Automotive News & Information - Ponci's Diesel Center

Person driving with hands on the steering wheel

We’ve all been here: You start up your vehicle in the morning and begin to back out of the driveway. Before your hand reaches the volume dial on the stereo to crank up your favorite morning radio duo, you hear a noise coming from your car. A vehicle shouldn’t make that noise, yet yours is. And it sounds bad. But is it?

When a vehicle has trouble starting, many people initially blame the starter. What is the starter, and how do you know if yours has called it quits? At Ponci's Diesel Center in Fortuna, CA, we want to keep you informed, and telling you what to look for will prevent further damage when issues arise. The starter is essentially just an electric motor; a gear at the end of that electric motor engages the flywheel, which turns the engine over, allowing it to start. How do you know if yours is failing?

It makes sense that a car that is rarely driven will last longer, right? It may seem counterintuitive, but that isn’t necessarily the case. Vehicles are meant to be driven, and various issues can arise if they aren’t stored properly or driven fairly regularly. If you have a car, truck, or SUV that you only drive occasionally, in the summer, to car shows, etc., this one is for you. Here’s what you need to know, from Ponci's Diesel Center in Fortuna, CA.

Fuel economy isn't far from the minds of vehicle owners everywhere. Why can certain cars zip along at close to 40 mpg while others are lucky to get anywhere near 20? As it turns out, there are as many factors that go into how well your ride does at the pumps! Here are the 10 factors that have the greatest impact on fuel consumption.

At Ponci's Diesel Center in Fortuna, CA, 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.

Here at Ponci's Diesel Center in Fortuna, CA when your vehicle has a problem we know you want answers, and when it comes to information on pistons or engine building, most of our drivers know little about it. However, there’s some practical information regarding modern engine design that helps you better care for your vehicle, and keep it going strong. Here are some important aspects of modern piston design, and what it means for you that we felt might come in handy.

Is your diesel used for off-roading or towing? Are you looking for an increase in performance for your Cummins, Powerstroke, or Duramax truck? If so, a billet torque converter may be an option you’d like to consider. Here’s what you need to know about billet torque converters, from Ponci's Diesel Center in Fortuna, CA.

In the market for a new car, truck, or SUV? Used cars aren’t always what they seem; here’s some advice from Ponci's Diesel Center in Fortuna to make sure you get the used car of your dreams.