by Admin | Feb 20, 2022 | Auto Care Blog
One of the systems we take for granted when driving is a car’s braking system. The braking system is arguably the most critical safety system in any vehicle today. The braking system comprises various components that must work in sync to slow down or completely stop your car on demand when the brake pedal is depressed.
Most modern vehicles plying the roads today are equipped with disc brakes at the front and rear, with a few having the rear drum brake setup only. Regardless of the configuration, the principle of operation remains pretty much the same. Depressing the brake pedal displaces an incompressible fluid from the brake master cylinder through a circuit to the calipers (or pistons), which presses the brake pads (or brake shoes) against a rotor (or brake drum), using friction to slow down or stop the vehicle.
Maintaining Your Brake System
A lot is usually demanded from the braking system when you need to slow down or stop your car at a moment’s notice. Therefore, it is vital to periodically inspect and repair the brake system components like the master cylinder, brake pads, caliper, brake line, and brake rotors and ensure they are in working order.
Physical inspection of brake components like brake pads and rotors is vital, as these components deteriorate after a while and will require a replacement. Remember that wear and tear occur to these components due to friction. Routine checks are vital as per your vehicle service manual.
A consequence of an effective braking system is heat, and lots of it when the brakes are in use. This heat over time wears out the efficacy of the brake fluid and will attract moisture. This moisture can corrode the metal components of the braking system, reduce the boiling point of the brake fluid and ultimately reduce the overall effectiveness of your vehicle braking system. Your brake fluid should be inspected as per requirements of your vehicle manual and replaced/flushed when due.
Are you experiencing braking problems in your vehicle? Bring it over urgently to A1 Performance Auto Repair. Our Specialists and technicians will ensure you get the best automotive service experience.
by Admin | Feb 5, 2022 | Auto Care Blog
Your car battery goes through a lot during its lifespan. Car batteries experience severe temperature fluctuations throughout their life, which over time deteriorates their capacity. Such phenomenon is usually worse in hot weather conditions where a car battery’s lifespan can be as low as three years, compared to an average of six years in cold weather conditions.
In a running vehicle, the alternator charges the battery. If such a car is parked and left idle for some days (or weeks) without disconnecting the terminals, the battery will discharge to a point where it may be impossible to start the vehicle. Allowing such a scenario to persist will lead to discharge cycles that may render your car battery useless, and you will need a replacement.
Making Your Battery Last Longer
Your car battery is one of the most vital and critical elements needed to keep your car going. It is what powers the starter, spark plugs, ignition coils, fuel injectors, and fuel pump at the first start of your vehicle before the alternator takes over.
One of the killers of a car battery is heat. Heat drastically lowers battery life, as it can cause the rapid deterioration of the battery fluids. Protect your car battery from excessive heat by parking in shaded areas or garages during the summer season. Using battery insulation covers can keep battery temperature at optimal levels, protecting the battery from extreme heat or cold.
The battery under the hood loses its charge when idle for an extended period as it drains rapidly. It is recommended that you start your car and take it for a ride once a week. When a car battery loses its charge completely, it will require a jumpstart to start the car.
Your vehicle should not have any electrical accessories running when the engine is off, like interior lights and the audio system. Ensure that the charging system components like the alternator are in good working order for a proper battery charge.
Following these tips can save you from embarrassing vehicle breakdowns and expensive repair / replacement. If you are not sure of your car battery’s health, bring it over to A1 Performance Auto Repair. Our Specialists and technicians will check your vehicle and give you the best automotive advice to get your car in good running condition.
by Admin | Nov 5, 2021 | Auto Care Blog
Tires provide the only connection you have with the road when driving. They are designed to have good handling, a safe ride, and good fuel economy. Improper tire pressure might cause premature wear to your tires and might become a safety hazard. You should know how and when to check your tire pressure, as this is an invaluable skill every motorist should have.
Preparations: Before You Start
The first information you should arm yourself with is the correct inflation pressure for the tires fitted to your vehicle. The tire’s proper inflation pressure of your car is on the driver-side doorjamb sticker. This sticker displays the tire specifications, vehicle weight restriction, and recommended tire pressure for the front and rear tires.
Another preparation is the means of checking the tire pressure. A tool called a tire pressure gauge gets the correct readings from your tire. The readout is usually in Pounds per Square Inch (PSI). There are three types: digital, dial, and internal slide gauges. These come in prices and features that suit your taste.
Checking Your Tire Pressure
You get accurate readings when checking tire pressure first thing in the morning when the tires are still cold, or 3 to 4 hours after you park your vehicle in a cool, shaded place. Also, ensure it is on a firm, level surface.
To start, get your tire pressure gauge. Ensure it is in good condition.
Get a note and a pen to record your readings. Go to a tire, remove the air valve stem cap, and keep it safe. Press the tire gauge against the exposed valve stem for a few seconds (not more than 5). Hearing a momentary hiss of air when the tire gauge is engaged is normal. Read the air pressure gauge and record value and tire location. Compare this value with recommended tire pressure and location (front or rear).
