Archive for November 2019Unlock the Secret (Malfunctioning Door Lock Actuator)Posted November 24, 2019 10:58 AMWhat a convenience power door locks are on a vehicle. The latest don't even require you to push the button on the key fob; all you have to do is have it with you. But sometimes there's a component of power door locks that can fail, especially when they are used several times each day. Those are called the door lock actuators. The actuator is an electric part that works with others (like motors and gears) to lock and unlock doors. You can hear them work, sometimes with the little whirr of the gear or the quiet clunk of the lock finishing its cycle. And it's good to pay attention to that sound because if it starts to sound different, it could be a signal that your lock is on the brink of failing. Another sign of a failing power door lock actuator is they start working intermittently or quickly and erratically. The driver's door is often the first to start acting up since it's the one that usually gets the most use. When you start to notice these signs, consider a visit to your service facility to get your vehicle checked out. If you wait too long, you may find yourself getting locked out of your vehicle. Many vehicles do have mechanical keys available as a failsafe so you are at least able to get inside. Some of them are hidden inside the key fob and you should know how to access them. Check with your owner's manual or ask your service advisor. It's extremely inconvenient to have to unlock your vehicle with the mechanical key, then get inside and unlock the other doors. It's even more inconvenient if you have passengers in the rear seats. And that doesn't even count having to go through the same thing to lock the doors when you arrive at your destination. There are many things that can cause power door locks to malfunction, but if it turns out to be a power lock actuator, the most common remedy is to replace it. Some are easier for technicians to reach than others, depending on your vehicle's design. But once your locks are working again, you might think you've found the "key" to happiness! Auto Authority LLC The Byte Stuff (Your Vehicle's Computers)Posted November 17, 2019 12:01 PMNobody has to tell you that computers are a part of so many things in our lives. Smartphones, kitchen appliances, vacuum cleaners, televisions. You name it—it has a computer in it. And your vehicle is no exception. The earliest cars relied on the technology of their time, and there was no such thing as a computer. But now, it's not unusual for a vehicle to have as many as 150 computers in it. They perform a variety of functions. An important one is diagnosing your vehicle's problems. There are various sensors throughout modern vehicles that measure thousands of data points. When something is not working correctly, they send a signal to another computer that stores that information. The data can be read by someone who has a special computer that plugs into a port in your car. It displays certain codes that help technicians track down the culprit. But it's not just the diagnostics that are computerized. Everything from your vehicle's fuel injection to anti-lock brakes is. Convenience features such as power windows, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a wi-fi-hot spot, streaming video and navigation are all sophisticated computers. Then there are the safety features; air bags, traction control, automatic emergency braking and a host of others are all dependent on computers. It is important that those computers work correctly because they interface with many of the other computers on board. To properly diagnose problems with those computers requires training and special equipment. Your service facility has invested considerable resources into both, and they are equipped to properly evaluate and repair and/or replace malfunctioning components. Some lament the days when backyard mechanics could pull out their tools and do their own repairs. Those days are fast disappearing with the computerization of vehicles. But look at the bright side. Your vehicle does so much more, has so many more features and travels far more safely than those past generations drove. And they're bound to get better and more sophisticated down the road. Auto Authority LLC The Best TestPosted November 10, 2019 11:42 AMWould you buy a jacket without even trying it on? Probably not, but it might surprise you that one study shows about half the people buy a vehicle after a short test drive around the block or none at all. If you're in the market for another vehicle, make sure you check out the most important things so you'll know if that's the right vehicle for you. Check out the gadgets. Love a good sound system? Then