AUTONET TV

How Cool is That! (Coolant level sensor replacement)

Your vehicle’s engine runs hot.  It should, since it’s a series of little explosions that create the power that gets you going where you want to go.  To keep the engine cool, engineers have designed wonderful cooling systems that use liquid coolant, hoses, and a radiator to transfer the heat from the engine to the outside air. 

In order for the system to work right, it has to have the right amount of that liquid coolant in it.  So that you know when the coolant has dipped below the correct amount, there is a sensor that keeps an eye on it.  When the coolant gets low, that sensor lights up a signal on the dash to alert you.  It may literally say “Check Coolant” or it may have a picture that looks like an old-style bulb thermometer sitting in liquid.  Your owner’s manual will usually tell you exactly what the one in your vehicle looks like.

If that sensor system isn’t working right, you could wind up driving for a long time with not enough coolant in the engine, and the excess heat can cause some extensive—and expensive—damage. 

There are a couple of ways you will know if something’s wrong with your coolant level sensor.  One is when you top off the coolant tank, and the low coolant light stays on.  If you suspect yours might be having a problem, bring it in so we can thoroughly check your coolant system.

If it is a sensor, we can run a test to see where the problem is in your cooling system.  It could be a bad sensor, but it also could be that there is something causing your coolant level to be low.  If the sensor needs replacing, the technician will replace it, fill your coolant level to the manufacturer’s recommended level, and test for any leaks in the system.  Really, how cool is that?

Matt Davis Auto
875 US Highway 70 W
Garner, NC 27529
(919) 600-5125
http://www.mattdavisauto.com

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Busted! Air Conditioning (Air Conditioning Maintenance)

Your vehicle's air conditioning is something you count on when the weather heats up.  But there's bound to be a day when you turn it on and one of these things happens:

• Only warm air blows out
• Cold air starts blowing out but then it turns warm on its own
• It's not blowing air at all
• It blows smelly air out

Some people are tempted to try to make the diagnosis—and the repair—on their own.  They think it's just run out of refrigerant and they can pick up a can at a local auto parts store and re-charge it.   If only it was that easy.

A vehicle's air conditioning system is complex and made up of many parts.  A compressor, evaporator, condenser, tubing, hoses, sensors, valves… the list goes on and on.

Each of these components could be the reason for the problem.  It could be a leak that's letting the refrigerant escape, but simply re-charging the system hasn't fixed the problem. You have to find the source of the leak and fix it. Service facilities have a device called a "sniffer" which can sniff out refrigerant chemicals. And they can use black light to locate refrigerant that has an ultraviolet dye in it. 

But often other components wear out; blower motors go bad, resistors blow, tubes clog, compressors fail. And diagnosing that takes training and special equipment you'll find at your service facility.

One other thing to keep in mind.  It's always better to catch any problems in the air conditioning system before it fails. Ask your service advisor about having

the A/C checked as part of the vehicle's maintenance.  That's the cool way to go. 

Matt Davis Auto
875 US Highway 70 W
Garner, NC 27529
(919) 600-5125
http://www.mattdavisauto.com

In the Red (Why a Vehicle Overheats)

Heat is one thing that can damage a vehicle, especially if a problem isn’t taken care of soon.  Be on the lookout for signs that it’s getting too hot in some parts of your vehicle, starting with the most obvious one: the heat gauge/warning light on your instrument panel.

When you see that heat gauge heading into the H zone or the warning light comes on, it’s often because your engine’s coolant is contaminated or running low.  It’s important to let a pro look at it soon before serious damage is done,

The radiator is another trouble spot that can cause overheating.  It has a fan that needs to run properly, and it needs to be free of debris and dirt. Another radiator trouble spot is the core.  When it gets clogged and coolant isn’t circulating as it should, an overheated engine can be the result. Have your cooling system checked regularly, including its thermostat.

Your water pump is another part of the cooling system that can wear out, and when it’s not working right, your engine can get hot quickly.  It should also be on the list of regularly checked engine components.

