#24hourautorepair

[24hourautorepair-blog]

CALL US!

We take the time to talk to you about what that means. We listen to you so we understand your needs and goals for your auto repair.

[phone]

[24hourautorepair-blog]

Seeing is Believing When it Comes to Road Safety

Following a few auto care visibility tips can be illuminating, helping to ensure the safety of you, your passengers and other vehicles around you.

Replace any exterior or interior lights that are dimming, rapidly blinking or non-functioning, and be sure headlights are correctly aimed.

Make sure that vehicle mirrors are clean and properly positioned.

Check windshield washer fluid level and when it gets low, replace it.

Replace wiper blades if they show cracking or if they chatter or streak when operating. Don't forget to check the rear wiper blade.

When in doubt, turn your lights on to help you see and help other drivers see you. Some states have laws that require headlights to be on when windshield wipers are operating.

Don't overdrive your headlights. Maintain a speed that will allow you to stop within the illuminated area, otherwise you create a blind crash zone in front of your vehicle.

[24hourautorepair-blog]

Top Ten Car Care Tips

Tip 1 Check and change the oil. No single step will help an engine last more than regular oil and filter changes will. Conversely, nothing will destroy an engine faster than neglecting oil-level checks or fresh-oil changes.

Tip 2 Flush the cooling system and change coolant once a year. A 50/50 mix of coolant and distilled water will keep the cooling system in good shape and prevent corrosion and deposits from building up inside the cooling system.

Tip 3 Change out transmission and differential oils. While not requiring frequent service, these fluids must be changed according to service intervals. Always use transmission fluid or gear oil of the recommended type and viscosity.

Tip 4 Keep it clean. While washing the outside of the vehicle is obvious, most everything the vehicle ran over can also get stuck to the underside. Hosing off winter salt and road grime is a good idea.

Tip 5 Everything with moving parts needs grease to survive. This ball joint went into early retirement due to poor lubrication.

Tip 6 Nothing keeps paint looking good and protected like a coat of quality wax. Apply wax at least every six months.

Tip 7 Driveline components such as u-joints also require regular lubrication. The driveline may have to be removed to access the zerk grease fitting.

Tip 8 Protect the interior plastic by parking the vehicle in the shade, using a window deflector screen, and applying a UV protectant to prevent the plastic and vinyl from drying out.

Tip 9 Inspect, clean, and repack wheel bearings with wheel bearing grease according to service intervals. Wheel bearings and grease are inexpensive compared to spindle and hub replacement, or liberated wheels rolling down the road ahead of you.

Tip 10 Brake fluid is hygroscopic. This means it is adept at attracting moisture. Moisture causes components to corrode and fail. Replace fluid and bleed system once a year. Brake fluid is cheap. Calipers, hoses, and sensors are expensive.

[24hourautorepair-blog]

Preventing Your Car from Overheating

1. Park in the shade

You can feel the temperature difference between the shade and the sun – and so can your car. Parking in the shade not only keeps you cool but can prolong the life of your car. No shady spot? Use a sunshade to reduce heat inside the car.

2. Tint your windows

A local dealership or auto body shop can apply tinted windows to help keep your car cooler, and protect your interior from sun damage.

3. Use a sunshade

Keeping a sun shade in the car is helpful because you can’t always guarantee that you’ll find a shaded or covered area to park in. These UV heat shields will keep the interior from getting super-hot, plus it protects your interior from the damaging effects of the sun. You might even consider getting a custom-made sunscreen that is designed to fit your make and model of car. These special shades can be more effective at keeping all of the rays out.

4. Get rid of hot air

Closed windows trap hot air, and the glass serves as a conductor that helps heat up the enclosed space. Leave your windows open slightly so the air can escape – and if you have a sunroof, crack that, too. Make sure the opening is not large enough for someone to reach through. If you leave your windows cracked, remember to keep an eye on the weather – one sudden summer storm could lead to a soggy interior.

