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Troubleshooting Guide
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"What is It? - What's does it Do?
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Auto Services - Diagnostics
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"Checking Regularly for Wear, 'Will Keep You From Being Stranded"
HOSES, FAN BELTS, Serpentine BELTS, TIMING BELT
What is it?
You car’s belts and hoses are essential to the cooling,
air conditioning and charging systems, and the engine.
Don’t take these routine replacement intervals for granted
because they can break down and leave you stranded.
What does it do?
The timing belt keeps the crankshaft and camshaft mechanically
synchronized to maintain engine timing. Whether serpentine,
V-belt or fan belt (the belts on the outside of the engine),
they all transmit power from the front of the engine to accessories
that need to be driven, such as the air conditioning, the charging
system and fans. Radiator and heater hoses carry coolant to and from
the engines, radiator and heater core.
Typical Wear and Tear:
Key items that affect the replacement interval for belts and hoses:
Symptoms:
BRAKE SYSTEM Keeping You Safe:
What is it?
Your car’s brake system is its most critical safety systemand you should
have it checked immediately if you suspect any problems.
A properly operating brake system helps ensure safe vehicle control and
operation under a wide variety of conditions.
What does it do?
When you push the brake pedal, the force generates hydraulic
pressure in the master cylinder. This pressure flows through
the hydraulic lines and hoses to the wheel cylinders and calipers,
forcing the shoes against the drums (drum brakes) and the pads
against the rotors (disc brakes). The resulting friction slows the vehicle
and is relative to the amount of force applied at the brake pedal.
Typical Wear and Tear
Brakes are a normal wear item for any car and eventually
they’re going to need replacement:
Avoid letting your brakes get to the (“Metal-to-Metal”) point,
which usually means accelerating expensive rotor or drum replacement.
Several factors that affect wear include:
Symptoms:
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EMISSION SYSTEM "Keep Your Car Performs Better"
What is it?
Your car’s emission system keeps the engine running cleanly and
efficiently in all sorts of operating conditions.
If your car’s engine isn’t performing up to par or the (“Check Engine”)
light goes on, have it inspected immediately. Failure to do so can reduce
your mileage per gallon of fuel or cause your vehicle to pollute.
What does it do?
Your car’s emission system controls the emissions, exhaust and
pollutants using an array of sensors, computerized engine controls
and the exhaust components.
The emission system substantially reduces harmful gases such as
carbon monoxide (CO), unburned hydrocarbons (HC) and oxides
of nitrogen (NOx), and prevents harmful gasoline vapors from escaping
at the fuel tank.
Typical Wear and Tear
Some factors affecting the emission system include:
ENGINE "Change Your Oil It Will Last Longer"
Rebuilt /Re-manufactured Engine's
When a car or truck suffers major engine damage, the first reaction
of most vehicle owners is to buy a new or used car or truck. This makes sense in
some cases, but often, it isn’t necessary.
Re-powering your car or truck’s worn out engine with a rebuilt/re-manufactured
engine can also be considerably less expensive than buying a new or used car.
A rebuilt engine is one that is re-manufactured to prescribed standards and
specifications by highly-skilled machinists using state-of-the-art equipment and
components.
During this process, many of the new components installed meet or exceed
original equipment performance standards. Frequently, rebuilt engines are
superior to new car engines because better parts are used, or design changes in
parts correct problems with the original engine.
Rebuilt/re-manufactured engines are dependable, reliable and backed by warranty programs.
A rebuilt engine gets better gas mileage than a worn-out engine and emits fewer pollutants.
Engine re-powering also saves energy related to processing discarded engines and cars.
The savings from engine re-powering is notable when compared to the prices of new cars and trucks.
A rebuilt/ re-manufactured engine purchased and installed at an average cost of $2500 – $3500
is a sound and attractive investment. Typically, a professionally rebuilt engine comes
with a one-year or 12,000-mile warranty but some of these warranties can be as long as
36 months or 36,000 miles. Check with your local repair shop for information on their
rebuilt engines and warranty programs.
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ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM "Always Watch Your Temperature Guage"
What is it?
The engine cooling system affects your car’s overall dependability and engine
longevity. Cooling systems have advanced over the years with new coolant
formulations and new radiator designs and materials.
If you suspect a problem with your cooling system, you should check it immediately.
What does it do?
The key parts of the cooling system remove heat from the engine
and automatic transmission and dissipate heat to the air outside.
The water pump circulates coolant through the engine.
The coolant absorbs heat and returns it to the radiator where heat is dissipated.
The thermostat regulates the coolant temperature to keep it consistent for
efficient engine operation.
Typical Wear and Tear
Factors that affect the replacement of cooling system parts include:
Symptoms:
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EXHAUST SYSTEM "Exhaust gases our harmful to your health"
What is it?
Your car’s exhaust system has come a long way from
the old days of exhaust pipes and mufflers.
Today, the exhaust system is safety and emissions control rolled into one.
Have your car’s exhaust system inspected regularly and check it i
immediately if you suspect any problems.
What does it do?
The exhaust system routes dangerous exhaust gas from the engine out and away
from the car to keep from affecting the occupants.
Next, the exhaust system reduces exhaust noise from the engine.
The catalytic converter reduces the level of harmful pollutants in the exhaust.
Finally, the oxygen sensors mounted in the exhaust system monitor the level
of exhaust gases to maintain efficient engine operation and to monitor the
converter’s operation.
