Tag: Auto Repair in Chicago

WHY SPARK PLUG AND BATTERY REPLACEMENT ARE SO IMPORTANT?

Spark plug and battery are two important and integral part of the car. A problem with either of these parts can result in major problems, breakdowns, car not starting etc. Both these parts perform major roles in the car to help the car start and function smoothly. Here are the reasons explaining why these two parts are so important for the car and why to get them replaced on time.

SPARK PLUG REPLACEMENT
The spark plugs are considered to be durable parts compared to the other parts and they don’t need maintenance or replacement until 30,000 to 100,000 miles. But the spark plugs wear out as the time goes by and weakens in performance. The voltage that the spark plugs initially produced is lower after being used for a good while. It can be known by the signals it shows when it loses its effectiveness. There is trouble while starting the car which might make people think that it could be due to a weak battery, but that is not always the case. If the spark plugs don’t generate enough power, it can drain the battery as well and the car won’t start. The engine would misfire as a result of weak spark plugs. The engine misfiring can cause damage to the exhaust system of the car. Weak spark plugs can also be identified when there is a lack of acceleration. All of these problems are a result of weak spark plugs as it cannot generate enough power to let the engine function smoothly.

Getting the spark plugs changed on time which is mostly noted in the owner’s manual would assure that the car would be functioning at top efficiency and providing optimum performance. It would also help maintain the fuel efficiency of the car. Getting the spark plugs replaced would also mean that you won’t have trouble starting the car in winter unless there are extreme weather conditions. It is better to get the spark plugs replaced on time to ensure that it doesn’t damage other parts of the car and get the best performance out of the car. The spark plugs replacement can be done by any mechanics near you. Go to a local auto repair shop or hire a mobile mechanics whichever you feel is the best for you.

BATTERY REPLACEMENT
Battery replacement is necessary on timely intervals to maintain efficiency and to keep the car running efficiently. A weak battery would mean that the car won’t start. Getting the battery checked before every season is necessary as different weather conditions affect the battery. It good to make sure the battery is in good condition for the coming season. A fully charged battery is at 12.6 A anything below it would cause problems. The car battery doesn’t only help start the car, but provides power to the engine, fuel system, internal accessories, vehicle lights and others. The sign of a weak battery is when you notice the headlight or dashboard lights get dim and the car doesn’t start as smoothly as it used to. Once you notice these signs, it is important to get the battery checked. A battery usually lasts for around 3 to 5 years. The battery can also cause problems if the terminals are loose or there are buildup and corrosion around it.

Mechanics suggest you get these parts replaced by professionally trained and certified mechanics to avoid any problems in the future as the parts wearing out quickly or damage to other parts as a result of negligence. The best way to get them replaced is to get your car to a local auto repair shop or hire a mobile mechanic near you that would come to your home or office to provide the service. Mechanics also suggest the owners read the manual to get to know more about the car and the intervals to get the various parts checked or replaced. It would help them get to know more about the car and know exactly when to book the appointment saving them time. If there are any doubts regarding the battery and spark plug replacement, you can consult a mechanic near you for more advice.

WHY YOU SHOULD NOT IGNORE SIMPLE AUTO REPAIR

HELP AVOID MAJOR PROBLEMS
There are many simple auto repairs that people ignore which in long-term can results in major problems if not taken seriously. Here are some of the simple auto repairs that people ignore which turn into major problems later on.

Oil and filter change: This is a simple auto repair that needs to be done every couple of months. As both oil and the filter affect the performance of the engine. The engine oil helps cool down the engine and lubricates the parts of the engine for smoother performance. While the filter is used to prevent the dust particles from entering the engine. The engine oil usually lasts 3000-7000 miles depending on the type and quality of the oil. While the filter needs to be replaced between 5000-7500 miles. If you ignore these simple repairs, it can result in major engine problems like overheating and complete engine breakdown. If you ignore replacing or servicing the filter it can result in damage to the internal parts of the engine.

