Archive for March 2019Such a Little Part (Climate Control Resistor)Posted April 3, 2022 9:43 AMYou expect your heater/air conditioner to work like it should. You have a control for temperature and one for fan speed. You even have a control for what vents the air comes out of. Don't be surprised one day if your blower fan develops a mind of its own and starts going crazy. Most of the time, you may find that it starts blowing at full speed, and nothing you do to try to control it does any good. This is what may be happening. Your blower motor has an electronic component called a resistor. It does what its name says; it offers resistance. When you want the fan to run more slowly, you turn the fan speed down. That resistor accomplishes that by turning its resistance up. When the resistor fails, the power has nothing to slow it and the fan speeds up. It's a small part and can fail due to age or corrosion. It's usually not an expensive part, either, but it's often found in a location that's not that easy for the technician to get to. That means labor costs will vary depending on the design of your vehicle. Occasionally, a faulty resistor can cause the blower motor not to work at all or only partially come on. But other things can cause that as well, such as a faulty fan switch or vent control. This is where a technician's training comes in. Special equipment can track down precisely where the issue is so you can be assured the correct part is being replaced. It's just not pleasant when the blower motor isn't following orders. Have your service facility check it out so you can be the blower's boss, like it should be. AutoSurgeonInc Don't be Fuelish (Signs Fuel Pump is Failing)Posted March 27, 2022 11:44 AMA driver of a large SUV loaded with equipment was heading on a 7-hour work trip when he stopped at a gas station to refuel. When he went to restart his SUV, it turned over but wouldn't catch. Try as he might, he was never able to get it started again. Of course there are many things that can cause those symptoms, but the next day he had his SUV towed to a service repair facility. Using their test equipment, they were able to pinpoint the problem. His fuel pump had failed. The pump, which was located in the fuel tank, had to be replaced, and after awhile he was back on the road, delayed, but happy to be up and running again. What had happened is that the pump was not strong enough to deliver adequate fuel to his engine, vital to being able to start it. It had delivered just enough pressure in the morning to get it started the first time, but it was on its last legs. He had been having trouble starting his SUV in the days leading up to this trip, a clue that something was wrong. The engine relies on a certain pressure of fuel from the pump to run properly, and there are some other signs to be aware of that your fuel pump may need to be replaced. If you are putting strain on your engine, such as going uphill or hauling a big load, and the engine sputters, it may be a sign that the pump isn't delivering that consistent pressure. Another warning sign is if your engine is running hot and then stalls. That could mean your fuel pump is getting weak. Sometimes you might notice your vehicle suddenly speeds up on its own or your fuel economy goes from good to poor in a short time. If your fuel gauge shows you have plenty of fuel in the tank and your engine stalls, that's another possible sign of a failing fuel pump. Technicians have special equipment to see where the fuel problems are, and there are many possibilities. Have your vehicle checked before you're left stranded. Oh, and one more tip to prolong the life of your fuel pump. Since it is cooled and lubricated by the fuel in your tank, make sure you keep at least a quarter of a tank of fuel at all times. Avoid your "low fuel" light going on and you may be helping yourself avoid having to replace your fuel pump. AutoSurgeonInc Straight Ahead (Wheel Alignment)Posted March 20, 2022 10:27 AMIf every road was straight and smooth, we wouldn't have to worry much about wheel alignment. But they're not, so we do. Hitting potholes or driving on rough pavement can knock your vehicle out of alignment and you'll notice it in one of several ways. Your steering wheel may not be centered when you're driving straight ahead, or your vehicle may pull to one side. You may find your tires wearing on one side or they may squeal. All are signs that could point to you needing an alignment. Your wheels should be perpendicular to the road and parallel with each other. If not, your tires will wear out faster and your vehicle won't go straight on a level straightaway. In alignment, there are several factors that must be checked. One is camber. Your wheels should be straight up and down if you look at them from the front. If not, you'll wear your tires unevenly on one side. Another factor is caster, the angle of the steering pivot. Most vehicles have what's called positive