General Car Maintenance We Take for Granted

We all know that regular maintenance is required for our vehicle.  Regular oil changes, wheel alignments, tire replacements; all are part of a maintenance schedule.  While these can easily be put on a calendar, there are a few items for your car that are just as crucial, but easily forgotten.  These should also be part of your regular maintenance schedule, and can easily be done during a routine oil change or brake inspection.

Replacing Your Air Filter

The air filter in your car helps your “breathe” easier.  It keeps dirt and other debris from entering your engine and robbing your car of its fuel efficiency.  When the air filter becomes clogged, you start to lose fuel efficiency, causing you to fill up more often at the pump or accelerate faster to get up to speed.  Your engine needs air to create the correct air-fuel mixture to create the explosion inside the combustion chamber.  When the air is restricted, or isn’t clean enough, you don’t get a large enough explosion to maintain your engine’s fuel efficiency and it requires your engine to work harder.  That’s why it’s important to change your air filter on a regular basis.  Sometimes you can do this yourself, but you may need to have one of our mechanics do it for you.

Spark Plugs and Wires

Your spark plugs are what create the necessary spark for the combustion chamber to get your engine going.  Eventually what happens over time, the carbon left over from the explosion inside the combustion chamber will build up on the spark plug and create an inadequate connection between the two points.  A weaker spark means that your engine needs to work harder to get up to speed.

The spark plug wires are just as important.  Over time, the wires start to become brittle and may crack or separate and it reduces the amount of electricity going to the spark plug.  The wires are multi-stranded to help with flexibility.  These kinds of wires are created for bending over and over again, but eventually they may start to fray and lose their performance.  A loss of performance will, once again, cause the engine to work harder to create the power that is being asked of it.  

Getting a New Fuel Filter

Another important filter of your car is the fuel filter.  Without it, you’d be introducing harmful impurities in the fuel into your engine and causing harm to it.  Like the air filter, it starts to become clogged and lets more of those impurities into your engine.  When this happens, you will start to notice a decrease in fuel efficiency and horsepower, indicating that it’s a good time to have it replaced.  This is best left to the pro’s as it may require special tools and there is a slight fuel leak when the filter is taken off.  Also, a lot of the time, the fuel filter is rusted or corroded onto the fuel line and in doing this type of repair yourself, you may end up damaging your fuel line and having an even higher repair bill.

Common Car Myths and Tips

Everyone has their own opinion regarding car repairs and general maintenance tips.  Whether you learned how to complete an oil change from your father in his garage or spent time working in a repair shop observing mechanics; everyone has their own tricks when it comes to car repair and maintenance.  These are a few well-known tips regarding maintenance and cleaning of your vehicle to keep it performing for many years.

Vehicle Maintenance and Braking Myths

Changing the motor oil in your car means changing the lubricant that keep the car parts moving smoothly.  By changing the motor oil, you are preventing the engine from ceasing and this will keep the pistons rotating.  Motor oil does not have to be changed every 3,000 miles as you will commonly hear when taking your car to any car care garage for motor oil replacement.  Due to the efficiency of newer cars, you will find that modern cars can have upwards of 5,000, even up to 10,000 miles, before an oil change is necessary.  Anti-lock brakes were introduced as a safety alternative to traditional brakes that the driver needed to pump to prevent locking up to build traction.  Whether you are driving on ice or slippery road conditions, your natural instinct will be to lift up your foot from the odd grinding of the anti-lock brakes. When the anti-lock brake system is engaged, you don’t have to pump the break; but you actually keep your foot locked on the break pedal for quick stopping despite the feeling to release your foot from the break. When driving on ice or snow, you don’t hit the brakes to stop; you take your foot off the break to slow your car and reduce your speed to a natural stop.  Also, if your back tires skid on the ice or snow, you are supposed to steer in the same direction as the back tires.

Cleaning Tips and Tricks

If you walk through any car shop, you’ll find sponges, cleaning sprays and more to keep your windows clean.  Gas station window cleaner always leaves residue from other cars in the solution, and you’ll end up with streaks and dirty windows.  A good tip for cleaning windows is to crumble newspaper and use standard window cleaning spray you would use in your house for streak-free windows.  Battery acid forms around the terminals of your battery, so using a wire brush to remove the corrosion with a good orange cleaner will easily remove debris from the area.  Removing excess grime from the battery will maintain a good connection from the terminals to the starter and engine.

Car additives and Oil Changes

There are ample commercials that promote additives that clean your car, purify gasoline, enhancing your car performance and much more.  Car additives do not always increase performance, but additives can actually corrode your engine by adding impurities to car parts. There are some additives that are necessary, such as a fuel system cleaner or a gas-line antifreeze and water remover. A fuel system cleaner will remove carbon build up in your engine to increase gas mileage.  A gas-line antifreeze and water remover is used during the winter month to eliminate water from your tank and keep your gas from possibly freezing in the below freezing temperatures.

