Tag: Preventative Maintenance

What is TPMS? Why you need TPMS

What is TPMS? (TPMS)stands for: Tire Pressure Monitoring System Tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) are a safety device installed by the factory to alert the driver of an underinflated tire. The most common systems used is a sensor mounted inside the tire to measure tire pressure directly and then transmits this information wirelessly to onboard electronics.

Is it necessary to replace the TPMS sensors when a vehicle needs new tires?

It depends on the age of the sensors. By the time the tires are worn out, the TPMS sensors may be nearing the end of their useful service life — or they may not have enough remaining battery life to last another set of tires.

Does the law require replacing a bad TPMS sensor?

It depends on your state and local laws. There is no legal requirement (yet) at the national level to replace a bad TPMS sensor if the TPMS warning light is on or flashing. That’s a decision the vehicle owner has to make regarding their own safety. Obviously, if a TPMS system has one or more bad sensors, it can’t warn the motorist of a low tire. If any vehicle owner decides not to have the sensors replace when it’s recommended the owner may be asked to sign a waiver stating  that they won’t hold the service shop liable for any damage or injury from improperly inflated tires

Why do you need it? (this is my opinion)

Well for several reasons:
  1. NHTSA-National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ruled that all vehicle manufacturer’s that sell motor vehicles in the U.S must have a Tire pressure monitoring system installed since 2007.
  2. it helps you save on gas because you’ll know when your pressure is low.. low tire pressure causes you to waste gas because of the increased friction.
  3. It tells you when you may need to service your tires or sensors.
When the light is steady, it means you need to have your tire pressure checked. When the light is flashing, it means you need to have your TPMS checked. And by keeping the TPMS in good working order you’re less likely to have an unexpected tire blowout that can occur when the TPMS is inactive or not installed at all. Yes, it can be annoying but in my opinion, that’s a small price to pay when it comes to you and your families safety. If you would like to know more about the NHTSA-National Highway Traffic Safety Administration go here NHTSA And here’s the link for the NHTSA –TPMS-Final Rule]]>

Your cars heating and cooling system – The Heater Core

Like the human heart, the heater core is the center of your cars circulatory system with large veins entering and exiting and small vessels inside. The life blood of your heating system is your vehicle’s coolant.

The heater core, which is located in the dashboard of your car, is really a miniaturized radiator. The heater core is used in heating the cabin of a vehicle. Hot coolant from the vehicle’s engine is passed through a winding tube of the core, a type of heat exchanger between coolant and cabin air. Fins attached to the core tubes serve to increase the surface for heat transfer to air that is forced past them, by a fan, thereby heating the passenger compartment.

What can go wrong with the heater core?

The heater core is made up of small piping that has numerous bends. Due to the size of the tube winding through the heater core any debris in your cooling system will end up clogging your heater core. Over time, dirt and other contaminants can build up in the coolant, or it may become acidic corroding the cooling system components themselves. Clogging of the piping may occur if the coolant system is not flushed or if the coolant is not changed regularly.

If clogging occurs the heater core will not work properly. Control valves may also clog or get stuck. Once clogged, the hot coolant can’t pass through the heater core, resulting in no heat for the cabin or defrost for the windshield

Another possible problem is a leak in one of the connections to the heater core. Electrolysis can cause excessive corrosion leading to the heater core rupturing. Coolant will spray directly into the passenger compartment followed by white colored smoke, a significant driving hazard.

Self-Diagnosis:

Engine coolant has a very distinctive sweet/oily smell. If you notice this smell inside your car, check for dampness around the passenger side floor/footwell. If you find wetness, you probably have a leaking heater core. A related symptom is a sticky film coming out of the defroster ducts and settling onto the windshield. This is one of those problems that starts out small and gets worse over time, so the sooner you can get it fixed, the better especially if it’s during winter time.

Like heart surgery heater core replacement should be left to the specialists

The heater core is usually located under the dashboard inside of the vehicle and is enclosed in the ventilation system’s ducting, servicing it often requires disassembling a large part of the dashboard. Removing your dash is not a job you want to leave to just anyone. Repair Pal estimates the labor cost to replace a heater core to be between $550 to $700 or about 5.5 to 7 hours of an experienced mechanics time. Find a shop the specializes in replacing heater cores. 

What to do to prevent a “heart attack”?

If you are not experiencing any symptoms of a damaged heater core now is the time to act to help avoid a problem in the future. Car manufacturers recommend that you change the radiator fluid in your vehicle every 24,000 to 36,000 miles or every 24 to 36 months. However, your personal driving habits will also determine the frequency of needed radiator fluid changes. If you drive your vehicle in extremely hot temperatures like we had in Reno last summer, you may want to consider changing the fluid once a year or every 12,000 to 15,000 miles.