turn it up loud. Does it have enough bass for you? See how you like its navigation system if it has one. Try pairing your Bluetooth smartphone with the vehicle. Test out how to set the cruise control and how steady it keeps the speed. Back up and check out the rearview camera. If you buy this vehicle, you'll have to live with all of these things every time you drive. Test the vehicle on roads you know. See how it handles bumps and potholes, how it takes that tight curve that you drive every day to and from work. Driving on familiar roads gives you a chance to compare what you know with what you're thinking about buying. Check the fit. One suburban driver drove a full-sized SUV and loved it until they got it home and realized it was too high for her old garage. Remodeling the garage would be the only answer! Try installing your child seats. Size matters, especially in a vehicle. Gauge the fuel economy. Many vehicles have a trip computer that will calculate fuel economy quickly. Here's a tip: you can reset it before your test drive and when you're finished, check it and see what fuel economy you got. It will be a smaller sampling than would be ideal, but it will give you an idea. Take as much time as you can. A lot of sellers will pressure you to restrict your test drive to 10-15 minutes. Ideally, you'd like to have that vehicle for a week, but that's usually not possible. So try for something in between. Remember, this could be your vehicle for years to come. Keep in mind that every vehicle will feel strange to you at first. Buying a vehicle is a little like getting married. You want that marriage to be happy, and you want it to last, so take the time to get to know it as well as you can. Auto Authority LLC Not-So-Common Sense (Sensor Failures)Posted November 3, 2019 8:50 AMSo your vehicle won't start. What's the first thing that comes to mind? Battery dead? Starter motor worn out? Out of gas? Well, those are all reasons that make sense. But your vehicle may be refusing to start because one of its computers is being warned that to do so might damage it. Here's how that works. You have lots of computers in your vehicle. They need to know the status of things so there are several sensors monitoring various things going on. These sensors send information to the computers that adjust the fuel and air mixture so you don't waste fuel. They know when things aren't quite right and prevent you from starting your engine if that's going to damage it. Other sensors make sure the coolant is the right temperature, check to see you are not polluting the air and make sure other electronic components are performing their tasks correctly. Here's an example of a sensor doing its job. Your engine needs oil to lubricate metal components so the friction doesn't damage them. Your engine has an oil pressure sensor that tells a computer called the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) if things are good to go or if there's something wrong, maybe the oil pressure is too low to keep things lubricated. If it is, it gives a signal for the vehicle not to start, protecting the engine. Of course, the sensors can go bad, too, with some of the same results. And so someone has to figure out if it's the sensor that's failed or if it really has detected a problem. That is the challenge for technicians with specialized equipment to decipher the signs. If a bad sensor is found, it may need to be replaced. Sometimes a thorough cleaning can do the trick. In either case, your service facility can track down the problem and get you back on the road. Makes sense, doesn't it? Auto Authority LLC No Fueling! (Fuel Filler Location)Posted October 27, 2019 12:35 PMIf you've ever gotten in an unfamiliar vehicle, maybe a rental car, you may have pulled up to the gas pump and wondered, "Which side is the fuel filler on?" Here's a tip for you. There is usually a little arrow on the instrument panel near the fuel gauge that points to the side where the fuel filler is. But why are the fuel fillers not all on the same side, anyway? There are lots of reasons. At one time, many manufacturers tried putting them in an easy-to-reach spot: in the center of the vehicle's rear end. Some even hid them behind a hinged license plate door. Cool place, but it turned out not to be a good idea. When a vehicle with a fuel filler in the rear was hit by another vehicle from behind, it was much more prone to catch fire and explode. Safety regulations now dictate that the fuel filler doors be placed within crumple zones and away from where they can drip fuel on hot exhaust pipes or near electrical connections. But why do manufacturers put them on either side? Some say it should be on the side away from the road. That way if you run out of gas