Category: Maintenance

Checking Brake Pads

This is a guide that can help you to determine the easiest and best way for you to check the brake pads on your vehicle so that you can know whether they need replacement or can still function efficiently. The need for new brakes can be a worry, so if you read through this guide, you will know how you can carry out the necessary checks yourself.

Changing Brake Pads

This is a job that people with some mechanical ability can easily undertake themselves. You will need the supplies and tools that are shown here and will need to follow the tricks and tips given to do the job correctly. This brake repair guide contains two parts, 1 and 2.

Changing Rotors

When brake pads need to be replaced it is more than likely that you will need to change the rotors as well. Once the brake caliper is removed, replacing the rotor is no problem at all. In this guide, you can learn the best way to change rotors along with some tricks and tips.

Checking Brake Fluid

The braking system of your vehicle is highly dependent on the brake fluid. That is why the checking of the fluid has to be carried out periodically. In this guide, you will be told the correct way of checking the brake fluid.

Low Brake Fluid

Low brake fluid can lead to a very serious and dangerous problem. Brakes that are low on fluid will not be capable of stopping your vehicle. In this guide, you will learn about the usual reasons for low brake fluid, and what you need to do if your vehicle has developed this problem.

Brake Fluid Color

A check of your brake fluid may indicate that it has the darkness of engine oil that has been used. That is the time when you need to change the brake fluid. In this guide, you will learn what brake fluid must not look like, and what you need to do when it does.

Adding Brake Fluid

This is something that every driver of a truck or car must know. You may never be called on to do it, but if you know this, you can ensure that your vehicle will never lose its braking ability. Low brake fluid will hamper your ability to stop your vehicle.

Brake Repair Scams

Many dishonest repair shops use a lot of shady tactics to get their customers to pay for repair and parts that are really not needed. If you have been an unfortunate victim of these scams, we tell you here about the action you can take.

These are the main area for maintaining and repairing brakes. We will do an in-depth review on each of these repairs, so you can know what to do step by step. You can also consider taking your car to a professional auto repair shop in the meantime call us today we will take care of all your vehicle repairs.

New Orginal Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Parts

When you take your vehicle to a dealership, they will use new OEM parts for the repair of your car and nothing else. This is the primary reason why auto dealership repairs are costly. OEM parts are generally more expensive than used or aftermarket parts. More often than not, you do not need to spend the additional money on this kind of auto replacement parts, but there are times where you do.

New Aftermarket Parts

If you decide to take your vehicle to an independent repair shop, chances are they are going to utilize aftermarket parts, unless you as them to only use OEM ones. In some situations, it’s better to use OEM parts as they are of higher quality, but there will be no substantial difference. The most imperative thing is to ensure they are covered under the auto repair shop warranty.

Used Parts

If you’re purchasing a big-ticket part that does not need to be new and no one will ever see, such as the transmission or a PCM, then the second hand is a viable option.

However, before you jump the gun, there are some things you need to keep in mind to ensure you get the best-used parts for your vehicle:

What’s Your Best Option?

The best option comes down to what kind of auto part you are looking for and what it’s used for?

If you’re purchasing a commonly used part such as brake parts, it’s advisable to purchase aftermarket parts, but if you are on the search for a more specialized item, then you can get it from a junkyard or a dealer.

However, there are some parts that you’ll want to purchase from the dealer even if the aftermarket ones are available. Some individuals, for instance, purchase ‘universal’ oxygen sensors and the problem is that even if they’re advertised as compatible with ay vehicle, more often than not, that is not the case.

If you’re trying to save some money, then you should go for used and aftermarket parts. Whether you purchase used or new replacement parts for your car, it’s imperative to pick quality parts or those in good condition. This will help ascertain fewer issues and fewer repairs.

These are the types of auto repair parts. Use the advice in this read to ensure you get the best part for your money.

You can also consider taking your car to a professional auto repair shop. Get in touch, call us today we will take care of all your vehicle repairs.

Most people get less gas mileage than they should. Many of these often fall for scams promising them of better mileage with a few tweaks such as special magnets, fuel additives, and magic fuel mileage boosters. Many of the products claiming to improve your gas mileage hardly work or even make your fuel consumption even worse.

The key to getting better mileage on your car lies with how well you use the car, your driving habits, and taking proper care of your vehicle. It’s also worth noting that no device will make your car consume less fuel than it was made to. Here are a few tips and tricks on how to improve your car/truck’s fuel efficiency.

1. Avoid Hard Braking And Acceleration

The harder you press the gas pedal, the more fuel the car will demand/consume. If looking to improve fuel efficiency, you should then go slow on the car and avoid hard acceleration. Let the car pick up speed without straining the engine. The same applies to hard braking. Speeding then breaking hard at the next red light, or a bump also puts lots of fuel at the waste. Avoid this to see your consumption drop a bit.

