Archive for February, 2010
Does your car need an Alignment?
No one likes spending extra money at the time of tire replacement. However, if your tires are worn out from uneven wear you may need an Alignment. If you don’t get your wheels aligned your new tires will wear out prematurely and you will have to spend money on new tires once again. A sk your tire dealer or repair shop if your car or truck needs an alignment and ask them to show you how the uneven wear on your old set of tires is symptomatic of an out of alignment car.
Getting your car ready for winter driving
In most parts of the country driving in winter weather conditions can't be avoided. Once the weather hits a few nights of freezing temperatures, or earlier, it is time to do some preventive maintenance to face the winter driving conditions.
Do your windshield wipers need replacing?
Worn Out Windshield Wipers on a Dirty Windshield
Now you can see, now you can't - It is time to replace your windshield wipers.
We look past windshield wipers to the road ahead all the time and often don't pay any attention to the wipers until caught in a storm, realizing they are not working properly.
Windshield wiper blades do not last forever. The longevity of the wipers depends on where you park: in a garage, in hot blazing sun etc., how often you use them, temperature, ozone and even dirt on the roads you travel. If you live in a hot climate expect to change your wiper blades more frequently.
Preventive Maintenance for your car. Repairs you can – and should do
Preventive maintenance for your car you can - and should - do.
We spend money and time to get our cars fixed when they break down or something goes wrong - not to mention accompanying aggravation and frustration.
There are several preventive maintenance items that you can do, even if you don't have much knowledge about the workings of a car engine etc. Some are very quick and easy to do, others take a little more work.
When should you replace your timing belt or timing chain?
Most modern passenger cars and trucks have a timing belt or a timing chain, which must be replaced from time to time. These belts and chains are made from basic materials. Replacing the timing belt or chain can be one of the most expensive and more important maintenance items that will have to be done on your vehicle.
To determine when your timing chain or belt needs to be replaced, refer to your manufacturer’s time and mileage schedule for this service. Most modern vehicles need this service between 60,000 and 90,000 miles.
Is your car’s A/C full of hot air?
Is the air conditioner in your car stopped blowing cold air? All that is coming out now is hot air. There are a few reasons why this might be happening.
1. Loss of refrigerant
Check for leaks if the refrigerant is out or low. The A/C system needs to be purged to remove any air and then recharge with proper amount of refrigerant.
2. Non-working Compressor
If the compressor is not working, the problems may stem from it, e,g, a bad compressor clutch or a completely bad compressor
How to store your car for long periods of time
If you are going to store your car for any longer periods of time - anything over 30 days - there are a few preventive maintenance issues to take care of to avoid issues when it is time to pull the car out of "hibernation".
If you can it is always better to store your vehicle indoors; garage, storage, warehouse etc. This is to reduce issues that weather; wind, moisture, excessive heat etc. can do to your car.
Get your car ready for a long road trip.
Get your car ready for a long road trip.
If you are planning any time of extended road trip it is a good idea to have your car checked before you embark on the journey.
Schedule a thorough overall check up with a mechanic a week or two before your scheduled trip, just in case there are issues. Especially if there is something that needs to be repaired, it may be difficult to fit it on the schedule the day before a trip.
Here is a list of things the mechanic should look at in a pretrip checkup:
Improve your fuel economy by up to 15% with a new Oxygen Sensor
Nearly all modern cars have an oxygen sensor which is an essential piece of technology for reducing tail pipe emissions. Most car owners are unfamiliar with oxygen sensors, but all oxygen sensors will eventually need to be replaced to maintain proper low levels of emissions and fuel economy.
Unheated oxygen sensors on 1976 to early 1990’s vehicles-
Every 30,000 to 50,000 miles
Heated (1st generation) oxygen sensors on mid 1980’s to mid 1990’s
Every 60,000 miles
Heated (2nd generation) oxygen sensors on mid 1990’s to current
Every 100,000 miles
Oxygen Sensors are Critical to passing Emissions Testing
In 1976, Bosch introduced one of the most important technologies for reducing emissions. Oxygen sensors have been standard equipment since 1980.
The oxygen sensor monitors the level of oxygen in the exhaust so an onboard computer can regulate the air/fuel mixture to reduce emissions. The oxygen sensor in located in the exhaust manifold down pipes before the catalytic converter.
As oxygen sensors age, they begin to fail and prevent the onboard computer from making the necessary corrections, allowing the mixture to run rich affecting your emission inspection, most inspection stations will be able to tell you if your emission failure is due to oxygen sensor. (Oxygen sensor failure usually prompts a sensor light or check engine light to come on)
What to do if your Radiator Overheats
1). First, make sure your air conditioning is off. The A/C evaporator in located in front of the radiator and adds heat to the incoming air to the radiator.
2). Turn your heater to the highest setting and the blower to the highest setting. This will help the engine transfer the heat to the air.
3). Unless you are moving very little air reaches the radiator. If you are stuck in traffic, pull over and turn the vehicle off and open the hood.
4). Take a look at your over flow tank. If the overflow tank is empty you probably need coolant.
2010 Toyota Prius has Brake Problems
Another serious blow to Toyota, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Thursday Morning said it is opening a formal defect investigation of the 2010 Toyota Prius. They are examining allegations that the Prius momentarily loses braking when driving on uneven roads or potholes.
The investigation was launched after the agency received 124 reports from consumers. The Prius uses an advanced braking system that uses conventional brake pads and a regenerative system that charges the battery while braking. Officials at the NHTSA say they, at the moment they don’t know what is causing the problem, but has received reports of four crashes.
Nissan tops General Motors in Mexico Sales
Since 1995 Nissan Motor company has trailed General Motors company in Mexico sales. In 2009 Nissan’s sales dropped 26% to 156,186 and General Motors dropped 35% to 138,482 putting Nissan in the top spot.
How to Change your Automatic Transmission Fluid
There are three basic types of automatic transmissions:
The first type has a fluid pan that can be removed and the filter can be changed.
The second type has no pan and can be just drained and plugged.
The third type has the drain plug and fill plug on the bottom of the transmission, this type requires the most labor because you have to suction the fluid from underneath while the vehicle in running (Our suggstion is to have an experienced professional do this).
Update on Toyota’s recall of 2.3 million vehicles
Toyota has announced a major recall affecting 2.3 million vehicles for faulty accelerating pedals.
Models affected:
2009-2010 Corolla
2007-2010 Camry
2009-2010 Matrix
2005-2010 Avalon
2009-2010 RAV 4
2010 Highlander
2007-2010 Tundra
2008-2010 Sequoia models built in North America
Models not affected:
No Lexus or Scion models
Prius
Tacoma
Sienna
Venza
Solara
Yaris
4 Runner
FJ Cruiser
Land Cruiser and select Camry models including all Camry hybrids.
Italians urged to Boycott Fiat
Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is calling for Italians to boycott Fiat S.p.A. for temporarily shutting down it’s Italian plants and possibly completely shutting down it’s Factory in Sicily. Fiat is making a anti-national decision to delocalize vehicle production out of Italy, due to drastic cuts in the Italian market down 40% from 2008.
Bosch post first annual loss in 60 years
Bosch posted its first annual loss in six decades and said to would be a struggle to break even this year. In 2009 the automotive division fell 18 % to 21.7 Billion Euros.
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