What Causes the Check Engine Light to Come On?

As the miles and years add up on your vehicle, you may start to experience engine issues even though you have been careful to take care of all the recommended engine services.  One of the first warning signs you may notice of engine issues is the “Check Engine” light illuminating on the instrument panel. You may not even feel any difference in the performance of your vehicle. But unknown to you, the damage could be occurring in the engine and a small issue could potentially turn into an expensive engine repair. 

Here are five common problems that cause the check engine light to come on: 

1. A loose, cracked, or faulty Gas Cap 
2. Faulty Oxygen Sensor 
3. Failing Catalytic Convertor 
4. Faulty Mass Airflow Sensor 
5. Dirty Spark Plugs and Wires

Generally, you can keep driving for a while with that little light on, but if it continues to stay on and you notice some of the issues listed below, head to your auto repair shop for a diagnostic test as soon as possible:

• Knocking Sound – Bad engine bearings
• Excessive Increase in Exhaust Smoke – Black smoke means too much gas is getting into the combustion chamber; blue smoke is a sign of burning too much oil; white or Grey smoke indicates that coolant is leaking in the engine.
• Decreased Power – You may have trouble getting your car up to speed, or you’re getting fewer miles per gallon of fuel.
• Rough Idling – If it feels like your car is going to die whenever you stop, the culprit could be a clogged fuel filter, dirty spark plugs, bad ignition coils, or a failing fuel pump.

A Word of Advice:  If you can drive your car, head to your auto repair shop and ask your auto mechanic to run a diagnostic test to pinpoint the cause of the check engine light.  A small issue can be taken care of before it turns into a major engine repair.

If you need to know more about what causes the check engine light to come on, call our ASE Certified technicians at Expert Car Care for information about engine repair services and to request an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in the community of West Allis, WI, and the surrounding area.

Is Tire Rotation Necessary?

Some car drivers may not think about the condition of their tires until all of a sudden they have a flat on the side of the road, waiting for an emergency tire repair. Neglecting the tires on your car could be putting yourself and your passengers at risk. Thousands of auto accidents each year are caused by tire failure due to uneven tread wear. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration problems a statement several years ago encouraging tire rotation as a component of regular vehicle maintenance.

Here is a simple explanation for newer drivers—rotating tires simply means moving them to a different position so that the tread wears in an even pattern on all four tires.  For example, the front tires will be moved to the rear of the vehicle and the rear tires moved to the front.  

Is tire rotation necessary? It is definitely vital if you want your tires to last as long as possible.  Certain components of a tire come into contact with the road more heavily than others, receiving more stress, and wearing down faster. Rotating your tires equalizes the wear the tires receive so that you don’t have to purchase new tires as often. Front tires receive more stress than the back ones, so rotating the front ones to the back allows all four tires to wear at an even rate.

These are some of the issues you will face if you neglect to rotate your tires:

• Uneven tread wear. The front tires may wear faster than the rear ones, or there is an irregular wear pattern on one or more of the tires. 
• Vibration.  Excessive vibrations caused by uneven tread wear patterns can compromise the handling safety of your vehicle.
• Flat tires.  Too much pressure on tires causes them to lose air even faster. 
• Warranty invalid.  Tire rotations at specified mileage intervals (often free) help keep the manufacturer’s guarantee valid.

Is tire rotation necessary, you wonder?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Expert Car Care for more information about tire repair services and to request an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in the community of West Allis, WI, and the surrounding area.

How Often Do You Need To Replace A Muffler?

A key part of the exhaust system, the job of the muffler is to minimize the noise produced during the exhaust process and to direct the exhaust out of the vehicle.  In addition to a lot of noise, a defective muffler can cause issues for the driver and the passengers due to toxic fumes entering the cabin of the vehicle.  Thus, it is important that your exhaust system is checked frequently to inspect for issues.  

Replacing the muffler or other repairs to the exhaust system can be expensive depending on the make, model, and general condition of your vehicle. However, it is not wise to ignore the issue.  Not only will the problem get bigger and more expensive to fix, but it could also develop into more serious problems for the people inside the vehicle. 

But how often do mufflers need to be replaced?  Mufflers are like all other auto components—they wear out over time.  So be alert to some of the signs of a bad muffler: 

• Listen! The most noticeable sign of a bad muffler is noise. The car will sudden rattling noises could be the sound of a loose or broken muffler.
• Look! Ask your auto mechanic to raise your vehicle and visually check the muffler.  Any major problems, such as holes or rust are generally easily noticeable. Although condensation is normal, water leaking from several places on the muffler is definitely trouble.
• Temperature.  If the temperature rises unusually high while the motor is running, it can cause overheating of the engine.

Are you wondering how often do mufflers need to be replaced?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Expert Car Care for more information about exhaust systems and to request an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in the community of West Allis, WI, and the surrounding area.

