Tag: Mechanic

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU CHANGE DIFFERENT BELTS OF YOUR CAR?

There are various types of belts in a car and have different functions. Here is a list of different types of belts with its importance and an idea of when they require being changed.

THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF BELTS

V-BELTS – Old cars used to have v-belts. The v-belts act as transmission belts for a car. They help transmit force from the engine to other parts such as the alternator, air conditioning compressor, the hydraulic pump, and water pump. As the cars kept becoming more powerful, the requirement of belts increased to 4 for each gear. With constant improvement and innovation in the automobile industry, it became clear that it was time upgrade.

SERPENTINE BELT – It is kind of a v-belt ribbed on one side. It is thinner, flexible, it can move, bend, and wrap around small mechanical parts of the engine. It consumes less space in the engine compartment making it even better. It last longer than other drive belts and can weave around different accessories as it is flexible. This belt is so important that if it fails, the whole engine fails.

TIMING BELT – This belt is also known as camshaft drive belt. They can be found alongside the engine for a specific configuration. Its purpose is to maintain timely camshafts and cranks. It helps keep the valves and cylinder head in sync with the pistons and crankcase in the engine. It is the most important part of a car that should be well maintained.

WHEN TO CHANGE THEM
The belts are made of durable rubber-based materials that last really long, but they still do wear out over time. It can be observed by the cracks or a specific part of belt getting worn out. It can be identified by the squeaking sound it makes while driving the car. A car cannot function without these belts.

Most belts generally last around 45000-70000 miles and if you hear a sound or feel like the belt is cracked get it checked immediately by a Professional Mechanic or call a mobile mechanic to diagnose it. Belt problems should not be ignored and should be dealt with seriousness as it can lead to engine failure. Getting a professional opinion helps you understand the problem and how to resolve without causing harm to the engine.

All these belts are an important part of the car and require proper attention and maintenance for better performance of the car and longer lifespan of the engine.

WHY CLUTCH PROBLEMS SHOULD NOT BE IGNORED

FUNCTIONS AND IMPORTANCE

The clutch is one of the most important parts of the transmission system as it transfers the power from the engine to the transmission system using multiple mechanisms. If the car is manual, the clutch is without a doubt the most important part of the car. A car cannot function without it.

The clutch creates a sync between the engine and transmission system. When your foot is off the clutch, the pressure it creates operates a hydraulic mechanism that connects to the engine flywheel and transmits motion to the wheels. The clutch connects two shafts locking them to make shafts spin at same speed. The clutch makes it able to stop the car without stalling the engine.

Clutch takes most wear and tear in a car as it is frequently pressed to change gears in traffic and in general. If the clutch is not properly pressed, it creates a squeaky sound and the car jerks. For the perfect condition of a car, it is necessary to maintain the clutch and its kit or else the car will not be able to run smoothly and harm many parts of the car.

WHY IT SHOULDN’T BE IGNORED

If the clutch is not in good condition or not maintained well, it can lead to various problems. It is important to solve the clutch problems immediately. If you notice anything doubtful or know for sure there is even a minor problem take your car to the auto repair shop and get it checked by an auto mechanic or call a mobile mechanic to make it more convenient for you. Do not let the situation get worse as the problems are caused by the mechanical wear and tear and cannot be resolved on their own. Get the transmission diagnosed to identify the root cause of the problem.

The most common problem that can occur is slipped clutch. It is caused by poor driving style. It mostly happens to people who are learning or don’t drive properly. It is the reason behind the transmission failures. Regular attention to the problem can save money over time. Another problem that is commonly related to the clutch is clutch sticking. It occurs when the clutch cable needs to be replaced or in need to replace transmission oil.

Always pay attention to any sounds related to clutch or transmission and get it diagnosed. A car cannot function without the clutch. Hence, it is necessary to pay attention to it and get it repaired as soon as possible to avoid any harm to clutch, transmission or the engine.

AUTO REPAIRS THAT CAN WAIT TO BE FIXED

The car problems should not be avoided and fixed immediately or as soon as possible. But these are the few auto repairs that can wait for a while to be fixed.

TYRE PROBLEMS

When a tyre loses air due to a small puncture, getting the tyre patched is an easy way to avoid the cost of a new replacement tire. All punctures don’t require the tyre to be changed. Sometimes when you get the tyre fixed it works for a longer period if the tyre has tread left to be used. Always check the tread when you get the tyres checked or fixed in order to have an idea about when to change it or how long it can still last.

AIR CONDITIONING ISSUES

This issue happens a lot as people use the air conditioner regularly in their cars regardless of the season. This is something you can shop around since this is a not an integral part of the car’s operations. This issue can be solved whenever you are free and does not need immediate attention.

