Being in tune with your car means more than harmonizing with the rhythms of the road. Because you know how your car should sound when you start, drive, and stop, if you hear things out of the ordinary, a notable problem could be developing. Let us conduct a diagnostic check.
If you're shifting into drive while your car is rolling backwards, your killing the transmission. Wait until you come to a complete stop before changing gears.
Even though technological advances have resulted in improved products, things still break. Always check your car's hoses and belts and look for signs of wear. If you think they need replacing, come in and have them changed.
What is oil viscosity? Oil viscosity refers to how easily oil pours at a specified temperature. Thin oils have lower viscosity (lower number) and pour more easily at low temperatures than thicker oils that have a greater viscosity (higher number).
To improve steering and to balance the wear on your car tires, have the wheel alignment checked periodically and rotate the tires according to the manufacturer’s recommendation.
When the airflow to a diesel engine is restricted, performance suffers. If your engine lacks an indicator on the air filter housing, have us inspect the filter on a regular basis to make sure it's in good condition.
Is turning the steering wheel difficult, or you hear squealing when turning? Check the power steering fluid. The owner’s manual will show you where it is and how to fill it, there is a reason it is low. Let us diagnose and fix the problem.
If the temperature gauge on your car’s dashboard should spike, pull over and stop your car as continuing to drive could cause serious damage to the engine. Bring your car to us for repairs.
When washing your vehicle, it's important to use separate buckets for washing and rinsing. This helps to reduce the chances of dirt scratching the paint.
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.
If your vehicle's halogen headlight bulbs are due for replacement, you may want to hold off buying the standard part and go for an upgrade. LED bulbs in particular are a good option as they provide better illumination, while consuming less energy.
Yellow-green liquid pooling under your car or the aroma of sweet-smelling anti-freeze is never good, and needs to be addressed quickly to prevent expensive damage. We can make any needed repairs and replace the coolant.
Periodically check the oil level in your car’s engine as it nears time to have the oil changed. Not only does it tell you the oil level, you can also see how dirty the oil is.
What's that noise? A screech under the hood can mean a loose belt, or one that is wearing out. Those belts are important - immediately make an appointment with your mechanic.
Serious fluid leaks could pose a safety hazard to you and other people on the road. Hence, they are an important checkpoint for mechanics. If any sort of leakage is identified, tow your vehicle immediately to our repair facility.
To get the longest life from your tires, have the wheel alignment checked periodically, and rotate the tires according to the manufacturer’s recommendation. This improves steering control and balances tire wear.
Regularly rotating tires extends their life and improves performance. Have them rotated when you have the oil changed. At the same time, have the condition of the brakes inspected.
When was the last time you had the cabin filter in your car or truck changed? It does more than keep the air you breathe clean. If it's clogged, it can cause the heater fan to work too hard, which leads to premature failure.
If the temperature gauge on your car’s dashboard suddenly spikes, you need to pull over and stop your car; continuing to drive could cause serious damage to the engine. Once you are off the road, call us for help.
While you may know that your vehicle's battery gets charged when the engine is running, do you know how this happens? The charging process is possible because a component called an alternator, which is powered by the engine via a belt to send a constant charge to the battery to keep it charged.
Tired of the cup holders in your car getting gunked up and sticky? Here's a simple hack to prevent that: place cupcake liners in them. Not only do they protect the holders, they are easy to remove.
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.
If windshield wiper blades become too worn, they may cause scratches to the vehicle's windshield.
Have the cabin filter checked and changed regularly. Though its primary purpose is to keep the air inside the car clean, if it is old or clogged it can cause dirt to build up on your engine.
A ticking noise coming from the engine when your vehicle is idling or driving may signal a number of things. The problem could be with the rocker arm, the pistons or piston rings, the main bearing, or it could be with the fuel line assembly.
The transmission fluid must be changed once for every three engine oil changes. This is important to ensure the optimum performance of your vehicle and long service life.
At over 300 million, the United States has more cars than any other country in the world. China comes in a distant second, at 78 million.
If your vehicle should need a jump-start, it is important to keep safety in mind. If you do not feel comfortable jump-starting the vehicle yourself, it is recommended that you contact a roadside assistance service.
Whenever the engine temperature warning light comes on, pull over and turn your car off and wait at least thirty minutes before opening the hood. If the problem persists, bring your car to us for repair.
If you hear knocking coming from the rear axle when you drive, it needs to be taken care of immediately. It’s a sign that the driveshaft is loose, bent, or unbalanced.
If your car's AC suddenly stops blowing cold air, the most likely culprit is a leak in the system. Unfortunately, these leaks can be difficult to trace and seal so the best thing to do would be to get a specialist to work on the problem.
