Car Questions

Reasons Your Car Isn’t Driving Smoothly

If your ride to work or to pick up the kids isn't as smooth as it once was, it can be annoying. But, it can also be alarming. Because if your car isn't driving as smoothly as it once was, it may leave you wondering what has changed. Wear and tear are to be expected on your vehicle. After all, it takes you to a lot of different places. When that normal wear and tear is ignored, you start to have major issues (and some potential significant repairs). Common Reasons Your Car Isn't Driving Smoothly When your vehicle isn't operating as smoothly as it once was, that's a warning sign. Your car is telling you that something isn't quite right anymore, and it's time to take notice as it could be one of these common issues. Suspension Problems The struts and shocks in your vehicle's suspension system are your shock absorbers. Every time you go over a speed bump, hit a pothole, or encounter uneven ground, the suspension takes [...]

By |2021-10-20T14:18:23-06:00October 20th, 2021|Car Questions, Car Service & Maintenance, Car Tips, Damaged Car|0 Comments
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Vehicle Oxygen Sensors – What Do They Do?

Let's talk oxygen. Not only is it vital for humans, but your car also needs it to function as well. Without the optimal oxygen ratios, your vehicle isn't going to run at its top performance levels. That's where your car's oxygen sensors come in... What Does An Oxygen Sensor Do? Oxygen sensors optimize performance and emissions by monitoring the oxygen ratios in the exhaust system and reporting the Aforementioned to the P.C.M. (vehicle’s main computer). Too much oxygen read by the oxygen sensor is a lean mixture and generates nitrogen-oxide contaminants. Extremely lean conditions may cause overheating and engine damage. The opposite is known as a rich mixture and can cause pollution and an engine that misfires or runs rough. Oxygen levels vary from outside factors like altitude, temperature, load weight, engine temperature, barometric pressure, etc. Oxygen sensors will calculate the ratio of oxygen to fuel in the exhaust and communicate that information to your car's computer. The computer will then adjust the gasoline inputs based on the balance to keep it at optimal [...]

By |2021-09-22T11:40:28-06:00September 22nd, 2021|Car Parts, Car Questions|0 Comments
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Can Towing Hurt Your Vehicle?

From family road trips to moving furniture to needing a trailer for working purposes — most folks will find themselves towing something sometime in their lives. This leads us to the question: Is towing bad for your car? And the answer is, maybe. The severity of the damages range from expected wear to catastrophic depending on 1) your vehicle's towing capacity and 2) what you are towing. So, let's take a deeper dive into that question. Can Towing Hurt Your Vehicle? Towing causes additional strain on your vehicle, from the engine to your brakes. So, it will slowly wear on your engine over time, no matter your vehicle or trailer. However, some big things will lead to faster wear and more substantial damage. Towing with an Underpowered Car While your car is a machine, it doesn't mean that you can expect the world of it, and it just happens. When towing an RV or trailer, you want to make sure it's something your car's engine and transmission can handle. [...]

By |2021-07-22T14:24:11-06:00July 22nd, 2021|Car Questions, Car Tips, Road Trips|0 Comments
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Car Fluid Leaks – What’s Leaking From My Car?

Almost every driver has asked this question. When you walk out to get in your car and notice a leak, it is not a pleasant experience. But you don’t have to panic. We will discuss different types of leaks and what they mean for your car so that you can deal with the leak with confidence and make the right decisions depending on the leak. Before you do anything else, keep in mind that many leaks are oil-based and will last for a while. You should get down and check that the leak was coming from your car and didn’t come from a parked vehicle in that spot before your car was. If you don’t see any leaks under your vehicle, then you are in the clear. If you do find a leak, you will need more information. The next step is to place a piece of paper or cardboard under the leak to get an idea of the color of the leak. Paper is the best option since the color will show more [...]

By |2020-12-28T15:43:23-06:00December 28th, 2020|Car Questions, Damaged Car|0 Comments
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Different Gasoline Types & What’s Right for Your

Have you ever pulled up to the gas pump and wondered which of the gasoline types you should put in your car? Did you end up choosing the cheapest option because you had no idea what the difference was? If so, you are not alone. 73% of U.S. drivers choose gas based on price. While price is an important consideration, it will benefit you to have a better understanding of what type of gasoline you are putting in your car and why. Gasoline Types There are generally four options for fueling your vehicle. The three most common gasoline fueling options are: unleaded, mid-grade, and premium — have one main difference: the octane grade. The octane grade or rating is based on how much oxygen is in the fuel. The higher the octane grade, the more resistant an engine is to knocking. Knocking is a rattling or pinging sound that results from premature ignition of the compressed fuel-air mixture in one or more cylinders. This can cause serious damage to [...]