caster, when the top of the steering pivot leans toward the rear. Proper caster balances steering effort, stability on the highway and cornering. You may have heard the term "toe" in reference to your wheels. If you looked at your front wheels from straight above, for example, imagine your wheels were your feet. If you were to turn your toes in toward each other, that would be toeing in. The toe of your vehicle should be set to manufacturer's specifications so your vehicle handles well and doesn't prematurely wear out tires. It's a good idea to have your alignment checked periodically since it can get knocked out by one hard knock or a lot of little knocks. It's not just about tire wear, it's about ride comfort and safe handling. You may say a vehicle aligned just feels divine.
Keeping Your Cool (Coolant leak repair)Posted March 13, 2022 7:19 AMIf there’s one thing you should pay attention to with your vehicle, it’s the temperature gauge. It’s the one that may say C---H (that means “cold---hot”). Or maybe yours has a picture of a thermometer on it and a blue and red zone. If you see the needle heading farther to the “H” or red area, that means your vehicle’s engine is running hotter than it normally does. One of the most common causes of an engine running hot is a leak in your cooling system. Maybe you’ve seen puddles of coolant under your vehicle, or you’ve smelled the coolant, either inside or outside your vehicle (it has a sort of “sweet” or fruity smell). That’s your engine giving you a warning signal that it’s time to head over to your repair facility to find out what’s going on. Your vehicle’s coolant can leak for several reasons. You may have hoses that are deteriorating (heat and age take their toll). It’s possible the pump that circulates coolant has developed a problem (seals and bearings can fail from heat and wear). You may have something as simple as a bad radiator cap. Or your radiator or heater core may have holes in it. If your coolant is leaking out, this can cause serious damage to your engine if you just let it go. Your engine could get so hot that some of the metal parts start to warp. Sometimes, your coolant can start mixing in with your engine oil. That can result in a very expensive repair if it gets to that stage, so have it checked out before that happens. A technician will visually inspect your coolant system, including the reservoir tank, check hoses and fittings, test the water pump, and also may pressure test the radiator. When the problem or problems are found, they will replace the necessary parts and get you back on the road. When it comes to a coolant leak, finding the cause can be tricky. But it’s important to catch a cooling system issue in time—before your engine sustains more serious damage. Now, that’s pretty cool. AutoSurgeonInc How to Radiate Cool (Radiator Care)Posted March 6, 2022 12:03 PMThere's nothing that radiates cool like a vehicle radiator that's helping to keep your engine running at the proper temperature. You don't have to baby it, but you can't simply ignore it, either. Let's take a quick dive under the hood to let you know what the radiator is doing. It takes the heat your engine produces and moves that heat outside. It's not an easy job and heat is an engine's number one enemy. Now that you're thinking how nice you want to be to your radiator, we have a couple of ideas how you can take care of it. The easiest thing is to pay attention to your vehicle's temperature gauge. If it gets in the "too hot" or "not hot enough" range, have it checked out soon. Make sure your coolant is kept at the correct level and if you see a trend that you have to add coolant more than a couple of times a year, you might have a leak. Even if there are no obvious problems, every couple of years or so, consider taking your vehicle in for radiator maintenance. A technician can run a pressure check for leaks and ensure that the thermostat and radiator cap are working correctly. The technician will check that fans are running like they should so they can move air over the radiator and heat away from the coolant inside. Ask your service advisor when you should have your radiator flushed and coolant replaced according to the manufacturer's recommended intervals. In addition to cooling, coolant has corrosion inhibitors which stop working after a while. Without those corrosion inhibitors, the inside of your radiator can literally start rotting away. Keep in mind that the coolant level must be kept at manufacturer's specifications since if those corrosion-preventing chemicals aren't touching the metal, they're not preventing corrosion. Different vehicles use different coolants, so your service facility will make sure yours is getting the correct one. Keep your coolant system happy and one day, maybe you can order up a custom license plate, "RAY-D-8." AutoSurgeonInc Conventional or Synthetic? (Switching to Synthetic Oil)Posted February 27, 2022 9:10 AMIf you keep