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Tag: car maintenance (page 4 of 4)

Most Common Transmission Problems

October 30, 2019 / / 0 Comments

When it comes to your transmission, you always want to keep it at its best. The last thing you want is to be left dealing with additional problems due to you not handling your transmission issues right away. Your transmission is a critical component of your vehicle and needs proper care for it to work better as a whole. A faulty transmission is one of the most expensive repairs on the market. It is for this reason that you need to pay attention to the following symptoms to ensure your vehicle doesn’t fall victim to transmission problems.

Gear Shaking or Grinding

Your transmission should always shift smoothly from gear to gear. There should be no grinding, shaking, or slipping of any kind. When symptoms like these occur, you may think of it as insignificant, but it isn’t. This problem won’t go away if you simply ignore it. In fact, it will only get worse. If you are feeling any shaking or grinding, it’s time to get it looked at.

Whining, Humming, or Clunking When In Neutral

Hearing noises like these are not normal, no matter how quiet and unnoticeable the sound may be. Though this issue may likely be minor, it could also be signaling something much worse. When you hear humming or clunking, it can be due to the transmission fluid breaking down. Your transmission fluid has to lubricate all of the mechanical gears and components, so make sure you regularly have it changed.

Do You Smell Something Burning?

When there is a burning smell coming from your vehicle, it is something to be concerned about. The most common cause of the smell is due to overheated fluid. Your vehicle basically runs on this fluid as it helps to protect its complex system. When your fluid begins to deteriorate due to age and mileage, friction damage between all parts will begin to occur. The friction will cause the breakdown of your vehicle’s components as well as a buildup of debris and sludge in your engine.

There are many problems that come along with transmission issues. They start off small, but eventually turn into a costly issue if not cared for properly and in a time efficient manner. If peace of mind is your top priority, then you can count on our team at Mike’s Brake & Alignment Shop to exceed your expectations.

The Breakdown of a Tune-Up

September 24, 2019 / / 0 Comments

Getting a tune-up on your car may seem like a needless service. However, if you are invested in your car and are hoping it will be running for a while, we suggest a tune-up every so often. Read along with our blog to learn about what a tune-up is and why you should get one!

Checkup

Many people get medical checkups annually to ensure everything inside them is okay! Checkups are great because they can catch a sickness before it becomes a big deal. A car tune-up is very much the same! When you bring your car in for a tune-up, your mechanic will be going down a checklist of parts and systems to check. Some notable ones are spark plugs, fuel pumps, fuel injectors, PVC valves, oil plus coolant levels, and your engine plus cabin air filters. Over time, these basic parts will begin to wear down and need some maintenance.

Why

Little parts and systems in your car may not seem to be very important, but they are in the long run. If just one or two of these systems begins to wear or lag, it isn’t a huge issue. However, over time, all these parts will need to be repaired. Eventually, you are going to be faced with a plethora of mechanical issues which is not only stressful but also costly. Instead of attempting to get a quick fix on all your little maintenance needs at once, you should invest in a tune-up which will ensure everything is good to go. Just like a medical checkup is mostly for preventative measures, so is a tune-up! Instead of waiting till your health is completely unwell, you should annually get checked to get a head start on fixing issues before they become an emergency.

Conclusion

Your vehicle can be an important and key part of your life. If you want to treat it like such, regular tune-ups are essential. Get it regularly checked for underlying mechanical maintenance issues. If you haven’t had a tune-up in a while, check out our website to get started and set up an appointment today!

Common Car Problems & How to Prevent Them

July 25, 2019 / / 0 Comments

Maintaining your vehicle with up-to-date inspections and auto services is essential for your car. Of course, even with such inspections, there may be a reoccurring problem or perhaps a new issue you’re dealing with. From deflated tires to squeaky brakes, we’re going down the list of common car problems and how to prevent them!

Dead Battery

Most car batteries should last about three to five years, or an equivalent of 50,000 miles. A dead battery is usually caused by reduced amps (or electrical currents) which naturally decrease as the battery loses its ability to maintain a charge. A failing alternator, battery temperature sensor, or other charging system component can also cause more damage. Our advice? It’s best to replace your car battery every 50,000 miles or three years, even if it’s not showing signs of damage.

Flat Tires

While most tires become flat after hitting an object or being punctured, it’s likely for wear and tear to be the main cause. Extend your tire’s lifespan by keeping them properly rotated, as suggested by the vehicle manufacturer. Generally, having your tires rotated every 5,000 miles is recommended.

Squeaky Brakes

Like other components in your car, the brake system is intended to wear out over a designated period of time. Brakes are important for stopping safely, so when they start to show any issues, like squeaking or grinding, your vehicle should be inspected by a professional mechanic as soon as possible. A mechanic can replace your brake pads and identify any other underlying problems.

Steering Wheel Shaking

Multiple issues can cause the steering wheel to shake while driving. If it happens right after starting your car or as you begin to drive, it could be from wheel bearings/damaged suspension component. If it happens at higher speeds, it may be from a tire or wheel balance issue. Regardless, having a professional mechanic inspect the problem is your best option!

Conclusion

Dealing with car problems, like a dead battery or flat tires, can be a hassle. We suggest getting your car regularly maintained by the team at Mike’s Brake & Alignment Shop. We have the necessary equipment and certified staff to get your car fixed in no time. Visit our website for information regarding our professional auto services!

7 Tips That Will Help You Pass Your Smog Test

March 18, 2019 / / 0 Comments

Smog tests can be difficult to deal with.

Your smog test can be just as scary as taking your SATs. If you don’t pass, you can’t keep legally driving your car. This test ensures that you’re contributing to keeping the air clean. Keep on reading, because these tips will help increase your chances of passing.

