Car Blogger Diary

Did you know that when you step on your brake pedal, you command a stopping force that is 10 times as powerful as the force that sets the car in motion? The brake system of a vehicle can exert as much as 1,000 pounds of hydraulic pressure on each of the four brakes. Yet, we find that many vehicle owners, wait for issues with their brakes like, squealing and/or grinding noises, or a brake pedal to feel soft before having their brakes checked out. Regular brake inspections are a good way to avoid additional damage that can be caused by driving a vehicle with worn brake parts. The brake system in your vehicle uses frictional force to slow down and stop the vehicle.  On disc brakes the brake caliper is a hydraulic clamp that pinches the brake pads onto the rotor to stop the vehicle. On drum brakes the wheel cylinder is a hydraulic component that forces the brake shoes against the brake drum to slow or stop the vehicle. On both those brake systems you have a master cylinder that convert...

The anti-lock braking system, or ABS system, is a safety system which prevents the wheels on a vehicle from locking up in a panic stop braking condition, or if you are on a slick surface. The theory behind ABS brakes is simple. A skidding wheel has less traction than a non-skidding wheel. By keeping the wheels from skidding when you slow down, ABS brakes benefit you in two ways, you will stop faster and you will be able to steer while stopping. There are four main components to an ABS system; the speeds sensors, the pump, the valves and the controller. The speeds sensors are located either at each wheel or in the differential, they provide the information that the wheel is about to lock up. The valves are located in each line at the brakes and they pass thru, stop and release the brake fluid from the master cylinder to activate the ABS system. The controller is the computer in the car. It watches the speed sensors and controls the valves. When the ABS is at work you will feel a pulsing...

Ball joints are ball-and-socket joints in the front suspension that serve as the pivot points between the wheels and suspension of your vehicle. On each side, the lower ball joint is pressed into and rests in the lower control arm, while the upper ball joint rests in the upper control arm. Both control arms are hinged to enable the wheel to move vertically. While each ball joint supports a great deal of vehicle weight and works at steadying the wheel, the lower ball joint bears the majority of the vehicle’s weight. Consequently, the ball joints are far more likely to wear out. Excessive play in the lower ball joint leads the tire to recover sloppily from a minor jolt, this can be indicated by clunking and/or creaking noises, and odd or extreme tire wear on the front tires. Vehicles with a MacPherson-strut suspension systems utilize a lower ball joint and an upper strut bearing instead of an upper ball joint. If you have noticed your vehicle wandering or erratic steering or odd tire wea...

The Truth About Extended Life Spark Plugs Vehicle manufacturers make much of the fact that their products come equipped with extended-life spark plugs that can maintain a precise gap for 100,000 miles. However, before you wait that long to replace them, you should bear in mind that spark plugs that hit the 80,000-mile marker are four-fifths worn. As the gap in the plug widens, engine performance and gas mileage begin to suffer. In addition, spark plugs that have remained in place for tens of thousands of miles have a tendency to seize in the cylinder head or the two piece designs tend to break. Once this happens, it can be a potentially costly job to remove them. Since your vehicle’s spark plugs are going to require replacement sometime, better to do it sooner rather than later. How Often To Replace Spark Plugs Even if your vehicle is equipped with extended-life spark plugs, you should still have them inspected approximately every 30,000 miles. During that inspection also have checked ...

The power steering system in your vehicle enables you to steer your vehicle in the direction you would like it to proceed. Power steering is really “power-assisted” steering. “Power-assisted” steering will allow you to steer your vehicle manually when the engine is not running or if you have a failure in the power steering system which disables it. Power steering utilizes a hydraulic pump running off a belt-driven by the engine, this pump enables a small amount of fluid to be under pressure. This pressure, in turn, assists the steering mechanism in directing the tires as you turn the steering wheel. The power steering system typically includes a pump, power steering fluid, a pressure hose assembly, a control valve, and a return line. There are two basic types of power steering systems used on vehicles. The rack and pinion steering system and the conventional/integral steering gear system, which is also known as a recirculating ball steering system. The rack and pinion steering system i...

