Len’s Automotive

4 Tips to Prepare Your Car For Winter

Tue, 29 Nov 2016 08:38:00 GMT

Before Jack Frost settles in for the long haul, here are a few things you should do to make sure your vehicle is ready for the cold season.

1. Check your battery: Cold weather is very harsh on your battery. When those temperatures drop, starting an engine can take almost twice as much current as it would need on an average day. Have a technician run a load test to see if it’s time to replace your battery.

2. Check your anti-freeze: To prevent freezing, your engine cooling system should be a 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and water. In addition to replacing the antifreeze, it’s smart to pressure test the cooling system to spot any possible leaks.

3. Change the engine oil: Cooler temperatures can reduce the effectiveness of your engine oil, causing it to thicken and not circulate through the engine as smoothly. Ask us about using a thinner oil for the winter months.

4. Bring your vehicle in for inspection: To make sure you’re fully prepared for winter months, it’s always a good idea to have a certified technician inspect your vehicle. A lot happens under the hood of your car, and we want to ensure you and your family are safe this winter season on the road.

Len’s Automotive Gives Back to The Community

Tue, 29 Nov 2016 07:22:00 GMT

Local business owner Ken Mattson of Len’s Automotive honored local families with a special event on Nov. 5.
Family Service Day–Keeping Cars Kickin’ is a national program designed to help automotive businesses share their expertise and give back to the community. During the company’s first service day event, the shop owner and employees gave up their day off and were closed to the public to provide general auto maintenance and car-care education at no charge to local families in need. Families were referred by Attain Housing, an agency that helps homeless and at-risk families with children in King County to become self-sufficient. Mattson and his team plan to host their second event in May 2017 as part of Family Service Day’s semi-annual National Day of Service.

Fuel Pump Failure

Mon, 09 Dec 2013 22:02:00 GMT

Len’s Automotive, Inc. Tech Question :
I was driving on a local Bellevue highway and my SUV started sputtering and then the engine finally quit and I couldn’t get it started. I was towed to a shop in Bellevue and found out I had to replace my fuel pump.

What could I have done to have saved my

fuel pump ?

Len’s Automotive, Inc. Answer :
This is a tough one for Bellevue auto owners because there isn’t any maintenance recommended for fuel pumps. They’re inside the fuel tank and you really can’t get to them without removing the tank. But Bellevue auto owners can do some things to make their job easier so they last a little longer.

A lot of vehicles are equipped with a fuel filter on their gas line. This filters out dirt and rust from the gas tank before it gets to the engine. Replacing a clogged fuel filter as recommended reduces the strain on your fuel pump.

Many newer vehicles driving around Bellevue have their fuel filter inside the fuel tank so it cannot be changed. A good tip for WA auto owners is to not run the fuel tank too low – this can cause fuel starvation that excessively wears the pump. Also, you can’t go wrong using good quality gas with high levels of detergent. This helps prevent the buildup of varnish and gum all along the fuel system.

A professional fuel system cleaning will clean fuel injectors and help remove carbon deposits from the valves and combustion chamber.

All these things improve fuel economy and increase performance for Bellevue auto owners. Ask your helpful Len’s Automotive, Inc. service advisor if a fuel system cleaning is recommended.

Give us a call

Len’s Automotive, Inc.
1620 136th Place NE
Bellevue, WA 98005
425.641.4880

At Len’s Automotive, Inc. in Bellevue WA (98005) we install quality NAPA replacement parts . Give us a call at 425.641.4880 . To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com .

Driveline vibration

Wed, 20 Nov 2013 15:53:00 GMT

Len’s Automotive, Inc. Tech Question :
I’m Doug. A few years ago I was driving my 1985 Dodge Ram with about 80,000 miles on it. I was going up a hill in Bellevue and heard a noise like a tin can rolling down the road. I looked back and saw my drive shaft bouncing down the hill. I put it in four wheel drive and drove to my Bellevue mechanic to get it fixed.

What could I have done to prevent that?

Len’s Automotive, Inc. Tech Answer :
Now that’s quite a story. Doug was fortunate that his vehicle had a part-time four wheel drive system that would let him get home without a rear drive shaft.

This “case of the missing drive shaft” highlights the need for regular inspections. Now most Bellevue auto owners are familiar with recommendations for preventive maintenance services like oil changes and coolant replacement. What you may not know is that there are also recommendations for inspections at various intervals.

By the time a vehicle gets 80,000 miles on it like Doug had, the owner’s manual would have called for an automotive analysis of things like the suspension, brakes – and the drive line. Chances are that such an inspection at Len’s Automotive, Inc. would have revealed early signs of a worn u-joint and Doug could have had it fixed before his drive shaft went rattling down the road.

Ask your helpful Len’s Automotive, Inc. service specialist about the inspections your vehicle should have.

Give us a call

Len’s Automotive, Inc.
1620 136th Place NE
Bellevue, WA 98005
425.641.4880

Len’s Automotive Launches NEW Website!

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 14:56:00 GMT

We got a new look! Len’s Automotive of Bellevue, Washington, has launched a new website. We understand that the web is taking over how our customers are looking for businesses and services. Our goal is to make sure that our quality auto repair services can be easily found on the web!

Feel free to browse around our new website and let us know what you think. Please come back frequently to check out the latest news, photos, advice & promotions.

By taking your vehicle to a NAPA AutoCare Center, you’re getting the best of both worlds. All AutoCare Centers are independently owned shops that take pride in their communities and customers while still being backed up by a national warranty and the trusted NAPA brand.