Gene's Car Tips - Page 21 of 49

CAN System…Your Car Has One!

I have written articles many times about that fact that your car is really a computer on wheels. They have up to 100 million lines of computer code and that is more than many jet fighters! The most basic of vehicles have a minimum of 30 microprocessor-controlled devices. We call these ECU’s (electronic control units). Luxury cars can have 100 ECU’s!

These processors make it difficult for the average person to work on their own vehicle but it makes it easier for auto repair shops, such as Certified Automotive Specialists, as they have made an investment in the right equipment and diagnostic tools in order to translate trouble codes and determine what is actually wrong with your vehicle.

What do all these ECU’s do? They help meet emissions and fuel-economy standards, do diagnostics, simplify design and manufacturing, reduce wiring, provide safety features, comfort and convenience.

Controlling your vehicle’s engine is the most processor-intensive job and the engine control unit is the most powerful computer in your vehicle. It gathers data from dozens of various sensors and knows all that is going on. It performs millions of calculations per second. The processor in your car runs more efficient code than that in your PC.

Each module communicates problems to a central module. The problem is stored and then a technician can read the code using an off-board diagnostic tool. There seems to be more and more technology going into our vehicles each year so more and more computer code will be necessary. This is all part of keeping our environment cleaner and reducing the amount of accidents. As we are moving toward the commercialization of the self-driving car we will find this will increase a great deal.

The CAN (Controller Area Network) also known as CAN Bus enables all the electronic control units to communicate with each other…without a host computer. This lets the vehicle’s electronic components; control units, microcontrollers, devices, sensors, actuators, and many more talk to each other on a single or dual-wire network.

Your engine management electronic control unit is connected to the transmission electronic control unit, which is connected to the anti-lock braking electronic control unit, and so on! There are essentially two wires involved; a CAN High and a CAN Low. Why is this important? They act as a backup for each other in case one fails. This is why your car can continue to run just fine with the check engine light illuminated.

This is also why we tell you not to keep on driving miles and miles with the check engine light on…it really is telling you that your car needs attention. You are already down to one wire…if the other one fails you have a problem! Next time your check engine light illuminates, make an appointment and let our diagnostic technicians get your car back to excellent health.

Please call us with any questions at 626-963-0814 or visit our website at www.CertifiedAutoCA.com.

Hometown Service You Can Count On!

Can a Car’s Artificial Intelligence Have Ethics?

Self-driving vehicles are all the talk! It would be nice to just be a passenger and let the car make all the driving decisions while you have time to unwind, or catch up on work, or chat away on your cell phone. We are told that fewer accidents will occur as our car will be talking to the vehicles around them to keep us all safe. That makes us feel better. Still…fewer doesn’t mean there won’t be some accidents.
Humans are often in tricky situations behind the wheel. We have a few seconds to try to decide which action to take to either prevent an accident, or if that isn’t possible, what action to take to cause the minimum of damage…to us and our passengers…our vehicle…and those sharing the highway with us. There could be an animal in the road, a pedestrian and a child on a bicycle to consider as well.

This is a very real issue and one that programmers of autonomous vehicles have to keep in mind. How can they program ethics into artificial intelligence? I was just reading an interesting article on this very subject and thought I would share some points that were made.

First of all, programmers would have to set “crash-optimization algorithms” based on human ethical intuitions. Of course, different people have different base ethics so most likely this will be decided by committee …who will be on that committee? That remains to be seen. It could be the automakers themselves, or the government.

Once these “set algorithms” are programmed then the buyer of the vehicle needs to know what to expect. Has the buyer bought a car that only is concerned with the owner of the vehicles safety and best interest? Is it only concerned with keeping the vehicle itself from harm? Has any “moral” or “legal” ramifications been programmed in?

How will the self-driving car “learn” human ethics?

We will keep you posted as we learn more!

Please call us with any questions at 626-963-0814 or visit our website at www.CertifiedAutoCA.com.

Hometown Service You Can Count On!

Fed Up With Recalls?