2. Slow Down

Unless you are in a hurry, learn to drive at speeds below 60MPH. Speeds higher than this will only lead to increased fuel consumption putting a massive dent to your gas tank and your wallet. Make it a habit of driving at 60MPH and learn to stick to the same speed for better fuel economy.

3. Avoid Idling The Engine For Too Long

Do not leave the car idling for more than 5 minutes unless you have to. The car continues to use fuel when idling, one of the reasons you should consider turning it off. This is particularly recommended if you wish to leave the car for a few moments.

4. Service Your Vehicle Regularly

Always have your car or truck serviced regularly, and as per the manufacturer’s specification. It is by having the vehicle serviced that any broken or malfunctioning parts can be replaced or repaired. This ensures the vehicle is running smoothly hence better fuel economy. It wouldn’t, however, be advisable to over-service the car, as this will only translate to increased costs.

Have the air filter, engine oil, and other components changed when necessary but not all the time. Sticking to the servicing schedules as per the manufacturer’s manual would be a wise idea.

You can also consider taking your car to a professional auto repair shop. Get in touch, call us today we will take care of all your vehicle maintenance.

1. Cut Off The Engine And Wait For It To Cool Down

Before replacing the spark plugs, you need to ensure you purchase the right ones for your vehicle. I usually fire up Amazon and filter the selection by the make, model and manufacturing year of my vehicle.

If you overlook this step, it won’t be possible for you to remove the spark plugs from their location without damaging the threads. The cylinder heads are made from aluminum, so their threads can easily get damaged if you aren’t careful. Once you’ve damaged this thread, repairing it will be extremely difficult and it will require an expert to do it.

2, Remove Dirt Around The Spark Plugs

Blow out all dust and debris around the spark plug. You can use an air compressor. Your man goal should be to prevent any dirt particles to fall into the engine, as they can lead to premature wear and various other problems.

3. Check That The Spark Plugs Are Correctly Positioned Before You Start Screwing

If you don’t position spark plugs correctly, they will cross-thread, causing huge problems. I usually wiggle the spark plugs a bit before screwing, just to make sure they are straight. Anyway, start screwing them very slowly and stop at the first sign of resistance. Take a breathe and do it again from the start until you get it right.

4. Replace Spark Plugs One By One

Getting all those wires mixed up is a very easy thing to do. For safety reasons, it’s much better to change your spark plugs one at a time. If your car has a coil-and-plug unit, you’ll be fine either way. In addition, newer models of vehicles won’t allow you to misplace parts. Older cars, however, need more attention.

What Tools You Need To Replace Your Spark Plugs

Changing your spark plugs is easy, provided that you have the right tools. I’ve already mentioned the need for an air compressor that will allow you to blow off dust and debris around the spark plugs before removing them. You’ll also need a spark plug gap tool to adjust the gap between electrodes.

Another must-have is a spark plug socket. This socket features a rubber insert that protects the spark plug during handling.

If your car has a coil-and-plug system, you may have to buy a small socket wrench or a screwdriver to remove them from their positions. Most often than not, these spark plugs are bolted on.

You can also consider taking your car to a professional auto repair shop. Get in touch, call us today we will take care of all your vehicle repairs.

Connect A Memory Saver

If you want to keep all of your settings when changing the battery, you need to connect a memory saver. If you do not do this, you could face some problems with your car potentially running rough or not shifting as normal. All of your radio codes will also be lost and you will need to put the code in again.

Most of the memory saver devices that you get will have a small 9V battery and an alligator clip. The clip will be placed on the battery cables. There are some devices that will plug into a port inside the car such as the cigarette lighter.

Disconnecting The Battery Cables

Before you can change the battery, you will have to put on work gloves and some safety goggles. This will protect you from acid leaks which could occur.

Once you have your safety gear on, you need to turn off the engine and remove the key from the ignition. You need to use an adjustable wrench to loosen the black negative terminal first. Once the nut can be removed, you need to pull on the end of the cable to detach it. The same process will need to be completed for the red positive terminal.

Remove The Old Battery

It is likely that the old battery is held in place with a strap or clamp. You will have to unfasten or loosen this before you are able to remove the battery from the tray. When ready, you will need to slowly lift the battery out and take care to not spill any acid while doing this.

If you are going to return your old battery, you need the receipt from the store. In these cases, you will generally get a refund on the core deposit. This should be done when you can because you will help the environment and get some spare change.

Before you buy your new battery, you will need to check the year, model, make and engine size of your car. You may also need to know what the trim level of your vehicle is. Once you have this information, you can choose the right battery for your vehicle.

Clean Out The Corrosion

Before you place your new battery in, you have to look at the battery cables, tray, and clamps. You should check for any damage or corrosion. All corroded areas will need to be scrubbed with a contact cleaner and a wire brush. You could also use baking soda mixed with water, but the results will not be as good and some residue could be left. After cleaning, you will need to coat the terminals with an anti-corrosion solution.

