Wondering what are the Signs of a Bad Car Starter?

All of a sudden, your car won’t start!  Is the culprit the battery, the starter, or the alternator?  It could be that the battery doesn’t have sufficient charge to start your car.  Or possibly, the alternator isn’t sending power to the battery.  The smart thing to do is to head to your auto shop and ask for a thorough inspection to determine the cause and rule out other problems.

So just what are the signs of a bad car starter?

1. Clicking sound when you turn the key in the ignition.
2. The lights come on, but the engine won’t start.
3. The engine doesn’t crank.
4. The starter has overheated and smoke is coming from the car.
5. The starter is soaked with oil. 

There are some other causes that may result in a starter going bad:

• Loose wiring
• Dirty connections
• Battery corrosion
• Damaged parts in the starter system
• Oil leaks

Tip to Remember:  Don’t wait to get stranded with a car that won’t start.  If you have started noticing starting issues, have your car inspected out as soon as possible before it leads to other car issues.

Do you want to know more about what are the signs of a bad car starter?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Auto & Fleet Mechanic for more information about starters, alternators and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in Modesto, CA, and the surrounding area.

Can you drive a car with a broken axle?

Did you know that the performance of your vehicle's wheel system is basically dependent on the condition of the CV joints and axles?  These components are involved in the steering, driving, and braking of the car, joining the power from the engine to the wheels. They carry the total weight of the vehicle, plus customers and cargo.  If unharmed, these joints can last up to 100,000 miles.  Because the CV axle is continuously rotating and flexing to accommodate different road conditions, it can wear out and fail, resulting in an expensive CV joint repair.

Can you drive a car with a broken axle?  Without two operational axles, your car won’t be going much of wherever. They’re what transfers power to the wheels from the transmission or the differential. If one of your axles is cracked, do not drive the vehicle. It’s not safe.

If you notice a bumping, clicking noise when going into turns, your axle isn’t broken yet, but it’s only a matter of time. It’s most likely a failing CV joint. If the boot that protects the joint is damaged and the grease leaks out, dirt and debris will get in. Combined with the lack of lubrication from not enough grease, the joint will ultimately tear itself apart.

If your axles are failing, you’ll still technically be able to drive your vehicle. This is very dangerous, though, as they could completely fail at any point. When your axle fails, it’s potential that you’ll lose control of the car, possibly causing an accident. It’s a far better choice to have the issue diagnosed and repaired now, rather than trusting to chance.  

Worried about driving with a broken axle?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Auto & Fleet Mechanic for more information about CV joint repair and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in Modesto, CA, and the surrounding area.

Wondering, “Can You Drive a Car with the Engine Light on?”

If the check engine light comes on while you’re driving, don’t panic!  Pay attention and see if the car is driving any differently than usual.  You may be wondering, “Can you drive a car with the engine light on?”  Whether or not it’s safe to keep driving with the check engine light on depends on vehicle performance and the root cause of its illumination.  Just be sure to have your car checked as soon as possible after the light turns on.  Don’t neglect needed engine repair!

If nothing appears out of the ordinary, you can continue driving the car. The cause could be anything from a defective oxygen sensor to a bad MAF sensor. It could also mean your catalytic converter has failed and quit working. 

Here are three steps to help you determine whether it’s safe to continue driving or if you want to stop instantly:

1. What else is wrong?  -  In addition to the check engine light, your dashboard may also indicate low oil pressure or overheating problems. If these lights come on, pull over and shut off the engine as soon as you can. Several cars may have a red check engine light to alert you to stop right away, while a yellow light stands for analysis. 
2. Take it easy! -  If performance issues accompany the check engine light, lower your speed and take it easy on the engine. Avoid speed surges and erratic shifting. If you’re towing a trailer or carrying heavy equipment, try to unload as soon as you can to prevent a potentially expensive engine repair. 
3. Tighten the cap! - If the light comes on after refueling, inspect that the gas cap is tight.  The sensor is detecting a leak in the evaporative emissions system.  It may take some restarts of the engine to reset the light.  

The check engine light is tied into your car’s onboard diagnostics system, and it’s designed to light up whenever something goes wrong with any of the components and sensors. Issues in the electronic control system are stored in a “trouble code” to identify the source of the problem.  With the use of a diagnostic computer, your mechanic can pinpoint the issue and take care of any compulsory adjustments or repairs. 

Are you wondering can you drive a car with the engine light on?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Auto & Fleet Mechanic for more information about engine repair and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in Modesto, CA, and the surrounding area.

Wondering what causes brakes to overheat?

Just like your laptop or mobile, brakes can also overheat.  The pressure applied to brake pads generates the friction needed to either slow down or to stop your car totally, depending on how much force you apply to the brake pedal.

