Fremont Foreign Auto is your one-stop shop for Hyundai repair. Hyundais are known for the following difficulties:
-Steering problems-As discussed below, we are accomplished experts in suspension and steering repair
-Automatic transmission problems-We frequently repair automatic transmissions that have gone out of sorts
-ABS problems-ABS, anti-lock braking systems are essential safety devices that prevent wheel lockup under braking. Some Hyundais have had fires starting from short circuits in the ABS because of water contamination and corrosion. We will inspect your Hyundai’s ABS to ensure this does not happen to you.
-Engine problems-Some Hyundai owners have reported ticking or unusual noises, seizing, and malfunctioning electrics. We have ASE-certified auto electric repair specialists.
Here are some common repairs we do to Hyundai automobiles:
Alternator Replacement-
We often replace alternators when someone comes in with a car that won’t start and asks for a new battery. After testing the system, we often find that a defective alternator isn’t appropriately charging the battery. But the problem may not be the battery or the alternator, but a constant drain on the battery when the car isn’t running. Modern cars are full of electronic devices, which can cause a battery drain. If this is the case, we will find and fix it without needlessly replacing pricy parts.
Brake Repair-
Brakes frequently need repair because they are designed to wear. Brake pads and rotors lose part of their surface as they do the job of slowing the vehicle. Everyone’s brakes wear out at different rates depending on how you drive. Therefore, frequent inspections are in your best interest. We can replace your old, contaminated brake fluid and bleed the lines to ensure continued good service from your Hyundai brakes. While we’re at it, we will adjust your parking brake. If your brake service light is on, the ABS may need diagnostics and repair to get you back on the road.
Catalytic Converter Replacement-
If you start your Hyundai some morning and it sounds like you are in a race car, thieves may have stolen your catalytic converter. We frequently replace these items as thieves have found they fetch good prices at salvage yards. Also, they wear out, and you can not pass a smog check with a malfunctioning cat. Other symptoms of a bad catalytic converter are a rough-running engine and a check engine light illuminated on your Hyundai’s dashboard. While under your car, we will inspect the entire exhaust system to ensure no leaks. Exhaust leaks may send deadly carbon monoxide into the passenger compartment. We are equipped for all types of exhaust system repairs.
Check Engine Light On-
The check engine light on your dashboard is a product of engineering genius. In the bad old days of automotive repair, mechanics frequently guessed what was wrong when an engine wasn’t running correctly. In 1996 OBD 2 was required in passenger vehicles sold in all 50 states. This technology allows mechanics to diagnose problems with how modern engines minimize smog and maximize fuel mileage. Today the results of your vehicle’s self-diagnosis can be accessed with a cheap scanner from Walmart. However, there is a reason we paid over $10,000 for the one we use. Our scanner tells us much more about why a particular code is displayed, which allows us to get the repair done right the first time. For example, the scanner you may buy on Amazon will not tell you if each of the four oxygen sensors works correctly in real-time. This is critical to understanding the whys and wherefores of a poor running engine. So long story short, think of your check engine light as a “get this car to Fremont Foreign Auto” light. Our ASE-certified master technician will get you back on the road quickly at an affordable cost and prevent the damage that may have occurred if you continued to drive with the check engine light on.
Fluid and Filter Changes-
Draining and refilling fluids and replacing their filters is the most important thing you can do to avoid expensive repair bills. Late-model passenger cars have electric power steering and no fluids! Several fluids are still under the hood and are critical to longevity and safety. Brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air, which can facilitate rusting of your brake parts. Transmission fluid allows transmission of the engine’s power to the driveline without a clutch and smooths out shifts. Coolant keeps your engine within the temperature range specified by the manufacturer. If you have an older car, power steering fluid transmits movement of the steering wheel to the steering mechanism. Engine oil lubricates your engine’s internal parts and helps the cooling system maintain a proper engine temperature. What these fluids have in common is that they remove contamination from internal components and hold it until drained and refilled. All fluids have a limit to how much contamination they can absorb. The filter removes more significant pollutants, but many dissolve in the liquid; over time, the fluid becomes saturated. This is a false economy if you put off Hyundai’s recommendation on when to drain and refill. An expensive rebuild may be in your future.
Spark Plug Change-
Spark plugs last for a long time these days, even to the point that you forget about them, but even those with exotic metal-based electrodes will deteriorate, resulting in poor running, worse fuel mileage, and hard starting. Depending on your Hyundai model, the interval to replace them is between 30-90,000 miles.
Suspension Service-
Suspensions take much battering as we drive on today’s pot-holed roads. But the wear this creates happens slowly, and we get used to a poor ride over time. Besides affecting your car’s ride, worn-out suspension parts wear out tires faster and make steering less precise. Joints, bushings, and other parts will need replacement to maintain the highest level of safety. Shock absorbers, the most misnamed auto parts, only last a few years, but we often see shocks with 100,000 miles on them. The parts we call shock absorbers don’t absorb the shock of road bumps; the springs do that. Shock absorbers, called dampers elsewhere, dampen out the undulations springs naturally do when disturbed. Shocks’ internal parts deteriorate over time and must be replaced to maintain a comfortable ride. When we inspect your Hyundai suspension, we will determine if the shocks, bushings, or other parts need replacement. Longer tire life, smoother ride, and safer steering will be your reward for getting this work done at Fremont Foreign Auto.
Tuneup-
In the bad old days, tune-ups involved procedures that required adjustments to many computer-controlled parameters today. These days a “tuneup” may only specify engine air filter and cabin air filter replacements and a spark plug change. Still, while we are there, the Fremont Foreign Auto technician will check your hoses and look for leaks, frayed belts, and anything else that looks like it will cause you a problem.
Smog check fail
Often the notice from the CA DMV will require you to take your vehicle to a “Test Only” smog check station. This business is not allowed to do repairs when they find a car out of compliance. If you experience a smog check failure, our master technician will find the source and fix it so you can reregister your vehicle in California. Often the reason for a smog check failure is a bad sensor or a bad catalytic converter. Using our sophisticated engine analyzer, we can determine which sensor or catalytic converter (you have at least two) the culprit is.
Timing Belt and Water Pump Change-
The timing belt controls the engine’s valve timing. They must be replaced at Hyundai’s recommendation, 60,000 miles. Putting this off is a false economy; severe and expensive damage can result. At the least, a broken timing belt can leave you waiting for a tow truck. There is no way to know that your car’s timing belt is about to break, so please bring your Hyundai to Fremont Foreign at the appropriate time. When we replace a timing belt, we recommend water pump replacement simultaneously. This part erodes over time, and when it wears out, it can leak coolant, leaving you stranded. While there, we may recommend replacing seals at the front of the engine, which will probably begin to leak when you need a new timing belt and water pump. The labor is the same for this additional work, as we already have the front of the engine disassembled. At the same time, we will inspect the fan or serpentine belt and coolant hoses, which we remove to get to the timing belt, to see if they have perished. This service will ensure trouble-free driving for you and your family.
As you can see, Fremont Foreign Auto is your go-to place for Hyundai repair. Call Fremont Foreign Auto at 510-793-6067 or visit our website to get a quote and book an appointment for any auto repair you need.