Auto Repair Advice

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AutoShop101 - Explains how all the major parts of your vehicle works, with sections on common problems and theory.

Car Care - If you ever wondered what was the best way to clean and care for your car, it’s in here. Washing, waxing and cleaning every part of your car is covered.

Road Machines - An excellent educational learning CD which is offered exclusively from AutoEducation.com This CD has interactive graphics and text which is easy to understand. We offer a free demo and we believe this is the best learning tool out there.

Online Repair Manuals - We offer online repair manuals from Alldata. You can subscribe and get your manual instantly. Besides excellent repair information, the Alldata manuals offer Recall information, Technical Service Bulletins and Labor Guides for most vehicles. Even if you don’t turn a wrench on your own car, AllData manuals are the best tool to make sure you are getting good service from your mechanic.

If you would like to ask an automotive question, feel free to give me a call via Skype

You have heard of P21S car care products in our car wax pages and hopefully you know by now it’s one of the best car waxes out there. The engineers at P21S have come up with a great product which I have used on my personal vehicles for years. I enjoy the shine and ease of application. The shine also lasts a long time, which means I don’t have to wax the car as much.

I just wanted to let you know that P21S has a cool car care kit out there that gives you all the great P21S products you need to keep your car clean and shining like new.

You can buy it online at AutoGeek.net a great place for all your car care needs.

If you have spent any time online or browsing your local auto parts store, you have seen clay bar products to clean your paint. They advertise a shine than will blind you and a slippery smooth finish.

Clay bars work by pulling up dirt and other contaminant from your paint. Your paint is relatively soft and dirt and other tiny metal particles can become lodged in the paint to the point that regular washing will not remove them. When you rub the paint with the clay bar, the clay grabs the contaminants and yanks it from the grip of your paint.

The problem lies in the fact that once the contamination is removed from your paint, it does not just fall to the ground, it stays in the clay bar. This material which is often metal and organic compounds from brake pads and rail dust can become like sandpaper. Constant kneeding of the clay to expose fresh clay and burying the contaminants where they can not do damage, is needed to avoid scratching your vehicle.

I have seen good and bad clay jobs, some come out looking like glass, others have noticable scratches left in the clear coat. I don’t suggest it for first time waxers, but if you have some experience, are willing to take the time to do it right, then go ahead and give your paint a new look.

You know the story, driving down the road and a dump truck throws a stone into your windshield and you don’t have time to get the license plate. Or even worse, the truck is going the other way and you have no hope of getting a license number to track down the truck.
What do you do next ???

FIRST let’s backup and see if you got your insurance quoted lately and included comprehensive coverage with a low deductible which will cover situations like this.

Now that we have that “I Told You So” out of the way, here is what to do next… Calmly pull over to a safe spot and inspect the damage. Grab a piece of paper and write down the date, time and road where the damaged occurred, your insurance company will ask when you call them. Check to see if there is any glass missing from the windshield or any pieces that may fall off the vehicle while driving back to your house, work or wherever you are going. Once you determine it’s safe to drive, drive to your destination and get planning on how you will get your windshield fixed.

Most areas have a windshield repair shop which will come to your home or place of work to fix your windshield. This is very convenient, but you must have nice weather or a garage to have the work completed. The process of windshield repair takes only about 30 minutes and typically costs $150 - $300 depending on the vehicle.

Question:

Brown speckles began appearing all over my white yukon. The dealer said rail
dust, fix with claybar treatment, $300 thank you! The spots started to come
back within 2 weeks. The GM dealer now does a tap dance and with lot of BS.
Who can I take this vehicle too to find out what is really happening to
this paint job. No other cars where I park this car are similarily
afflicted. Thanks

Answer:

I am guessing you are in the mid-atlantic region. I too have seen the little black spots on my car. My spots looked like little balls of tar and you can scratch the tops of the ball off, but a small spot still remains which is hard to remove? Is this what you are seeing? If it is, you problem is not rail dust, but Artillery Fungus ! Yes I said fungus. In the mid-atlantic region there has been a real problem with this little known fungus which shoots a sticky liquid from it’s insides up to a couple of feet away. The wind can then carry them even further. They grow in rotting wood and mulch. It may not be from your place of business, but rather from your house, or even the gas station you may visit every morning for coffee. (if they have mulch around)

