Gene’s Car Tips – certifiedauto.com

Hydraulic Engine Mounts

Don’t be surprised when you hear that your motor engine or transmission mount has an oil leak. Yep, the old rubber mounts have grown up to be liquid filled. They call it progress, and it is a better way to dampen vibration.

Hydraulic engine mounts are advanced components that use fluid-filled chambers to reduce vibrations and noise in vehicles. Unlike traditional rubber mounts, they use hydraulic fluid to absorb engine vibrations, providing better noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) control, making your ride more comfortable.

How They Work:

The mount consists of a steel casing, rubber elements, and a hydraulic fluid chamber. As the engine moves, the fluid absorbs vibrations, while the rubber helps absorb shocks, offering a smoother performance.

Benefits:

Improved Comfort: Reduces engine vibrations and cabin noise, especially in luxury and high-performance vehicles.
Increased Durability: Lasts longer due to its resistance to stress.
Adjustable: Some hydraulic mounts can adapt to driving conditions for optimal ride quality.
Stability: Minimizes engine movement, improves handling and prevents damage to other parts.

Challenges:

They tend to be more expensive, heavier, and can suffer from fluid leaks or degradation over time.

Overall, hydraulic engine mounts are ideal for enhancing comfort and performance in a variety of vehicles, though they come at a higher cost compared to traditional mounts.

Free Check Engine Light Diagnoses? Trouble Codes Defined

A trouble code is an alphanumeric value that corresponds to a particular type of fault. Such as a PO300. The list was originally created by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) for use by all vehicle manufacturers who must comply with on board diagnostic (OBD II) emissions regulations in the U.S.

The list of trouble codes is subdivided into four basic categories:

Powertrain (“P”) codes (engine, some transmission and most emissions systems)

Body (“B”) codes (Climate control system, lighting, airbags, etc.)

Chassis (“C”) codes (antilock brake system, electronic suspension and steering systems)

Network Communications (U”) codes (controller area network wiring bus and modules) Self braking, lane change and other more sophisticated systems.

Most handheld code readers only read “P” codes which is limiting. This means, of course, that there could be other system failures that only a factory type scanner can read.

Many believe a plug code reader, like at some parts stores, retrieves the code, for example a PO301(misfire on cylinder #1) and replace parts. The cause might be a spark plug, a wire, a fuel injector, an air leak or even a rat chewed a wire harness (more common that you think). What parts would you replace?

Yes, it’s tempting to replace the parts yourself and if you have the know-how, go for it. I always recommend you let a professional do the testing and repairs in order to save replacing unnecessary parts.

Keep in mind that the last item in the new systems have resets when some parts are replaced. A code reader will not reset these systems.

Enjoy your car and remember, few things in this world are free.

Why Headlights Are Expensive

The cost of headlight assemblies can range from as low as $30 to over $4,000. Many of our customers are asking why.

Advanced Technology:

Today’s headlights use LEDs and HIDs and other systems. On the plus side, they are capable of adjusting brightness and direction, but on the downside, they cost more than the halogen bulbs of the past.

Integrated Components:

You can purchase headlights today that include daytime running lights, turn signals, and sensors that automatically adjust and that makes them more complex and costly.

Design and Materials:

Today’s high-quality lenses, housings, and waterproofing make the headlights more durable and aesthetically pleasing, but also raises the price tag.

Vehicle-Specific Designs:

Headlights are often custom designed for specific makes and models, limiting compatibility and driving up manufacturing costs.

Labor Costs:

Installation can be costly, as it oftentimes involves removing body panels or complex wiring.

Changing the headlight bulb, depending on the make and model and installation difficulty, can take between 5 minutes to 1 hour, or more. Some dealerships will charge $475 to change the headlamp on certain makes and models because the bumper has to be dropped to do so.

To minimize the replacement costs of car headlight bulbs, car owners can follow a few helpful tips. Regular maintenance and cleaning of headlights can prolong their lifespan and minimize the need for replacement. Choosing a more cost-effective alternative, such as aftermarket headlights, can also save money and it won’t compromise quality.

Please let us know if you have any questions.

Inflation Can Be Helpful…On Tires!

Here are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to the health of your vehicle’s tires.

Most tires don’t make it to 50,000 miles. Remember, tires don’t last forever. Tires that are not properly installed age very fast.
Tires need good tread to have traction, so you can stop without sliding.
Tires need to be properly inflated. Check the number listed on the inside of your car door (not the tire).
Have your tires rotated every 5,000 – 6,000 miles.

What causes tires to wear out? Tires wear unevenly even when they are properly aligned. Irregularities in the road and of the car can lessen tread and tire life.

Can a tire’s life be increased? Certainly. By having your tires rotated and balanced regularly you can increase a tire’s life expectancy by nearly 50%.

