AUTONET TV

Clean Slate (Protecting Vehicle's Finish)

Winter is one of the hardest times to keep your vehicle clean. But did you know neglecting to wash your vehicle in winter could cost you a significant amount of money in the long run? Here's why.

Many areas deal with snow and ice in the winter, and the salt and sand that are used to keep the road surfaces from being slick are also super corrosive to a vehicle's metal body and undercarriage.  That includes all the parts underneath that can be splashed with brine, saltwater and other road debris.  Winter is also tough on vehicles where there isn’t snow, sometimes from ocean salt or winter's extra humidity and rain. 

If you have any breaks in your vehicle's paint, whether it be from a little fender bender or a stone chip, that corrosive winter moisture can get through those cracks and start eating away at the metal underneath. 

If you can, you should get any dents or damage fixed as soon as possible so your vehicle has a protective layer of paint between road chemicals and the metal.  You may want to wait until the warmer weather, but while you're waiting, the damage is getting worse.  If you're not sure of a reputable body repair shop, check with the service advisor where you have mechanical work done.  They're usually knowledgeable about who is good and not so good. 

You also may be tempted to skip the car wash during the winter since your vehicle is just going to get dirty fast anyway.  You may want to reconsider.  Many winter road treatments now use brine that gets in every nook and cranny of your vehicle.  It's wise to clean that off regularly during the winter, and many washing facilities include a spray underneath that gets rid of that salt.  Your vehicle repair facility may even have its own car wash, a nice bonus when you take your vehicle in for repair or regular maintenance. 

Matt Davis Auto
875 US Highway 70 W
Garner, NC 27529
(919) 600-5125
www.mattdavisauto.com

Don’t Blow Your Cool (Water Pump Replacement)

It’s always a good idea to keep your cool, and that’s especially true when it comes to some components of your vehicle.  One is the engine.  It’s hot under that hood thanks to the mini explosions that are occurring in the internal combustion engine when it’s running.  Your vehicle has a cooling system which takes the heat out of the engine by moving a liquid coolant to a spot where the heat can escape (the radiator). 

The part that keeps that coolant moving is the water pump, which could probably be more accurately called the coolant pump since water is only one component of the fluid that does the cooling. If the water pump fails, your engine can overheat quickly, and that can cause significant and expensive damage to your vehicle.  Water pumps can be driven by belts (mechanical) or electricity (electric).

Your vehicle’s manufacturer recommends mileage intervals when you should consider replacing your water pump even if seems to be working fine.  That way   you are less likely to have a water pump break down at an inopportune time. Some manufacturers recommend replacing it every 60,000-100,000 miles/100,000-160,000 km.

Sometimes your water pump will fail before that, of course.  One sign something is wrong with the cooling system is if you notice the engine is overheating.  An illuminated engine temperature warning light on your dash or a temperature gauge that shows above normal are two things to look for.

You may also see steam coming out of the engine compartment, which is another sign of overheating.  Both could mean your water pump needs replacing.  We also recommend that when your vehicle’s timing belt needs to be replaced that you have the water pump replaced at the same time since everything will already be apart.

When your vehicle is already in to have the water pump replaced, it’s a good time for a technician to examine other cooling system components at the same time.  Those will include belts, pulleys, hoses, clamps as well as the radiator, thermostat and heater core.

A Sensor that Makes Sense

There’s an electronic device in your vehicle you may not even know about: the oxygen sensor.  Your vehicle probably has more than one of them, and these oxygen sensors help your vehicle burn fuel efficiently, reduce emissions and protect important parts in your engine.  An oxygen sensor senses how much oxygen is in the exhaust gases as they exit your engine.
Most vehicles have anywhere from two to four oxygen sensors.  They measure the amount of oxygen in the exhaust before it goes through the catalytic converter and then after, checking how efficiently the converter is working.  The information the oxygen sensor sends your engine’s control module allows it to adjust the air/fuel mixture for optimal combustion.  That, in turn, helps you improve fuel economy and allows your engine to run its smoothest.

When your oxygen sensor fails, it causes your engine to run inefficiently.  That can result in carbon building up, bad fuel economy and damage to your catalytic converter, and that can be a very expensive repair.

