Tips To Improve Your Vehicle’s Gas Mileage

1. Don’t Brake Or Accelerate Too Hard

When you apply pressure to the gas pedal, fuel flows into the engine. Stepping on the accelerator quickly increases the flow of fuel. One easy way to save is by accelerating more slowly. If you pay attention to the traffic around you, you probably will notice people quickly accelerating when a light turns green, only to be stopped by a red light at the next corner. Along with being dangerous, this type of driving negatively impacts fuel economy.

2. Don’t Drive Faster Than 60 MPH

One easy way to improve your gas mileage is by slowing down. Driving faster than 60 miles per hour can cause your vehicle to use more fuel than necessary.

3. Shut Your Car Off When You Aren’t Using It

Instead of sitting in your car with the engine idling, shut it off if you are going to be in the same place for several minutes. Idling needlessly wastes fuel. This is an easy way to cut down on your gas usage.

4. Stick To A Regular Vehicle Maintenance Schedule

Well-maintained vehicles tend to get better gas mileage than vehicles that are neglected or in bad shape. Although it may not make a huge difference in your fuel economy, it is important to keep up with regular maintenance. You should be able to find a recommended maintenance schedule in the owner’s manual of your vehicle.

5. Avoid Products That Claim To Improve Gas Mileage

There are a lot of different products on the market that supposedly improve gas mileage. From special types of oil to chemical additives, all of these products claim to make a big difference in your vehicle’s fuel economy. In some cases, they may even state that they were tested by outside parties. In my experience, however, none of these products are worth buying. Even though the thought of being able to get better gas mileage by simply purchasing the right product may be appealing, the odds of it working are extremely slim. Don’t waste time failing to get your car into proper shape, let the auto repair professionals at Leahy’s Auto work on your car’s repairs. Contact our offices to set up a date to have your care looked at.

Spark Plug Replacement 101

#1- Cool Down the Motor

Never try to replace your spark plugs until your engine has completely cooled down. You can find which type of spark plug is perfect for your motor by going online to a site, such as Amazon, that provides you with the right spark plug by entering in your vehicle information such as make, model, and year.

It is important to use the right spark plug for your vehicle. Otherwise, you could cause serious damage by ruining the spark plug threads. Aluminum cylinder threads are easily ruined using the wrong spark plug. The good news is you can repair a ruined thread but it should be only done by a professional.

#2- Clean the Debris

Make sure that you remove any dirt, dust, or debris near and around the spark plug thread. You can do this easily with a compressed air duster. If you decide not to do this, you could cause premature engine wear because of these small particles entering into your engine.

#3- Straight & True

It is imperative that the spark plug goes in straight. A crooked spark plug can cause thread damage which will lead to additional problems. Slowly insert the spark plug with a slight twist. If you notice a tightening, remove the spark plug and start the process again.

#4- One at a Time

One of the easiest mistakes that a backyard mechanic can make, when changing spark plugs, is to mix up the wires. This mistake can be avoided by changing each spark plug one at a time. Cars that use a coil-on-plug system are easier to manage. Also, new cars have made it easier to change spark plugs. However, you will need to be attentive when changing spark plugs on an older car.

Auto repair professionals are best at changing spark plugs and getting your car in tip-top shape. Call us at Leahy’s Auto to get an estimate.

Repair Of Modern Car Radiators

You may have heard that you can easily fix your radiator on your own. “Just solder the radiator neck or fins…”, “Try this putty or adhesive and the leak will immediately stop!”, or “It is not possible to fix a radiator!”.

Now here is the truth, old traditional car radiators were designed fully with metal, normally copper or brass, therefore, you could simply apply metal fillings to repair and patch them. Just soldering and brazing them was enough to return them into a fairly good working condition.

The current modern car radiators are now made from two major materials. The first one is aluminum. Carmakers utilize this as the “core” or, the section that conducts the heat exchange. Aluminum is more difficult to repair as compared to copper and brass radiators that were installed in olden day cars. These radiators’ cores are thin thus they are not weldable, brazing can be effective at times but it is difficult to seal the hole.

Radiator Cap

The other material that modern car radiators utilize is plastic. They utilize plastic tanks on either side of the core and they compress and fold the plastic tanks to the core made from aluminum. These folds and ridges are at times prone to leaks. To re-crimp these joints you have to have special equipment and tools, only select radiator shops can do this. You cannot repair theses joints without using special tools.