Winter Safety Kits Should Be Part of Your Winter Plan

Many people take the time to winterize their cars and home to prepare for the cold months. They perform a safety inspection that is essentially a bumper-to-bumper inspection that includes the entire car from the headlights to the tailpipe. They take care of the car under the hood and under the car, but neglect to implement safety features for inside the car. Part of your safety plan should include winter safety kits. These kits can mean the difference between life and death in some instances.

Why You Should Have Winter Safety Kits

Winter safety kits are necessary because they can provide emergency help if you are ever stranded on the side of the road during the winter. It can be compared to your car insurance. You pay car insurance to protect you if you ever have an accident. The insurance will pay to repair the damage to your car or replace it if it is totaled. Even if you never have an accident, the insurance is there just in case. The same thing applies to safety kits. Even if you never have to use them, they are handy just in case you ever need them. It is proactive to have these in your car before the emergency; it is useless afterwards. These kits can provide items to keep you warm, entertain you, and the tools and other items can help you make minor car repairs if needed. They can help make the wait for AAA or the tow truck a little less frustrating. 

What to Include in Your Kit

Your winter safety kits should include blankets that you can wrap around yourself. Pack at least one blanket for each passenger. If you are stranded and the weather is cold, you will be able to stave off some of the chill without running the engine and wasting gas. A first-aid kit is necessary to take care of any minor cuts, scrapes, and other injuries. It would be wise to also include a small tube of antibiotic ointment, alcohol pads, and an over-the-counter pain medication such as acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen. Be sure to replenish any supplies you use out of your kit before your next outing. If you have children, you could include some books or games that they can play with during the downtime. Pack a flashlight with fresh batteries and some extra batteries. A small tool kit may enable you to perform minor repairs to get you back on the road. Include some small packages of snacks and bottles of water. Be sure to have a freshly charged cellphone battery so that you will be able to make roadside calls. Charge your phone before you leave out of the house. 

Other Things You Can Add for Comfort

You can also pack items such as electronic readers, tablets, portable music players, and handheld gaming systems, as long as you keep in mind that you will not have any way to recharge them when the batteries are depleted if you have a dead or weak car battery. You can also include an extra set of clothing for each passenger for additional warmth. Other things you can pack would be an ice scraper, snow chains, and a small bag of sand or kitty litter. You can sprinkle the sand under the tires to provide traction out of the snow if you are stuck. Your mechanic can give you recommendations on other things to add to your winter safety kits to further prepare you for winter season. 

How Radiators Work and Protect in Winter

Many people are getting ready for the winter by performing their general car maintenance routine. They are faithfully inspecting wires, checking tire pressure, checking wheel alignment, and doing fluid checks. Coolants are one of the top fluids to check after engine oil. When they check their radiators, they look for leaks and check fluid levels, but not really understanding the job of the radiator. Radiators are important to keep the engine cool, even in the winter. Once you learn how radiators work, you can make sure that it receives the same level of attention as the rest of the car during inspections. 

What Does It Do and How Does It Do It

The radiator is comprised of a network of tubes that travel through the engine block. These tubes carry coolants that absorb the heat from the engine. When the liquid is cycled away from the engine, it is cooled by the ambient air and is then cycled back to the engine to repeat the process. The radiator pulls antifreeze from the reservoir down through tubes that run through the engine. As the liquid travels, it is heated by the energy generated inside. The hot fluid travels through a network of tubes, which is the radiator that is located in the front of the car where it is exposed to receive the maximum amount of airflow. The heat is transferred from the coolant to the outside air. The cooled fluid is pumped from the radiator back through the engine to complete the cycle. 

Maintaining for Health and Diagnosing Problems

It is very important to maintain your radiator to keep your car from overheating, which can damage the engine. A properly maintained radiator can last for up to ten years, and an older metal one can last for the life of the car.  If you have a newer car, you may have a radiator that is made from lightweight aluminum or even plastic, and if this is the case, you should make sure that you inspect it for cracks that form from expanding and contracting with the temperature changes. If your car is overheating, one of the things you should check for is leaks. You should also make sure you have the proper level of antifreeze. Make sure you have appropriate safety gear and exercise caution. When you take off the radiator cap, proceed slowly because the system is pressurized. Removing the cap quickly can cause a rapid escape of steam and can cause burns. You should also check the hoses, clamps, and thermostat to make sure they are in proper working order. Replace any worn, corroded, or damaged parts. Drain and refill the antifreeze on a regular schedule that is recommended by the car manufacturer. 

The Controversy of Flushing

There has been some controversy over the process of flushing the radiator. The antifreeze is pumped under pressure through the radiator in this process. This is done to ensure that all traces of the old fluid are removed. It is also done to remove contaminants and lubricate the water pump. There are many places that offer this service, but do you really need it?  Many mechanics feel that flushing a radiator is not needed and is not worth the trouble. Radiators in newer cars are smaller and are situated in the front of the car in a very tight position. They are also angled in a manner that makes adding antifreeze awkward at best. Since sediment settles at the bottom of the radiator, the design of it makes it impossible to remove all of the sediments from the crevices or to insert anything into the neck of it to facilitate a power washing. Your mechanic can help you make the decision that is best for you. 

