Learn This for "Safety's Sake"

Learn This for "Safety's Sake"

Brought to you by Car Care Council

We've all heard the exclamation, "For Pete's sake!" But in the world of automotive emergencies, motorists need to learn certain procedures for "safety's sake." Two of the most valuable lessons, changing a tire and hooking up jumper cables are best learned before an emergency arises, according to the Car Care Council.
The process of boosting a battery is especially important in cold weather. Jumper cables or cables on a portable battery booster should be connected properly to avoid sparks, which can cause an explosion of the hydrogen gas emitting from a battery. Beyond this, an incorrect hook up can damage critical, and expensive, electronic components.
The procedure is simple: Connect the positive (+) clamp to the positive terminal of the healthy battery and the other positive clamp to the corresponding terminal of the dead battery. Next, the negative (-), or ground, terminal on the good battery and, finally, the negative clamp to the engine block, frame or other grounded metal as far as possible from the battery. You want to avoid sparks in the vicinity of the explosive hydrogen gas that emits from the battery. Do not connect it to the ground terminal (negative).
When using a portable battery booster, the process is much the same. Connect the positive clamp of the booster cable to the positive clamp of the dead battery. Then connect the negative cable to the engine block or other grounded metal away from the battery.
The Council offers an additional suggestion: if you are buying jumper cables or a portable battery booster, buy the best quality you can afford. Look for well-insulated clamps and 8-gauge wire. (Note: the lower the wire gauge number, the heavier the gauge.) Under the heavy electrical load of boost starting, lightweight cables may not be able to deliver enough current to start some engines. In fact, they have been known to melt in the user's hand.
If your battery is three-years old or older and you haven't had it checked, it's a good preventive measure to do so, suggests the Council. A battery's power is reduced as the temperature drops. And that's when the engine's starting demands are greatest.
The Car Care Council is the source of information for the "Be Car Care Aware" campaign, educating consumers about the benefits of regular vehicle maintenance and repair. For more information visit www.carcare.org.

Midwest Automotive & Diesel is a full service automotive repair facility serving the Champagin and Urbana Illinois area . Our Technicians are ASE master certified and hold several master level dealer certifications. We specialize in everything automotive. From tune-ups to complete engine overhauls, from fluid flushes to transmission diagnostics and rebuilds. Bumper to bumper, we are the experts. Don't forget to check us out on Facebook.  or give us a call at 217-352-7343

Engine's Air/Fuel Mixture Key to Fuel Efficiency, Reduced Emissions

Engine's Air/Fuel Mixture Key to Fuel Efficiency, Reduced Emissions

Brought to you by Robert Bosch LLC

Sluggish performance, hard starting? Could be a worn out or sluggish oxygen sensor. The automotive gasoline engine uses a mixture of air mixed with gasoline to create a combustible mixture. It is the burning of this mixture that operates the engine, and after the combustion process a small amount of oxygen remains in the exhaust.
The oxygen (O2) sensor monitors unburned oxygen in the exhaust, and is part of the fuel management system.  The vehicle’s powertrain control module (PCM) uses the information sent by the oxygen sensor to determine if the fuel mixture is rich (too much fuel) or lean (not enough fuel). To provide the best performance, fuel economy and emissions, the PCM has to constantly readjust the fuel mixture while the engine is running. It does this by looking at the signal from the O2 sensor(s), and then increasing or decreasing the on-time (dwell) of the fuel injectors to control fuel delivery.
Developed by Bosch in the 1970’s to help control automotive exhaust emissions, the oxygen sensor’s monitoring and signaling allows the engine computer to optimize engine performance and fuel efficiency, and reduce harmful emissions.