up on technology trends, then you may be intrigued about synthetic motor oil. It was introduced in the 1960s when Mobil came up with it. Mobil's oil was different from conventional motor oil because it was first broken down to its basic molecules. Then, Mobil removed additional impurities from crude oil and "tailored them to the demands of modern engines." Synthetic oil is becoming more popular now because of its advantages over conventional oil. It's more resistant to sludge forming in an engine. It is more efficient and protects engines better under temperature extremes. Because it allows drivers to go longer between oil changes, many feel it's more convenient. The downside is that synthetic oil is more expensive, but because it doesn't need changing as often, the cost can be pretty comparable in the long run. Those who drive high performance vehicles (think Audi, BMW, Mercedes) are already using synthetic oil if they're following their manufacturer's guidelines. Other manufacturers recommend a synthetic blend. So for those who are using conventional oil, you may want to consult your service advisor for some recommendations if you want to switch to synthetic. If you're the type who always waits until the last-minute or doesn't ever get in quite in time for the recommended oil change interval, the longer gap required between changes with synthetic oil may appeal to you. In some cases, you can go up to 15,000 miles/24,000 km between changes. If you drive in a very cold climate, synthetic oil can flow more easily at startup and may offer quicker engine protection. On the other hand, in hot climates, synthetic oil can resist heat breakdown better. Or you may be one of those drivers who have been getting along fine with conventional oil changes. Millions do. Just remember that changing your oil is considered the most important maintenance you can do on your vehicle, so make sure it's done at the right time and with the oil that best suits your driving needs. AutoSurgeonInc Don't Start with That (Bad Starter Motor)Posted February 20, 2022 9:07 AMWe've all heard that expression, "That's a non starter." When it comes to your vehicle, that's not music to a driver's ears. That sickening sound when you start the ignition and instead of hearing the engine crank, you hear it slowly turn over and your dash lights go dim. There can be many reasons a vehicle won't start, so here's a little history of how the starter came to be an important component of modern vehicles. You have to move the engine's components to start it. The first cars had a crank that the driver would insert into the front, then start turning things over by hand. When the engine started, you had to release that crank immediately or risk a broken arm. Yes, it happened many times. So, they came up with a better idea: an electric starter, which was a big advance in automotive technology. With this system, an electric motor rotated a series of gears that turned the gasoline engine's crankshaft so its pistons and parts moved and the engine drew in air. While this happened, electricity went to the spark plugs and fuel headed to the cylinders. When the gasoline engine caught, the starter quickly disengaged. Hey, no more broken arms! Modern systems use the same principle, so when your vehicle won't start, here are a few things to look out for that might point to the starter. If the engine turns over s-l-o-w-l-y, it may mean the electric starter motor may just be wearing out and doesn't have enough cranking power. Bushings, brushes, wire windings and a special switch called a commutator may be going bad. If when you engage the ignition you hear a faint click, that could be a symptom one or more of the starter's components have failed. If you hear a loud click, it could mean that an electrical switch called a solenoid may not be switching the motor on. If you hear your engine start to turn over but then it stops and is followed by a grinding sound, some gears may not be meshing the way they should. There may be many more causes (bad alternator, relay, battery, engine, key fob), so this is when it's time to turn it over to your service facility. Sometimes they can send out their own tow truck or recommend a reputable towing company. But it's best not to let it get to this point. Starter problems often give you advance warning that there is a problem with "almost" not starting or "almost" not turning over. So when you see that very first sign, "start" on over to talk this one over with your service advisor. The opposite of a "non-starter" is a starter, and that is music to anyone's ears. AutoSurgeonInc Bad Vibes (Disc brake rotor problems)Posted February 13, 2022 9:59 AMIf you were to name the most important safety feature on your vehicle right now, what would your answer be? A lot of driving experts would agree that it’s your brakes. Most newer vehicles use a well-engineered and efficient style of brakes called disc brakes. The name disc