Warning lights on the dash can illuminate, like the charging system light, brake light, abs (antilock brake system) light, srs (supplemental restraint system) light, and or the check engine light.  Some of the symptoms the vehicle can exhibit are:  vehicle will not crank when trying to start, a long starting crank time, exterior and interior lights dim or not working properly, engine and transmission performance can be compromised or have odd symptoms, and some of the electrical accessories may not work or will work intermittently.

If your vehicle is exhibiting any of these symptoms it is a good idea to have the vehicle inspected and tested.  The starting/charging system of your vehicle should be tested at least every 6 months as regular maintenance.

With the advent of sophisticated battery testers, we can now test a battery for the initial state of charge, cold cranking amps available for starting vehicles engine, and the ability of the battery to hold an electrical load.  When checking a battery, the overall appearance, condition of the battery, and the connections and cables to the battery are inspected too.   If the battery test results are “fail or marginal” and the battery cannot be charged to a passing condition, or if the battery is leaking or has corrosion that cannot be cleaned, it is recommended to replace the battery.

Most new batteries are designed to last between 4 to 6 years.  A good performance of the battery can depend on the type of driving and usage of the vehicle so it can vary somewhat.  The benefit of replacing a battery before it fails is to reduce the possibility of a breakdown or a no start condition.  A battery that is testing marginal can also cause more strain on the other components in the electrical system of the vehicle, like the starter and alternator. The starter relies on a fully charged battery to supply the needed amps to start the vehicle.  The alternator is designed to keep the battery in a full state of charge, it is not designed to continually recharge the battery from a completely dead or a continual depleted state.  Keeping a healthy battery in your vehicle can be more cost effective than waiting for a battery to fail or be completely used up.  A good quality starter or alternator can be expensive to replace.

Extreme weather conditions hot or cold can accentuate a weakness in the starting/charging system of a vehicle.   As we start into the summer months we recommend keeping the electrical system of your vehicle in good shape and have it tested and inspected for any weaknesses.  When the heart of your electrical system is not testing in a good healthy state replace it to keep your vehicle reliable and not cause further issues down the road.  Happy Motoring!

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The Battery/Charging System Indicator Light is amber in color and looks like a battery.  When this light illuminates, or stays illuminated or comes on and off while driving it is indicating that there is an issue in the charging or starting system of your vehicle.  There are several things that is could be, the battery not holding a good charge or having bad connections, bad connections at the starter, a broken or loose alternator drive belt, a failing alternator or again not having good connections.  We recommend having this inspected and tested immediately, this light usually indicates an imminent failure that will cause a breakdown situation.

The Oil Pressure Light this is indicated in an amber color with an oil can with a drip.  This light is often misunderstood as time for an oil change light.  That is not what it is indicating, when this indicator is illuminated it is indicating that your engine is not receiving enough oil.  This could be because of low engine oil level or low engine oil pressure.  An engine that is starved of engine oil or pressure can be damaged internally within seconds or minutes of continued operation.  We recommend if that light ever comes on, turn off the car immediately and have it towed to your trusted repair facility to have it diagnosed.

The Coolant Temperature Light is amber in color and shows a thermometer in a circle. When this light illuminates it usually indicates that your engine is operating at an excessively high temperature.  The sensor for this light is measuring the temperature of the engine coolant that is circulating in the engine cooling system.  If this light comes on it is recommended to turn off the vehicle immediately and have it towed to your trusted repair facility for a diagnosis of the overheating engine.  Please keep in mind that engine can overheat without that light coming on if the coolant level is low.  So make sure your coolant level is checked regularly with oil change services and immediately address any leaks of coolant that you may see from under your vehicle. Also, never attempt to remove a radiator cap on a vehicle that is overheating you can get seriously injured due to the amount of pressure build up in that system.

Lastly, there is the Transmission Temperature Light that is much like the Coolant Temperature Light, this light will illuminate when your transmission is operating at an extremely high temperature.  It can turn on due to low fluid level, or poor transmission fluid condition, transmission pump flow, or when the vehicle is being used for towing at high temperatures.  It is recommended to have the vehicle towed in to your trusted repair facility if this light stays illuminated, if it goes back off, then we would recommend having it diagnosed as soon as possible.  A transmission that is operating at too high of a temperature can cause internal damage to the transmission.

