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Hot weather combined with the busy summer travel season means your tires will get a workout and some won’t survive the stress.
June 5th through the 11th is National Tire Safety Week and a good time to remind motorists to check their tires for proper inflation, wear, or damage before you head out on the roads.
From 2005-2009, nearly 3,400 people died and about 116,000 were injured in tire-related crashes. Many such crashes are preventable with periodic tire checks, particularly before a long trip in hot temperatures. Tires are more susceptible to stress from heat, especially if they are not fully inflated.
Here are some checks to make to ensure your tires are ready for summer’s challenges.
• Find out how much to inflate your tires by checking the air pressure recommendations listed on the placard on the driver’s door jamb or inside the glove compartment or fuel-filler door.
• Inspect your tires and replace them if you see cracks, cuts, or bulges.
• Look for uneven or excessive tread wear. Place a quarter upside down in a tire groove. The distance from the coin’s rim to George Washington’s hairline is about 1/8 inch. If you see all of his head in any one groove where a tread-wear indicator appears, consider shopping for new tires. Certainly, any groove worn to 1/16 inch, the distance between, the top of Lincoln’s head to the edge on a penny, should warrant tire replacement.
• The sidewall of the tire can tell you how old your tires are—some automobile manufacturers recommend replacing tires after six years, but as a rule of thumb any tires over 10 years old should be replaced regardless of wear. Read your vehicle owner’s manual for more tips on tire care.
Another benefit of properly inflated tires is an increase in fuel economy. In a vehicle with a fuel-economy rating of 30 miles per gallon and a 35 PSI tire pressure recommendation, a 25 percent drop in tire pressure would cut fuel economy by 8.8 percent. Remember, even a modest drop in tire pressure can impact handling, braking, and overall safety
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Summer can be the most challenging season for automotive cooling systems. Vacations with long drives to distant places means carefree time for car owners, but hard work for engines and cooling systems. In the summer, engines often hit peak operating temperatures due to stress from the air conditioning system and extended running times during long trips. The result can be overheating if the cooling system does not operate efficiently.
The cooling system performs multitude of functions such as removing excess heat from the engine, maintaining efficient temperature and allowing engine to perform its task within a short span of time. Ideally, automobile cooling system keeps the engine running at an optimum temperature whatever the operating conditions are. Automobile Cooling System consists of components or equipment installed in vehicles for removing heat from all the moving parts so that they can work suitably without melting, seizing and overheating. More specifically, automotive cooling system makes use of coolant, lubricating oil and fan to maintain and regulate the temperature of other parts of an engine.
Have your cooling system checked for carefree summer travel. The following components of your cooling system should be inspected.
• Hoses – Radiator hoses deteriorate in normal use from flexing, vibration, high temperatures and chemicals in the coolant. Replace hoses that are cracked or brittle. Feel the hoses and replace any that are hardened or swollen, since they could fail at any time.
• Pressure cap – Not just a radiator cap anymore, it pressurizes the system, raising the coolant’s boiling point to prevent overheating. Replace the cap if the gasket is cut or looks brittle. Check the spring with a pressure cap tester and replace the cap if it cannot hold the rated pressure.
• Coolant – Flush the cooling system any time the coolant appears contaminated. Be sure coolant is at the specified level.
• Drive belt(s) – Drive belts can become loose and slip, causing a variety of problems. They should be inspected and replaced regularly, as recommended by the manufacturer. Inspect by twisting each belt to expose the underside and look for glazing or fraying, fatigue cracks and other signs of deterioration. Replace belts with these symptoms. Belt tension should also be checked. Press down on the belt about midway between the pulleys. It should deflect from 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch. Caution: Over-tightened belts can cause water pump bearing damage. Use a belt tension gauge for a more accurate reading. Then adjust to spec.
• Fan blades – Look for cracks, bent blades and loose rivets. Never straighten a bent blade; instead, replace the fan. If the straightness of a blade is in question, remove the fan and lay it down on a flat surface. Replace the fan if any blade is more than 3/32 of an inch high.