brakes comes from one of the components: a disc attached to the wheel hub that is squeezed by parts called calipers. If you’ve ever ridden a bicycle with hand brakes, you probably have seen how they squeeze against the rim of the bike wheel to stop the bike. It’s similar to the way your vehicle’s calipers squeeze against the disc rotor, with added parts called brake pads attached to the calipers that are what create the friction and stop your vehicle. Here’s why disc brakes need regular maintenance. Over time, that friction creates wear and tear on the brake pads and the rotors, and you’ll start to see the signs. Your brakes may have one of the 3 “S” sounds: squeaking, squealing, or scraping. The sound is usually the first sign of brake pad wear which can lead to rotor damage. Soon you may notice a pulsating or vibration when you brake. That’s because your once smooth and straight rotor disc is warping from the heat generated from friction. Or it may be due to wear. Eventually, your brakes will take a longer distance to stop your vehicle, and the rotors can have grooves carved into them. When you start noticing any of these signs, it’s a good idea to have them inspected by a trained technician. They will measure the rotor thickness, check wear patterns for grooves and heat discoloration, and see how much of the brake pads remain. They will also check to make sure all brake components are moving freely, check your brake fluid, and look for corrosion. Most vehicle manufacturers require worn or damaged rotors to be replaced, not resurfaced. It’s all part of a complete brake job, replacing pads and the brake hardware parts along with the rotors. It reduces the chance of premature failure. How often you will need your brakes serviced depends on the manufacturer’s recommendations, your driving habits, and the environment you live in. Your service facility can recommend the best replacement parts based on those factors. Regular maintenance and attention are vital for keeping your brakes performing like they are designed to. Remember, your brakes are your vehicle’s most important safety feature. AutoSurgeonInc Some New Boots (Suspension Maintenance)Posted February 6, 2022 10:06 AMThere are some boots that don't come in a shoe box and aren't worn on your feet. They are called axle or CV boots, and they can be important parts for many vehicles. That CV stands for constant velocity. CV axles are mainly used in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles. They're also used in some rear-wheel drive vehicles with independent suspensions. They have two CV joints, one inner and one outer, placed between the axle and the drive wheels. That way the vehicle's engine power can drive the wheels, no matter what angle they are. They also adjust for the different speeds wheels turn as they go around corners. Because roads are full of all sorts of hazards (dirt, oil, water, grime), these CV joints need to be protected. They also have grease in them to keep the bearings moving smoothly. That's the job of the rubber boots that are supposed to keep that debris out. These CV or axle boots are made of rubber or plastic and usually last a long time without any problem. But sometimes they fail, either from being hit by debris or age causing the rubber or plastic to deteriorate. That can allow the grease to leak out of the joint and the moisture to get in. And that's where the trouble is. So it's important to have a vehicle's CV boots checked periodically, especially when they begin to have more than 100,000 miles/160,000 kilometers on them. A technician inspects them for tears or cracks. Sometimes if the problems are found early enough, the boots can be replaced and the joints can be re-packed with grease. But sometimes the CV joint can wear out even though the boot is intact. When the CV joint fails, you might hear a grinding, humming or clicking noise and feel vibration. Some of these can be difficult to access for service, so many service advisors will recommend replacing the joints and boots at the same time. Just remember, new CV boots won't make a fashion statement, but they will keep your vehicle going down the road for years to come. AutoSurgeonInc Drivers that "T" Us Off (Bad Driving Practices)Posted January 30, 2022 8:17 AMWe've all seen drivers who do things that—let's be frank—really irritate us. They're inconsiderate, can put people in danger and make the road a much less friendly place. They really "T" us off. These are the bad drivers who fit their description to a "T."
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Car & Truck Care, near Lansing, MIJust a word of thanks for the top notch done to Wema's Carolla and for the thoughtful communication with our Tanzanian exchange student. Not only did you fix her car, but also handled arranging towing, all in a narrow window of time. Wema is delighted to have her car back, running better than ever. Couldn't be more happy with your service!