Gig Harbor Auto Repair

Sometimes when we talk about exhaust service in Gig Harbor, we think about exhaust pipes and mufflers. And if you can see smoke, or if it's too loud. But, exhaust service at a place like Mackert Automotive is really a lot more comprehensive these days. For example, in the U.S., the federal government mandated catalytic converters for all cars in in 1976 and on-board emission control computers in 1990. and federal emissions requirements have forced manufacturers to come up with much more sophisticated ways to comply with environmental regulations. Cars sold in Canada follow the same guidelines. So, exhaust service has really become exhaust and emissions service. High-tech computer-controlled emissions devices are now a big part of that. And because it's so sophisticated, your vehicle manufacturer recommends having your emission system checked out by a qualified technician, like the ones we have at Mackert Automotive, regularly to make sure everything's working r ... read more

Let's talk about alternative fuel vehicles. In their quest to reduce the use of fossil fuels and harmful exhaust emissions to our environment, automakers will have a number of alternatives for us very soon. For instance, Flex Fuel vehicles are already available in the area. Flex Fuel vehicles can run on gasoline or on E85 fuel. E85 is a mixture of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. The ethanol is made from corn. The benefits are in using less petroleum and reduced pollution. The drawbacks are that E85 gets lower fuel economy and that when gas prices are low, E85 can be more expensive than straight gasoline. You should only use E85 if you have a Flex Fuel compatible engine. Flex Fuel vehicles have special seals and gaskets that can stand up to the high alcohol content of E85. Using E85 in a regular engine can lead to gas leaks and fires. Diesel engines have been around the area for a long, long time. Modern diesels are very refined and fuel efficient. Die ... read more

A lot of gas is wasted in the area by dirty fuel delivery systems. Let's start at the tank. The gas tank gathers dirt, rust and sediment over the years. That's why there's a fuel filter to clean the fuel after it leaves the tank. A dirty filter will rob the engine of the clean gas it needs to run efficiently. The fuel intake components get coated with gum and varnish over time. This results in fuel being delivered inefficiently and some of that gunk getting into the engine. A fuel system service at will leave your intake as clean as a whistle. The big fuel thief is dirty fuel injectors. They deliver fuel to the engine at a specified pressure and in a particular spray pattern. When they're clogged, the fuel doesn't get atomized the way it's supposed to and doesn't get burned as efficiently. See your owner's manual or ask your service advisor at Mackert Automotive when a fuel system cleaning is recommended

Which item is most often stolen from vehicles in ? Is it: Stereo Wheels Air Bag DVD System Well, if you said stereo - you used to be right. But airbags have now surpassed stereos as the biggest target for theft in the Puget Sound region - approximately 50,000 a year are stolen across the country. New airbags cost about $1,000, but go for $50 to $200 on the black market online. Stolen airbags are making their way back into cars that have been in an accident. Of course, the danger to the consumer of having a stolen airbag installed is that you can never be sure what may have previously affected them and if they will work right when you need them. There are reports that 1 in 25 airbag replacements are stolen or salvaged airbags - or no airbag is installed at all. That is definitely one car part you don't want to take a chance with, so recommends following these guidelines:Use a reputable collision repair center ... read more