5. Turn the floor vents on

Most people get in the car and turn the upper vents on “high” to get the air flowing. But you’re actually better off directing the air through the floor vents. Hot air rises, so switch to the bottom vents and put your blower on the maximum setting to push that air out. Then, once the car begins cooling, you can open the upper vents again.

6. Use the fresh air setting on your A/C

Using the re-circulation setting means you’re just moving that hot, trapped air around your vehicle, so that’s something you want to use after your car has had the chance to cool down. Give it 10 minutes or so, then switch over.

7. Keep your eye on the temperature gauge

Located on the dashboard, the device has a needle that should always be pointing toward the center. If it points toward hot, pull over, turn off the engine and let the car cool down.

8. Turning on the heat

Turning on the heat may be the last thing you want to do on a hot summer day, but it can pull hot air from the engine compartment and cool the engine. It won’t fix the underlying problem, but it’s a good measure for long drives.

9. Add engine coolant

This is especially important in hot months. To check the coolant level, open the hood and locate the coolant reservoir. The coolant level is shown by indicator lines on the reservoir. If too low, simply add the appropriate amount of coolant and reattach the cap. Engine coolant is often sold as a 50/50 mix of water and coolant. You can also buy concentrated coolant and mix it yourself.

Safety tip: Never add coolant to a hot engine. Wait for the engine to cool before removing the cap or pouring in the coolant.

10. Have your cooling system flushed by a mechanic

Even if you keep engine coolant at the right levels, it will eventually get dirty and need to be replaced. Flushing involves draining old coolant from the radiator, cleaning it with flush fluid and adding new coolant. Mechanics recommend a flush every 40,000 miles, but check your owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommendation.

11. Consider replacing your battery

If your car battery is older than three years, it may not be providing the power it once did, so your car has to work harder and can overheat. Your mechanic can help you determine whether you may need a new battery.

If you find yourself in a situation where your car overheats, follow these steps to ensure you and your vehicle remain safe:

Pull over, park your car and turn off the engine as soon as possible. Let your car cool for a minimum of 10 minutes.

Open the hood of your car to allow the heat to clear out quickly.

Once your car has cooled off, turn the ignition to its first position (don’t start the engine). If you see that the temperature gauge is within a normal range and engine fluid levels are sufficient, try to start the engine.

If the engine makes unusual sounds or it does not start at all, it’s best to stay on the safe side and call for roadside assistance to have your car towed. This will allow a mechanic to inspect it and make the necessary repairs.

What can cause your car to overheat?

Hot temperatures alone might not be causing your vehicle to overheat. If your car’s cooling systems aren’t functioning correctly, it can lead to serious damage to your engine and expensive repairs. Here are a few common engine problems that can cause your car to run hot that you should know about:

Coolant: Every car has a cooling system to help keep the temperature of the engine down. If your cooling system has a leak, blockage or pump malfunction, the coolant might not be able to circulate properly. Cooling system malfunctions aren’t just problematic when it’s hot out; very cold temperatures can cause coolant to freeze and prevent circulation.

Thermostat: Another possible issue could be a problem with the thermostat. A vehicle’s thermostat is responsible for regulating the amount of coolant flowing through the engine. A broken or malfunctioning one can easily cause your car to overheat.

Low Oil: A car’s oil does more than just lubricate moving parts. It also helps to remove excess heat from the engine. If your vehicle has low oil, it might be causing your car to run hot.

Radiator Fan: If your cooling fan isn’t turning on or running at the right level, it can cause your car to overheat. Radiator fans usually run on electric motors so any motor mechanical problems can lead to your fan not providing enough cool air flow.

