Prepping Your Car's Air Conditioner For The Summer
by admin on Jul.16, 2009, under Car Maintenance, Car Tips
Prepping Your Car’s Air Conditioner For The Summer
With summer right around the corner, now’s the time to make sure your vehicle’s A/C is working properly. Many motorists have noticed small problems and procrastinated while hoping the issues will correct themselves. They won’t. Whether your air conditioning system is blowing warm air or not enough volume, a mechanic will need to run a few tests in order to fix the problem.
Below, I’ll describe the things that can go wrong inside your car’s A/C and why it’s important to describe the details to your technician. I’ll also explain the difference between how your heater and air conditioner perform their respective jobs.
Explain The Problem In Detail
The most common issue is a refrigerant leak somewhere in the assembly. The leak can occur in one the hoses, near the compressor, or around the expansion valve. If the refrigerant level drops too far, the airflow’s temperature can rise or the compressor will stop working. Dirt can also wreak havoc. If enough of it accumulates, it can cause the expansion valve to fail, the refrigerant to break down, or the bearings on the compressor to stop working.
Less common, but just as problematic, are restrictions caused by dirt, debris, and other elements that collect over time. If the restriction inside the A/C is big enough, the pressure and temperature within the system will rise. That will lead to a lubrication problem which, in turn, can cause the bearings to fail and the hoses to deteriorate.
When you visit a mechanic, it’s important that you explain the details behind whatever issue you’re experiencing. Low volume might suggest a restriction while warm temperatures imply a refrigerant leak. There are standard tests that your mechanic can perform to find the issue, but describing the symptoms can provide useful direction and save time.
The Heater Versus The A/C
A lot of drivers have the impression that their car’s air conditioner works like their heater. To be sure, the two systems are similar in some respects. For example, both use a core. The heater core carries warm water which generates heat that is pumped into the vehicle’s cabin. The A/C’s evaporator core carries refrigerant which generates cold. A major difference is in how the chemical in the refrigerant cools the cabin; it absorbs the existing heat while the cold air blows through the vent.
What The Mechanic Will Do
Normally, you’ll need a trained mechanic to fix any issue you’re experiencing with your A/C. It’s unlikely that you’ll have access to the equipment necessary to find leaks or restrictions that can develop throughout the assembly.
To locate leaks, the technician will send a fluorescent dye through the entire air conditioning system. He can watch the dye’s path on his diagnostic equipment and pinpoint any leaks easily. Next, he’ll look for restrictions; if he finds them, he’ll flush them out to keep the pressure down. Your mechanic might also check the ducts to make sure there are no problems in the making.
When summer finally arrives, you’ll be happy that you took the time and made the investment to prep your car’s A/C for the warm weather.
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3 Common Automotive Questions Asked By Owners
by admin on Jun.10, 2009, under Car Maintenance, Car Tips
3 Common Automotive Questions Asked By Owners
Even though cars have been around for over a century, most drivers are still mystified by what happens under the hood. In their defense, keeping up with the latest technologies is difficult. Automakers are in a perpetual race to design better parts and systems to improve comfort, safety, and reliability. Still, motorists have questions that deserve answers. Below, I’ll address three of the most common automotive questions drivers continue to ask.
#1 – “Do I Need To Let The Engine Warm Up?”
Unless you’re driving an older vehicle that uses a carburetor instead of a fuel injection system, no. It was common long ago to allow your engine to warm up for five to ten minutes before driving. A large part of the reason was due to the choke, which allowed fuel to feed into the carburetor. Today’s vehicles use fuel injectors to balance the air-fuel mixture used by your engine. No warm-up required.
#2 – “Why Are My Brakes Squealing?”
There are a couple of factors that can cause your brakes to squeal. First, the noise might be caused by a vibration occurring between the pads, which normally squeeze against the rotor. This type of vibration is usually due to a poor fit on the calipers. The squealing might also be caused by the surface of the brake pads rubbing against the metal of the rotor. This happens when the surface of the pads harden due to the heat created by friction.
Unless your car is equipped with high-performance brakes (which squeal naturally), have the pads replaced if you hear persistent squealing. If you wait too long, the rotor might become damaged, which is more expensive to service.
#3 – “Will My Battery Lose Its Charge?”
Over time, yes. However, a healthy car battery should last for years. Your vehicle has a charging system that allows the battery to keep its charge while providing the current needed to power the engine. When you turn your key in the ignition, your battery discharges a large current in order to power the starter motor. After it does so, its job is effectively finished. The alternator makes sure that your battery has enough “juice” or amperage for the next time you turn the key.
Having said that, it is possible for your battery to lose its charge. For example, leaving a door ajar overnight will cause a drain.
One of the reasons we take our cars to a mechanic is because they have grown in complexity over the years. Not only are problems more difficult to identify, but fixing them can be labor intensive without the proper tools. However, many of the smaller maintenance and repair items that mechanics handle (for example, replacing a battery or a set of brake pads) can be performed at home. While your vehicle may be a complex piece of machinery, it is only as mysterious as you allow it to be.
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A Refresher Course On Changing Your Car's Oil
by admin on Jun.01, 2009, under Car Maintenance
A Refresher Course On Changing Your Car’s Oil
Drivers who were born prior to 1980 may remember when they had to have their car’s oil changed every 3,000 miles. That is the mileage marker most automakers used as a general recommendation regardless of the type of driving motorists subjected their vehicles to. Today, the 3,000-mile marker is rarely necessary. Engines are built more durable and the technology behind the lubricants has improved dramatically. In extreme cases, it might make sense (I’ll describe what “extreme” means in a moment), but most drivers can wait until 5,000, 7,500, and even 10,000 miles.
Having said that, it’s worth revisiting the frequency with which you change your vehicle’s oil. Below, I’ll describe driving conditions in which frequent changes may be necessary. We’ll also take a brief look at new technology which is eliminating the need to check the dipstick.
Consider Your Driving Conditions
A lot of automakers are recommending that drivers can wait up to 10,000 miles before having their car’s oil changed. However, if you look closely at the print, you may notice that the recommendation is for motorists who meet certain driving standards. Most of us don’t meet those standards. We push our vehicles in circumstances that might be considered harsh.
For example, many drivers cope with stop and go traffic when they leave the office and head home. Others use their cars to drive short distances on a regular basis. Still other motorists drive their vehicles at freeway speeds for long periods of time. Any of these circumstances are less than ideal and can put your engine at risk if it doesn’t receive proper lubrication. The problem is that most of us drive this way. If your owner’s manual recommends an oil change every 10,000 miles, check to see whether it mentions specific conditions.
Your Vehicle’s Computer Knows
More vehicles are being designed today with sensors that can detect when a lubricant change is necessary. In fact, many owners manuals will not suggest a recommended mileage marker at all. Instead, a car’s computer will keep track of the number of miles you’ve driven, the temperature of the antifreeze or coolant, and other factors. Then, it makes an estimation of the lubricant’s life. If it needs to be changed, the computer triggers a light on your dashboard.
What Happens When You Don’t Change It?
Over time, the oil that lubricates your engine accumulates moisture, dirt, and even metal particles. The filter should catch most of the debris before it reaches your engine, but there’s another potential problem: the longer you drive with it, the more depleted it becomes of important additives. Once those additives are depleted past a certain point, it loses its ability to lubricate your vehicle’s engine. When that happens, your engine can overheat.
The oil which protects your engine must be changed periodically. Check your owner’s manual and follow its recommendations based on your normal driving conditions.