Centennial Auto Repair

When vehicle owners prepare for colder weather in the winter, they often think about their tires and their battery. However, those two aren’t the only components that can cause issues for you this season. Seasonal maintenance is more involved than that. At Elite Imports & Auto Repairs, we can help you with your winter car prep so that you can enjoy the holidays with your loved ones.  Below are the top 4 most forgotten auto maintenance items in the winter: 1 - Fluids You should inspect everything from your motor oil to coolant to brake fluid. These solutions help lubricate your vehicle’s various systems. At the very least, you should top them off to ensure they are full. Additionally, you may consider flushing them to cleanse the system of build up and corrosion. 2 - Filters The oil filter often gets changed with your oil, so you don’t have to worry about that one as much. However, your air and fuel filters tend to be left on the back bur ... read more

Have you ever seen colored smoke coming from the exhaust pipe of a car? If so, what did it mean? Exhaust smoke can be blue, black, white, or any other color. Each color indicates something different about the health of your vehicle's engine. It is important to know what these colors mean so that you can address any potential problems as soon as possible. In this blog post, we will discuss the various colors of exhaust smoke and what they indicate. Colored Exhaust Smoke and What They Indicate There are four main colors that exhaust smoke can be: blue, black, white, or any other color. Blue Smoke - Blue smoke from the exhaust is usually an indication of oil burning in the engine. This could be due to worn piston rings, valves, or valve seals. If you see blue smoke coming from your car's exhaust, it is important to take it to an auto repair shop as soon as possible so that the issue can be addressed. Black Smoke - Black smoke coming from the exhaust is usually an indication o ... read more

Shocks and struts are the key elements to a car's suspension system. They play a crucial role of keeping a vehicle's wheels in contact with the road. This is crucial because if your car tires fail to maintain contact with the road, this affects the steering, handling and the breaking. How are Shocks and Struts Different It is not uncommon for people to refer to these two parts interchangeably however, there are differences and the two parts play different roles. Both shocks and struts assist with a vehicle's handling and ride, however they do also perform different functions. Struts are a crucial component of the chassis and suspension system of a vehicle and shocks are individual components of the suspension system. Function of Struts Struts are used on many recent independent suspensions, front wheel as well as rear wheel drive vehicles. Struts are located in the conventional suspension system in the place of the upper control arm and upper ball joint. Its design make ... read more

Other than the engine, the transmission is next in line to be the most integral component of your car, SUV, or truck. As your vehicle ages, you will eventually need transmission services done. The transmission system comprises many parts that can be repaired, rebuilt, or replaced.    In most cases, you shouldn’t require a replacement (as they can be very costly). If you take care of your transmission and regularly have it inspected, you can fix transmission problems at the first signs of trouble. Here are some key red flags that indicate you have a transmission problem: Difficulty Getting In Gear If your vehicle hesitates or struggles to stay in gear, it is a clear sign that you should bring your car to an auto repair shop to have the transmission inspected. Leaving this symptom alone can cause extensive repairs and accidents down the line. Leaky Fluid Transmission fluid helps lubricate the parts and keeps the transmission at optimal temperature. It is a bright re ... read more

Spark plugs are responsible for delivering the spark that ignites the air-fuel mixture in your engine cylinders. They are small, but they play a role in how effectively and efficiently your engine operates. Here are symptoms of bad spark plugs: Engine Misfire A failed spark plug can cause a misfire because it won't send electricity through to ignite the fuel mixture. A bad ignition coil or plug wire will also cause your engine to misfire. Another cause of a misfire is the fuel injector or fuel pump problem. A faulty fuel injector will cause the engine to run lean, while if you have a faulty fuel pump, you might experience too much pressure in the cylinders. It could lead to overheating or even combustion problems. Poor Fuel Economy Poor fuel economy is a common problem caused by many factors, including a bad spark plug, poor fuel filter, or even a faulty fuel pump. Although these symptoms are not always directly related to the spark plugs, they can all point to crucial problem ... read more