Install The New Battery

Your new car battery will generally weigh around 40 pounds and you might need to ask for help if you have issues lifting it. The battery must stay upright at all times. You should place it on the battery tray and secure it with the strap or clamp.

The red positive terminal will need to be connected and tightened first. You should then attach the black negative terminal. All of the cables will need to be tight and the battery properly secured before you remove the memory saver. You can start the car and check that everything is working correctly.

You can also consider taking your car to a professional auto repair shop. Get in touch, call us today we will take care of all your vehicle repairs.

When it comes to DIY projects, it is wise to leave complicated problems to professionals, and this fact does also apply when it comes to DIY auto repair projects. With just basic mechanic knowledge and tools, you can save both time and money by performing basic vehicle maintenances.

Spark Plug Replacement

Replacing spark plugs has always been an easy task that anyone can do. All that is needed is basic DIY repair knowledge and diagnosis. A few years back, the hardest thing was keeping track of plug wires and not getting them crossed. On the other hand, according to the latest technology, changing spark plugs might be challenging to replace due to the fact that the ignition component does not have to be changed regularly.

Car Battery Replacement

This is the easiest thing anyone can do. The whole process involves taking out the old battery and replacing it with the new one. However, it is wise always to ensure that the battery is the problem. Furthermore, you should always exercise caution to avoid erasing your car’s computer memory.

Alternator Problems

The truth is that this is not an easy DIY project. That is because a majority of vehicles today come with an automated or computerized alternator. Therefore, diagnosing the problem may be challenging that you think. To know more about automated alternators and how you can DIY repair the alternator, click on this link.

Brake Repair

Brake replacement is a straightforward and yet common DIY project that many car owners perform. For you to carry out this DIY project effectively, check the in-depth article written; with pictures on how to fix this problem.

Tire Rotation

Changing the tire is another common DIY task many drivers can do. Tire rotation is subject many car owners know because some cars are all wheeled and it is essential for tires to wear evenly. If car tires do not wear evenly, then you may be doing more damage to some parts of the drivetrain.

Headlight Replacement

It is incredible how some car engineers make these basic DIY auto repair jobs difficult. In the past, it used to be that anyone can replace a broken or burnt headlight in minutes. However, today, things are different. Many time you will be forced to refer to the actual manufacturer’s guide or repair manual simply to replace the bulb.

Other DIY Auto Repairs

• Fluid check
• Oil change
• Fuel filter replacement
• Air filter replacement
• Coolant flush
• Tire change
• Windshield wiper replacement
• Tire change
• Interior detailing

NOTE: Before you begin or attempt any DIY project, ensure that you have a complete set of tools as well as diagnosing equipment. Also, you will not go wrong with a dependable auto repair manual.

A typical DIY project should begin with troubleshooting, repair, and then maintaining. For this to be successful, you will need diagnostic and repair data that is very specific to a car and model. As such, it is wise to use the recommended ALLDATAdiy. It is equipped with over 30,000 full vehicle manuals, which makes it easy to find an exact match for your vehicle’s year and model.

These manuals are available to you at a lower price compared to factory manuals. They do come with a step by step repair instruction and detailed diagram.

You can also consider taking your car to a professional auto repair shop. Get in touch, call us today we will take care of all your vehicle repairs.

Many people do not realize that problems with your alternator are common. At some point, you are likely to have a problem with this part of your car.

How An Alternator Works

The primary purpose of your alternator is to maintain your car battery. The alternator will use the power from the engine to create electricity which it pumps into the battery to keep it charged. The engine drive belt is what sends the power to the alternator. This is why you need to have this belt tightened and replaced at times.

When you have your headlights on or use your wipers while driving, a lot of electrical power. If you only had a battery, all of the power in the battery would be drained in a few minutes. Of course, this would depend on how good your battery is. To prevent your battery from being drained, you need to have an alternator that is in good working condition.

Signs Of An Alternator Problem

If you do not have any tools, it can be hard to diagnose an alternator problem. A problem with the battery can often appear to be a problem with the alternator and vice versa. One of the most common issues is that your car will not start, your battery dies and there is a squealing noise from the drive belt. These are the most common issues you can have, but they are not the only ones.

How To Check The Alternator Voltage

If you want to check if your alternator is the problem, you need to have a digital volt-ohmmeter or CVOM. This will tell you the output voltage of your alternator.

When checking, you need to first turn your engine off. You are going to start the car later for the test, but it is better to leave it off at this point. You should then take your voltmeter and put the red lead on the red positive battery terminal. The black lead will need to be placed on the negative terminal. At this point, you need to ensure that the voltmeter is set to DC volts.

The reading you get from the meter should be above 12.65 volts. This is a sign that your battery is fully charged. If you do not get this reading, you either have a faulty battery or a problem with the alternator.

