Posted on 4/28/2022
The transmission is a very important part of your vehicle. Have you ever heard "Well, the tranny's going"? This is a situation that you'll want to avoid by checking the transmission fluid. Checking your transmission fluid will help you look for any change in color or smell in the fluid, as it will tell you if your transmission is running smoothly. If you are not sure how to check your transmission fluid, check out the tips below so that it'll be an effortless task for you to do! How to Check the Transmission Fluid Checking the transmission fluid uses a similar dipstick as the oil one, too. The difference is, of course, the transmission dipstick measures the amount of fluid in your transmission. If there are signs that the fluid levels are low, it can show that there is a leak somewhere that you'll need to check. You'll need to make sure that you do not overfill the transmission as well, as foaming can cause additional issues. Turn your vehicle on for a ... read more
Posted on 3/29/2022
If the quality of your car ride feels off, you shouldn't ignore it. There could be a chance that your suspension has gone bad. However, you can put them to the test by doing the bounce test. How to Test Your Shocks with the Bounce Test The bounce test is a tool-free test that you can do at home to determine your shocks' condition. Little to no expertise is required, and it will only take 5 minutes. Follow the following steps: Park your vehicle on a flat surface Go to one corner of your car; you're going to be doing each corner individually. In one quick motion, push down on your car as hard as you can and release your body weight. Notice how your vehicle reacts. If it springs up to normal position right away, your shocks are doing fine. If it bounces once, your shocks are going to go bad soon. And if it jumps more than once, you need new shocks pronto. Repeat the test on your other car corners. You can visually inspect the suspension a ... read more
Posted on 2/28/2022
With the weather warming up and days getting longer, we're sure that some of you have some travel plans in mind. To ensure you're safe, relaxed, and comfortable on your road trip, you should account for these road trip tips: Get Plenty of Sleep Before Driving There's nothing worse than driving tired or groggy. Did you know that studies have shown driving with fatigue can be just as harmful as driving under the influence? Make sure you get plenty of night's rest before hitting the road. It is typically recommended that you start your journey on the road in the morning instead of the afternoon as you'll feel fresh and alert (if you got a good night of sleep, of course). Pack Some Snacks and Water Small, packable snacks are recommended for longer car rides, especially if you don't want to keep making stops to curb your hunger. Additionally, make sure you have an ample water supply so everyone can stay nice and hydrated. Plan for Rest Stops One of the most nec ... read more
Posted on 1/26/2022
To put it into simple terms, the clutch is a manual transmission component that regulates when and how much power should be transferred to the vehicle's wheels. Furthermore, the clutch is engaged to hold your car in the right gear to allow you to accelerate when needed. For those who drive a stick, it's very important for you to know how to pick up on the signs of an aging clutch. Below are the top signs that indicate you need clutch repair: Clutch Slipping A slipping clutch almost always means you need your clutch replaced. This feeling is often described as a lag or stutter when the car speeds up. Your RPM may also jolt up further than necessary. If any of these happen, your car clutch needs to be looked at by an automotive professional. Trouble Shifting Gears Another sign of clutch failure is when the car can't shift gears properly. Whenever you try to change from one gear to another, it might require additional effort to put it in place. Chirping Noise If you hear ... read more
Posted on 12/21/2021
The ringed panel found between the cylinder head and the engine block is a head gasket. It prevents the engine fluids from leaking to the cylinder head. Besides that, it blocks oil, water, and lubricant channels from mixing. When the fluids mix, the engine can become defective. At times, the head gasket in your car may fail to perform effectively and blow. Below are some of the symptoms of a blown head gasket: The Start-up Process When starting up your car and you notice white fumes coming from the exhaust, it's a clear indicator of a blown head gasket. This occurs when a vehicle runs high-powered operations such as hauling a heavy load uphill. When you see white smoke, cool the cylinder head to help the engine operate smoothly. Don't wait until the issue becomes severe. Quick actions will help prevent spending on advanced repairs your car engine needs. Blue Exhaust Fumes A blown head gasket can also trigger blue exhaust fumes. The blue fumes indicate the engine is burnin ... read more