[24hourautorepair-blog]

Protect Your Car from the Damaging Effects of Sun and Heat

Protecting your interior

Park in the shade. It is the easiest form of protection. By avoiding direct sunlight, you'll help keep your dash from drying and cracking. If it is safe to do so, open the windows a crack to help lower the interior temperature and equalize the air pressure. Use a windshield sun protector. It's a great way to keep your car cool and prevent sun damage. They may look a little cumbersome at first, but they are really quite easy to use. Wipe dash with a microfiber cloth. Dust and dirt can cause tiny scratches that can become worse over time. Wipe down the dash frequently to remove all particles. A low-gloss detailing product will also protect it and reduce glare. Install seat covers. They not only protect the leather and fabric seats, but they also help keep them cool. Protect leather seats with a conditioner. The sun and heat can really do a number on them. To help avoid cracks or tears, keep seats clean, and apply leather conditioner often.

Tips for the exterior

Wash and dry often. Sun and heat can fade and crack the paint. Frequent washing and hand drying help remove dirt and dust particles that can cause micro scratches and dull your car's finish. Wax your car. A layer of wax between your car's finish and the sun's ultraviolet rays is a great way to help protect it. How often a car needs a wax job varies, but it is best to do it on a regular basis. Check tire pressure. Hot pavement and underinflated tires can be a dangerous combination and may lead to a blowout. Even good tires can lose about one pound of air pressure a month, so it's really important to check often when it's hot. Make sure you follow your vehicle's manufacturer recommended tire pressure.

Under the hood

Cooling system. In order to help protect your engine from overheating, make sure it is in good working order. Have the belts checked and antifreeze/coolant drained, then replaced on a regular basis as recommended by your vehicle's manufacturer.The rest of the fluids. The possibility of overheating greatly increases when fluid levels are below recommended levels. Regularly check motor oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and brake fluid. If any need to be topped off, check your owner's manual about the types of fluids recommended.Battery. High temperatures and high accessory loads (use of the vehicles air conditioning) can cause it to wear out and fail quickly. Have the vehicle's battery and complete charging system checked regularly by a professional mechanic to make sure it's functioning properly?Air conditioning. Staying cool not only keeps you comfortable but can also help you stay alert when driving. If your car's interior temperature isn't cool enough, the refrigerant charge level in the air conditioning system may be low or there may be a more serious problem. Has it checked by a professional?Be sure to stay cool and safe no matter how hot it gets. A little preventative maintenance and simple upkeep can keep you on the road and out of your mechanic's garage.

[24hourautorepair-blog]

5 Symptoms of Hole in the Muffler in Your Car

The Top 5 Symptoms

When a hole begins to form in your muffler, there are some warning signs that you need to look out for. As soon as you notice these symptoms, you need to get your muffler replaced right away.

Below are the top 5 symptoms of having a hole in your muffler.

Loud Noises – Obviously, the number one symptom of a hole in the muffler is noise. Since a strong muffler is supposed to reduce noise, a weak muffler with a hole in it will fail at its job. This means the noises that would normally be reduced will now be louder. If you don’t replace the muffler soon, the hole will only expand and get bigger in the muffler. Then, these rumbling sounds will grow louder at the same time.

Carbon Monoxide – The muffler prevents carbon monoxide from the exhaust gases to get into the interior cabin where everyone sits in the vehicle. But if the muffler has a hole in it, the carbon monoxide will be able to find its way into the cabin. The scary thing is that you won’t be able to smell, see or taste this toxic gas. Instead, you will just feel the effects of it. Some of these effects include dizziness, headaches, tiredness, and trouble breathing. If you breathe it in for too long, it can lead to death.

Emissions Test Failure – You cannot see carbon emissions when they come out of your tailpipe, but they are there. The only way to know if you’re producing fewer carbon emissions is to get an emissions test. Some states require you to get these tests while others do not. If you happen to live in a state that requires you to get the test and then you end up failing it, this could be due to a hole in the muffler.

Rust Holes – Mufflers normally have small holes called “weep holes.” The purpose of these holes is to let water drain out of the muffler so that rust does not form. But if you see rust holes forming close to the exhaust pipes, these are not the weep holes. Anytime you see rust holes, you need to be worried.