The different warning lights on your dash, which we have discussed in the past few articles, is your vehicles way of talking to you.  Make sure and listen then take the appropriate action to minimize any damage or down time with your vehicle.  Happy Motoring!

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The Brake Light Indicator, this light is usually red and says “brake” it is typically an indicator that the park brake is applied, however it can also indicate low brake fluid level.  If this light comes on you should check your park brake first and if it is unapplied, the vehicle should be checked out immediately, we would recommend having it towed.  Low fluid level can cause your brakes not to function properly and can make driving the vehicle unsafe.  Low fluid level can indicate worn brakes or a brake fluid leak in the brake system.

The ABS Indicator Light, is for the Anti-Lock Braking System of your vehicle, it says ABS on your dash in an amber color.  If the light stays illuminated this indicates that there is a malfunction in the ABS system.  When that light is on, the ABS system of your vehicle will be disabled and will not operate in a slippery surface or panic stop situation.  The conventional brake system of your vehicle will still work.  If both the ABS light and Brake light are on we again recommend having your vehicle towed to your trusted repair facility to have your vehicles entire brake system inspected.

The Traction Control Light is a little newer system but is becoming to be a standard function on today’s vehicles.  The indicator light is amber and shows a car in triangle with 2 squiggly lines behind it.  When this light comes on it is because one or more of your wheels is spinning at a faster rate due to loss of traction.  The systems sensors will indicate this and will automatically apply braking to the wheel(s) that needs to slow down and get back in sync with the others.  When the Traction Control Light illuminates, you will know this system is in effect and that you should probably slow down a little.

The Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS)  light is an amber light with a triangle and an exclamation point symbol in the middle.  When this light comes on it means that you have a tire or tires that have a low pressure reading or that there is a problem in the system that it cannot read the pressure.  We recommend having tire pressure checked and filled if needed on all tires including the spare tire and see if the TPMS can be reset.  If it cannot then it needs to be diagnosed for the problem.  This system is an important safety feature that helps with the #1 breakdown on US Highways which is flat or blown out tires.  We recommend keeping this system in good working order, so you can rely on that indicator to let you know you have a tire that has low tire pressure.

The next article will cover warning lights that have to do with the operation of your charging/starting system and some of the fluid temperatures in your vehicle. Happy Motoring!

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Maintenance required light is often questioned by consumers.  This is a reminder light, not really a warning light and it is set by the mileage of your vehicle.  When the vehicle is serviced with oil changes or other maintenance items, this light should be reset.  Then it will come back on when it is due for maintenance.  If you look in your vehicle manual it is set up based on the scheduled service intervals recommended in your book.  If you would like to service your vehicle more frequently you can have the maintenance reminder reprogrammed based on your preference.

The malfunction indicator light is known as the check engine light or the service engine soon light.  It can illuminate as an Engine Symbol or the words Check Engine or Service Engine. If this light comes on this means that the computer of your vehicle has recognized that a circuit, system or sensor in your vehicle is working out of parameters.  This problem can affect engine performance and emissions.  If the light stays solidly on, we recommend making an appointment with your trusted repair facility soon and having the vehicle diagnosed and repaired.  If the light is flashing on/off this is considered a catalytic converter damaging condition and you will usually feel a difference in the performance of the vehicle.  In this type of situation you should pull over, turn off the car and have it towed to your trusted repair facility before further damage or a breakdown occurs.

During the next article we will go over a couple warning lights that have to do with some of the safety features of the vehicle.  Happy Motoring!

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The cabin air filter in your vehicle filters the air that enters the passenger compartment.  Helping to protect the passengers from pollen, spores, exhaust gases, road dust and soot.

The cabin air filter also aids in keeping the vehicle interior clean.

Just like your home furnace or air conditioning system, your cabin air filter needs to be serviced on a regular basis to keep your vehicles heating and cooling system operating at its peak condition.  A dirty cabin air filter restricts the air flow of your heating, defrost, and air conditioning systems in your vehicle.