and have to add a little from a gas can as your standing at the side of the road, you'll be a little farther away from passing traffic. So some companies from North America and many European firms with left-hand drive put their fillers on the right side. Some manufacturers think convenience for the driver is paramount, so they put their fuel fillers on the driver's side. If you have a vehicle with a cable release for the fuel door inside the cabin, it's usually on the same side as the steering wheel. As you can see, there's no standardization. Fuel doors need regular maintenance such as lubrication, and your gas cap (if your vehicle has one) should seal properly. Have your service facility inspect those regularly. Wherever your fuel filler is, it's obviously important that you can get at it easily because you have to fuel up sometime. Otherwise, you're not going to go too far! Auto Authority LLC Not a Good Vibe (Driveshaft Failure)Posted October 20, 2019 9:05 AMWhen you feel your vehicle vibrating as you're driving down the road, one cause could be something you may not have ever seen: your driveshaft. It is underneath the vehicle and most drivers don't climb under there to take a look very often. The driveshaft is a cylindrical part that helps conduct the rotational power from your engine to your drive wheels. If you have a four-wheel drive vehicle, you may have two driveshafts. The drive shaft has bushings, and when they wear out, that's a likely source of the vibrations. When the bushings are in good condition, they prevent the driveshaft from vibrating. And if you don't get your vehicle repaired fairly soon after discovering vibrations, they'll continue to get worse and cause other components of the drivetrain to wear out. The driveshaft is, of course, only one part of the drivetrain. It includes other parts such as axles, transmission, differentials and joints. They all work together and need to be maintained properly. When a driveshaft fails, there can be symptoms other than vibrations. They include difficulty turning, rattles, clunks and squeaks coming from underneath your vehicle. You may even feel a shudder when you accelerate from a stop. Driveshafts can fail when they get corroded or damaged by rough roads, curbs and debris. A trained technician with experience working on drivetrains uses specialized equipment that doesn't further damage the drivetrain's other parts. Sometimes the entire driveshaft will have to be replaced; sometimes the problems can be fixed by replacing individual components. Your vehicle's drivetrain was engineered to propel you smoothly down the road. When time and distance begin to take their toll, have your vehicle looked at by your service facility. They'll know how to properly pinpoint what's causing your problems and restore your vehicle to the reliable, smooth, safe machine its designers worked hard to create. Auto Authority LLC Idle Talk about Engines (Causes of Rough Engine Idling)Posted October 13, 2019 10:25 AMWhen you slow down at stoplight, your vehicle's idle should be smooth as silk. But what happens when the engine is missing or idling roughly? That's your engine's way of telling you, "Hey, I've got something wrong with me and if you don't get someone to find out what it is, I may not start the next time you turn the key." You can help your service facility if you can describe the problem in detail. Here's a list of things to make a note of:
Make sure you describe the problem in as much detail because it will help a technician diagnose the problem. One of the first things they'll check is how the spark plugs are firing. Modern iridium plugs are supposed to last a long, long time. But they CAN eventually wear out. Inspecting the firing end can help the technician figure out the root of the problem. Corroded or worn out spark plug wires, too, can contribute to an idling irregularity. There are other potential problem spots, too. The technician may check the ignition coil, timing piston rings, valves and cylinder walls. If the mixture of air and fuel isn't correct, that may affect how smooth your vehicle is running. Your service facility is equipped with diagnostic equipment that helps them pinpoint the problem. Once that idle is smoothed out to the way it used to be, you'll be the smoothest operator on the road. Auto Authority LLC The Turn Signal Mystery (Turn Signal Problems)Posted October 6, 2019 10:54 AMSome problems are easy to diagnose on a vehicle; others aren't. Figuring out what's wrong with a malfunctioning turn signal sometimes fits into both categories. By the way, if your tempted to just leave your broken blinker broken, remember you can get a ticket for not using them, not to mention you are missing a great chance to communicate