The shocks and struts on your vehicle play a big role in the stability and control of the vehicle. The vehicle being stable means that is has the ability to stop, turn, and swerve at exactly the moment you need it to. Your shocks and struts are designed to react to every wheel and body movement, and also to every bump and corner. They also help to keep the vehicle at the proper ride height that the vehicle was designed to having. They keep the geometry of the suspension in the correct position. Shocks and struts that are wearing will allow the vehicle to dip, sway, bounce and overreact to corners, during stopping and acceleration, and over bumps or uneven surfaces on the road. These effects result in reduced braking ability, along with tire and suspension parts having accelerated wear. It is also more difficult for the driver to maintain control of the vehicle, causing them to constantly make steering corrections while driving to compensate. Studies show that it only takes one worn sho...

The acronym SRS stands for Supplemental Restraint System which is the proper name for the Airbag System in your vehicle. This is the dash warning light that was not mentioned in the prior articles on warning lights. This system is considered a passive safety device, meaning that it takes no action from the vehicle occupants to activate the device, like a seat belt that takes action from the occupant to activate the device. When the SRS light is illuminated on the dash, this means that the Airbag Control Unit sees an issue in the system and has disabled the system. This means that the airbags will not deploy in the event of an accident. The original design of an airbag was developed in 1952. Vehicle airbag systems went into use in the early 1970’s and have gone through a series of developmental changes throughout the years. They were designed to be used as a safety supplement to seat belts, most injuries that are caused by airbags, are due to the fact that seat belts were not being worn...

Today’s vehicles are run by multiple computers or control modules. To give you an idea of what I am talking about, the engine is managed by an electronic control module or ECM. These control modules monitor and control the fuel, emissions, temperature, the timing of the engine, braking, starting, charging, transmission shifting and speed. The electrical accessory systems that add luxuries like power windows, door locks, seats, mirrors, heating, and air conditioning, are also run by a control module, called a body control module or BCM. How Do You Know If Your Car Needs A Diagnostic? When one of these systems in your vehicle starts malfunctioning, a driver is alerted by either the illumination of a warning light on your dash. The vehicle could also start malfunctioning by not starting, causing a rough idle, running poorly or a loss of power, or the fuel economy level could have changed, or possibly another symptom. In order to properly diagnose what is going on with the vehicle and conc...

The internet has a ton of information on vehicles, vehicle maintenance, vehicle repair, along with consumer reports on vehicles and a ton of opinions about vehicles, what to buy and how to take care of them. Today I read an article that is published online at MSN.com about The Ten Most Costly Repairs on an Automobile. This article was so incorrect it was frustrating. It was inaccurate as to how some of the different systems on a vehicle operate, proper verbiage was not used on how different parts fail, what the proper repair would be and the price range on the repairs was considerably off. With the internet readily available to most consumers, are we being bombarded with information, some accurate and some inaccurate. Are we, as consumers believing everything we read as truth? How are we to know the difference? A couple of things that everyone should look at is; who is writing the article, what are their qualifications, and where are they getting their sources. An article or publicatio...

Symptoms Of Improper Alignment Having the alignment on your checked regularly is important. Proper alignments aids with proper steering, good vehicle control, and avoids excessive or uneven wear on your tires. Some of the symptoms for improper alignment or worn parts that affect the alignment are: Tilted or off center steering wheel. Poor returning ability of the steering wheel. While driving pulling to one side. Uneven or excessive tire wear. The toe alignment of the vehicle is the difference between the front and rear of the corresponding tires, at the spindle height, as seen from the top of the vehicle. Toe in or toe out will increase tire scrub or feathering on the inside or outside edges of the tires. The camber alignment is the inward or outward tilt of the wheel, from its top, as viewed from the front of the vehicle. Positive or negative camber can cause suspension and steering parts to wear out prematurely. The caster alignment is the amount the steering axis is tilted from ...