Brake repairs: Brake system of the car consists of many components that work together to slow down and stop the car. The simple auto repair problems related to brakes are brake pad replacement, rotors resurfacing and replacement, and brake fluid change. These replacement and changes are required to maintain the braking system and don’t cost as much as major repairs. The brakes pads are to be replaced every 25000-60000 miles depending on the type of brake pad and style of driving. While the rotors are to be replaced every 30000-70000 miles. The rotors can last longer as they can be resurfaced when they get rough, but there is no such option for brake pads. If any simple brake repair is ignored, it would result in damage to the other parts of the system as well which would lead to major auto repair problems.

Tire replacement: This is another simple repair that does not need to be done often, but when the time comes, you should not ignore it. The safety of everyone in a car depends on the condition of the tyres and brakes. The tires usually need to be changed after 3-5 years. They need to be rotated after some time to manage the wear they take. If you ignore tire replacement, it can result in many major problems as it would affect the suspension, brakes, wheel alignment etc. Hence, it is better to get the simple things done in time to avoid such issues.

Radiator repairs: Radiator refill is the simplest thing a car owner has to do. It has to be a part of his daily routine to check the coolant level in the car. If the level is below par, it needs to be refilled. Radiator coolant helps cool down the heat generated from the engine. It needs to be flushed 30000 miles to avoid dirt and other particles from settling down in the radiator which can block the flow of coolant. If these simple measures and auto repairs are not done, the engine car overheats and cause a complete breakdown.

SAVES MONEY
The simple repairs that you get done on time help you to save money in the long-term as all the major problems are diagnosed well before and dealt with accordingly. Consider getting the simple auto repair done as a sort of preventive measure which helps to avoid major repairs and saves money in the process. There is some repair that cost a lot of money which can be avoided easily by getting the simple repairs done on time.

SAVES TIME
These repairs don’t take much time and can be done on any day. All you need is a couple of hours to get the repairs done. The local mechanics can get all these simple repairs done easily and it won’t take much of your time. It would be even better to book a mobile mechanic to get the auto repair service wherever you are, be it, at work or home. By spending a couple of hours on these repairs, you save a lot of time that you might have to spare to get the major repairs done in the future. Some major repairs require a whole day or even more, depending on the availability of the parts.

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR CAR DURING FREEZING WEATHER IN CHICAGO?

The winters in Chicago are really freezing and the roads get slippery due to the snow. This causes the conditions to become not so perfect to drive on and the car needs to go through some changes to adapt to the conditions for safer driving and better performance in extreme weather conditions like this.

DAILY MAINTENANCE CHECKS

The basic thing to do in any season is to perform daily maintenance checks. In the freezing weather of Chicago, these checks should be performed daily to keep your car running smooth. Check all the basic fluids. Check that you have the proper level of coolant.Get the oil changed if necessary. Have plenty of windshield fluid and get a winter one. Check the windshield wiper blades for cracks. Check all other belts for cracks and the hoses for any leakages.

BATTERY CHECK

Cold weather makes it really hard for the battery to function, especially, if the battery is a couple of years old, you should get it tested. Clean the connections of the battery as dirt and corrosion can cause problems in starting the car. To start the battery in any condition or weather; clean the battery ends using some corrosion liquid and a wire brush. Try and get your battery checked at an auto repair shop or get a mobile auto mechanic to do so.

TYRE PRESSURE CHECK

With temperature changes, the tyre also faces many changes and problems. When the temperature drops by 10 degrees, the tyre also loses up to 2 pounds of pressure. This makes it necessary to check the tyre pressure daily. It will help to get better road grip in slippery conditions.

OPT FOR WINTER TYRES

The best thing to do is to get winter tyres in the winter season. The winter tyres provide better road grip as compared to regular tyres which reduce the chances of skidding on the slippery winter roads. Winter tyres improve the braking performance and allow you to accelerate better as well. It is better to have two sets of tyre for a longer lifespan of tyres and the car as well. It is worth the money and your safety is assured while driving under any weather conditions.

CARRY AN EMERGENCY KIT

Always carry an all-purpose kit with you in any season and especially in freezing Chicago weather. The kit should basically include a flashlight, snacks, bottled water, jumper cables, window scraper, cell phone charger, and blanket. This can help you survive any situation with some ease.