When the Car Battery Should be Replaced?

You may be wondering how do you know when the car battery should be replaced?  Inappropriately, a car battery may take only 3 to 5 years to become worn out and becomes unreliable around the 4-year mark.  Just like a mobile phone battery, it becomes less efficient with each charge.  

How do you know when the car battery should be replaced?  Battery manufacturers deliver advice on the lifespan of each battery produced.  Although, there are some things that drivers can do to help your battery last as long as possible:  

1. Limit short trips.  Batteries are not able to fully charge during short tours.  But driving regularly and for longer periods of time help maintain the charge in your battery.  
2. Tighten battery connections. A loose battery can vibrate, causing damage to the engine and electrical circuits.  
3. Turn off accessories & lights—shut the door.  Leaving the headlights on, the door open with a light on, or accessories plugged in for extended periods of time can drain a battery’s charge.  
4. Clean off terminals.  Keep the battery terminals free of corrosion.  A DIY tip:  Scrub with a mixture of baking soda and water, rinse and dry thoroughly. 
5. Test output voltage.  Test the output voltage of your battery regularly so you know if it is holding a strong charge.
6. Avoid using electronic accessories while idling.  Turn off accessories when you’re idling.  Turn the motor off if you will be sitting for more than 5 or 10 minutes. 
7. Regular tune-ups.  Regular tune-ups to change spark plugs, clean wires, etc. will help avoid overcapacity of the battery.  
8. Storing your car.  Keeping your car warm and dry will help your battery last longer. 

Remember:  Inspect the condition of your battery frequently so you are not left stranded in your driveway or a dark parking lot.

Do you want to know more about when the car battery should be replaced?   Call our ASE Certified technicians at Expert Car Care for more information about a car battery replacement and to request an appointment. Our auto shop proudly serves residents in the community of West Allis, WI, and the surrounding area.

How Often Should A Car AC Be Serviced?

The warm days of summer have finally arrived!  It is not too late to schedule an inspection of your car’s air conditioner.  Whether you are planning a summer road trip, or just for a short commute to work, you don’t want to find yourself melting in a hot car! Whether you just need fresh coolant added to the radiator, or you want to have it totally drained and flushed, make sure that any needed car AC repair has been taken care of so that your car is ready for the rising temperatures.   

So you wonder how often should a car AC be serviced?  Many certified AC repair mechanics recommend having your car’s air conditioner inspected at least once a year, if not twice.  In the fall after summer’s hot temperatures and in the spring after winter’s freezing temperatures.  Not only will you be sure you stay cool (or warm) and relaxed in your car, you can save money with improved gas mileage.  

Your vehicle will have to endure numerous road and driving conditions, such as:

• Constant heat from the engine,
• Dirt and debris from the road contaminating the coolant,
• Vehicle’s constant vibrations loosening connections,
• Stress from quick and hard stopping,
• Running over an obstacle in the road, hitting a curb, or going too fast over a speed bump or pothole,
• The condenser becomes blocked so that refrigerant can’t flow through the connections,
• A broken cooling fan, and
• Faulty electrical connections 

If any of the problems above occur, refrigerant can leak out through loose connections, cracks in a hose, or even a tiny crack in the AC unit.  In this case, there will not be sufficient pressure in the compressor to push the heated refrigerant throughout the system to cool it down and repeat the cycle.  

Have more questions about how often should a car AC be serviced?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Expert Car Care to request an appointment for car AC repair. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in the community of West Allis, WI, and the surrounding area.

How Often Should Car Service Be Done?

If you’re wondering how often should car service be done, it is important to remember that there are some factors that have an impact on the needed frequency of service.  The primary considerations would be:

• How many miles you drive in a year;
• If you adhere to the recommended car maintenance schedule; and
• The condition of the roads you travel on a consistent basis.

However, most auto mechanics would tell you that typically, it is wise to have your car serviced every 12 months or 12K miles (whichever comes first).  Of course, as referenced above, if you drive a lot more miles during the year, then you should schedule a service every 6 months or 6K miles.  

One great feature of today’s vehicles is the built-in computer that will alert you when your car has reached certain service intervals. If your car doesn’t have this feature, ask your car repair specialist to help you keep track of the specific maintenance requirements for your vehicle. Or, you will find the manufacturer’s recommended service guidelines in your owner’s manual for the maintenance of your vehicle. 

Remember:  To help prevent costly car repair as much as possible, make it a habit to keep up with regular car service.  Small issues can be noticed early and taken care of before they turn into a major car repair.  This habit will also increase the safety and trustworthiness of your vehicle.  Plus, research indicates that vehicles with a good service history retain their value in case you want to sell or trade in your vehicle. 

So how often should car service be done?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Expert Car Care for more information about car repair services and to request an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in the community of West Allis, WI, and the surrounding area.