At Motorworks Northwest, Inc in Mt Vernon, we know that in order to keep your car in good shape, it helps to know how it works. Here’s a quick rundown of a system that’s very important, but you take for granted until there’s a problem; your brakes.  While there is a multitude of configurations and levels of complexity in automotive brake systems, they all essentially work the same way. Disregarding anti-lock brake systems and the like, this is how braking works in its simplest form.

There may come a day when you go to shift your vehicle out of “Park”, and the shifter refuses to move. Perhaps you are already experiencing this issue intermittently, or currently have a vehicle stuck in park. While this is a serious inconvenience, it doesn’t necessarily indicate a serious problem; let Motorworks Northwest, Inc in Mt Vernon, WA put your mind at ease.

Every car, truck, van, and SUV on the road today has headlights. However, you've probably noticed an increase in different types of headlights in more recent years - gone are the days where every vehicle on the road had the same bulb. Here is some information on headlights, from Motorworks Northwest, Inc in Mt Vernon, WA.

At Motorworks Northwest, Inc in Mt Vernon, we know how irritating an issue with your car, truck, or SUV can be, even if it doesn’t immediately affect your vehicle’s performance. One such problematic issue, the excessively loud radiator cooling fan, is a common plague many automobile owners will experience.

The turbocharger on your diesel is a precision-engineered component that requires proper maintenance to ensure it meets your needs and performs every time you get behind the wheel - no matter what the task is.  Here at Motorworks Northwest, Inc in Mt Vernon, WA, our team is the perfect choice to ensure that the turbocharger on your diesel is always working at optimum capacity with no problems as our diesel technicians are simply the best plus when you are running tens or even hundreds of thousands of RPMs, keeping everything in good shape is absolutely necessary. Fortunately, we have exactly what you need!

Ride quality is an essential part of your driving experience. At Motorworks Northwest, Inc in Mt Vernon, we strive to keep your car, truck, or SUV as smooth and comfortable to drive as the day it came off the lot. Your shock absorbers play a huge role in ride quality; here’s what you should know.

We know you’re busy. At Motorworks Northwest, Inc in Mt Vernon, WA, we also know that while there are certain issues with your car, truck, or SUV you can ignore for a while, some of them shouldn’t wait. While serious issues are often obvious, sometimes they aren’t - ball joints are one such case.

Does your steering wheel feel like it’s fighting you when trying to drive in a straight line? Does your truck turn too aggressively when you try to go one direction, and poorly when you try to go another? There are a few possibilities as to what it means if your truck resists going in a straight line. Motorworks Northwest, Inc in Mt Vernon has the answers for you.

Good steering is an underrated, and often neglected aspect of driving. At Motorworks Northwest, Inc in Mt Vernon, WA, we believe in making sure you have the best vehicle possible, whether you’re driving across town or traveling long distance.

While keeping your car, truck, or SUV looking nice is important, there are other reasons to keep the exterior of your vehicle in good shape. From Motorworks Northwest, Inc in Mt Vernon, WA, here are some tips for keeping your car looking good, and how that keeps it reliably on the road.

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.

At Motorworks Northwest, Inc in Mt Vernon, WA, we see our fair share of warning lights and dashboard notifications. If your ABS light is illuminated, here’s what you need to know.  First, it should be noted that the ABS light is supposed to illuminate for a few seconds after you turn the key, as part of a system test. If the light stays illuminated or comes on again randomly, there’s an issue somewhere that must be addressed.

Road trips are a lot of fun, and often unpredictable. For all the miles you will be driving we always recommend preparing for any situation. With this checklist from Motorworks Northwest, Inc in Mt Vernon, you’ll be prepared for whatever comes your way.

At Motorworks Northwest, Inc in Mt Vernon, cars are our passion, so naturally, we like to keep up with new technology on the market. At the moment, surprisingly the current trend is moving towards a goal you may not expect; self-driving vehicles. You’ve probably heard about self-driving cars a little bit here and there on the news, but it likely still seems somewhere in the realm of science fiction to you. However, the reality is that self-driving cars are on the way and maybe here sooner than you think. Already, almost all major automobile manufacturers are dumping billions of dollars into research and development for self-driving cars, and even companies like Uber are jumping on board. 

At Motorworks Northwest, Inc in Mt Vernon, WA, we’ve witnessed our fair share of burnt out and broken clutches. While clutch failure is an inevitability, there are a variety of ways to make sure yours lasts as long as possible.

The Turbo on your Chevrolet, Dodge, or Ford diesel truck is an integral component of your truck’s ability to perform. Turbos affect everything from power output to fuel mileage, allowing your pickup to reach its full potential in terms of power, torque, and efficiency. At Motorworks Northwest, Inc in Mt Vernon, WA, turbo knowledge is one of our specialties, because we understand the importance of quality turbo parts, replacements, and repair.

At Motorworks Northwest, Inc in Mt Vernon, we’re not only here to fix your car when something goes wrong...we’re here to help you understand your car, truck, or SUV a little better, too. Here are some tips concerning your thermostat - how it works, what to watch out for, and what to do about it when one fails.

At Motorworks Northwest, Inc in Mt Vernon, WA, we recommend always making it a priority to change your oil on time. Here’s a look into why it’s so important, and what happens if you don’t keep up with oil changes.

Sludge - If oil stays in an engine too long, sludge begins to build up anywhere oil can go. The oil absorbs tiny debris and contaminants, kind of like a liquid sponge - once it’s at capacity, that oil begins to stick, clog, and build up throughout the engine. Small veins that carry oil to components like actuators, turbos, and bearings will become blocked, starving critical components of oil and causing component or engine failure.

At Motorworks Northwest, Inc in Mt Vernon, WA, we know buying a used car, truck, or SUV can be a gamble. While there are no guarantees, there are key points of inspection that tell us a lot about the condition of a vehicle and how it has been maintained. There are some important points of the inspection we verify when checking out a used vehicle.

At Motorworks Northwest, Inc in Mt Vernon, WA, we know how annoying a faulty fuel gauge can be. Never knowing how much gas you have in your car, truck, or SUV, and constantly running the risk of stranding yourself on the road somewhere, takes its toll after a while. Luckily, we can fix that.