WINDOW CONTROLS

Window controls are sensitive and the driver’s side has the power to control all the windows. If the control motor stops functioning, it will cause the window to get stuck in the position it is at that moment. If the window is fully ‘UP’ it’s not a problem, but if it’s down you need to manually pull it ‘UP’. If the window is ‘UP’, you can wait until you want to get it fixed.

INTERIOR ACCESSORIES

The interior accessories such a heater, radio, DVD player, GPS system, cigarette lighter, Bluetooth connectivity kit, data ports, radar detector and other accessories don’t require an immediate repair as they cause no problems to the functioning of the car or the safety.

DIFFERENT BELTS ISSUES

There are many types of belts in cars such as Timing belt, Drive belt etc. These belts go through a lot of wear and tear over the time and you can notice it on the belts when they start to dry and crack. The dryness and cracks are the indication that it needs to be changed. But you still got enough time to go the auto repair shop to get it fixed.

These are the few things that can wait in being fixed when it comes to cars. And always go to a good auto repair mechanic or service provider to get it fixed with genuine parts for safety.

CAN YOU TRUST MOBILE MECHANIC?

It is a question that arises in many people’s mind. Mobile mechanic services are hard to trust for some people as they don’t know the people who are going to fix their car. People usually prefer to go to their local mechanics or ask friends and family to suggest a good one. But mobile mechanics should be and can be trusted. Here are a few reasons to explain why.

THEY COME TO YOU

When your car breaks-down or needs service you can call or book a mobile service online and they come to you wherever you are. It makes the whole process hassle free and you don’t have to re-schedule your day according to your mechanic. It helps save time and the mechanic comes and diagnoses the car in front of you. If you already know the problem, you even get the quote before calling them which makes it safer for you as knowing how much you will have to pay for the services in advance makes you decide better.

ASSURED TRANSPARENT AND HONEST PRICING

The payment system with mobile auto-repair service providers is really simple. The customer gets the pricing details before the booking the service. The pricing is always reasonable and affordable for the services they provide. The price that is offered and the service are booked is what you have to pay for. There is no change in price later on and you don’t have to pay any additional cash to the mechanic either. This kind of transparent and honest pricing is what makes experience trustful.

COMPLETE SAFETY INSURED

A customer’s vehicle’s complete safety is insured as the mechanics are highly qualified and can handle all types of car issues. If a customer doesn’t know what’s wrong with his car, the mechanics are qualified and experienced enough to diagnose the car and point it out. The mechanics that are sent for a job specialize in that particular car problem. A customer can completely trust the mechanics with their car. The experience of the mechanics comes in handy and your car gets fixed soon and no time is wasted.

Mobile auto-repair service should totally be trusted as the services they provide are hassle free and secure. The payment methods are transparent and the mechanics are best in the business at what they do. And the most important part is that you don’t have to waste any additional time or money for getting your car fixed.

DO YOU NEED TO CHANGE ROTORS WITH BRAKE PAD REPLACEMENTS?

This is a question that comes up a lot when you go for a brake pad replacement as brakes of a car are its most important part. A driver’s safety depends on the condition of the brakes.

Basic Information About Brake Pads And Rotors

Most of the auto-repair shops and mechanics would suggest you change the rotors when you change your brake pads. It is necessary to do so as well taking into consideration a few other factors. All types of cars have rotors and to change all four of them can be quite expensive and not everyone can afford to do it frequently. Rotors generally have to be replaced after 15000 – 70000 miles. It also depends on your driving style as the way you apply brakes, the type of traffic conditions you drive in are all among the factors which affect the brake pads and rotors.

What To Do

Even though brakes pad and rotors work together, they are different parts and wear-out differently which makes it important to inspect each part carefully before getting it replaced.

Brake rotors need to have a certain amount of thickness for it to be considered safe. So, you need to check the thickness first. If the thickness is not as required, you should get it replaced as soon as possible. If you don’t replace the brake rotors thinking that it will still last for a while, you might observe a reduction in braking efficiency.

Precautions To Take

The other precautionary measure you can take is that when you get your brake pads replaced, you should get the rotors checked. If the surface of the rotors is uneven or looks a bit damaged, you should get the rotors surface machined to make it smooth and even. The other option here is to get the rotors turned. It will help maintain an even grip between the rotors and the brake pads. If the brake rotors are uneven or damaged, it may cause it to vibrate when you apply the brakes.

Decision Is Yours

In the end, it all comes down to this, if you can afford to change the rotors, it is best to do so. It will help you get phenomenal performance and your safety will be assured. If not, then wait till it gets to the minimum level to be considered safe and then get it changed.