Cabin air filters should be checked and/or replaced once every 12,000 to 15,000 miles, or at least once a year.  The cabin air filter is generally located either under the dash on the passenger side of the vehicle, or under the hood near the rear of the cowl.

We recommend checking with your trusted repair facility to see if your vehicle is equipped with a cabin air filter.  If it is equipped with one have it inspected and/or replaced if needed. Make it a habit to have it replaced as a part of your regular yearly maintenance program for your vehicle. Happy Motoring!

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The fuel in your vehicle is usually good for about 6 months, but if it is sitting more than 30 days, it does not hurt to add a fuel stabilizer to the tank so the fuel will not loose its volatility.  Also, keeping the tank full will help reduce moisture accumulation that can be caused by the fluctuations in weather.

The battery of your vehicle can be in use even when the ignition is off.  Driving or at least running the vehicle for 15 to 20 minutes each week can help to keep a good battery charged up.  There are chargers or battery maintainers that can be hooked up to your battery while it sits, but I would caution you on the use of those, because you do not want to overcharge the battery and cause other issues.  Solar powered battery charge maintainers can be a much better option and are safer for the consumer.

Keep an eye on your tire pressure, with weather fluctuations the tire pressure can change and you do not want a flat tire or driving your vehicle on too low of tire pressure to cause damage to the tires.

Lastly, we would recommend spraying your vehicle with a mice repellent spray, there are natural ones with peppermint essential oils that can help deter little rodents.  These rodents can cause damage to interior under the hood and they seem to love to chew on wiring.

Stay safe and healthy.  Happy Motoring!

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When it comes to Auto Repair, Service and Maintenance we have a few tips for good quality at a fair price.

• Find an automotive repair facility that you like and trust to take care of your vehicle. They will have all your service and repair history for information on what has already been performed, what needs to be attended to, and can perform the warranty work for any prior work or parts that they have installed.
• When you have a computer diagnosis that needs performed, have it diagnosed and repaired by the same repair facility. Then the diagnosis and repair will be guaranteed, and you will not pay multiple diagnostic charges.
• There are big differences in the quality of parts that are used in automotive repair industry. Work with a shop that chooses the best replacement part for your car.  A lifetime warranty on a part does not hold much value if it needs to be replaced several times due to failure, rendering you helpless in a breakdown situation or having to take your vehicle to a shop several times.  The inconvenience and loss of time for you has value too.
• Do not let friends, neighbors, and relatives that are not qualified and trained to work on vehicles, attempt to work on your car. Repairs that are performed incorrectly can cost you money, time, safety, reliability and can diminish the value of your vehicle.

The quality of a repair or diagnostic process is not always easy to see.  Finding and sticking with a repair facility that you can trust, and that will stand behind their work, with a proven track record and longevity, can give you assurance that any future concerns can be met.  Remember, you get what you pay for. Happy Motoring!

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According to AAA (American Automobile Association) statistics show that 69 million people in the US breakdown in their vehicle each year.  That is 1 in every 3 drivers. Most vehicles on the road are more than 10 years old, on the West Coast our average is 12 years old.  Most of these breakdowns were preventable, such electrical or charging system problems, key problems and a flat or blown tire(s) being the top three issues.  Coming in a close 4th are engine cooling system issues, that are evident by overheating or leaking.

 The National Car Care Council runs A Be Car Care Aware inspections throughout our country on a yearly basis.  They state that 80% of the thousands of vehicles that are inspected each year, fail the basic safety inspection.  Belts, hoses, fluids, filters, brakes, the charging system, and tires are some of the main items that are checked out during an inspection.

When basics of vehicle maintenance are not being performed this increases the chances of a vehicle breakdown or failure.  Having at minimum your vehicle inspected on a semi-annual basis and performing the repairs or maintenance recommended will be the most reliable and cost effective way to avoid breakdowns.

