Category: Maintenance

Fuel additives are big business. For nearly every make and model of engine out there, there seem to be two or three kinds of fuel additives promising higher fuel efficiency/economy, greater power from fuel, greater longevity for your engine and related systems, et cetera.

But, do they actually work? Will these seemingly magical elixirs actually enhance fuel so that engines live longer, gas gets more bang for its buck, and the car somehow performs so much better? What even are these compounds, and how are they supposed to achieve these things?

Let’s demystify fuel additives, and examine if they really do improve things all that much. Both supporters and detractors both will be surprised by the findings!

Types of Fuel Additives

For a start, there are several different types of fuel additives, each with a specific purpose. This doesn’t help reduce the confusion and skepticism involving these substances at all. Some are even mixtures of one or more of these additives as well.

Let’s start by taking a look at the four basic types of additives and what they’re intended to do.

• Octane Boosters – Octane boosters serve the purpose most often associated with fuel additives, by increasing the octane rating of a given fuel. In other words, they’re intended to boost the performance of the fuel. This is theoretically accomplished by adding additional catalyzers that produce more energy as the fuel combusts. They also usually contain lubricants to protect cast-iron valves used heavily in older classic models of vehicle.
• Fuel Injector Cleaners – Fuel injector cleaners are intended to do just that; clean and flush the fuel injectors and fuel lines. This is done using inert chemicals that break down build-up and deposits.
• Fuel Stabilizers – Fuel stabilizers aren’t intended to affect performance while a vehicle is running. They’re actually intended to lengthen the shelf life of fuel in the tank during long periods of the vehicle not running. Many people don’t know that gasoline and diesel actually go bad and begin to separate over time. These provide bonding agents which stabilize the complex molecules in these fuels.
• Anti-Gel Diesel Additives – Not unlike standard fuel stabilizers, these provide compounds which prevent diesel from separating and gelling, which is a common issue during cold conditions.

Knowing a bit about what these difference additives do, it becomes easier to choose which ones, if any, you might need. These can effectively help reduce maintenance issues, reduce wear and tear on critical systems and keep your fuel as performant as can be.

When choosing, make a point to seek out additives containing polybutene amine (PBA), a very effective compound which cleans deposits out from fuel injectors, intake valves, and carburetors.

So Will this Improve My Fuel Economy?

The short answer to this is no. While additives can help preserve fuel longevity and reduce how much wear and tear a vehicle endures, EPA testing of over 100 products (claiming to improve fuel economy by 12 or more percent) showed that direct impact on fuel economy is negligible.

However, indirect impact is another story, showing that their ability to stabilize fuel and help keep engines clean meant that fuel use was optimal with less waste and performance loss.

Be Careful

Avoid overusing additives, using only the ones whose purposes are crucial to your needs. While the EPA discovered that additives don’t in fact harm engines, overuse of multiple compounds can have unpredictable effects.

To learn more about fuel economy, the stimuli which affect it and more about fuel additives, fill out the contact form to stay informed!

If your car battery is going bad, there are usually symptoms before it goes completely dead. Although it is possible for your car battery to go dead with no warning, keeping a close eye on your battery may help you avoid problems. Preventive battery maintenance can prolong your battery life and help keep you from being stranded on the side of the road.

Age of Your Battery

One of the first things to look for when you are determining how well your battery is working is how old your battery is. There is a label on the top of your battery with punch-outs that show you the month and year it was purchased. If your battery is more than four years old, you may want to consider replacing it, even if it is working fine.

Slower Engine Crank

If you have noticed that your engine starts slower than it used to or if you hear a long, whirring sound before you start the engine, this is known as slow engine crank. It can be an indication that your battery is starting to go bad.

Other Bad Battery Symptoms

If you notice corrosion on your battery or the terminals, it is a sign you should replace the battery. You may also notice that your battery fails when the weather is cooler. In most cases, a jump start can get your car running again, but this is a temporary solution. When you start noticing symptoms, it is time to begin searching for a replacement battery.

Totally Dead Battery

There are times when a battery will die with no warning and it may not start even with jumper cables or a battery charger. If a cell in the battery fails, the battery will no longer charge. One way to check is to use a voltage meter to determine if there is voltage in the battery. If there is none, you will need to purchase a new battery.

What if it is Not the Battery?