Could Simple Maintenance Save You On Car Repair Costs?

When people think about auto repair, they immediately think about the high-priced solutions that are at Repair Shops. This happens a lot, too. You go to an auto body shop and they look under the hood, only to find out that you have a lot of work that needs done. They could give you an estimate for hundreds if not thousands of dollars, causing you to grimace at the price tag. How can one drop the price a bit? Well, that’s the thing about repairing cars, only a few people know how to do it correctly, and everyone else has to pay for the labor and the parts. But there is a way to reduce the overall cost, and it starts with understanding a few tips about maintenance. If you can just do a few simple things, you could reduce the cost of your repair bills outright. Take into consideration the following simple tips.

Use The Right Fuel

Do not go with premium fuel. Premium gasoline is not only going to be expensive, it’s not going to save your engine. In fact, you could end up doing what is called “pinging”, in your car. What this does, is it causes the engine to burn elements a bit faster, and could end up causing your car to end up with an engine fire over time. Now there are some exceptions to this rule, but chances are you are not driving a race car. Only special cars really need the premium gas that stations sell, and it’s not the average consumer. Don’t be fooled, don’t buy premium unless your owner’s manual specifically says that you should, simple as that.

Changing The Oil Properly

Every 3,000 miles, right? Well, that’s no longer the case. Today, you’re going to have to read your owner’s manual carefully. You can always try to go with 3,000-mile oil changes, but if your car isn’t that old, and has been made after 1992, you do not need to follow this rule. In fact, you could cause damage to the parts, especially for those that have to use a special type of motor oil. Read your owner’s manual, follow that as the bottom line, and don’t believe the hype that surrounds changing oil at every 3,000 miles, it’s not necessary.

Do Not Ignore The Lights

The lights on your dashboard are important. If you don’t understand them, then look at the owner’s manual and figure out what is wrong. Do not let the lights come up and ignore them. This includes tire pressure lights, check engine lights, and the dreaded oil light. If you ignore these, chances are to pay big bucks later. Some people have even driven for miles, but there will be a point where your car breaks down, and you’ll end up with a serious issue. Do not ignore the lights, and always double check what the lights mean if you don’t know what is going on. Doing so, will save you from making the costly error of ignoring them. Once you figure out the issue, go to a trusted Mechanic and save money on a bigger issue.

Tips To Avoid Car Repair Scams

It’s easy to get caught up with car repair issues. When you don’t know much about how to repair a vehicle, you are going to consult a mechanic at one point or another. Many Repair Shops know that people don’t know much about their vehicles, so often they take advantage of consumers. This is a major issue that can cost you a great deal of money. To offset that, you’re going to want to pursue a different path. In fact, consider the following tips that can help you avoid getting scammed, especially if you need some simple repairs.

Learn To Fix Smaller Issues

With the nature of the internet, you can look online and figure out what to do for minor things. Look online for tutorial videos, and different “how to” articles about your specific make and model. You’ll find that you can do a lot of the things that many garages charge a lot for, by yourself. Things like changing spark plugs, changing wires, fluids, adding different components, and even fixing filters etc., you can do a lot. This can save you hundreds of dollars. It’s easy to get through, even if you have a newer model that is normally difficult to manage. Just look online for how to learn to fix smaller issues, and you’ll no doubt be able to gain the upper hand.

Look For Reputable Mechanics

The next thing that you can do is simple, look online for a Mechanic that has been reviewed favorably. You can find a lot of reviews on the web, and they can tell you how to work with the right things moving forward. Looking for reputable mechanics is not a difficult matter, it’s just a matter of looking into reviews online. You’ll be surprised by how many people have reviewed mechanics near you.

Get Estimates

A Repair Shop that doesn’t allow you to get a free estimate is not to be trusted. Do not go with any company that doesn’t allow you to get an estimate of the issues that you’re having. You’ll find that you will end up with a positive view of garages and what the differences are in terms of pricing. Unless your car is not working at all, you should go around your area getting estimates. Always look to see what the cost for parts are, and then compare that to the labor. Ask the individuals if you can buy the parts yourself, and just pay for labor, and whether you can save money through other means. A reputable garage will give you a good quote, with no strings attached, and may give you a discount if you purchase their parts etc.

Use A Warranty

If your car is newer, you may be under warranty. Many consumers forget about this, or don’t inquire with their local dealership. Always look to see if your vehicle is under any warranty, and if it is, seek out specific help from the dealer and a garage that they are associated with. This will help you gain the upper hand with your car repairs, and could save you a great deal of money.