In the greater Portland area our vehicles are required to pass the Department of Environmental Quality Test every other year, to be legal to drive. There are a few key things that need to be in proper working shape for the vehicle to pass this test, good tune condition, proper fuel/air ratio and the exhaust system has to be in good shape with no leaks and the catalytic converter needs to operate properly. In this article we will talk about the exhaust system importance. The exhaust/emission system of your vehicle has a few different types of functions, that work together: 1) To deaden the sound made by internal combustion of the engine. 2) Reduce the temperature of the exhaust. 3) To control the emissions that are emitted from the vehicle. Vehicles can create harmful gases during the combustion of fuel. That is why it is important to repair your exhaust system when leaks or potential problems are found. Poisonous gases can be hazardous if they leak into the cabin of the vehicle, so pro...

What Is A Tie Rod? The tie rod is a part of the steering mechanism in a vehicle. A tie rod consists of an inner and outer end. The tie rod transmits force from the steering center link or rack gear to the steering knuckle. This will cause the wheel to turn. The outer tie rod end connects with an adjusting sleeve, which allows the length of the tie rod to be adjustable. This adjustment is used to set a vehicle’s alignment angle. What Happens When Tie Rod Ends Get Worn? Tie rod ends should be regularly inspected with each oil change service, by a qualified technician. They are a wearing part of the steering and suspension system of your vehicle. As tie rod ends wear, they can become loose and can develop excessive slack, or play, which can be felt in the steering and handling of the vehicle. Bad tie rod ends can negatively impact a vehicle’s front end alignment and lead to excessive tire wear and front suspension problems. Tie rod ends are critical to maintaining proper vehicle front sus...

Tires are one of the most crucial safety items on our vehicle. Proper tire tread, proper tire pressure of tires, proper tire balance and replacing tires that are damaged from cracks and gouges, is very important in tire safety. If you do not have the knowledge or time to keep an eye on your own tires, we recommend having your tires inspected at each and every oil change. Below we are listing a few interesting statistics that have been compiled by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: The #1 reason for vehicle breakdowns on National Highways is due to flat tires or blowouts. 20 percent of all vehicle crashes on national highways are related to tire under inflation. Underinflated tires reduce fuel economy and traction while increasing the chances of hydroplaning on wet surfaces and tire blow out. Improper tire pressure can decrease handling and increase the risk of an accident. Proper balance of a tire distributes the mass of the tire when it is mounted on its wheel and th...

Battery/Charging System Indicator Light The Battery/Charging System Indicator Light is amber in color and looks like a battery. When this light illuminates or stays illuminated or comes on and off while driving, it is indicating that there is an issue in the charging or starting system of your vehicle. There are several things that this could be: the battery not holding a good charge or having bad connections, bad connections at the starter, a broken or loose alternator drive belt, a failing alternator or again not having good connections. We recommend having this inspected and tested immediately, this light usually indicates an imminent failure that will cause a breakdown situation. Oil Pressure Light The Oil Pressure Light is indicated in an amber color as an oil can with a drip. This light is often misunderstood as time for an oil change light. That is not what it is indicating. When this indicator is illuminated it is indicating that your engine is not receiving enough oil. This co...

The dashboard of your vehicle is full of warning lights. These lights are your vehicle’s way of talking to you (the driver) about your car. Some of these lights are pretty obvious as to what they are warning you of, like low fuel level or a seat belt not being buckled. However, there are some warning lights that are a little more obscure. All dash warning lights will appear on when the ignition key of a car is turned on, but once the vehicle is started they go off within a few seconds. If they stay illuminated or go on while driving, then that is a warning to the driver that there is a potential problem. In the next couple of articles we will go over some of these dash warning lights to help aid in understanding what those warning lights mean and how you should respond to the warning. Maintenance Required Light The maintenance required light is often questioned by consumers. This is a reminder light, not really a warning light, and it is set by the mileage of your vehicle. When the veh...