One sign an oxygen sensor is failing is when you notice the Check Engine light is lit up on your dash. That, accompanied by rough idling, engine misfires and hesitation as you accelerate are all signs at least one of your oxygen sensors has a problem.  If you notice those symptoms, it’s important to have one of our technicians check it out.

They will scan the vehicle’s computer codes to pinpoint which oxygen sensor isn’t doing its job correctly.  Then, the technician will remove the bad sensor, replace it and run a test to make sure your vehicle is working the way it should.  

When you get back in your vehicle, you’ll notice a big difference: a smoother engine and better mileage.  Now that’s a sensor that makes sense.  

Matt Davis Auto
875 US Highway 70 W
Garner, NC 27529
(919) 600-5125
www.mattdavisauto.com

Why did my vehicle fail its emissions test?

We all want to breathe clean air and keep our planet green.  One of the ways to do that is by requiring all vehicles with internal combustion engines to pass an emissions test.  That’s because these vehicles can be big polluters.  

Everyone wants their car to pass the test so they can continue their day-to-day driving routine.  But then comes that one day when they tell you your vehicle has failed.  Why does that happen?

One of the most common reasons is that your gas cap is leaking or loose (or maybe you don’t even have one on your vehicle!).  The gas cap is supposed to seal in vapors, but sometimes its seals or gaskets dry out or crack. Replace it, and you’re good to go.

Another common reason your vehicle failed the test is that your catalytic converter isn’t doing its job. It is supposed to convert toxic gases from your engine into ones that don’t pollute the air.  There are many reasons the catalytic converter may not be working.  It may be physically damaged, or the steady flow of exhaust gases has fouled the converter. 

You may have a bad oxygen sensor. It’s supposed to measure how much oxygen is in your exhaust.  This can cause the air-fuel mixture to be too rich, resulting in too many hydrocarbons in the exhaust. Your ignition system may also have problems, such as worn-out spark plugs.  Dirty fuel injectors can contribute to excess emissions.

Believe it or not, a dirty engine air filter may be the culprit. If it hasn’t been replaced for a while, your vehicle may be emitting too many hydrocarbons -  something that will cause your vehicle to fail the emissions test.

You can usually avoid a failed emissions test by maintaining your vehicle regularly.  The best way to do that is by bringing it to our trained technicians, so your vehicle gets the service it needs, scheduled and non-scheduled.  Plus, you’ll be doing your part to keep our air clean.

Matt Davis Auto
875 US Highway 70 W
Garner, NC 27529
(919) 600-5125
www.mattdavisauto.com

Distributor Cap and Rotor Replacement

If your vehicle is newer than the mid 2000s, it likely doesn’t have a once-popular ignition system which uses a distributor cap and rotor.  But if your vehicle is old enough to have them, it’s important to make sure they receive regular attention since they’re instrumental to your engine running smoothly.

Here’s now a distributor cap and rotor system works.  The distributor cap sits on top of the distributor, while the rotor goes around underneath it. They take high-voltage electricity from the ignition coil and send it to each spark plug in the correct firing order. That is what enables your engine to run smoothly and efficiently.

Because they’re mechanical, eventually the distributor cap and rotor will wear out. Think how much heat, vibration and electrical stress the distributor cap is endures. That can result in it cracking and the terminals corroding.  Another problem may develop called is called carbon tracking where a line of carbon acts as a conductor to bypass the usual route the electricity takes. Plus, the rotor can wear down and the spark may wind up going to the wrong cylinder.

You’ll notice signs like the engine is hard to start (if it starts at all), it misfires, your fuel economy deteriorates, your power decreases or idling is rough. If you drive in a damp or humid climate, moisture can also interfere with the electrical path.

It’s important to have a technician regularly replace the distributor cap and rotor, typically anywhere from 30,000-50,000 miles/50,000-80,000 km.  Each manufacturer has its own interval, so it’s best to follow their recommendation.  After the distributor cap and rotor are changed out, you should notice much better performance. And your vehicle will be more likely deliver the reliability you’re expecting.

Matt Davis Auto
875 US Highway 70 W
Garner, NC 27529
(919) 600-5125
www.mattdavisauto.com