Arlington European Auto Repair

Do you know what color your car's exhaust smoke is? If you don't, it's important to keep an eye out for these colors and other signs of trouble. What does black exhaust smoke mean? If you see black exhaust smoke coming from your car or truck, pay attention to the vehicle's behavior. Black smoke can indicate problems with the engine, but there are several possible causes. One of the most common examples is bad fuel injection, which occurs when fuel is sprayed too early in the combustion cycle. For example, if you were to start a car using diesel instead of gasoline, you would see black smoke come out of the tailpipe. Another potential issue is carbon accumulation on your piston rings. The piston rings are what seal your engine's cylinders so that gas doesn't leak out and air doesn't leak in as it does in a carburetor-equipped vehicle. But if these rings get coated with carbon deposits from poor fuel quality or excessive idling time, they can get stuck in an ... read more

Most vehicle batteries can last up to five years with proper attention and care. If you want yours to last that long, it is important for you to know what causes your car battery to decline and the signs that it will show when it needs a replacement.  The Cause of the Declining Battery There are a few things that can kill your battery's lifespan. Knowing what these things are can help prevent you from doing it to your very own. These factors include: Harsh weather - Hot weather can break down a battery quickly by evaporating the acid inside it.  Overworking the Battery - This is a general term for battery misuse. While some of these scenarios can be accidents, like leaving your lights on overnight, it can also be intentional, like plugging multiple devices to charge simultaneously. Whatever you do, you don't want to overwork your battery. Your battery needs time to recharge. Shakiness - Sudden movements can loosen your battery and its connections over time, causi ... read more

A filter is defined as "a permeable device for blocking out impurities or contaminants before allowing liquid or gas to pass through". Did you know that your car relies on filters? In fact, there are four different filters you should know about. Over time, these devices wear down and become less effective at doing their jobs. Here are the four essential filters in your vehicle that need to be changed regularly: Oil Filters Oil filter changes usually occur at every other oil change, so you don't have to worry about it as much. Your engine oil can pick up a lot of dirt, dust, and even metal after miles and miles of wear. The oil filter blocked out harmful impurities to ensure a clean flow of motor oil. Having it changed on time will reduce the wear and tear on your engine components. Engine Air Filters Whereas the oil filter ensures clean liquid flow, the engine air filter enables clean air to flow. This particular device blocks out dust, debris, bugs, and other externa ... read more

While most people tend to go out to dinner for Valentine's Day, it's overdone. Plus, you have to book a reservation way early in advance. If you want to impress your date this Valentine's Day, why not do something unique and different? Let your car turn your V-day from an ordinary date night to a night to remember with these 6 cute and romantic car date ideas: Drive-In Movie It's time to pack your favorite snacks and blanket and head on over to a nearby drive-in theater. Believe it or not, many of these are still up and running. If there's not one available nearby, you can rent or purchase a projector and make one in your very own backyard. The two of you can put on your favorite sappy romance movie. Star-gazing Nothing screams romance more than stargazing! Grab a drink, some blankets, and get cozy with your partner at your favorite lookout spots. The further away from the city, the better view you'll have of the stars in the sky. Lastly, don't forget to ... read more

A car overheats when the engine's temperature becomes too high for it to properly function. There are many reasons why this may happen, and some causes may be more likely to happen depending on the make and model of the car in question. Nonetheless, this is a problem capable of pulling any driver to the side of the road worried, frustrated, and inconvenienced. By understanding the common causes of this not uncommon problem, however, drivers are better able to prevent their own vehicles from facing these issues. Common Causes of Overheating: Not enough coolant. Coolant, or antifreeze, is necessary for the functioning of a car's coolant system. With too little, the temperature inevitably rises until overheating occurs. Coolant is contaminated. If the fluid in the system has too much dirt, debris, and/or buildup, it will be unable to adequately prevent the engine's temperature from rising. Broken water pump. The water pump is another integral part of a car's coolant s ... read more