Nothing is more frustrating for the vehicle owner than a puddle of oil on their carport floor or the stench of oil on a hot engine or exhaust system following a lube service. It is equally frustrating for the lube shop as they must correct the problem, losing billable labor time. We have seen customers […]

The post TROUBLESHOOTING OIL LEAKS: The Filter Often Gets the Blame appeared first on Mighty Auto Parts.

Vehicles today incorporate a maze of electronic components that must be considered when troubleshooting a performance related symptom. A vast arsenal of test equipment is necessary to communicate with the electronic systems and components. Systems are so connected that it is difficult for the technician to distinguish between a mechanical, electrical, fuel or emission related […]

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Turbocharged engines are becoming commonplace as the vehicle manufacturers are utilizing smaller displacement engines fitted with turbochargers. Turbochargers and direct fuel injection can make a smaller displacement engine behave like a larger displacement engine, while accomplishing better fuel economy. With this technology comes some challenges, especially in the area of required maintenance. Failure to provide […]

The post TURBOCHARGED ENGINES: Are You Recommending the Required Services? appeared first on Mighty Auto Parts.

GM TRANSFER CASE NOISES Customer complaints involving howling, whining, shudder or grinding noises during parking lot maneuvers in Auto Mode or highway speeds in 4HI or Auto may occur on four wheel drive GM trucks and SUV vehicles. Vehicles affected range from 2014–2023 year models. Specific applications can be identified in GM Service Bulletin 19-NA-136. […]

The post TROUBLESHOOTING DRIVELINE NOISES: Identifying Factory Solutions appeared first on Mighty Auto Parts.

Troubleshooting today’s technology can be challenging for even the most experienced technician. Making an accurate diagnosis, rather than throwing a lot of expensive parts and labor at the symptom can be a challenge. How would your shop handle the following customer complaints? a) Crank but no-start b) Hard starts c) Long crank time d) Misfire […]

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Failure to provide timely maintenance on a turbo-charged diesel engine can result in some expensive repairs, especially if it involves replacing a turbocharger or engine. The inexperienced may not realize how important some of the basic services are when servicing these applications. The turbo-diesel engines require a greater volume of air compared to a normal […]

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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!

The post What Are The Warning Lights On Your Vehicle’s Dash? appeared first on All About Automotive.

Neglecting maintenance intervals can result in performance issues and internal engine damage due to sludge deposits restricting the flow of lubricant to vital engine components. Evidence of lack of maintenance will normally show up in the oil filter and related housing. The filter media will be impacted with sludge deposits. Where applicable, the filter cap […]

The post Maintenance Intervals: Lack of Service Can Lead to a Catastrophic Event appeared first on Mighty Auto Parts.

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!

The post What Is The Purpose of a Vehicle Cabin Air Filter? appeared first on All About Automotive.

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!

The post What Is More Important Quality Or Price In Auto Repair? appeared first on All About Automotive.

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!

The post        My Check Engine Light Is Flashing What Should I Do? appeared first on All About Automotive.

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!

The post When Should I Replace My Car Instead of Repair It? appeared first on All About Automotive.

Low voltage conditions or the integrity of an electrical connection can pose some challenging events for the technician attempting to make an accurate diagnosis. In the world of automotive diagnostics, electrical problems have proven to be the most challenging, especially intermittent problems. Intermittent performance problems can be affected by connection-relate conditions and the presence of […]

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