Also, modern trucks and cars now have a transmission cooler embedded into the radiator. Any sign of the coolant having a red oily liquid raises the possibility that there is a transmission fluid leakage into the coolant. Replacing the radiator is the only solution to fix this problem. An auto repair professional can make these repairs for you. Need your radiator fixed? Don’t hesitate to call us today!

How To Handle A Car That Won’t Start?

The best approach for a car that won’t start is to check the battery. Now, you can choose how you want to do this. But if you want the most reliable test, then a load test is recommended. Chances are your local auto parts store or repair shop is going to offer the test without any cost. More importantly, the test will show whether you need to replace the battery.

Another option is to turn on all the accessories of the car, including the headlights. Then check how strong the headlights shine. If the lights are dim, it is likely a sign your battery is not as strong as it should be.

A good alternative test involves using a multimeter. Also referred to as a DVOM, this tool allows you to check several things about the car. One of these is to test the voltage of the battery. First, do the test without turning the key. While the key is in the off position, the minimum volts should read 12.4.

For the most part, the battery is the culprit when a car fails to start. But this does not mean the battery is damaged or past its due date. For example, when the battery cables are not tight enough. Or there is corrosion that prevents contact with the terminals. And the best way to make sure it is not the cables is by wiggling them to check how tight they are. At the same time, check for a while or blue buildup at the terminals. If you see this buildup it means you have problems with corrosion.

When you know it is a new battery or all the tests, the second problem area is the starter. A specific click noise can be heard when the starter shows signs of failing. Leahy’s Auto can test your battery and replace it if needs be. We are available for a call when next you need a check.

Picking A Good Mechanic For Your Vehicle’s Preventative Maintenance

Picking a mechanic to handle your vehicle’s preventative maintenance is crucial. Use the following 4 tips to find a good one:

1) Certification And License: Before you hand the keys of your vehicle over to someone you don’t know, you need to ask them about their credentials. How long has this person been in the industry? Where was their schooling? Who did they get training from? What certifications do they have as a mechanic?

2) Meet The Team Yourself: Its really easy these days to schedule your appointment online or just over the phone. Some consumers actually leave their vehicles at garages or service centers without ever actually talking to someone that works on them. If you can, try to stop by their location in person. Talk to them about any problems or issues that your vehicle is having, so you can get your own gut feeling about how genuine the team is about helping you out.

3) What Do Others Have To Say? Before marketing companies buried the world in advertising, many consumers had to rely on word of mouth to gauge the reputation of any business. Interestingly, the mass media nature of today’s world makes word-of-mouth feedback all the more important. Luckily, the Internet also makes it easy to look up what others think about a business and its practices, as you can actually see the opinions of those you don’t even know.

4) Price Checking: Many kinds of repairs have or follow industry standards. However, some services are going to have different prices between different mechanics, especially if things are happening through your insurance. Don’t just take the first quote handed to you. Shop around for better prices. Even then, going with the lowest bidder isn’t always the automatic move, as it might mean you’re not dealing with a high-caliber shop. Try to balance the two. If you are looking for an auto repair professional to help you figure it out. Call us at Leahy’s Auto and see how we can help.

Essential Things Needed For Auto Airbag Repair

1. Information

One of the most important things that an auto airbag technician will need when it comes to repairing airbag systems in vehicles is the right information. This is because different automobile manufacturers and even different models for the same manufacturer have different methodologies when it comes to disabling the airbag system as well as re-arming them.

2. Training

The majority of technicians learn by actually doing, however, there are particular repairs where it is best to have formal training and repairing auto airbags is one of them. You will need to have the right training and there are many schools and places that offer it.

3. Tools

Next, you will need to have the correct tools in order to do the job. When you go to do a repair job, you will be quite surprised to find lots of issues where the wrong bolts are used, broken trim, screws that have stripped heads and much more.

So, no matter what job you’re going to do whether you’re doing airbag repair for your own vehicle or a customer, you should have the correct tools.

4. Backup

Lastly, you should have a backup plan if you don’t know what to do or you can’t figure out the issue on your own. This may be in the form of another airbag technician that you know, another repair shop or you can even just use the internet.