For more information, Dr. Donald D. Davis of Penn State is currently doing research on this annoying fungus http://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/d/d/ddd2/

My method of removing the spores is this… I wash the car first, then use bug and tar remover with a 100% cotton towel, as to not scratch the paint. This works well with spores that have not been on the vehicle for a long time. Older spores need to be removed with a clay bar, as your dealer did the first time. You can purchase a clay bar kit in most auto parts stores, under the Mothers brand. A word of caution with the clay bar, keep folding it over, exposing new clay, to prevent built up dirt from scratching your paint. It’s a great way to clean your car, but if not used properly, it becomes like sand paper. I have also had limited success with latex paint remover sold under the M-22 label, but I do not believe this is sold anymore.

To prevent the spores from coming back, you can try to re-mulch the area that you park next to, or replace the mulch with stones as I did at my business.

Good Luck,

Kevin

Question:

My new 2006 G6 was left under a pecan tree while I was on vacation for 2
weeks.  Upon returning I quickly washed it off, but now have brown spots
all over the finish.  What can be done to remove the brown spots?

Answer:

I would try bug and tar remover first.  Make sure to use a 100% cotton towel and make sure it’s clean.  You want to avoid grinding any dirt into the finish.  If that does not remove it, I would try a clay bar.  Most auto parts stores carry Mothers Clay bar, which should get your spots off.  Again, be cautious with the clay bar… read the directions and knead/fold the clay often to prevent dirt trapped in the clay bar from becoming like sandpaper.

Good Luck,

Kevin

Finding the best repair shop for you…

Sometimes it is not what you know but who you know that makes all the difference in the world. You may not be able to handle all the repair on your vehicle, so finding a repair shop you can trust is vital to the life of your vehicle and wallet. You do not have to be a master mechanic if you have a good repair shop that you trust. Let’s look at a few tips to finding a good repair shop you can trust.

- Ask friends and co-workers for recommendations. Word of mouth can be a great way to find a repair shop. Find out why they like their shop and ask them what kind of work they have had done there. Ask if the work performed was done on time and at the price quoted. Also ask if their vehicle was returned in a clean condition.

- Don’t always assume that a dealership is your best bet for service. Dealerships usually have the highest shop rate around and the newest equipment but that does not always mean the best service. There are plenty of independent repair shops with qualified mechanics and up-to-date equipment. If your car is under warranty, your best bet is to stick with the dealer. If you are not happy with the dealer you bought the car from, there is nothing stopping you from going down the road to another dealer, which has better service. Today’s dealers are selling their new cars at slimmer margins, and are forced to make money of service, so be aware of high prices and unnecessary work.

- Look for accreditation from groups like ASE and MAP. This certification shows that the shop has gone the extra mile to keep on top of their automotive education. Most mechanics will have a general certification and certain mechanics will specialize from there. Each shop may have an expert in Heating and A/C and one for Suspension. Not every mechanic can be an expert in all fields.

- When visiting, look for a clean well-organized work area and office. This should give you a peak into how the business is run. Can you really expect good and fast service if the place is a mess? A certain amount of clutter is to be expected in a shop, but old parts and trash lying around the shop is unacceptable.

- Your first job should be a small one, like an oil change or brake job. Get a feel for the shop and how they operate. When you have a major problem you will be comfortable knowing you have dealt with them before.

Once you have found a good repair shop there are a few things to remember. Always keep good records of the service performed. I prefer a small notebook in the glove box where I can jot down service dates and keep receipts in the back of the book. This notebook can provide a good history for your mechanic when he is troubleshooting your most current problem. He may be able to gain some insight based on past services. Also when you plan to sell your car, this history is a great selling point.

Make sure your repair shop knows you are happy. We always complain about the bad things, but never mention the good. A simple thank you when picking up your car, or a quick note after the service will go a long way.

Also keep learning about your car. A good repair shop will be happy to deal with an educated customer. The more you know about your car, the better you can discuss issues with your mechanic.

Kevin Schappell

Top 10 mistakes when buying a car seat by Linda Jenkinson

There is no doubt that a good quality car seat is
one of the most important purchases the parent of an infant or toddler can make.
A properly installed car seat can be a real life saver in a crash. In addition,
a car seat can keep the baby comfortable and happy on those long road trips.