It is amazing these days that there are so many recalls. Almost daily we hear about a food recall, and of course those recalls for our cars! It is getting harder to feel “safe.” Consumers are losing patience!

When it comes to the airbag situation with Takata it is now called a crisis. Automotive “franchise dealers” and “manufacturers” are pointing fingers at each other when it comes to who should have the financial responsibility. There are different rules to the sale of used and new vehicles and this is causing heated debate. State legislatures are getting involved as well.

The federal government prohibits the sale of new vehicles that have a recall until they are fixed. These cars sit on the dealers’ lots until the parts arrive from the manufacturer to correct the problem. If the manufacturer can’t get the parts right away, they have to pay the dealership until they can provide them. If they have used vehicles on their lot needing recall fixes it is a different story. This is starting to change as the state of Virginia has now mandated that the manufacturer has to compensate the dealership monthly if the dealer has used vehicles it can’t sell due to lack of parts.

Consumers are upset, and rightly so! When they finally get a recall notice, many times months after it was reported on the news, the parts aren’t available to fix the problem. Consumers don’t always know if the “fix” is urgent for their safety and it creates a lot of unnecessary strain on them. They feel frustrated dealing with the manufacturer and the dealer and wish the government would set up a system to protect their rights and safety.

When it comes to the Takata airbags, the problem just drags on and on. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration realizes that the manufacturer can’t produce the new parts quickly enough to satisfy automotive manufacturers, dealerships and the consumer. Currently, other manufacturers are helping out by providing parts but even if these are installed, another recall may be in the consumers’ future.

It is amazing that 29 million vehicles have been recalled due to the Takata airbag inflator problem. 10 persons world-wide have been killed due to the defect and 139 injured. Sadly, there are another 50 million vehicles in the US that have Takata airbags…so far no recall has been issued but it can’t be ruled out.

The cause of the airbag problem is the use of ammonium nitrate inflators and if they don’t correct the issue and prove by December 2018 that the airbags are now safe; another 90 million vehicles will have to be recalled. It is going to take a long time to get this problem behind us!

Please call us with any questions at 626-963-0814 or visit our website at www.CertifiedAutoCA.com.

Hometown Service You Can Count On!

Your Warranty Is Safe!

Some dealership salespeople imply that when you buy a new vehicle from them, you must have it serviced by them. This is not true! I hear this from my customers all the time! Here is what you need to know:

There is a law (Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act) that an independent repair shop can service your car and you will not be jeopardizing your warranty in any way. This law has been around since 1975. Just like you would have to do if you got your vehicle serviced at the dealership, you need to keep records of services and have them done as recommended in your owner’s manual. The good news is we make it easy for you. You always get a copy and we keep your vehicle’s records as well. We can download a copy for you any time you need it.

Many consumers have gone to the dealership to take care of a warranty issue, however, and have been told their warranty is void because the vehicle has aftermarket parts on it. If they didn’t inspect the vehicle to find out if the aftermarket parts cause the problem that is illegal. The mere presence of aftermarket parts on a vehicle cannot void a manufacturer warranty.

There are two types of warranties; expressed and implied. An expressed warranty is for a specific amount of time on certain parts. An implied warranty states that the manufactured product should meet certain standards. Aftermarket parts do not void either warranty.

If you feel you have been wronged in this area contact the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) at 877.382.4357.

There are also two types of emission warranties; defect and performance. At the time of sale, the defect warranty insists that the manufacturer make a vehicle that will meet required emission levels. The performance warranty says the vehicle must maintain certain emission levels during its useful life cycle. Should the vehicle fail to meet these criteria the manufacturer must make the repairs free of charge even if an aftermarket part was the cause for the warranty claim. If that seems strange it is because the consumer is protected by the parts self-certification program that the EPA developed with SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association).

When an aftermarket part does fail, and is responsible for a warranty claim, the vehicle manufacturer must arrange a settlement with the consumer but the new vehicle warranty is not voided by this.

