, broken heating controls, to as severe as heater core problems, failing ... read more

Why are my headlights so dim?   Luckily this is typically a very quick, easy, and cheap fix.  The most common issue is that your bulb is starting to burn out.     Here are a few common issues:     Your Headlight Lense.  Is it starting to yellow or get discolored?  Is it no longer clear?  A quick but temporary fix is to use a Headlight Restoration Kit to help clear up that discoloration.   Discolored Bulbs.  The bulbs themselves could have build-up on the inside causing the light to be dim.  For this you just need to replace the bulb.     Here are a couple bigger issues:   Wire Corrosion.  If the wires are damaged or corroded it keeps electricity from flowing as needed thus giving the headlights less power and making them less bright.  This is definitely something a mechanic will need to diagnose and fix. Alternator.  Your alternator provides power to most of your ... read more

I like my brakes to stop my car and I am sure you do to!  It is vitally important to change your brake pads before they get too worn.  Brakes need to be clean, free of any liquids.  A quick brake inspection should be done at every oil change, every 3-5 thousand miles.  On average brakes should be replaced every 25,000 miles depending on your driving conditions.  Stop and go traffic is very hard on brakes.   Here are 4 signs that you waited too long to replace your brakes:  1.  You hear a grinding noise when applying the brake pedal.   2.  You should never feel vibration or pulsation when braking. 3.  Noise!  Squeaking, squealing, screeching.     Brakes are meant to keep you from an accident.  Save yourself some time and money by maintaining your brakes (replacing before they are worn down) and not waiting until it is too late.  At Crabtree Automotive we do a complimentary inspection on ... read more

As a technician it makes us confused why manufactures are starting to recommend more and more mileage in between oil changes.  A lot of things can happen in 10,000 miles.    Oil changes are inexpensive compared to replacing an engine.  In these pictures you can see what happens when regular maintenance is not being done.  The Engine oil pickup is completely plugged with oil sludge.  Lack of service is the main cause.  A plugged oil pickup can severely cause a lack of oil flow to the engine, resulting in severe engine damage.                                                           Give us a call today to find out what we recommend for your vehicle.  There is a mileage difference between regular and synthetic oil changes.  It doesn't matter whether you drive a Honda or a Volks ... read more

Crabtree Automotive is proud to help sponsor this great event! This is the biggest OBS Ford specific event in the country! The event kicks-off this year on Friday afternoon at an awesome new location just outside Salem at the Powerland Heritage Park! The new venue offers tons of grass and shade parking as wells as 14 unique on-site heritage museums with something for everyone (vintage and antique cars/trucks and heavy equipment). More details about the venue can be found here: https://www.antiquepowerland.com/   Get More Details Here:  https://obssolutions.net/products/2022-no-bs-obs-truck-show-n-swap?variant=4179

You would be surprised how quickly your cabin air filter can get filled with dirt and debris!    Smoke from fires, dirt from Farmers tilling up their ground, trees, etc.  This is why we check it at every oil change.   The cabin air filter is responsible for filtering out pollutants from the air into the cabin.  If your cabin air filter is dirty it will be unable to do its job allowing pollen and other allergens into your vehicle.   By keeping a clean filter it will allow proper airflow through your ventilation system keeping your components from being overworked and having the possibility of burning your motor and causing your air conditioning to stop working.   A sign your filter might need to be changed is if your vents aren't blowing as strong as they used to.   At Crabtree Automotive we work on all makes and models of vehicles, even European.  From Honda's to Audi's.  Just give us a call ... read more