Unique Auto

Posts Tagged ‘car repair’

More people than ever are working on their cars at home rather than paying a tow truck to haul them to a nearby repair shop. The fact is, OEM parts can be purchased easily online and shipped directly to your door. If you have a little experience with working under the hood, you can often repair your vehicle in less time for a lower cost.

Having said that, attention wanes and accidents happen. It’s not uncommon for a simple maintenance item (for example, replacing a battery) to cause serious injuries. Bearing this in mind, here are four tips that will help you stay asfe while you're working on your car.

#1 – Keep A First Aid Kit Nearby

Again, accidents happen. Even if you have a lot of experience working under the hood of your vehicle and know nearly everything your mechanic knows, you can still become injured. Make sure you have a first aid kit within immediate reach. Nobody plans to get cut or get burned by battery acid, but it happens. Be prepared in the event they do.

#2 – Know Your Limits

Chances are, you can’t lift as much weight as you think. Nor are you as flexible as you once were. Know your limits when you change your tire or take out the cylinder head. Some parts are heavy or require aggressive straining. Be extra careful if you have persistent knee problems or a bad back. Also, some of your vehicle’s components may be positioned in a way that you need to twist your body to reach them. Keep in mind that optimism about your flexibility can leave you with severely strained muscles.

#3 - Don't Wear Loose Clothes

There are many moving parts under your car’s hood. Pulleys and belts can easily ensnare loose sleeves, jewelry, and hair. Don’t wear loose clothing. Take all pieces of jewelry off, including your watch. If you have longer hair, make sure that it is securely tied behind you before you start working on your vehicle.

#4 - Watch For High Temperatures

When your car is on, many of the parts become extremely hot. If you’re not wary, you can suffer bad burns. It's worth noting that high temperatures are not limited to your engine and transmission. Your catalytic converter, radiator, and various pipes all need to cool down before you put on your weekend mechanic’s hat.

Just because it’s easy to purchase OEM parts online doesn’t mean you can ignore basic auto repair safety. Know your physical limits, be careful of hot components, avoid loose-fitting clothes, and keep a first aid kit within reach. It does little good to save a few dollars repairing your own vehicle if you’re injured in the process.

With summer finally upon us, millions of drivers are remembering one of the drawbacks of warm weather: a baking car interior. Left in the sun, the inside of your vehicle can heat up to the point that it practically seems like an oven. Even if you leave your automobile in the shade, the temperature inside can rise sharply. By the time you climb back into your car, turning on the air conditioner may not make much of an impact. Below, I’ll provide four tips that you can use to keep your vehicle’s interior below oven temperatures during the summer.

#1 – Crack Your Windows

Before leaving your vehicle to roast in the sun, crack each of your windows a half-inch. That helps to keep the inside temperature down in two ways. First, hot air can easily escape throughout the day. Second, the circulation will allow even the lightest breeze to push the heated air out of your automobile. It's important to remember that heat builds pressure. If you don’t crack your windows, you might come back to your car and wonder how they burst.

#2 – Invest In Tinting

Tinting your windows does more than merely keep prying eyes from peering inside. It can go very far in lowering the temperature inside your car as it sits in the late summer sun. This is especially true if you use it in conjunction with leaving a half-inch crack around the perimeter.

Keep in mind that every state has slightly different rules regarding tinting. Some limit the darkness of the tint you can use while others restrict it to the rear windows. Check with your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles to make certain you’re complying with the law.

#3 - Invest in A Winsheild Shield

You’ve probably seen these in other vehicles. Several companies manufacture shields that you can place on your dashboard when you leave you car. The cheap kind (usually less than $10) are made from cardboard; they unfold to block most of the windshield. Shields that are more expensive are made from materials that not only block the sun’s rays, but also reflect them.

These shields can lower the temperature in your car by over 20 degrees Fahrenheit, which will reduce the load you place on your air conditioner.

