Check Engine Soon Light

It might present itself as a “Check Engine”, “Check Power Train”, “Service Engine Soon”, or just a little engine symbol – but whichever way your car presents the check engine light, it is important not to ignore it.  If a check engine light is ignored for a long period of time, there could be extensive damage done to your car.

Why Was the Check Engine Soon Light Invented?

The check engine soon light is part of your vehicle’s emissions system and it was designed to alert you about emissions problems monitored by the car’s computer.  It became standard on cars in the 1980’s.  Federal law actually mandates that all new cars sold in the United States have a check engine light.  In addition to turning on the check engine light in your car, the car’s computer also stores a code that identifies the source of the problem that allows the problem to later be identified by one of our technicians using a scanner.  This same computer also controls and monitors vehicle performance, fuel mixture, ignition timing, regulates engine speed (RPM), and in some cars it even tells the automatic transmission when to shift.  

What Causes the Check Engine Light to Come On?

There are some common things that cause your check engine soon to come on.  These things include a loose gas cap, faulty oxygen sensor, bad battery, alternator, baseline parts, and hose & wires.  Sometimes the cause of a check engine soon light is as simple as a gas cap that has not been properly secured. In this case, it is a simple fix to make the check engine soon light turn off.  A second cause might be a faulty oxygen sensor.  While a faulty oxygen sensor may be over diagnosed, it is still a common cause of the check engine soon light coming on in your car.  The main purpose of an oxygen sensor is to examine the amount of oxygen in your car’s exhaust system as compared to the oxygen outside of the system.   The third possible cause of the check engine soon light coming on is a bad car battery.  Our technicians can use an automotive computer to make sure that your battery isn’t causing problems with your car’s electrical system and electronic parts.   A forth cause of the check engine soon light coming on might be your car’s alternator.  Our technicians can test your alternator and diodes.   Your car’s alternator converts alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) though a series of diodes.  If these diodes fail to complete the conversion, then the AC current can pass into your car’s electrical system confusing your car’s computer and turning on the car’s check engine soon light.  The fifth possible cause of your check engine soon light coming on can be your car’s hoses and wires.  Thus, it is important to get your car’s hoses and wires inspected by our technicians.  If a bad battery and alternator are ruled out as the cause for your check engine light coming on, our technicians may do a visual inspection of your hoses and wires.  During a visual inspection we look for oil soaked wires and vacuum hoses.  We also keep an eye out for frayed wire and anything else that looks out of the ordinary.  Lastly, our technicians may check that your car’s baseline parts are properly controlling fuel delivery and producing high voltage to fire up your car’s spark plugs.  

What Is Tire Alignment and What Causes Improper Tire Alignment?

Improper tire alignment can create problems with your vehicle.  Simply put, tire alignment encompasses all components that make your vehicle go straight. Improper tire alignment can affect your cars driving performance as well as cost you money. When you get your car tires aligned by one of our professionals, all four wheels are positioned straight ahead and parallel. Your car tires can get out of alignment due to many factors, including simply driving your car.  Running over a pothole and driving on unpaved roads both can take your car suspension out of where it is set and cause tire alignment to be off.

Why Is Tire Alignment Important?

Tire alignment is important for many reasons.  The first reason is to make sure that your tires are aligned is that it improves your car’s gas mileage.  Especially when gas prices are very high, every adjustment that can be made to your car to save money is a good thing.  Having your tires aligned properly decreases the resistance your car gets from your tires and thus saves you money.  The second reason for good tire alignment is that it improves safety.  When wheels are properly aligned, it improves your car’s tracking and steering, making car driving safer.  The third reason for proper tire alignment is it reduces tire wear.  If your car tires are aligned and wear evenly, than your tires will last longer and you won’t spend as much money on tire replacement.  Improper tire alignment contributes to tire wear because your tires are either pulled in an awkward direction or not rolling straight, causing excessive wear.  The forth reason to maintain good tire alignment is that it improves vehicle handling.  If your car vibrates or shimmies, it is probably due to improper tire alignment.  When tires are not aligned properly, it can also cause your steering wheel to pull to one side or the other.  It could also make your vehicle feel as though it is loose or wanders.  Frankly put, tire alignment can drastically improve vehicle handling and driving enjoyment.  

What is Adjusted in Tire Alignment?

What actually is adjusted during tire alignment?  There are four elements that go into tire alignment including the caster, toe, ride height, and camber. The caster is part of your cars suspension and is the angle of the steering axis.  It supports the tire assembly and the tire itself.  The caster stabilizes your vehicle at high speeds and improves the overall steering feel of your car.  The toe is whether or not the rears of the tires are closer or further apart as opposed to the fronts of the tires.  Ride height is the distance between the frame of the vehicle and the road.  The camber is the inward and outward tilt of your tire.  Adjusting the camber dictates how much tire tread will be in contact with the road.

