Tag: Otobots Mechanics

HOW TO LOCATE CAR ENGINE OIL LEAK

Engine oil function in the car is to keep the engine and its components cool. The engine oil keeps the parts of the engine lubricated at all times which keeps them cool. The engine oil also improves the fuel efficiency of the car and improves the lifespan of the car. Due to these important functions the mechanics near you always suggest you use the best quality of oil for your car. There are three types of engine oil available each varying a bit in terms of price and performance among which the synthetic oil is considered to be the best for the car. By using the right engine oil you can get satisfactory results and keep the car performing at optimum level. If you use high-quality oil, it would last for about 5000-7000 miles before you have to get it changed. Get the oil changed on scheduled intervals to avoid engine problems from occurring.

HOW TO LOCATE THE LEAK
Engine oil leaks are common as they are connected and travel through various seal and gasket located around the engine. There are many places where the oil can leak and it is not easy to identify the spot without diagnosing it properly. If you spot engine oil leak from the car, it is not easy to identify the source as the oil flows through various places before it falls down. The exact area is really difficult to locate. Plus, the dirt and debris make it even harder to spot the point of leakage. Here are some ways through which you can locate exact place of engine oil leak.

One way to figure out the engine oil leak is by using a degreaser. Purchase a degreaser and apply it on the area where you think the oil might be leaking from, but make sure that the engine is cool before doing so. After applying the degreaser wait for a while and then wipe it off. Start the car and keep it on for a while and then check under the car for the leak. It is really difficult to spot some leaks and takes a lot of time to locate it by repeating the process until the leak gets bigger.

The other way to locate the leak is to use a UV leak detector kit. With the UV kit comes the fluorescent dye which is made for specific engine fluid. You need to add the dye into the engine oil. After you pour the dye in the engine oil, turn and keep the engine on for 10 mins. Take the car for a short spin to burn the time if you want to. Then, let the engine cool down properly before starting to check with the UV light. When you start checking, look for the green glow which is the sign that the dye is leaking from that particular spot. That is how UV kit can help locate engine oil leak.

If you don’t like to DIY, you can take the car to an auto repair shop or hire a mobile mechanic near you.

IMPORTANCE OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF VEHICLES LIGHT

There are various types of lights on a vehicle each having its own purpose and importance. Here are some of the important vehicle lights that are used often to avoid accidents and ensure safety.

HEADLIGHT
The headlight plays an important role in improving the driving experience. They help the driver see clearly during different weather conditions and especially at night. The headlights are mounted on the front of the vehicle and its main purpose is to illuminate the road during the night, foggy, and low light conditions. It helps prevent accidents and ensures the safety of the vehicle and the passengers. Always make sure to keep the headlights clean by taking preventive measures as it is really necessary. Headlights have two features mainly to help you see clear at close distance and other helps you see the far-off objects. It is suggested by mechanics to use genuine products for headlight or headlamps rather than aftermarket or cheap alternatives to avoid any risks.

TAIL LAMP
The purpose of the tail lamp is simple. It helps the people see you from far or at a reduced distance when coming from behind to overtake you. It helps them to see you and judge whether to slow down the car, apply brakes immediately or to overtake you and go ahead. The tail lamp requires the same amount of maintenance as the headlights as the both their purposes are same. The safety it ensures is really important for a driver.

FOG LIGHT
The fog lights are considered to be a safety feature. They are designed to help the driver see at low speed and to let them see the surface and verges of the road more clearly. The fog lamps play an important role when the visibility is really poor in rainy, foggy, dusty, or snowy conditions. If you live in an area which receives or faces a lot of snowfall, rain or dust storms, it is suggested by the mechanics to use fog lamps and maintain them for better visibility.

TURN LIGHT
The indicator lights are located on the front, back, and side of the car. Sometimes on the side-view mirrors as well. These indicators play a really important role in ensuring safety while driving. These indicators help the driver to show other drivers from the other side of the road and from behind to understand which way he wants to go or turn. They are used while making left or right turns and while overtaking. Their importance cannot be ignored and it is necessary to get the lights replaced if one of them stops working.

BRAKE LIGHTS
The brake lights are on the back of the car while light up when the brake pedal is pressed to slow down or stop the car. This is considered to be one of the most important light as it indicates the cars behind what you are doing. Whether you are slowing down due to some reason, applying the emergency brake, the driver in the car behind will look at the brake light to understand what you are doing or about to do. It is a sort of a sign that helps avoid numerous accidents.