#4 – Park In The Shade

When shade is available, park under it (when you can do so legally). Lots of times people fail to plan ahead with their parking - looking for the spots closest to the door and giving no thought to the sun exposure. A short hour on the hot asphalt of the parking lot can have a dramatic effect on your car's interior temperature. Park in the shade, even if it means having to walk a little further. When you come back to your vehicle, you'll be thankful you did.

There’s a lot you can do to keep the inside of your car cool during the summer. Crack the windows, park in the shade, and buy a windshield blocker. A little planning upfront can provide plenty of comfort later.

Most of us drive vehicles with automatic transmissions. They’re more convenient for daily commuting and they’re more prevalent; automakers equip the majority of their fleets with them. Having said that, cars with manual transmissions are generally more fun to drive, especially on highways and roads uncongested with traffic. The magic is in the control given to the driver. In effect, the motorist chooses which gears to hit and when to hit them, allowing him or her to maximize engine performance.

Even though manual trannies are becoming rarer each year, they continue to be the main ingredient in performance vehicles. We will cover the basics of your automobiles manual transmission. I’ll describe the basics regarding how they work, including how moving the shift knob through the gears translates into drive power to the wheels.

Keeping Below The Redline

The car engine has a limit like anything else; this is commonly referred to as the “Red Line”.” When you put pressure on the gas pedal, you’ll hear the engine grow louder as the RPMs climb. The redline is the point past which your engine becomes in danger of failing – or blowing apart under the stress.

Most engines enjoy their peak performance at approximately 5,500 RPMs. The goal is to reach that level but not cross it. That’s what a manual transmission does. It lets the driver set the gear ratios that allow the engine to operate within its optimal RPM range without exceeding the redline.

Gears & Clutches

In a manual 5-speed or 6-speed, the driver controls the gear ratios through the clutch, a component that connects the engine with the transmission. The connections is severed once the clutch pedal is applied. When the clutch pedal is released, the connection is reestablished. When connected, engine powers the revolutions of the output shaft which in turn powers the layshaft. The geers teeth interlock with the spinning gears to coincide with the engine spinning.

How The Shift Knob Contributes To Gear Selection

From a top-down perspective, the positions of the shift knob look similar to an “H” formation. When you move the knob into a particular position, it powers a gear selector fork. The fork enables a collar inside the tranny. The collar is outfitted with dog teeth that fit into the grooves of the 1st through 5th (or 6th) gears. Depending upon the position into which you move the shift knob, the corresponding gear will be engaged.

A car’s manual transmission follows a beautifully graceful design. This doesn’t mean the design work is rudimentary. On the contrary, like a Swiss watch, the gears, dog teeth, and other components adhere to a well-honed precision. For car aficionados, that level of precision translates into irreplaceable engine performance.

Some auto repair jobs come with prices that seem appropriate given the size of the part, time required to fix or replace it, and the value of having a particular problem resolved. Others can mysteriously cost an arm and a leg, even if the issue is unimportant and fixing it carries negligible value.

The fact is, there are a lot of parts, service jobs, and repairs that can take a significant bite out of your checking account despite seeming small or easy. In this article, we’ll take a quick tour through a few car repairs that can be surprisingly expensive.

More Than A Cosmetic Scratch

Imagine that your vehicle has a low front-end and you drive over a speed bump at a poor angle. You get out of the car and notice some minor damage on the bottom of the front bumper. Thinking the biggest expense will be the inconvenience of having to wait while the damage is repaired, you take your vehicle into a local garage. Prepare yourself; the cost to fix it might run into the thousands of dollars.

The bumper can actually hide structural damage in the front-end. Even though the bumper may look in ok condition, the front end of the car may need to be replaced.

Foreign Performance Models

When you have a performance vehicle you can expect even the smallest repair job to be quite expensive. For example, consider an exhaust valve that needs to be replaced. Normally, the cost would be about $30 in parts and additional $30 in labor cost.

