Author: hammond50-2

How Can I Determine the Severity of Car Issues?

If your vehicle is exhibiting some signs that it might need repairs soon, it can be very tempting to simply ignore it. After all, car problems mean loss of time and an expensive repair bill. The good thing about it is that most of your car’s weird sounds aren’t going to really mean anything is necessarily wrong with it. However, this does not mean you should go on ignoring everything. Here are some of the ways you can determine the severity of your car issues.

Safety

As with anything you deal with in life, safety must always be your number one priority. Therefore, when the issue is a direct threat to your safety, it is incredibly important to either fix it (if the issue is small) or get it to your preferred mechanic as soon as possible. A common issue is bad brakes. You might be thinking that your brakes aren’t too bad. Sure, you have to press a little harder to come to a full stop, but so what? The reality is that brakes are incredibly important not only your safety, but for pedestrians as well. Having faulty brakes, airbags and seatbelts is a sure sign that you need to repair your car immediately.

Usability

Every car suffers from aging, resulting in substantial defects. There’s no point in having a car if it’s not even functioning. One of the most common issues regarding the usability of a car is its engine. You might have heard your engine racing, chugging or even shaking throughout your drive. Now, this does not mean you have to go replacing the whole engine, but you might need to go in for a tune-up. Only a professional mechanic can determine the severity of your engine problems.

Visibility

Your car might look like a million bucks, but if it’s surrounded by a cloud of black smoke every time you stop, it can mean some serious issues are going on underneath. This often happens in the mornings, when you are starting your car for the first time. It is more often linked to the fuel enrichment system within your vehicle, which could also mean that it’s blocking your vents. This is certainly not an issue that you should ignore as it can increasingly become worse over time.

Determining the severity of car troubles can be a little difficult for the untrained eye. Therefore, it is incredibly important to record any issues regarding your car, and speak with professionals about what they can mean. Adhere to the list above to begin to understand what to look for in your own vehicle.

If you’re having car issues, contact us to schedule an appointment for car maintenance!

The Importance of Getting Your Brakes Checked

Cars are made up of many different working parts. Aside from the ignition, none of them are as important as the braking system. Imagine having a car without brakes, talk about a nightmare. As vital as they are, keep in mind that your brakes are not designed to last forever. In fact, the more you drive, the more frequently you should have your brakes inspected. It’s a good idea to understand the importance of getting your brakes checked.

Why It Matters

Getting your brakes checked and inspected matters a lot. As everything does with age, your brakes will start to wear out over time, which reduces their efficiency. Among the major reasons for car accidents, car failure is often cited. When your brakes fail, you’ll lose all control and not be able to stop your car from crashing. This may be a sign, fire hydrant, road barrier, or even another car. Not only do you become a substantial risk to yourself and other drivers, but driving on faulty brakes can cause irreparable damage to your vehicle.

What to Look Out For

Unless someone’s clipped your brake fluid line (very rare, by the way), brakes don’t just suddenly fail one day without warning. There are plenty of signs that indicate your brakes are starting to malfunction. If you start to notice any of these symptoms, head straight to a mechanic to get your brakes tested:

  • noises like grinding and squealing

brake light turning on
car wobbling and scraping when you hit the brakes
brake pedal feels too “soft”
leaking brake fluid starts leaking
vehicle bounces up and down when you stop
burning smell while driving

Keep in mind that with regular inspection, you can ward off potentially dangerous issues. Faulty brakes can stop working without notice, so it is important to be proactive. However, if you notice tell-tale signs of brake malfunction while driving, get your brakes inspected as soon as possible.

Repair or Replace

Once your mechanic has identified the issue, you have two options; you can repair your brakes or invest in new ones. These two choices have their pros and cons, but it is really all up to what you think is best. If the problem is not too severe, then a simple repair may do the trick. However, if your brakes are heavily damaged, then you are better off replacing them.

It’s always a good idea to have a trusted mechanic help you assess the damage to see which choice is best for you. Your brakes are one of the biggest safety features in your car. If they go out, your life and the lives of others can be put at risk. If you suspect that your brakes are acting up, have them checked before you do anything else. Having properly working brakes is vital, and they can protect not only you but other drivers on the road.

Here’s another article you might like: The Most Common Car Damages Caused By Collisions

How to Protect Your Car From Hazardous Winter Conditions

Winter can be a very dangerous time of the year for driving. The cold temperatures and snowfall can make it so that other than driving safely, you also need to care for your car. The winter can be hard on any vehicle so we’re going to take a quick look at three concerns to pay attention to during the winter months.