your intentions to other drivers on the road. There can be lots of signals that your signals are on the blink. Does only the driver's side signal not work or the passenger's side? Do your hazard signals work? Do the lights illuminate but not flash? Can you see the indicators on the dash blinking? Do your turn signals turn off after you've finished your turn or do they stay on? These are all great clues for the technician. Here's one common symptom to take note of. Your signal all of a sudden starts blinking much more quickly than it used to. It could be a simple as a burned out bulb. But there are many different parts that go into the turn signal system. There are fuses that blow, switches that can fail, flasher modules that go bad and light bulb sockets that can simply get corroded or dirty. When that happens, it's possible there's no contact between the bulb and the socket. So it's understandable how tracking down the source of the problem can involve some detective work. Your service facility has equipment that can nail down the cause of your problems. They may also consult the repair manual. One thing to be aware of: if your vehicle has airbags, they may have to be disabled so they don't accidentally go off. You can make sure your turn signals are working correctly by having them checked by a trained technician. Other drivers will thank you for showing them the courtesy of signaling your intentions. It's a courteous and considerate thing to do, not to mention it makes the road a safer place. Auto Authority LLC No Yolk! Rotten Egg Smell (Sulfur Smell Causes)Posted September 22, 2019 8:10 AMThe pungent smell of rotten eggs can send people running for the hills. So when that odor is inside your vehicle, yikes! Yolks! The good news is that a trained service technician can search the source of that smell and stanch the stench… that comes from another words that begins with S. Sulfur. Fuel contains small amounts of hydrogen sulfide, but they're enough to stink up a vehicle when it's not properly burned. You may know that the smell of rotten eggs can often be a sign of a catalytic converter that isn't working the way it should. That could be due to age, damage or an abundance of oil that's clogging it up. If a sensor in charge of managing the fuel has failed, the engine can run with too rich of a fuel mixture. That can overload the catalytic converter and allow some of the byproducts to escape without interruption from the chemical reaction that is supposed to prevent them from going out the tailpipe. There's another possibility, but it's usually only in stick shift vehicles. That's leaking, old transmission fluid. Catalytic converter repairs are best left to a professional. Technicians at your vehicle service facility have equipment and training that can help them pinpoint the cause of this funky fragrance. Once the cause is found, repairs made and/or parts replaced, the smell should go away fairly rapidly. Auto Authority LLC A Fluid Situation (Check Fluid Levels)Posted September 15, 2019 11:28 AMThere's one fluid in your car you are always careful to keep at a certain level: the fuel. If you don't have fuel, you're not going anywhere. Your vehicle has other fluids which are vitally important to proper and safe operation, too. So, here's a "level" headed approach to those "other" fluids. Engine oil. This one's probably the most important fluid to maintain at the proper level. Without enough oil, you'll wear out your engine prematurely. Sometimes vehicles have warning lights on the dash that will tell you to get your oil checked. Don't ignore that one; get it checked immediately. Certainly don't go on a long trip at high speeds with your oil level low. Oh, and it's not good to have too much oil in, either. Our pros at Auto Authority LLC can advise you on oil levels and tell if you if you should be concerned about abnormal fluctuations. Windshield washer fluid. OK, this is one you probably know about. You certainly miss it when it runs out. You find yourself trying to clean your windshield with the wipers but you need a little liquid help. Unless you live in an area that requires you to use an awful lot of windshield washer fluid, one fill-up can often last between oil changes. Modern vehicles have large enough windshield washer fluid reservoirs to keep you going for quite a while. Engine Coolant. Here's another fluid you need to keep your engine running properly. You need it to keep the engine running at the proper temperature. Plus, you'll need it for heat when the temperature gets chilly outside. Power Steering Fluid. If you have a vehicle that uses power steering fluid, it's important to keep the correct amount in your system. Without enough of it, you might find steering difficult. Plus, if you’re losing power steering fluid, our experts at Auto Authority LLC can find out why and perhaps prevent a more expensive repair later. Brake Fluid. You may have heard of hydraulic brakes. Hydraulic refers to the fluid and is one of the key reasons your brakes work. Levels should be checked regularly and, like power steering fluid, if you're losing brake fluid, a technician needs to find out why so you can get the issue repaired and maintain your stopping ability. If you have regular preventative maintenance performed at Auto Authority LLC, we’ll keep an eye on all of these fluids when you bring your vehicle in for service. Auto Authority LLC | ||