On a high-end car designed for muscle, the price tag can skyrocket. It’s not uncommon for a small job like this to turn into an expensive nightmare. For example, the mechanic may need to practically remove the entire engine in order to get to the valve. And chances are, he won’t do that for $30.

A Little White Smoke

White smoke coming from a car’s tailpipe looks innocent enough. It can be the first sign that future repair, replacement parts, and expensive mechanic bills are headed your way. When operating your vehicle, the car engine goes through the combustion process. Coolant keeps the surrounding temperature under control. If the coolant gets into the combustion chamber, it will burn and produce white smoke.

There are several scenarios how this could occur. Sometimes, the gasket can break and need to be replaced. Diagnosing the problem and narrowing it to a simple gasket issue usually means removing the intake manifold. And that’s the least expensive path. If you remove the intake manifold and discover that the gasket is fine, your mechanic will need to start dismantling the engine. That will make the repair bill expensive.

Unfortunately, many auto repairs that turn out to be enormously expensive cannot be avoided. However, the next time you visit your mechanic for a “minor” job, you’ll at least be prepared for possible bad news.

You can save money and the environment by using used auto parts and recycled replacement parts. Consider Everdrive Used Auto Parts

If you were handed an estimation to replace a water pump on your auto, would you know if the price was fair? Could you trust the price? What about for a tie rod end, mass air flow sensor, or an evaporative emissions sensor?

Most of us have no idea what these are, ignore the cost. Yet it is parts like these that are frequently used to over charge you, the automobile fix customer.

We no longer live in a period of trust, so how will we ensure that our car repair costs are legitimate.

How many times have you suspected that you paid too much, but could not prove it? How often did the price appear exorbitant for even simple repairs?

To illustrate just how “At Risk” the common-or-garden automobile repair client is to OTT auto repair prices, here’s a up to date real life example from a “reputable?” dealer.

A client brought her Audi to a sanctioned Audi dealership for the standard timing belt maintenance service.

The price for this service averages $1575 at the dealership level, (including pulleys, water pumpetc ) and about $1275 at the independent repair shop level.

Yet the girl left the dealer with a bill for $2025.68.

What happened?

According to the repair order, there were no abnormal circumstances, no issues spotted by the technician like rust or any other extenuating circumstances that would have perhaps increased the work, or added extra parts.

In short, it definitely was a straight forward service, but the bill was $450.68 higher than it should have been. There’s simply no bonafide reason to have “that much” discrepancy.

How’d they get away with it?

The answer is easy, and it’s a point that I don’t want anyone to miss:

They get away with it because they can!

Think about it. The average person doesn’t know how much auto parts cost. And who knows how much work time a repair should take? To what sources does one turn to find out this information? Who even has the time to investigate!

Upon investigation of this girl’s correct order, it was discovered that she was charged a full 4 hours “more” than the standard work time. At $100 per hour, this added an extra $400. The leftover $50.68 came from the parts, which were billed higher than MSRP.

She was quoted $2,025 for a repair that tops out at $1575. The lady failed to know. She just paid the bill and left.

How many times do people just settle up and leave? Pretty much that’s all one can do given that there’s no accessible information for the vehicle fix buyer to adequately question a repair bill. Additionally , extremely few even know what inquiries to ask!

The car repair industry has been over-charging for decades-sometimes subtly, sometimes confidently, definitely often. The proof for this is overpowering ; yet, there are no easy solutions available for the car repair customer.

Government agencies can’t help. The Better Business Bureau cannot do anything. Even supposed “car repair experts or advocates” lack the knowledge of the breadth and insidiousness of the automobile fix business at all its levels.

A dealership operates differently than an independent fix shop, and a franchise, like Midas, is totally unique. Who truly knows what goes on in the underground of such a diverse and complex industry?

The Solution?

