Home
Auto Tips
Electrical
Nostalgia
Training
Money Saver
R.I.P.
I Give Up
Links and Resources
Check Engine Light
Bad Mistakes
Free Auto Tips
Bad Air Filter
Electrical Damage
Tire Wear
Automotive Quiz
OBD-II
Service Schedule



For Link
Exchange
Please Contact
Me


 As Featured On Ezine Articles		                                       FAQ

                          Please ask any general questions and                                                         I will reply as soon as possible.                  
                      
                            Car Question
 Q:  My car has to be jump started every morning. Is there anything I should look for before bringing it to a repair shop?
          A:  Is your battery more than four years old?  If so it should be checked and may need to be replaced.  Make sure you are not leaving any power drawing items plugged in and that all the lights inside are off.  Check to see if the battery cables are clean and tight.   If the car stalls shortly after removing jumper cables it is probably due to a faulty alternator.
 Q:  I hear a loud squealing noise when I first start the engine and it goes away in a minute.
          A:   Check your drive belts.  They are most likely loose or worn.  Either tighten them or better yet if they are old,  replace them .
 Q:  My "check engine light " is on but the car runs fine.  
          A:  There are 100 things for this light to come on.  The most common is a loose gas cap.  Make sure it is tight (several clicks) and the retaining strap is not jambed underneath.  If this was the problem it will  take several drive cycles to clear the code.  Other than this simple fix the car should be checked by a qualified technician.
 Q: Why do brakes squeak?
       A: Today’s cars are equipped with front wheel disc brakes; some models even have 4 wheel disc brake systems. Disc brakes work much like a modern bicycle’s brakes. Brake squealing and noises are common with various causes. Most often it is caused by dust and high frequency vibrations of the brake pads. Worn brake linings also tend to be noisy. Brake systems should be checked regularly and worn parts replaced before ruining expensive calipers and rotors. Your life and people's lives around you depend on your brake system!
 Q: What is a CV Boot?
       A: Front wheel drive cars and 4 wheel drives use flexible axle shafts with Constant Velocity joints or CV’s for short. The CV joints allow the axle shafts to spin the front wheels while moving up or down over bumps or turning corners. The CV joint has a protective rubber boot that keeps grease for lubrication in, and dirt and water out. When the rubber boot breaks the CV joint loses grease and starts to "click," especially during cornering. The broken boot should be replaced as soon as it is noticed to help avoid costly repairs.
 Q: How often should antifreeze be replaced?
       A: Antifreeze should be replaced every two years due to oxidation and deterioration of important additives. These additives lubricate the water pump and protect metal parts from rust and oxidation. They also help keep coolant hoses soft and flexible. Today we can recycle and clean old antifreeze, replacing the additives. Antifreeze is very toxic and not environmentally friendly so recycling makes good sense. The engine's thermostat should also be replaced every 2 years to keep the engine operating temperatures in the proper range.
Q: How often should I rotate my tires?
      A: Your tires should be rotated every 6 to 10 thousand miles. Neglecting to rotate tires will cause premature tire wear on the front tires which wear out almost twice as fast.  
 Q: Is it really necessary to replace my timing belt at the recommended interval?
     A: YES. The failure of a timing belt in many cars with interference engines can result major engine damage. The cost of repairing an engine with a broken timing belt is many times greater than the cost of a timing belt replacement.
 Q: What does it mean if my "check engine" or "service engine soon" light comes on?
     A: There are many sensors that manage your vehicle’s engine performance and emissions. When one of these fails or there is a wiring problem, the "check engine" light is illuminated. Your car may seem to run fine with some failures but  it is important to have the issue corrected to prevent long-term problems.
Q: What should I do if my car starts to overheat?
     A: Overheating is a very serious problem especially with aluminum engine components. If your car overheats for too long, it can damage the engine. As soon as possible, find a safe place to pull off the road and shut the engine off! Do not attempt to check the fluid level in the radiator as it can burn you. The best thing to do is have your car towed to a repair shop.
Q: When should I get my oil changed?
     A: You should get your oil changed every 3000 miles or as recommended in your vehicle’s owner’s manual. Climate and road conditions should be considered when determining the interval.
Q: What is that milkshake type of look in my engine oil?
     A: Milky looking engine oil is an indication of coolant in the oil. This can be caused by a blown head gasket (or other gaskets), a failed transmission cooler, or a warped cylinder head from having overheated at some time. This condition is very serious and needs to be checked by a professional before other internal engine damage is done.
Q: How to make sure my car battery has a good electrical connection?
     A: Battery cables and terminals should also be cleaned and inspected to make sure they provide a good electrical connection.
Q: When should I replace my car’s fuel filter?
     A: Replace your car's fuel filter approximately every 30,000 miles or as recommended in your vehicle's owner's manual.
Q: When should I change my spark plugs?
     A: For maximum fuel economy and peak engine performance, your spark plugs should be replaced every 30 months or 30,000 miles, unless your vehicle is equipped with 100,000-mile platinum tipped spark plugs. Even with platinum spark plugs I would change them around 60 to 70 thousand miles because at 100,000 miles they may become corroded in the cylinder head and almost impossible to remove without damaging the threads.
Q: I need to replace a burned out fuse, what should I do?
     A: Always replace burned-out fuses with ones of the same amperage rating and if a fuse continues to "blow", you should check or have the circuit checked professionally for a dead short.
Q: I have a vehicle that has dexcol antifreeze in it and the heater core is plugged. I have been told this type of antifreeze is good for that, but is there anything that can be done short of replacing the heater core? Thanks.
     A: This is a common problem with dexcol. I don't know what kind of vehicle you have but if the heater hoses are easy to get to on your vehicle just disconnect them from the engine fittings. Spray water through one heater hose with a garden hose and nozzle at a low force until the water comes through clear at the other hose. Then reverse the procedure until the water runs free and clear in that direction. Reattach the heater hoses and refill the cooling system with (you guessed it) A proper mixture of dexcol. Do not mix dexcol and ethylene glycol. I just did this on my daughter's car plus many cars in the past and the heaters work just fine. This should work very well.  Good luck. If the heater hoses are easier to get off at the heater core instead of the engine side do this and just buy a short piece of heater hose and attach it to the core for garden hose flushing. You can also buy flushing adaptors from an auto parts store but this should be your last resort.
Q:  I have a 2000 Taurus Wagon with a Duratec 3.0 DOHC V6 engine.  After I drive for a while the "Low Coolant" light comes on.  The water temp reads normal and there is ample coolant in the surge tank. The car has 150 + miles and still runs great.  Is it a sensor switch or do I have bigger problems?
     A: If you’re not loosing coolant, car doesn't overheat and it runs fine I would say the "low coolant sensor" is bad or the electrical connector is corroded or dirty or the contacts are loose.  I would start by replacing the sensor and make sure the plug in connector is clean. The sensor should not be that expensive. However I'm not sure wear the sensor is on your vehicle. Most likely near the top of the radiator or if the fill tank is pressurized (has a radiator cap) it will be in there. Make sure engine is cold before doing repairs! Thanks for the question and hope this helps you.
 
      Please feel free to ask questions and I will email you my response and post it on this page.                                                                                  

                                   

                                             For Automotive Products
                                   Save Time, Money and Gas
                                               Please Visit
                                           My Amazon Store
                               



                                      

        

Custom Search
                                                                

        Top Of Page 

        Home Page                                                                                                                                              

                           Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Guenter_Hohmann