What Does Car Maintenance Include on a Regular Basis?

Spring has arrived, which means that it’s time to give your vehicle a little extra attention.  So that you’re ready for the hot days of summer ahead, it is vital that you take care of recommended vehicle maintenance.  Not only should you know what that schedule includes (see the list in your owner’s service manual); but schedule an appointment for a thorough inspection of your vehicle, especially if you’re planning a summer road trip.  This inspection is important as your auto mechanic can determine if there are any pending issues that should be fixed as soon as possible. 

What does car maintenance include on a regular basis?  Here is a list of the most basic vehicle maintenance items that are important for safe driving:

• Battery—Inspect the fluid level in the terminals and clean any corrosion away from the posts and cable connections.  The battery should be holding a strong sufficient charge to power the electrical accessories. 
• Wiper Blades—if your wiper blades are leaving streaks and have been on your car for more than 6 months, it’s time to replace them.
• Lights—Inspect the lights (both exterior and interior) and change any broken or burned-out bulbs.  Make sure that the lenses and light covers are clean and free of cracks. 
• Oil Change and Filter—Follow the recommended oil change interval so that your motor oil is fresh and of the right viscosity for warm weather.  Use a good quality filter. 
• Radiator, Hoses, and Belts—Make sure there aren’t any cracks or leaks in the radiator unit and hoses and that the ratio of coolant and water in the radiator is correct.
• Tires— Inspect air pressures frequently, have your tires rotated about every 6K miles, and have the alignment and balancing adjusted if needed. Repair any cuts or holes in the sidewalls as soon as possible.
• Brakes— Have your brakes checked each time you get the oil changed. If you start to feel unusual vibrations, hear screeching, or if the brake pedal feels “mushy,” it’s time for brake repair.

Even with all your planning, breakdowns can still happen.  Pack an emergency kit, including water and snacks, jumper cables, flashlight (with extra batteries), road flares, jack and spare tire, first aid kit, blanket, and cell phone charger.  

Need to know more about what does car maintenance include on a regular basis?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Auto & Fleet Mechanic for more information about the vehicle maintenance schedule and to request an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in Modesto, CA, and the surrounding area.

How Often Do You Need Brakes Replaced?

As with any other components of your car, brakes wear out as the miles add up and will eventually need some form of repair. If your brakes don’t respond the instant you step on the pedal, you should request an appointment with a brake repair mechanic as soon as possible.  

What can you do to increase the lifespan of your brakes and prevent an urgent brake repair?  Smooth and steady driving is the key!  Prevent sudden hard stops by leaving sufficient distance between your car and other vehicles. When driving downhill, downshift and let up on the accelerator to slow down rather than “riding” the brake pedal all the way down the hill.  Have your brakes checked frequently, possibly at every tire rotation service?

How often do you need brakes replaced?  This will depend on various factors, such as:

• Quality of the brake pad, 
• Where you drive (the condition of the road),
• How you drive (hard sudden stops or gentle coasting when stopping), 
• What kind of transmission you drive (automatic or manual) 
• Condition of rotors and calipers 

Some indicators of a needed brake repair may be: 

1. Soft feeling brakes.  Condensation collecting in the brake fluid reservoir, air in the brake lines, brake line damage, or low brake fluid can cause your brakes to feel spongy.
2. Smoking brakes.  Brake pads burned by aggressive driving might actually begin to smoke and release a bad odor.
3. Squealing brakes.  Brake pads can become “glazed” from exposure to the excessive heat generated by friction, emitting a screeching sound when the brakes are applied.

As soon as you suspect brake issues, slow down and find a safe place to pull over.  If you don’t have very far to go to a brake repair shop, delay for your brakes to cool down before driving on.  To be safe, you may want to call roadside assistance for towing.

Have more questions about how often do you need brakes replaced?  Call our ASE Certified mechanics at Auto & Fleet Mechanic for more information about brake repair service and to request an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in Modesto, CA, and the surrounding area.

How Do You Know When You Need New Brakes?

If you are a conscientious driver, you may often wonder how do you know when you need new brakes.  As the miles add up, it is inevitable that parts of your braking systems start to wear.  Most car drivers don’t want to be the cause of an accident because of failing brakes!  To prevent an expensive brake repair or worse an accident, it is wise to have your brakes checked on a regular basis, possibly at every tire rotation or oil change service.

