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How to Tell If You Need Engine Diagnostics

How to Tell If You Need Engine Diagnostics

An engine diagnostic is a very important auto service that doesn't get talked about enough. When you bring your vehicle to a shop for diagnostics, the goal is to simply figure out what is wrong with your engine (or related component). To do so, a professional technician will connect your car to a scanning device. The data collected will help us determine where the problem is coming from to figure out what kind of repairs you'll likely need.    When Should You Get Diagnostics? Check Engine Light Comes On - Many cars have different dashboard warning lights, but people tend to put this one off. When this yellow light comes on, it's crucial that you respond to this light to prevent the damage from spreading. Diagnostics will help uncover the meaning behind the light. Weird Engine Sounds - Engine sounds such as knocking, clunking, or even popping surely indicates your motor is in distress. If you notice an odd engine, it ... read more

Fun Road Trip Games to Play with Friends & Family

Fun Road Trip Games to Play with Friends & Family

With the warmer, Spring weather approaching, many Americans will start planning for fun, road trips. Whether you're taking your family for a vacation or going on a getaway with your friends for Spring break, we want to make sure everyone stays entertained. And playing games is a great way to do that! Below are some popular road trip games that should try out while you're on the road: 20 Questions The game starts with one person picking any person, place, or thing while the rest of the passengers have 20 questions to get hints about the thing. If everyone can guess it in under 20 questions, they win. Otherwise, the person who chose the thing wins. Of course, you can modify the game and even set categories if things become too difficult. I, Spy I Spy has been a tradition for many road trippers for decades! To play, one person is "it" and gets to choose anything in sight. The traditional saying is "I spy, with my little eye, something [color], or something begin ... read more

What Is Battery Corrosion and How to Clean It Off

What Is Battery Corrosion and How to Clean It Off

If you look at your battery and notice white, blue, or green crust on its terminals, you're dealing with a corroded battery. While you may jump the gun and assume that your battery is done for, it may only be deprived due to the poor connections. We suggest cleaning it off and retesting your battery. Either way, it is a wonderful habit to regularly clean your battery to ensure corrosive matter doesn't linger and weaken the battery's charge.   The crusty matter on your battery is called corrosion, and it is the hydrogen gas leaving the sulfuric acid within the car battery. Whenever this occurs, your battery will lose its charge. Various things can cause it: Exposure to salt and moisture Overcharging Age How to Clean the Battery Terminals Before we get into the process of properly cleaning your car battery, you will need to gather a few items: Gloves & eye protection Baking soda Anti-corrosion pads Petroleum jelly/vaseline Brushing tool Water Cloths Step ... read more

What's That Smell? (Car Edition)

What's That Smell? (Car Edition)

Most vehicles on the road nowadays have many different ways to alert us when it needs repairs. One way to tell if you have car troubles is by smell. Different odors can indicate a multitude of problems, which is why we've created this easy guide to narrow down your vehicle smell. Below are the four most common vehicle smells and what they mean: Musty Basement Smell If you notice that your car smells like a dirty, humid basement, there is a strong possibility that you have mildew or mold growing in your HVAC vents. You can get rid of it most of the time by turning on your heaters and rolling down the windows to dry out the system. If the problem persists, please take it to an auto repair shop. Burnt Oil Scent There's no better way to describe it than what it is. If oil is leaking out of your engine, odds are it will burn. You may also see smoke coming out from under the hood or your exhaust when this happens.  Gasoline We've all stood at the gas pump, so we are al ... read more

Does Power Steering Fluid Need to be Replaced?

Does Power Steering Fluid Need to be Replaced?

When it comes to car maintenance, there are key parts prioritized when compared to others. For most components, maintenance involves removing fluids from different systems and replenishing with new fluids. Maintaining the brakes, transmission, cooling, and power steering systems all follow this procedure.   However, the power steering system is not usually given much attention by most drivers. This is because it isn’t as talked about as some of your vehicle’s other important fluids. However, driving with contaminated or worn-out power steering fluid can lead to a faulty power steering pump, which can in turn cause trouble steering.    Reasons for Replacing the Power Steering Fluid Several factors could prompt a driver to change the fluid. They include: Instructions in the User Manual It is utterly important to check your car's user manual to avoid missing key information. Some cars need this fluid change while othe ... read more