If you go to a dealership and they refuse to cover any defective manufactured items just because you have aftermarket parts on your vehicle, without bothering to find out if the aftermarket parts were at fault that is illegal!

The laws dealing with warranties are very simple. The only time a new vehicle warranty can be voided is if an installed aftermarket part has been proven to cause the problem.

If you feel you have been denied a claim take a written explanation from the dealership. Check your owner’s manual for instructions on what to do next. If you still don’t receive satisfaction contact the EPA at 202.233.9040 or 202.326.9100.

We’ve got you covered! Please call us with any questions at 626-963-0814 or visit our website at www.CertifiedAutoCA.com. Hometown Service You Can Count On!

It’s Kind Of Like That!

In many ways, our vehicle’s health system is a lot like our human makeup! Seriously!

Clogged Filters – When your filter gets full of debris, it can’t do its job. It is how a human with asthma must feel! Most of us know we need to change the filters in our homes but some might not realize that they also need to change the filter in their cars. In vehicles built in 2007 and later you will find 80 percent of them have a cabin air filter and its function is to protect drivers and their passengers from contaminants such as pollen, mold spores, dust and other small and annoying particles.

Sludge – This is similar to clogged arteries! It is actually a gooey, tar like substance that deposits itself inside your car’s engine. One of the roles of motor oil is to keep your engine cool so it has to be able to take the heat…when it fails to do so these deposits form in the engine. Some vehicle’s engines have more trouble than others due to poor design. Their passages are smaller and they actually bake the oil inside the engine.

Smoke – We all know by now how bad smoking is for human health. When your car has a smoking issue, it is literally telling you to pay attention…it needs help!

Black exhaust smoke means the engine is burning too much fuel. The first thing you should check is your air-filter and other intake components like sensors, fuel injectors and the fuel-pressure regulator.

Blue smoke is a clear sign that the engine is burning oil. What happens is that the valve guide seals or piston rings are worn out, and oil is leaking past from where it should be lubricating the moving parts, to the combustion chamber where it’s being burned up with the fuel.

Gray smoke can mean that the car is burning oil or suffering from a bad turbocharger. It can also be an issue with your automatic transmission fluid getting burned up in the engine or could mean a stuck PCV valve.

Please call us with any questions at 626-963-0814 or visit our website at www.CertifiedAutoCA.com.

Hometown Service You Can Count On!

How Much to Budget

AAA estimates maintenance costs at around 4 cents per mile driven, which means you should set aside $50-60/month for this line item. Sadly, many put off service/maintenance and they end up having an expensive repair that could have been avoided. I then thought…maybe they don’t realize how much it costs to maintain their vehicle annually. With that thought in mind I’ve decided to share with you something in print so you can fill in the blanks for yourself. Granted…this is just an overall average but hopefully you will find it very helpful!

If you have a new car expect to pay $200 to $350 each year on preventive maintenance until your vehicle is three years of age. After that, a good rule of thumb is to plan to pay $600 to $1200 annually and this includes tires. Preventive maintenance is the best way to keep your car from having to undergo repair. As it ages, certain parts will need to be replaced, of course.

Those old sayings, “prevention is the best medicine” and “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”, have stood the test of time for a reason. They are true! Take a moment, if you will, and figure out the annual cost of vehicle ownership. You might be surprised at how it adds up!

Annual vehicle payment [ ]

Annual finance charge on loan [ ]

Annual gasoline costs [ ]

Annual car insurance [ ]

Annual maintenance/repair [ ]

Annual license fee and other fees [ ]

Total [ ] Annually

Total Divided by 12 [ ] Monthly

This is how much it costs you to drive each year/month. I just think knowing the facts helps you plan a little better.

Remember:

Keeping current with oil and filter changes prevents the need for a new engine.
Keeping current with tire rotations and alignments prevents buying new tires less often.
Keeping current with brake fluid and/or brake pads prevents replacing brakes as often.
Replacing filters and fluids keeps your vehicle going longer for less.
Preventive maintenance reduces your expenses going forward.