It is possible that the battery is not the problem at all. A bad alternator can have the same symptoms as a dying battery. One way to determine if it is the alternator is to start your car and run it for a while. Disconnect the positive connection between the alternator and battery. If the alternator is working properly, your battery is unnecessary while the car is running as the alternator is supplying the power you need to operate the vehicle. If the car stops running, that is a sure indication that your alternator is the problem.

If you have been involved in an accident and have noticed problems with your car starting or corrosion on your battery terminals, call today for a no obligation inspection or fill out the simple form online.

Your brakes are one of the most important safety features of your vehicle and they need to be well-maintained to perform at their best level. The main parts of your brakes include the caliper, pads and rotor. The rotor and pads will wear out on your car, but how they wear varies depending on a number of factors.

What Determines How Quickly Your Brakes Wear?

There are several different factors that can impact the lifespan of your brakes. Your driving habits affect your brakes the most. If you press your brakes hard regularly or if you tend to ride your brakes while you drive, your brakes may wear more often. Smooth gradual braking improves the lifespan of your brakes. If most of your driving is in the city, stop-and-go traffic, multiple traffic lights and slower moving traffic will shorten your brake lifespan. Driving in mountainous areas with steep changes in elevation can also wear out your brakes more quickly.

Do Your Brakes Need Replacing?

The general rule is that brakes need to be replaced every 50,000 miles although some manufacturers recommend every 25,000 miles. If you don’t do much city driving, brake abruptly or drive in mountains, you may be able to go as long as every 70,000 miles before you need to change your brakes. You can ask your mechanic to look at your brakes when you have the tires rotated or the oil changed. If you hear squealing or scraping noises, your brake pads may be getting to the end of their life. If your car jitters when you brake, your rotors may be warped. In some cases, the rotor can be straightened, but it is often less expensive to simply replace the rotor.

Brake Materials

Another factor that can determine how often you need to replace your brakes is the material of your brake pads. If your brake pads are hard, they may last longer, but they are more common in performance cars and must be warm before they work well. Soft brake pads work best in city driving, but too much heat can melt the pad compound and reduce performance. Carbon-ceramic brakes last longer than metal, but they also need to be warm to work properly. Carbon-ceramic brakes are also much more expensive than metal brakes which is why they are often only found on performance cars.

If you’ve been involved in an accident, call us today to set up an appointment or complete the simple form online. We can perform a no obligation inspection and get your brakes back into perfect working condition quickly.

Your Vehicle Identification Number, most commonly known as the VIN, tells you a lot about your car. Each car’s VIN is unique, much like a social security number is for a person. Your VIN is actually not just a number. It is a combination of letters and numbers each that have something to do with your vehicle.

Components of Your VIN

Your VIN is not just a bunch of random letters and numbers thrown together like a serial number. Each section of the VIN has a specific meaning. The first three units identify the country in which the vehicle was assembled as well as who manufactured your vehicle. The second six units include information about the make and model. It also includes information about air bags, seat belts, parts used and the class of the car. The eighth digit normally represents the type of engine. The last eight units are what makes your car unique as it is different on every vehicle.

Importance of your VIN

Your VIN is one of the most important numbers on your vehicle. If there are safety recalls on your car, your VIN can identify if your car should be included. It can also help first responders gain some information about your car if you are involved in an accident and unable to communicate. If you are considering buying a used car, the VIN can be used to get a report on the car which would include accidents, service and other information. If your car is stolen, the VIN will be used to identify it should it be discovered as it is not unusual for thieves to remove license plates.

Where to Find the VIN

There are many different places to locate your VIN. Off your vehicle, you can check places like the title, registration card and insurance documents. Many body shops will include the VIN on repair records as well. You may find it in your owner’s manual and, if your car was ever in an accident or stolen, it will be on the police report. On the vehicle, the VIN is placed in several different locations. One of the reasons it is located throughout the car is to deter thieves from trying to remove the VIN in order to hide the fact it was stolen. Common places on the car to find the VIN include:

• Inside of the driver’s side doorjamb near the side-view mirror
• Lower-left corner of the dashboard in front of the steering wheel
• On the front of the engine block
• On the front end of the car frame near the windshield washer fluid container
• On the inside of the driver’s side door near where the door latches
• Rear wheel well directly above the tire
• Underneath the spare tire

Once you have located your VIN, it is recommended that you record and store it somewhere away from your car. This will help if your car is ever stolen, you need to sell your car or you plan to register your car in a new state after moving. If you have more questions about the VIN, contact us today by phone or fill out the easy form online.

