Ever see this light before?

This seems to be the most confusing light on anyone's dashboard display. This is the warning light for your Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). Why does it come on?

The most common cause is that the tire pressure is too low or too high. To fix this problem adjust the tire pressure to the specification in your owner's manual. Then you will need to drive for a few minutes for the on-board computer to reset the light to "off". You will want to have a shop check your tires for any leaks and repair or replace your tires. The other reason the light will come on is that there is a problem detected in the system by the computer. At this point you will need to visit a repair facility with the proper tools and diagnostic equipment to repair TPMS issues. Driven Auto Care does have the capability to check most manufacturers systems.

Starting in 2007, it was federally mandated that the is a tire pressure warning system on all vehicles sold in the US. This was done as a way to alert the driver to safety problems with tires.

How does the system work? There are two basic types of tire pressure systems in use today, active and passive. The active system uses pressure sensors in the tires to relay actual pressure to the computer. The passive system uses the anti-locking brake system wheel sensors to determine wheel speed. If on wheel is consistently spinning a different rate than the other tires, the computer assumes this is caused by tire pressure and will turn the light on. There are advantages and disadvantages to each system, but remember it is important to service your tires if the light comes on.

Labels: Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems

One of the most over-used phases I hear is "I need a tune-up." What is a tune-up? Up through the 70's a tune up consisted of replacing ignition points, spark plugs, distributor cap and rotor. It also meant that ignition timing was set, idle speed was adjusted and finally the carburetor was adjusted. Today's cars and trucks do not need most of these items.

Cars today are fuel injected. Distributors disappeared and direct ignition systems arrived. Timing, idle and fuel mixture are computer controlled and no adjustments are possible. The only "tune-up" item left is to replace spark plugs. Copper spark plugs have now turned into platinum and iridium tipped spark plugs that do not need replacement until a vehicle reaches 100,000 miles or more. So if there is no need for a tune-up, what do you as an owner need to do?

The answer is scheduled maintenance. Your vehicle's owner manual will give you the breakdown of when certain items such as oil changes, transmission fluid changes, filter replacements, spark plug replacements, etc. will need to be done. It is important to follow this schedule to keep your vehicle's warranty valid.

It becomes confusing when there is a "normal driving" schedule and a "severe driving" schedule. Which one to follow? Too many shops will tell you to follow the severe schedule so they can make extra money on a vehicle that does not need the extra service. The severe schedule should be followed if you tow a trailer or if you live in a very dusty region, such a Las Vegas. Most drivers do not need this schedule. Sitting in rush hour traffic may be "severe" for the driver, but it is not "severe" for your vehicle, just follow the normal schedule in this scenario.

If you are unsure of what your vehicle requires for service, contact us and we can let you know what needs to be done for your car to keep it running its best. And if your car is not running well, schedule an appointment to diagnose the cause of what is ailing your car.

Labels: What is a tune-up?

The "Cash for Clunkers" program is a great success. Many older vehicles are being retired for new fuel efficient vehicles. However, taking care of a new car is much different than taking care of an older car.

Usually with older cars people wait until something breaks before taking it to the shop. With a new car, it is all about preventative maintenance. But where to take that new car?

The dealer will try and tell you that you need to bring the car to them, but that is not true. It is actually against the law to require service at the dealer to keep the warranty valid. You have the choice to bring your car to any shop for maintenance. The key is to follow the recommended maintenance schedule in your owner's manual. Here at Driven Auto Care, we will make sure we follow the recommended guidelines for service to keep your warranty valid and keep your car running great.

We also keep records of all service done on your vehicle, so if there is any doubt as to whether or not service was done regularly, we will have the proof that you maintained your car properly.

Not to mention... Our services are much less than what you would pay at the dealer with the same quality you deserve.

Have an older car... we can maintain that car as well.

Nothings worse than getting that 100 degree day and not having the A/C work in your car!
So here's some information to keep your A/C working it's best and hopefully give you some information to make wise decisions.

There are two systems working together to make your A/C work: The refrigerant cycle and the electrical system. The electrical system does not have a chance of working properly unless the refrigerant system is full. This is what people refer to as "recharging the A/C"

There are two types of automotive refrigerants R-12 (brand name of Freon) and R-134a. R-12 was fazed out by 1993. R-134a is what vehicles today use. The R134a is more environmentally friendly to the atmosphere as is does not contain CFC's. Resist the temptation to go to your local parts store and "add a can" of refrigerant. Too much refrigerant will make your air conditioner not work. The proper way to charge your A/C is to use a recycling machine. The machine will Recover/Recycle/and Recharge your refrigerant to it's proper level by weighing how much goes in. You also need to check for leaks. The refrigerant is in a closed system, so if you are low, it is because it leaked out. It is normal to lose some over a long period of time (6 to 10 years) due to age, however, it is important to make sure you do not lose the refrigerant to the atmosphere.

Shops that repair Air Conditioning, such as Driven Auto Care, need to be certified in the use of A/C equipment in order to protect the environment. Make sure you are using a reputable shop before making repairs to your car.

The second part of the A/C system is the electrical system. There are sensors, switches, and wiring that can go wrong. Today's automatic temperature control systems with dual or even three zone controls can present a challenge in diagnosis. Use of a scanner may be necessary to find out what is wrong. The electrical system will not work properly unless the refrigerant system is operating properly.

So, what can you do to make sure to prevent costly A/C repairs? Having your A/C system serviced regularly is the answer. Many manufacturers automatically add UV leak detection dye in their air conditioners. This dye will lose its UV fluorescence in about three years, so I recommend getting your A/C system serviced every three years. By doing this you will make sure that your refrigerant system is at the proper level and we can find small leaks before they become large leaks. Our service will include the Recover/Recycle/ and Recharge portion as well as adding UV leak detection dye. We will also check for any leaks that may be evident. However, if your A/C does not work after doing this, we will need to diagnose the electrical system of your A/C.

Happy Motoring, and Keep Cool.
Paul

Your vehicle is one of your largest investments and expenses that you have. Most of today's vehicles cost more than what my parents paid for their house. Isn't it worth it to take care of this investment so that it will give you many years of trouble-free service?

This blog will give you tips and tricks on how to properly maintain your vehicle to keep your overall cost of repairs to a minimum. It may also educate you on how cars operate and how to make informed decisions as to what repairs to make to your car or truck.

Check back often to get the most recent information that I will share.

Thanks and happy motoring.

The Driven Auto Care blog will be your home on the web for basic car repair and maintenance tips. Check back with us often to keep your car in great working order.