You should now remove the leads from the battery and start the car. Once the car is on, carefully place the leads back onto the battery. You need to be careful as they could get caught in the drive belt or another part of the engine.

You should now read the meter and the reading should be between 13.5 and 14.5 volts. If you have this reading range, the alternator is fine. However, it is important to note that some alternators have intermittent problems and it could still have issues when you have this reading. If your alternator is completely fine, the problem is the battery and you will need to have it tested.

Repairing A Defective Alternator

It is possible to repair the alternator yourself. However, you could also take it to a repair shop to have this done for you.

You can consider taking your car to a professional auto repair shop. Get in touch, call us today we will take care of all your vehicle repairs.

 

Brake repair can be easier than you can imagine. In some situations, even someone with very little experience or mechanical abilities can do it.

Even if the job appears to be easy, you should still know what you’re doing there, so make sure you have your user manual handy.

Troubleshooting and repairing the brakes, or any other part of your vehicle for that matter, requires a proper diagnostic and very specific repair information.

Brake Problems And How To Fix Them

Brake Light Always On

If your brake light stays on even when the brakes aren’t active, you have to find the culprit right away. This warning light is a sign that something isn’t right. Keep reading to identify the main reasons why the brake light is on. You’ll also find out some remedies that might help you fix this issue.

Brake Noise

If you hear noises other than the well-known squeaking, you should take a look at this section of the website. You’ll find out details about the most common causes of brake noise and some possible solutions.

Squeaking Brakes

If you’ve noticed a sharp squeaking when you push the brake pedal, you should check out this part of our website. Some of these causes have very simple remedies while others will require a mechanic to take a closer look at.

Steering Wheel Shaking During Braking

This problem has one single cause in 99 percent of the situations. Click here to find out what this problem is and what you can do to fix it.

Brake Fade

If you’re on a road going down the hill and you notice your brakes are not as effective as they used to, you may have a brake fade problem. This issue is very easy to avoid. I’ll reveal the reason why this happens and what to do to prevent it from occurring.

Master Cylinder Issues

All vehicles come to a point in life when they need a master cylinder replacement. Here are a few of the things that may trigger this problem and some possible solutions.

Brake Caliper Sticking

This isn’t a problem that occurs too frequently, but it can happen. If you suspect it, I’ll tell you where to look to diagnose it correctly. I’ll also give you some tips on how to fix it, so that you can avoid the fees of a vehicle mechanic.

There are various vehicle issues or questions that need an answer, that we will get into over the next few weeks. Stay tuned as we examine each of these and post a full blog for each. Remember your vehicle’s make and model, as well as the manufacturing year when researching auto repairs online. You can try JustAnswer Car, as this website has a team of certified and experienced car mechanics ready and willing to answer to any questions you may have. This service isn’t free of charge, but the fee is reasonable, taking into consideration the rates of brick and mortar mechanic shops.

You can consider taking your car to a professional auto repair shop. Get in touch, call us today we will take care of all your vehicle repairs.

The replacement of headlight bulbs is an easy process if you know what you are doing. It is usually advised that one replaces their headlights the moment any problem is observed. Not only do unfixed lights present a safety hazard, but they can also lead to issues with the authorities if spotted. The fixing of headlights is a Do It Yourself (DIY) project but they are some things to keep in mind prior to undertaking this type of venture.

A Guide On How To Change Light Bulbs

1. You should first open the hood of your car and locate the bulb holder which is typically located at the back of the headlight. On opening the hood, you will see a connector containing three wires held together by a screw cap, plastic catch or metal clip. If by any chance you spot dust over the power protector, remove it first.

2. The next step is disconnecting the power connector. If it is held in place by a metal clip, pull the clip out. If it is a plastic catch holding the connector in place, press down on the lever of the holding catch and pull to disconnect the power connector. It the connector is held in place by a screw cap, simply uncork the screw to disconnect the power connector.

3. The next step is usually to securely remove the bulb of the headlight from the socket holding it.

4. After removing the old bulb, remove the replacement bulb from its packaging. As you are handling the replacement bulb, avoid touching the glass surface with your bare hands. If by any chance you have oil on your hands and it touches the glass surface, it can cause the replacement bulb to overheat and burn out. Prior to installing the new bulb, it is usually advised that one wipes it with an alcohol wipe.

5. You should then hold the replacement bulb by the base and insert it into the headlight. The next step should be to reconnect the power connector. After this is done, you can turn your headlights back on to ascertain that everything is working as it should.

If you cannot spot the headlight area in your car, you may need to find specific instructions on how to handle bulb replacement for your car model. If you work without a manual for your car, you can end removing important parts whose return position you do not remember.

You can also consider taking your car to a professional auto repair shop. Get in touch, call us today we will take care of all your vehicle repairs.