Salt

Many communities apply salt to the roads to get rid of snow and ice. While it is effective in helping to keep the roads clear, salt can also damage your car’s paint job and undercarriage. You may not realize how much salt is laid down on the road until you see it all over your car. Salt is corrosive to metal so as the snow melts off of your car, the moisture further speeds up the rusting of metal. If you keep your car inside a heated garage, then the combination of salt, moisture, and warmth will accelerate the process of corrosion. Keeping the salt washed off of your car will go a long way to combat the corroding process. Make sure to wash the undercarriage of your car. Left alone, the salt could eat away the metal underneath your car, weakening the structural integrity and shortening the lifespan of your vehicle.

Damaged Roads

When the weather changes, it can affect the roads and cause poor conditions and potholes to form. Potholes can cause several problems to your car, so drive with caution around those areas. Hitting a pothole can knock the steering alignment out of adjustment. You may feel that your car is trying to pull to one side. Potholes can damage tires and bend rims. It is a good idea to pull over and check your tires after hitting a pothole hard. A hard jolt from hitting a pothole can also break ball joints and cause damage to your shocks. If you notice new noises or vibrations after hitting a pothole, have your mechanic check it out.

Your Battery

Cold weather reduces the battery’s capacity and ability to start your car. To keep from getting stuck with a dead battery during the winter, have your battery checked before winter sets in. If possible, park your car overnight in a warm spot. Make sure to turn off all electrical accessories before turning off your car. This will keep the battery from having to support them while trying to start your car. Keep a set of jumper cables in your car. You may want to invest in a battery pack designed to start your car in case of a dead battery.

Winter conditions can be rough on your car. However, all you need to do is be attentive to a few preventive measures. By doing this, you can help your car get through the winter reliably and in great shape.

If winter conditions have taken a toll on your car, schedule an appointment today and let me come to you!

Here Are the Most Common Car Damages Caused by Collisions

Anyone who’s suffered a car crash will tell you that even the tiniest of hits can cause major damage. Cars are built to protect passengers in case of an accident, which sometimes means they take more exterior damage to prevent harm to those who are inside. However, there are areas of a car more prone to damage than others.

Bumper Damage

Although both front and back bumpers can be damaged in a collision, front bumpers seem to take the most hits. As a result, according to Impact Auto Body, a third of all vehicular damage is to the front bumper. You can damage your bumper by hitting another car, a tree, an animal or even just a high hill or snowbank. If your bumper is damaged, it will either be repaired or replaced. Repairs will be made depending on the type and severity of the damage. Scratches can be buffed out or painted over, while dents have to put pulled or hammered out.

Dented Doors

Door denting is another common type of vehicle damage. If someone hits you in the side, it’s a safe bet your door will suffer some damage. According to the Law Offices of Gary S. Greenberg, while the extent of the damage typically varies based on speed, the sheer size of commercial trucks makes them capable of doing the most damage to a car and the people inside. However, small cars can do some real damage, as well. The extent of the damage to your door will be the main factor in deciding on repairs. If you are hit by commercial trucks and your car isn’t totaled, the doors often have to be replaced entirely. If hit by a smaller vehicle, the dents can sometimes be pulled or hammered out, and the doors are sanded down and repainted.

Broken Headlights

Just about any type of collision to the front half of the car will result in a broken headlight. The good news is headlights are relatively inexpensive, which means they’re almost always replaced rather than repaired. Oftentimes, the place where you purchase your headlight will install them for you for free, or as Car and Driver says, you can do it yourself.

Damaged Windshield

Like dented doors, the severity of the damage to your windshield will determine whether it’ll be replaced or repaired. Shattered windshields or windshields that have a crack all the way across will likely need to be replaced entirely. Smaller dings, spider web cracks, and other minuscule damages can be fixed by glass repair professionals. Many companies even offer the option of coming to your place of business and fixing your windshield while you work!

Wheel Damage

Because there is a tire on every corner of your vehicle, no matter where you’re hit, a tire is usually hit, as well, and they often sustain damage. A bad collision can knock wheels off their axes, rupture tires, or dent or can cause irreparable damage to your wheel wells. Wheels also take damage from everyday wear and tear. When damaged, if they can’t be patched or realigned, they’re replaced.

If your car has suffered any of the damages mentioned above, you aren’t alone. Car accidents happen every day and almost all result in some type of damage. Just do your research and see what kind of repair and replacement options are available to you.

If your car needs fixes on the inside rather than the outside as the result of a crash or any other circumstance, contact me and I’ll bring the car repair services to you!