Bear Auto Repair and Transmission Repair

There are many systems and parts to maintain on a vehicle, so it is no surprise that many may be forgotten. However, that doesn't make them any less important. The cabin air filter is a vital part of your vehicle's ventilation system. Its job is to remove pollutants from the air which circulates through your car. Clean air within the cabin is essential for the health and safety of all passengers. Without a proper air filter, you could be at risk of harmful engine gasses entering the cabin. Not only do you need to worry about your vehicle's gases, but also the trucks and other vehicles which leave gasses behind as they drive in front of you. If you struggle with allergies, a good cabin filter is critical as it helps remove the pollen from the air as you drive. Another benefit of clean cabin air filters is lower maintenance costs. Dirty and polluted air will cause your vehicle's ventilation system to work harder, and in turn, reduce its efficiency. If ignored for to ... read more

Back to school time is creeping upon us once again. And some of us are on our way in sending a child off to college with their car. It is time to consider whether the vehicle can meet the riding challenges en route to university. Whether it's a new or old vehicle, we want our children to arrive at their destination safely. As a parent, some questions to consider regarding the trip are: How many miles away is the school?  What type of roads will the vehicle be driven on? Highway? Busy city streets? Will the student be using the car while on campus? If so, are there any fees associated with that? Once there, will the vehicle be kept in a garage or be subject to a parking lot? A new environment can create new challenges for any driver of any age group. It is essential to have that last talk with your child about car safety before sending them off.   Tips for Parents Consider a Pre-College Inspection. As mentioned before, you have to anticipate and plan for the new env ... read more

Your vehicle's motor relies on the engine oil to function efficiently. That means that there must be a controlled level of oil pressure. Vehicles feature oil pressure sensors that monitor oil levels and pressure in the engine. Therefore, it is critical to understand what the oil sensor is, how it works, and its signs of failure. Having that knowledge is crucial because you can detect issues early enough for timely repairs. How an Oil Pressure Sensor Works As mentioned earlier, the primary function of the oil pressure sensor is to track the pressure of oil in the engine and transmit the resulting data to the oil pressure gauge. The oil pressure system has an electronic control unit that collects data from the sensor and sends it to the gauge. If there is a significantly low oil pressure level, the system will trigger the oil pressure warning light. Signs and Symptoms of a Bad Oil Pressure Sensor Like the engine speed sensor or the manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor, the oil ... read more

Catalytic converters have a rich history that's spanned a period of nearly a century. They were patented by Eugene Houdry, whose original intent was to use precious metals banded together in an effort to reduce automobile smog in major cities across France. Little did he know that his invention would have practical applications in the modern era where concerns of global warming would soon dominate the landscape. Catalytic converters have been a huge part of American car culture for over 40 years, as they've been doing their part to greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions for that long. In fact, they were mandated by law as far back as the 1970s for these very reasons. Our environment and health have greatly benefited from catalytic converters. Unfortunately, so have car thieves. Their vast combination of precious metals has made them a target for those looking to make extra money by converting them into scrap metals. Catalytic converters do their job very well. In fact, their ... read more

No car can function without its battery. The battery is responsible for starting the car up and powering all the electronics, yet it does have a finite lifetime as it is subject to wear. Here are some telltale signs that your car's battery is nearing the end of its life and warrants replacement. No start or slow start As the battery is responsible for providing the starter with a charge to get the car running, any problems with starting the car may be due to a faulty battery. A dead battery will not provide any charge, and therefore the car will not start at all, while a weak battery will take some time to get the engine started. Once your car is slow to start, you should intervene as failure is imminent. Check engine light is on The check engine light is notoriously difficult to interpret as it comes on for just about any reason. That said, an illuminated check engine light should prompt you to check your car's battery. Malfunctioning electronics The battery, as mentione ... read more