5 Signs You Need An Expert For Automobile Repair

Automobiles are turning into more advanced and complex since the last decade. With the arrival of electrical car technologies, with electronic fuel injection system and controlled systems, the automobiles have changed dramatically from what they used to be a few decades ago! The variety of cars which can get minor car repairs done by newbie mechanics is shrinking rapidly.

Let's take a look at some signs that it's time to take your automobile to an automobile repair store to avoid troubles and expensive repairs in the future.

• The Automobile Is Less Than 10 Years Old

Automobiles that are newer than 10 years typically have really advanced systems. Even automobile repairs such as battery or a fuse changing, brakes replacement and common automobile service process can cause other parts of the system to operate if the right techniques are not followed.

• The Repair You Are Planning Is Not In The New Car Handbook

If the car company is not advising you to try and do it yourself, it's most likely safest not to try any repairs. If you are doubtful, it will be a better decision to call an auto mechanic to have a look at the problem first. Auto mechanic will advise you on safety points to keep in mind, if it's seemingly that you will have to be compelled to create the fix again more in the future.

• If There's A Need To Remove Something Out Of The Automobile

Safety may be a serious issue while the repair is going on, so you need to be extra careful while doing automobile repair. While removing some heavy part out of the automobile, you are risking other parts of the automobile and yourself. It's advised that you simply hire professional auto mechanic to perform this type of tasks.

• The Automobile Repair Needs Equipment You Do Not Own In Your Garage

Contrary to common belief, not each automobile repair job will be finished by just using a shifter and sticky tape. If you do not have the right equipment to try and do the repairs yourself, the value in shopping for that tool/equipment usually outweighs the savings you were planning to make.

• Your Automobile Comes With An Electronic Fuel Injection System

If your automobile has an electronic fuel injection system (and in several cases, this is often sealed in huge letters right the top, or at the side of the series name somewhere on the car body), it's not safe to perform the repair job by yourself. Even car repairs which are not associated with the timing may throw the PC out, and might cost you a lot more money to repair at the mechanic's than it might have cost originally.

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Do I Need A New Muffler?

It's not difficult to know if your muffler needs replacement, generally your car will be louder than normal. Mufflers are not repairable, they wear out, rust out or sustain damage and replacement is your only alternative.

Where should I take my car for a new muffler?

A few decades ago there were muffler shops all over town. Mufflers are better engineered and last longer than they used to, which has led to a decrease in the number of muffler shops across the nation. There are still plenty of places to get your muffler replaced.

Muffler shops still exist because not every auto repair shop is equipped to replace mufflers. Most mufflers need to be cut off and the new muffler welded in place. In addition to welding, muffler repair shops have tube bending equipment to custom bend a new exhaust pipe from your engine to your tailpipe if needed.

Some general auto repair shops will be equipped to replace your muffler. If you suspect you do need a new muffler, ask your mechanic if this is a service they perform. There are literally thousands upon thousands of muffler shops in the United States.

Choosing a muffler

Generally speaking, car mufflers usually don't go out while the vehicle is still under warranty. They last quite a bit longer. When it does come time to replace your muffler you have many choices. You can take your car to the new car dealer to get the exact replacement part for your vehicle, but be prepared to pay more than you would at a muffler specialty shop or a general auto repair shop.

You need not replace your muffler with the exact part number from the Ford dealer or Toyota dealer. Replacement mufflers are designed to replace the original mufflers from the vehicle manufacturers no matter what year, make and model of car you have.

There are also a wide variety of brands of mufflers, some are engineered to let the engine breath better giving you a boost in horsepower. Consult with the repair shop performing the repair to see which mufflers are available for your specific vehicle. Keep in mind, the muffler is part of the emissions system, you don't want to void your factory warranty or do anything to keep your vehicle from passing a smog check or emissions testing in the future.

Catalytic Converters

The catalytic converter is an integral component of your exhaust system. Its function is to convert toxic gases into less toxic gases before emitting them from your exhaust pipe.

Catalytic converters do fail. One of the most common failures is clogging. When the converter becomes clogged, you may find that your vehicle does not accelerate as well. If the fuel system cannot release burned fuel, it cannot take in as much fuel to burn.

If the converter rusts, you will also have a noisier exhaust system and may smell fumes in the car's interior. The converter is normally located just under the divider behind the front seats.

Don't try to diagnose a bad catalytic converter. Most often your car will have drivability problems that lead to diagnosis of a bad converter. Many times you will find out when your vehicle does not pass emissions testing or an annual smog check.

Some catalytic converters are bolted on and some are welded on from the factory. Either way a quality repair shop can replace the catalytic converter for you.