Pay Attention to Check Engine Light

If the oxygen sensor wears out and fails to accurately generate a signal for the engine computer, the computer may adjust the mixture too lean or too rich as it tries to accommodate the perceived variation from where if should be.  In addition to causing sluggish performance, hard starting and decreased fuel economy, this can cause possible damage to the catalytic converter and other major components – which may translate into quite expensive repairs.
All modern automobiles are equipped with from one to four oxygen sensors at various locations in the exhaust stream, depending on the vehicle make, model and year.  So how do you know if an oxygen sensor has worn out? You may experience poor performance, hard starting, and declining fuel economy, and almost certainly, a check engine light will light up on your dashboard.
 Although drivers might be tempted to ignore it if the vehicle seems to be running without problems, this is not a good idea. If you ignore it, and continue to drive without having an automotive technician check it sometime soon, you may be setting yourself up for a hefty repair bill.
“A check engine light that is on and flashing means immediate attention is needed – get the vehicle to an automotive service facility and have them check it out, soon. But even if the check engine light is on but not flashing, have a technician give it a close look if you want to save on significant repairs later,” said Dave Pankonin, Product Manager, Engine Management Systems, for Bosch.
“If an oxygen sensor is causing a check engine light to appear and needs to be replaced, it’s a good idea to install an oxygen sensor from the supplier that invented it,” Pankonin noted.  Bosch, the world’s largest supplier of automotive parts and systems, introduced the automotive oxygen sensor in 1976, and recently produced the 500 millionth oxygen sensor, Pankonin indicated.
Bosch is a proud supporter of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association’s Know Your Parts® education and awareness campaign. This initiative promotes the importance of quality brand name aftermarket parts backed by full service suppliers, and its impact on delivering reliable products to today’s motorists. For more information visit: www.AASAKnowYourParts.org .

Midwest Automotive & Diesel is a full service automotive repair facility serving the Champagin and Urbana Illinois area . Our Technicians are ASE master certified and hold several master level dealer certifications. We specialize in everything automotive. From tune-ups to complete engine overhauls, from fluid flushes to transmission diagnostics and rebuilds. Bumper to bumper, we are the experts. Don't forget to check us out on Facebook.  or give us a call at 217-352-7343

It’s All in the Timing

It’s All in the Timing

Brought to you by Car Care Council

With automotive engines as with many aspects of daily life, timing is critical. One vehicle component often overlooked during routine maintenance is the engine-timing belt. If it fails, the engine will stop and the car will coast to a stop. The lucky motorist will only have the inconvenience of being stranded on the side of the road until the car can be towed to a repair facility to have the timing belt replaced. On the other hand, the engine might suffer severe, if not catastrophic, damage to its internal components.
This potential disaster can be avoided easily and relatively inexpensively by replacing the timing belt within the required replacement interval.
Timing belts resemble an engine accessory serpentine belt in appearance, only they typically have square teeth on the inside surface. They usually are constructed of rubber reinforced with nylon. The timing belt transfers the rotation of the crankshaft to the camshaft. The rotating camshaft activates the valves, which provide air and fuel to the cylinders and expel combustion gases to the exhaust system.
The valves and pistons are constantly moving up and down at very high speeds. When the pistons are down, the valves are open; when the piston is at the top of its travel, the valves are closed. Some engines don’t allow clearance between a valve at its lowest point and a piston at its highest. The timing belt, therefore, is the critical link to ensure that these components don’t collide. If collision occurs, damage to the valves, pistons, cylinder head and cylinder walls can result. This can be an expensive repair.
Timing belts usually are protected from foreign objects by a cover, making visual inspection impossible.
Many domestic vehicles built within the last several years and the majority of imports are equipped with a timing belt. Other engines rely on a timing chain rather than a belt. Refer to your owner’s manual or take your car to a repair facility if you are unsure. The owner’s manual maintenance schedule is a source of timing belt replacement intervals, typically every 60,000 to 90,000 miles.
Timing belt replacement usually requires removal of the engine drive belt that operates the alternator, water pump, power steering pump and air conditioner. Consider replacing this belt, or multiple belts, when having a new timing belt installed.
The Car Care Council is the source of information for the "Be Car Care Aware" campaign, educating consumers about the benefits of regular vehicle maintenance and repair. For more information visit www.carcare.org.
This article was copied from:  http://www.carcarenewsservice.org

Midwest Automotive & Diesel is a full service automotive repair facility serving the Champagin and Urbana Illinois area . Our Technicians are ASE master certified and hold several master level dealer certifications. We specialize in everything automotive. From tune-ups to complete engine overhauls, from fluid flushes to transmission diagnostics and rebuilds. Bumper to bumper, we are the experts. Don't forget to check us out on Facebook.  or give us a call at 217-352-7343

Back to Cool

Back to Cool

Brought to you by Car Care Council

Six Point Checkup Means Less Trouble During Blustery Winter
 
The Car Care Council strongly recommends that all vehicle owners check six key systems before the temperatures start to drop. But since they already have now is as good of time as any.

