How To Find The Right Auto Mechanic
So your car is having problems. Maybe it’s as simple as a tire leak, or as devastating as a blown transmission, but no matter what it is you want it fixed as soon as possible. Some people are car wizards and can fix any problem their car has on their own. But the reality is that most of us are not experts in car repair and would rather take it to a shop to have it fixed.
While taking your car to a mechanic is convenient and easy, finding the right shop for you can be a challenging task. Luckly, when broken down, finding the perfect auto repair shop doesn’t have to be that difficult.
Asses Your Auto’s Issues
The first thing you should do when your car is having issues is to try and determine what is wrong with it. This will help you narrow down your search for car shops to find specialists and mechanics recommended for your problem. If you are unable to determine what is wrong with your car based of prior knowledge, do some independent research online or ask friends of yours who know about cars. If you still cannot determine what is wrong with your car, do your best to be able to articulate what happened so you can help facilitate the diagnostic process.
Personal References
To find good reliable businesses, you should ask around your friends and family and see if they recommend any trusted auto repair businesses. Having someone trustworthy vouch for a repair shop can ease your nerves and steer you in the right direction. If you haven’t had any luck asking around, try looking at the reviews of some of your local shops, as there are many first hand accounts of their work.
Ask Questions
After you’ve narrowed down your search to a few reputable shops, you should begin researching each one individually. This can be done online, by talking to the employees over the phone, or in person. If you chose to talk to the mechanics in person, it is best to ask many questions such as estimated quotes, experience, and expertise. It is also smart to inquire about any potential warranties that the shops offer.
Professional And Experienced Auto Care
When it comes to your vehicle, it is important to trust its maintenance and repairs to professional experienced auto mechanics. Safety and security should be top priority when considering who to entrust the care of your vehicle. At Jay’s Total Car Care, we pride ourselves on exceeding our costumers expectations with our dedication to quality work and customer satisfaction.
Don’t waste time, energy, and money searching for the right mechanic for your automobile, contact Jay’s Total Car Care today and rest easy knowing your car is in good hands.
Signs of a Failing or Bad Water Pump
If you want to ensure your vehicle stays cool on the hottest summer days, you need to ensure your engine has a constant supply of coolant coming from the radiator and being sent through the entire engine. When the water-cooled engine (other than the air-cooled option) was first introduced, some experts believed the water pump circulating the coolant through the engine block was just as crucial to engine protection as the oil. This is true, even as technology has changed over the years.
The water pump is a crucial component in making sure the engine works properly. This is an impeller pump and is typically found under your engine’s timing belt cover. The pump moves along with the engine’s drive belt – as the belt keeps turning, the pump rotates.
Like any other mechanical device, there are a few warning signs that the water pump may be wearing. Getting to know these signs will help ensure you know when it is time to go to the mechanic.
Coolant Leak Near the Front of Your Vehicle
Your water pump is made up of several seals and gaskets that keep the coolant contained and made sure there is a consistent flow of coolant coming from the radiator and to the engine. Eventually, these seals and gaskets will crack, dry up, wear out, or completely break. If this happens, coolant may begin to leak and will be seen on the ground.
Whining Sounds
Eventually, you may begin to hear a high-pitched sound coming from the front portion of your motor. The most common cause of this is a loose belt. This is usually caused by pulleys that are loose or that the bearings that are operating the water pump assembly are beginning to wear out. When this happens, repairs may not be possible, and replacement will be needed.
The Engine Is Overheating
If your water pump fails completely, then it won’t be able to properly circulate the needed coolant through the engine block. This can cause the engine to overheat if you do not repair or replace the part right away. If the problem persists, it may damage the cylinder heads, head gaskets, or pistons. Be sure to contact a mechanic as soon as you notice this issue.
If you believe that your water pump is on its last legs, it is time to get your car to a mechanic. While replacing the water pump may be annoying, it is much more affordable than having to get an entirely new engine. Be sure to keep this in mind and take action when necessary before more serious issues arise with the vehicle.
When Good Breaks Go Bad
While we may be a stickler for keeping up with our vehicles routine oil changes, it may be easy to let other important aspects of car care slide. Brake servicing is one of the routine maintenance needs that simply cannot be ignored. Brakes are necessary to the safety of our vehicles, and their parts have a life span, which requires routine servicing to make sure everything is working properly.