• Fan clutch – Make three checks: One, look for “oily” streaks on the fan clutch housing. They are easy to spot because they attract dirt. The streaks usually indicate a silicone leak from the fan clutch. Replace the unit. Two, check the clutch bearing. Grasp fan blades opposite each other (three o’clock and nine o’clock positions, for instance) and try to move the fan and clutch assembly from side to side. Tip movement in excess of 1/4 of an inch indicates a worn clutch bearing. Replace the unit. Three, bring the engine up to operating temperature and turn it off. Spin the fan blade with one finger. If the fan rotates more than two turns, the fan clutch is freewheeling and the unit should be replaced.
• The Water Pump The water pump is often called the heart of the cooling system since it maintains coolant flow. Though today’s water pumps routinely last tens of thousands of miles when supplied by a reputable manufacturer and properly installed as part of a well maintained cooling system, they are often victims of misdiagnoses and premature replacement.
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According to Ridelust there are five common mistakes that even experienced drivers make, most likely because they simply don’t know better. These tips won’t shave time off your daily commute but they might help you avoid an accident or a costly repair bill.
Using cruise control in the rain – Cruise control is made to be used on dry, paved roads only. Different levels of traction between the left and right drive wheels and the use of cruise control can suddenly turn or spin the car. Rain on pavement causes oil to rise to the surface, turning ordinary asphalt into the the traction equivalent of black ice. When you turn on your wipers, turn off your cruise control.
Overdriving your headlights – Beyond about 50 mph, even high beam lights dont provide sufficient illumination to allow for effective vision. On a dark road at 70 mph you have about zero chance of missing that deer when he decides to bolt in front of your car. Always adjust your speed to match conditions and your knowledge of the road, and always expect the unexpected.
Pumping your brakes – In the days before ABS, dirvers were often told to “pump your brakes” to avoid locking them. If your car has ABS your best bet for stopping in the shortest distance is to floor the brake pedal as hard as you can. On modern cars, pumping the brakes will deplete any vacuum asssisted brake boost the car has; in other words pumping the brakes will generally make them weaker. ABS allows you to steer as you brake.
Riding your clutch – Ask someone if they rest their left foot on the clutch pedal while driving and almost every manual transmission driver will say “not me”. Some drivers can go over 100K miles with a clutch, while others replace the clutch every 10K-20K miles. To extend the life of your clutch never let your left foot ride on the clutch pedal unless you are shifting gears. Chances are you may not even realize you are doing it. Are you guilty?
Checking tire pressure hot – Checking tire pressure in many ways is as critical as checking oil yet most drivers simply ignore both tasks. Incorrect tire pressure can lead to premature tire wear. Follow your owners manual or door sticker as a guide to cold inflation tire pressure. If you don’t mind a slightly harsher ride it’s usually ok to go a few pounds over the manufacturer recommendations. Front wheel drive cars should carry more tire pressure up front, simply because there’s more weight on the front wheels. Always check tire pressure cold, after the car has sat for at least three hours.
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As the warmer weather days approach us, we think about washing our vehicles. Yes, in these busy times, between work, family and the season, a clean car just seems to be more important to us when the weather turns nice. But the quick and easy way isn’t good for your car.
A discount on a car wash at a gas station seems good, but what about your vehicle’s paint? Filling up with that high dollar gas and getting a few bucks off a car wash seems like a deal. Just a quick run thru since you are always so busy. Are you sure you want to do that? Many of these gas stations and drive thru car washes do not maintain or clean the brushes that wash your vehicle, especially high volume car washes that promote quick detailing. Many vehicles develop swirl mark or spiderweb scratches on their vehicle after excess use of these automated car washes. A simple hand wash and dry is affordable, and is beneficial – if done right! Grab a bucket, a wash mitt along with a mild soap that is safe for your cars finish and a chamois to dry it with. The weather is getting gorgeous! Get outside and hand wash your car, you will save even more while you enjoy the day! If you get really inspired, the cooler days of Spring is perfect weather for waxing your car too.
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Nothing else will induce panic more than a vehicle’s rising t emperature gauge into the red zone. When your car overheats into that dreaded red zone you are at risk for permanent engine damage.
What causes this to happen and how can it be avoided?
Most vehicles today are designed in a way that liquid is circulated in a way that helps to cool your engine. This liquid is cooled by air movement through your grill and with a fan designed for this purpose. If any part of the cooling system malfunctions, the result is an overheating of your engine. Some of the common causes could be a fan motor that has stopped working, low fluid levels, blocked cooling lines or a thermostat that is no longer working. Also, if your oil level is extremely low or dirty it can prevent the vehicle from maintaining proper temperature.