I think this gives you the idea. Keep your vehicle healthy and it will be good to you and your bank account!

Please call us with any questions at 626-963-0814 or visit our website at www.CertifiedAutoCA.com.

Hometown Service You Can Count On!

The Magic Box

Two times today I had calls from customers wanting an estimate and they were concerned because we charge a fee to test before we do any actual repairs. One wanted to know why their car’s check engine light was on, especially as the car was running just fine. They said a neighbor came over and offered advice and a diagnosis of what he thought the problem might be.

I appreciate the helpfulness of friends, neighbors and tow truck drivers as they care enough to try to figure out what a car problem might be. Many times they have been right but just as many times they have been wrong. Whatever their diagnosis might be…it is still just a guess! Professionals (whether it is an auto repair shop, home air conditioning repair, the dentist or doctor), would never give a diagnosis or attempt “a repair” without first testing circuits, components or in humans taking temperatures, blood pressure, drawing blood, taking x-rays and more to see what the problem really is.

The customer then asked me to “just plug in that box” that tells you what’s wrong with the car. I am to this day puzzled why so many people believe there is a “magic box” that we plug into a car that tells us what is wrong with the car! If that “magic box” were available, I would buy several and I would not need a staff of expert technicians who have years of experience, training, and over $20,000 worth of tools and equipment. That would greatly reduce my payroll and operations cost. I could just hire low paid mechanics to replace the parts the “magic box” said were bad. I wish our business was that easy.

Please believe there is no “magic box”, but there is a scan tool that gathers information and data to point the technician in the right direction to test the circuits and components that may have failed.

What has happened over the years is many inexperienced shops or mechanics plug in the scan tool and retrieve a code. The code is what lets the technician know what item(s) need to be tested. Here is an example. A PO300 means a random misfire has occurred in the engine. With this code alone many shops will sell you spark plugs, clear the code and hope it is fixed without any testing fee. Sometimes you get lucky and it fixes the code, other times the light returns in a few days to a week and they sell you more parts (We call these shops “parts replacers” and they keep replacing and charging their customers until they finally get it right).

Most professional shops will charge a fee to test items such as fuel pressure, the fuel injectors, coils, all the sensors, vacuum leaks, fuel trims, spark plugs and other items related to the code. Once testing is complete, an accurate repair can be performed, saving you time and money, because the concern is fixed the first time and there is no need to return for more parts.

As cars become more computerized, the systems are more difficult to test! Please beware of anyone that will just replace parts and not test to identify the concern.

Have a great day.

Please call us with any questions at 626-963-0814 or visit our website at www.CertifiedAutoCA.com.

Hometown Service You Can Count On!

Important Auto Repair Tips Continued

When The Oil Pressure Light Illuminates

You will almost always see your oil pressure warning light illuminate briefly when you first start your car. It goes off almost immediately. If it doesn’t you need to turn off your car and check the engine oil level. If it is low, add some oil then turn the car back on. If the light goes off and stays off you are good to go. If it is still illuminated do not drive the vehicle, turn it off immediately and call us as soon as possible. This may require a tow.

When The Temperature Light Illuminates

A temperature warning light is telling you that your engine is overheating. Pull over and turn your car off immediately! Do not check anything yourself until the engine has sat for at least half an hour. Attempting to remove the radiator cap before then can result in serious steam and water burns. If you know what you are doing you can remove the cap and check the coolant mixture level when it is safe to do so and add the appropriate 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water. Also be sure to check for leaks. Internal leaks can only be checked by pressure testing. Unless you are experienced in this area of car repair, it is best to call us! We will arrange a tow to our shop and get this fixed for you!

When The Brake Light Illuminates

The brake warning light comes on and stays on when you engage the parking or emergency brake. Check that first! If you disengage the parking brake and the light goes off, you are fine. It can also mean you have a fluid leak. This causes your brakes to fail or veer to one side when applied. Get your brake fluid checked as soon as possible. (If you have an ABS or the antilock brake light illuminates and remains on it is telling you there is a problem within this system.) Though you can drive with this situation, get it checked out as soon as you can because this is a critical system in an emergency or on slick roads. If both the ABS and brake warning light are on and stay on at the same time do not drive the vehicle until it has been looked at by us.

