Do you need new brake pads? Most of the time, if you think you do, the answer is yes. While a lot of auto parts stores sell brake pads with lifetime warranties, don’t be misled...brake pads will still wear down.

You’ve determined it’s time to get rid of the engine you have, along with all of its issues. You’re probably considering getting something new altogether, and you’re tired of this one giving you issues. Zylstra Automotive & Diesel in Visalia, CA is here to help you make the call.

If your car, truck, or SUV has really been put through the wringer, it might be time for a new one. However, before you decide to throw in the towel there are a few things you should consider.

You have determined your Cummins, Duramax, or Powerstroke engine needs to be replaced. You might be on the fence about whether you should replace the engine in your diesel, or just get a new truck. At Zylstra Automotive & Diesel in Visalia, CA, we’re here to help.

At Zylstra Automotive & Diesel in Visalia, CA, we have seen our fair share of preventable engine failures. Frequently, engine disaster could have been avoided if the driver had known beforehand what the warning lights or gauges on the dashboard indicated. While some dash lights are fairly benign, others indicate imminent trouble. This guide from Zylstra Automotive & Diesel in Visalia, CA will prepare you for the next time your vehicle shows you a warning you shouldn’t ignore.

Whether you drive a Chevy, Ram, or Ford diesel pickup, your truck is a quality engineered machine. At Zylstra Automotive & Diesel in Visalia, CA, we honor that quality - not only in our service, but in the parts, we provide as well.

Once you’ve determined a vehicle needs to have the engine replaced and is in good enough shape to keep on the team, it’s time to find an engine. Zylstra Automotive & Diesel in Visalia, CA is here to help you choose the right one. There are a variety of replacement options when it comes to engines.

Fuel Systems are particularly important on diesel trucks, whether you drive a Ford, Chevrolet, or Dodge pickup. At Zylstra Automotive & Diesel in Visalia, fuel system maintenance and repair is a service we prioritize, since we know how essential a reliable fuel system is.

Your car’s radio and headlights, plus a slew of other important functions, are powered by an electrical current generated by your vehicle’s engine. A vital part of generating electricity is having a place to store it while it’s not being used. This is where your car battery comes into play. The battery of your vehicle holds electrical energy while the car is off in order to help the engine turn over and create a spark to start internal combustion. Without a working battery, your car will not be able to start. If you allow our team here at Zylstra Automotive & Diesel to perform proper maintenance, an average car battery can start your car reliably for roughly four years.

The exhaust on your truck is an important series of components, that work together to ensure smooth, reliable operation. At Zylstra Automotive & Diesel in Visalia, we also know that exhaust systems are especially susceptible to damage and rust; pipes, mufflers, and other parts are exposed to hazards on the road, and to the environment. This situation, combined with caustic emissions and extreme heat, creates a perfect opportunity for problems to arise.

Whether it’s due to damage, or simply old age, leaky trucks are a problem. At Zylstra Automotive & Diesel in Visalia, we can fix that for you.

Water leaks are common and hazardous. Not only do they cause rust, rot, and mold damage to your trucks, they also put any cargo inside at risk. No customer wants their boxes and products to arrive water damaged - it not only makes your company look bad but can cost you a lot of money. 

The interior of your car can be difficult to maintain; between you, your kids, and anyone else who gets a ride from you, wear and tear on the interior of your vehicle is constant. Drinks get spilled, burn holes appear, rips and tears happen. Unlike the rest of your car, the interior isn’t made of metal, so it requires special treatment to keep it in good condition.

At Zylstra Automotive & Diesel in Visalia, CA, we understand the importance of a job well done. You need it done fast, but you also need it done right - cutting corners in the home stretch is obviously a bad idea.

If you drive a Mercedes, Porsche, Subaru, BMW, Jaguar, or other performance and luxury vehicle, you’re a person who appreciates the value of quality. At Zylstra Automotive & Diesel, we share that appreciation - that’s why we specialize in quality cars and take pride in quality work.

At Zylstra Automotive & Diesel in Visalia, CA, we know how annoying little quirks and issues can be. A common problem vehicles experience is a cooling fan that doesn’t kick on and off when it’s supposed to. While a fan that won’t kick off is far less troubling than a fan that won’t turn on, it’s still a problem that needs to be fixed for a variety of reasons. Here’s why, and what you should do.

Once your engine is installed, you’ll want to keep it running right. Zylstra Automotive & Diesel in Visalia, CA has you covered. Sometimes, engines just wear out - however, most of the time they meet an early demise as a result of improper maintenance. Keep your engine running like new by maintaining it the way your technician recommends.

Tires may be the only part of a vehicle that physically meets the road, but your shock absorbers are next in line. Working with the suspension springs, they absorb shocks from bumps and cracks in the road, while simultaneously controlling bounce and body roll.

Tires may be the only part of a vehicle that physically meets the road, but your shock absorbers are next in line. Working with the suspension springs, they absorb shocks from bumps and cracks in the road, while simultaneously controlling bounce and body roll.

Oil changes are integral to the performance, longevity, and reliability of your diesel truck. At Zylstra Automotive & Diesel in Visalia, our expert mechanics understand the importance of good quality oil, changed at correct intervals, in allowing you to get the most out of your Cummins, Powerstroke, or Duramax diesel.

A car that brakes well and brakes correctly are just as important as acceleration, handling, or any other aspect of a vehicle’s drivability. A car with brake issues has the potential to be a far more enjoyable ride when fixed.  Your brakes have a lot to do with how your car drives. Brakes are a frequently neglected item on a lot of people’s checklists, and many drivers on the road have subpar brakes and don’t even know it. 

“Spark plug” is a word you are likely familiar with; it’s one of those car terms that you’ve heard your whole life. You know they’re important, you know sometimes they need to be changed. But how do you know when it’s time to replace them? What do they do, and where do they go wrong? Zylstra Automotive & Diesel in Visalia has the answers.