The internet is a great source of information and can help to solve lots of challenging problems. The truth is, there are numerous types of airbag systems that work in different ways and this will continue to complicate with time as more manufacturers create newer models. So, be sure to keep the above info in mind and you should do just fine when it comes to airbag repair. You can leave it to the auto repair professionals to get you up to speed where you need to with airbag repair.  Help is just a call away.

Your Comprehensive Guide To Finding A Reputable Fleet Repair Center To Meet Your Needs

Customer-Centric Fleet Repair Center

It is very important to do business with companies that make their customers a top priority. You want to ensure that you have a good line of communication open at all times and that you are frequently updated by the business you have entrusted with your project. Visiting the repair center is the best thing you can do to find out whether or not a business is genuinely passionate and interested in serving its valued customers. Stop by the shop and ask for a quote on services. That is is an excellent way to see for yourself how the business treats new customers and how the shop works. A brief visit will provide you with a good understanding of whether or not the center is a good fit for you. If you don’t have time to stop by for a visit, then you can give them a call instead.

Fleet Repair Services

Scratches, dents, and dings, invariably happen. However, for your fleet vehicles, it is very important to ensure that they all kept in top condition.

– Glass repair
– Custom paint
– Panel repair
– Fleet collision repair

You might not need all of the above services, but each center is a bit different. Find out what services they offer to ensure they can provide you with what you need.

Company Fleet Repair Services

For fleet centers, larger companies are often some of their most important customers. The reason for that is if trucks are out of commission that can result in a domino effect on the entire production line. No one wants to have to deal with trucks that have obvious dents and dings. Regular maintenance is the key to ensuring this does not happen. Fleet repair professionals can help with this. Large companies will often establish a relationship with a single center. This allows their vehicles to be serviced and maintained on a regular basis, and have the occasional repair done as necessary. For large companies, it is essential to develop an ongoing agreement with a commercial fleet repair center that is able to meet your needs. Contact a center today to discuss their corporate deals and packages.

There are a few different ways that you can determine whether or not a center is reliable and trustworthy. First of all, read some online reviews about the company. What experiences are customers reporting? Also, talk to some of your friends within the industry. Ask them who handles their service needs. They will most likely have some great proven recommendations that you can consider.

What’s The Best Motor Oil For My Vehicle?

If you value your vehicle and want it to stick around for a while, you will make concerted effort to take good care if its engine. To this end, you should consider using the best motor available on the market for your car. Oil is regarded as the lifeblood of the engine, and you need the oil at its best. Otherwise, you will be without a car.

At Leahy’s Auto we trust high-quality engine oils such as Mobil 1® and Castrol® as they are the best engine oils in the market and you should use these too!

The Import Roles Of Engine Oil

You should always care about the type of motor oil you use in your vehicle owing to the critical role oil plays. Some of the vital roles of engine oil include:

Oil Prevents Friction – An internal combustion engine has a lot of moving parts. The moving parts are susceptible to heating up owing to friction. The oil lubricates all the moving parts, negating friction and as well as the resultant heat. Consequently, motor oil protects the engine from damage resulting from friction.

Oil Help Channel Heat Away – Heat is part and parcel of the engine owing to the moving parts and the combustion of fuel. Motor oil insulates the moving parts as well as helps channel the heat away from the engine, thereby protecting the combustion cycle.

Oil Minimizes Oxidation – The combustion of fuel involves mixing air with fuel in the cylinders. The oxygen in the air mix can cause oxidation of the cylinder and other parts of the engine, especially considering the higher temperatures involved. Oil helps to minimize the oxidation effect.

Way Cheap Oil Can Ruin Your Engine

With the importance of engine oil in mind, car owners should be wary of using cheap oil as it could damage your car.

So, what are the risks of using cheap, low-quality engine oil?

Cheap motor oil can:

– Gum up oil and compression rings, causing the oil to leak into the combustion chamber during the combustion cycle
– Create a tar-like sludge that causes engine problems
– Increase fuel consumption
– Reduce lubrication and cause additional friction, thereby inducing wear and tear
– Accumulate in the cylinder and leak into pistons
– Reduce lubricant flow
– Necessitate expensive engine repairs

Any combination of the above issue could result in serious problems that would necessitate an engine rebuild, which costs thousands of dollar. Moreover, if your vehicle is under warranty, you can void it if you use low-quality engine oil that does not meet manufacturer specification. In a nutshell, your effort to reduce the cost of an engine oil change could end up costing you more. Call Leahy’s Auto to get your vehicle’s oil checked or refilled.

