Automotive Industry News & Information - Cowden's Automotive & Exhaust

If you drive a performance car or SUV, you want to take every measure possible to ensure it stays in good shape and running well. For many drivers of precision-engineered vehicles like BMW, Audi, Porsche, Subaru, etc., warming up the engine is a part of taking care of your vehicle. But is it necessary?

Tune-ups are an important and frequently neglected aspect of automotive care. Most drivers don’t really consider the mechanical condition of their car, so long as nothing is wrong with it. However, if a vehicle is tuned-up and maintained correctly, many mechanical failures (and expenses) will be avoided altogether. So whne is the right time to get a tune-up?

Is your engine knocking or ticking? Here’s some information on engine noises, what they mean, and what to do about it, from Cowden's Automotive & Exhaust in Buhl, ID.

Whenever your engine starts making a noise it shouldn’t be making, it’s always a cause for concern. If you’re hearing a rhythmic ticking or knocking sound, definitely have it checked into immediately. Here are some causes of engine ticks and knocks, and what to do about them.

Your exhaust is an essential part of your truck’s sound, performance, and aesthetic. At Cowden's Automotive & Exhaust in Buhl, our technicians are ready and able to provide any exhaust service your Chevy, Ford, or Dodge diesel requires, from stock repairs to completely custom installations.

At some point, while waiting for your tank to fill up, you’ve probably wondered what the difference is between the choices of gasoline at the pump. Typically, you see three buttons, with a number between 85 and 98, in ascending order and ascending prices. These numbers are octane ratings, which you probably know; but what is an octane rating, really?

Whether you drive a Cummins, Duramax, or Powerstroke diesel truck, there’s a good chance you’re familiar with turbochargers. Over the past couple of decades, turbos have nearly become stock equipment on diesel pickups, and are becoming increasingly common on gas vehicles as well. But what are they, how do they work, and why are they there? Cowden's Automotive & Exhaust in Buhl, ID has the answers.

If you drive a vehicle with more than a few miles on it, there’s a good chance you’ve noticed an occasional drip underneath it that leaves spots wherever you park. Identifying what is leaking from your car will help you determine whether or not it’s a cause for concern, and what to do about it.

There are seven liquids a car can possibly drip: oil, gas, brake fluid, transmission fluid, gear oil, water, and coolant. How do you tell the difference? This article aims to help your know-how.

Trucks aren’t like cars...your average personal vehicle usually holds about 5 quarts of oil, and you are supposed to change it every 3-5k miles. However, the same logic doesn’t apply to large trucks. At Cowden's Automotive & Exhaust in Buhl, ID, we know how important proper oil changes and diagnostics are to keep your truck on the road, for hundreds of thousands of miles. Here’s what you need to know: