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Car Repair Articles

Getting the Most from Your Gas?

It is no secret gas prices are up and putting a big pinch on our pocket books.  Car maintenance and driving habits significantly affect fuel economy.  Here are a few tips to help you get the most for your buck.  First, check the air pressure in your car's tires.  Most vehicle tire pressure recommendations are located on a sticker in the driver's door jam or on the side wall of the tire.  While tire and car manufacturers recommend a prescribed tire pressure, it has been shown that slightly more tire pressure is optimal for achieving higher fuel economy by reducing rolling resistance.  Some hybrid cars are manufactured with tires that can hold up to 55 P.S.I. as compared with the usual 32 P.S.I. For safety and better gas mileage always keep your tires properly inflated. Next, analyze your driving habits. Do you take off quickly from a stop? Try easing into the throttle and allow the vehicle to accelerate slowly.  Observe the traffic and signals in front of you. If a stop is imminent release the gas peddle and allow the car to coast the remainder of the distance before braking.  Finally, proper maintenance of your car's engine is essential for optimum performance. If your engine is misfiring it will decease mileage. If engine oil and filter changes have been neglected it will cause additional friction inside the engine and hinder performance and gas mileage.  Inspect your engine service records and perform a tune up or oil change as recommended. Following these gas saving tips will increase your mileage and save you money. To post your own gas saving tips please join our Car Repair Forum.

Flat Tire on Freeway

A flat tire on the freeway or any other busy high can be very dangerous. There are mainly two kinds of flat tires, either the tire is very low on air or the tire is already flat and starting to fall apart. In the first condition (tire very low) you have a chance to get off the freeway and into a safe place to change the tire or wait for service. In the second case (flat and falling apart) is it best to not worry about saving the tire, your main objective is to get to an freeway off-ramp or other safe position to change the tire or wait for service. The car will have more rolling resistance but will still move with a flat tire, proceed very slow and use caution. When pulling off the the road to a safe place make sure your as far off the road as possible. Most of the time when a tire is run very low on air it will breakdown the inner layers and render the tire useless. If there is no close off-ramp or safe place to stop get out of the car and walk to a more protected area. Be conscientious about the tire worth or the tire and the safety of you and your family. To many times people try to save a sixty five dollar tire and get hurt in the process.

Taking Your Car in for Repair?

Before taking your car in for repairs make a list needed repairs. The repair shop should inspect your car and estimate repairs before beginning work. The shop must provide a written or verbal estimate and the final bill cannot be more than 10% higher than the original estimate. Always ask to see the damaged or worn part. Get it returned to you in the box the new replacement part came in before signing the work order. After inspection have the repair garage dispose of parts as needed or retain for further inspection.

Always insist on factory OE parts (amazingly there are many car part manufacturers that produce substandard replacement parts) original manufacturer parts offer better usability and durability. If you are unsure of the reason the part must but replaced ask the technician to show you the specific damage and why the part has failed. Also, ask how long the repair shop will warranty the repair and if the warranty covers labor on the part if it fails prematurely. It never hurts to get a second opinion, once you have received the first estimate try checking around at a few shops and the dealer to make an informed choice.

Don't be Fooled by the "Low Ball Bid"

Some repair shops and dealers practice the low ball bid method of business to get you in the door, this is how it works, lets say you call in for a radiator replacement and you get a low bid, it sounds good but was is really happening on the other end of the phone is the service writer is planning on hitting you with job add-on's.

EXAMPLE:   The phone is ringing... Mrs. Johnson... I have bad news, your cooling system needs to be flushed, the thermostat is shot and your water pump is leaking... I'm sorry your car is already in pieces so I can't put it back together... The conversion goes on to include more problems not relevant to the issue you wanted fixed and you know the rest.

You can see the cheapest estimate is not always the best way to go. To safeguard yourself get several estimates for the same repair, if one is much lower there might be something wrong. Most garages know what it takes to stay in business and stay competitive. For the most part you are safer taking it to the middle to upper end repair shop.

