Windshield Wipers

The ability to see clearly while driving is the key to safe travels.  Your top-notch headlights might light up the road but if the windshield is obstructed by dirt or moisture they will do you no good.  If you can’t see the deer that just ran into the road or a stalled vehicle ahead, your journey is in great danger.  A good set of windshield wipers is necessary especially in bad weather.  For these car components to help show you the road they must be in perfect condition.  

Windshield Wipers to Clear the Windshield

The obvious need for windshield wipers is to clear rainwater while driving.  They also come in very handy with snow or slush.  To clear bugs or mud the wipers alone can sometimes make the smear worse.  Wiper blades with the help of washer pumps and fluid can clean the windshield effectively.  Although the fluids and pumps are a great help, if the wiper blades don’t clear the entire view, you could be putting you and your passengers in danger.  Wiper blades must be sturdy to achieve this obstruction-free view.  There are several ways to check the quality of windshield wipers before it’s too late.  

Windshield Wiper Inspections

Wiper blades should be inspected every six months.  Listen to the sound the windshield wipers make when running across the windshield.  If there is cracking or chattering, you will want one of our technicians to take a closer look at your windshield wipers.  Cracks and breaks can be very visible and make it impossible to clear mud or rain from your view.  Another common cause for wiper blade failure is when half of the windshield wiper blade gets folded in the wrong direction.  Every day wear and tear, plus exposure to the elements, can cause this deterioration.  If you notice the blades need replaced, check with your local auto parts store to find the correct blade size.  Most stores have books so you can look up what kind of windshield wiper blade you need, otherwise you can ask someone who works there. Also, purchase the entire windshield wiper blade, not just the rubber blade insert. Always read the directions to see what you need to disconnect the old wiper and connect the new one.  Usually, you will need to push on a tab or lift a tab before removing the blade.  There is generally an attachment that comes with the wiper blade to connect the blade to the arm. You will most likely hear a click when the blade has been successfully attached.  To make sure that the blade is sturdy, give the wiper a tug. You definitely don’t want it to fly off when you are driving.  If you are unsure you installed the windshield wiper correctly, or if you feel uncomfortable doing it yourself talk to one of our technicians and we can install the windshield wiper blades for you.  

Windshield Wiper Blades In Winter

When you look at a standard wiper blade frame you can usually see spaces in the frame, especially between the outer frame and the actual wiper blade.  Winter windshield wiper blades are enclosed in a rubber cover to prevent ice and snow buildup inside these spaces.  This obstruction can limit the windshield wiper blade from flexing smoothly across your windshield and may leave streaks in your view.  Winter windshield wiper blades might not prevent ice buildup but they do make it less likely to happen.  If buildup does occur, the flat rubber surface of winter windshield wiper blades allows for easier cleaning.  Another new concept in winter windshield wiper blades is heated wiper blades.  Heated windshield wiper blades are quite a bit more complicated to install and are hard wired to the car’s electrical system to power the heaters.  The heater keeps the blades a toasty 200 degrees and claims to melt ice at 40 below.    

WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT

When your vehicle detects a problem within its component system, it will automatically display a warning in the form of a light that is displayed on your dashboard. Newer vehicles commonly have a range of warning lights that will flash depending on the problem that is detected, like the check engine oil light. Your Service Engine Soon light can represent a variety of items that can be wrong with your engine and its performance. The Service Engine Soon light tells the driver that there is a problem related to its central computer. The Electronic Control Module (ECM) controls the vehicle’s engine and transmission. Although vehicle models vary, in most, the warning light can be both yellow and red. As you might guess, the yellow light indicates a less urgent problem and a red light represents a problem that should be tended to immediately.

SYMPTOMS OF A YELLOW SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT

If your Service Engine Soon light is yellow, it is generally safe to continue driving, but you should take note of any additional signs that your vehicle is not performing as well as it should. Often times your vehicle will automatically correct some problems, which may cause the yellow light to shut off. It is never a good idea to overlook the problem even if the light shuts off automatically. Once you are in a safe location you should inspect your vehicle for any problems. Be sure to check for warning signs that can cause a yellow warning light to surface. These signs could be things such as difficulty starting the engine, lower than normal fuel mileage, abnormality in performance, or odors and smoke emitting from under the hood. 