When The Alternator Light Illuminates

If your alternator warning light is on it is most likely telling you that your charging system is not working properly. You need to get this taken care of sooner rather than later as your battery will die. It could be indicating another problem such as a slipping drive belt but either way, it needs to be checked out as soon as you can.

When The Check Engine Light Illuminates

That orange light used to put fear in the hearts of drivers but now it seems drivers are more than capable of ignoring it mile after mile. This is because most of the time it is just telling you your gas cap isn’t on tight enough or some other small item. Of course this small item causes you to waste fuel and pollute the environment so it really isn’t insignificant. It is always best to have your vehicle looked at as the check engine light means something is wrong and a diagnosis is definitely called for. Whenever a light on your dash illuminates and doesn’t go off after a few seconds you can also refer to your owner’s manual. It generally explains the meaning behind the illumination and if it is safe to continue driving until you can get your vehicle serviced or repaired. You can always call us at any time as well. We are here to help!

When Thermostats Go Bad

The vehicles we drive these days are very high tech so when I mentioned that the thermostat is basically operated by the heating and cooling of wax people are shocked. Thermostats rarely give us problems so I guess most people just don’t think about them. Its function is to keep the car warm but cool the engine block. Thermostats seldom go bad but when they do, look out! This occurs when the wax stops working so the valve doesn’t open. This can happen when:

It was damaged in a prior overheating experience
Corrosion sets in
It just gets old

When one or all of these things happen your vehicle will overheat. Should the valve fail to close, stick in the open position, due to a piece of debris or the breaking of the return spring you have another problem. This allows coolant to keep flowing through the thermostat. It will not reach the proper operating temperature when this happens and you might notice the gauge reading lower than normal or the heater not as hot as it used to be. If the thermostat does stick open you will notice because of poor driveability during cooler weather, you will use more fuel as much as 2 to 3MPG more and the car will spew out more pollutants out the tailpipe than designed.

Why A Vehicle Inspection Is Important

In the automotive service and repair industry we as owners and our staff do our best to keep our customers’ vehicles in excellent condition. Not only do we want to keep you safe on the highways, we want to keep the others you share the road with safe as well. The majority of our customers want to know that everything is in proper working order. Every now and then we hear stories about consumers who think inspections or a “laundry list” as they call it, was done in order to make a bigger sale. This is not the case in most shops and those that practice selling services that aren’t needed don’t stay in business very long! We feel it is our duty to point out any potential hazards because our customers rely on us, as the experts in automotive maintenance, to tell them if their vehicle needs work. You can count on us!

A Little TLC Keeps Your Beloved Vehicle Going and Going and Going…

Many of you love your car! You pamper it, you keep it clean inside and out and you want it to live a good long life. The newness may have worn off a few years ago but that doesn’t matter…you’ve bonded with this vehicle. Some people keep their vehicles a very long time…over 200,000 miles and counting. If you love your car and you want to keep it longer, don’t fret. It is very possible. All it takes is some tender, loving care!

Throughout our many years of experience we have learned that taking certain preventive measures, such as timely oil changes and multi-point inspections, enable you to keep your car going and going. Call us today…together we can keep it going!

Don’t Worry…Your Warranty Is Safe

When choosing to have your vehicle serviced by an independent, you may feel your warranty could be in jeopardy. There is no need to be concerned about the validity of your warranty or quality service. Many consumers don’t realize that it is actually a law (Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act) that an independent repair shop can service your car and you will not be jeopardizing your warranty in any way. Just like you have to do with the dealership, you need to keep records of services and have them done as recommended in your owner’s manual. Most independent shop owners, such as ours, can provide you with the same excellent service you have been receiving from your dealership. Independents, like the dealerships, have ASE certified technicians, quality parts and service, state-of-the-art tools and equipment, dedication to customer service, and on-going training to keep current with the latest vehicle innovations. So stop worrying! We’ve got you covered!

