Johnson City Auto Repair

We hear it all the time at Ponder Auto Repair in Johnson City: what does the timing belt do and how do I know there’s a problem? At some point, the rubber timing belt in your vehicle will deteriorate and snap in two or sometimes the belt’s teeth break off. If this happens, your engine won’t work. This can be an expensive tow and repair. We can check your timing belt and replace it before it breaks. What does the timing belt do? The timing belt rotates the engine’s cam and crankshaft so that each cylinder fires at the right time. It is located in the front of the engine and your engine needs the timing belt to run. Your car’s manufacturer offers a recommendation on when you should replace the timing belt. We can also take a look at it for you, but let us know if you see any of the warning signs of a worn out or broken timing belt. How to Identify when the timing belt has a problem? A ... read more

If you live in Johnson City, part of your spring cleaning should include car and truck repair at Ponder Auto Repair. We’ve worked on all makes and models of cars, trucks, and SUVs. We have been committed to our customers and our community since 1982. So, as the weather warms up and spring gets you out of the house and doing home repairs, don’t forget to take care of your vehicles. Car maintenance and repairs should be done after the cold, winter driving. Doing the needed work now can save you more expensive and time-consuming repairs later on. You don’t want to be going to a graduation or summer vacation and have car problems. Our experienced and friendly technicians are ready to help you tackle your auto maintenance and repair chores. Here are some things you may want to put on your spring cleaning list. Some of these you can do yourself like cleaning the exterior and interior of your car, but the others you should have a professional take care of. C ... read more

You depend on your car. So, taking care of your car’s engine is important. Did you know cleaning your engine helps remove build-up residue and protects the engine? It can lengthen your car’s life, make it run cooler, and resist grime. Bring your car to our technicians at Ponder Auto Repair in Johnson City and we will make sure your engine is clean and in good condition. If you have a high-mileage car like so many people do, you need to pay attention to your engine by using an engine degreaser to clean it at least twice a year. This will keep your vehicle running better and longer and will protect against wear and tear, and things like salt, tar, snow, and road grit and grime. According to a Cars Direct article, leaving grease in the engine can decrease a car’s ability to accelerate rapidly and can lower the maximum speed of the car. Here is how to ... read more

Your car’s alternator is the charging system that powers your battery and helps control all things electrical. So, for alternator problems and repair, come to Ponder Auto Repair in Johnson City. Our technicians are certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), and we’re the only shop in Johnson City to have earned the ASE Blue Seal of Excellence. Your vehicle uses a lot of electrical power. You’ve got lights, radio, CD players, and windshield wipers just to start. If the car’s battery was the only source of power, it would be depleted pretty quickly. That’s why your car has an alternator. Its job is to keep the car’s battery fully charged. A recent My Auto Repair Advice article explains how the alternator maintains the battery. The engine drive belt, called the serpentine belt, sends engine power to the alternator. Now th ... read more

Do you have a Ford F-150 pickup truck? It’s been a popular selling model. In fact, not too long ago Ford couldn’t even make F-150 trucks fast enough. But its popularity has declined recently, perhaps because a number of glitches have surfaced up again and again. Let’s take a look at some of the Ford F-150 pickup truck common problems, ones that our certified technicians at Ponder Auto Repair in Johnson City can help you diagnose and repair. According to a Forbes article, Ford F-150 trucks used to roll off the sales lot in 9-12 days. And positive reviews praised the truck for its all-aluminum body, as well as having the highest tow rating, biggest payload, and best gasoline fuel economy in the half-ton segment. However, Ford F-150 pickup truck common problems are hurting sales. Here’s a quick review. Spark Plug Gap ... read more

Maintaining your car is important and an oil change is considered one of the most vital maintenance services required to ensure the longevity of your vehicle. That’s why our customers frequently ask how often should my car get an oil change? Honestly, it all depends. But our auto technicians at Ponder Auto Repair in Johnson City can help you determine the best course of action. Let’s talk about the factors that go into how often should my car get an oil change:Manufacturer’s Schedule The best way to tell is to look at the car manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule for oil changes. They built it, so they know what works best for your vehicle year and model. If you have the owner’s manual, check there first. Most people just keep the manual in their glove box so it is handy for an easy reference. If you don’t have the manual you can find the ... read more

p>Our auto technicians at Ponder Auto Repair in Johnson City want to remind you about the preventative maintenance you need to do on your car and when. Your vehicle will run better and longer when you pay attention to the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance schedule. Our technicians can also help you decide when maintenance is due based on the condition of your vehicle and your driving needs. Here are some suggestions from a Life Hacker article that really spell out how to determine when your car needs maintenance. Read Your Owner’s Manual Your owner’s manual has your car’s suggested regular maintenance schedule. It will have suggestions for oil changes, filter changes, drive and timing belt changes, and many other maintenance items. It also offers importa ... read more

If you drive the popular Ford F-150, you already know that it’s one tough truck. Of course, at some point or another, it will experience mechanical problems. Lucky for you, our technicians at Ponder Auto Repair in Johnson City know how to fix any issue, including the top 5 Ford F-150 repair problems. Problem 1: Spark Plug Gap Causes Ignition Coil Failure If you see the check engine light on your F 150 come on, an excessive spark plug gap could be causing an ignition coil failure. This could also lead to the engine misfiring or sputtering. The ignition coil transforms the Ford F-150’s battery voltage into a higher voltage needed to ignite fuel by the spark plugs. Our technicians can fix this problem by replacing the spark plugs, the failed ignition coils, and the coil boots. Problem 2: Spark Plug Ejection From Cylinder Head The V ... read more

If you are asking what does a check engine light mean, it’s time to get your vehicle checked out by a professional because a check engine light means your car has a problem that could affect your car’s emissions systems. Ponder Auto Repair in Johnson City says the engine symbol on your dashboard will light up and either blink or remain constant, depending on the problem. The website >motorist.org explains if the vehicle’s problem is not an emergency but you should get your car in soon, the check engine light will be constant. However, when the check engine light blinks that means there could be a severe engine misfire and that may mean unburned fuel is being dumped into the exhaust system. If that happens it can raise the temperature of the catalytic converter so much that it causes damage and that can mean an e ... read more

Any car problem is frustrating and seems to happen at the most inconvenient times. Most surprise problems can be avoided if you perform regular maintenance. Regular maintenance can help prevent any unforeseen car issues. There are several types of maintenance you can do. Basic regular maintenance or a complete overhaul or car check-up. Ponder Auto Repair wants you to know just how important regular car maintenance is to the life of your vehicle. Basic Car MaintenanceRegular car maintenance is necessary to keep your car running at its best. The engine is the main component of your car. When it is not working properly, your car is useless. Having your engine regularly maintained will ensure that it is working properly. It is also important to check your transmission. As important as the engine, your transm ... read more