car problems – Page 2 – Mike’s Brake & Alignment Shop

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How to Jump Start a Car’s Battery

Eventually most car owners have to face jump starting other vehicles or needing their vehicle jump started due to battery issues. Oftentimes when car batteries die all they need is a quick electrical recharge from another vehicles battery to return to normal. Reasons for dead car batteries range from leaving on interior and exterior lights to extreme temperatures. Follow along below this month as we describe step-by-step how to jump start a car’s battery.

Items You Will Need

Jumper Cables
Gloves
Owner’s Manual

Important Tips

Read your owner’s manual first. Your manufacturer may advise against jump starting a vehicle due to sensitive electronic circuitry.
Don’t try to jump a frozen battery.
Do NOT jump a battery that is cracked or leaking. This is very dangerous. You will need to purchase a new battery at this point, so call a tow truck or a friend that can help you out.

Step 1: Park vehicles close together so that the jumper cables will easily reach both batteries. Turn off both engines, put on gloves, and properly lock both vehicle’s engine hoods in their upright positions. Remove any tangles from the jumper cables and be sure to not let any of the four metal ends touch one another.

Step 2: Once you’ve located the batteries (check owner’s manual if not sure), identify the two post “terminals”. One is positive (+) and usually red while the other one is negative (-) and usually black. Remove any plastic or rubber protecting the terminals so that you expose the metal beneath.

Step 3: Grab one of the POSITIVE (red) clamps on the jumper cables and attach it to the dead car’s positive terminal post (+ or red). The clamps should have metal teeth that help them grip the terminal post.

Step 4: With both vehicles still turned off, take the POSITIVE (red) clamp at the opposite end of the cables and attach it to the positive terminal post of the good, working battery.

Step 5: Take the NEGATIVE (black) clamp on that same end and attach to the negative terminal of the good, working battery.

Step 6: Take the final NEGATIVE (black) clamp and attach it to negative terminal of the car that is being jump-started.

Step 7: Triple check that all negative and positive terminals are correctly connected before starting the vehicle of the car with the good, working battery. Allow the vehicle to run this way for 3-5 minutes. You can now try to start the dead car as normal. If the engine does not start allow the battery to charge for several more minutes before trying again. At this point both cars should be on and running successfully.

Step 8: Working in reverse order, unhook each of the clamps from the terminals without ever letting the ends touch one another. Safely store jumper cables, remove gloves, and return engine hoods to their normal positions.

Final Thoughts

Engine and battery issues are almost always unexpected and tend to occur at the most inconvenient times. The next time your vehicle won’t start or produces an odd noise or smell, call on the local mechanics at Mike’s Brake & Alignment Shop in Fort Worth, TX. We are committed to making sure all of our customers are happy with our work and safe on the road.

Best Safety Practices for Car Repairs

February 23, 2021 / admin / 0 Comments

Whether you are tackling your vehicle’s oil change or replacing its brake pads, safety should always be the highest priority. Anytime you are working on your vehicle there is opportunity to invest in improved safety practices, methods, and standards. Below we discuss a few simple ways anyone working on their car can take to ensure that they are always maintaining safety first and foremost.

Fire Safety

As a result of cars being filled with many types of gases and oils, they are incredibly flammable pieces of machinery. To ensure you are best protected against fires when working on your vehicle be sure to always keep a fire extinguisher on hand and close by. It’s also crucial to secure and protect your workspace from any smoke, open flames, or other combustible materials.

Protective Gear

Depending on the type of repair you are attempting, a number of protective items can be of great use. Gloves are a great idea when working with anything oily or hot, goggles should be used whenever working with dirt, drills, or high heat hazards, and ear protection should be used whenever sanders, horns, shopvacs, loud engines and drills are in use.

Electrical Safety

Whether or not you are working on an electrical repair for your vehicle, you need to be aware of electrical risks and the necessary precautions. Electricity runs through vehicles via their wires and batteries which is why always disconnecting the battery before beginning maintenance or repairs is crucial. Even if the vehicle is turned off there is still potential for electrical currents to pass through the batteries and wires which can result in injury.

Final Thoughts

Working on a car can be very dangerous whenever best safety practices and protections are not taken seriously. Before you or someone you love attempts a repair or maintenance service on their car, share with them some of these best practices. Or better yet, take your car to a reputable and trustworthy mechanic in your local area. Fort Worth, TX residents should visit Mike’s Brake & Alignment Shop, call us at (817) 834- 2725, or visit our website here for more information about our expert services.

Most Common Transmission Problems

October 30, 2019 / admin / 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.

Common Car Problems & How to Prevent Them

July 25, 2019 / admin / 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!

Do You Hear That? What Your Car’s Weird Noises Mean

May 17, 2019 / admin / 0 Comments

It’s a familiar situation for anyone who’s ever owned a car; you’re going about your day, driving to pick up the kids or running errands, when suddenly you notice your car is making an unusual sound. Do you go straight to the repair shop to get it checked out or do you keep driving and hope it goes away? Not knowing what’s causing the sound can make the decision a difficult one, so in this article we’ll explain some of the most common noises and what they mean. You’ll also learn how urgently they need to be addressed by a mechanic.

Squealing, especially when braking.

As one of the most common problems car owners hear, it’s important to know that this is caused by brake pad problems. While the car is not unsafe to drive when this is happening, it’s important that you come for replacements as soon as possible.

Metallic ticking from under the hood.

If you’re hearing a metallic ticking that seems like it’s coming from the engine, park your car, let it cool down a little bit and then check your oil levels. Your oil pressure could be to blame, and if it is, go to the auto repair shop as soon as possible to avoid engine damage.

Hissing.

This is a sound that becomes more common during summer months when the weather is hot; that’s because it’s probably the sound of your engine overheating. You’ll probably notice that the temperature gauge is rising, but even if it’s not, check your coolant levels when the car cools down. Also, beware the smell of maple syrup wafting from under the hood; that’s the smell of leaking or boiling coolant, which is the tell-tale sign of an engine that’s about to overheat. An engine that’s running too hot can eventually stop functioning permanently, so make sure to see a mechanic if adding more coolant doesn’t resolve the problem.

Conclusion

Now that you know what these sounds mean, you’re better equipped at understanding what’s going on with your car. However, the best course of action is always to visit a specialist whenever your car starts making unusual noises. Here at Mike’s Brake & Alignment Shop, we offer reliable and affordable service to resolve any unexpected issues your car might be having. We’ll keep your car running in top condition.

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