Why Should Your Motor Oil and Oil Filter be Changed Frequently?

Motor oil is important for vehicles because it lubricates the engine’s components.  This allows the components to pass through each other with a less friction. This allows the car processes to operate at the correct speed and eliminates major wear and tear to car parts. Essentially, motor oil helps create a barrier between the parts that allows them to slide past one another more easily. This allows the vehicles efficiency, power, and performance to increase improving the vehicles longevity. Motor oil also helps by cooling the engine. While the oil circulates it is diffusing the heat throughout the process. Lastly, motor oil cleans debris between parts. In order for an engine to work properly it must stay clean. Oil filters are the key aspect in keeping harmful particles out of your engine.

Where is the oil filter located?

Oil filters are located in different areas under the hood, depending on the make and model of your vehicle. To properly find the correct location, our technicians will check your owner’s manual that provides a detailed description. For the most protection, your vehicle’s oil filter should be changed every time the oil is changed. The owner’s manual can also be referenced for the correct filter and type of oil to use. If the owner’s manual is not available, a copy of it can found free of cost on the manufactures website. Not utilizing the correct oil can damage the vehicle.  The same can be said with putting in too much oil, which can put too much pressure on the parts causing them not to work properly. 

How often should you change your motor oil?

It is recommended that you change your vehicle’s oil every 3 months or 3,000 miles, whichever comes first. Pay attention because the amount of time recommended between oil changes can also vary on larger vehicles versus smaller ones. While newer vehicles typically have a setting on the dashboard that will indicate the oil life, it is still important to have a routine checkup of the engine’s oil level on a regular basis. Motor oil can become dirty quickly depending on the driving time of the vehicle and even leak, which will cause major problems under the hood and potentially cost ample amounts of money to fix.

Checking your vehicles oil level

In between your vehicles regular routine oil change, it is important that you check your oil approximately once every two weeks.  This is especially important if you will be traveling a long distance. Before checking the oil level, make sure the engine is cool. If you notice that the color of the oil is dark brown or black this indicates that the motor oil is dirty and should be replaced. To prevent premature damage to your engine, check your engine’s oil level consistently.  This will help ensure the effectiveness of your vehicle, including increasing fuel economy and the overall driving condition of your vehicle. Vehicles are one of the biggest investments consumers make, so making sure that the vehicle is being taken care of properly will help with its life.

WHAT IS A CAR RADIATOR?

Radiators are used for cooling your car’s engine to help avoid problems such as overheating. As a fluid called coolant passes through the engine block, it cools the engine down, losing the heat into the atmosphere by a fan.

WHERE IS A CAR RADIATOR LOCATED?

Your car’s radiator is typically located toward the front of the vehicle next to the engine. The radiator’s job is to keep the engine cool and prevent it from becoming too hot. Radiators consist of many small tubes with cooling fins that allow the coolant to be cooled down and then returned to the engine in a constant cycle. 

HOW DOES A CAR RADIATOR WORK?

Radiators are made of aluminum with thin tubes connected to the component. The coolant flows from the inlet to the outlet through these small tubes. A turbulator, or type of fin, is inserted into the radiator, which helps to increase the turbulence of the fluid flowing though the tubes. Only fluid that actually touches the tubes will be cooled directly. The more turbulence inside the tube, the more all of the fluids mix together.  This keeps the temperature of the fluid that touches the tubes hotter and more heat can be extracted. When the fluid in the radiator heats up, the radiator cap is the only place where the pressure of the heat can escape. Once the temperature of the coolant reaches a certain degree, the cap will start to open allowing heat to escape and the fluid to flow throughout the radiator. 

INDICATORS OF YOUR CAR RADIATOR GOING BAD

One way to recognize if your car’s radiator is failing is to pay attention to the temperature of your car. If you notice that the temperature does not remain stable, then this could indicate that your radiator might need a checkup.  If your vehicle overheats, a faulty radiator could be the cause. Also, if you notice leaks under the part of the vehicle where the radiator is housed, this could be a sign that the water pump is in danger. Coolant leaks are the most common form of diagnosing a bad radiator; so performing a routine maintenance check is beneficial to your vehicle. Part of this maintenance entails regularly checking your coolant fluid.  This helps to ensure that there are not any leaks and allows you to catch problems more quickly. If you notice grinding sounds this could signify a coolant leak as well. When coolant leaks it washes out grease that keeps the components working properly. Without grease, bearings under the hood will overheat and cause a grinding sound to be emitted. As the speed of the engine increases the louder the sound will be, so it is often something that does not go unnoticed. Ignoring this sign can cause the bearings to break and could release the radiator from the vehicle. Coolant fluid is usually a green or yellow color. If a radiator goes bad, rust and other debris can contaminate the fluid leaving it a rusty color. Drips and uncommon noises should not go ignored, because when this happens you could end up spending a large amount of money on repair bills.