Engine Misfires – It is important for the entire exhaust system to be functional to ensure the engine runs smoothly. If just one component of the exhaust system is damaged or worn out, then it will cause an engine misfire. A hole in the muffler is one possible way your engine could misfire.

[24hourautorepair-blog]

HOW TO STAY WARM WHEN YOUR CAR HEATER NOT WORKING

1. Park in the garage.

It may be uncomfortably cold outside, but chances are good that temperatures will be at least a few degrees warmer inside a garage. Park in a garage or covered space to shield your car from the winter elements that can make interior temperatures drop.

2. Cover the windshield.

Until you can head to the shop for car heater repair, you won’t have help from your defroster when scraping ice and snow off the windshield. If parking in a covered location isn’t possible, you can still save yourself from scraping ice or snow off your windshield in miserable temperatures.

Buy a windshield cover at a big box retailer or online for less than $15 (like this one from Walmart), then use it to protect the front windshield of your car. All you’ll need to do is shake off anything that accumulates on top of the cover and you’ll be on your way—no scraping or shivering required.

And if your windshield wipers get frozen in place? Try these quick fixes for frozen wiper blades.

3. Stock up on hand warming packets.

Purchase chemical hand warming packets in bulk and keep several in your car. These small warming packets are the perfect size to slip into a glove or pants pocket to create heat close to your body (and keep your hands comfortably warm as you drive). The warmers won’t activate until you open the individual packaging—meaning they can stay in your car all the time and will still work just fine when you need them.

4. Buy a heater or seat cover that plugs into your car.

Your car heater may not be working, but that doesn’t mean you’re completely out of luck. A small 12V heater or a heated seat cover that plugs into your car’s interior power socket can deliver some much-needed coziness while you drive. Amazon carries heated seat covers for about $20—a small price to pay for the benefit of full body warmth!

5. Keep blankets in the back seat.

Don’t forget about ways to keep your passengers warm, too! Stash a few thick blankets in the back seat so everyone can be cozy.

6. Take along a warm beverage.

There’s no better way to combat winter chill than a steaming cup of coffee or cocoa. Crank up the coffee pot before you hit the road and warm up from the inside out.

[24hourautorepair-blog]

Benefits of full synthetic motor  oil

Better protection

Motor oil is designed to lubricate and cool internal engine components. While traditional, mineral-based oil does a decent job of this, synthetic is substantially better. It’s composed of a unique base stock and robust additive package. This formula alleviates friction and reduces operating temperature. The result? An engine that runs better and lasts longer. Remind your customer that an engine replacement costs upwards of $5,000. Using full synthetic oil is cheap insurance.

More cleaning power

The inside of an engine is a dirty, nasty place. Over time, contaminants such as soot and carbon buildup. Full synthetic oil contains a unique additive package that defends against these impurities.  Consequently, internal engine components remain cleaner and perform better.

Easier starting

Conventional motor oil turns to a thick, nasty goo at sub-zero temperatures. Synthetic, on the other hand, continues to flow freely. This fluidity allows the engine to start more easily in cold weather. So, for customers living in places like Minnesota, moving away from regular oil is a smart choice.

Better performance

Everyone’s trying to save a buck at the gas station these days. Because it’s more slippery, full synthetic can help make that happen. It increases fuel mileage and reduces power loss due to friction, while also helping the engine run cooler.

Longer service life

Nobody likes visiting repair facilities – even ones that serve free coffee and doughnuts. Full synthetic oil resists oxidation and breaking down, which give it a long service life. As a result, customers can have their oil changed less frequently and visit the shop less. And that’s what people want. Plus, extended service intervals help offset the higher price of a synthetic oil change.

Full Synthetic motor oil myths and objections

Some customers believe synthetic oil can be harmful to their engine. To change this train of thought, you must provide a formidable, yet polite, argument. Next time you have a vehicle owner who insists synthetic oil is destructive, use the following points for a rebuttal.