Properly maintaining your vehicle and periodically checking the fluid levels can prevent overheating problems that might leave you stranded. Check the coolant reservoir to make sure the coolant fluid is at the proper level and is clean. Check the oil to also make sure that the oil level is within the designated marks on your dipstick. If your oil is very dark or dirty its time for an oil change. Periodically check that your coolant lines and hoses and radiator cap do not show any signs of leakage.
Despite your best efforts if your vehicle starts overheating while you are driving, don’t panic, there are several things you can do to help bring the temperature down to normal levels.
*Turn the air conditioning off.
* Turn the heat on full blast to help lower the engine temperature.
* Slow down and get your car safely off the highway
* Do not open your radiator pressure cap (the cap on top of the radiator) while the engine is hot. Doing so is very likely to release a high pressure combination of steam and radiator fluid that can cause very serious burns.
* Check the coolant level and add coolant (or water in a pinch) if it’s low.
* Get your car into a service facility as soon as possible. In overheating situations it’s often better to call a tow truck than to risk engine damage.
Overheating can be catastrophic for your cars engine but can usually be avoided by properly maintaining your vehicle and keeping a watchful eye on that temperature gauge while driving. Proper maintenance and quick thinking can help reduce engine damage.
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Most drivers have at some point been frustrated by the Check Engine Light in their car. Your driving along in your car and suddenly a yellow light illuminates on your dash telling you to check or service your engine. If you’re like most car owners, you are not sure what this light is telling you or exactly how you should react.
The “Check Engine Light” is the most misunderstood indicator on your dashboard, and can mean many different things from a loose gas cap to a seriously misfiring engine. The Check Engine Light is part of the On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) system which monitors vehicle performance, regulating such variables as engine speed (RPM), fuel mixture and ignition timing. In some cars the computer also tells the automatic transmission when to shift.
When the computer finds a problem in the electronic control system that it can’t correct the computer turns on the “Check Engine Light”. In addition to turning on the light the computer stores a trouble code in its memory that identifies the source of the problem such as a malfunctioning sensor or misfiring engine.
The Warning Signs: When to Ignore and When to Take Action
- A light that stays on briefly and then goes off can most likely be ignored.
- A constant ON Check Engine Light, in the absence of other symptoms, could be an emissions failure which could be anything from a loose gas cap to a bad oxygen sensor or indicate a failure withing your emission system. This condition should be diagnosed as soon as you can get your car into the repair shop.
- When the Check Engine Light flashes the problem could be major and result in serious damage to your car. STOP and pull over immediately and get your car to a professional to have the problem diagnosed.
Exactly what your “Check Engine Light” looks like depends on the make, model and year of your car. It may be labeled “Check Engine”, “Service Engine Soon” or “Check Powertrain” or it may even be nothing more than a picture of an engine with the word “Check” .
Pinnacle Automotive Service can diagnose your check engine light and make any needed repairs to get you back on the road quickly and safely. We also offer local towing service in the Greater Raleigh area if you get stranded.
Source: consumerguide.org
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Pinnacle Automotive Service of Raleigh, NC has been awarded the prestigious 2010 Angie’s List Super Service Award, an honor bestowed annually on approximately 5 percent of all the companies rated on the nation’s leading provider of consumer reviews on local service companies.
“Our Super Service Award winners are the cream of the crop when it comes to providing consistently high quality customer service, as judged by the customers who hired them,” said Angie Hicks, founder of Angie’s List.
Angie’s List Super Service Award winners have met strict eligibility requirements including earning a minimum number of reports, an exemplary rating from their customers and abiding by the Angie’s List operational guidelines.
Service company ratings are updated daily on Angie’s List, but members can find the 2010 Super Service Award Log next to company names in search results on AngiesList.com.
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Now that the weather has turned warm auto maintenance is the last thing on your mind, but it’ll jump to the front pretty quickly if you’re on the side of the road. Perform some simple auto maintenance procedures and you’ll thank yourself in the end.