Your Brakes Are Communicating With You
Brakes can give us signals that they are in need of servicing, repair, or even in worse cases replacement. Since your braking system is one of the most important safety components of your vehicle, it is imperative that you learn the signs they give you that there may be a problem that a professional needs to address.
Pay Attention To Your Dashboard Light
If your break light on your dashboard lights up, it is signaling you that there may be an issue that needs to be addressed with your breaking system. You can check to make sure your parking brake is not engaged, which would also cause a light to turn on, but if it is fully released then you can reach for your vehicle manuel to determine what the dashboard break light may be trying to tell you.
High Pitched Squealing
Typically, the light will not be indicative of an impending brake emergency, merely a signal to you that you need to make an appointment for servicing. However, if you begin to hear a high pitched squealing noise that stops only when you apply pressure to your brakes, then you are most likely in need of new brake pads.
Your brake pads are made of steel, and thus create a sound when they start coming into contact with the rotors. The brake pad wear indicators are letting you know that attention is needed so that you do not incur potential damage to your rotors which will be more expensive to repair.
Grinding Noises
Brakes that make a grinding sound that you can feel when you press the brake pedal can indicate a number of issues. There simply may be debris caught up in the caliper unit which will eventually free itself, causing the noise to stop. But if you have missed your brake servicing appointment for some time, grinding can be an indicator that the pads have worn through, and the noise is from metal on metal creating gloves in the rotor.
A grinding sound can also be due to lack of lubrication in vehicles that have rear drum brakes. This can be remedied by having your brakes serviced and fluid levels checked. The bottom line is that your brakes are sending you signals that they are suffering from wear and tear, it is imperative that you make an appointment for brake servicing as soon as possible.
Professional Brake Servicing
Jay’s Total Car Care is happy to help you determine what it is your brakes are trying to tell you before they are in need of total replacement. Keeping your vehicle safe means keeping your braking system in top working order, don’t wait until it’s an expensive and possibly dangerous situation. Call Jay’s Total Car Care today.
Helpful Tips to Get Your Car Summer-Ready
While it’s easy to find guides for winterizing your vehicle in fall; but what about getting your car ready for summer? The hot temperatures can take a toll on your vehicle, which is why it’s so important that you get it ready.
The Tires
The tires are one of the most important parts of your vehicle. They have a significant impact on safety and performance. Even more important, these are one of the few components on your vehicle that may kill you if you ignore them.
An underinflated or worn set of tires is detrimental to your ability to brake safely. It can also impact your vehicle’s handling on the road. If your tires aren’t in good condition, they can lead to blow-outs and other problems.
If you own dedicated summer or winter tires, make sure to inspect both sets as you change them for the season. Even if you use all-season tires on your vehicle, look for visible wear bars, uneven wear, or bubbles on the sidewalls. If you notice any of these issues, it’s best to replace the tire. While checking your tires, make sure to check the spare for proper inflation.
Check the Brakes
Winter traffic is usually slower than summer traffic. During this time, your brakes are going to be used – a lot. Your brake pads may suffer from extreme thermal cycling – massive temperature changes because of the high heat of use combined with deep puddles or freezing water.
Rotating your tires often will help with the brake inspection. If you are more technically inclined, you can remove the brake pads, too, and see if there are any signs of cracking or wear. If not, be sure the edges don’t look discolored or like they have begun to crumble. If you notice anything unusual, it’s a good idea to take your car to a mechanic for a full brake check-up.
Wash Your Car
Winter will take a huge toll on every part of your vehicle. Everything from the engine to the brake lines will be blasted by a constant barrage of sand, water, ice, salt, and filth. Your interior may get filled with dirt and grime, too. Now is the time to clean things up and wash that winter layer of grime away.
Make sure to use high-quality cleansers along with a high-pressure source of water on the exterior to get rid of trapped sand and salt. Make sure you hit the underbody and wheel wells, too. Clean all the junk out of the trunk and remove trash from the inside. You and your vehicle will feel better when you are done.
If you want to ensure your vehicle is summer-ready, keep the tips and information here in mind. They provide general guidelines about what you need to do to ensure your car is clean and that it is safe to drive. Being informed and knowing what to do is the best way to keep your car clean, safe, and to minimize issues.
Common Signs Your Brakes Need Service
If your brakes aren’t serviced regularly, the potential outcome may prove to be deadly. Brake parts have a finite lifespan and will have to be serviced and replaced to continue working properly.