SYMPTOMS OF A RED SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT

A red Service Engine Soon light indicates there is a problem that is making it unsafe to drive your car. If you notice a red light on your dashboard it is important that you pull over and analyze the problem as soon as possible, as it can be dangerous. By referencing your owner’s manual you can get an explanation of the meaning of your warning lights. A red warning light can mean a number of things, including a fluid level being too low, a belt that has broken, or problems with your battery or alternator. If the problem cannot be fixed on the spot, arrangements should be made to have your vehicle towed into one of our facilities for a professional inspection before further damage is done to your engine.

HOW TO PREVENT ENGINE ISSUES

When your Service Engine Soon light comes on, maintenance should be done immediately to ensure that further damage does not happen to your vehicle. There are steps that you can take to cut down on premature problems with your vehicle’s engine. You should have your antifreeze, power steering, brake fluid and transmission fluid checked regularly before taking your vehicle on the road. It is also important to check your tires, battery and alternator. By taking these easy steps, you can cut down on potential damage that can happen to your vehicle and end up costing you a lot of money to fix. Make sure to take your vehicle to one of our automotive professionals on a regular basis to get a general inspection done. By doing this, your car is able to run at its best capacity and you are able to get a longer life out of your vehicle. 

Temperature is Rising: Car Overheating in Winter

Overheating does not only happen in the summertime. The cold temperatures of winter offer
no barriers from or protection from the rising temperature of the engine. Many people are
surprised to learn that cars can overheat in the winter as well. Unfortunately, some of these
people learn this lesson from being stranded on the side of the road. They assume that since
the weather is near zero, the cold air temperature should be enough to keep the engine cool,
but this is very far from the truth. Your car can overheat even in below-zero weather if you
do not maintain your car or pay attention to the warning signs. You should know what to do
to keep this from happening to your car.

Before the Blowout

If your car is overheating in the winter, consider what is occurring right before the car gets
too hot. If you notice that your car overheats soon after you turn it on, you could have a very
low coolant level, a malfunctioning thermostat, a broken fan, or a leak in the cooling
system. These same problems can produce overheating after driving for long periods, but
instead of a faulty thermostat, your ignition timing could have the wrong settings, or the
engine could have other mechanical problems. Take your car to ASE master technicians to
determine the cause of the overheating and remedy the problem.

Antifreeze and Fluid Checks Are Essential

Check your antifreeze or coolant level to make sure you have the proper amount in the
reservoir. Coolants are very important to the engine because it transfers heat from the center
of the engine out to the outside air. The cooling system is closed, which means that it is not
designed for the car owner to have access for refilling. If there is a hole anywhere in this
closed system, your coolant level will be too low and your car will overheat. Check the
radiator for any rust and corrosion, which can cause holes and other damaging things. The
thermostat and radiator pressure cap need to be checked to make sure they are securely
seated in place to provide an adequate seal. Do not remove the radiator cap when the engine
is still hot. The boiling coolant inside the radiator has created a pressurized environment and
opening the cap can cause an explosion. Make sure your thermostat and engine fan are
working properly.

Overheat No More

Make an effort to be proactive when it comes to general car maintenance. Be sure to adhere
to the maintenance schedule recommended by the manufacturer. Use the information you
learn about your car during these sessions to keep track of the health of your car. If you pay
close attention and heed the warning signs of potential overheating, you can make the
changes you need to make to keep your car in good running condition. If you have a
mechanic to perform these tasks, make sure that you understand everything that they relay
to you concerning your car. They can take the information from the inspections and make
recommendations on how to improve the health of your car. Keeping a log of all repairs,
maintenance dates, and performance notations will work together to help you keep a cool
car.

Do-It Yourself Vehicle Safety Inspection

Owning a car is a delight and hassle all bundled into one.  Your car gets you from point A to point B extremely fast, provides a safe trip to a vacation spot, and if you have young kids, becomes their next play room; messiness and all.  But we sometimes forget to think about maintaining that car.  Neglecting to maintain your car, could provide an unsafe environment, not only for you and your accompanying passengers, but for others on the road as well.  That’s why you need to do a quick inspection on a regular basis.  Some of the inspections can be visual, while other parts may require you to get a little dirty.

