Archive for May 2024Command Performance (Engine Air Filter)Posted May 26, 2024 4:01 AMThe internal combustion engine in your vehicle counts on two things that mix together to be burned in the engine for power: fuel and air. Both are important, of course. If you run out of fuel, your engine won’t run at all. Since there’s plenty of air around, you won’t run out of air, but you could feel your vehicle’s performance suffer if the engine air filter starts to get clogged. It's important that the air that enters your engine be free of dirt, dust, and debris to prevent damage to internal components. That’s where the engine air filter comes in. It prevents those particles from entering the engine, an important job that most people just take for granted. After a while, your air filter will get dirty, which results in less air reaching the engine. Modern fuel injected engines can adjust the amount of gas to mix with the air that is getting in, so your fuel economy won’t change significantly. What will change is how well the engine performs, its acceleration. In one test, a US Department of Energy study showed that a dirty air filter reduced a vehicle’s get-up-and-go by as much as 11 percent. The company that made your vehicle includes guidelines in your owner’s manual on how frequently that filter should be changed, and doing so will maintain your engine’s performance. If you drive in dusty, dirty areas or those with a lot of industrial pollution, we recommend you replace the engine air filter more frequently than the manufacturer’s recommendations. When you bring your vehicle to us for regular maintenance, we will routinely check several components, including your engine air filter, and recommend a change when we see signs it’s needed. It’s good for your engine, and you’ll enjoy the performance you expect. Economy Transmission and Auto Repair Out of Joint (CV Joint and Boot Replacement)Posted May 19, 2024 4:04 AMIf you have a front-wheel-drive vehicle, it has components called CV joints which enable you to turn your wheels smoothly. The CV stands for “constant velocity.” In essence, it’s a set of gears that connect a shaft that allows power from the transmission to be sent to the wheels. When you turn the wheels, no matter what angle, the input velocity rotation will be equal to the output. Thus, the name, CV (constant velocity) joint. Other vehicles with 4-wheel drive and all-wheel drive also use CV joints. If one of your CV joints isn’t working right, you may find your vehicle difficult to handle. If one breaks, your vehicle may stop moving. So, it’s important that CV joints be in top working condition. The joints need a lot of lubrication, so they are surrounded by grease. There’s a rubber enclosure around them called the boot which holds the grease in and protects CV joints from the elements. Signs your CV joint needs changing out? You might hear a clicking sound when you turn if the CV joint is worn out. You might notice some thick, black grease around your wheel or on the pavement where you park your vehicle. You might also feel your vehicle vibrate when you’re going fast. If you suspect you might have a bad CV joint, bring your vehicle in so a technician can determine what’s going on. Keep your CV joints in good shape and reduce the risk of them seizing up at an inopportune time so you can avoid being stranded. Economy Transmission and Auto Repair Steering You Right (Power Steering Fluid Service)Posted May 12, 2024 4:04 AMIt’s important for safe driving that two of the most important systems in your vehicle work right. One is the brakes. The other is the steering. Nearly all vehicles on the road have some sort of power steering that allows you to direct a very heavy machine with little effort. There are two types, hydraulic and electric. Many newer vehicles have electric power steering that uses an electric motor to make your steering easier. But there are many vehicles on the road that use a system that has been around for years. It uses a power steering pump, a cylinder, several valves, and hydraulic fluid to make it easy for you to turn the wheel. If you have hydraulic power steering in your vehicle, it’s important to change your power steering fluid every once in a while. Over time, the fluid gets contaminated with dirt and other particles. You might notice your steering is loose, maybe harder to turn and makes a low, straining noise. The first step in determining hydraulic power steering problems is to have your fluid checked. Its color and smell can give a technician clues to any problems. They will recommend changing it if it has signs of being old, such as the wrong color or smell. Because steering is such a vital safety feature in your vehicle, the best strategy is to maintain your power steering according to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations. That means periodically, the fluid should be changed. That will prolong the life of the other steering systems components, such as hoses, seals, valves, and the power steering pump. During this service, the technician will replace the fluid, bleed the system and check for leaks. You’ll be back on the road knowing your vehicle is in top shape to steer you right. Economy Transmission and Auto Repair Full Stop (Brake Master Cylinder Replacement)Posted May 5, 2024 4:04 AMWhen you step on your brake pedal, you want to feel confident that your vehicle’s going to stop. If your brakes aren’t working right, it’s a risk to your safety and the safety of others on the road. After all, you’re driving a machine that weighs thousands of pounds, and you have to be able to stop that big machine quickly and with control, especially with some of the speeds you travel on the highways. The heart of your vehicle’s brake system is the master cylinder. When you apply the brakes, the master cylinder has pistons, springs, and brake fluid. That fluid amplifies and distributes the force of your foot through brake lines to calipers at all your wheels. Those calipers squeeze down on rotors or discs, which is what slows down and stops your vehicle. For safety, a master cylinder has two cylinders, one for two wheels, and the other for the remaining two wheels. That way, if there is a failure in one, you’ll still have braking power at half your wheels. The master cylinder doesn’t last forever, of course, and here are some signs it may have problems. When you press on the brake pedal, it feels soft and spongy. You may see the brake light on your instrument panel go on. You may notice brake fluid leaking, or it may be discolored. All of those are signs of brakes that need attention, and among the possible culprits is a master cylinder that has failed. When you bring it in for a technician to look at, they’ll check not only the master cylinder but also the rest of the components, such as pads, discs, shoes, brake lines, and hoses. If your master cylinder needs replacing, we’ll make sure all the other parts meet the manufacturer’s specs as well. Brakes are important. Really important. Full stop. Economy Transmission and Auto Repair | ||
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