Brandy Does Not Get a Good Vibe (Driveshaft Failure)

relayapi on November 30, 2025

brandy

Hello Los Altos!  Welcome to The Barking Lot.  My name is Brandy, and I am the new dog in town.  This is my first automotive blog, and I have to say I am not getting a good vibe, not getting a good vibe, you say.  Well, I am barking about Driveshaft Failure and the bad vibe it can give.  So let’s start barkin’ and roll with the vibes.  

When you feel your vehicle vibrating as you’re driving down the road, one cause could be something you may not have ever seen: your driveshaft.  It is underneath the vehicle and most drivers don’t climb under there to take a look very often.  The driveshaft is a cylindrical part that transmits rotational power from your engine to your drive wheels.  If you have a four-wheel drive vehicle, you may have two driveshafts. 

The drive shaft has bushings, and when they wear out, that’s a likely source of the vibrations.  When the bushings are in good condition, they prevent the driveshaft from vibrating.  And if you don’t get your vehicle repaired fairly soon after discovering vibrations, they’ll worsen and cause other drivetrain components to wear out.

The driveshaft is, of course, only one part of the drivetrain.  It includes other parts such as axles, transmission, differentials and joints.  They all work together and need to be maintained properly.  When a driveshaft fails, there can be symptoms other than vibrations.  They include difficulty turning, rattles, clunks and squeaks coming from underneath your vehicle. You may even feel a shudder when you accelerate from a stop.

Driveshafts can fail when they get corroded or damaged by rough roads, curbs and debris. A trained technician with experience working on drivetrains uses specialized equipment that doesn’t further damage the drivetrain’s other parts.  Sometimes the entire driveshaft must be replaced; sometimes the problems can be fixed by replacing individual components. 

Your vehicle’s drivetrain was engineered to propel you smoothly down the road.  When time and distance begin to take their toll, have your vehicle looked at by your service facility. They’ll know how to properly pinpoint what’s causing your problems and restore your vehicle to the reliable, smooth, safe machine its designers worked hard to create.

Here is my positive vibe quote for you this week,

“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” — Winston Churchill 

Brandy

brandy

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
http://alliedautoworks.com

Cayenne Is Lighting Up your Life (Headlamp Replacement)

relayapi on November 23, 2025

cay

Hey, it’s Cayenne. Did you know that a burned-out headlight can cause your rearview mirror to reflect flashing lights? In other words, you might get pulled over by the police for only having one working headlight, because in most places it’s against the law. So you now that you see the light, we are going to bark about headlamp replacement.  Let’s light it up!!!

Not only is it illegal to drive with one headlight burned out, but it’s also dangerous. You can’t see down the road nearly as well at night with only one headlight, and other drivers can’t see you as easily either.

The good news is that many newer vehicles warn you when one of your headlamps burns out. When that happens, have it taken care of as soon as you can.  While there was a time when all headlamps were pretty much the same, that’s no longer true. Halogen, Xenon, LED, and other technologies are used in modern vehicles.  Plus, there are sealed beams (like those on older vehicles) and capsules.

If you have a burned-out headlamp, ask your service advisor for recommendations.  Usually, when one side goes, the other isn’t far behind. Many suggest replacing both headlamps at the same time.  Your vehicle’s owner’s manual can tell you what the manufacturer recommends.  You also can ask your service advisor about upgrading to a headlight that might give you better visibility. 

In order to make sure you’re able to see down the road the way your vehicle was designed and not blind oncoming drivers, it’s vital that new headlights be aimed properly.  That’s another good reason to have this service performed by a technician. Now, that’s a really bright idea.

Here is my quote for the week, regarding, of course, light.

“There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.” — Leonard Cohen 

Cayenne

 

 

cay

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
http://alliedautoworks.com

Duke Doesn’t Blow His Cool (Water Pump Replacement)

relayapi on November 16, 2025

duke

Hey Duke here, and you know it’s always a good idea to keep your cool, and that’s especially true when it comes to some components of your vehicle.  Today we will bark about water pump replacement and keeping things cool.  So chill and let’s get barkin’!

Your engine is one hot place, and it’s hot under that hood, thanks to the mini explosions that are occurring in the internal combustion engine when it’s running.  Your vehicle has a cooling system that takes the heat out of the engine by moving a liquid coolant to a spot where the heat can escape (the radiator). 

The part that keeps that coolant moving is the water pump, which could probably be more accurately called the coolant pump since water is only one component of the fluid that does the cooling. If the water pump fails, your engine can overheat quickly, and that can cause significant and expensive damage to your vehicle.  Water pumps can be driven by belts (mechanical) or electricity (electric).

Your vehicle’s manufacturer recommends mileage intervals when you should consider replacing your water pump, even if it seems to be working fine.  That way, you are less likely to have a water pump break down at an inopportune time. Some manufacturers recommend replacing it every 60,000-100,000 miles/100,000-160,000 km.

