Author: leahysauto

What To Do When Your Power Steering Stops Working

If this hydraulic system has a problem, you will notice it: Just turning your steering wheel takes much more physical exertion than normal, and driving your car might actually leave you feeling sore. The main question is, what causes this mechanical failure? And even more important, what can be done about this?

The easiest solution is your car is out of fluid; that may be due to there being a leak or it may be due to not replacing the fluid any time recently. A problem that is even more serious is the actual pump is failing. This isn’t really a common problem, but it is something that can occur to older cars. Also, it is possible that the actual fluid is contaminated, since parts of a hydraulic system stars corroding – due to base wear and tear – and small pieces start breaking off.

The best thing that you can do to prevent all of this from occurring is taking good care of the system, and that comes down to making sure you change the fluid on a regular basis. If your car is serviced on a regular basis, that shouldn’t be a problem. Also, make sure you know what the warning signs are of a fluid leak. So if your car has been sitting for a really long time and there is a puddle or amber or pink liquid is under it, then probably that is steering fluid.

If there is a larger problem with the actual pump, you should take your car to a professional. You will know that a problem is developing since the system will start to make loud groaning sounds when you are steering, which is a major sign that your hydraulic system is starting to give out.

What To Do If Your Power Steering Goes Out While You Are Driving

One common question that is asked is what if you happen to miss out on the warning signs and your system gives ou while you are behind the wheel?

The most important thing is not to panic. Turn your blinkers on and honk to tell other drivers that you are having a problem, and then maneuver your car slowly to the side of the road. Keep in mind that turning is going to take more effort than normal, and also make sure to brake gradually. If you slam on your brakes it can send your car into a tailspin, and you won’t have any way to straighten it out if you don’t have the right steering controls.

After you get your car stopped, turn off your engine and then turn it back on again. If it seems like the wheel is able to turn without any additional effort, then you can try to drive it to a mechanic if you are unable to steer normally then you might want to call a tow truck.

Keep The Steering System Healthy

The best thing that can be done to avoid all of the problems is to ensure that you change your fluid regularly. It is a basic preventative maintenance act that can save you from having potentially dangerous and more complicated consequences. Professional auto repair shopS can help keep your steering system healthy.  Call us today take care of your power steering.

Due to the electrical systems that hybrid vehicles have, restoring a damaged one does have some unique challenges associated with them. The following are some of the most important precautionary steps that an auto body shop takes in order to protect your vehicle and its employees.

There are two main types of hybrids, “plug-in” and “conventional”:

Conventional Hybrids. Most auto manufacturers offer these. They have a gas engine that keeps a moderately sized battery charged while you are driving. Available in different models and makes, you cannot plug in a conventional hybrid to recharge its batteries, and therefore can only be driven sporadically on electric power alone.

Plug-In Hybrids. Some automakers offer plug-in hybrids. These vehicles have large batteries that can be recharged by plugging in the vehicle into a recharging station or standard wall outlet. After the car is charged, it runs solely on electricity without any fossil fuel being burned. However, even without ever plugging it in, a plug-in HV still can run.

HV Car Repair Recommendations From I-Car

In order to protect uyor vehicle, technicians, auto body shop estimators, and insurance adjusters, safety protocols have been established for working on both kinds of HVs by the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR).

Before Repairs Start

The car cannot be moved or towed on its road wheels in order to reduce any possible shock hazard and to prevent potential HV system damage.

All of the HV system components need to be first be found and inspected for any potential signs of damage.

All of a vehicle’s service requirements for different systems need to be fully understood first, such as the cooling system on the engine.

Damaged body panel(s) need to checked from behind to see if any HV system batteries, modules, connectors, or wires that may have sustained damage as well.

The right air conditioning system service oils and equipment needs to be used in order to prevent the system from becoming contaminated.

Wear Protective Gloves

Although the electrical system of an HV has been designed to include circuit monitoring systems and built-in safety interlocks that will initiate a shutdown when a compromise is detected, it is highly recommended that protective electrical lineman’s gloves be worn.

The gloves protect the technician who is working near or on high-voltage vehicle components such as PHEV charge port, electric drive motors, inverter assembly, orange-colored cables, service pug fuse and receptacle, etc.

Throughout The Teardown And Reassembly Stages

The electrical propulsion system on an HV needs to be disabled before it is touched or before prying on other system components.

If there is any engine damage or anyone in the vicinity of an HV system, it must be completely disabled before doing anything else.

A quality digital volt-ohm meter should be used to confirm that the HV system has shut down.

Technicians should ever put their fingers directly on or in any HV system parts or connectors.

All connectors that are disconnected need to be kept free of contamination, fluid, or dirt.