Understanding What Repairs My Local Auto Body Shop Are Capable Of

Car accidents are a common occurrence on our roadways. There are many careless drivers on the road and in an instant you may be forced to bring your car to a local repair shop. It is essential to choose a reliable auto body shop to ensure that your vehicle is repaired and looks brand new.

Paintless Dent Removal

It is possible for your vehicle to become dented simply by a grocery cart or a flying rock. These types of dents can be rather noticeable and if you leave them untreated they can become a rather expensive repair. Auto body shops have the tools to ensure that this is something you do not have to deal with. They have the ability to take care of such debts through a process known as Paintless dent removal or PDR for short.

With this process there is no need for sanding or fillers. A trained professional at the repair shop will use a wide variety of tools that are used in pushing the tent back into its original position. By selecting the right professional they will ensure that the job is done correctly and the original paint job is not harmed. Through this process you are not only saving money but your car is getting its original look back.

Painting

If you have been involved in an accident, you will more than likely need a new job. This is going to help the overall exterior of your vehicle as well as improve the look of the vehicle as well. Paint jobs are just one of the routine services offered by your local auto body shop. The professionals have been trained to paint your vehicle whenever it has been scratched, damaged or infected with rust.

Your trained technician will ensure that the car has properly been sanded and cleaned down. In addition they will use a corrosion resistant primer on the vehicle surface followed by a sanding down of the cured primer.

The technician will then use a sprayer to apply multiple layers of paint. In many cases, the vehicle will need to wait about a full week for drying after which the exterior will be polished.

Replacement And Repairs Of Windows

The glass of your vehicle can be damaged easily and in a number of ways. There may be times when it breaks down due to an accident or is chipped or cracked in daily use. There may be times when the glass can be repaired but often it may need to be fully replaced. In many instances, your local auto body shop will have a glass repair technician on hand.

Testing And Straightening The Frame

If you have been involved in an accident, your service technician is going to need to examine the frame of your vehicle for damage and if damage is noticeable, a frame alignment machine will be used to correct it. A hydraulic horse with to work will then be used on the frame for further straightening. Call for details.

Reasons Why Choosing A Certified Auto Body Shop Are Important

Why Certified Auto Body Shops Are So Important

It is critical to check out the certifications that an auto body shop has obtained before entrusting your vehicle with them. You can visit the company’s website, which should show the certifications that the shop has obtained. You also can search for logos on the shop’s windows or doors.

Certified body shop techniques are required to undergo specialized training. That training ensures that the technicians have the necessary expertise and knowledge of the specifications and components of vehicles as well as how to repair them. When a shop is certified is also assures you that it maintains high standards and was inspected for quality. You will also know that its technicians have completed specialized training.

All manufacturers ensure that their cars have something distinctive about them. Some of the systems or components will be specific to a certain model. A certified auto body shop will perform repairs while keeping in mind the specific model. Technological advancements have resulted in vehicles becoming more complex. A technician who does not have the proper certification may not be able to properly handle servicing of the car. Therefore, it is critical to always take a damaged vehicle to a certified auto body shop for repairs that you can rely on to fix the problem.

Certifications To Watch For

It may be confusing at times trying to determine which certifications are meaningful and carry some weight. We can help you with this. Leahy’s Auto offers a gold class designed for auto body shops that have undergone educational programs and training courses and fulfilled all of their requirements. Certifications are offered by Chrysler all over the country. Brands such as Honda, GM, and Ford all offer certification. A thorough examination is conducted at the shop before they are deemed to be trustworthy. So you should entrust your car to a local body shop that has been certified by its brand.

Network Auto Body shop is a shop that strives to always provide you with the finest services in terms of repairing your vehicle and caring for its aesthetics. They have been in the auto body repair business for a very long time and are well-known for providing quality results to their customers. They are an environmentally-friendly and advanced business that ensures that your car will remain beautiful for a very long time. Don’t forget when you need a professional call one!