By |2020-10-15T13:08:28-06:00October 15th, 2020|Car Questions|0 Comments
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Why is My Car Shaking?

Ever drive down a paved road, but it feels like you're driving down a washboard, gravel road? Or maybe you feel your arms starting to go numb from your car shaking? Not only is it annoying, but it's also a sign that something is wrong with your vehicle. But what exactly? Let's take a look at a few common problems that could be causing your car to shake. Why Is My Car Shaking? The answer is, it could be several things — some that require immediate attention. So, it's always important to confirm your suspicions with your local auto repair shop. But to get you started, here are just a few things that leave your car shaking and you wondering why. 1) Unbalanced Tires or Unevenly Worn Tires As your points of contact with the road, something off with your tires can certainly cause your car to vibrate. If your tires are unbalanced (sometimes caused by hitting a pothole or driving on bumpy roads), you may notice a [...]

By |2020-08-25T11:27:10-06:00August 25th, 2020|Car Questions, Damaged Car|0 Comments
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Synthetic Oil Versus Conventional Oil

These days, you'll most often see "full synthetic oil" or "synthetic blend" on your oil change receipt. What is that? Before synthetic, there was conventional oil. Over time, after research and advancing technology, conventional oil has begun to be phased out. So, what's the difference between the two engine oils? What is Synthetic Oil? It's oil, but instead of being just naturally made, it takes a bit of work.  Synthetic motor oil combines a base oil, powder additives, and carrier oil. Both synthetic and conventional oils use refined crude oils, but the difference comes with the artificially made additives and a higher level of refinement found in synthetic oils. Full synthetic is the purest, with the highest level of refinement for the base oil and additives. However, there is no industry standard, so the levels of refinement range between the different manufacturers. Rarely is anything every fully "full synthetic." Benefits of Synthetic Engine Oil Overall, synthetic engine oils (compared to conventional oils) reduce sludge build-up, lower friction between [...]

By |2020-06-08T16:05:57-06:00June 8th, 2020|Car Questions|0 Comments
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My ABS Warning Light is On, What Does that Mean?

As drivers, we may be accustomed to a few dashboard lights. Perhaps it's the "high-beams" light when you're driving dark, unlit roads, the "tire pressure" indicator on cold mornings, or even the "low gas" light when you're feeling brave. But, what about the ABS warning light? Anyone see that one lately? What Does ABS Stand For? Over the years, cars add more and more safety features. And in vehicles manufactured during or after the 1990s, those safety features include the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS). ABS has one purpose: keeping your tires from locking at the same time when braking. This technology allows your vehicle to keep a grip on the pavement instead of skidding and sliding. This especially helps in situations where grip is already reduced, like on wet pavement or dirt roads. While you don't think about it until you need it, you always want the ABS ready to spring into action. So, when you see your ABS warning light on, it's essential to take notice. My ABS [...]

By |2020-03-19T14:57:49-06:00March 19th, 2020|Car Parts, Car Questions|0 Comments
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How Do Anti-Lock Brakes Work?

Cars today have many safety features, from lane change assist to rearview cameras and even to self-driving vehicles. Even if your vehicle isn’t the newest model, chances are you have at least one or more of the modern safety features — including anti-lock brakes. Starting in the 1990s, the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) became a standard among the safety features in all modern cars. And for a good reason! Every time you drive, you use your brakes. Anti-Lock brakes changed the way your car reacts when you have to stop quickly and forcefully. In short, ABS keeps your vehicle’s wheels from all locking up at the same time. A car does not automatically stop just because all four tires have stopped spinning. Instead, the vehicle keeps its momentum, throwing the vehicle into a skid or a spinning motion, causing the driver to lose control of the car potentially. One of the critical features of this braking system is that it allows your car to maintain its grip on the pavement, safely bringing your vehicle [...]

By |2019-06-06T12:21:23-06:00June 6th, 2019|Car Parts, Car Questions|0 Comments
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9 Questions to Ask Your Car Mechanic

Taking your car into a professional for maintenance is just part of owning a car. There’s no way around it. You may know your mechanic like a family friend, or you could be getting to know them. In either case, there are questions to ask your mechanic to gain the confidence that your auto professional will take the best care of your car. A little bit of knowledge goes a long way and allows you to make the right decisions for you and your car. So let's look at a few questions to ask your mechanic that will go a long way. Questions to Ask Your Mechanic 1. Have you worked on my car’s make and model before? This one is especially true if you are seeing a new mechanic. Sometimes mechanic shops only work on certain types of cars. If you have a foreign car or maybe one that is a little older, you should be aware of the mechanic’s experience and abilities with your particular make, model [...]

By |2020-03-04T11:18:20-06:00April 18th, 2019|Car Questions, Car Service & Maintenance|0 Comments
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