If the HV system appears to be intact without any compromises and seems to be safe to be powered up, then the vehicle first needs to be scanned by the technician to identify any potential HV system issues. They will be displayed as HV system error messages or if there are any DTCs or MIL present.

If you want more details on getting repairs on hybrid vehicles contact your neighbourhood professional auto repair shop . Give Leahy’s auto a call .
and get your vehicle fixed.

It is critical to have good wheel bearings in order for the wheels on your vehicle to work together – more specifically, for the assemblies, tire, and hub to work in harmony. They also are prone to be abused, which is why it is so important to be aware of the warning signs. However, it is also important to understand what wheel bearings are exactly before delving deeper into the symptoms, costs, and impact of bad bearings.

What Are Wheel Bearings?

Wheel bearings are sets of steel balls with a metal ring holding them together which is called a race. There is a hub, or hollow metal piece, in the middle of the wheel. Wheel bearing fit inside of the hub tightly, and ride on top of the metal axle shaft, to help reduce friction as the wheel is spinning.

They are not the same thing as the engine bearings since the wheel bearings do not have any constant lubrication source. That means they must be tight enough in order to keep away road dust and water.

How You Can Tell When Wheel Bearings Have Gone Bad

The following are a couple of things to consider:

The most easily identifiable and most common symptom of a wheel bearing that has gone bad is an audible sign. If you notice any grating or grinding noises coming from the tire or wheel, there is a good chance that a bad wheel bearing is causing it – especially when the noise grows loud as the car accelerates.

Another telling sign of having bad wheel bearings is when your car feels loose while you are driving it.

Pulling is a related phenomenon. As you are driving, does your vehicle go where you direct it to or does it appear to have a mind of its own and veer in a specific direction?

The final thing is to pay close attention to the tires on your car. Rotating your tires on a regular basis can help to prevent wear. However, if you discover that your tires have very uneven wear, you might want to have the wheel bearings checked.

How Bad Wheel Bearing Noises Can Be Distinguished

Humming Sounds

A vehicle can have many different sounds coming from it that ca be cause for concern. That is why it is critical to be able to differentiate between them so that you can avoid misdiagnosing them. It is easy for noises to be misleading. There are several different issues that can cause a humming sound while you are driving, which starts with the tires but can also be the CV joint or wheel bearing.

Growling and Squealing

Classic noises made by a bad wheel bearing include growling, squealing, and cyclic chirping sounds. Another way you can tell if the sound relates to the wheel bearings is if the sound changes with the speed of the vehicle.

Wheel Bearing Noise vs Rear Differential Noise

A howling sound that only happens during deceleration is a fairly good indicator of having a loose pinion-bearing preload. If howling occurs at different speeds under acceleration, then worn out gears is most likely the problem.

Bad Wheel Bearings Are A Serious Problem

You should not take this frequently ignored car component for granted. Stay tuned in to the warning signs discussed in this article. If you notice any signs of trouble, make sure to take your car in to have a professional check the wheel bearings right away. A bad wheel bearing can be fixed by our professionals .Call us today we will take care of all your vehicle repairs.

When you have a car, there may come a time when the vehicle pulls to the right or the left. If you find this happening with your car then it is likely because of a bad alignment. It’s fairly easy to fix this problem but it’s something that you should attend to as quickly as possible. Doing so will mean that your ride will be safer and smoother and it will also mean that your tires last longer.

Understanding The Difference Between Just Getting A Front End Alignment Versus Getting A 4 Wheel Alignment

When speaking to a mechanic you might hear them refer to giving you a wheel alignment and at other times you might hear them say a front end alignment. These two terms can mean the same thing and are often used interchangeably. If the mechanic says you should have a wheel alignment then they could be talking about having all four wheels aligned and this is especially true when the vehicle is 4-wheel drive.

When a mechanic talks about doing a front end alignment this is specifically the two front wheels. If you’re ever unsure, you can simply ask the mechanic which he means. Either way, having the wheels properly aligned is something that every car owner needs sometimes.

Why Is Having A Wheel Alignment Important?

When the car is first made at the manufacturing plant the wheels are aligned and then tested. If any adjustments are needed they are done and then it is verified by someone at the factory. It’s very unusual for a brand new vehicle to be out of alignment. Even so, over time most cars will eventually become misaligned and therefore a wheel alignment will become necessary.

What Causes Tires To Get Out Of alignment?

There are numerous reasons that wheels can get out of alignment. The majority of these reasons have to do with various driving conditions. If you happen to be going down a road that is not well maintained then the bumps along the way can cause the wheels to become misaligned. If you drive down these roads fast then that can worsen the problem. If you happen to run into a curb or pothole, that can throw the car out of alignment.

