The air conditioning system provides you with cool air in the hot weather. It does this by circulating Freon through the A/C system. An evaporator absorbs the heat from the inside of the car and turns it into a gas. The compressor puts the Freon under pressure then passes it to the condenser where the heat is absorbed by the air and the Freon is cooled to a liquid again. It is then pumped back to the evaporator to restart the cycle. If you are getting little or no cool air coming out of the vents in the summer or in some cases the check engine light is on, it may be time to have your A/C pumped out and recharged with new Freon. Also if you hear noises when the A/C is turned on, it may mean that the compressor is going bad. In addition we are equipped to check for leaks in the A/C hoses.
Belts are used to generate energy to the components that needs it, such as the alternator, water pump, air conditioner and power steering. It is important to always check the wear of these belts because when they break, you will be stranded on the road. Symptoms of your belts going bad, include squeaking or vibration. Your A/C, power steering, water pump or alternator may also not be functioning properly. Our technicians will do a visual inspection of the belts and check that the components are working properly then make a determination of where the problem lies. We recommend checking all the belts when you do a tune-up or when getting a brake check.
This is one of the most important safety functions in operating a vehicle. Being able to stop in a short distance can spare the life of your car as well as its passengers and those nearby. There is no set time to replace brakes because it is dependent on a few factors. Factors such as the usage of the car, the driving habits of the operator and the brake manufacturer. If you are experiencing any of the following: reduced braking power, low brake pedal, spongy brake pedal or squeaking. Don’t hesitate to bring it in to be checked. We recommend checking your brakes every 6 months.
The charging system is what supplies electricity to the battery where it is stored until needed. Your car’s charging system consists of the battery, battery connections, alternator and a voltage regulator. Your car uses the stored energy for start ups and to keep the accessories such as lights, radio, horn and windows working. Once the car is started the alternator is what regenerates the battery power. The voltage regulator adjusts the flow of electricity from the alternator according to how much is needed by the battery. The battery connection will not properly transmit the power to and from the battery if the terminals and cables are bad. Typical symptoms of something going wrong with the charging system are: lights getting dim, losing power, flickering lights and eventually not starting. To check your charging system we put it on a special machine that tests the alternator, battery and starter. We recommend checking the charging system as part of your winterization check up.
Today’s cars are engineered with sophisticated on board computers that constantly monitor the input and output of many sensors. These sensors monitor almost every function of the car. Some of the major functions that sensors monitor are: the engine’s performance, emissions, air conditioning, air bags, cruise control, traction control, automatic transmission and instrument panel.
The computer receives these signals from the sensors, interprets it and sends back a message to the sensors in an attempt to optimize the vehicle’s performance. This sequence of communication occurs hundreds of times every second. Because of the hostile environment of dirt, vibration, grease and extreme heat, a malfunction of the sensors or computer can occur at any time causing wrong information to be passed back and forth. The result is that the computer starts over compensating other devices in an attempt to correct itself. Only by placing a car on a computer diagnostic machine is a technician able to completely monitor the system.
Here are a few things our new diagnostic machine is able to check:
Most commonly replaced sensors are:
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O2 Sensor (Oxygen) |
Converts the air/fuel mixture to a voltage signal for the computer to read. |
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TPS (Throttle Position Sensor) |
Receives a voltage signal from the computer to adjust the throttle position. |
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Air Temperature Sensor |
Measures incoming air temperature. |
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Measures changes in intake manifold pressure resulting from changes in engine load and speed. |
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MAF Sensor (Mass Air flow) |
Measures the mass of air flowing into the intake manifold. |
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Baro Sensor (Barometric) |
Measures the air flow density. |
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Knock Sensor |
Measures the vibration caused by the spark knock. |
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ECM or PCM (Electronic or Power Control Module) |
A computer that controls the engine’s ignition and fuel injection. |
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Crank Sensor |
Measure the crank shaft position. |
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Measures the timing sequence of the injectors. |
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Coolant Temperature Sensor |
The computer sends a voltage to this sensor which then varies the voltage according to the coolant temperature. |
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Electronic Spark Module |
Controls the timing of the spark and to retard ignition timing when detonation occurs. |
The cooling system keeps the engine from overheating by continuously circulating antifreeze through the engine to keep the engine cool. It also provides heat to keep you warm in the winter. To keep your engine cool your thermostat opens when the engine reaches a certain temperature and allows the water pump to start pumping the coolant between the engine and the radiator. The coolant absorbs the heat from the engine then passes it around the radiator to be cooled off by the radiator fan. It is then pumped back to the engine to absorb more heat. It is vital that the cooling system works properly otherwise your car will overheat causing you to blow the head gasket or crack the engine cylinder head (both of which are very expensive repairs). If the temperature gauge in your car is in the red zone, it is very important that you immediately stop the car from running, to prevent serious damage. Never try to open a hot radiator cap to check the antifreeze level. This can result in serious burns. With proper routine maintenance your chances for this type of break down is minimized. If the defrost is not working when climbing steep hills, you may need the heating system serviced.