First and foremost, auto correct patrons need access to information on auto fix costs. Without this, they’ve got nothing real in which to figure out fair charges. They also have to be able to navigate the maze of parts and work charges for automobile repairs and maintenance.

Like the rest, information is the key to guarantee fair treatment. Without it, the vehicle fix consumer will continue to “swim with the sharks” without any protection.

Do you like super fast sports cars? You will find www.thesupercars.org very useful for information about exotic sport cars. Make sure to also visit Audi A4 DTM engine.

When operating your car, your vehicle’s engine heats up. It can withstand a certain level of heat, but if the temperatures rise too high, the engine can become damaged. Your car has a cooling system to help make sure that doesn’t happen. The water pump is an important part of that system. It circulates coolant throughout your radiator and engine, and keeps the heat down. Unfortunately, like any of your car’s parts, it can fail. When it does, it cannot effectively manage the high temperatures that build around your engine.

In this article, I’ll explain how to replace your vehicle’s water pump. If working on your car is new for you, this particular job is best left to a mechanic. It’s not difficult, but it can take a few hours and require a bit of experience.

The Preliminary Work

Before you replace it, you’ll need to drain the cooling system and get rid of the residual coolant. Get a large oil pan and place it under the engine to let the fluid drain. Next, take the drive belt off (you might need to remove the alternator). In order to gain access to the part, you may also need to take the pulley off.

Finally, take off the hoses which connect to the water pump. Keep in mind that hoses can deteriorate quickly. Since you’re removing them, now is a good opportunity to replace them. It won’t cost much and you’re taking them off anyway.

The Job

You’ll likely notice between six and eight bolts that are connecting the component to your car’s engine. In most cases, the bolts will be in two different sizes (automakers like to make these jobs tougher than they need to be). You’ll probably need a couple of wrenches to take the bolts off.

Make a note of which bolts go where before taking them off. Then, once you have removed them, slip the water pump off the engine. Once it’s off, replace the gasket. You may want to use a little sealer to ensure that it bonds well. Next, install the new water pump and make sure that it aligns properly with the new gasket.

Screw each of the bolts in by hand before tightening them down with the wrenches. That way, you can be sure that they’re evenly tightened for a snug fit. Connect the hoses and start replacing any parts (i.e. alternator) that you needed to remove to gain access. Once everything is put back together properly, add new coolant to the cooling system.

Start your car and let it idle for a few minutes to allow the temperature to rise. Also, look underneath the body to make sure there are no leaks. Finally, drive your vehicle for ten minutes and check for any signs of overheating.

Replacing your water pump is not a quick job. As noted, I recommend that most people ask their auto technician to handle it. That said, with a little patience, a few tools, and some experience, you can perform the job yourself.

Each of us has gone through the experience of discovering our vehicle won’t start. We climb behind the wheel, turn the key, and feel the creeping sensation of dread as the engine refuses to roar to life. Usually, it happens when you are late of in an extreme rush. Even more discouraging than losing your main means of transportation is not knowing what is causing the problem. Is it the battery? The starter? The ignition switch?

Plenty of things can go wrong under your car’s hood which will immobilize it. The trick is knowing how to narrow down the culprit so you can either fix the problem or have your mechanic do it for you. We examine several of the potential reasons your vehicle will not start.

When The Car Engine Doesn’t Crank

If you turn the key and your engine fails to turn over, the problem is usually located in the ignition system, starter, or the battery. If your battery is the source of the issue, it may be because of low voltage or a bad connection between the poles and terminals. To fix a low voltage problems, a jump start and driving the car for 20-30 minutes will solve the problem.

First examine the wires if you think the problem is the vehicles starter. If they’re clean and tight, the relay or solenoid may be bad. Otherwise, you may need to replace the entire starter. If your battery and starter are fine (your mechanic can test them for you), the problem is likely in the ignition system.

When The Auto Engine Does Crank

If the engine turns over when you turn the key in the ignition, but it doesn’t actually fire, the cause is a lack of spark, a lack of gas, or lack of sufficient compression. The fact that your engine is turning means that your battery is delivering voltage and your starter is being triggered.