Finally, your vehicle has several rubber belts and hoses that play vital roles in making sure the coolant is getting where it needs to be.  It’s important to have those inspected by a technician before they fail and heat starts to build up.

Your vehicle’s cooling system is complex and critical to its operation. Plus, it must be maintained so it does what a vehicle’s engineers designed it to do.  When it comes to your vehicle, cool is cool, hot is not.  

Matt Davis Auto
875 US Highway 70 W
Garner, NC 27529
(919) 600-5125
http://www.mattdavisauto.com

10 Things That Are Lowering Your Fuel Economy

Regardless of whatever current gas prices may be, if you could use less gas, wouldn’t you? Well, here are 10 things that are robbing you of better fuel economy that you can change for the better:

   •    Not enough air in your tires.  Underinflated tires have a smaller rolling diameter and more resistance to rolling.  Keep them inflated properly, plus ask us about more fuel-efficient tires.

   •    Faulty oxygen sensor.  A faulty or dirty oxygen sensor can cause your engine to burn too rich a mixture of air and fuel.  That can also trigger a Check Engine light.  Have us check yours.

   •    Oil age and type.  Contaminated or improper viscosities of engine oil can create more resistance in your engine.  Have regular oil changes and consider newer high-mileage oils.

   •    Bad wheel alignment.  When your wheels aren’t lined up straight, they have more resistance.  Let us check your alignment and straighten things out if necessary.

   •    Aging ignition system.  When’s the last time your spark plugs, spark plug wires and coils were changed? Misfires can rob you of good mileage.

   •    Dirty fuel injectors.  They can be inefficient if they’re not clean.  Have us check yours to make sure they’re working as they should.

   •    Fouled fuel filter. After filtering impurities out of your fuel, the filter may be clogged and affect your engine’s performance.

   •    Worn out or stuck brakes. This creates drag on the wheels and prevents you from rolling freely down the road.  Have us inspect yours to see how yours are.

   •    Worn piston rings.  These form a seal in the cylinder walls so you have top compression. When the seal is sloppy, down goes your fuel pressure and mileage.

   •    Poor maintenance.  If you don’t keep your engine’s systems running efficiently, they can nibble away at your fuel economy.  

Let us help you keep your eye on each one of these so you aren’t wasting money and gas.

Matt Davis Auto
875 US Highway 70 W
Garner, NC 27529
(919) 600-5125
http://www.mattdavisauto.com

Time for a Brake (Brake Pad Replacement)

Stop! It's one of those things your vehicle has to do consistently and reliably.  That's why brake maintenance is vitally important, worthwhile for you to make sure stays up to date.

A brake system has many components. If your vehicle has disc brakes, they have pads that make contact with the rotors (the metal discs).  Those pads usually have a metal back, and the part that presses against the discs is made of a material which provides friction to stop the vehicle. Because of that friction, the pads are expected to wear down and eventually the rotors will, too.  But the pads usually are the part that will need to be replaced more often. But how do you know when it's time?

There are several signs, one of which is when your brakes squeak or make a high-pitched sound when you step on the brake pedal.  Many newer vehicles also have sensors on the brake pads.  When the pads get worn down to a certain point, the sensor will tell the vehicle's computer to turn on a light on the instrument panel.  When that light comes on, it's time to have your service facility check out what's going on.  If you don't know what that light looks like, ask your service advisor or look it up in the owner's manual.

Some vehicles also give you a reminder based on the distance you've traveled. It may be a message that displays on the dash or a light that illuminates. 

Your best bet is to have your vehicle regularly serviced at one shop you trust.  They will keep a record of your brake maintenance Then, when you take your vehicle in for oil changes or other routine things, they'll check your brakes for wear.  Sometimes you'll only need pads, but you may also need rotors or other parts replaced.  Oh, and you need pads replaced in pairs. That way stopping power will be equal on both sides and your vehicle won't pull in one direction. 

Brakes make up a key part of your vehicle's safety systems.  Keep them in good shape and they'll be able to stop your vehicle when you press down that pedal.

Matt Davis Auto
875 US Highway 70 W
Garner, NC 27529
(919) 600-5125
http://www.mattdavisauto.com