AUTONET TV

Why is My Vehicle Overheating?

When it comes to your vehicle overheating, the signs can be loud and clear when you have a problem.  You may see a thermometer-shaped warning light come on or a temperature gauge whose needle is pointing in the red zone.  When either of those happen, it’s important to take quick action to avoid serious damage.

An overheating engine usually results when the cooling system can’t remove heat fast enough. Among the most common reasons for overheating is that the amount of coolant in your engine is low. That coolant circulates through your engine, absorbs heat and then heads toward the radiator, where it can get rid of the heat.

So, what causes that coolant to be low? Often there’s a leak somewhere in the system.  The radiator, water pump or the engine block can all develop leaks as can the hoses that carry the coolant from one part to the next.  You can also get leaks when the clamps that connect them fail.

Another part that can go bad is the thermostat, which can cause the engine to heat up quickly. So can a broken water pump. The pump is supposed to keep coolant moving through the system. But when it fails, the coolant isn’t moving and therefore can’t carry heat away from the engine.

Other possible causes of overheating is a clogged radiator or a fan that’s not circulating air through it. Also, don’t forget that the coolant in your vehicle has to have the correct mix of water and antifreeze. 

Why is a cool engine so important? Because heat is your engine’s worst enemy. Having a technician regularly keep an eye on your cooling system can help prevent problems before they start.

Auto Authority LLC
804 Witzel Ave
Oshkosh, WI 54902
920-231-1016
www.autoauthorityoshkosh.com

No Shake, Just Smooth

When your vehicle’s wheels are out of balance, they’ll likely give you some clues.  Your steering wheel might shake, the floor or seat vibrates and you might find your vehicle pulling to one side.  Other signs? Your tires might wear unevenly and may make odd noises. Plus, fuel economy might not be what it used to be.

It's important to keep your wheels balanced to keep your ride smooth and prevent wear on other parts of your vehicle.  Unbalanced, vibrating wheels can cause several parts of your suspension to wear prematurely, such as your ball joints, tie rods, struts, shocks and wheel bearings, all potentially expensive repairs.  

Balanced wheels give you a safer vehicle to drive since they improve stability and make your steering respond better.  They also will help you save fuel.

If you notice signs your wheels might need balancing, bring your vehicle in so a technician can check them.  They’ll check each wheel on a computerized balancing machine which can simulate driving at high speed.  The machine helps locate spots where weights can be placed to even out the balance.

When your wheels are properly balanced, you’ll find the ride will be smoother without all that vibration.  Your tires will wear much more evenly and you’ll notice a nice improvement riding in the cabin.

Keeping your wheels balanced should be part of your regular vehicle maintenance.  Consider having them balanced every 5,000-7,500 miles (8,000-12,000 km).  Always have wheels balanced when you get new tires.  Also, have wheels checked after you hit a pothole or curb hard or if you notice the tread on your tires wearing unevenly.  

Auto Authority LLC
804 Witzel Ave
Oshkosh, WI 54902
920-231-1016
www.autoauthorityoshkosh.com

Don’t Ignore the Grind

Your wheel hub assembly is probably not one of those things on your vehicle you think about very often.  In fact, you may not even have even heard of it.  But it’s one of the most important components that keeps your vehicle stable, smooth and safe on the road.

The hub assembly houses the wheel bearings and connects the wheel to the suspension, allowing it to rotate freely while supporting the vehicle’s weight. But when this part begins to fail, the effects can be felt in many ways.

Safety is one of the biggest reasons wheel hub assembly replacement is so important. A worn or damaged hub can cause excessive wheel play, uneven tire wear and unpredictable handling. In the most extreme cases, it can even lead to a wheel separating from your vehicle. Early signs of trouble include grinding noises, vibration or the ABS warning light coming on.  Don’t ignore them.  Bring your vehicle in so one of our technicians can pinpoint the problem. 

