Honda of Stevens Creek Blog

Understanding how your vehicle functions is important because it can help you know when something is wrong. Your vehicle has hundreds of gaskets that work by sealing two or more surfaces so that gas and fluids don't leak. Your gaskets are made to withstand extreme temperatures and are long lasting, but they will eventually wear out. Replacing your gaskets is important because deteriorating gaskets can cause serious damage.

Most gaskets are made of multi-level steel, but they can also be made of rubber or copper. The most common kind of gasket is a head gasket. 

Aside from all of the driving that you do in your vehicle each day, there are a number of habits that you may have which are leaving behind offensive odors in your vehicle. Whether you are smoking in your vehicle, eating or neglecting to clean up a mess, follow these tips to keep your vehicle clean and odor free.

• Make sure that the interior of your vehicle gets a good cleaning every couple of months. This should include vacuuming the interior, wiping down surfaces and cleaning out garbage. 

Rodents can cause serious damage to your vehicle. From chewing through wires and hoses to making their nest in an inconvenient location, rodents can be a nuisance for any car owner. Luckily our service center is specially trained to prevent rodents from being an issue.

At the service center, the technicians can assess your particular car's risk of rodent invasion and aid in installing countermeasures to keep the pests at bay. One tool you can find useful is rodent repellant tape, which has a very spicy coating that deters rodents from chewing on the wires.  

Nearly every motorist has experienced that heart-sinking moment when a piece of gravel strikes the windshield and leaves a mark. Left untreated, these small imperfections can turn into cracks that cover the entire surface of the windshield. Knowing how to treat them early will avoid greater cost later on.

Whether it's a chip in the glass or a star-shaped crack, filling the imperfection with a clear resin can inhibit it from growing larger. The appearance of the chip may be improved a little or even a great deal, and the imperfection itself is strengthened, leaving it less prone to…

One of the biggest causes of death in the car battery is extreme temperatures. If there is a lot of heat or freezing weather, then that is going to wear the battery out quickly. Even if the vehicle is not running, just having the vehicle out in the elements is going to drain the battery.

Sometimes car batteries die in the summer due to the evaporation of the electrolytes. Therefore, you are going to have to take a few preventative measures in order to make sure that the vehicle is going to last throughout the year. 

The differential consists of a gearbox, which is situated between the wheels on a vehicle. The box may be located on the front or rear of the vehicle depending on whether you have front or rear wheel drive. The system functions in combination with the transmission to transfer the power from the engine to the axle to turn the wheels.

Inside of the box contains lubricating fluid designed to keep the gears from overheating. Over time, the internal temperature of the gearbox causes the fluid to deteriorate. The break down may lead to particle contamination or leakage. 

One of the most important parts of your engine is the timing belt. It keeps the camshaft and crankshaft operating together. The synchronized motion of these two components is crucial for proper engine function. What happens when the timing belt becomes damaged?

If the belt is only slightly damaged, the issues you'll face aren't as serious. You may hear some squealing when your engine is on. The engine may even backfire when you start the car. While these issues are minor, you should get your belt replaced as soon as possible. Once the timing belt snaps, your engine…

Your alternator is the system that is responsible for recharging your battery. Without this important system, your car battery will die. It takes special equipment to determine whether it is your car battery or the alternator that is to blame.

If your car will not start, or dies when you turn on too many accessories, or seems to be losing power, it may be time to have your systems checked. The alternator is like a mini-power plant that generates electricity and sends it to the battery. If it fails, your battery will quickly run out of juice. It may run…

Here at Honda of Stevens Creek, we want you to know how to properly care for your vehicle and keep it looking as it did when you drove it off the showroom floor. While many have heard of the benefits of claying their vehicles, they are also reluctant to give it a try. Claying is a wonderful way to remove many blotches and stains. When done properly, claying can also help your vehicle maintain a smooth, glossy finish.

For optimal results, learn how to use a clay bar and apply it a couple of times each year. You'll be…

Whether you're looking to maximize your fuel economy with your tires or get as many miles as possible per set of tires, choosing between all-weather and summer tires can make all of the difference. Summer tires, often referred to as performance tires, are stiffer and have less rolling resistance, leading to more miles per gallon. All-weather tires have deeper grooves and can be rotated to increase their lifetime.

While all-weather tires are designed to perform well in many different conditions, summer tires excel in warm conditions and in the rain.