FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Whether you're here for a quick repair or something more involved, our waiting room is set up to make your time with us as comfortable as possible.

We offer free Wi-Fi and comfortable seating if you’d like to relax or catch up on work. Help yourself to coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or filtered water from our dispenser.

Flat-screen TVs are on if you feel like watching something, or you're welcome to just enjoy some quiet time.

At LE Automotive, we aim to make your visit easy and hassle-free—for both you and your vehicle.

As summer is approaching, you'll be glad you kept up with your air conditioning system maintenance. If you haven't been maintaining your air conditioniner, now is good time to start! A regular air conditioning maintenance schedule keeps your A/C running at optimal performance, keeping you and your passengers cool with blowing cold air.

Tips to maintain your car air conditioner:

• Turn on the A/C for a couple minutes at least once a week to help the hoses, valves, and pumps stay lubricated

• Whenever you have your car serviced for any reason, ask the mechanic if they can check the refrigerant levels in your A/C system

• Get a complete A/C maintenance service at least once per year. We recommend before the hot summer heat in Chico begins

Don't put up with an A/C that isn't running at its best. If you notice any of these signs, come into L.E. Automotive of Chico, CA to have your A/C inspected.

• A/C doesn't blow enough cold air

• A/C doesn't blow cold air at all

• Cold air from A/C smells damp, musty, or like mildew

• Loud noise when A/C is on

You shouldn't drive your vehicle if you know the car engine is overheating. If you must drive, do not drive more than a quarter mile. Pull over to a safe location and turn off the engine. Do not open the hood until the car is completely cooled and/or the temperature gauge has moved to cool.

Things you can check for:

• If the radiator cap is cool, check the coolant level. Beward of any hot steam that may be released. If coolant level is low, fill coolant to the top of the radaitor, then put the cap back on.

• Make sure none of the hoses (upper or lower radiator hose, heater hoses) are blocked, disconnected, or burst.

The safest decision is to tow or drive your vehicle to your nearest auto repair shop. Constantly observe the temperature gauge while driving. If you're in the Chico, CA area, come to LE Automotive and we will help you figure out the root of the problem with your engine overheating.

If the check engine light begins flashing, however, it indicates a more serious problem, such as a misfire that can quickly overheat the catalytic converter. Occassionally a check engine light that's not flashing doesn't mean anything is wrong with your car. Our best advice is to bring your vehicle into our Chico auto repair shop so we can diagnose the problem.

• Ignition coil(s) and spark plug(s) needs to be replaced

• Oxygen sensor(s) needs to be replaced

• Catalytic converter(s) needs to be replaced with a new OEM catalytic converter(s)

• Loose gas cap

• Evaporative emissions purge control valve needs to be replaced

• Mass airflow sensor needs to be replaced

• Fuel injector(s) needs to be replaced

• Thermostate needs to be replaced

Brake fluid can absorb moisture, which leads to rust and other debris getting into your brake fluid. This can all lead to your brakes not having enough power to stop and becoming less effective. We recommend having your brakes flushed about every 30,000 miles.

It's always a good idea to read your owner's manual for specific oil change maintenance schedules based on the make and model of your car. Typically, oil and filter changes are recommended every 3 months or 3,000 miles, whichever comes first. Engine oil is what helps lubricate your car's engine to keep it running smoothly.

We recommend flushing your radiator at least once every 2 years. The radiator is an important part of your cooling system, which is why it needs a deep internal cleaning. Radiator flushes involve removing rust and sludge in your car's radiator, and cleaning blocked water channels to prevent engine overheating.