DO YOU NEED A COOLANT FLUSH FOR YOUR CAR THIS SUMMER?

WHY IS RADIATOR COOLANT SO IMPORTANT?
The radiator coolant is very important for a car because the engine would overheat without it which can lead to breakdown and engine failure. The coolant is what helps the heat to dispel and keep the engine cool. The coolant is added to the radiator in mixed proportion with water which helps prevent the water from freezing or boiling in the extreme temperatures. The engine generates extreme heat which is unbearable and the cooling system highly relies on the coolant water to play its part in cooling the engine down.

The coolant water is a mixture of water and antifreeze which are stored in the radiator of a car. Mechanics generally suggest you add 50/50 of antifreeze if you add more antifreeze in the mix it would increase the boiling point and decrease the freezing point. It is better to add 50/50 of both as it suits all kinds of condition an engine might face.

Without coolant, the heat generated by the internal combustion can easily destroy the engine in no time and water is not enough to keep the temperature under control. Thus, coolant is required to make sure that the engine can remain cool under extreme temperature. In summer, the temperature is very high and the water alone would evaporate entirely. In the same way, in winter the water would freeze and the car would not be able to function. There are many other reasons that make coolant really important fluid for the car.

The coolant prevents the internal parts of the engine from corrosion. The coolant requires being changed every 30000 miles and every time you feel the radiator water has reduced you need to refill it.

IMPORTANCE OF COOLANT FLUSH
The engine is prone to corrosion and coolants lose their properties as the time passes. Mostly, after a couple of years, the fluid when added to the radiator would look rusty instead of green, red or orange. It means that it is time to flush the radiator as it is the sign of rust at the bottom of the radiator. If the radiator is clean, the coolant will move more smoothly and the radiator would function more effectively. Mineral deposit, gunk, metal erosion are the things which can cause blockage and harm the system’s functioning. This can cause the engine to get hot and affect the performance of several parts of the car. Flushing the radiator removes all the unnecessary particles from the system.

WHEN TO GET COOLANT FLUSHED
The coolant flush should be done as recommended by the manufacturer. It is usually around 2 years or 30,000 miles. The radiator should be flushed when any related parts are replaced to prevent contamination of components. Climate and condition of the car is a major factor in which the interval to change fluids and parts depend. Making sure to get the coolant replaced on the noted time or when other worn-out parts are replaced is necessary and should not be avoided.

HOW TYRE REPLACEMENT IS BENEFICIAL

SAFETY WHILE DRIVING
When you get the tyres replaced, you don’t have to worry about any uncertainties while driving for the next 60,000-100,000 miles. How long the tyre will last depends on the tyre rating and also on how you drive. The new tyres improve the driving experience and make it easier to turn, stop or go. Every 5-7 years, you should consider getting the tyres replaced for safety and better driving experience. It costs a bit more than other auto repairs, but this one is completely worth it.

BETTER PERFORMANCE
The grip on the road matters the most and new tyres assure that you don’t have to worry much about it. The car needs more distance to stop when the tyres are worn out and can’t make short turns at normal or a bit higher speeds. New tyres make the driving easier by improving the performance. Tyres nowadays are made for better and long-lasting performance with stickier compounds and tread design that improve the road grip. When you go to buy tyres, be clear in your mind about the purpose of the seasons you car might face in the near future or at that time. As there are tyre options for different reasons and seasons.

BETTER MILEAGE
The mileage is greatly affected by the condition of the tyres. If the tyres are worn out and have been uneven, the mileage will suffer a lot as the car will have to work harder to maintain a grip on the road. To get better mileage, the tyres need to be well mounted and balanced. Also, keeping them inflated is necessary. Another thing you need to do is to get the wheels aligned whenever you get the tyres replaced. Make sure to get the tyres replaced by a professional mechanic near you for best results. The tyres won’t get worn out prematurely and the car would be able to provide the best mileage.

BETTER TRACTION
Make sure to get the right tyres for the right seasons and driving purposes. If you leave in a place where it snows a lot, the softer tyres are better which have the tread designed for that particular purpose, but the same tyres will cause problems during summer. The best thing to do is to select a tyre with the perfect combination of both that can provide you best driving experience by maintaining traction in all condition and seasons. Always do proper research, get a professional opinion from mechanics or take the suggestion from the auto repairs shop or mobile mechanic you hire to get the tyres replaced.