The warning lights we will be discussing in this article have to do with the safety features of current and newer vehicles and may not apply to every vehicle that is being driven on the road. One thing to be aware of is that warning lights come in red or amber. The red color light usually indicates that more immediate attention is required and the amber lights indicate a system malfunction that needs to be addressed but is not as immediate. Green and blue light indicators on your dash usually indicate a system being activated, like cruise control. Brake Indicator Light The Brake Light Indicator is usually red and says “brake” it is typically an indicator that the park brake is applied, however it can also indicate low brake fluid level. If this light comes on, you should check your parking brake first. If it is unapplied, the vehicle should be checked out immediately. We would recommend having it towed. Low fluid level can cause your brakes not to function properly and can make driving...

In order for your vehicle’s electrical system to work properly a good healthy battery is essential. The primary purpose of the battery is to start the engine. But it is also used to stabilize power and provide extra power for the ignition, lighting and other accessories that when combined the load exceeds the capability of the charging system. Since our vehicles today are controlled by multiple computers and are equipped with so many electronic accessories, there are many different symptoms that can occur when there is a problem with the charging system of your vehicle. Warning lights on the dash can illuminate, like the charging system light, brake light, abs (antilock brake system) light, srs (supplemental restraint system) light, and or the check engine light. Some of the symptoms the vehicle can exhibit are: vehicle will not crank when trying to start, long starting crank time, exterior and interior lights dim or not working properly, engine and transmission performance can be comp...

Almost daily we receive inquiries about Check Engine Light Diagnosis. There are a lot of consumers that believe we can just hook a tool to your vehicle and it will tell us what is wrong with the car. A lot of times, the consumer has already retrieved the code and they would like to know what is wrong with their vehicle and what it is going to cost to fix it. We are going to address this issue in the next couple articles. Check Engine (Service Engine Soon) Light When the computer (aka – ECM, PCM, or ECU) of your vehicle recognizes a system, circuit or sensor that is working out of parameters, it will signal your Check Engine Soon/Service Engine Soon light to come on. Vehicles that were produced from 1996 on have OBDII or On Board Diagnostics of the Second Generation. This system has a computer that will store a trouble code to indicate the system, circuit or condition that the computer sees has the issue. It may also store freeze frame data about the condition as to how long the engine ...

Brake fluid is one of the most neglected fluids in vehicles today, but yet is vitally important for safe driving. It is designed to function in the hydraulic brake system under all operating conditions. The brake fluid is made from a combination of various types of glycol, a nonpetroleum based fluid. The brake fluid boiling point is one of the most critical aspects and ratings for brake fluid. It is also rated on freezing rate, resistance to oxidation and having no ability to damage rubber parts in the brake system. All automotive brake fluid must meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 116. The Society of Automotive Engineers and the Department of Transportation have established brake fluid specification standards for both Wet and Dry Boiling Points for automotive brake fluid. As brake fluid ages, it absorbs moisture, which lowers its boiling point and raises its freezing point and causes increased corrosion of the brake system components. Automotive experts agree that brake fluid ...

The heating system in your vehicle is designed to keep you warm while the temperatures outside are cold, wet and/or windy. The engine cooling system of the vehicle is directly  linked to the heating system. If your heating system is not working properly it is important to have it checked out, because your engine cooling system may not be working properly either and an overheated engine can result in engine damage. There are a few basic components in the heating system; the heater core, blower motor/fan, heater hoses, heater control valve, and the HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) control panel/assembly inside the cabin . The cooling system components that interact with the heating system are the coolant, thermostat, radiator, and water pump . The heater core is also utilized in the cooling system of the vehicle. The heat that is created by the engine operation builds up and needs somewhere to go. Much of this heat is directed through the exhaust system. The remaining bu...