There is no question that American’s love their cars, especially those that go very fast. Speed is attractive to many in this country to the point we turned running from revenue agents during Prohibition into a sport loved by many, NASCAR. High performance engines fit in small sports cars and movies with fast-moving cars always do well at the box office. One way to speed up an engine is to add turbochargers or superchargers. However, it is important to understand the difference between them.

What is a Turbocharger?

 

 

Forced air induction gives a car more power and one way to do this is by tapping into the mechanical energy of the exhaust gases. This is a turbocharger. A turbocharger spins at a high g-rate and compresses air as it flows into the engine. This allows more air to be pushed into each cylinder as well as adding more fuel. When the mixture explodes, it is more powerful and doesn’t add engine weight since it uses the exhaust steam coming from the engine.

 

What is a Supercharger?

 

There are three different types of superchargers available compared to just one type of turbocharger. Named for Philander and Francis Roots, the Roots supercharger uses meshing lobes to blow air into the intake manifold. The Twin-Screw slams air together at decreasing speeds until it is deposited in the intake manifold. A Centrifugal uses an impeller to draw air in and uses centrifugal force to spread high-speed low-pressure air into the manifold.

 

Differences Between the Two

 

Turbochargers are complex and require skill to maintain. It sits on the exhaust manifold so that the turbine is spun by the exhaust. This is a weakness as you have to wait for the exhaust to pass through after stepping on the gas to get it started. It is shaft-connected to a compressor between the manifold and air filter, with the compressor adding between six to eight pounds. A turbocharger adds between 30 and 40 percent more power without adding to exhaust pollution. It is usually quieter than a supercharger and works best at high engine speeds. A supercharger uses the crankshaft for power which means it provides power to the engine almost immediately. The Roots supercharger is connected by a belt, chain, gear or shaft to the engine so it looks more impressive. It is also fuel-hungry and tops out around 50,000 RPM, using fuel the entire time to maintain its RPMs. It provides 46 percent more power at lower speeds which makes them a good option for trucks and diesel engines.

 

Whether your vehicle is turbocharged or supercharged, if you’ve been involved in a collision contact us today by calling or filling out the easy form online.

When it is time to purchase a vehicle, you have the option of purchasing a gasoline or diesel engine. What you may not know is what the difference is between the two engines. The main difference between he two is in the timing of the fuel delivery system which allows diesel engines to operate more efficiently than gasoline engines. However, there are other differences that can also be important when you are looking at purchasing a new vehicle.

 

Comparing Diesel and Gasoline Combustion Cycles

Both diesel and gasoline engines have compression, exhaust, ignition and intake strokes in their combustion cycles. Both are also designed to convert fuel into mechanical energy once it is ignited. The intake is the first downward stroke of the piston. Both air and fuel enter the piston during the intake stage in a gasoline engine. The mixture then moves to the carburetor and mixed long before it gets to the chamber. If the engine has a port injected system, the fuel is injected just outside of the piston before entry.

In a diesel engine, the only thing entering the piston during intake is air. When the piston moves upward, it compresses the contents of the cylinder. In a gasoline engine, the compression ratios are lower than in diesel engines. During ignition, the compressed air and fuel is ignited in a gasoline engine while diesel engines use direct fuel injection at the beginning of the ignition stroke. Both the gasoline and diesel engine operate the same during the exhaust stroke of the piston.

Fuel Efficiency and Higher Compression

Gasoline engines use lower compression to prevent spontaneous ignition of fuel and air as it creates excessive heat which can lead to engine knocking. Gasoline engines have a compression ratio of between 8:1 ad 12:1 while diesel engines have a compression ratio between 14:1 and 25:1. This translates to more power available to do the work of the engine while operating in a more fuel-efficient manner. This, combined with the higher amount of energy stored in diesel fuel, contributes to the low mileage diesel engines are known to provide.

Cold Starting Issues

Because compressed air within diesel engines must reach a higher temperature than gasoline engines during startup, diesel engines often need assistance in starting when the engine is cold. Most people use glow plugs, or wires that are electronically heated, to heat the interior of the cylinders enough to get the engine started. In newer diesel engines, computer controls are able to delay the timing of fuel injection when the weather is cold, allowing the engine to heat without the need for glow plugs.

If you have a diesel or gasoline engine and you’ve been involved in a collision, we are here to help you get your car back on the road. Contact us today to schedule an appointment by giving us a call or fill out the simple form online.