Category: Maintenance

Whenever my battery dies on me, the first thing that goes through my mind is “Why today?” I know I’m not alone in this. No one enjoys being stuck somewhere with a dead battery, even at home.

If you’re wondering what the typical life cycle of a car battery is, then it’s about three years. Higher-end batteries might be rated for 4 or even 5 years. Some drivers get lucky enough to have batteries that last a lot longer.

There are a handful of factors that can drive a car battery (pardon the pun) into early retirement. Leaving an electrical device plugged in or burning your lights all night can do it. High temperatures can accelerate the rate of corrosion, and it never helps for the car to have long-standing times where it’s not driven for multiple weeks at a time.

Extreme temperatures are always bad news for the life of a battery. Batteries are far more likely to go flat or even die during a really cold spell, since firing up the motor in low temperatures takes a lot more effort. More current has to be drawn out of the battery, which just depletes it faster. Alternatively, hot weather itself can lead to more degradation and corrosion in the battery.

Your own driving habits and patterns impact battery life a lot too. If you make a lot of short trips, then it doesn’t leave enough time or distance for your vehicle’s battery to get a full recharge. That can result in an acid imbalance that corrodes the battery, leading to a shorter lifespan. Unsure about your car’s battery life? Get it checked at Leahy’s Auto. They are the number one place to call in your area for auto repairs.

Air Conditioning Leaks

Leaks aren’t the only potential culprit. Basically put, you might have to get repairs to your car’s air conditioning system when its electrical or mechanical components are the ones that break down. These can include the pulleys, belts, condensers, electric motors, compressors, and evaporator coils. Like anything else mechanical or electrical, they can get worn down over time and then break.

The Air Conditioner Evaporator

As a general rule of thumb, it’s just not worth it to have an evaporator coil repaired. The costs involved with having one reconditioned is nearly always more than what it costs to just replace it with a new one. Besides, the new one is going to last longer anyway.

The Air Conditioner Compressor

Depending on what the specific issue is, a compressor is something that can get repaired. If it’s just an issue with the compressor clutch, then it can occasionally get replaced. This is happening less frequently considering how a growing number of manufacturers are creating compressors without serviceable clutches. Given that, the compressor replaced most of the time. These aren’t exactly cheap. When you include the labor charges, you can expect to spend as little as $100 to as much as $1000.

Air Conditioner Belts And Pulleys

You might now what pulleys and belts are. Your engine likely has several of them in use. When the engine is in operation, it’s not just driving your wheels, but also other components like power steering or the alternator. This is why it is important to get an auto repair professional on your car sooner than later. Call us and let’s schedule a tune-up.

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.

#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.

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!

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 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.

As you use the braking system in your car, over time the brakes tend to wear and tear and as such, they become ineffective and even useless! If you want to keep your braking system performing optimally, it is important to service it.

The Components of a Braking System

The braking system of your car compromises of a disc which is also known as a rotor, a caliper, and the braking pads. When driving, it may seem that you just push a pedal and the car stops automatically. However, for a car to stop, there are complex internal mechanics going on. On pressing the pedal, brake fluid is usually sent through the brake lines while simultaneously a piston moves into the master cylinder. As the pistons which are in the caliper move into place, the brake shoe usually squeezes against the brake rotor which in turn causes friction with the drum in the braking system. In simple terms, the pressure of the brake pad on pushing against the drum is what causes your vehicle to reduce speed and eventually stop.

Why Do You Need to Engage A Mechanic for Brake Repairs?

Most cars usually attempt to replace their car brake pads. Though replacing brake pads is easy, you need to know exactly what you are doing if you attempt to change your brakes. Brakes are a critical part of the vehicle and instead of attempting repairs on any part of your braking system, we recommend that you rely on the expertise of a skilled mechanic for repairs. Though you may be looking to save a few bucks with a DIY repair, if you damage any components of the braking system or fail to do the repair properly, your car can end up becoming a road hazard and menace.

If you notice that your car brakes are sticking squeaking or they seem to require too much pressure to engage, then it is time to engage the services of an auto body repair shop.

The friction created when you are using your brakes will definitely cause your brake pads to wear out with time. As such, you will need to replace your brakes from time to time. Servicing your braking system is an important maintenance routine that you should never forget. Don’t hesitate to get this fixed, so give us a call now!

A tune-up usually involves thoroughly checking the engine, to make sure there are no leaks, and that the engine feels right when the engine is running. Below are some benefits of a tune-up, which will help you know ways that a tune-up is going to improve your vehicle.

Better Mileage: a tune-up can help in fixing the little things that are going on in your vehicles that you might not easily notice but end up forcing you to spend more on gas. A tune-up will include inspection of the brakes, and replaced if they are no longer working well. Another reason for poor fuel mileage is the improper alignment of tires, which can cause them to rotate at an odd angle, increasing friction on axles and the road. When these issues are dealt with, you can get better mileage.

Fixing a Rough Ride: There is one thing everyone can agree with, a vehicle will not run as smoothly as it used to when it was still new. Maybe it has started shaking, or you start having a harder time starting it in the morning, especially during cold weather. A mechanic can do a power check and energy check to diagnose these problems and find the cause of the rattling, and also determine why your vehicle is no longer holding power the way it should.

Glowing Lights on the Dash: The warning lights that appear on the dash of your vehicle are there to tell you something, but many people don’t know what they mean. Our team knows the meaning of these warning lights, and we will be able to fix the problem and ensure your car is running smoothly.

A Thorough Check-Up: You should see the tune-up of your car like a medical checkup. It gives auto body repair experts the chance of inspecting the different components, finding the problems, and then fixing them.

The mechanic is going to perform a code scan to see whether there are any problems with ignition or exhaust leaks. They will check everything from engine leaks, battery voltage, to valves, gaskets, and rings. If you have a check up or tune up to get done give us a call.

Over a million people die every year as a result of car accidents, with over 30 million people getting injured. There is a good chance you know how to avoid collisions and surviving them, but a big part of surviving a car crash is not the things you do, but the protection in place. This is why it is very important to buy a safe vehicle.

How Should I Choose?

When purchasing a vehicle, many different factors play a big part, although safety is the most important. A single person might not see the need to get a midsize SUV. A family that doesn’t have a lot of money can decide to go with the sedan because it is fuel-efficient or it is the one they can afford. If you cannot afford to get the safest option when it comes to vehicles, there are things you can do to increase your survival when involved in a crash. Below are some tips that will go a long way;

1. Buying newer, especially if used. Getting a used car is a financial move that many people like. The older models usually don’t have the safety features in the newer models, which means you should get the newer model, even if you are buying a used one (Choose a vehicle made after 2005)

2. Checking the safety rating. If you settle on a sedan (because it makes sense for your family or within your budget), go with one that is the safest. Go online and search the safety ratings, do a lot of research.

3. Focusing on safety features. An older SUV with no important safety features such as airbags is not going to be safer than a smaller car that has lots of protective structures. You should choose a vehicle that has backup cameras, emergency communication systems, collision warning systems, and more airbags. These features will increase the chances of surviving the crash no matter the type of vehicle.

You can protect your family when you choose to buy a safe vehicle. This does not mean it will prevent a crash. If you need repairs after a collision, call a Leahy’s Auto nearby.