Typical Wear and Tear
Maintain a safe car with regular exhaust system checks. Factors that affect
replacement requirements include:
Symptoms
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FILTERS AND FLUIDS "Protects Your Investment"
What is it?
Your car’s filters are important to the longevity
of your car and interior comfort. Maximize your car
investment by replacing filters regularly.
What does it do?
The oil filter traps contaminants, allowing the oil to flow through
the engine unrestricted.
The fuel filter separates harmful contaminants that may cause
problems with carburetors or intricate fuel injectors.
The air filter traps dirt particles, which can cause damage to
engine cylinders, walls, pistons and piston rings.
The air filter also plays a role in keeping contaminants off the
airflow sensor (in fuel-injected cars).
The cabin filter helps trap pollen, bacteria, dust and exhaust gases
that may find their way into a car’s ventilation system.
Typical Wear and Tear
Filters are normal wear items that require regular checks and replacement.
Factors that affect replacement intervals include:
Symptoms
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FUEL SYSTEM "Keeps Your Car Performing Better, Better Gas Mileage
What is it?
You car’s fuel system works with the rest of the engine control system to deliver
the best performance with the lowest emissions. Check your car’s fuel system regularly
or immediately if you smell gas or suspect a problem.
What does it do?
The fuel system transfers fuel from the fuel tank and passes it through a
fuel filter for cleaning before it arrives at the injectors. A pressure regulator
controls fuel pressure to ensure good engine performance under a variety of
speed and load conditions. Fuel injectors, when activated, spray a metered
amount of fuel into the engine. Some vehicles use a return line system to
return unused fuel back to the tank.
Typical Wear and Tear
Intervals for fuel system maintenance may be influenced by:
Symptoms
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LIGHTING AND WIPERS "They Both Keep You Safe"
What is it?
Lights and wipers play a major role in safe driving – the chances for
accidents increase if you can’t see or be seen.
Some states have laws that require the headlights to be on with the wipers.
If you detect any problems with your car’s lights or wipers, have them checked out at once.
What does it do?
The wiper system keeps excessive water, snow or dirt from building up
on the windshield and removes them to maintain clear visibility through
he windshield. The lighting system provides nighttime visibility,
signals and alerts other drivers, and supplies light for viewing instruments
and the vehicle’s interior.
Typical Wear and Tear
Lights and wipers are normal wear items that require periodic replacement.
Factors affecting replacement intervals include:
Symptoms
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STARTING, CHARGING AND BATTERIES "Always Have Them Checked"
What is it?
Your car’s starting and charging systems, and
the battery help ensure dependable vehicle operation
whenever you drive your car and in all sorts of driving conditions.
Make sure to check these systems regularly.
What does it do?
The battery stores electrical energy and the starter converts that energy into
echanical force to turn the engine for starting.
The alternator produces electric current to replace what the starter used during
tart-up and to support electrical loads when the engine is running.
An ignition module turns the low-voltage supply to the ignition coil on and off,
and the coil produces the high voltage for the ignition system.
This creates a spark at the spark plugs and ignites the air/fuel mixture in the engine.
A belt transmits power from the front of the engine to the alternator’s pulley,
along with other accessories.
Typical Wear and Tear
Driving habits such as frequent engine on/off cycles will cause more wear on
the starter than a simple trip back and forth to work. Other factors include:
Symptoms
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Headlights and interior lights dim
-
“Check Engine” and/or battery light may come on
-
Accessories fail to operate
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STEERING AND SUSPENSION " Proper Alignment and Good Tires, Will Keep You Safe"
What is it?
Like your car’s brake system, the steering and
suspension systems are key safety-related systems. Together,
they largely determine your car’s ride and handling. Have your car’s
steering and suspension systems checked regularly, at least once a year
and usually with a wheel alignment.
What does it do?
The suspension maintains the relationship between the wheels and the
rame or unibody. The suspension system interacts with the steering system to
provide vehicle control.
When working properly, the suspension system helps absorb the energy from
road irregularities such as pot-holes and helps to maintain vehicle stability.
The steering system transmits your input from the steering wheel to the
steering gear and other steering components to control the car’s direction.
Typical Wear and Tear
Over time, steering and suspension components wear out and require replacement.
Regular checks are critical to maintain a safe car. Factors that affect wear include:
Symptoms
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TRANSMISSION "Always Have It Serviced, Check Your Owners Manual"
What is it?
The transmission works with the engine to provide power to you car’s wheels.
Whether automatic or manual, the transmission plays a major role in the overall
ependability of your car. Make sure to check it at the first sign of problems.
What does it do?
A transmission/transaxle keeps the engine’s
output optimally matched to the speed and load conditions.
The torque converter, connected to the automatic transmission
and transaxle input shaft, connects, multiplies and interrupts the
flow of engine torque into the transmission. Universal joints
connect to the driveshaft to transmit output power from the
transmission to the rear axle on rear-wheel-drive cars.
Universal joints also allow the driveshaft to work at an angle.
Automatic transmission fluid serves a multitude of purposes.
It cleans, cools, lubricates, transmits force, transmits pressure,
inhibits varnish buildup and continually protects the transmission.
There are several different types of automatic transmission fluid.
Reference your owner’s manual for how they should be used.
Typical Wear and Tear
Wear and tear on the transmission can be influenced by:
Symptoms
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