Automotive News & Information - Cowden's Automotive & Exhaust

Exhaust systems are one of the most neglected aspects of most vehicles. 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 on your car.

Sluggish. Squealing. Unreliable. Vibrating. If any of these descriptors fit your vehicle’s recent behavior, it just might be trying to tell you something – like it’s time for a tune-up.

Today’s vehicles differ significantly from their decades-old brethren that required a tune-up every 10,000 or 20,000 miles. With newer vehicles, it’s increasingly common for manufacturer-recommended service intervals to stretch to 100,000 miles before certain maintenance items, such as replacing the spark plugs, should be completed.

mechanic working on the suspension of a vehicle on a lift

The steering and suspension systems are key safety-related systems that largely determine your car’s ride and handling. Have these systems checked regularly, at least once a year, and usually with a wheel alignment.

Obviously, the dirtier your fuel system is, the bigger the improvement you will see in performance and fuel economy after a fuel system cleaning. But it is important not to wait until your system is running poorly. If you do, by the time you get a cleaning, you’ve wasted hundreds of dollars in gas or even possibly damaged your fuel injectors and catalytic converter.

Whatever type of truck you run in your fleet, they all have a driveshaft that connects the transmission to the differential, transferring power to the wheels. At Cowden's Automotive & Exhaust in Buhl, ID, we specialize in diesel truck and fleet vehicle maintenance and repair, including precision driveshaft care.

By now, the numbers are clear; seat belts save lives. But just wearing one isn’t enough - it needs to be working properly to actually keep you safe. Here’s what you need to know about the seat belts in your car, truck, or SUV, from Cowden's Automotive & Exhaust in Buhl, ID.

If you own a rear-wheel-drive car, truck, or SUV then your vehicle is equipped with a differential. Like any other component on your car, maintaining your differential is an important aspect of keeping your vehicle reliably on the road. From Cowden's Automotive & Exhaust in Buhl, ID, here’s what you need to know.

Transmission trouble codes are particularly annoying to the average driver. You might know what a misfire is, but what does it mean when you get a code for a failed governor pressure solenoid? Fortunately, Cowden's Automotive & Exhaust in Buhl, ID is here to help.