Archive for June 2023Busted! Air Conditioning (Air Conditioning Maintenance)Posted June 18, 2023 9:26 AMYour vehicle's air conditioning is something you count on when the weather heats up. But there's bound to be a day when you turn it on and one of these things happens:
Some people are tempted to try to make the diagnosis—and the repair—on their own. They think it's just run out of refrigerant and they can pick up a can at a local auto parts store and re-charge it. If only it was that easy. A vehicle's air conditioning system is complex and made up of many parts. A compressor, evaporator, condenser, tubing, hoses, sensors, valves… the list goes on and on. Each of these components could be the reason for the problem. It could be a leak that's letting the refrigerant escape, but simply re-charging the system hasn't fixed the problem. You have to find the source of the leak and fix it. Service facilities have a device called a "sniffer" which can sniff out refrigerant chemicals. And they can use black light to locate refrigerant that has an ultraviolet dye in it. But often other components wear out; blower motors go bad, resistors blow, tubes clog, compressors fail. And diagnosing that takes training and special equipment you'll find at your service facility. One other thing to keep in mind. It's always better to catch any problems in the air conditioning system before it fails. Ask your service advisor about having the A/C checked as part of the vehicle's maintenance. That's the cool way to go. Lakeside Certified Auto Oil's Well That Ends Well (Oil Change Grades and Weight)Posted June 11, 2023 9:46 AMChanging your oil regularly is one of the most important things you can do to keep your vehicle running well. And knowing the right type of oil to use is also very important. Engine oil is classified by weight, but it doesn't refer to how much the oil would weigh if you put it on a scale. It refers to viscosity, or how easily the oil flows through the engine. Most engines operate normally at around 210°F/99°C. The viscosity, or weight, is assigned a number by how well it flows at that temperature. The lower the number, the more freely it flows. Most vehicle engines use what's called a multigrade oil which behaves differently in different temperatures. Multigrade oils have a "W" in their viscosity number that you may have seen on a bottle of oil, something like 5W30. The W stands for winter and shows how freely it flows in colder temperatures. That means a 5W30 oil will behave like a 5 weight oil in lower temperatures (less viscous or thinner) and a 30 weight oil in warmer temperatures (more viscous or thicker). That's important on a cold day because the oil needs to behave like a thinner oil when you start your engine since it need to lubricate engine components immediately to protect the metal components. Then as the engine warms up, it behaves like a thicker oil to prevent friction among those parts. Pretty neat trick, right? The type of oil you use can differ depending on what type of climate you operate your vehicle in and how your vehicle is used (carrying big loads, towing, etc.). Your owner's manual contains several different recommendations based on these factors. Your service advisor can recommend the right oil for your needs. Like Shakespeare said, "Oil's well that ends well." Lakeside Certified Auto Steering You Right (Tie Rod End Replacement)Posted June 4, 2023 11:10 AMFor drivers, S stands for safety. And there are three other words that start with S that are all equally important: starting, stopping and steering. For your vehicle to be at its safest, all three functions must be in top shape. Steering is one of those things we take for granted. After all, you turn the wheel and your vehicle changes direction. But sometimes you might notice your steering is a little off. Maybe you've noticed you turn your wheel slightly and your vehicle doesn't turn. You may feel a little vibration in the wheel that increases when you go faster. You may hear a little squeak from the wheels when you steer and you may notice your tires aren't wearing evenly. These are signs that your tie rod ends may be failing. Tie rod ends help connect your vehicle's steering mechanism to the wheels. They can wear out after you've hit one too many potholes or just from constant use. They can cause sloppy steering and loose handling, and they should be replaced when they've reached the end of their life span. If you notice any of these things happening on your vehicle, bring it in to us so a technician can check it out. There are a couple of different types of steering, recirculating ball steering and the one most of the latest vehicles have, rack and pinion. When we replace your tie rod ends, we will remove and replace the old ones and adjust them to meet your vehicle manufacturer's specifications. Tie rod ends should often be replaced in pairs, and your vehicle should be aligned afterwards. Keep your steering working the way it's supposed to, and your vehicle will be sure to steer you right. Lakeside Certified Auto | ||
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