Check Engine Light

This is the biggest and easiest issue to avoid; if you go into your smog test with your engine light on, it’s an immediate fail. Simply get your vehicle diagnosed and resolved in order to get one step closer to passing.

Making sure your tires are inflated is key.

Make Sure Your Tires are Inflated

Most states run a dynamometer test, which forces your car to run at high speeds while staying stationary. When your tires aren’t fully inflated, your engine has to work even harder, meaning more fumes will get released into the air.

Avoid Rainy Weather

Rainy weather can cause issues with your tires, such as loss of traction, especially if your car is older. When your tires are wet, they can slip during the dynamometer test. This can result in a fail simply because it can give a false reading from the machine.

If your oil isn’t clean, you will not pass.

Oil Change

If your car is running with dirty oil, it releases more pollutants than it would with clean oil. While you’re in the process of changing the oil, have the technician also check for any issues with the hoses as they can have your car running the wrong way as well.

Drive Highway Speeds

Two weeks before your test, you should be driving at highway speeds causing your catalytic converter to heat up and burn away any gas or oil residue inside of your engine.

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Driving before your test will improve your cars performance.

Drive Before Your Test

You should take your car out for a drive at least 20 minutes before your smog test because this will result in optimal results. When you do this, your car is put in its best state when running, which gives you a better chance of passing.

Tune Up

One of the main things you should do before your test, is take your vehicle in for a tune up. When you have a professional double checking that everything is good, it’s nearly impossible to fail!

These tips are foolproof!

Conclusion

Smog tests shouldn’t be as stressful as everyone makes it seem, and with these tips, it absolutely won’t be. When you run your car through all of these little inspections, you won’t have to worry about this test ever again!

3 Reasons to Get a Tire Alignment

February 15, 2019 / / 0 Comments

When it comes to a car’s maintenance, people will often forget to, or simply not, take care of their tire’s alignment. This non-care can end up leading to an unhealthy car and a poor relationship with the wallet through expensive auto repairs. Don’t let this be you! Read more to find three good reasons why a tire alignment can save your car’s health and your wallet.

Person pumping gas into their car.
Person pumping gas into their car.

Fuel Efficiency

In today’s world, the price of gas can really hurt your wallet. Having a poor tire alignment can cause your car to put more strain on the engine rather than the tires it’s the same concept as an extremity of the human body not working and putting more pressure on the heart. When your tires aren’t aligned, it can cause your fuel efficiency to drop and cost you more for gas down the line.

Smoother Driving

Have you ever felt your car pull to the right or left when you’re driving in a straight line? That’s a sure sign the car could use a tire alignment. When the car moves to the right or left without you touching the steering wheel, you’re also putting in more effort instead of enjoying a smooth ride.

Mechanic inspecting a car's engine.
Mechanic inspecting a car’s engine.

Vehicle Safety

When it comes to vehicle safety, most people think about their brakes or their steering ability, but very few think about their tires. When your tires are properly aligned your car can run smoother and have a better chance of avoiding costly repairs further down the line. Make sure to get your tires aligned and don’t wait until it’s too late; this will be one of the best decisions you make for your car’s safety.

Conclusion

When it comes to your vehicle’s health, you want to do everything you can to keep it going strong. From caring about the engine to the tire’s alignment you can save your car and your wallet from costly repairs down the line. Don’t take your car for granted; take pride in your ownership. When you want a team you can trust with your car, give our shop a call and we’ll get you back on the road in no time!

Everything You Need to Know About Auto Diagnostics

October 25, 2018 / / 1 Comment

Just like us, our vehicles require regular maintenance and checkups to ensure they’re constantly running at peak performance. In much the same vein as a doctor’s visit, auto diagnostic tests can detect problems before they’re given the chance to evolve into something more troubling.

While that may be the case, many drivers can be understandably skeptical of regularly bringing in their vehicle for an auto diagnostics test. After all, doesn’t the “maintenance required” light exist to let us know when it’s time to see a mechanic? Not quite. In many cases, the maintenance required light can show up well after your vehicle has already suffered an unknown breakdown. And with that in mind, we offer up this brief rundown of the auto diagnostic process and its benefits. We hope this helps in convincing you why preventative maintenance can do both you and your vehicle a world of good!

What is a Diagnostic Test?

If you were asked which the most important advancement in automobile construction is, how would you answer? For us personally, we would easily say the computerization of parts and components. Including computer processors, sensors, and microchips in our current engines allows us the opportunity to diagnose problems without having to break apart pieces and take a physical look. In a short and sweet summation, that’s auto diagnostic testing.

Using a computer system that links to the vehicle’s processors and systems, mechanics are able to accurately pinpoint prospective breakdowns before they leave you stranded on the side of the road.

What Gets Tested?

The beauty behind diagnostic testing is that it reveals structural compromises in practically all of a vehicle’s major components. Everything from your transmission and exhaust system to your brakes and fuel injector are checked for even the slightest disturbance.

While this service may sound too good to be true, a diagnostics run won’t spell out the exact problem that triggered that pesky “check engine” light. It will simply show a trained mechanic which parameters are out of their normal range. With that information, a trained specialist will be able to more accurately determine the vehicle’s issue.

What Are the Benefits?

Time is one of the biggest factors when it comes to diagnosing an automobile’s malfunction. And with computerized diagnostics, time is exactly what you save. Now that the process doesn’t involve invasive procedures and constant tests and trials, drivers no longer have to worry about time and budget consuming mechanic services! Instead of waiting to come in when the problem is at its worst, vehicle owners can responsibly come in for preventative maintenance. Couple that with the accuracy and comprehensive servicing computer diagnostics provide, and it’s easy to see just how beneficial the process can be as a whole.

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