Headlights and Tail Lights

Checking your head and tail lights shouldn’t take any more than five minutes by yourself.  Turn your lights and check to see if any of them are burned out.  At the same time, check your blinkers, hazard lights and high beams as well.  If any of these are not working, it’s best to bring your car to our repair shop and talk to one of our mechanics.  While you could replace any of the bulbs yourself, a lot of the newer cars on the market use a high capacity bulb.  What this means is that even though they may be removed from their plug, they can still hold a charge that has enough amperage to cause some bodily harm.  This way, when you bring your car to us, we will properly and safely discharge the bulb and electrical system so that it can’t cause any harm to you or anyone else.  There are also times where they bulb may burned out, get replaced and burn out again.  This is an easy indication that there is a problem with your car’s electrical system.

Clear Visibility

Your windshield wipers were designed to give you a continual clear view for driving.  Without them, you might be sticking your head out the window like Fido does.  An easy way to tell if your wipers need replacing is when you notice they are causing streaks along your windshield.  If you were to put water on your windshield or even turn on your windshield washer fluid nozzles, and you notice beads of water in same arch as your wipers, it’s time to replace them.  You may also need to do a visual inspection and look for any cracks, tears or spots where the rubber is pulled away from the frame of the wiper blade.

Take it for a Spin

You can make this next part of the inspection a quick family outing to the store or to the tallest hill to go sledding.  Drive your car and notice for anything that doesn’t seem to be acting right.  You want to look for any unnecessary shakes, vibrations, loss in stopping or accelerating power, pulling to one side or harder turning.  All of these signs can indicate the start of a bigger problem and the care should be brought in to have it checked it out.  If you notice any of these or other anomalies, it could be your brakes, steering and suspension, wheel alignment or uneven tire wear.

Winterizing Your Engine and Brakes

With the different climate changes, it is important to have your car inspected for the winter months.  There are several steps you can take in preventing major car problems with the proper inspection and maintenance.  

Importance of Recognizing Car Problems

To avoid being stranded in cold climates, it is important to become aware of the signs, lights and notifications of your car.  Education starts with teenagers learning about prevention of car problems by checking the tire pressure, monitoring the engine temperature, fluids and oil as well as servicing the car as soon as the check engine light appears.  Car maintenance can be an expensive cost for anyone, but proper inspection and maintenance can reduce the amount of problems with your vehicle in the future.

Inspection of Brakes and Engine

Before the winter season starts, your brakes, radiator, lights and engine should be inspected to protect you from inclement weather.  Wherever you take your car for inspection or repair, verify the company has ASE master technicians that are familiar with various car makes and models for better analysis of your car performance.  Basic functions of your car such as working brakes, car temperature regulation, and proper steering and suspension should always be inspected annually; especially in winter months.  The typical inspection for winterizing your vehicle includes adding antifreeze to your heating system for colder temperatures.  Depending on your geographical location, winter snow tires may be a necessary addition to your car and a tire inspection to monitor the air pressure is needed for certain weather conditions.  The dangers of rain, snow and sleet will also require inspection of your windshield wiper blades to make sure the rubber is not worn to protect your visibility.  A technician should also complete a fluids check of your windshield wiper fluid, water, antifreeze levels and your oil types.  Your battery should also be inspected to make sure there is no corrosion and has full charging capability if you need to jumpstart your car.  Any engine repair needs to be completed immediately because maintenance delays can create more damage to a car if repairs are neglected until later months.    

Winter Safety Kits

Being stranded in the cold weather can be an inconvenience for anyone, but you may have to help someone struggling with their own car problems.  You may want to include a winter safety kit in your car that includes a flashlight to see in dark conditions, jumper cables to charge the battery if it dies and warm clothes if you cannot get the car running.  You will also need tools to work on a car engine and a windshield ice scraper to remove access snow and ice from your windows.  There are several online sites you can review for tips on essentials for winter car kits for your safety.  If you take proper care of your car year-round, you should require less overall maintenance and maintain proper function.  If your car breaks down, you can always get help from AAA or the emergency roadside assistance service provided by your insurance company, you chose that option.  You may also consider carrying flares in your winter safety kit if you happen to travel in rural areas often.  Taking the proper precautions to winterize your car does not guarantee a problem-free vehicle, but it will help you to be prepared in case of emergency.