We typically recommend replacing the antifreeze every two years or 30,000 miles because after that time the antifreeze loses it’s effectiveness. Your antifreeze should be replaced by a professional because it needs to be sent for recycling much like your engine oil. In addition the pH level of the antifreeze has to be tested. We are equipped with a special machine that flushes the cooling system and we test the antifreeze with a pH tester.
Maintaining the proper fluid levels will extend the life of your vehicle. Here are a list of the fluids and the symptoms that occur when they are low:
Transmission Fluid: Transmission slips and whines.
Engine Oil: Warning light may come on or you hear engine tapping.
Power steering: Steering gets hard.
Master Cylinder: Reduced braking power or the warning light may come on.
Antifreeze: Car may run hot or there is a green fluid leak.
The fuel injection system delivers a mixture of air and fuel to the cylinders for combustion. To enhance the performance and fuel economy of your car we recommend cleaning the fuel injector system of your car as part of your routine tune-up. It is necessary to clean your injectors because dirt, pollution and carbon are constantly being formed on the intake valves of your fuel system and in the combustion area. Eventually these deposits will start to lower the performance of your vehicle causing it to have symptoms such as hesitation, lack of power, pinging of the engine, stalling when cold, jerky acceleration, rough idling or racing. To clean the injection system we have a special machine that flushes out the system with a special solvent which dissolves the carbon build ups, cleans the intake manifold and cleans the intake and exhaust valves. Your car will then experience increased fuel economy.
The steering system determines the direction that the car will go. Whenever you turn the steering wheel it rotates a gear which is part of the rack and pinion. At the end of the rack and pinion are the wheels with it’s support system of ball joints.
Typical steering problems include:
Our technicians can determine the source of your steering problem and either make an adjustment or replacement to the part.
The suspension system provides cushioning between the wheels of the car and the body to give you and your passengers a smooth ride from the rough surface of the roads. The suspension system consists of shocks or struts, springs and the various parts that support the suspension system.
Typical symptoms of suspension problems are:
Our technicians will put the car on a lift and thoroughly check the suspension system to determine what needs repair or adjustment.
The transmission system delivers the power that is created by the engine to the wheels and regulates the speed. The transmission is part of the power train system. It is literally considered a train of components carrying the power from one end of the car to the other. The engine provides the power which runs the car. How much power you have is determined by the number of cylinders you have. The transmission adapts the engine power to the road and load conditions by shifting to different gears as power is needed. With a manual transmission system, the driver decides which gear to be in and shifts it there and with an automatic transmission, the car’s transmission determines what gear to be in and shifts to it. After determining what gear to be in, the power is then transferred to the axles which then take it to the wheels. Common symptoms of transmission problems are: slipping when trying to change gears or not going into proper gear. Our technicians will analyze the problem and make a recommendation of what needs repair. Typically we don’t do transmissions but we can determine if it is a transmission problem and recommend a specialist. Sometimes the fluid level is just low. We do change clutches, axles, transmission fluids and replace pan gaskets and filters. We recommend changing the transmission fluid and replacing the pan gasket and filter every 30,000 miles or 2 years.
We are able to offer discount prices with local tow truck operators to have your car towed over to our shop. Call us first to get a recommendation. If you are a
A tune-up should be done as part of your regular maintenance routine. If you wait too long to have a tune-up you will start experiencing drivability problems. Waiting for your car to begin stalling or overheating may be too late for a tune-up to fix it. Keep in mind that a tune-up is not the cure for all problems. In some cases if the vehicle is not properly maintained, a tune-up may have to be done first before diagnosis can begin on what the real problem is. We recommend getting a tune-up once a year. A typical tune-up will include replacing the air filter, fuel filter, spark plugs, distributor cap and rotor, ignition wires, valve adjustment, oil change, PCV valve, cleaning the fuel injectors, checking the fuel levels and checking the ignition timing. The price of a tune-up varies with each car because the cost of each part is different for each car. Typically the more expensive the car; the more expensive the part. Our technicians will determine if you need a major tune-up or a minor tune-up. We have an electronic timing gun and a fuel injector cleaner to give you better service. We also have a computer diagnostic machine to trace other performance problems.
