Pete's Automotive
6160 Sebastopol Ave - Hwy 12, Sebastopol, CA 95472 707.823.6020

Engine and Exhaust

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How Cool is That! (Coolant level sensor replacement)

Your vehicle’s engine runs hot.  It should, since it’s a series of little explosions that create the power that gets you going where you want to go.  To keep the engine cool, eng...
Published on: Mar 02, 2025

Pete's Automotive Tech Question On Your Cooling System

Question I was driving down the freeway and smoke started coming out of my car.  I pulled over and called my husband.  I had to be towed to my mechanic.  He said my car had overheated....
Published on: Apr 19, 2023

Radiator Fans

If you’re old enough, you’ve heard the term “fan belt." Back in the day, the radiator fan in your vehicle was turned by a belt driven by the engine. There are still belt driven fans,...
Published on: Sep 23, 2022

Heater Core

{{ image('MzU0') }} Sebastopol drivers may wonder where the air in a vehicle's passenger compartment comes from. Well, as your engine starts to warm up, it also warms the coolant/...
Published on: Jul 03, 2022

Thermostat

{{ image('MzU0') }} The thermostat is part of your cooling system. Sebastopol residents' vehicle thermostats perform a similar function to the thermostats in their homes. At home, you set y...
Published on: Jan 10, 2022

The Hot Switch (Coolant Vacuum Valve Switch)

When the weather gets cooler, you want the cabin of your vehicle to stay warm.  When you switch on the heat, you may find the air that comes out of the vents just isn't hot.  The problem co...
Published on: Feb 24, 2020

Thermostat

The thermostat is an important part of your cooling system. Your vehicle’s thermostat performs a similar function to the thermostat in your home. At home, you set your thermostat to maintain a c...
Published on: Sep 02, 2019

Air Blend Box

You push a few buttons or turn some knobs, and voila! You have air blowing on your feet or cool air chilling your face. But how does all that happen? Well, it's all thanks to ...
Published on: Dec 17, 2018