What Are Some Of The Symptoms When The Car Is Out Of Alignment?

It’s quite possible that you won’t even notice when the car first becomes out of alignment. Even so, damage can be taking place. Even if the car is only slightly out of alignment it can start damaging the tires. This means you won’t be getting as good a performance out of them as you would if the alignment was correct. This also means it’s likely you’ll have to replace the tires sooner and this cost you money.

The car doesn’t have any type of warning lights to let you know that it is becoming out of alignment. This means that the only real way you can check it is to have an alignment check done on the vehicle. It is possible that you will notice a difference in how the car handles and the most common thing people notice is that it starts pulling to the right or to the left.

What Are Some Of The Benefits To Getting A Wheel Alignment?

Having a proper alignment will mean that the tires last longer and the car will drive smoother. It means that the wheels themselves will face the correct direction which can allow you to stay on course when cruising. It also means that the car will use less energy when driving. You can check your alignment at Leahy’s auto . Call us today and make an appointment.

If you’re reading this article, and you’re a woman, I have a question for you – have you ever felt disrespected, or even felt neglected whenever you take your vehicle to a local body shop?

EQUAL TREATMENT TO WOMEN

According to the recent article posted by Auto Body Review, while men are usually the ones most likely to get involved in different types of car accidents than women, women these days are the ones who usually bring their car for repairs. Because of that, women just wanted to experience the same kind of professionalism and customer service experience that these companies give to men.

While women ask more questions than men, they simply wanted to be heard by the local repair shop staff, and for their questions to be answered quickly and with respect.

– Maintain eye-level contact, and don’t forget to smile.
– Never ignore a female customer, nor make them feel that you’re rushing things.
– Shake a woman’s hand, just like you would with another man customer.
– Install a hook in women’s bathrooms for their bag.

While all of these things may not seem like a big deal for most shop owners, when these trivial things add up, they may not end up nicely.

ENSURE YOUR SHOP HAS A WELCOMING AMBIENCE

In another recent article, this time posted by the Body Shop Business, they have started to look at all the other things that could make a woman feel more comfortable whenever they enter a local body shop. The author has clearly mentioned that since their customers are composed of 50% women, they have to make sure that they also meet their customers’ expectations – which is a simple yet overlooked factor towards a local auto shop’s success.

PROPER ENTRANCE AND PARKING SPACE

The way a woman’s brain works is different – and they usually notice neatness. If you have a good parking space, and if the office is clean and has proper markings, they’ll feel more comfortable and less awkward as soon as they step foot into your shop.

CHILD-FRIENDLY WAITING AREA

Since some of your customers would be mostly mothers, they would want an auto body shop that has a waiting area where they can comfortably bring their kids with them. Surely, they don’t want other service bays and other dust floating on their children’s snacks as they fill some forms. Women, in general, prefer clean waiting areas as they usually incorporate it with the quality of service they’d receive from the auto body shop.

SHOP DECOR

Again, for a woman’s point of view, this is an added factor. Some old, antique calendars and even some old car designs hanging on the wall may not be impressive enough for a woman. Instead, you may add a bit of fresh and modern artwork, and adding a few houseplants won’t hurt too!

EXPLAIN ESTIMATES CAREFULLY

A lot of people are oftentimes confused with how repair estimates are computed, as well as how these insurance companies work. This is why most people often depend on the shop manager’s explanations – and to somehow put their mind at ease. Your female customers would want someone at the shop to be very patient with them as they describe how the repair process is done, how long the entire process would take and how much they’d need to spend on it.

BATHROOM

Women get easily turned off by disgusting and smelly bathroom. So if you want to impress your female customers, make sure that you keep the toilets clean, a bright vanity, a clean and designated diaper-changing area, and walls that are not grimy and filled with stains. You can also up your game by adding some air fresheners, toilet seat covers, and some hand soaps and lotion – this is one way of earning their trust, which means they’re more likely to use your services again.

LIST OF BODY SHOPS IN THE AREA WITH EQUAL RIGHTS FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS

Regardless of you’re a male or female, car accidents are inevitable. If you need to bring in your car for high-quality collision repairs, you may want to bring it to a local auto body shop with good reviews, like Leahy’s auto . Get in touch all us today with the team that treats all customers equally.

The Dangers of Flood Waters

The actions of driving through waters that are rising instead of finding ways around them are responsible for causing flood deaths. Water that rushes across a roadway will generate a great amount of force, and even water that is standing can become a threat to the occupants of even large vehicles. Potential driving hazards are created by pavement water levels.