If you have a failing hub assembly, it can also affect your braking system. Many modern hubs include built‑in anti-lock braking sensors that monitor wheel speed. When the hub wears out, these sensors can malfunction, reducing braking efficiency and compromising traction control systems. When that hub is replaced, it can restore proper sensor function and ensures your vehicle can stop safely and consistently.

In addition to safety, a new wheel hub assembly will improve your overall driving comfort. You’ll notice the humming, rumbling or wobbling that worn bearings create will be gone, giving you a smoother, quieter ride. It also protects surrounding components (tires, rotors and suspension parts) from premature wear.

Replacing a worn wheel hub assembly is an essential investment in safety, performance and long‑term vehicle reliability.

Auto Authority LLC
804 Witzel Ave
Oshkosh, WI 54902
920-231-1016
www.autoauthorityoshkosh.com

Save Your Tires and Fuel: Why TPMS Is More Than a Warning Lightc

You know that little light on your dashboard that looks like a tire? Don’t ignore it.  It’s a lot more than a warning light.  It’s trying to tell you something that can protect your tires, improve your fuel economy and keep your vehicle traveling safely down the road. It’s called TPMS.

The abbreviation stands for “tire pressure monitoring system.”  It continuously monitors the air pressure in your tires and alerts you when one or more of them are underinflated. Even having just one severely underinflated tire could have serious consequences. 

Underinflated tires wear out faster than those properly inflated.  It can affect the outer edges and significantly shorten the lifespan of those tires.  That can also significantly increase the likelihood of a blowout.  At the same time, since underinflation can make your tires roll less easily, your engine will burn more fuel.

When your tires are properly inflated, it helps your vehicle handle and stop as the engineers designed it to. You may not know that when your tires aren’t properly inflated, your steering can be sluggish and it will take you a longer distance to brake, especially in wet or icy conditions. TPMS gives you an early warning so you can correct tire pressure before these issues affect your safety.

Another bonus of TPMS is it may let you know you have slow leaks, like when you pick up a nail somewhere on the way.  You may also have a valve stem that isn’t holding air or your tires’ pressures may be too low because of temperature changes. Advance warning of any of these may prevent you from being stranded with a flat tire or damaging the tire beyond repair. 

TPMS doesn’t replace regular tire inspections or manual pressure checks, but it does add an important layer of protection. So, heed that little light, because it may be trying to tell you something important.

Auto Authority LLC
804 Witzel Ave
Oshkosh, WI 54902
920-231-1016
www.autoauthorityoshkosh.com

A Sensor that Makes Sense

There’s an electronic device in your vehicle you may not even know about: the oxygen sensor.  Your vehicle probably has more than one of them, and these oxygen sensors help your vehicle burn fuel efficiently, reduce emissions and protect important parts in your engine.  An oxygen sensor senses how much oxygen is in the exhaust gases as they exit your engine.
Most vehicles have anywhere from two to four oxygen sensors.  They measure the amount of oxygen in the exhaust before it goes through the catalytic converter and then after, checking how efficiently the converter is working.  The information the oxygen sensor sends your engine’s control module allows it to adjust the air/fuel mixture for optimal combustion.  That, in turn, helps you improve fuel economy and allows your engine to run its smoothest.

When your oxygen sensor fails, it causes your engine to run inefficiently.  That can result in carbon building up, bad fuel economy and damage to your catalytic converter, and that can be a very expensive repair.

One sign an oxygen sensor is failing is when you notice the Check Engine light is lit up on your dash. That, accompanied by rough idling, engine misfires and hesitation as you accelerate are all signs at least one of your oxygen sensors has a problem.  If you notice those symptoms, it’s important to have one of our technicians check it out.

They will scan the vehicle’s computer codes to pinpoint which oxygen sensor isn’t doing its job correctly.  Then, the technician will remove the bad sensor, replace it and run a test to make sure your vehicle is working the way it should.  

When you get back in your vehicle, you’ll notice a big difference: a smoother engine and better mileage.  Now that’s a sensor that makes sense.  

Auto Authority LLC
804 Witzel Ave
Oshkosh, WI 54902
920-231-1016
www.autoauthorityoshkosh.com