Automotive News & Information - Ponci's Diesel Center

It doesn't matter if you are driving a car or truck, jeep or SUV, a diesel 4x4 or a classic when those dash warning lights go off the first thing you do is think "how bad is it?" and "how much will it cost me?" followed quickly by "when was my last service visit?"!! Driving your vehicle longer safely is all about getting it serviced based on what your vehicle manual recommends and these warning lights are alerting you to a situation that requires your attention.

While not all warning lights are a sign that disaster is imminent, no warning indicator light should ever be ignored!

Your bumper covers are always in danger. Between other drivers, obstacles in the road, flash floods, or any other hazard you may encounter, at some point it’s likely your bumper covers will accrue some damage. At Ponci's Diesel Center in Fortuna, CA, we can fix that.

At Ponci's Diesel Center in Fortuna, CA, transmissions are our specialty. We know exactly how they work and exactly how to maintain and repair one. You know you have a transmission, and you know it’s important, but what does it actually do? Here’s the simple answer to a complicated question.

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 Ponci's Diesel Center to perform proper maintenance, an average car battery can start your car reliably for roughly four years.

Exhaust pipes, catalytic converters, and mufflers are exposed to heat, emissions, and road damage. While your exhaust system is fairly simple and straightforward, these conditions mean it is inherently prone to rust and damage. As a result, this system is often one of the first systems you will have trouble with inside your car. The exhaust system is complex and completely necessary for your vehicle to run efficiently.

At Ponci's Diesel Center in Fortuna, we know how annoying a dead battery can be. Here’s some information on the subject, that will hopefully help you understand your battery issues a little better. If your battery dies after your car, truck, or SUV sits for a few hours, the battery itself isn’t necessarily the problem. While having the battery tested is a good place to start, many people mistakenly make a bad battery diagnosis, when actually something in the electrical system is to blame.

Coolant flushes are particularly important. No matter what type of car, truck, or SUV you drive, your cooling system is an essential aspect of maintaining the reliability of your vehicle.

Here are 10 steps to keep your car up and running from our team here at Ponci's Diesel Center! Whether you choose to do the maintenance yourself or take your car to see our professional service technicians, the non-profit Car Care Council recommends 10 basic maintenance procedures to keep your vehicle running its best.