Six inches. This depth of water causes the tires of a vehicle to slide out of control because they have lost the needed traction.

Twelve inches. A foot of water can lead to most passenger cars floating. Once this happens you cannot use the brakes or steer. Moving floodwaters can carry away your car downstream or into obstacles.

Two feet. At this height, floodwaters constitute a risk even for large vehicles like SUVs or pick-ups, as the force in them is enough to wash them away.

Over two feet. At this height of floodwater, you are at risk of getting swept away, and if you still try to navigate your vehicle it will get hydro locked. This hydro locking occurs when water enters the combustion chamber of your engine and stops it from running. You get hopelessly stranded if your engine stalls.

How to Stay Safe on Flooded Roads

Obey Barricades

“Turn around, don’t drown”, is a saying that you will hear when you live in flood zones and have to drive in them. So if the Department of Traffic has put up a barricade, ignore it at your peril.

Avoid Standing Water

As we have said earlier, even a small amount of water on roads can make road conditions hazardous. Drive through standing water only if you are sure of its depth, and the surface beneath the water.

You May Not Have a Choice

There can be situations, like when you are a first responder when you have no other option than to go through floodwaters. Look for alternate routes, but if they are not available, drive forward after taking these precautions.

Estimate the depth of the water, by seeing how high the water comes up to the wheels of passing cars.

Your driving must be slow and methodical. Make sure there are no power lines downed, as their contact with water will lead electric current into your vehicle that is metal encased. Large items in the water like logs moving downstream can not only trap your vehicle but can also crush it along with its occupants.

Stay off the phone, unless it is an emergency, as you must not be distracted while you are driving.

Once you have come out of the water and it is at tire rim level, dry out your brake pads by using the brakes gently while moving on a clear stretch of road.

If you are in deeper water and your engine is stalled, try restarting the engine. An engine that is not dried can get damaged if you try restarting it.

If you continue to remain trapped in a vehicle that will not start, abandon it, and look for higher ground or trees. Open the door if you can, or roll down the window to get out of the stranded vehicle and ask a passing vehicle for help or call 911. If you find yourself in need of  a professional auto repair shop to navigate through water call us. Leahy’s auto will not leave you stranded.

Every driver gets involved in a rear-end collision at some time or the other. You can avoid these accidents of rear-end of vehicles if you follow these tips for driving safely.

Keep Your Distance

It does not matter where you are driving, on a highway, a work zone, or a rural road, the first step to take to avoid rear-end collisions, is to maintain a safe distance from the car or vehicle that is in front of you. Once you do this, then you have enough time to react and use your brakes safely.

In normal road driving conditions, use the “3-second rule”:

Pick any stationary object that is near the road, like an overpass, a sign or tree.
After the rear end of the vehicle you are behind, passes that object, count from one thousand one to one thousand three. If the object you have picked out is passed before you have finished your count, it means that you are too close to the vehicle in front.
When the driving situations you are in are more dangerous, adjust the distance of following to 4 seconds. When will this be necessary?

Slippery roads. Slick pavements on which you can slip are caused by fallen leaves, snow, ice or rain.
Poor visibility. The sun’s glare, flying dust or fog in addition to rain or snow can make it troublesome to see.
If you are behind a large vehicle. When you are behind a big semi that has an oversized load, you need to keep still further back, so that you are not in its blind spot, and you have more room to see.
Behind a motorcycle. Motorcycles can stop much faster than you, so give them the extra room, when you are behind them.
Vehicles that have frequent stops. Postal vehicles, garbage trucks, and school buses have frequent stops and may also stop at railroad crossings. So best follow the 4-second rule when you are behind them.

Be Ready For the Unexpected

Always be alert to unexpected hazards like large potholes, stalled cars, or debris, so that you have the time to avoid them without the need to slam on the brakes, or having to make an abrupt turn into another lane.

Never be in another driver’s blind spot, as they may not be able to see you when they are switching lanes.

Check mirrors frequently when you are driving, especially before you turn, change or merge lanes.

Your Driving Must Be Predictable

Never leave drivers following you from having to guess whether you are changing lanes, stopping or turning.

Slow down gradually, and never slam on the brakes.

Make sure that your headlights and brake lights are always functional.

Your turn signal must be activated much before you are intending to turn so that the driver behind you is alerted.

Never squeeze in front of other drivers when you change lanes, but give them sufficient notice by signaling.

Posted speed limits must be strictly followed, especially in work and school zones.

Never be distracted while driving, like texting.

Drugs and alcohol can slow down your time of reaction, so never drive after you are under their influence.

If you do end up finding yourself needing a professional auto repair shop we are just a call us away.