The good news is your vehicle is going to give some clear signs that your brakes need service. In some situations, the problems will be harmless noises that don’t need any type of extensive repairs, but that’s not always the case.
Remember, your brakes are one of the most important safety components in your vehicle. If you notice any of the warning signs of a problem that are listed here, you should get your vehicle to the professionals right away. This will help you drive safer and avoid more expensive damage down the road.
The Brake Light is On
If you notice one of the yellow or red brake indication lights on your vehicle’s dash, it probably means you are past due for an inspection. It may also be a sign that the smart electronics in your vehicle are letting you know about a problem that is present.
If your parking brake is engaged, it may also cause the light to come on. Make sure you release this fully to confirm that’s not the problem – after all, that is an easy and cost-free fix. It’s also a good idea to learn what all the dashboard lights mean so that you know if a problem with your vehicle is present.
Metallic Squeal While Moving
If you begin to hear a squealing that stops if you hit the brakes, it is probably the wear indicators for your brake pad. These are made out of steel. This means they will begin to make this sound when they begin to come in contact with the rotor.
Essentially, this is your car’s built-in warning system letting you know the brake pads are worn out and that they need to be replaced. Make sure to address this problem before rotor damage occurs, which can be relatively expensive.
Grinding Sound When the Brakes are Applied
If you feel a grinding sensation when you press the brakes, it may mean several things. There may be a rock or gravel caught in the brake caliper unit, which is a problem that is pretty easy to remedy. However, you may have also gone so long without service that the brake pads are completely worn through. If you begin to hear metal on metal, it may be causing grooves in your brake rotor. This isn’t good and may be an expensive repair if you don’t address the issue right away.
Grinding may also indicate that there is a lack of lubrication if your vehicle has rear drum brakes. The brake shoe, which is what slows your vehicle down, may be scraping on the metal contact points, such as the backing plate, because of rust. If you have noticed any of the brake related issues mentioned here, it is a good idea to contact a professional service shop for help. They can determine the underlying issue and make the needed repairs.
Don’t Ignore These Important Winter Car Care Tips
Winter weather can be rough o your vehicle. From low tire pressure to road salt damage and frozen fuel lines, the issues that may arise are vast. If you want to ensure your vehicle makes it through the winter unscathed, be sure to follow the tips found here.
Check the Tire Pressure Each Week
Be sure that you check the air pressure in your tires weekly. If you try to drive on tires that aren’t properly inflated, it can cause them to lose traction and wear down prematurely. With every 10-degree drop in the temperature, you lose a pound of pressure, which means you have to replace this before you get back on the road.
Keep the Fuel Tank Halfway Full
When it is cold outside, it is a good idea to keep a minimum of half of your fuel tank full. This ensures if there is an emergency situation, where you are stuck on the side of the road, you can keep the car running to stay warm. If you have a longer road trip planned, you need to make stops for gas ahead of time.
Add Some Protection to Your Vehicle
Even though Nevada isn’t exactly known for snow, the colder temperatures at night can result in frost covering your vehicle. To help prevent damage from this icy build up, consider adding a coat of polymer wax to your vehicle.
Protect the Windshield Wipers
Do you park your vehicle outside? If so, it is a good idea to leave your wipers in the “up” or raised position. This is going to help ensure they don’t become frozen to your windshield. Also, it is never a good idea to try to use the wipers to remove frost or ice from the glass. A better option is to use an ice scraper.
Check the Battery
Cold weather can cause your battery to run down faster than normal. Be sure to keep a check on this so you don’t get stranded.
Invest in Regular Vehicle Maintenance
While the tips here are a great way to keep your vehicle winter-weather ready, it’s also a good idea to have your vehicle inspected and checked by the professionals at least one time during the colder months of the year. These professionals are trained to find and fix issues that you may not be aware of to ensure your vehicle can continue running effectively and efficiently even when it is cold outside.
If you want to get your vehicle winter ready, be sure to use the tips and information here. Also, remain weather aware so that you know when driving conditions may be dangerous. Remember, if you notice any issues with your vehicle, such as strange sounds, smells, or just “weird” operation, it is time to seek professional care and maintenance. Doing this can help ensure that your vehicle continues to run properly and that no serious issues occur during the winter months, regardless of the make or the model of the vehicle that you drive.