Seasonal Damage & Vehicle Repair

April 29, 2018October 29, 2024 in Blog, Seasonal Vehicle Repair, Uncategorizedby Chris

Spring is here, at least according to the calendar. Has the winter weather and salt-covered roads taken a toll on your vehicle? If so, this is a great time to go ahead and get necessary vehicle repair. Here are some seasonal factors that can cause damage to your vehicle:

Vehicle Repairs related to ICE:

One of many driver’s most dreaded weather phenomena is ice…

It’s not only dangerous on the road, but it can cause damage when it freezes and cakes on your vehicle.

During the winter months when your vehicle is covered in ice, try removing it with your hands, if at all possible. If that doesn’t do the trick, start the car and let the heater slowly melt the ice. Unfortunately, there is no way to instantaneously make the ice on your vehicle disappear. It’s a good idea to plan ahead during the winter months and allow yourself a little extra time to ready your vehicle and melt ice that accumulates on your vehicle.

Of course, keep in mind, ice scrapers are only meant for use on vehicle windows! Although time and time again, many drivers use ice scrapers on other parts of their vehicle, for instance the body. Doing so can easily cause damage to a vehicle’s paint. Thus requiring costly vehicle repair. Getting a vehicle painted isn’t cheap. Accidentally scraping paint off your vehicle’s body leaves bare metal exposed. Ultimately bare metal leads to rust.

One of the worst possible ways to melt ice on the windows is to pour hot water on them. This can cause the glass to shatter, and you’ll then end up having shattered glass and water refreeze on your driveway. Cleaning up that mess is not a pleasant experience. Nor is your vehicle repair bill for a replacement windshield. Be certain to NEVER use hot water to melt ice on your vehicle.

SALT Related Vehicle Repairs:

During a winter storm, we breathe a sigh of relief when we see a salt and sand truck doing its job. Because that means all the nasty snow and ice on the road will soon disappear. However, we also know one negative result will be the potential damage an entire winter season of salted roads can do to our vehicles.

Because salt is extremely corrosive, it can cause rust on the exterior of your vehicle. At the very least, rust gives your car an unsightly appearance.

The effects of salt can be much more serious when there’s damage to the subframe underneath the vehicle…

The problem only worsens when you park your vehicle in the garage. All the snow, ice and salt that have accumulated then begin eating away at the frame, coil springs, exhaust, and muffler systems.

Another serious effect of road salt is damage to hydraulic brakes. This can lead to dangerous leaks. If you notice salt damage in the brake area, don’t hesitate get your vehicle repaired at a professional auto repair shop. At Cloverdale Auto, we’ll check your brake system to make sure it’s safe and working properly.

Vehicle Repair Issues Related To “Hitting A Pothole”:

Now that it’s spring, drivers have another challenge to face: The very dreaded……pothole…

Potholes form when ice and running water weaken or displace the soil base underneath the pavement. This then causes it to crack or chip away as vehicles drive over the area. The holes grow larger and larger with time and traffic.

Not all potholes cause immediate blowouts. It’s possible your tire might have tread separation or sidewall bulges. Tread separation appears as large cracks between the sidewall and tread sections. Minor cracks need to be monitored for additional damage, but wide cracks require immediate replacement of the tire.

You might not even notice a bulge immediately after it occurs. However, you should replace the tire once you realize the bulge is there. A bulge results when air enters the internal layers of the tire and eventually reaches the outer layer where it collects as it attempts to escape to the outside. The bulge strains the interior cords and weakens the tire, which can cause an unsuspected blowout.

If you happen to hit a large pothole, it’s a good idea to bring it to a professional. Doing so will give you the peace of mind that there’s no major damage requiring immediate vehicle repair.

Hitting the hard angles of a pothole can also bend, chip or crack your wheel. You’ll likely detect a chip because it appears as a chunk missing from the area of the junction between the rim and tire. A crack, however, can be a nearly-invisible hairline fracture along the circumference of the wheel or in a spoke. In either case, take it to a professional mechanic, like Cloverdale Auto Service, to have the rim replaced.

A sudden impact with a pothole can also cause suspension problems, such as misalignment or broken ball joints, shocks or struts. Loose handling may be indicative of any of these problems. Unusual sounds or vibrations could indicate broken ball joints, shocks or struts. As experienced mechanics, we at Cloverdale Auto can inspect your vehicle’s entire suspension system to check for any and all of these problems.

Tire Maintenance Woman Checking Car Tire Pressure Using Gauge

4 Simple Tire Maintenance Tips All Drivers Should Know

March 17, 2018October 29, 2024 in Blog, Car Tips, Maintenance, Uncategorizedby Chris

The tires on your vehicle are critical to its safety as well as its performance. All drivers should know simple tire maintenance. Doing so will keep your tires functioning at their best and will also make them last longer. It will significantly lessen your chances of getting flat tires, skidding, and other tire emergencies.