Sometimes your water pump will fail before that, of course.  One sign something is wrong with the cooling system is if you notice the engine is overheating.  An illuminated engine temperature warning light on your dash or a temperature gauge that shows above normal are two things to look for.

You may also see steam coming from the engine compartment, another sign of overheating.  Both could mean your water pump needs replacing.  We also recommend that when your vehicle’s timing belt needs to be replaced, you have the water pump replaced at the same time, since everything will already be apart.

When your vehicle is already in for the water pump replacement, it’s a good time for a technician to examine other cooling system components.  Those will include belts, pulleys, hoses, and clamps, as well as the radiator, thermostat, and heater core.

I leave you with this “Cool” thought, 

“Stay cool, hang tight & admit nothing” ~Cara Delevingne

Duke

duke

 

Cayenne Hits A Bump in the Road (Alignment)

relayapi on November 9, 2025

cay

Hello, Cayenne here in beautiful Los Altos!  You know I love car rides, but sometimes my ride gets a little bumpy as we go down the road, and I wonder what is causing it not to be as smooth as it should be.  Well, today we will bark about this and smooth it all out for you…….so let’s get barkin’!

There’s something you can do that helps your tires last longer, wear more evenly, and your vehicle handle better.  “Sign me up,” you say! Wondering what that is? It aligns your wheels and will literally point you in the right direction for a better, safer driving experience.

When your vehicle was designed, the engineers made sure your tires were all pointing the same way by designing the suspension to make optimal contact with the road. That way, the ride is smooth, you don’t feel vibrations or shimmying, and your vehicle travels in a straight line, without pulling to one side or the other.

Unfortunately, your vehicle is not brand new; time and distance take their toll.  After hitting countless bumps, potholes, or the occasional curb, your suspension gets knocked a little out of kilter.  Those precise angles the engineers planned on for your vehicle? They get out of whack.

Uneven or premature tire wear is one of the first signs your alignment may be off.  If you are driving straight and your steering wheel isn’t pointing straight, that’s another indication alignment might need checking. Tire squealing can also be a clue.

When you bring your vehicle in for an alignment, we use equipment designed to measure the tilts and angles of your suspension’s parts.  The technician will also check whether any of the vehicle’s suspension components are worn or damaged.  We will also check your steering angle sensor to make sure it’s set properly. 

The process differs for front-wheel-drive, rear-wheel-drive, all-wheel-drive, and 4-wheel-drive vehicles. 

After your alignment, your tires should wear more evenly, your steering should be straight, and your wheels vibration-free.  If it’s been a while since you’ve had your vehicle aligned, bring it in, and we’ll check it.  Usually, your alignment will be a little off after one or two years of driving, and it’s wise to follow your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation for how often your model should be checked.

Here is a famous misquoted “bumpy” quote,

  • The classic misquote: “Fasten your seatbelts; it’s going to be a bumpy ride”.

  • The actual quote: “Fasten your seatbelts; it’s going to be a bumpy night”.  ~ Bette Davis

Duke

cay

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
http://alliedautoworks.com

Duke Won’t Charge (Why Won?t My Battery Hold a Charge?)

relayapi on November 2, 2025

duke

Sometimes it’s hard for me to charge up in the morning and get going.  I need that extra dog treat to recharge me.  Hi, Duke here, and your vehicle might not have a charge at some point either.  What is going on, and what does it need to get going????  Today we will bark about why your battery won’t charge, so let’s charge into this and get barkin’!

When your vehicle’s battery is dead, you’re left with that horrible, helpless feeling.  A dead battery means it won’t hold a charge, and there are several reasons it won’t.

One is age.  Batteries have chemical and electrical systems that generate power, and over time, they won’t work as well.  They may have been degraded by exposure to extreme temperatures, both hot and cold. Batteries have a code on them that can tell you when they were manufactured.

Another reason your battery won’t hold a charge is corrosion on the terminals, the metal posts where your battery cables are connected.  A chemical reaction between the battery’s acid and air creates a salty moisture that can corrode those terminals.  

If your vehicle’s alternator is not working properly, it won’t charge your battery as it is designed to, and the battery may lose its charge more quickly than it should. Another possibility is there might be an electrical component that’s staying on when you turn your vehicle off, and it may slowly drain the battery so much that there won’t be enough power to start your vehicle.  

When you notice any of these things, bring your vehicle in so a technician can evaluate what’s causing the problems.  We will give your electrical system a thorough inspection and run tests that can tell the health of the battery and other components.  You may be able to avoid problems by having us evaluate your electrical system regularly as part of a periodic maintenance schedule.