You can purchase a spark testing device from most auto supply shops. Assuming there’s fuel in your gas tank, check to see whether your fuel pump is working properly. The vehicles which are rolling off the automakers floors today come equipped with fuel injection systems. While they’re more precise, they’re also more sensitive to pressure variances. If the problem is fuel pressure, the most likely suspect is the fuel pump.

To check the compression level, you’ll need to have access to a special testing device. Most auto repair shops have the device for their own use, not for public use, so testing may require a paid visit to the local garage. The mechanic will probably remove the spark plugs in order to check all of the cylinders.

As noted above, some issues are easily solved. Others will require help from your auto technician. The next time the car doesn’t start, you have an idea of some of the causes, reasons and explanations.

Cars break down over time. It’s a forgone conclusion, but then it happens, finding a good mechanic can be difficult. Many people don’t trust the car repair shop industry. News reports of fraudulent activity or personal experience with repair shop’s hard sales tactics have made us vigilant. It is good to be diligent, the majority of auto mechanics are honest, and trustworthy workers that take pride int heir work. When your car is experiencing problems, they want to help. In this article, I’ll explain how you can find an auto repair shop that is best-suited for your circumstances.

Tip #1: Look For A Specialist

Some repair shops are generalists. They can work on just about any type of mechanical or electrical problem. That said, because of the breadth of their skills, they tend not to be experts in any particular area. Specialists focus on one or two areas of expertise. For example, many car technicians will work primarily on transmissions. Others will focus on resolving problems in a car’s exhaust system. While such specialists may not be able to handle every type of repair job, they’re uniquely qualified for their area of expertise. Consider having a specialist perform the repair work on your car. They’re often more knowledgeable and efficient than other mechanics.

Tip #2: Trust, But Verify

Trusting a mechanic to work on your car may seem counterintuitive, but it’s important to allow them to do their jobs. A lot of people are nearly paranoid of being charged for car parts and labor that are unnecessary. Therefor they will stalk the mechanic, ensuring the work is done correctly. That can be stifling for a mechanic. Trust them with their area of expertise. That said, it’s always a good idea to get a written estimate. You should also ask the repair shop to call you before starting work that will cost more than the estimate. Finally, if you’re having parts replaced, ask that the used auto parts be returned to you.

Tip #3: Communicate Clearly

When you’re talking with a car technician, focus on the symptoms of the problem. It doesn’t matter if you think the alternator needs to be replaced. Explain the symptoms and let the mechanic figure it out. Chances are, he’s going to run a diagnostic test which will help him identify the components that need to be repaired or replaced.

Getting Your Car Fixed

Whether you’re having a tune-up performed on a new car or major work done on a used car, use the 3 tips above to find a suitable auto repair shop. Try to find a specialist who can perform the work efficiently. Learn to trust your mechanic and communicate the symptoms you’ve noticed. And finally, remember that most car technicians are hard-working and honest people. They want to help you solve your car’s problems.

When the weather is hot, most drivers roll up their windows and turn their vehicle’s air conditioner on. The cool air flows through the vents and the temperature inside the car’s interior drops. While the driver and his passengers may feel comfortable, his car may be on the verge of overheating.

One of the natural enemies to your vehicle's engine is heat. Too much of it will cause it to overheat which can lead to expensive damage. Fortunately, your car has a cooling system; its job is to keep the temperature of your engine within an acceptable range. The problem is that car parts within the system can wll eventually fail.

Below, I'll describe some of the parts within your car's cooling assembly that undergo constant stress. I’ll explain what you should check on a regular basis, and how to prevent your vehicle from overheating and leaving you stranded.

Parts Under Stress

A number of belts and hoses comprise the cooling assembly. The belts deliver power to your alternator, water pump, and A/C compressor. If one of those belts breaks, fails, or somehow becomes loose, it will not be able to trigger the part to which it sends power. That can potentially cause your vehicle to overheat.