If the tire is over-inflated, release air in a short burst by pressing against the valve stem (but not enclosing it) and re-measure until air pressure is within specifications. Use a portable tire compressor (if available) to fill and recheck if underinflated. If you do not have one, drive to a tire shop to fill up to the recommended pressure (after checking the other three tires). Replace the tire valve stem cap.
You can repeat this process for other tires, including the spare tire.
When To Check Your Tire Pressure
You can make it a habit of checking your tire pressures once a month or after the vehicle has been parked for a long time (over a month). Also, check if you ever run over a sharp object or hit a curb. Taking care of your tires and checking tire pressure from time to time is good to guarantee safe and dependable vehicle performance.
by Admin | Sep 20, 2021 | Auto Care Blog
There are several moments that are quite embarrassing to the vehicle owner, and an overheating engine is at the top pile. It can cut your summer road trip short and put your family in an awkward position. But it is preventable with regular maintenance.
The combustion process in an engine is extremely hot but necessary to produce power, and the heat escapes the engine compartment through the cooling system. However, this system can experience a problem and cause overheating.
Signs and Causes of Overheating
Several things could go wrong with the cooling system. The radiator fan can stop working, or there could be a leak somewhere, or even the coolant hose could be broken. But whatever the cause, an overheating engine is not something to overlook, rest you end up with a toast for an engine.
A common symptom of an overheated engine is smoking steam from under the hood. Depending on your vehicle model, the engine temperature gauge shoots to red or H, and you may notice a strange smell.
What You can do
Immediately switch off the AC and crank up the heat to reduce stress on the engine. Of course, you will be a bit hot, but that is a very small price to pay compared to a major engine fix. Identify a safe spot to pull over and kill the engine.
Normally, an hour or so should bring down the temperatures completely. Check the coolant level and top it up. This will protect your engine until you can get the vehicle fixed. But this quick fix won’t do much good if there is a clog in the coolant hose, and the same case applies to a broken water pump or radiator fan.
Next, plan to get the vehicle to your mechanic, such as calling a tow truck, a friend, or a local road assistance service. You can also restart the engine and drive to the nearest repair shop. However, keep an eye on the temperature gauge and pull over when the engine overheats.
by Admin | Apr 20, 2021 | Auto Care Blog
Hybrid vehicles have grown incredibly popular based on fuel economy and low maintenance demands. There are significant differences between hybrid cars and ordinary gas-powered cars. However, both types need regular maintenance to keep on the road.
As a hybrid car owner, it is critical to arm yourself with the necessary education to prepare for any eventuality.
Routine Maintenance for Hybrid Vehicles
The gas engine cars have a long list of maintenance items at specific time intervals. They require wheel alignment, oil changes, and air filter changes. This is similar to hybrid vehicles.
The difference is that hybrid vehicles may not require as much maintenance in certain areas. For example, oil changes for hybrids are less frequent.
Check Engine Light Issue
The benefit of a hybrid vehicle is that it does not have engine problems like average vehicles. However, there have been particular issues with hybrid models.
In particular, Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche have had check engine light issues. This would come on or stay on without producing any code to point to the primary cause, becoming somewhat of a nuisance and a safety issue. Drivers are never sure if their engine needs checking or not.
The drive system in a hybrid vehicle is complicated, and so the check engine light can come on for various reasons. Even the slightest of errors that do not need attention can turn on the light. So, what do you do when this happens?
If it comes on when driving, pull over and shut off the engine. This is for your safety. The reset allows the computer to recheck everything and turn off the light if it finds that everything is okay. Sometimes the light does not go away, and you need to take it for code scanning. Check for blown fuses. Depending on the severity of the problem, you may not be able to use the vehicle in the meantime.
by Admin | Apr 4, 2021 | Auto Care Blog
The starter motor is an important vehicle component that starts the engine cranking. Like other vehicle parts, the starter motor may fail, but problems with the starter system are often confused with other vehicle issues.
So how do you tell that it’s a broken starter motor? What do you do about it?
What Causes a Broken Starter Motor?
The starter is a small battery-powered motor that gets the engine running.
In most cases, a faulty starter motor is caused by a worn-out electrical solenoid or another fault with the electrical, such as the starter relay. A loose starter wiring, dirty connections, oil leaks, and battery corrosion are other possible culprits. It can also be worn out or damaged parts in the starter.
While you can replace a starter before it fails, you cannot tell when that will happen, which is usually a problem.
Conduct a car starting inspection before you make a hasty conclusion that the problem is with the starter.
Troubleshooting the Starter Motor
A light tap with a hard object usually does the trick to power the starter back up. Usually, the tapping helps regain contact between electrical components that may have been lost for various reasons. However, this is a temporary fix that will help you get to your favorite car mechanic.
Sometimes, it may not even be the starter, but the battery and its components. Keep an eye out for loose or faulty battery cables and check the status of the battery itself.
Try starting the engine in the park status. If it doesn’t start, shift the vehicle to neutral and try again. In some cases, the starter motor will come to life in neutral. This is a clear symptom of a faulty neutral safety switch or other technical glitches.
If you suspect that your starter may be having problems, come in or contact us at A1 Performance Auto Repair for diagnosis and repair. We offer a wide range of motor vehicle services to keep it on the road and ensure smooth riding.
