Car Questions

Fuel Injectors and Signs They Aren’t Working Well

We all know that we have to stop at the gas station when the gauge creeps towards empty to keep our car moving. But, do you know what happens with that fuel once it enters your vehicle? The job of distributing the gas to your engines falls on the fuel injectors. And their job is not as simple as stop and go. How Do Fuel Injectors Work? Your vehicle's injectors have the vital task of delivering fuel from your gas tank to your engine. And it all comes down to the timing. Fuel injectors inject the ideal amount of fuel into the combustion chamber at just the right time. They are commanded by the vehicle’s PCM (Powertrain Control Module) or computer. Allowing the correct mixture of air-to-fuel, creates the perfect condition for combustion and keeps your car running well. Controlled by a computer, there is one fuel injector per cylinder in modern vehicles. Initially, injectors sprayed gas into the intake manifold. Moving to your car's cylinders helps your vehicle's [...]

By |2021-10-08T10:43:43-06:00October 8th, 2021|Car Parts|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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Stop Driving on Empty

We’ve all been there before. Your car’s gas light has just turned on. You could stop to get gas, but you could also put it off until the next time you go out. You may have lived out this exact scenario dozens of times. However, you may not realize how damaging and dangerous this can be. Continue reading to learn why you should stop driving on an empty gas tank right away. Reasons to Stop Driving on Empty You May Damage Your Car The first danger of driving on empty is to your car. Several different essential parts can be damaged by continuously driving with low gas. The first is the catalytic converter, which is a part of your car’s fuel system. When you drive on empty, you run the risk of stalling out. This can be very damaging to a catalytic converter and may ultimately make you need to replace or repair the part. You may also cause damage to your car’s fuel pump while driving on empty. [...]

By |2020-06-23T13:28:53-06:00June 23rd, 2020|Car Tips|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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Signs of an Overheating Car and What to Do

Imagine this. 'You're driving down I-69 in rush hour on a hot summer day, and you start to notice your 'car's acting funny. You look down at the instrument cluster and see that the temperature gauge is indicating that your engine is hotter than usual. You really 'don't want to pull over because the interstate is busy and you want to get home. What do you do? Unfortunately, an overheating car is a real possibility, and there are right and wrong ways to respond to this scenario. 'Let's take a look at some things that can cause your car to overheat and what you should do if you notice those issues. Tell-Tale Signs of an Overheating Car You 'can't always predict when you will run into car trouble, and an overheating car is no exception. Luckily, there are some signs that can help you recognize when your 'car's engine is too hot. 1.   Temperature Gauge We used the temperature gauge as the example in the scenario above. Your temperature [...]

By |2019-08-06T11:08:09-06:00August 6th, 2019|Auto Care, Car Tips|0 Comments
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