Warning Lights and What They Mean

You are driving to your office when unexpectedly one of your warning lights on your car illuminates. Do you panic, or do you keep a cool head? With the winter months approaching, you should make sure you understand the meanings of those lights. The lights are not panic buttons and they should not cause you alarm. If you take the time to learn some details about the meanings and keep your car in good condition, you will discover that you will be able to handle any situation and you will know when it is time to take the car in for a repair, or if you can do the repair yourself.

Warning Lights to Worry About

While all warning lights alert you to potential trouble, you should take some lights very seriously. One symbol is the brake light. The brake warning light would tell you that you have a serious problem with the braking system. This light will also turn on if you have the emergency brake engaged. When you see this light, make sure that you do not have the emergency brake engaged. Another light is the engine coolant temperature light. This light would tell you that the engine temperature is too high if the light were red. This would indicate a possible absence of coolants or a hole in the radiator or hose. If the light is blue, it could mean that the coolant temperature is too low. A red oil pressure light would indicate low oil pressure and you have a low oil level and may possibly have a leak. If the light is yellow, it means that your oil level is getting low and you should replenish the level soon. If the battery light comes on, that means that you need to stop the car right away and call a tow truck. This would indicate a battery-charging problem and the possible culprit could be the alternator.

Other Warning Lights That Only Require a Little Concern

Other warning lights would include the low brake pad, transmission temperature, powertrain trouble, check engine, and low coolant. Some cars have lights to alert you to change the oil and air filters, service reminders, and power steering trouble. Although these lights alert you to problems that are not as serious, they should be addressed as soon as possible. Hybrid and electric cars have special lights that correspond to the powertrain, engine, and systems that they use. For instance, a hybrid car may include warning lights for low battery, high-voltage-battery charge level, battery trouble, and power limitation indicators. 

Warning Lights that are More Like Notifications

Some warning lights are in place to keep you informed about the status of your car while you are driving. Some lights that are no cause for concern would be lights to alert you that your high beams are on, headlights or taillights are out, or your daytime running lights are one. Other notifications could let you know that a door is ajar, or that your gas or windshield washer fluid is low. If you take time to decipher the code that your warning lights reveal, you can provide added protection and be better prepared for the winter season.  

Avoiding Winter Car Repairs with General Car Maintenance

Now that the summer is over, it is time to start thinking about preparing your car for the winter months. The winter can be brutal to a car, and if you are not prepared, your car may die on you. Tuning up your car, checking fluid levels, and replacing the battery are just the beginning. You should perform a complete winter safety check that you can combine with your general car maintenance routine. This will ensure that you can have a trouble-free winter. 

What to Do Under the Hood

Several major systems reside under the hood of your car. One of the first things that some people think about is fluid checks. You should make sure you have the recommended levels of engine oil, coolants, transmission, brake, and windshield washer fluids. Check your car manual to find out what levels you should be maintaining and develop a regular schedule for changing them. Make sure that you are using the right grade of oil for the area of the country in which you live. Colder climates need lighter oil so that it remains thin enough to lubricate the engine when it is cold but will not get too thick that it will not flow effortlessly and cause engine damage. When you change the oil, be sure to change the oil and air filters. Check your coolant level and top off if it is low. Check the radiator for any leaks and have them repaired if needed. Tune up your car, clean the battery, and replace damaged or worn spark plugs. Inspecting wires will reveal any damage that should be replaced. 

What to Do Under the Car

Check your tire pressure and make sure you have adequate treads on them so your car can grip the slick roads. If you have snow tires, you should install them, but make sure that you replace all four tires with snow tires for the best traction and safety. Check your tire alignment and adjust them if needed. You should also check your steering and suspension systems. These systems are responsible for giving you control of your car and providing a safe, comfortable ride. If your suspension is not up to par, you should have it repaired to prevent damage to your wheels, tires, and undercarriage when driving over potholes and other road imperfections. Make sure your steering is proper so that you can maintain control of your car, especially on slippery surfaces. Make sure your exhaust system is working properly and inspect your brakes and brake pads. Replace any worn or damaged parts as soon as possible. 

What to do Around and Inside the Car

Clean and inspect your headlights. Make sure that they provide a clean and bright light and that the assembly is seated evenly and firmly in place. If your headlights are old or you cannot remove the haze from the surface, you should have them replaced. Make sure that your taillights are working and they illuminate adequately. If you notice any problems that that you are unable to repair on your own, you can take your car to your mechanic and they can perform these services for you. They can inspect your car and help keep you safe while traveling in the snow and ice.