How do you know when you need new brakes? If you start to notice any of the issues below, don’t put off scheduling an inspection and the appropriate brake repair:

• Noisy brakes – Screeching, squealing, or metal-on-metal grinding will be noticeable when the brake pads and rotors are worn out. 
• Vibrations – If you feel the brake pedal pulsate every time you step on it, the disc has become warped and will want to either be replaced.
• Burning smells – Brake fluid leaking onto a hot motor produces a burning smell.  Your auto mechanic can check your brakes to determine the source of the leak and then repair it.
• Longer stopping distances – If the brake pedal feels “mushy” and it goes all the way to the floor before stopping your car, it’s time for a brake repair.  
• Pulling – If the front brake pads are worn down too far, your vehicle will pull to one side or the other while braking You will also need to keep straightening the steering wheel.
• Warning light – A warning light on the dash panel will illuminate when the electronic-wear indicators indicate that the pads have worn down to a specified measurement.  

A word of advice:   Because brake parts wear gradually, frequent inspections will keep you driving as safe as possible.  Don’t let your brakes reach the risky stage before taking action.  Ask for a brake checkup whenever you schedule a tire rotation or oil change service.

Have more questions about how do you know when you need new brakes?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Auto & Fleet Mechanic for more information about brake repair and to request an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in Modesto, CA, and the surrounding area.

Wondering what causes the Check Engine Light to Come On?

You may be driving smoothly along when all of a sudden you see the “Check Engine” light illuminate on your dashboard.  You start to worry about what causes the check engine light to come on.  This little light could be the first warning sign of an engine problem.  Unless your car doesn’t run at all, head to your auto repair shop as soon as you can for a diagnostic test.  Your mechanic will hook up a specialized computer to your vehicle to “read” what is going on under the hood.  Potential problems can be diagnosed and fixed while they are small problems, and before they turn into major engine repair.  

There are few problems that can cause the check engine light to come on:

1. Faulty Gas Cap – When the gas cap is loose or cracked, fuel vapors leak out and can throw the whole fuel system off.
2. Faulty Oxygen Sensor – If the oxygen sensor fails, it’s not providing the right data to the car’s computer to monitor the unburned oxygen from the exhaust and how much fuel should be burned. 
3. Failing Catalytic Convertor – If the catalytic convertor fails, it can’t do its job of reducing exhaust gases. It converts carbon monoxide and other harmful materials into harmless emissions.
4. Faulty Mass Airflow Sensor – The mass airflow sensor tells the car's computer to add the proper amount of fuel based on the air coming through to the engine.  Most mass airflow sensors fail because of an improperly installed or it becomes clogged.
5. Bad Spark Plugs and Wires – The spark plug seals the combustion chamber and provides a gap for a spark to jump across and initiates combustion in your engine.  You will start to notice misfiring when spark plugs go bad.

Any of the issues listed above can result in reduced fuel efficiency, an increase in toxic fumes from your exhaust, loss of power, rough idling, or not running at all.   If you want to prevent major and expensive engine repair, as well as keep your vehicle a reliable means of transportation, don’t neglect regular engine service.  

If you need to know more about what causes the check engine light to come 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.

Diesel Mechanic advices not to ignore Strange Diesel Noises!

A common characteristic of diesel engines is noise!  If you aren’t familiar with diesel engines, you may be wondering just what is acceptable and what is not.  Injector “nailing” and ignition “knock” causes most of the usual knocking and pinging in a diesel engine.  Not every noise that comes from under the hood is bad—some sounds are usual.  A diesel auto mechanic can tell you what is usual and what is not.  

Diesel engine issues generally happen because people ignore the unusual noises which can indicate issues.  Some knocking noises are of no concern at all, while other noises are signs of trouble.  Don’t take any strange noises lightly but schedule a diesel service as soon as possible.   

Why is a diesel engine so noisy?  Fuel is injected into compressed air inside the cylinder in which there are a lot of little parts, such as small valves, and oil pipes that create the noise. Also, because diesel fuel is less filtered than petrol, it has more particles in it that make louder noises when it’s ignited.  