How To Have A Lean Mean Driving Machine

Cars are built better than ever these days and give us miles of service. Keeping them healthy is important and extends their life. Oil is their lifeblood. Dirty oil makes it harder for your engine to turn over and causes premature engine wear. Belts and hoses are made of very durable material with relatively long lives but they do deteriorate over time. Leaks are not normal except for condensation from your air conditioner. 11 different fluids keep your car running; brake fluid, antifreeze, engine oil, power steering fluid, air conditioner refrigerant, shock absorber fluid, battery electrolyte, windshield washer solvent, rear axle or CV boot lubricant and fuel. If any of these leaks, they need to be fixed right away. Tires need to be kept properly inflated and rotated to save gas and tire wear. Coolant, when neglected can corrode and leave sediment throughout your cooling system causing clogging that results in damaging hot spots than can harm your engine. The battery needs to have the cables securely attached and free of corrosion in order to get power to the starter and accessories so the alternator receives a charge.

Keep your care lean and mean by getting it serviced regularly.

My Vehicle…How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Count The Ways!

I love thee enough to take thee regularly for automotive servicing! Okay…I just felt the need for a little humor. Seriously though…and I am a very serious person when it comes to vehicle care…you need to love your car! Think of all it does for you each and every day. Think how lost you feel without it when it breaks down. Think of the pain of paying for a high repair cost because you neglected to have it serviced. I want you to drive safely and I want you to pay for servicing your car rather than paying the much higher cost of repairing it. I want to think of you getting from point A to point B safely. I don’t want to see you with your vehicle broken down on the side of the road. I don’t want to see your vehicle dangling from a tow truck when it could all have been prevented. I prefer to see you save your hard-earned dollars by having regular preventive maintenance instead of costly repair. If you have been putting off servicing, now is the time to show your vehicle some love!

Speak To Me!

Do you ever wish your car could just tell you when something is wrong with it? In its own way it does speak to you. When it suddenly is acting, smelling, sounding, or dripping differently than it usually does it is telling you it isn’t feeling well.

I get calls all the time saying that their car is making a ka-thump noise or a pinging noise or it is knocking or sputtering, whining or screeching. Regular vehicle checkups prevent these symptoms from happening and keep your vehicle healthy. If your vehicle is trying to speak to you, listen and call for an appointment today.

The Hazards of Running on Fumes

When your car beeps a warning about low fuel, listen to it! Put gas in as soon as you can because that reserve fuel keeps your fuel pump from taking in the “bottom of the barrel” fuel which is full of debris. This sediment in the bottom of the fuel tank can also clog the fuel filter, fuel injectors as well as the pump pickup. I generally don’t let my tank get below 1/4 tank for this reason. Sure…it doesn’t have the same challenge as driving on fumes, but when it comes to your vehicle, it is always wise to consider damage control…both to your car and your wallet!

The Importance of Flushing

Your vehicle needs fluids to remain healthy. Overtime, these fluids get contaminated and cause corrosion. Flushing those out and refilling with clean, fresh fluid keeps your car safe and running smoothly. Think of it this way, when it comes to fluids, our cars’ needs are similar to the human body. We need to keep our systems flushed with water to keep our bodies running well, keep them lubricated while at the same time flushing out harmful toxins. Water keeps us hydrated and running well. Fluids do the same for your vehicle! Call today for an appointment.

These Come Between You and the Highway

Tires keep us and our car off the highway. It has been that way since Henry Ford’s Model A. Tires are, after all, the only part of the car that actually touches the road. That is a good reason to keep them as healthy as possible. Tire rotations and proper inflation should be part of your regular preventive maintenance routine. This seemingly simple act of swapping the tires around plus proper inflation keeps them from having extensive wear and tear and prolongs their life. Call today to give your tires a long and healthy life!