AUTONET TV

The Car Fluid Most Drivers Forget—And Why It Matters

Here’s an automotive part you might not be familiar with—the differential.  It’s a component that transfers power from the driveshaft to the wheels.  It’s called a differential because the left and right drive wheels travel at different speeds when you make a turn. During that turn, the wheel on the outside travels farther than the one on the inside, so the outside wheel is turning faster. 

Your vehicle’s differential works by having gears that regulate the whole process.  It has fluid inside to reduce friction between the gears. As you can imagine, those gears have a heavy load to handle, so this differential fluid helps reduce friction between the metal parts as they’re moving.  The fluid also carries heat away from the gears to keep temperatures down in the differential.

After a time, the heat and the loads take their toll on the differential fluid.  It starts to accumulate little metal particles from the gears wearing down.  After a while, your differential fluid isn’t as efficient in cooling and lubricating the gears.  The gears start making noise, aren’t as smooth as before and can reduce your fuel economy.  Let the fluid stay in too long and you can wind up having to replace the differential itself, an expensive repair.

The best way to make your differential last as long as possible is by having the differential fluid changed at intervals recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer.  Your differential will not only last longer, it will make for smoother operation. It’s especially important if you use your vehicle for towing or do a lot of driving in stop and go traffic.  

It’s a fluid many drivers forget about, but maintaining your differential fluid will pay off in the long run. 

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

Your Brakes Are Telling You Something: When Rotor Replacement Makes Sense

You may not realize it, but your vehicle is communicating with you all the time.  For example, your brakes talk to you through sounds, vibrations and changes in how your vehicle feels when you stop. And one of your brakes’ components that eventually needs attention is the brake rotor. 
Brake rotors are the metal discs your brake pads grip to stop your vehicle. After hundreds of times you brake, pulsing and vibration in your brake pedal or steering wheel are signs your one or more brake rotors need attention. 

Excessive heat may have caused them to warp. Grinding or squealing noises can also indicate that rotors are worn or damaged, and your brake pads may be worn down too far.

When you bring your vehicle in to have a technician check out your brakes, a visual inspection may reveal deep grooves, rust buildup or rotors that are too thin to perform safely. While sometimes rotors can be resurfaced, more often they should be replaced. If you let worn brakes go, you will find your stopping distance is longer, your brakes aren’t as efficient, and your brake pads will wear out more quickly.

In fact, if you are having brake pads replaced it makes sense to replace the rotors at the same time, especially if the rotors are already worn out or wearing unevenly. Installing new pads with fresh rotors makes it more likely that they’ll break in smoothly and quietly. Another bonus, you’ll find your vehicle’s braking performance it was designed to deliver.

Listen to what your brakes are telling you.  If they’re vibrating, noisy or just don’t feel like they used to, consider that a cry for help. Listening to your vehicle can help protect your safety now.

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

Leaking Oil Isn’t Normal: When a Valve Cover Gasket Needs Replacing

Let’s say you discover a little oil leak in your vehicle and you think, “It’s small.  It’s no big deal.”  Remember that no oil leak is ever normal, and it might be a sign that your valve cover gasket is failing. 
 
That gasket is what seals the top of your engine.  It keeps oil inside while your engine is running.  After it’s been doing that for a long time, guess what? That gasket gets old, and the engine heat starts to take its toll.  It gets brittle, might crack or even shrink, and when that happens, its seal breaks and your engine oil can start to leak out.

You might notice a failing valve cover gasket by smelling it rather than seeing it.   It’s the odor of burning oil leaking onto the hot parts of your engine, like the engine manifold.  The acrid smell of burning oil is not subtle, plus you may even see visible signs of smoke coming from under the hood.  

You may spot oil spots on your driveway.  Your engine might start to misfire if oil starts to get into the spark plug wells.  Then you will probably notice the engine misfiring and, eventually, your Check Engine light might come on.

These are signs you don’t want to ignore, because if you don’t take care of that valve cover gasket leak in a timely manner, it can lead to bigger—and more expensive—problems. If your engine’s other parts aren’t getting lubricated enough, friction between moving metal parts can cause significant wear and might lead to overheating.

The leaking oil can get all over your engine’s wiring and rubber hoses.  Sometimes that leaking oil can catch fire in your engine, too.  It can eventually lead to much more expensive repairs.

If you notice oil leaks or the smell of burning oil, make sure you have one of our technicians look at it as soon as you can.  The earlier you get your vehicle in for service, the more likely the valve cover gasket can be replaced efficiently, without complications and save you money in the long run. 

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

Steer Clear of Trouble

When your vehicle’s power steering is in top shape, it’s effortless and precise, making direction changes easy; you’re hardly even aware of it.  But power steering can develop problems, and if you don’t pay attention to them, you may wind up needing expensive repairs.

Many systems use power steering fluid, which relies on the pressure of that fluid to help turn your vehicle.  If there’s a leak in your system, the fluid can leak out, and you can lose that power assist.  You’ll know something is wrong if you can feel the steering becoming more difficult, especially at low speeds.  You may hear a whining sound when you turn or notice spots of fluid under the vehicle,

Another component of power steering that can fail is the pump that pressurizes the fluid.  It can wear out, and you can lose your power assist.  Clues you have a bad power steering pump are a whining sound that increases when you turn your wheel and the feeling that the steering isn’t responding as quickly as it used to,

Many power steering systems are driven by a belt, and they can fail or get loose.  Symptoms include a squeal when you start your engine, power assist that comes and goes or cracks in the belt.

A gear that moves your wheels (called rack and pinion) can wear out or fail. Signs include fluid leaking, uneven or stiff steering, a clunking sound when you turn or lots of play in your steering.

Other power steering problems include air in your system or a faulty pressure valve.  

If you have electric power steering, it uses electricity instead of fluid.  Different things can fail, such as wiring or motor issues and a failing steering torque sensor.  Whether you have hydraulic or electric power steering, periodically bring your vehicle in so we can have a technician track down any issues and get your steering system pointed in the right direction.

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