SearchArchiveNovember 2011 (5)December 2011 (4) January 2012 (5) February 2012 (3) March 2012 (5) April 2012 (4) May 2012 (4) June 2012 (5) July 2012 (5) August 2012 (4) September 2012 (4) October 2012 (4) November 2012 (5) December 2012 (4) January 2013 (4) February 2013 (5) March 2013 (4) April 2013 (4) May 2013 (4) June 2013 (4) July 2013 (5) August 2013 (4) September 2013 (4) October 2013 (4) November 2013 (4) December 2013 (5) January 2014 (4) February 2014 (4) March 2014 (4) April 2014 (4) May 2014 (5) June 2014 (4) July 2014 (5) August 2014 (4) September 2014 (5) October 2014 (4) November 2014 (4) December 2014 (5) January 2015 (4) February 2015 (4) March 2015 (4) April 2015 (5) May 2015 (2) June 2015 (6) July 2015 (4) August 2015 (4) September 2015 (4) October 2015 (5) November 2015 (4) December 2015 (3) February 2016 (2) March 2016 (4) April 2016 (4) May 2016 (5) June 2016 (4) July 2016 (5) August 2016 (4) September 2016 (4) October 2016 (5) November 2016 (4) December 2016 (4) January 2017 (5) February 2017 (4) March 2017 (4) April 2017 (4) May 2017 (4) June 2017 (4) July 2017 (4) August 2017 (5) September 2017 (3) October 2017 (5) November 2017 (4) December 2017 (3) January 2018 (5) February 2018 (3) March 2018 (4) April 2018 (5) May 2018 (3) June 2018 (4) July 2018 (5) August 2018 (4) September 2018 (5) October 2018 (4) November 2018 (4) December 2018 (1) March 2019 (3) April 2019 (33) May 2019 (4) June 2019 (5) July 2019 (4) August 2019 (4) September 2019 (5) October 2019 (4) November 2019 (4) December 2019 (5) January 2020 (5) February 2020 (4) March 2020 (5) April 2020 (2) May 2020 (2) July 2020 (1) August 2020 (5) September 2020 (4) October 2020 (4) November 2020 (5) December 2020 (4) January 2021 (6) February 2021 (4) March 2021 (4) April 2021 (4) May 2021 (5) June 2021 (4) July 2021 (4) August 2021 (4) September 2021 (4) October 2021 (5) November 2021 (3) December 2021 (5) January 2022 (6) February 2022 (4) March 2022 (4) April 2022 (4) May 2022 (5) June 2022 (4) July 2022 (5) September 2022 (4) October 2022 (5) November 2022 (4) December 2022 (4) January 2023 (5) February 2023 (4) March 2023 (4) April 2023 (5) May 2023 (4) June 2023 (4) July 2023 (5) August 2023 (4) September 2023 (3) October 2023 (1) January 2024 (1) February 2024 (4) April 2024 (1) May 2024 (4) June 2024 (5) July 2024 (4) August 2024 (4) September 2024 (5) October 2024 (4) November 2024 (4) December 2024 (4) September 2025 (2) October 2025 (6) November 2025 (5) December 2025 (4) January 2026 (4) February 2026 (4) March 2026 (1) | CategoriesFluids (11)Tires and Wheels (6)Parts (1)Maintenance (17)Automotive News (5)Shocks & Struts (5)Service Standards (4)Fuel System (8)Tire Pressure Monitoring System (1)Air Conditioning (11)Headlamps (6)Safety (3)Diesel Maintenance (1)Inspection (5)Battery (14)Fuel Economy (8)Alignment (8)Brakes (18)Keys to a long lasting vehicle (2)Service Intervals (1)Battery Replacement (1)Exhaust (11)Timing Belt (5)Auto Safety (5)Transmission (5)Fuel Saving Tip: Slow Down (2)What Customers Should Know (87)Alternator (7)Check Engine Light (4)Steering (12)Dashboard (1)Windshield Wipers (4)Cooling System (9)Tire Rotation and Balancing (3)Drive Train (4)Oil Change (9)Wheel Bearings (1)Customer Detective Work (1)Older Vehicles (1)Winter Prep (2)Safe Driving (1)Spark Plugs (2)Suspension (3)Tires (11)Winter Tires (1)Water Pump (3)TPMS (3)Differential Service (3)Trip Inspection (2)Serpentine Belt (2)Cabin Air Filter (2)Fuel Pump (1)Brake Service (9)PCV Valve (2)Transfer Case Service (1)Engine Air Filter (4)Fuel Filter (2)Shocks and Struts (2) | |
Partners
What our clients are saying about us
We have established longterm and stable partnerships with various clients thanks to our excellence in solving their automotive needs!
Absolutely the best mechanic I have ever been to in my 40 years on this planet. Honest, trustworthy, and reliable. I will definitely be back.
These Guys (and Gals!) are great. Love them. Trust them. If you are looking for a REPUTABLE mechanic for your car or truck, look no more. Just go there and see what I mean.