Why does a car need alignment? Even if your tires’ tread looks normal, rough roads and repeated encounters with curbs will make your vehicle’s tires suffer. Having your car put on an alignment rack once a year will keep the tires healthy. Incorrect alignment makes tires follow their own paths and causes scrubbing action against the road surface. In addition to excessive wear, this friction causes the steering wheel to fight the driver, requiring additional efforts to keep the vehicle on the road. A wheel alignment service should include careful examination of steering and suspension components. Even the best equipment and technicians cannot align a vehicle with worn or damaged parts.

What is the big deal about proper inflation of tires? Under-inflated tires cause your tires to wear along the sides, while over-inflated tires cause your tires to wear down the middle of the tread. Radial tires always look a little soft, but don’t be fooled and assume inflation is correct. Buy a tire gauge and use it monthly to keep your tires properly inflated. It saves your tires and saves on fuel too!

What else should you keep in mind? Don’t overload your vehicle as this excessive weight rests right on your tires.

What should you look out for? Potholes and uneven pavement!

What is the best thing you can do for your tires? Always make sure tires are “cool” when checking for proper inflation as “hot tires” have a higher reading than “cool tires.” Take your vehicle to a certified service repair facility quarterly so they can make sure you are driving on the safest and most comfortable tires possible. They have the proper equipment to test your tires. You and your passengers depend on your vehicle’s tires.

Announcement from AAA

A recent research project was conducted by AAA on AEB (Automatic Emergency Braking) systems and here is how they arrived at their findings.

They wanted to see how the reverse braking system reacted if a driver was backing out of their driveway/parking lot and didn’t have a clear vision due to other cars blocking their sight and a car they couldn’t see was oncoming. The vehicle automatically applied the brakes 65% of the time and prevented a collision 2.5% of the time.

They also wanted to see how well the AEB system did if a small child was behind the car while the driver was backing up without clear vision. The brakes were applied 75% of the time and collision was prevented 50% of the time.

The bottom line is…DO NOT rely solely on these Automatic Emergency Braking Systems. Always make sure you can see clearly before backing up. These systems need to be more reliable…100% of the time…in order for us to trust them when backing up.

The good news is that they have been able to reduce a good portion of rear-end collisions but until they can do it 100% of the time, please don’t take chances on hurting others or yourself!

How To Ensure Your Vehicle Warranty Won’t Pay Up

Many vehicle manufacturers offer warranties built into the price of the car at time of purchase. Today, you can also buy pre-owned warranties for used vehicles. The latest is paying for a warranty through an outside company, with many actors and race car drivers doing commercials on television about it.

No matter what sort of warranty you may have, there are ways to ensure you won’t be covered at the time of repair. Here are a few to keep in mind,

The easiest way to void your warranty is to neglect to have regular oil changes!
The next is to make sure you ignore your vehicle’s maintenance schedule.
Make sure to drive recklessly in a vehicle that isn’t meant for off-roading.
Use improper gasoline for your vehicle.
Over-inflation or under-inflation of tires or unnecessary spinning of tires.

Hopefully, you are not practicing any of the above methods to hurt your vehicle or its warranty.

When Your Warranty Runs Out…

If you are taking care of your vehicle as recommended by the manufacturer, the warranty will eventually run out as the vehicle ages. All warranties have time limits. To ensure your vehicle will go on running well for years to come, follow the maintenance instructions for your particular car or truck. Get that oil changed regularly and have your automotive technician inspect your vehicle periodically. This will save you money in the long run.

American Thin Blue Line Flag

You will notice that many homes, businesses, and organizations are flying the Thin Blue Line flag, as do we. The flag has been around for many years and was actually adopted by law enforcement in the 1950s here in America. It has a long history and if you are interested, you can find more about its origins online.

Robin and I fly it at our business as it has a very special meaning for us. Our son is a police officer. He, along with all others in law enforcement literally put their lives on the line each and every day to protect American citizens. We feel that flying this flag shows our respect and support for all these brave men and women.

If you are a police officer and reading this, we would like to take this opportunity to say “thank you” for all you do!

Maintenance Myth Busters

Myth: Premium Gasoline Will Make Your Car Perform Better

Explanation: Many people believe that using premium gasoline will improve their car’s performance, fuel efficiency, and longevity, regardless of the vehicle they drive.

Reality: The truth is, most cars are designed to run perfectly on regular unleaded gasoline. Unless your vehicle’s manufacturer specifically recommends or requires the use of premium gasoline (often in high-performance or luxury vehicles with high-compression engines), you will not see any significant benefit from using it.

For vehicles that do not require premium fuel, using it does not enhance performance or fuel efficiency. In fact, you might just be wasting money, as premium gasoline is more expensive.

Premium gasoline has a higher octane rating, which means it can withstand higher compression without detonating. Cars designed for regular fuel do not need this higher octane, as their engines do not compress the air-fuel mixture to the same extent.

Conclusion: Unless your vehicle specifically requires or benefits from premium fuel (check your owner’s manual), there is no advantage to using it. Stick with the recommended gasoline type to ensure optimal performance and cost-efficiency.