I leave you with this thought on,

“Electricity is really just organized lightning” ~ George Carlin

Duke

duke

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
http://alliedautoworks.com

Cayenne Says Wash Me, Wash Me Right (How to Wash a Vehicle)

relayapi on October 27, 2025

cay

Good day, Cayenne here, and you know I love going to the dog groomer for my monthly nice warm bath.  They know how to wash me and make me happy.  I always come home with my coat looking shiny and silky, smelling fresh.  Your vehicle, too, deserves that same treatment, looking shiny and clean.  So turn on the water, get the suds, and start barkin’ about washing your car!

Most would agree they’d rather drive around in a clean, shiny vehicle than one coated with a layer of dirt.  When warmer weather comes around, some of us are bound and determined to wash our own vehicles.  And to protect the paint and its luster, there are a few things to keep in mind when you get out the bucket and soap.

  • Cool body.  It’s not a good idea to wash a vehicle when the body is hot.  If it’s been sitting out in the sun or you’ve been riding around on a sunny day, make sure you cool your vehicle off by either moving it to the shade or wetting it down with cool water. The problem with washing a hot vehicle is that it dries so fast; minerals in the water can form hard-to-remove spots on the paint.  And some of those can be really difficult to get out.  Best to avoid it.
  • Slippery when wet.  Make sure you wet your vehicle down thoroughly before you get the washing mitt out.  Experts keep a couple of buckets of soapy water on hand and use soap engineered to remove dirt from a vehicle without stripping off the wax that might be on it. 
  • The washing mitt.  Experts say to use a mitt with hundreds of moisture-absorbing strands.  Start washing at the top and move down.  If you keep dipping the mitt into the buckets frequently, a minimal amount of dirt will stick to it, which will prevent scratching the paint. 
  • Wheels last.  Wait until you’ve finished washing the body before washing the wheels.  Some detailers prefer special wheel-washing tools or brushes. 
  • Rinse it well.  Hose the vehicle off thoroughly to remove all soap, then dry immediately.  Some people swear by a chamois; others prefer cloth.  Cotton or microfiber towels will do.  

The next time you have your vehicle in for maintenance, you might ask your service advisor for recommendations on vehicle washing accessories.  They are usually up on the brands that produce the best results.  You may not be a detailing pro, but there’s no reason your vehicle can’t look like you are.

I leave you with this quote for thought,

“I spent three hours washing my car, and it’s supposed to rain tomorrow.

Cayenne

cay

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
http://alliedautoworks.com

How Much Does It Cost? (Variations in Vehicle Repair Costs)

relayapi on October 22, 2025

Ever wonder why it costs so much more to fix a similar problem in two different vehicles? Let’s say you now own an SUV and before that, you owned a car.  Your SUV’s air conditioning system needs a new evaporator, but the cost for the new one is way more than you remember it was for your car.  How can there be that big of a difference?

There are many reasons.  For one thing, vehicles aren’t all the same.  Yes, they have engines and steering wheels and suspensions, but engineering and design can vary widely among different styles and brands. 

In the case of replacing the evaporator, the one in your former car may have been located in a spot where the technician could get to it easily.  Plus, the part may have been less complicated and, therefore, cheaper.  Your SUV may require the entire dashboard to be removed with special tools to detach the a/c lines from the evaporator.  Plus, since it is supplying cool air to a bigger cabin, it may be more complicated; the part itself may cost quite a bit more.

But you’re not an expert, so how do you know the price is fair? This is where it helps to establish a good, long-lasting relationship with a reputable service repair facility.  They know you, they know your vehicle and they value keeping you as a customer. A facility that doesn’t care about repeat business may try to suggest more repairs than are needed or inflate their prices.  But those shops are unlikely to stay in business very long since their reputation gets around. 

If you’ve been taking your vehicles to the same shop for several years, you’ve had experience with them and know their policy on labor costs and parts prices.  At some point you may wonder if it’s worth it to keep putting money into your vehicle, and if you know your service advisor, you have developed a trust for his or her advice. 

Keep this in mind, too.  Vehicle designers and engineers have made significant progress in things like powertrain technology and rust prevention.  That means today’s vehicles are meant to last longer.  One study in a major consumer magazine shows that if you can keep your vehicle on the road for 200,000 miles/320,000 km, an average of 15 years, some vehicles can save you up to $30,000 or more. Investing in repairs can make a lot of sense. 

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
http://alliedautoworks.com

I’m Cool With That (AC Exchange)

relayapi on October 22, 2025

On a hot day, you want your vehicle’s air conditioning to work.  When the air blowing out of your vents isn’t cold, it’s easy to think, “I’ll just take it by the shop and have them top off my refrigerant.” But while some people think air conditioning is that simple, it’s actually not.