Simple things to have inspected prior to driving especially on a road trip are:

Tire Condition

Tire Pressure

Fluid Levels and Condition

Belts

Hoses

Charging System Test

Wipers

Exterior and Interior Lights

Air, Cabin Air and Fuel Filter

Keep in mind if you have a low level of fluid in any system, engine, cooling, power steering, brake or transmission, there is most likely a leak or reason why.  We highly recommend having any leak repaired to prevent a further problem or potential damage to your vehicle.

Our last summer was pretty long and hot, and we have seen a rash of blown head gaskets on vehicles.  This is due to cooling systems that are either not being maintained properly and cooling system leaks not being repaired in a timely manner, or not shutting off the vehicle when the vehicle engine temperature starts to get to hot, and having it towed to a repair facility.  Extreme overheating and/or multiple overheating of an engine can damage the head gasket, can crack the cylinder head(s), or it can crack the engine block.  The other issue we have seen quite a bit of this summer is engine failures, due to engines being run either on low oil or very dirty oil, that it is sludging either internally or in the oil pan causing an oil starvation issue with the engine.

Unfortunately, there are parts on our vehicles that can fail without warning, fuel pumps, alternators, and water pumps are some examples just to name a few.  But most breakdowns are preventable so keep that vehicle inspected, perform maintenance as scheduled by mileage and/or age and have the repairs needed performed.  It will save you time, money and frustration.

Happy Motoring!

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When this Check Engine or Service Engine Soon light flashes you should pull over safely and shut the vehicle off.  Have the vehicle towed to your trusted repair facility for a diagnosis and repair.  Continuing to drive this vehicle, in this condition will do further damage and could cost more to repair.

The catalytic converter is designed to last the lifetime of the vehicle if it is kept in optimum running shape.  If the catalytic converter fails, it is important to find out why and correct what caused the failure.  Or your catalytic converter will fail again. Depending on the type and age of vehicle you drive, causes a huge variance on the replacement cost of a catalytic converter. Many of the vehicle’s we drive in Oregon are manufactured to meet California Emissions Standards.  If the catalytic converter in your vehicle fails, it needs to be replaced with a comparable original equipment.  If the catalytic converter replacement is not impregnated with enough precious metals, it will not coincide with the emissions calibration on your vehicle’s computer, and could still signal a catalytic converter efficiency code, which will illuminate your check engine or service engine soon light.  When your light is illuminated or if there are current codes stored in the computer of your vehicle it will not pass DEQ.

When your Check Engine or Service Engine light is on. This light is a warning to the driver that their vehicle needs to be diagnosed and repaired.   It is not an emergency but should be performed in the near future when you can.  When this check engine light is flashing, the condition the computer sees, can do damage to the exhaust of the vehicle.  We would not recommend continuing to drive the vehicle. Have it towed to a facility for a diagnosis and repair.  Happy Motoring!

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We recommend that you look at many things when facing that decision:

• Has the vehicle been well maintained up to this point?
• What kind of shape is the vehicle in, exterior, interior and mechanically?
• What is the current value of the vehicle? (This is figured on a car that runs and operates)
• Are there other major issues brewing with the vehicle that will need repaired in the near future?
• How much do you like the vehicle does it do everything you want and have all the options you want and need?
• Are you willing to keep it another 5 years to get the value of the repair back out of the vehicle by using it longer?

A well taken care of and maintained vehicle can hold a more enhanced value, and have greater longevity. It is a stronger candidate for investing in a major repair.  If there are a lot of other things wrong with the vehicle you would want to look at those costs also in making the decision.  Repairs can exceed the current value of the vehicle, and are not worth it if you choose not to keep the vehicle.

It is usually less expensive to repair a vehicle than to buy a new or sometimes even newer vehicle.  But a major repair does not increase the value of the vehicle.  If the vehicle were to get stolen or totaled in a car accident you might not get the full amount of the repair factored into the vehicle value.

The average consumer spends about $800 to $1000 annually maintaining, repairing and replacing tires on a vehicle that is over 5 years old.  If you are spending more than that, it might be time to consider replacing that vehicle.  If you are under that then your current vehicle might be worth investing in and considering a major repair.  Happy Motoring!

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