The Environmental Protection Agency as stated in Section 608 of the Clean Air Act, prohibits open venting of any automotive refrigerant to the environment, due to the hazards that it causes to the environment and the ozone layer. If the air conditioning system of your vehicle is not blowing cold, then there is a reason. It could be because it is low on refrigerant, and if it is low there is a reason. The air conditioning system in vehicles is an air tight system so if the system runs low on refrigerant than there is a leak and this should be identified and repaired prior to recharging the air conditioning system with refrigerant. The refrigerant used in the air conditioning systems of today’s vehicles is called R134A, the refrigerant used in vehicles prior to 1994 is called Freon R12. When there is a leak in the air conditioning system, this can cause air and moisture to be introduced into the system. Air in the system restricts the refrigerants ability to change it’s state from a gas ...

There are very few factors more important than good visibility when you are driving your vehicle. Having a windshield wiper and washer system that is in good working order is the key to visibility, especially living and driving in the Pacific Northwest. The windshield wiper mechanics consist of four basic parts – the wiper linkage that is under the cowl, the lower wiper arm that protrudes up from the cowl, the blade that attaches to the wiper arm, and the rubber refill that wipes the glass. The part that eventually breaks down from extreme weather conditions, dust and dirt is the rubber refill. The wiper blade itself can also wear at the pivot points causing chattering and poor swiping ability. The windshield wiper electronics consist of two basic parts – the wiper motor and the wiper switch. The windshield washer system consists of four basic parts – the windshield washer fluid reservoir, windshield washer pump, windshield washer lines and windshield washer nozzles. The basics of prev...

A vehicle’s air conditioning system does not create cold air. It actually takes the heat and moisture out of the air that is already in your car, leaving behind cooler air. Having a good understanding of how the components work can help to explain the methods of repairs in the air conditioning system. The freon/refrigerant resides in the a/c system. The a/c compressor initiates the high-side of the system where it is compresses the freon/refrigerant into a high-pressure state causing it to liquefy. It travels through the high-pressure lines to the condenser. The condenser which is similar to a small radiator, puts the liquid in contact with fresh air on the outside of the vehicle, which absorbs the heat from the liquid. It then flows into the expansion valve or orifice tube where it is restricted and becomes gaseous into the low-pressure side of the a/c system. Then it flows into the receiver dryer/accumulator that contains a desiccant bag to remove and collect unwanted moisture/water ...

This is the conclusion of a 3 part article about the air conditioning system of vehicles. Even though most vehicles produced today are equipped with air conditioning it is still a luxury option. It is not needed for the operation of a vehicle. In the first article we discussed the process of an air conditioning inspection which is checking the operation of the compressor, it’s clutch and belt, checking the high and low pressures of the system while operating, check proper control panel operation, checking heater blower fan and engine cooling fan for operation, check for restrictions in the system, check for proper air flow through the condenser and evaporator, checking for obvious leaks. This inspection can take anywhere between ½ to an 1 hour of labor time, depending on the specific make and model of vehicle and how easy it is to access the location of the air conditioning components. If the freon/refrigerant is determined to be low and the leak is not obvious then dye needs to be add...

Many of the key components and systems of your vehicle are run or powered via a rubber belt that connects to the engine’s drive shaft. With the aid of pulleys, these belts drive the engine fan, water pump, air-conditioning compressor, power-steering system, and the alternator in most vehicles. The alternator is a very important component that provides electrical power and charges the battery while the engine is running. There are V-belts and/or Serpentine belts that will run one or multiple systems in your vehicle. Once an engine is running the belt operates continuously. High under hood temperatures plus the constant flexing that belts do, ultimately wears out the belt. Eventually, even the best belt will break. When it does the systems and/or accessories that the belt runs will stop operating. According to the National Car Care Council, 19% of the cars on the road today have a worn belt that should be replaced. That equates to almost to 1 in every 5 cars. According to research statis...