1. Battery - Keep the battery connections clean, tight and corrosion-free. Cold weather is hard on batteries – your local mechanic can check the battery and charging system for optimum performance. Batteries don't always give warning signs before they fail completely so it’s wise to replace batteries that are more than three years old.
2. Antifreeze - Antifreeze (coolant) should be flushed and refilled at least every two years in most vehicles. As a reminder, do not add 100 percent antifreeze as full-strength antifreeze actually has a lower freeze point than when mixed with water. 
3. Brakes - Have the brakes checked. The braking system is the vehicle’s most important safety item and is key while driving on icy or snow-covered roads.
4. Tires - Check the tire tread depth and tire pressure. If snow and ice are a problem in your area, consider special tires designed to grip slick roads. During winter, tire pressure should be checked weekly as tires will lose pressure when temperatures drop.
5. Oil - Be diligent about changing the oil and filter at recommended intervals. Dirty oil can spell trouble in winter. Consider changing to low-viscosity oil in winter, as it will flow more easily between moving parts when cold. Drivers in sub-zero driving temperatures should drop their oil weight from 10-W30 to 5-W30 as thickened oil can make it hard to start the car. Have your technician check the fuel, air and transmission filters at the same time.
6. Wiper Blades - Cold weather can affect the life of windshield wipers. Freezing temperatures can make the rubber hard and brittle and increase the potential for cracks. Wiper blades that are cracked or torn, or that chatter, streak and don’t properly clean your windshield, should be changed. Some manufacturers offer special winter blades that have a rubber boot covering the arm assembly to keep snow and ice out. When changing the blades, have the windshield wiper system nozzles cleaned and adjusted if necessary, and check the windshield washer reservoir in case it needs fluid.

“Checking these six key systems in your vehicle ahead of time will give you confidence when you’re driving in brutal winter conditions,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Vehicle maintenance is always more convenient when you’re doing it on your schedule, and a few easy preventive measures can save you the headaches and cost of an emergency breakdown.”
During the winter, the Car Care Council recommends keeping your vehicle’s gas tank at least half full as that decreases the chances of moisture forming in the gas lines and possibly freezing. Finally, if you’re due for a tune-up, consider having it done before winter sets in. Winter magnifies existing problems such as pings, hard starts, sluggish performance or rough idling.

Midwest Automotive & Diesel is a full service automotive repair facility serving the Champagin and Urbana Illinois area . Our Technicians are ASE master certified and hold several master level dealer certifications. We specialize in everything automotive. From tune-ups to complete engine overhauls, from fluid flushes to transmission diagnostics and rebuilds. Bumper to bumper, we are the experts. Don't forget to check us out on Facebook.  or give us a call at 217-352-7343

National Standards Help Consumers Locate Qualified Automotive Technicians

Brought to you by ASE - National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence

Car owners know they should keep their vehicles in good operating condition, but often do not know where to turn or what to look for in a repair shop.
Some choose a repair shop based solely on its convenient location or an advertised special. Not the best move, according to officials with the non-profit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, also known as ASE. “Look for the ASE sign,” says Martin Lawson, Editorial Director at ASE. “It indicates the repair shop employs one or more ASE-Certified technicians.” According to Lawson, finding a competent auto technician need not be a matter of chance. Much of the guesswork has been eliminated, thanks to a national program conducted by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. “Qualified technicians are the backbone of any repair establishment,” notes ASE’s Lawson.
ASE tests and certifies automotive professionals in all major technical areas of repair and service. With almost 400,000 currently certified professionals, the ASE program is national in scope and has industry-wide acceptance and recognition. ASE-certified technicians and parts specialists can be found at every type of repair facility, from dealerships, service stations, and franchises to parts stores, independent garages, and even municipal fleets.
Certification Benefits Motorists
ASE certifies the technical competence of individual technicians, not repair facilities. Before taking ASE certification tests, many technicians attend training classes or study on their own in order to brush up on their knowledge. By passing difficult, national tests, ASE-certified technicians prove their technical competence to themselves, to their employers, and to their customers. ASE does not certify repair shops or police individual business practices, but it stands to reason that those shop owners and managers who support their service employees' efforts to become technically certified will be as concerned about the other aspects of their business as well, according to Lawson.
How Certification Works
ASE certification exams are offered several times a year in hundreds of secure, proctored test sites across the U.S. and Canada The tests are developed by industry experts with oversight from ASE's own in-house pros and are designed to measure on-the-job competency. Technicians who pass at least one exam and fulfill the two-year work experience requirement become ASE-Certified. Those who pass a battery of exams (and fulfill the experience requirement) earn Master Technician status.
There are specialty exams covering all major areas of repair. There are nine tests for auto technicians alone: Engine Repair, Engine Performance, Diesel Engine, Electrical/Electronic Systems, Brakes, Heating and Air Conditioning, Suspension and Steering, Manual Drive Train and Axles, and Automatic Transmissions. (There are also exams for collision repair, school bus and transit but technicians; damage estimators, parts specialists, and others.)
ASE certification is not for life. ASE requires technicians to re-test every five years to keep up with technology and to remain certified. All ASE credentials have expiration dates.
Finding ASE-Certified Technicians
Repair establishments with at least one ASE technician are permitted to display the ASE sign. Each ASE professional is issued personalized credentials listing his or her exact area(s) of certification and an appropriate shoulder insignia. Technicians are also issued certificates that employers often post in the customer-service area. And employers often display the blue and white ASE sign as well.
Businesses with a high level of commitment to the ASE program (75 percent of service personnel certified) are entitled to a special "Blue Seal of Excellence" recognition from ASE, with distinctive yellow and blue signage. These elite facilities are among the best in the national. More than 1,500 businesses participate in this growing program.
As with other professionals—physicians come to mind¬—automotive technicians often specialize. So it's wise to ask the shop owner or service manager for a technician who is certified in the appropriate area, say, brakes, engine repair, or air conditioning.
Vehicle owners can visit the ASE website – www.ase.com – for more information about certified automotive technicians as well as seasonal car care tips and more.