Unfortunately, there are some common mistakes parents
make when buying these important safety items. Listed below are some of the
most frequently seen mistakes made when buying and installing a car seat.

1.Buying a car seat that is difficult to install - Proper installation is the
most important part of buying a good car seat. Inspections of car seats reveal
that the majority of car seats are installed improperly. Car seats that come
with incomplete or poorly worded instructions, or those that are overly complicated
to install, can be dangerous.

2.Buying a car seat that does not properly fit your vehicle. Most car seats
are designed to fit most models of newer cars, but owners of older or more exotic
cars may have problems fitting car seats properly. If you are unsure if the
seat you chose will fit your car, be sure to check with the auto dealer.

3.Not looking for the seal of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard. Parents
should only buy car seats that meet or exceed this federal standard.

4.Buying a car seat that is too small for your baby - All car seats carry a
maximum height and weight rating. Be sure to buy a car seat that provide room
to grow.

5.Choosing a car seat that is not compatible with your car’s seat belt. Not
all car seats are compatible with all styles of seat belts. If you are unsure
what type of car seat you need, be sure to consult with the manufacturer.

6.Not ensuring that the car seat fits the baby properly. Particularly with
larger car seats, a small baby could accidentally slip out of the seat. It is
important that infants one year of age and younger ride only in a rear facing
car seat. Only after the baby is older than one year and weighs between 20 or
40 pounds should he or she be switched to a front facing seat.

7.Not checking for safety recalls. There are a number of safety recalls on
car seats every year, and it is important to check for recalls on the model
car seat you are considering.

8.Not choosing the fabric carefully - It is important to choose a fabric that
is machine washable. In addition, a cloth upholstered seat is often more comfortable
for the baby.

9.Not buying a car seat as part of a travel system - It is possible to buy
a car seat that is part of a three part travel system. That means that the car
seat, infant carrier and stroller are all integrated into one handy unit. This
combination is often a more convenient and cost effective solution than buying
the items separately.

10.Buying a car seat that is poorly made - Poor construction may be the biggest
problem with some car seats. Be sure to check the quality of the car seat, watching
especially for any sharp edges or loose parts.

About the Author
Linda, mother of two is an inspired author of the Baby
Strollers Guide and the Baby
Products Guide

Summer Road Trip

Even with the high gas prices, people are planning their summer road trips. It’s essential that you are prepared for your trip and have the right supplies on hand to handle a roadside emergency. Here is a simple checklist to prepare your
family truckster for the long haul.

- Is your car close to needing an oil change? Get the oil changed
just to be safe. Fresh oil will help your engine run cooler and at
peak efficiency. I personally use synthetic oil in my vehicles for it’s long life and superior lubrication. While you are getting your oil changed, make sure that the mechanic greases all of the suspension points and inspects everything under the car for wear.

- Check the air conditioning system, nothing is worse than a family trip with no air conditioning. If your system is not blowing cold like it used to, consider getting it recharged to keep you cool on those hot summer roads.

- Check your tires for tread depth, unusual wear and damage. Nothing
is worse than having a blowout on a Sunday with no place to get a new
tire. Also make sure your tires are properly inflated, this will save
you gas and keep your tires from wearing prematurely. Also make sure
your spare tire is inflated and in good condition. Remember that if you need to use the small “doughnut” spare included in some cars, keep the speed below 50mph and only use the tire to get to the nearest garage to get your original tire fixed or replaced.

- Top off all the fluids under the hood. Windshield washer fluid, power
steering fluid and coolant are the most important. Also make sure you have
extra fluids in the trunk just in case. I usually carry a gallon jug of fresh water from the store. You can use it to fill a radiator or keep you alive if you are stranded and need water.

- Do you have an emergency kit in your car? You should have the basic band-aids, gauze and ointments included in most kits today. You should also have a blanket in the trunk. Flares and flags are also essential for roadside safety.

- A tool kit to fix minor problems is a good idea to have in the trunk also. An adjustable wrench, screwdrivers, and a vice-grips pliers go a long way when stuck on the side of the road. I also carry electrical tape and extra fuses incase any minor electrical problems pop up during the trip.