According to the US Department of Transportation the #1 reason that vehicles breakdown on our national highways is flat or blown tires. The tires on your vehicle are one of the most important components to vehicle safety. Research has shown that 80% of tire failures happen in the last 20% of the tread life of a tire. Having the tires at the proper air pressure and with good tread, allows the tires to grip the road surface, allowing your vehicle to have traction. When you travel through water, ice, and other unsafe hazards, the traction allows you to steer and maintain control of your vehicle. Sudden stopping can also be performed more efficiently with good tread and tire pressure. Tires are usually replaced due to low tread depth, cracking sidewalls, bulging tread or sidewalls. You should not continue to use tires with such conditions and tread depth that is lower than 4/32 inch. In the year 2000 the tire industry has started date coding tires. They have found that the age of tires als...

What Is The CV Joint Axle? The constant velocity joint (CV) axles of a vehicle are essential parts of the vehicle’s drive train. These axles transfer power from the transmission/transaxle or differentials to the wheels of the vehicle. Besides delivering power, the CV joint of the axle allows for flexibility while driving. This flexibility is needed for all the different angles that are created while turning the vehicle to the right and left, and for traveling over bumps and various road conditions. Front-wheel drive cars, all-wheel drive cars, and some rear-wheel drive vehicles that have independent suspension are equipped with CV joint axles. Some vehicles even employ CV joint axles in the driveline. Parts Of The CV Joint The CV joint of the axle is a collection of bearings and cages that the allow axle rotation and power delivery on a bunch of different angles and planes, and for the axle to change length as it travels up and down. All these parts are protected by a layer of grease t...

The phrase "tune-up" is a nuanced one. You probably hear it all the time in radio or TV advertising. But what is a tune-up? For some people, the phrase conjures up 1950's Grease-style images of hot-rodders fixing up custom cars before a race. However, nowadays the term means something closer to a maintenance check up. It still retains its connections to performance and racing, though: a tune-up typically involves maintenance and repairs performed under the hood rather than on other parts of the car, like tires or suspension. Understanding what a tune-up is and how it helps your car last longer is important, as regular tune-ups are needed to keep engines running smoothly and powerfully. Here are the most important things to know about tune-ups: WHAT IS A TUNE-UP? An engine tune-up usually focuses on repairing, cleaning, or replacing parts under the hood. This includes: 1. Spark plugs 2. Caps 3. Rotors 4. Wires 5. Fuel injection systems Some tune-ups may involve inspections...

Signs Of A Problem With Your Transmission As reliable as most automatic transmissions are, they are relatively easy to break and quite expensive to fix. One of the most common signs that there may be a problem is delayed engagement. That is, there is a long moment of hesitation between the time you put a shifter into “D” (rive) or “R” (reverse) and when the transmission actually kicks in. Other signs of problems with automatic transmissions include slippage or jerking/shuddering of the transmission. It is also not a good sign, certainly, if the transmission gets stuck in a gear. These problems may be more noticeable when the engine is still cold or after the vehicle is warmed up. Take note of either fact when talking to the technician. A check engine or service engine light may illuminate to alert the vehicle driver if the computer sees a problem with the operation of an automatic transmission. Proper Maintenance For Transmissions It never pays to ignore a transmission problem, which m...

When the Check Engine or Service Engine Soon light illuminates on your dash, it means that your vehicle’s computer recognizes that there is a system or sensor that is working out of its proper parameters. This indicates a problem. The computer tries to compensate for that problem and keep the vehicle running as close to normal as possible. Flashing Check Engine Light When the Check Engine or Service Engine Soon light starts flashing, this means that a catalytic converter damaging condition is occurring. Usually you will be able to feel a noticeable difference in the performance of your vehicle. When this Check Engine or Service Engine Soon light flashes you should pull over safely and shut the vehicle off. Have the vehicle towed to your trusted repair facility for a diagnosis and repair. Continuing to drive this vehicle in this condition will do further damage and could cost more to repair. Depending on the type and age of the vehicle you drive, there is a huge variance on the replacem...