Muffler repair components

Pipes leading to a muffler, from your catalytic converter often rust out and need replacement. Tailpipes will sometimes rust the muffler connection. Hangers also break. If your exhaust system is lower than normal, or dragging under your vehicle, you probably need new hangers. This is usually a low cost repair, but should be performed quickly. Dragging exhaust system components will damage them. The metal can also produce sparks that might start a fire.

You can extend the life of your exhaust system by ensuring that you drive far enough during wet or cold weather to heat up and dry the exhaust system. If you only drive a few miles every day your exhaust components may actually wear out quickly. When you first start your vehicle in cold or wet weather, moisture forms inside the pipes. If the moisture is not removed by heating the exhaust system, the pipes will rust prematurely.

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Preventative Car Maintenance in Summer Helps to Avoid that Sudden Breakdown

Preventative car maintenance in summer months is not much different from what it takes to maintain cars in winter. In summer, you have to regularly check and maintain the mechanical components of the car to tackle the rigors of the hot summer conditions. The following tips on preventative car maintenance in summer assures you trouble less rides:

The very first thing you need to take care is the cooling system. During the hotter months, the cooling system works more intensely to prevent overheating of the engine. For the mechanism to work effectively, the coolant and water mixture for a vehicle's radiator should measure to 50:50.

The next point about preventative car maintenance in summer is tire pressure. Tire pressure is important in all contexts - irrespective of whether it is for speed or for safety reasons. If you need your car's tires to last long and perform efficiently, you will need to inflate them properly. Properly pumped up tires help maintain the best possible contact with the road giving the vehicle steadiness and speed. Inflating tires improperly, on the other hand, leads problems like punctures.

Refer to your owner's manual for the ideal air-pressure for your vehicle's tire. Remember, summer heat causes the pressure within the tire to rise; hence, you will be required to check the air pressure when the tires are cold.

The subsequent preventative measure for your car's maintenance involves engine oil. The owner's manual specifically mentions the best engine oil for your vehicle during hot summers. Yet, the general rule for engine oil necessitates you to use a little thick, viscous oil, which lubricates the integral parts of the engine.

Next in order of importance is the car's battery. Car batteries hardly signal failure well ahead of time. It is advisable to leave all cares of car-batteries to professionals, especially in summertime when the excessive heat causes further damage to it. Changing your car battery every three years will save you a lot of trouble.

Beside these essential tips about preventative car maintenance in summer months, your cars need some lesser yet significant maintenance programs too. Replacing belts and hoses is one such car-care as is inspecting the wipers and wiper fluids.

Round up your preventative car maintenance in summer time by placing an emergency kit including basic tools like flashlights, pliers, screwdrivers, wrenches, etc. inside your car. With your car ready to budge, you can hoard some rations if you are really thinking of a long journey. Placing a first-aid kit in the car will make your journey 100% safe.

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5 Benefits Of Changing Your Car's Air Filters

If you have a car, it's recommended that you change the air filter regularly. Here are some of the benefits of doing so:

You increase your car's performance

Dirty car filters reduce the amount of air that flows into the car's engine. When the amount of air in the engine is limited, the car doesn't spend the amount that it's supposed to and as a result, its performance goes down. Studies have consistently shown that cars with clean filters are by far more effective than those with dirty filters.

You protect your car from damage

Filters prevent foreign particles from getting access to the inside of the car's engine. Even when a small particle gets into the engine it can cause a lot of damage to the moving parts. The damage gets worse as more particles get into the engine. A clean car filter traps all the air debris ensuring that none gets into the engine. This protects your car from damage. Since the car and the engine aren't damaged, they last for a long time.

You increase the efficiency of the car

Studies by experts show that clean car filters increase the car's efficiency by up to 14%. The reason for this is because there is plenty of clean air in the engine thus the car doesn't strain burning fuel. Due to the efficiency, you spend less money than when the car is running on a dirty air filter.

You reduce car emissions

Dirty filters reduce air flow to the engine thus affecting emission control systems. Faulty emission control systems result to an incorrect air-fuel mixture. When the fuel mixture is too much, it can result in engine deposits resulting to a lot of emissions. In addition to the high emissions, it's also common for the car to consume more fuel than it should.

Changing the car filter

As you have seen, there are plenty of benefits that come with replacing your car filter. The cool thing with air filter replacement is that you can do it on your own. When replacing the filters, ensure that you replace them with identical ones designed for the exact match and model of car. Car filters come in different shapes, designs, and sizes; therefore, you should first remove the one in the car and buy a similar one that resembles it. For ideal results, ensure that you buy from a reputable store.

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Why Do You Need To Worry About Your Vehicle's Wheel Alignment?

Perfectly aligned wheels keep your vehicle moving in a straight line. But when you feel that your vehicle is pulling oddly to one side, this means that your wheels are out of their place and need alignment. Badly aligned tyres can ruin your entire driving experience. It can also cause the steering wheel to become rigid or stay in one angle, making you exert extra force to bring it to the desired angle.