Coolant Flush The coolant in your radiator doesn’t last forever. Over time it can break down and start to corrode the inside of your radiator. This can lead to cooling problems and radiator repair. A radiator flush once a year is cheap insurance against radiator repairs.
Replace your air filter. You should replace your air filter twice a year, so now’s a good time to get that job out of the way. A clean air filter will promote better fuel economy as well.
Check your battery. Corrosion is very likely to build up during winter weather driving. Check your battery posts and cables to ensure you’ll have no starting problems.
Tire Check. You should rotate your tires at least every other oil change to prevent uneven wear. Incorrect tire pressure is the leading cause of premature tire wear so while your at it check your tire pressure too.
Inspect your brakes It’s a good idea to inspect your brakes twice a year just to be sure everything is working order. Car safety should always be a top priority. Have the condition of your brake fluid checked while you’re at it.
Check your oil Check the fluid level of your oil regularly and have your oil changed every 3.000 miles for conventional oil and every 7500 miles for synthetic oil.
Keeping up with these few small and inexpensive maintenance items on your car will make your vehicle more reliable and save you money on costly repairs.
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According to Edmonds Just like we suspected, the auto market is changing. Call it environmental awareness, call it regulatory pressure, call it old-fashioned economics. But by and large, call it inevitable: that most American of inventions – the V8 – is quickly being supplanted by smaller, more peppery engines as the auto industry marches to the latest beat of “downsizing.”
Ford announced today that it will produce three new engines using its Ecoboost concept of combining direct fuel injection with turbocharging and variable camshaft timing to boost the specific output of smaller-displacement engines. Ecoboost engines will be deployed for two vehicles that long represented the heart of the V8 market: the F-150 pickup and the 2011 Explorer. The third new Ecoboost engine variant is a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder for the European C-Max mini-minivan. Based on the new Focus compact-car platform, the C-Max is coming to the U.S. next year as the Grand C-Max.
V8′s-Passe ? Makes and models recently dropping V8 power are beginning to stack up. An Explorer without a V8 is symbolic, for sure, but the flagship of Ford’s Lincoln brand, the MKS, doesn’t offer a V8: its top-of-the-heap engine is the 3.5-liter Ecoboost V6.
Rival General Motors Co. two years ago shut down development of a new generation, overhead-cam V8 engine family for passenger cars. The so-called “Ultra” V8, or UV8, was earmarked as a replacement for GM’s aged Northstar V8, but GM said in early 2008 regulatory and environmental trends – not to mention shifting consumer tastes – were mitigating the need for V8s. The company’s Cadillac division noted at the time installation rates for V8s in Cadillac’s STS sedan and SRX crossover were running just 15 percent.
Volkswagen of America Inc. last year quietly dropped the 4.2-liter V8 offered for the 2010 Touareg crossover. Replacing that muscle was a V-6 diesel that generates more torque than the V8.
Other German makers are deemphasizing V8 prestige in the U.S. market: Volkswagen’s Audi AG is substituting a new, supercharged 3.2-liter V6 for the former 4.2-liter V8 in many of its new high-performance “S” models. BMW AG is taking a similar tack with its “M” performance models, which reputedly will use forced-induction downsized engines to replace the normally aspirated V8 and V10 currently used in various M models.
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According to a recent news article, Nissan Motor Co. revealed that it will start signing up customers in April who want to buy its new Leaf electric car. You can almost feel the ‘electricity’ that this news is generating as shipments of the new line are expected to start by the end of 2010.
The new Nissan sedan is said to hold approximately five people; and it will be able to travel 100 miles off of a single charge. That’s pretty darn great if you ask me! The thought of not having to wait in line at the gas station to empty out your bank account into your gas tank is truly a blessing indeed. However, the cherry on top of this green cake has to be the zero-emission technology.
Nissan expects somewhere around 20,000 people in the United States to sign up to purchase the Leaf almost immediately. Pricing on the Leaf will not be announced until April 2010 though…so sit back and hold on tight to whatever income tax refund you manage to squeak out from the IRS because you just might need it!
For more information about car repair or to find a reputable auto repair shop, contact Pinnacle Automotive Servicetoday at 919.828.3113.
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June 5th through the 11th is National Tire Safety Week and a good time to remind motorists to check their tires for proper inflation, wear, or damage before you head out on the roads.