The hoses funnel coolant to your radiator. That coolant is critical to managing the heat which surrounds your engine. Without it, the temperature would increase to the point of overheating. If the hoses are cracked from wear and tear, the neccessay coolant would leak out prior to reaching the radiator. Because of this, it can not longer absorb the heat.

When you drive during the summer, the temperature under the hood can approach 300 degrees Fahrenheit. That intense heat can cause the belts and hoses of your cooling system to break or rupture. If you’re driving under stressful circumstances – for example, pulling a heavy load up a steep hill – your engine can easily overheat.

At-Home Or In-Garage Inspection

Visit your dealership’s service center or your local repair garage to have a mechanic look at your car’s belts and hoses. If they are worn down, it is required that your replace them. If you are familiar with your cars engine, you can inspect the belts and hoses personally. However, if there’s a chance that you might overlook a crack, small fissure, or any signs of extreme wear, ask a mechanic to take a look for you. It may cost a few dollars, but it will protect your car engine.

How To Prevent Overheating

Keep your eyes on your vehicle’s temperature gauge while driving. It can spike without warning, especially on hot days. If you see it rising, turn your A/C off, roll down your windows, and activate the heater. It may sound counterintuitive, but having the heater on will help lower the temperature around the engine. Also, if you’re driving in stressful conditions (up steep hills, etc.), turn your A/C off.

Even though automobiles today are designed to better withstand heat, they're still susceptible. Fortunately, with a little car maintenance, you can help your car stay cool and preserve the life of your engine.

When you need to look for car parts, there are many ways that a person can track down the spares that are needed. Some methods are going to to be problem-free. But then, some ways that automobile spares are found are downright unreliable. One instance of this is buying used car spares from a junk yard, or auto repair shop. All of these places normally sell used automobile spares that can be used when fixing your car. What’s scary, though, is the fact that some of these generally put used car spares in a car that’s going to be fixed, too, just in order to save the auto repair place a little bit of money. But here are some of the dangers of purchasing used auto spares if you aren’t knowledgable about them.

1. The History

When purchasing anything that’s second-hand you seldom know the history of the product. The same holds true for auto parts, regrettably. Consider that when you buy auto spares from a car breakers you rarely know if that component has been through an car accident and is a good enough part to put on your car. Even though most of the auto spares that can be acquired through a junk or salvage yard are purchased at your own risk and without a warranty, there are some major risks associated with doing so.

2. Reliability

As mentioned, used car parts can also be purchased from car repair shops. The reality at most auto repair shops is that the used car spares that are there are normally kept in one large pile in the back of the repair shop. If you buy a used alternator from the repair shop then how would you know it is in good condition? It is really possible that the auto spares that are purchased from a repair shop are no good, or else if they work to start with automobile spares they may just fail within a few days. The car spares that can be acquired through an automobile repair shop or a salvage yard are just too unsafe to warrant buying. Naturally, you may very well be offered a refund or exchange if this were to occur, but the best thing would be to keep away from used automobile spares completely.

3. Being Cheated
Another possibility, and perhaps the greatest one, is the danegr of being ripped off when buying used automobile spares. You might be sold parts that are fake, or that are older and more weakened than you are led to believe. It doesn’t really matter whether the auto spares are for a used Toyota or a pre-owned BMW , you need to be assured that you are getting an actual authentic manufacturers component.

Even if you don’t buy the used automobile spares through a repair shop or a junk yard, if you do buy used car parts through a private dealer then you are always at risk of getting downright ripped off. What is even more worrying is the fact that you may not be able to get a hold of the person ever again.

Ultimately, it really doesn’t matter whether or not the spare part is functional or not. The plain fact is that purchasing used car spares is simply risky and dangerous. Even though millions of people do this daily, purchasing used car spares should be avoided!