⇒ Check The Tread On Your Tires

One of the most important steps you should know for tire maintenance involves checking the tread on them. Tread helps the tires grip the road. It can be incredibly important during inclement weather. It prevents the car from skidding and sliding on wet or icy roadways.

To check the tread on your tires, you can insert a upside down quarter into the tire grooves. If you can see George Washington’s head, the tread on the tire is too low, meaning that you will need to replace the tire soon. If you cannot see Washington’s head, the tread is sufficient for safe driving.

You should check the tread on your tires every month or before you embark on a long car journey. This preventative tire maintenance tip can help you avoid being in an accident or not being able to control the car in bad weather.

⇒ Check Your Tire Pressure

You should also check the pressure in all four tires at least once a month or before you take a long road trip. The tires should have the required weight of air in them. You can find the amount recommended for the tires on your car by looking on the inside of your car door or in your car owner’s manual.

You should check the tire pressure first thing in the morning when the air inside of the tires is stable and cool. Maintaining the right amount of air in the tires is critical for being able to control the car on wet surfaces. Proper air pressure helps the tires grip the road and prevents the car from slipping and sliding on slick roads.

⇒ Rotate Your Tires

Another preventative tire maintenance tip to keep in mind when you want to take the best care of your tires involves having them rotated on a regular basis. Ideally, you should have the tires rotated every 5000 to 7000 miles. Rotating the tires helps all four of them wear at the same pace.

Further, when you buy new tires, you should have them placed on the back axles rather than on the front. Putting new tires on the back axles makes the car easier to handle in all types of road conditions. It also reduces the likelihood of the rear part of the car losing traction and spinning out of control when you are driving on slick road surfaces.

⇒ Balance & Align Your Tires

Finally another tire maintenance tip , you should have your tire balanced and aligned on a regular basis. Balancing and aligning the tires prevents them from wearing out too quickly. It also prevents the car from pulling to one side while you are driving it.

Many people schedule their tire balancing and alignment at the same time as their oil changes. You should ideally have the tires balanced and aligned every 3000 to 9000 miles or whenever you buy new tires for your vehicle.

The tires on your car can last longer and perform better when you take care of them. Simple tire maintenance does not require a lot of money or effort. Simple measures like checking the tread and tire pressure can go a long way in maintaining the tires properly and ensuring that your car is safe to drive at all times.

Scheduled Maintenance the Path to 200,000 Miles

February 12, 2018October 29, 2024 in Maintenance, Uncategorizedby Chris

Cars, trucks, and SUV’s last longer today than in earlier times. The average age of an auto on the road in 1995 was eight years. Today, the average is about 11 years. People are getting more from the cars today than ever before. There are many factors such as advances in electronics, design, and engine technology. Some things do not change but grow in importance. More than earlier times, the key to a vehicle that lasts is keeping up with the regular scheduled maintenance. As well as, ensuring you get quality repairs when necessary.

⇒ What is Regular Scheduled Maintenance? ⇐

The guide to regular scheduled maintenance has two parts, the manufacturers recommended service and schedule, and the adaptation you must make to suit your driving style, habits, and pattern of usage. You can help keep your car in great shape by using the proper instructions. If you do a lot of city driving, then you should apply the schedule that covers heavy usage. Similarly, if you live in a hot or cold area, you should account for the conditions such as cold weather starts that can cause excessive wear.

→ The Manufacturer

The manufacturer’s recommendations come with the vehicle instructions and are often available online. They indicate the recommended mileage intervals for routine steps like oil changes and inspections. The adaptation will require the help of a knowledgeable automotive technician. Some little-noticed steps advised by manufacturers could play an important role in avoiding big repairs. For example, keeping tires inflated properly is important to tire tread life, but also to the delicate steering, alignment, and suspension balance.

Electronics are a growing part of the manufacturer’s equipment that helps the car keep track of its condition, The network of sensors and the on board control computer run the car and also detect signs of problems. The check engine light activates its alarms when sensors send information to the computer.

→ The Technician

In 1995, the average automotive repair worker would have been a certified mechanic. He and she would have a lot of formal training and a lot more time under the hood developing an ear for bad noises and an eye for the beginnings of excessive wear. Today, a qualified technician must add familiarity with on board computers, software, and electronic diagnosis.

Vehicle scheduled maintenance is the key to getting long, productive life from your automobile. It is a significant investment for most car owners, and getting the most out of the purchase is a key to financial well-being as well as safe and happy driving experience. You must have an excellent technician as your partner in long-term scheduled maintenance.

→ Quality Parts

You must act with the idea that you will keep your car for a long time. You can add accessories that make it more comfortable and useful, and items that may have come after you bought your car such as backup cameras. When parts wear or need to be replaced, then it is critical to get the right replacement parts. The right parts include getting high-quality parts when replacements occur, and not settling for temporary type fixes and a keeping a regular scheduled maintenance.

⇒ Owner and Technician Teamwork ⇐

Owners can help the technician hone in on any trouble spots. A great habit all vehicle owners should strive for is to increase awareness of their vehicle’s condition. For instance, owners should look at the ground after parking for some hours to see if there are signs of oil or fluid leaks. You can open the hood occasionally and look for signs of wear in the belts and hoses.