How Often Should Tires Be Realigned?

So, how often should tires be realigned?  It is important to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for tire alignment.  These tips can be found in your car’s owner’s manual.  Generally, tire alignment should be checked every 10,0000 miles or once a year.

Reduce Your Auto Repair Bills with General Car Maintenance

The condition of the economy has made many people look for ways to cut costs in their housing, heating, food, and auto repair in the winter. Even though money may be tight, you should not skimp on general car maintenance. Establishing a regular schedule of maintaining your car is the best way to ward off high auto repair bills and improve fuel efficiency. If you are not sure when you should be performing maintenance, you can consult your owner’s manual or your local trusted mechanic to help you set up a regular schedule that you can post in an area where you are sure to see it frequently. Since you will see it often, the subject of car maintenance will be more likely to make a leap up your list of priorities.

Watch Your Fluid Levels

One of the most important things you can do for your car is to routinely check your fluid levels. Some people only check the brake fluid and oil and consider their work done, but it is more to it than that. Make sure that all your fluids are clean. Flush out your radiator and change the oil. When you change the oil, do not forget to change the oil and air filters. Regular fluid checks can reveal any leaks or other problems that may be developing. If you notice that your oil level is getting lower in a short amount of time, you could have a leak or some other engine issue. Your car should not be consuming brake fluid. If you notice that your brake fluid level is getting lower, you have a leak somewhere and you need to take it to a mechanic so it can be repaired immediately. Loss of brake fluid can result in a complete loss of stopping ability. Top off your windshield washer fluid and check your transmission fluid levels.

Have a Bumper-to-Bumper Inspection Before the Winter

A bumper-to-bumper inspection is not just to assure a car buyer that the car of interest is in good running condition. A complete inspection would include all of the systems on your car, including the heating and cooling systems, steering and suspension systems, and braking and transmission systems. It would also include a tire inspection and you can add other options such as wheel alignment and inspecting wires. Your engine will be checked for potential problems and your mechanic will inform you of any problems he sees and give you an estimate of the repairs needed. If you have your car checked before the winter, you can be assured that your car will run during the winter with minimal issues. 

Take Care of the Tires

A tire inspection will help you to determine if you have the proper amount of air in your tires. It is best to invest in a good set of snow tires for the winter. Although all-season tires are available and popular, car manufacturers are making tires wider and with a low profile, which means that your car is actually lower to the ground. Low-profile tires are not conducive to driving on snow and the efforts to control fuel consumption by optimizing air pressure are minimal at best. Checking your tires will help you discover any slow leaks or other possible tire problems. If you catch problems early enough and faithfully perform general car maintenance in the present, you can avoid a huge repair bill in the future. 

Keeping Your Car Running

For most people a vehicle is a crucial part to their everyday lives. It’s required to go to and from work, to link them up with loved ones and to take them where they need to go. Taking armloads of groceries onto a bus is unappealing to everyone, and a car helps to save you from all that trouble. In fact some places don’t even have a bus system, so those groceries would be dead weight you have to carry all the way home. However for all the help a car is to you and your everyday life, it needs to be taken care of as well. The relationship between driver and car is mutually symbiotic, and so long as they take care of each other, everything will continue in peace.

General Maintenance

The driver of a car takes many things for granted as they use the vehicle, but it’s important they at least keep certain things running. Maintaining air pressure in the tires, gas in the tank and windshield washer fluid full are all small things that every driver should do simply because these things all affect their everyday performance. Since the driver is behind the windshield, for example, it’s very important they keep the windshield washer fluid full so when they push that button, the wipers will clean the glass and allow them to see again; something which is vital to all drivers. If it doesn’t come clean perhaps it’s time to look into windshield wiper replacements, easily available at auto parts stores, where service representatives can help you find the right type for your model of car.

Inspections and Routine Maintenance

Most people don’t have a thorough knowledge of the inner working of their vehicle, however they can sense when something is off. The car might slowly veer to the left or right, for example, or take bumps particularly hard on occasion. Little things can tip people off that there’s a problem either started or forming in their vehicle. When this happens it’s crucial that these warning signs are not ignored and the vehicle is brought in for inspection. Usually these things are caught, however, during routine maintenance performed. Tire rotation should be performed quite regularly, as well as oil changes and routine check-ups.

Improving Longevity

Most people seek to make their vehicle last as long as possible. There are many things you can do to increase the longevity of a car and also increase its performance. Checking tire pressure, keeping the oil fresh, replacing the engine coolant and all those little things help add months, if not years, onto a vehicle’s life. Keeping it clean both inside and out can help prevent rusting or deterioration of the material that makes the car. Taking it inside from the rain or covering it if it’s stored outside for a long period of time, as well as making sure the gas tank is never completely empty, help it for long term storage, and in such a case turning it on and running it for a short period of time can make sure it requires little maintenance when taken out of storage.