- Don’t forget a good set of jumper cables for when you leave the lights on, or your battery goes dead. A good set of jumper cables has a heavy gauge wire and sturdy clamps at each end. There are some new cables on the market, which have LED lights to show you if you have the cables hooked up properly. If you can find a set, it’s worth the price to know that you are jumping your car the right way. I get more questions about how to jump-start a car properly. You can read the proper way to jump start a car at www.autoeducation.com/faq.htm

- How old is your battery? A dead battery is a common problem while on
vacation and a major inconvenience. If it’s older than 3 years, consider
replacing it. While you are under the hood, make sure the terminals are
tight and have a good coat of grease on them. The grease will keep the terminals
from corroding. A mechanic can test your charging system and battery in about 5 minutes. This extra test could save you a lot of headaches on your trip, if something was to go wrong with your charging system.

- Do you belong to a motoring club like AAA? Make sure your membership is current and you have the membership card with you on your trip.

Now that you have everything prepared for your summer road trip, get ready for a million “are we there yet’s” and “Daddy I have to Pee” Aahh… the joys of the family vacation !

Everywhere you turn, you hear about the pain at the pump, and who to blame for your troubles. What is missing from most news reports is how you personally can help to save gas and keep a little of that green in your wallet. Today I would like to focus on the mechanical aspects of your car and making sure it’s in tip-top shape.

Your engine is just like a big air pump, it’s job is to pump air. In the process your engine adds in some gasoline and lights it on fire. You need to make sure that the air is moving in and out of the engine with little to no restriction, and you need to make sure that all the gas that goes in gets burned. If you can do this, your engine will be as efficient as possible.

Air enters your engine through an air filter. The filter is designed to keep dirt and other contaminants out of your engine, which prevents premature wear. Most stock air filters are a compromise between their ability to filter and a longer service interval. New cotton filters from companies like K&N perform much better than your stock filter and can last the lifetime of your vehicle. There is one trade-off, you have to clean and oil the filter at a set interval. It’s best to do this at every oil change to keep your filter operating at peak efficiency. This process can be done with a hose and the special oil provided with the filter.

Once the air has entered your engine, it travels through the throttle body and into the intake. Overtime your throttle body accumulates carbon buildup and needs to be cleaned. If your engine has over 50,000 miles, I would get a can of throttle body cleaner and clean it. This can help how your engine idles and keep your engine operating at peak efficiency.

Your engine cannot run on air alone, and this is where the gas comes in. Just before entering the cylinder, the air gets a shot of gas from the fuel injectors. If your fuel injectors are clogged or stuck, too much or too little fuel will be injected. Regular use of a fuel injector cleaner added to a tank of fuel, can keep your injectors operating like new. If you have over 100,000 miles and have not used a fuel injector cleaner in the past, your mechanic can clean the injectors and most likely get them back to as-new condition.

Now that the air and gas is in your cylinder, the engine fires a spark plug to light the volatile mixture. This happens many times per second and in order for it to happen properly, your ignition system needs to be in good condition. If your spark plug wires are cracked or damaged, they can leak voltage to the engine block and prevent the spark plug from firing completely, or not at all. This can allow unburned gas to exit the engine and reduce the efficiency of your engine. Inspect your spark plug wires for signs of cracking or arcing and replace if you see any damage. Your engine’s spark plugs lead a tough life. They have to endure super high temperatures and very high voltages. The spark plug has an electrode and ground strap, which is separated by a specific distance. This distance is called the plug gap, and can widen with time as the two parts wear. As with air filters, auto manufactures compromise on spark plugs and make them last a long time but lose some efficiency. Most newer spark plug electrodes are made from Platinum, which wears like iron, but does not conduct electricity as well as copper. Older style copper plugs work better, but do not last as long since copper is soft compared to Platinum. I do not suggest you switch to copper plugs, but I would suggest changing plugs sooner than the recommended interval just to be safe. If your service manual suggests changing spark plugs at 75,000 miles, I would change them at 60,000 miles just to be safe.
In the next article I will discuss how your driving style can increase your gas mileage and save you even more money.

Kevin Schappell runs www.AutoEducation.com where he gives advice on auto repair, maintenance and car care. If you would like to comment or ask a question you can email him at Kevin@AutoEducation.com