If your refrigerant is low, something has to have happened for it to be depleted.  Perhaps there’s a leak in the system.  Or some hoses or clamps have failed.  If the system isn’t evaluated by someone who knows air conditioning, it’s possible that adding refrigerant will just be a band-aid solution.

It’s also possible that contaminants have gotten into the refrigerant, such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, argon, or air.  Some of those gases do not condense like refrigerant does which can increase the pressure inside the system and strain the lines and other components. At that point, the best course of action may be to have the old refrigerant (with its contaminants) bled from the system and have your AC recharged with new refrigerant.

Bring it to us, and we can inspect and test the system and all its components.  That will include a pressure test for leaks.  Most vehicle manufacturers don’t have a service schedule for air conditioning systems, so one way to know when you should have it looked at is when it’s not behaving the way it used to.  For example, it may not get cold as fast as it did before or even at all.

So, when hot air is exiting your vents when you want it to be cold, schedule an appointment and have a trained technician take care of it.  Are you cool with that?

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
http://alliedautoworks.com

Cayenne Takes On TPS (Throttle Position Sensor)

relayapi on October 12, 2025

cay

TPS sounds like Tender Porterhouse Steak to me.  Hi Cayenne here, and no, TPS does not mean that.  Actually, it means Throttle Position Sensor.  So today we bark about what that is and how it affects your vehicle’s performance.   Let’s get barkin’!

You know you have an accelerator pedal; step on it and your vehicle is supposed to go.  But did you know there is a part in your vehicle that tracks the throttle’s position? It’s called the Throttle Position Sensor, or TPS.

The TPS is a sensor that helps your vehicle figure out the right mix of air and fuel is reaching your engine.  It does that by monitoring the throttle and sending the information to your vehicle’s computer.  Other factors play a role in how well your engine is performing, including air temperature, how fast the engine is turning over and air flow. 

When the TPS isn’t working right, you may find your vehicle won’t accelerate or doesn’t have the power you’re expecting when you press on the accelerator.  In some cases, it may accelerate on its own.  Sometimes your vehicle won’t go over a certain speed.  Your Check Engine light may go on.

Any of these symptoms should be checked out soon.  If your TPS stops working properly, your vehicle may not be safe to drive.  Fortunately, most vehicles have a “limp home” mode that will allow you to get off a busy road to a safe spot. 

Your service advisor can let you know which TPS is the correct replacement for your vehicle.  Your shop may need to reprogram the new TPS to ensure it works correctly with other software in your vehicle.

It’s a fact of life these days that computers control many of a vehicle’s functions. The sensors that feed information to those computers help make your vehicle work the way it was engineered to and keep you motoring down the road safely and efficiently.

I leave you with this dog thought,

Perks of being an adorable dog, with great cuteness, comes no responsiblity

Cayenne

 

 

cay

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
http://alliedautoworks.com

Duke Says Look Closely At The Objects in the Mirror (Rearview Mirror Safety and Maintenance)

relayapi on October 5, 2025

duke

Hey Duke here and you may remember a song that went, “Objects in the rearview mirror may appear closer than they are.” While that was a song about life’s lessons, there are a few things we should all know about the importance of rearview mirrors in safe driving.  So let’s check our mirrors and get barkin’!

While new electronic devices are helping drivers stay aware of surrounding traffic in high-tech ways, the good old rearview mirror remains a dependable way of letting you know what’s around you.  There are usually three on each vehicle: one attached to the windshield inside and two attached outside on each of the front doors.

They must be adjusted properly before you start driving (not while you’re driving). Experts say the windshield rearview mirror should cover the area behind the vehicle, while the outside mirrors should not simply duplicate that view but extend it to the sides, where blind spots normally are.

Your rearview mirrors must be able to hold the positions they’re adjusted in; if there’s play in them or they move around, you’ll never be sure they’re pointed in the direction that will let you see where traffic is.  The one on the windshield must be firmly attached.  If it won’t stay where you want it, head to your service facility, where they can tighten it or replace any necessary parts to ensure the mirror maintains its aim. If it has fallen completely off the windshield, a technician can reattach it using the proper adhesives or fasteners.  There may also be electronics that require proper connection.

The outside mirrors cover your blind spots, and they must be able to hold their adjustments as well.  Many adjust electronically; switches and motors can fail, electrical connections can detach or become corroded and the reflective glass can crack, discolor or develop a hazy fog.  A technician can diagnose and repair those problems and recommend any replacement parts you might need.  Mirrors that are adjusted manually should also be restored to proper working order to maintain this important rear visibility.

Drivers don’t think about their rearview mirrors all that much.  On reflection, don’t they deserve respect and care for the important job they do?

I leave you with this funny quote,

Monkeys are superior to men in this: when a monkey looks into a mirror, he sees a monkey.~ Malcolm de Chazal

Duke

duke

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
http://alliedautoworks.com