Posted on 11/18/2021
A bad or dirty fuel injector can significantly impact your vehicle processes, mainly your gas mileage and engine performance. This is because they play a vital role in delivering fuel to your engine to achieve optimum combustion. Achieving a desirable gas mileage may become a challenge with a faulty fuel injector. This is why it's necessary to take your car into our shop for regular maintenance, so our certified mechanics can spot these signs early and repair your fuel injectors. A worn fuel injector can usually be repaired by a thorough cleaning of the fuel injection system. A minor malfunction in one of your fuel injectors can impact the entire operation. Therefore, if you experience the following warning symptoms, you should take your car to The Car Guys for a fuel cleaning service! Engine Stalling If your car or truck often sputters and rocks when you are idling, this is one major sign that your fuel injector is the culprit. Engine stalls occur because of ... read more
Posted on 10/12/2021
Fluid maintenance is at the core of preventative care. Similar to how we need water, your car, SUV, or truck relies on various fluids to function and stay healthy. Suppose your vehicle fluids aren't frequently inspected and refreshed; your automobile will experience weak performance, lower gas mileage, diminish in value, and a higher risk of a breakdown or collision. The 6 Essential Fluids There are six fluids that most automobiles depend on: engine oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, coolant, power steering fluid, and windshield wiper fluid. 1) Engine Oil Engine oil, or motor oil, is the most necessary (and most frequently serviced) fluid of all. As you may know, engine oil is responsible for lubricating your engine's components and drawing away excess heat from the core. There are three different varieties of engine oil: conventional, semi-synthetic, and synthetic. To find which one your vehicle takes, please refer to your owner's manual. 2) Transmiss ... read more
Posted on 9/15/2021
Nothing's more annoying than having to hear your car or truck squeal at you whenever you try to come to a stop. Besides this ear-piercing sound, you should interpret it as a signal of something going wrong within your brake system. Brakes are a vital safety feature of your vehicle, but they can pose many safety hazards without proper care. Not all noises coming from your brakes are bad. For example, they may screech when they are not warm or newly replaced. They may also squeal when you brake when their components get wet from the weather. Besides these reasons, they should not make any lingering sounds. What Can Cause Your Brakes to Squeal? Worn Out Pads Worn-out brake pads are the most common reason for the loud squealing sounds you may be experiencing. The sounds you hear are a warning to replace the pads before they cause damage to the brake rotor. Braking Too Hard Sometimes you may have no other choice than to slam on your brakes for your and ever ... read more
Posted on 8/11/2021
As a car owner, it's imperative to understand the value of regular maintenance and the responsibility of vehicle ownership. Besides your owner's manual, license, and registration, you need a few other items in your car or truck to prepare you for the worst. You'll need these items on hand in case of a breakdown or other emergencies. First Aid Kit You never know when an injury can happen. A first aid kit is necessary for those situations and can be best stored in your glove compartment. Please do remember in the case of a significant accident to call emergency personnel should immediately. Spare Tire One of the most unfavorable circumstances you can encounter on the road is a flat tire. To be extra precautious, you should always store a spare tire in your vehicle. To repair a flat, you'll also need peculiar tools, such as a lug wrench and jack, to restore your tire. Tire Pressure Guage This little gadget may be more beneficial th ... read more
Posted on 7/9/2021
If you've owned your car for a while now, you probably know what kind of gas it takes. However, you'd be surprised to know that some people have no clue what the differences between regular and premium gas are. Some people associate their names or numbers with quality and performance; however, that is a common misconception. What Is The Difference in Octane Levels? Octane is the measure of gasoline's ability to resist igniting before the spark plug goes off. Both fuel and air are compressed in the engine's combustion chamber. When the pressure in the chamber reaches a specific point, the gas will combust. You want your spark plugs to ignite the gasoline at precisely the right time. When your gas combusts prematurely, you will hear knocking sounds which usually signal damage. All gas stations supply three octane grades, and the law states that they have to be listed as premium, midgrade, or regular. Some places even have their 93 octane top-tier fuel l ... read more