At the Shop (Ken's Corner)

One of my customers called me today asking me if I could help him. It seems he was having a problem with his 2001 Toyota Avalon (V6 engine), the car had 76,000 miles. In the morning he would try to start the car, it would crank over and start but then just die, this happened three more times before he got it running again and now the check engine light was on. His office was right next door to a repair shop so he took it in for a diagnosis, they told him it needed an idle air control motor and an air mixture sensor to the tune of $1,100.00 dollars. He brought the car to me the next morning, I checked it out and recommended a simple solution. Some manufacturers use a magnetic field style idle air control motor that is very susceptible to carbon build up. I removed the idle air control unit, cleaned it, reassembled it and cleared the trouble codes from the PCM. This fixed the problem for the cost of a can of carburetor cleaner. The customer has never been happier with a car repair. With the right information you too can avoid costly auto repairs. All it takes is knowing the right information. "knowledge is power". Ask your Car Repair Question

Change your Oil!

I had a new customer come in with a 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier with 82,000 miles on it. She had never changed her oil, but always checked the oil level and added oil when needed. The engine now has a bad camshaft, cylinder head and two failed cam followers. The engine oil broke down and failed to lubricate the bearing surfaces on the valve train components. This repair is going to cost close to $1450.00 for a new cylinder head, camshaft, gaskets, cam followers and labor. That's a lot of oil changes! Just like my Dad (Bob) always says: "Change your oil, its cheap insurance".

Having Problems with your New Car?

A new car can be great, but sometimes a new car can have problems. The dealership may not be has helpful as they should be once you drive the car off the lot. If you have a problem with a dealer that you can't resolve you do have some recourse. Contact the manufacturer of the vehicle. All major manufacturers have a customer help line that will put you in contact with a company representative who can help you get your new car working properly. Most dealerships are independently owned and operated and sometimes they aren't always responsive. Your involvement with a manufacturer's representative will help you get the leverage you need to resolve the problem promptly.


Inside this Website Check out some of the most common repairs and service on your vehicle.

	Change an Air Filter Changing an air, oil, fuel or air cabin filter is necessary to keep your car in top running condition. In most cases this service is easy to perform we show you how to replace all of your vehicles necessary filters and fluids. When a filter is left unchanged it can cause poor running, low power, engine misfire, poor mileage and more. Check your filters and service your car regularly to ensure proper operation of your car. How to Change an Air Filter Video
	How to Use an Engine Scanner The engine code scanner has made automotive repair easier then ever. When the check engine light comes on while your driving it means there is a system that is having a problem. With the trouble code scanner your are able to retrieve the trouble code stored in the vehicles computer. Once the system has been identified replace the shorted senor or other repair and clear the codes out of the vehicle's computer. Once the codes have been cleared the computer will go into relearn procedure and run any number of system monitors to determine if the trouble has been properly repaired. How to Scan for Trouble Codes (Check Engine Light)
	How to Replace Front Brake Pads All vehicles wear out brake brakes and rotors, learn the proper way to service your brakes by reading through our step by step instructions. Neglecting your brake system can lead to system failure, brake inspection is mandatory in some states, check your brake system regularly to ensure proper operation of your vehicles brake system. How to Change Front Brake Pads and Rotors
	How to Replace a Multi Rib Belt All vehicles wear out brake multi rib belts as a normal service item and must be replaced for proper operation, replacing your car's multi rib belt is a relatively simple repair that can be done in a few minutes with minor tools in most cases. Always wear protective gloves and eyewear before you begin. How to Change a Multi Drive Belt

Car Safety Check - Before you take off on that long trip there are some basic checks and information you should know

Avoiding Repair Scams - Getting your car repaired can be very expensive. Unscrupulous auto mechanics can take you for a ride. Learn what questions to ask when getting your car repaired plus get tips on the warning signs you should look out for. All car repair businesses are not created equal

How to Scan for Diagnostic Trouble Codes - If you see a "check engine" or a "service engine soon" light in your instrument cluster your car has stored a diagnostic trouble code. This means the computer system has detected a problem with one of the various systems it controls.

How to Jump Start Your Car - The starter is designed to operate on a high amperage 12 volt system, when a starter is subjected to low voltage or amperage (flow) it will cause the starter to not operate. To jump start your car start a good quality jumper cable set is required, inexpensive cables do not work as well because a higher gauge wire (smaller diameter) is used in the construction restricting the current flow from battery to battery.

Chevy V8 Firing Order - most Chevy V8 firing orders are the same

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