Problem noises:

1. Rattling. You may hear rattling when you accelerate, caused by the air and fuel mixture in the cylinder that gets ignited prematurely by the compression inside the engine. This is called pre-ignition and it can damage the pistons, valves, and connecting rods inside the engine.  
2. Ticking. Typically, a ticking noise is caused by reciprocating parts like pistons, valves, rods, and pushrods. It is also an indicator of problems such as low oil level, ill-adjusted valves, rod knock, or noisy lifter.
3. Knocking.  Knocking noise is produced by the injectors. Though, deposits build up in the tips of fuel injectors, normally when there's fuel left in the injector tips after the engine is shut.
4. Timing Chain Meshing. The timing chain connects the camshaft and crankshaft which will produce a meshing sound if it is too loose. 

The key to Diesel Engine Performance!

The key to getting the best performance and fuel mileage from your diesel engine is clean fuel injectors that are functioning correctly.

Are you looking for quality diesel repair?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Auto & Fleet Mechanic for more advice from a diesel mechanic and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in Modesto, CA, and the surrounding area.

When Should You Service Your Car A/C?

Because today’s cars are more computerized than ever, the car A/C system is more complex than ever.  At least once a year, schedule a car AC service with a certified auto repair mechanic who can handle refrigerants.  This will ensure you are riding in comfort at all times, plus see improved gas mileage with less toxic emissions.

So wondering when should you service your car A/C?  Any time is a good time!  Especially after a hot summer and before heading into fall, it’s time to give your car AC some much-needed attention. Here are several maintenance tips that will keep your car air conditioner in good working condition:

1. Run the air conditioner once a week for about 10 minutes. Turn the A/C to its maximum fan speed and coolest setting to keep the compressor working correctly.
2. Run defrost mode for about 5 to 10 minutes. This prevents mildew and cleans out excessive moisture (which can cause obnoxious odors in your car).
3. Use your car A/C in winter. In addition to cooling your vehicle, one of the A/C’s primary functions is to remove humidity from the passenger cabin, such as a fogged-up windshield.
4. Refresh Cooling System.  Every 2 years replace the compressed gas and lubricant in the A/C system.
5. Schedule a car A/C service.  Early detection of leaks or damage can save you time and money, keeping you and everyone in your vehicle cool and worry-free.

During the hot temperatures of summer, your car air conditioner has received a lot of use.  Regular maintenance will keep it performing at its best as you head into fall and winter.  You will see the benefits of improved gas mileage, a cleaner running vehicle, and a more relaxed ride.

Are you wondering when should you service your car A/c?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Auto & Fleet Mechanic for more information about our auto repair shop and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in Modesto, CA, and the surrounding area.

Why is my brake light not working?

With the long days of summer here, many car drivers may not think about their headlights and brake lights.  But, it’s important to keep an eye on them as they can burn out or stop working without noticing.  All of a sudden, you may start to wonder, “Why is my brake light not working?”  It’s still important that you have working lights (headlights, brake lights, and turn signals) so that other drivers know you are there or in which direction you plan to turn. 

So what causes lights to not work or appear extra dim?  There could be several reasons, including:

• Burned out bulbs:  If only one brake light is not working, the issue is normally a burned-out bulb.  Has it replaced as soon as possible?  If it still doesn’t work, ask your auto mechanic to inspect the wiring or fuses.
• High beam doesn’t work:  If the headlight was replaced or it isn’t burned out, there could be faulty wiring in the switch.
• Electrical System:  There may be an issue in the electrical system if the lights dim only when the engine is idling and the brightness changes with the RPM.  An auto electrical repair service can pinpoint the issue, such as a bad alternator or a loose belt.  Though, if the alternator inspects out okay, the accessories may be drawing too much power and a more powerful alternator may be needed.
• Lights are too dim:   Bulbs can lose their brightness as they age, so you may want to invest in a new set of bulbs.  Dirty lenses block the light and can be cleaned and reconditioned.  Foggy lenses are an indication that water is getting into the headlight assembly and it may want to be replaced.

The electrical system is comprised of some components including the battery, battery cables, alternator, starter, and computer system. Problems with any of these components can cause issues with the vehicle’s operation and will normally require the use of specialized diagnostic equipment to identify the cause.   

In older vehicles, the average person could replace burned out bulbs themselves.  But lights are now much harder to access in today’s vehicles.  Your auto mechanic has the right tools and diagnostic equipment to check the bulbs, fuses, switches, and relays, and then either repair or replace as needed.  

Are you wondering why is my brake light not working?  Consult our ASE Certified technicians at Auto & Fleet Mechanic for more information about auto electric repair problems and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in Modesto, CA, and the surrounding area.