Blog

The timing belt in a vehicle synchronizes the camshaft and the crankshaft, a necessary process for the engine to operate. A car can shut down in the middle of driving when the timing belt is damaged. It's important to keep the timing belt well-maintained because a broken timing belt can damage the engine and those repairs cost thousands of dollars. It's much less costly to keep the timing belt in good condition.

To know how often you need to change the timing belt, consult your owner's manual. Most cars have timing belts that need to be changed…

Informed car owners typically make better decisions with their vehicles and tend to save money over the lifetime of the car by addressing issues before they become expensive problems. Understanding your car's suspension can help you know when it needs to be serviced.

Excessive bouncing or fighting to keep your car driving in a straight line can indicate problems with your car's suspension system. Comprised of shocks, struts and steering, the suspension system keeps you comfortable as you drive down the road. 

With the summer season upon us, now is the time that many car owners will at least consider waxing their car. Although it is a common phrase, it is often misunderstood what all waxing the car really entails. Car wax is a protective coating applied to the surface of a vehicle that protects it from the elements. This means protection from UV rays, sand, and water in the summer, and ice and salt in the winter.

Many confuse wax with polish, which is a very mild compound that renews shine by smoothing out the surface of the clear coat, but…

In Bend, Oregon, off-roading is becoming a popular pastime among motorists. However, like any hobby, it can be very dangerous to the uninitiated and/or careless. We’d like to take a moment to give you a few pointers on safety, finding proper trails and ensuring your vehicle is ready.

Safety - You need a roll cage; there are no exceptions to this rule. You also need to have winches, tire repair and replacement tools, lockers and safe navigation and communications equipment. Never go alone, even if experienced. 

When your car suddenly needs repairs, it can cause a great amount of stress if you're unfamiliar with the mechanic. Typically, most people are concerned about being overcharged or receiving inaccurate information. However, there are ways that you can empower yourself as a car owner.

First, establish a good rapport with your regular mechanic in Bend, Oregon. Even when you need to have emergency repairs that your regular mechanic cannot complete, the relationship is important to receive all pertinent information about your car, which can be extremely empowering when an emergency arises. 

You have probably heard a lot of advice about your vehicle's motor oil from many different people, maybe even including your mechanic. However, many of these motor oil truisms were either always false, or may no longer be true because of automotive advances.

One oil myth you have probably heard is that your vehicle oil needs changing every 3,000 miles. This is untrue, as the schedule for changing the motor oil is set by the manufacturer and may be 3,000 miles or may be 7,000 miles, depending on the model of the vehicle. 

If a vehicle is experiencing exhaust problems, colorless and odorless poisonous gases could potentially put passengers at serious risk. It is important to recognize exhaust leak warning signs so that potential problems can be averted and corrected quickly.

One of the strongest clues is the presence of popping and hissing moves while the engine is running. A rusty exhaust can also cause vibrations within the steering wheel, car seat, or foot pedals. 

Your vehicle is equipped with two important filters. Making sure they are inspected and replaced when necessary remains vital to your health as well as your engine’s performance.

Cabin Air Filter

The cabin air filter eliminates mold spores which can be harmful to the health of you and your passengers. According to recent studies by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), exposure to fine airborne particles within closed vehicles may have an effect on cardiovascular health, especially in older adults. The average American spends two hours a day in their vehicle. 

Your car has a number of belts and hoses that can become weak, dried out or cracked. You may first discover a problem with a belt when you hear squeaking as your engine runs. A cracked hose can produce a leak in your driveway. If your brakes stop working all of a sudden, you could have a brake line leak.

Routine inspections of your belts and hoses can make a big difference in how your car runs. At Bend Honda, we can talk with you about the various belts in your car and the recommendations for changing the belts before…

You should never use anything but windshield wiper fluid to clean your windshield. There are no other products on the market or any that can be found in abundance, such as water, that can do what windshield wiper fluid can. Using anything else would be a waste of money, waste of time, and could lead to the system being damaged by the foreign fluid and costing you hundreds of dollars to replace or repair.