Waking up and discovering your car is missing is one of the worst feelings. The recent figures from the FBI show that over 770,000 vehicles are stolen in the U.S every year. The good thing is there are some ways you can use to keep yours safe and not end up being a statistic.

Car Theft Tactics
OEM security systems have improved, but the methods and tactics used by thieves have improved too. The base strategies of car thieves are still the same age-old approaches. The first being taking advantage of any immediate opportunity they come across, while the second involves some careful planning, preparing, and waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

The first tactic is mostly used by car thieves, but before they can do it, they ensure there is no chance of getting caught. The second one is common and involves less risk because the plan has been carefully thought out. Just like any other type of thief, car thieves will always choose the path of least resistance.

Discouraging car thieves
No tactic is 100% foolproof when it comes to theft-deterrence, but using the methods below will help in discouraging car thieves from stealing your car;

Turning off your engine
Are you the type of person who leaves their car running when they enter a local store or let it warm on the driveway? When you leave your car running while unoccupied, it makes it easier for the thieves because they wait in the shadows and wait for people to make this mistake.

Doors locked and windows up
This is especially important if you are stuck in stop-and-go traffic. It is important to keep the windows rolled up tight and ensuring the doors are locked to keep carjackers out.

Wisely choosing your parking spots
Criminal like it when they are in the shadows. When choosing a place to park, you should stay away from dimly lit and isolated areas.

Not leaving valuables in your vehicle
When you leave your valuables inside the car, it attracts car thieves. There is also the risk of a “smash-and-grab” burglars. When a thief breaks into the car after seeing your wallet or purse lying inside, they can just decide to steal the car so it can be worth their while.

Hiding your documents
Many drivers usually have their car registration, driver’s license, and poof insurance inside. If a thief steals a car then a police offer pulls them over, they can easily show the insurance and registration cards and be let go. You should lock these documents inside the glovebox, but the best option can be carrying them any time you leave the car.

Scanning your surroundings
You need situational awareness to scan the surroundings and look out for any suspicious activity. When you do this, it will help in heightening your senses and helping you remember precautions to take, especially if the area is unfamiliar.

Installing an alarm
If the area you live in has high-crime or if the car make and model you have is frequently targeted, consider getting a good alarm system. Having such alarms can help in deterring criminals. You can get this done at Leahy’s auto in the meantime call us to get a quote.

The Right Way to Jump Start a Car Battery

Choose the Right Jumper Cables

To jump a car battery, there is no need for many tools. To start with, you have to find a car that is functioning so that you can use it for the jump start. Both the car owners must be comfortable while identifying the battery and its terminals, after opening the hood. The most popular tools for jump-starting cars are jumper cables that do not cost a lot and can be easily stored.

Safety First

Before you try to repair your car or perform any basic maintenance on it, you need to be aware of the safety risks. Start with sending all small children to safe areas, that must be nowhere near the car that you are finding out how to jump-start after its battery has given up the ghost. Find time to read the manual of your car.

Jumping the Car Battery

Preparation

Step 1: Both vehicles should be parked adjacent to each other

The car that is functioning should be parked 18 inches apart from the car that needs to be jump-started, while they face each other. Manual transmission cars should be set to neutral, while cars with automatic transmission should have the vehicle set to park. Parking brakes of both cars should be set so that neither of them can move.

Step 2: Both the vehicles with parking brakes set should be turned off.

Once you have switched off the cars, remove their keys. Set the jumper cables on the ground, while ensuring that the clamps are not touching each other.

Start attaching the jumper cables:
Open the hoods of both the cars, and locate their batteries. Identify the positive and negative terminals of both the batteries. Battery terminals that are dirty must be wiped off with a wire brush or rag.

Step 3: One of the red clamps must be attached to the dead battery’s positive terminal.

Attach the red clamp of one end of the jumper, to the battery terminal that has been identified as positive. The connection to the terminal must be solid and this may require you to wiggle the clamp on the terminal.

Step 4: Attach the other red clamp of the jumper cable to the positive terminal on the battery that is working.

Step 5: The red clamp will have a partner black clamp and this must be attached to the working battery’s negative terminal.

Step 6: Attach this partnered black clamp to any clean bolt or nut on the block of the engine.

Step 7: The vehicle that is working should then be started and allowed to run for a few seconds.

Step 8: The dead vehicle should be started. It will turn on.

Step 9: If the dead vehicle does not start, try revving the working vehicle engine.

Step 10: Now disconnect the jumper cables, the black cables first, and the red cable after that.

Step 11: Take your previously dead vehicle for a drive so that its battery can get recharged.

A professional auto repair shop can help to jump start your vehicle.Call us today we will take care of all your vehicle repairs.