Images

Auto Repair Facilities with Certified Technicians often Display this Sign.
This article was copied from http://www.carcarenewsservice.org/

Midwest Automotive & Diesel is a full service automotive repair facility serving the Champagin and Urbana Illinois area . Our Technicians are ASE master certified and hold several master level dealer certifications. We specialize in everything automotive. From tune-ups to complete engine overhauls, from fluid flushes to transmission diagnostics and rebuilds. Bumper to bumper, we are the experts. Don't forget to check us out on Facebook.  or give us a call at 217-352-7343

Give Your Car a Brake

This is my most recent post. From now on I will have to post the same content on both blogs with a link to Midwest Automotive & Diesel.

Give Your Car a Brake

Research shows that vehicle safety is the number one motivator for most motorists when it comes to vehicle maintenance and the brake system is at the top of the vehicle safety checklist. The Car Care Council advises not to stop short of checking brakes routinely and repairing or replacing when necessary.
“Brakes are a normal wear item for any car and eventually they’re going to need to be replaced for both performance and safety reasons,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “A properly operating brake system helps ensure safe vehicle operation and control under a variety of conditions. However, many motorists are unaware of the signs and symptoms that their brake system may need maintenance or repair.”
It’s important to be alert and recognize the warning signs of brake trouble. If your car is pulling to the left or right, or if you hear odd noises when you apply the brakes, you should inspect your brakes. Other warning signs include an illuminated brake warning light, brake grabbing, low pedal feel, vibration, hard pedal feel and squealing.

For routine maintenance, check a vehicle’s braking system at least once a year. A thorough inspection should include brake lining wear, brake fluid level, rotor thickness, condition of hoses and brake lines, brake and dash warning lights, as well as taking the car for a test drive to detect other potential brake system problems.
Several factors that affect brake wear include driving habits, operating conditions, vehicle type and the quality of the brake lining material.
Never put off routine brake inspections or any needed repair, such as letting the brakes get to the ‘metal-to-metal’ point, which can be potentially dangerous and lead to a more costly repair bill. If you haven’t checked your brakes in the past year, now is a great time to ‘give your car a brake’ and make sure it’s in safe working condition.
This article was copied from http://www.carcarenewsservice.org/

Midwest Automotive & Diesel is a full service automotive repair facility serving the Champagin and Urbana Illinois area . Our Technicians are ASE master certified and hold several master level dealer certifications. We specialize in everything automotive. From tune-ups to complete engine overhauls, from fluid flushes to transmission diagnostics and rebuilds. Bumper to bumper, we are the experts. Don't forget to check us out on Facebook.  or give us a call at 217-352-7343

For All the Haters

I had to change my blog url a little to post links to Facebook because someone reported my blog as spam. Oh well I will always find a way to get things done.