Q.
I took my car to a shop and they charged me for two hours of diagnostic
charges. Why does it take two hours on the diagnostic machine to find out
what is wrong with my car?
A.
Unfortunately there is no "magic machine." What it requires
to accurately diagnose today's vehicles is a combination of a few things.
First the technician needs to properly road test the vehicle, then he may
do a visual inspection of your vehicle.
He may do a series of scan tests, computer code tests, fuel pressure and volume test, wiggle and tap tests, and finally he may need to scope the engine-this all requires time. It's not unrealistic for today's vehicles to require 3 to 4 hours to accurately diagnose a driveability concern.
Q.
Do I have the right to ask what brand of parts a repair shop used on my
car?
A.
When you take your vehicle to a shop for repair, you should not only get
an itemized bill with part number and brand name, but it should list everything
that was done on your vehicle. The best advice I can give you is to find a
shop that does this-gives you a detailed invoice of what was performed and
what parts were replaced. You should be offered to see or take your old parts
if you want to. It's also great if the shop can document if there is anything
else your vehicle may need in the future. That way you can budget for future
needs.
Q.
I was in an accident where the right side of my car got hit. The air bag
did not go off-how come?
A.
Most cars that are equipped with air bags have three sensors that activate
the air bag system. When you are involved in an accident two out of the three
air bag sensors need to be activated for the air bag to deploy. Most sensors
are located in the front of the vehicle; therefore, unless you have nearly
a head on collision, the air bag will not deploy.
Q.
The yellow ABS light comes on for my brakes. Does that mean I won't have
any brakes?
A.
When the yellow ABS light comes on that means that something for the ABS
system is not functioning properly therefore your ABS system will not function.
The ABS (anti-lock brake system) is designed to work in panic stops. It keeps
the wheels from locking up and skidding. Your regular brakes will function
the way they were designed to work from the factory. ABS is, however, a very
important safety feature and I would recommend you have the system checked
by your shop as soon as you can.
Q.
I have a front wheel drive car and I hear a popping noise when turning
a corner. What could cause this noise?
A.
A popping or clicking noise when turning is almost always a sign of a
worn CV (constant velocity) joint going bad. If a joint is noisy, a visual
inspection would be in order. The technician would first inspect for loose
or torn boots. If the boot is torn and the joint has lost its lubricant chances
are the joint has been damaged by water and dirt and will need to be replaced.
Q.
When should I service my cooling system?
A.
At my shop we recommend to our customers that the cooling system be serviced
every 2 years or 24,000 miles (car manufacturers say 3 years 36,000). There
are additives in antifreeze that provide alkaline to help neutralize internal
corrosion before it begins. We are finding that after 2 years the antifreeze
starts to lose the corrosion resistance. When having your system serviced,
it should be flushed to help remove debris that may have accumulated in the
system. It should then be refilled with a 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and
clean water. This is also a great time for a visual inspection of your hoses
and belts.
Q.
My technician suggested that I have a fuel injection service performed
on my car. Could I just add some fuel injection cleaner to my gas tank?
A.
Many of today's vehicles that are fuel injected require a professional
cleaning every so often. I like to see my customers have a fuel injection
service done when they have their tune-up done. A fuel injection service is
definitely different than the cleaners you put in your gas tank. This procedure
disables the fuel system temporarily so that a cleaning solution, under pressure,
can be run through your fuel injection system. This cleaning process also
helps to break up carbon deposits that may be built up on your engine valves.
The process may also include cleaning the throttle plates. If you have a fuel
injected vehicle this service should be added to your yearly maintenance list.
Q.
I drive an older vehicle that is equipped with air-conditioning and it
uses the R-12 type of refrigerant. I am worried that I won't be able to get
it repaired if I need to this summer.
A.
Many people have asked the same question and are worried about their older
cars that have this type of refrigerant. As of right now there is still plenty
of R-12 available but at an expensive price. In most cases if your car just
needs to be recharged or has a minor problem with the system which can be
repaired for a few hundred dollars it is better to just have the A/C repaired.
However, if it is a major repair and you plan to keep the vehicle for a while,
you may consider having the system retrofitted for R134a-the new product.
Kits are available for almost every vehicle.
Q.
My vehicle seems to be rusting especially on the bottom of the doors. Any
ideas why this is occurring? I had my vehicle rustproofed when it was new.
A.
If you live in a climate where you have seasons of rain or snow it is
important to have the drain plugs that are in the bottom of the doors removed
and let any moisture escape that may have built up over time. Most rustproofing
warranties include an annual touch-up and inspection for a small fee. Try
to have this done annually. Also keep your car's exterior as clean as you
can-avoid allowing road dirt and salt build up. A semi-annual wax will help
keep the paint color from fading and the outside elements from penetrating
the paint.
Q.
My car is four years old and when I took it in for service, they told
me my battery was marginal. Since winter is over, should I wait until next
winter to replace it?
A.
Four years is the average life for a battery. Unless you enjoy being stranded,
replacement of your battery is a good preventive maintenance item. A weak
battery can affect your electrical and computer system. Hot summer weather
can have the same effect or worse than winter weather on a car battery. Take
the plunge . . . buy a new battery. When having the battery installed it's
important that the battery cables are cleaned and then protected with anti-corrosive
spray. Your technician will also go through a procedure to reprogram your
computer system. Some cars require that this be done with a scan tool. Make
sure someone qualified replaces it for you.
Q.
What can I do to get my car ready for summer?
A.
Especially in hot weather driving, it is important that your oil is fresh
and clean and the proper weight for summer temperatures. Have your oil and
filter changed. Make sure your air cleaner element is not clogged with dirt
and debris. Check in front of your radiator to make sure there are no left
over leaves and winter grime in front of it. You can use a garden hose to
clean this areA.
Check your records to see how long it's been since your fuel
filter has been replaced. Every 15,000 miles is the recommended mileage span
for today's cars. Check your tire pressure. Proper inflation is essential
for even tire wear and low tires can also affect fuel mileage. Fill your washer
fluid bottle; dry dusty days are ahead. Clean or replace your wiper blades
for clear vision. Check and fill all other fluid levels, transmission fluid,
coolant (do this with the engine cold), brake fluid, power steering fluid.
Have a friend help you check your lights to make sure they are all in working
order. Finally on a nice summer day find a shady spot to give your car a good
cleaning and wax. You and your car will both feel better.
Q.
My front end shimmies especially at low speeds. Does this mean I need a
front end alignment?
A.
Not necessarily. Alignments are usually performed to cure a pulling condition
or to correct poor handling. If your car shakes or shimmies as you are driving,
chances are it's caused by a worn tire or defective tread structure. It also
can be due to a faulty front end component. Have your front end inspected.
Your technician will road test the vehicle. They should inspect tie rods and
ball joints for excessive wear. He or she will most likely inspect your tires
for worn/uneven areas and for belt separation. If you do need new tires or
have a worn end component then an alignment will usually be performed once
these items are replaced.
