How popular was the Ford Model T? Well, In 1916, 55% of all the cars in the world were Model T Fords. In fact, until 1958, almost 60% of all cars on the road in the U.S. were Fords. Then Ford introduced the Edsel...
The brake pads on your car or truck should be replaced at least every 30,000 miles or if they start squealing every time you depress the brake pedal, whichever comes first.
There is a lot of debate as to how often the oil in your car or truck should be changed. Instead of relying on the advice of neighbors, friends or family, turn to your ride's owner's manual. The engineers who designed your vehicle know best.
"It's a never ending battle of making your cars better and also trying to be better yourself." Dale Earnhardt
Fun car fact: In Los Angeles, California, according to registration and population records, there are actually more cars than there are people!
Want to help your tires last longer? The best thing you can do for them is to check their air pressure on a regular basis and keep them inflated to the proper pressure. You can the correct amount on a sticker on the driver's side door jamb.
Shock absorbers deteriorate so gradually that you become used to the subtle changes in control and make adjustments as you go. Have them checked every 20,000 miles or so to see if they need to be replaced.
Do you know that in terms of efficiency, diesel engines are more efficient than gasoline engines? While a diesel engine is 40% fuel efficient, a gas engine is only about 20% efficient.
Does the inside of your car or truck smell like you're standing right behind the exhaust pipe? There's probably a leak somewhere in the system. Come see us to take care of the problem. You'll breathe easier.
What's that horrible squeak when you hit your brakes? That's the squealer - and you are lucky to have it, as many car manufacturers have stopped installing them. That squeal is telling you that your brakes need service ASAP before you wear out the rotors.
Even if you love working on your car, we do not recommend working on struts yourself. Strut repair and replacement requires intricate work. Then, once the wheels are back on they need to be realigned. Let professionals handle that job.
Pay attention to, and become familiar with, the sounds your car makes when it is running normally. When you hear something unfamiliar, don't turn up the radio to drown it out, have it checked to learn what's wrong.
While it 's good to know how vehicles work, this doesn't mean that you're automatically qualified to fix them. In fact, attempting to DIY a complicated job on a car or truck might make the problem worse or might jeopardize the safety of anyone who uses it.
If you turn the ignition key of your car and all you hear is a clunk, you may have a bad battery. However, if the one you have installed is fairly new and the vehicle is used often, then you may have a charging issue which is something that will require professional repair.
"Car designers are just going to have to come up with an automobile that outlasts the payments." - Erma Bombeck
If you notice that the steering is hard, especially at low speeds, the first thing to have checked is the power steering fluid. If this does not solve the problem, the issue may be with the power steering pump, ball joint, or problems with various belts.
Shock absorbers are integral to your vehicle’s suspension system but keep in mind that these components are consumable. As such, it would be a good idea to have them periodically inspected to ensure that they continue to perform as they should.
If your mechanic needs to use an electric welder on your vehicle, he will need to unhook the battery first. If he fails to do this, there's a very good chance that the expensive engine control unit (ECU) will be irreparably damaged by the surge of electricity that will course through the car or truck.
If you smell the aroma of burning plastic coming from the engine will it is running, it may be a problem with the battery cable, or wiring could be in contact with the hot engine.
If your car has a bent aluminum alloy rim, straightening it is not a good idea as it can contribute to tire failure or other problems. If the wheel is bent or dented, replacement is the safest option.
Do you smell burning wires when you turn off your car's engine? In most cases, the problem is the battery cable, or a wire set is touching the hot engine. In either case, let us make the needed repair.
Among your vehicle's consumable components are its serpentine belts. However, this really isn't something you should work on if you don't have the experience as getting to them, taking them out and replacing them with new ones can be quite a task.