When operating your vehicle, you may hear here odd sounds or detect an unusual odor. These are important pieces of information for your technician. You should note the conditions in which these events occur such as speed or how long you have been driving. Noting information about the condition of the vehicle can help the technicians pinpoint the source of the problem. This habit can help find problems and also reduce the costs of repairs.

⇒ The Path to 200,000 Miles and More ⇐

Modern vehicles have a great potential for long life, and 100,000 miles is no longer the general limitation for carefree driving. Your vehicle can go far beyond, and the electronic and computer-based scheduled maintenance helps the driver play a vital role in early detection of problems. Once your vehicle achieves the scheduled maintenance for 100,000 miles or more, then you should engage your mechanic and technician on a schedule for maintenance that incorporates the vehicle age, mechanical condition, weather conditions, and driving pattern.

You and your automotive technician should add additional inspections or things to watch based on all the available facts. Today’s automobiles have advanced oils, lubricants, rust proofing, and wear resistant finishes. When added to an involved owner working with a well-trained and knowledgeable technician, then you have a path to 200,000 miles and beyond.

Repairing a Hybrid Vehicle Safely

October 11, 2017October 29, 2024 in Blog, Car Tips, Uncategorizedby Chris

The technology with vehicles are improving each year, and because of the introduction of hybrid vehicles during the early 1990s and the threat of carbon emission to the environment, many people are considering hybrid vehicles as their mode of transport. Hybrid vehicles are types of vehicles that use two sources of power. In some vehicles, there can be more than two sources of power, and it gives better performance and fuel economy to the vehicle. Hybrid vehicles have multiple sources of their power. One of the most abundant sources of power for hybrid vehicles would be coal & wood, natural gas, gasoline, hydrogen energy, solar energy and wind energy.

Hybrid vehicles ranges from two wheeled hybrids, heavy vehicles which include buses, and rail transport which is being used on all modern rail roads in the planet. Many people are already in the possession of several hybrid vehicles, and the leading names in the world of hybrid made-vehicles are currently Toyota Prius and Chevrolet Volt.

Hybrid vehicles are said to have an amazing performance compared to their regular counterparts. Thus, whenever the vehicle breaks down, it is highly suggested that it should be taken to a professional technician to have it checked. Hybrid vehicles have a complicated system that I full of electrical charges, and it would be unsafe for someone without proper training to go through it because of the risk of electrocution.

Some owners are lucky enough to find treasures on second hand auto shops. There are many sedans which are working perfectly fine that can be found in second hand auto shops just because their engine has a head gasket which has blown, and their owners have lost trust in their performance, even if these vehicles can still register high fuel economy.

Dealers usually sell these vehicles for lower price, without the potential buyer suspecting that these vehicles are actually hybrid ones which would require special training and handling in order to be fixed. Those who had a similar experience of seeing a tempting offer at the dealership often become surprised once the used vehicle reaches their garage. These auto enthusiasts are 100% ready to do the job, until they opened the hood and see a warning that says how dangerous the task would be. Then they would realize that the vehicle is hybrid, and repairing it by themselves poses a risk of injury or death.

The most recommended thing that can be advised to an individual having issues with their hybrid vehicles is by taking them into the dealership or a certified auto repair shop. Hybrid vehicles have a computer system which can be scanned using a diagnostic tool, and it can display the error that the vehicle is currently experiencing. Dealerships and auto repair shops also has trained technicians which have studied and have undergone training to handle these types of concerns. It would be best if the issue with the vehicle is left with the technicians because they are certified to do the job.

Aside from the certification that they have which proves how competent they are with fixing hybrid vehicles, these technicians also know where to handle the vehicle safely so injury and death can be prevented. Many car owners who own hybrid vehicles would sometimes reason out that taking the vehicle to the dealership or an auto repair shop would be costly, and they would just waste their time and energy. However, they do not know the full risk of taking the solution into their own hands.

People should be thoroughly informed how dangerous fixing a hybrid vehicle is without the supervision of a professional. Repairing the hybrid car at home is possible, although it is not recommended. One could have serious injuries while doing it, and because of the high charges of the battery on a hybrid vehicle, one can also be electrocuted. Some people who are facing up the risk use different tools and items when fixing their vehicle by themselves. They would use rubber gloves to prevent being shocked by electricity, and they would seek assistance from another person to perform the task.

Hybrid cars are said to be the future of transportation. With the rate of how nations consume energy and gasoline, a futuristic peak oil scenario is not impossible to happen – which is why governments are encouraging their citizens to use vehicles that have the ability to save a lot of energy. Hybrid cars, with the kind of system that they have, can actually save a lot of fuel and it would become a huge relief especially for families which have a lower budget reserved for petroleum.

Hybrid vehicles also promote a good environment, as they emit lesser carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. More hybrid vehicles are expected to be manufactured in the future, because more people are becoming interested on how they work and how they can save fuel.