This is just a little hint of what misalignment of wheels is really like. Let's find out why you need to get your wheels aligned.

Improved Tyre Life

Buying new tyres is not the only thing that will optimize your vehicle's performance. If your wheels aren't aligned properly, your new tyres will wear out. The wheels should always be aligned to the manufacturer's preferred specifications. This way the tread life of your tyres will maximize, giving you a smooth and worry-free driving experience. Abnormal wheel alignment increases the wear and tear on the tyres, making them vulnerable to damage.

Better Vehicle Handling

If the tyres of your vehicle aren't aligned, it will make it hard to make sharp turns. When making sharp turns, the wheels of your car should be completely in contact with the road. This contact helps make perfect turns. But if the wheels are misaligned, they will be leaning in or out, making it difficult for the wheels to maintain contact, reducing traction. This uneven camber will disturb the car's angle, and may also lead to accidents in certain situations. This disturbed camber also affects the vehicle's brake efficiency.

Enhanced Steering Control

Misaligned wheels can cause an array of problems in a vehicle including poor handling and steering. The suspension and the steering linkage should be checked before getting the wheels aligned. Sometimes, misaligned wheels damage these parts that need to be replaced for optimal performance and enhanced steering control.

When do you need to get your wheel alignment checked?

Your vehicle's wheels can be misaligned due to a number of reasons. Get your vehicle's wheel alignment checked if:

The tyres seem misaligned or uneven.
The steering wheel feels rigid and stays in a certain angle.
The steering isn't in control and moves the vehicle to one side.
Your vehicle hit something on the road.
Your vehicle met an accident.
Your vehicle's suspension steering parts were replaced with bad quality parts.

Aligning the wheels of your car will give you sense of satisfaction that you have control over your vehicle. Furthermore, it helps keep the tyres intact for a longer period of time. With your wheels perfectly aligned, you will not need to visit the mechanic in every few weeks for their alignment or servicing.

The best part about driving a car with perfectly aligned wheels is that it is more under control. Because the steering will move to any angles that you want, you will be able to make your drive safer and smoother.  

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5 Car Care Hacks: What Your Auto Body Shop Wants You to Know

While auto body shop professionals are happy to help with tiny and large problems alike, some car problems can be prevented or at least delayed. A great mechanic wants to empower car owners with knowledge of how to take great care of their vehicles. They should follow these five car care hacks to enjoy logging many miles to come in their automobile.

1. Tending to Tires

It's easy to trust that tires will keep spinning until the driver feels one go flat, but car owners can extend the longevity of their tires with a bit of extra care. They should wipe off brake dust on a regular basis, meaning at least once per week. If brake dust builds up, it's a little-known fact that it can bake into the wheels of an automobile if left on for too long. They should rely on a damp sponge and soapy water to clear off the dust.

That's not all it takes to keep tires in great shape. They should check the car's tire pressure regularly, or have a professional mechanic do so if they're not familiar with the ins and outs of tire pressure. Also, having their tread depth checked and tires rotated regularly is advisable.

2. Keeping Their Cool

Many people don't know that it's important to flush their motor vehicle's cooling system at least once per year, and they should change the coolant then as well as whenever it's needed throughout the year. Automobile owners need to trust a professional mechanic for this job, and they can ensure that grime, corrosion, and other deposits don't build up in the car's cooling system.

3. Letting Their Light Shine

Car owners should check their headlights and brake lights regularly to make sure these lights are in excellent working order. Not only can broken lights result in tickets, but they can also present a hazard on the road. Both the headlights and brake lights can be quickly tested at an auto body shop, and when there is a problem, it's usually easy to fix as long as vehicle owners catch it before it causes problems on the road.

4. Showing Pride in the Car's Appearance

One crucial aspect of taking the best care of a car is also keeping it clean. Whether they own a small car, a huge SUV, or anything in between, automobile owners should get a regular car wash and wax. They need to schedule a vehicle wash every week or at least every other week. Also, if they notice immediate issues, such as a bird relieving itself on the top of their car, it's important to wash the excrement away as soon as possible. Bird waste can actually damage a car's paint job, so cleaning up the mess right away is essential.

5. Paying Attention to Warnings

If drivers notice a warning light on their dashboard, they need to resist the temptation to look the other way. Whether it's a check engine light, a temperature light, an oil light, or something else, car owners should take their vehicle to an auto body shop to check on the problem right away. The earlier they catch an issue, the easier and less expensive it may be to fix.

Finally, automobile owners need to keep in mind that they can prevent some trips to the auto body shop for repairs by taking optimal care of their car. They need to take action today to keep their vehicle in pristine condition.

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