Whether you’re stopping every few feet in bumper-to-bumper traffic or merely coasting to a halt at a four-way stop—your brakes are working hard to generate friction. Where there’s friction, there’s heat. Overheated brakes can show themselves in a few different ways, through different sights, smells, and sensations. 

What causes brakes to overheat?

1. Water in the brake fluid reservoir.  Over time, condensation can collect within the brake fluid reservoir. When the brake fluid heats up from use, the water boils into steam and reduces the effectiveness of the brakes. This can result in a soft feeling when you press down on the brake pedal.  It could also be due to air in the brake lines, brake line damage, or low brake fluid.
2. Smoking brakes.  Brake pads burned by aggressive driving might really begin to release smoke as well as smell bad.
3. Squealing brakes.  Constant, excessive friction can generate so much heat that the brake pads become “glazed,” or smoother over, emitting a screeching sound when the brakes are applied.

Avoid overheating brakes by making smooth and steady driving your goal.  Always leave enough distance between your car and other objects.  If you are driving downhill, try engine braking--downshifting or letting up on the accelerator to slow down rather than going straight for the brake pedal. Give yourself plenty of room to slow down instead of having to slam the brakes.

As soon as you feel, smell, hear, or even suspect brake issues, slow down and find a safe place to pull over.  While you are letting your brakes cool, call a brake repair shop. Then, use your best judgment to determine whether you’re able to drive to the shop or if you should call roadside assistance for towing.

Do you want to know more about what causes brakes to overheat?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Auto & Fleet Mechanic for more information about brake repair and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in Modesto, CA, and the surrounding area.

How Often Should a Diesel Car be Serviced?

When it comes to most diesel vehicles, the suggested service period is about every 3,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first. Though, this service interval can differ quite significantly depending on the make and model of your car, as well as how much you drive. Driving short distances on a regular basis can cause oil in diesel cars to collect gunk. It can be tricky to determine when to bring your car in for servicing. 

So how often should a diesel car be serviced?  Here are five key signs that a service is due to your diesel car.

1. Hard Starting.  Difficult time starting can be a sign of low compression or a fuel delivery problem. It is normal for diesel engines to crank a little when you start them, with the usual crank time being 3 to 5 seconds. Though, if crank times are unusually long or the engine is extremely difficult to start, have your diesel vehicle checked out as soon as potential.
2. Blowing Smoke.    Watch out for smoke coming out of the exhaust with an unpleasant odor.  There are three colors of smoke that you want to look out for; black, blue and white. These emissions can signal a faulty injector, injector pump, blocked air filter, or some other issue with the engine or sub-system. 
3. Lack of Performance.  This could indicate low fuel pressure, dirty fuel filters, or a more serious problem. If your diesel vehicle is notably lacking power, it is best to bring it in to be tested on a dynamometer to determine the actual power at the wheels and compare it with what it should be.
4. Knocking.  Knocking can be a sign of the engine’s age, with no significant issues. But at its worst, it can indicate fuel contamination and faulty diesel injector which affects compression balance and reduces performance.
5. Rough Running.  This is quite common and can signify a defective glow plug or compromised fuel injection system, causing hard starting and rough running until the engine gets up to operating temperature.

Tip to Remember:  The best way to ensure your diesel cars are in optimal shape is to have regular checkups and services. 

Are you Looking for quality diesel repairs?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Auto & Fleet Mechanic for more information about car diagnostics and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in Modesto, CA, and the surrounding area.

How Often Should You Tune Up Your Car?

The answer to this question is mainly determined by the performance of your vehicle.  Is it lacking power when trying to go up a hill or passing a slower vehicle? Has a dashboard light come on and you don’t know why?  Summer is just around the corner.  It would be wise to get a car tune up now to make sure your vehicle makes it safely through the hot summer days ahead. 

The tune-up checklist should include both preventative and restorative engine assessments, including a checkup of the engine, an analysis of your vehicle’s performance, and any wanted adjustments made to the operating systems.  How often should you tune up your car?  What may be required during a car tune up will vary from vehicle to vehicle, based on age, mileage and unique manufacturer recommendations for that vehicle.  

Today's cars are designed with computer processors, microchips and sensors.  Ask your auto repair technician to run a car diagnostic to scan these sensors and the operating systems to “read” the codes which have been stored in the vehicle’s memory system.  The benefits of a car diagnostic mean that an issue can be identified rapidly, compulsory parts ordered, and the issue fixed before it gets any bigger. 

A car diagnostic can save both you and your mechanic time and money troubleshooting an issue because you don't have to pay for repairs performed on a "trial-and-error" basis.

Wondering how often should you tune up your car?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Auto & Fleet Mechanic for more information about car diagnostics and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in Modesto, CA, and the surrounding area.