Also, you can unscrew the pressure cap and look at the liquid inside the reservoir or radiator, depending on the type of system you have. Coolant can be green, greenish yellow, orange, red, or blue, but is the liquid clear, or is stuff floating around in it? Does it look rusty? If the answer to either question is yes it’s time for a cooling system service.

If you are past the recommended mileage or your coolant looks funky you should consider the manufacturer’s recommended cooling system maintenance service at a trusted shop in your area. If you are having any concerns about your cooling system, experiencing any symptoms of a damaged heater core, or just lack of heating you should take it to your local trusted shop for a heating system diagnostic testing.

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The importance of buying the right tires for your car

If you have never had to change the tires on your vehicle before, it can feel like quite a challenge if you don’t know what tires your vehicle needs. There are many factors to consider when it comes to changing your tires including price, brand, comfort, appearance, and safety: things that should all be on your checklist. If your car was brand new when you bought it, it is likely that the tires you need are the same as the ones you had to start with. This makes the job fairly simple; as you know which tires you need, the only other job you need to do is find someone reliable to fit them for you. Different vehicles are fitted with different types of tires that are specific to each vehicle. Factors depending on where you live, your typical weather conditions and terrain will all affect the type of tire that you need so it is important to ask a specialist about your tires, as they can advise you depending on all of the above factors. The cost of your new tires will very much depend on your vehicle and tire type. If it was used when you bought it, you may be able to find the name of your tires in your handbook. If you don’t have that information, it is a good idea to do your research before you jump into anything. You can find information from a local dealership or even through the internet. It is also important to check the tires when you buy a used car, as the vehicle could be fitted with the wrong tires so it is a good idea to replace them quickly with the correct tires. Knowing what tires you need is also important because it helps you for the next time you need to change them, meaning you can get replacement tires quickly. There are exceptions, however; some vehicles allow you to have different types of tires. It is important that you research beforehand and that you know for certain that they can be fitted to your vehicle safely. Your tires should be replaced when the tread falls below the legal minimum. In the U.S Most states require a minimum of 2/32 of an inch (approximately 1.6 mm) of tread. If you are pulled over by the police and they are below the minimum legal tread depth you could end up with points on your license and a fine. If they are not up to the standard it will also mean that your vehicle will fail its yearly inspection where it’s required by law. It is important that you carry out regular checks on your tires to make sure that they are in the best condition. These checks can be carried out at home and involve looking for bulges, scratches, general wear and tear and even objects that could have punctured the tires such as sharp stones or nails.]]>

Automotive Repair Is Inevitable, But These Tricks Can Help

Automotive repair is inevitable, even for newer cars with less mechanical issues. For those who own older cars, routine maintenance is vital in avoiding major automotive repairs. Once a major part or system in the vehicle needs repairs, it could cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars to get back on the road again.  A good way to avoid expensive automotive repairs is to have a trusted mechanic who is familiar with your car. Having a good mechanic on your side can be very helpful when it comes to regular maintenance because they are familiar with your car’s needs and can provide good preventative maintenance. Good preventative maintenance can help prevent a major breakdown. Furthermore, your repairs might be a little less expensive if there is a breakdown because a regular mechanic can more easily figure out the cause. There are many different automotive repair shops you can choose from and finding a mechanic shouldn’t be that difficult. However, finding a trustworthy mechanic’s shop that can do quality work is key. There are a few techniques and tips you can employ in order to find a good mechanic.  The most important thing to remember when looking for a good mechanic to perform affordable quality work is to never wait until you have a vehicle breakdown to find an auto mechanic. This is one of the biggest mistakes a vehicle owner can make because, in the event of a major breakdown, they panic and simply hire the first mechanic they find in the phone book or online to diagnose and fix the vehicle. Many times, the repairs can cost more because the vehicle owner does not have the time to shop around for an affordable mechanic. If you look for a mechanic ahead of time, you are more likely to find one who is both skilled and more affordable. Finding a mechanic through word-of-mouth recommendations is one of the best ways to find a good mechanic. If you have a friend with an older car that runs well, you can find out who their mechanic is to begin the search for an auto repair shop. If you cannot find an auto repair shop through direct word-of-mouth recommendations, you can check you local listings online. Searching online can be helpful because mechanic listings online will also include customer reviews that will give you a better idea of who well that particular shop or mechanic can service your car. You can also educate yourself on automotive repair in order to avoid major problems and to have more knowledge on automotive repair. Automotive education can help you to better understand preventative car care needs in order to avoid major repairs. Furthermore, when you take your car to a mechanic for servicing you will have the advantage of knowing if the mechanic is credible, simply by knowing what type of issues your car has.  Automotive repair can be expensive, but some of this expense can be avoided if you have a good mechanic that can perform regular preventative maintenance. ]]>