Yearly Archives: 2021

The Best Sing-Along Tunes for Your Summer Road Trip

The Best Sing-Along Tunes for Your Summer Road Trip

Many of us are hitting the road and getting out of town this summer. Whether traveling near or far, we are most likely going to be with friends or family. A crowded car can be fun, but it can also be loud and stressful. It doesn't have to be this time around. All you have to do is crank up the volume and sing along to some catchy tunes.   The first thing you need is to get the connectivity started to get the sing-along going. Most vehicles nowadays have Bluetooth capabilities. However, if that is not an option, you can connect your phone with an AUX cable.     The only other thing you will need is the music. You can be old-school and use the radio or even CDs. To get the best quality and variety, we suggest that you stream the tunes through your phone. You can opt for a streaming service of your liking - there is Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Pandora. Streaming services will give you access to millions of songs from various genres. Between Disney a ... read more

Car Overheating? Did You Know Turning on Your Heater Will Help?

Car Overheating? Did You Know Turning on Your Heater Will Help?

Modern cars are equipped with sophisticated cooling systems which feature computerized electric fans and numerous heat sensors. While these features help the engine to keep running smoothly, overheating is still bound to happen at one time or another. Some of the common causes of overheating include: Busted hoses that require replacement A failing cooling fan Broken head gasket Warped cylinder heads A damaged or failing thermostat Internal debris blocking the cooling system Damaged radiator A locked radiator air inlet Low coolant levels Mostly when your car overheats, you will notice steam emanating from your vehicle's front, particularly under the hood. You might also depict some weird and unusual smell coming from near the hood. Sometimes, your vehicle's temperature gauge needle might spike to hot, indicating extreme heat. Suffice to say, the only way to be sure is to drop by an auto repair shop and have a mechanic take a look for correct diagnosis, recommendations ... read more

What Can Cause Your Car to Smell Like Rotten Eggs?

What Can Cause Your Car to Smell Like Rotten Eggs?

Cars aren't really supposed to give off potent smells. Maybe at most, they can produce smokey fumes, as well as the faint odor of gas. But what about if your vehicle starts to smell like rotten eggs while running? This sulfur smell is never meant to be considered normal. So if this is happening to you, it is a sign that you probably should have your vehicle inspected. If you're reading this article, you're most likely dealing with this issue at the moment and wondering what exactly is causing this annoying smell, so let's begin. Source of the smell Most often suspected of causing this kind of smell is the vehicle's catalytic converter. The catalytic converter is one of the components that make up your car's emissions system. In a nutshell, this converter does precisely that; it converts harmful emissions like exhaust gases into more harmless emissions. This harmless gas, known as sulfur dioxide, is completely odorless. When a catalytic converter fails to do it ... read more

What Does the ABS Warning Light Mean?

What Does the ABS Warning Light Mean?

The anti-lock braking system or ABS is a safety mechanism that prevents a car's brakes from locking up and stops the car from skidding when the brake pedal is pressed. If the ABS light remains on when the car has been started it may mean that the ABS system is deactivated due to a possible malfunction. It is not safe to drive when the ABS light is on because it means the vehicle would not operate the way it is supposed to when you brake suddenly. The car could skid across the road in an emergency situation and cause a serious accident. The four most common scenarios where the ABS light may go on is when the ABS module malfunctions if there are low levels in the fluid reservoir, broken wheel speed sensors, or the system has deliberately been turned off. The ABS, an anti-lock braking system, shares some very important components with the traction control system in the vehicle and it is imperative that when the ABS light comes on you should pull your car off the road into a safe p ... read more

What are the Symptoms of a Bad Timing Chain?

What are the Symptoms of a Bad Timing Chain?

What is a timing chain? A timing chain, or in some motors a timing belt, is responsible for coordinating the opening and closing of valves within the internal combustion engine. This coordination is achieved by synchronizing the camshaft and crankshaft to open and close the valves while simultaneously preventing the pistons from hitting these valves. The timing chain consists of multiple links that run smoothly over gears, but with such a dynamic role in the motor, the timing chain is susceptible to wear and tear and may cause problems. Luckily, there are a few tell-tale symptoms to look out for. What are the symptoms of a bad timing chain? The engine misfires. Once a timing chain is stretched and has lost its integrity, the chain may skip a gear and lose the necessary coordination leading to an engine misfire. Repeated misfires could indicate a timing chain issue and should be investigated.   There is a rattling sound. A lax timing chain, or worse, a broken timing chain wi ... read more