The United States has more cars than any other country in the world, at 300 million. China comes in a distant second, at 78 million.
Did you know that a modern vehicle is equipped with a brain that is supposed to run everything? Called an ECU (engine control unit), this device relies on sensors placed all over the vehicle to send it the data it needs to keep the car or truck running correctly.
A wonderful quote by a true car lover: “You cannot buy happiness, but you can buy cars, and that is kind of the same thing.”
Is your windshield cracked or chipped? It needs to be repaired or replaced immediately. If left alone, the crack will spread and cause the windshield to fail.
When you have your oil changed also have the wheel alignment on your vehicle checked and rotate the tires. Not only does this improve steering it also balances tire wear to get the longest life out of them.
What is the annual cost to maintain a car? Well, the average consumer spends $400 a year on diagnostics, scheduled maintenance, and tune-ups. That's a little more than a dollar a day.
Do you know that certain atmospheric issues can also cause your tires to deteriorate over time? For example, extreme hot temperatures can cause the rubber in your tires to wear and tear, leading to failure ultimately.
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.
Did your check engine light come on? The most likely reason is a faulty oxygen sensor. They account for 40 percent of all check engine light related issues.
No matter how diligent you may be when it comes to maintaining your car, sometimes things break, and when it is an engine belt, you're not going anywhere. Have us check them for signs of wear and replace them before they fail.
If you want to keep your car under warranty, make sure to have the required work done at the intervals indicated in the owner’s manual. Failing to do so will not only void the warranty, but could also lead to greater problems.
Can an alignment issue cause a vibration? While an alignment issue can cause a vibration, these are very rare occurrences. Vibrations typically come from tire or braking issues.
While you may be able to manage an oil change at home, it’s important to note that you will have to collect the used oil carefully and take it to a recycling facility. As such, it may be better to have a garage do the job to save yourself the hassle of disposing of the waste.
If your vehicle's front suspension components need to be taken apart, chances are, you will need to have the wheels realigned when everything's put back together. This is because the removal of parts will invalidate adjustments previously done and thus cause the vehicle to veer to the left or to the right.
While automobiles began rolling across the landscape in 1886, the first gas gauge wasn’t installed until 1922. Prior to that, you needed to use a dipstick to see how much gas was in the tank.
Your vehicle’s suspension system is responsible for smoothing out your rides and providing steering stability and good handling. Coil springs, leaf springs, and shock absorbers are all components of the suspension system.
While replacing a faulty part on your vehicle may seem straightforward, this isn’t always the case. More often than not, a lot of other parts will need to be removed before you get to the target component so it would be advisable to have an experienced mechanic take on the task.
Why is my car being a jerk? If you car is jerking while you are driving, it may indicate a fuel pump problem. When the fuel pump fails your car won't start, and repeated tries will drain your battery. Get thee to a mechanic.
If your car fails to warm up properly in cold weather, or it overheats quickly in warm months, it could be a problem with the thermostat. Bring your car in and have us take a look.
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.
Black transmission fluid, sticky transmission fluid, and a burned fluid smell are the telltale signs of internal transmission issues. Black fluid indicates worn-out internal clutches, sticky fluid indicates overheating, and smelly fluid indicates high heat that caused the fluid to burn.
Did you know that the oil in your car does more than lubricate parts? It is also a key component of the engines cooling system as it helps to dissipate heat from moving parts.
Who introduced the first air conditioning units in cars? They were introduced by the American carmaker Packard in the year 1939. At that time, the refrigerating coils were located behind the back seat.
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.
Black transmission fluid, sticky transmission fluid, and a burned fluid smell are the telltale signs of internal transmission issues. Black fluid indicates worn-out internal clutches, sticky fluid indicates overheating, and smelly fluid indicates high heat that caused the fluid to burn.
When buying a used car, no matter if it's from a dealer or a private party, always have it inspected by professional mechanics before money changes hands. Unless the seller is willing to give you a warranty, it's "buyer beware."
Do you own an electric car? The motor has special brushes to keep it running, and these eventually wear out. Have them checked for damage every 50,000 to 60,000 miles and replace them if needed.
Did you know that the oil in your car does more than lubricate parts? It is also a key component of the engines cooling system as it helps to dissipate heat from moving parts.
Who introduced the first air conditioning units in cars? They were introduced by the American carmaker Packard in the year 1939. At that time, the refrigerating coils were located behind the back seat.
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.
Black transmission fluid, sticky transmission fluid, and a burned fluid smell are the telltale signs of internal transmission issues. Black fluid indicates worn-out internal clutches, sticky fluid indicates overheating, and smelly fluid indicates high heat that caused the fluid to burn.