Auto Repair Basics

The BG Lifetime Protection Plan Honored at Hi-Tech Car Care

Posted on December 19, 2012 by Otis The Auto Guy

As I approached my oil change for my 2010 Chevy Equinox, Jim at Hi-Tech Car Care suggested I get my transmission maintained now before 36,000 miles with the BG products instead of waiting for the 50,000 recommended by the Chevy manual. The reason is I would qualify for the BG Protection Plan which will cover my transmission for the life of the car. If my transmission dies, BG will cover $2,000 of certain service and parts. Check out the page and website for more details on the coverage but as Jim as encourages, good maintenance can have a vehicle last for a very long time. Read more …

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Keep Your Saturns A/C Running Cool In The Phoenix, AZ Heat

Posted on June 5, 2012 by Otis The Auto Guy

If your Saturn’s air conditioning (a/c) is struggling this summer and you need to stay cool, the right a/c service can make all the difference. If you own a Saturn then you probably know the Saturn brand came to an end in 2009 during GM’s restructuring. This may lead to questions about the future care of your vehicle’s a/c system. While Saturn auto repair shops in Phoenix may seem far and few between, there is one centrally located auto shop equipped to handle all types of Saturn maintenance and repair. Dedicated to quality service and customer satisfaction, Hi Tech Car Care offers many services designed to keep you cool this summer.

Especially in Phoenix, Arizona, the summer months are notoriously hard on vehicles’ systems including cooling systems, transmissions, brakes, fuel pumps, all rubber products like belts, hoses, timing belts even tires. However no matter what car, truck, or SUV you have the one system you are most likely to notice is your vehicle’s a/c. If you notice a decline in your vehicles a/c this summer, please read the following service explanations to learn more about a/c maintenance for your vehicle:

Overall System Check: Your vehicle’s a/c system has many parts that are interconnected throughout the cabin and engine bay. A detailed inspection of these parts is crucial if you expect your system to last this summer. This service checks for leaks in the systems hosing and tests all system components. This is a good starting point to identify problems within the a/c system.

A/C Recharge Service: Most often, the root of poor a/c performance is low or contaminated Freon in the system. Typically the service involves refilling the Freon to its optimal level, however if contaminated with sealant, moisture or air Hi Tech Car Care is equipped to handle the filtering process.

A/C Repair Services: Should your a/c unit need repairing of any kind, Hi Tech Car Care strictly adherers to EPA standards for Freon removal and recover. Once diagnosed, professionally trained technicians will repair any leaks or replace broken-down parts.

Other Key Service Areas: If your are having electrical issues with you’re a/c controls, Hi Tech Car Care will check and repair the wiring in your vehicle’s climate control selectors. In addition, technicians will also inspect and repair the “blower” component, which directs incoming air to either the cooling or heating elements.

For more information about Saturn Repair in Phoenix Arizona. Please contact Hi Tech Car Care at (602) 224-0941

Posted in Air Conditioning | Tagged A/C, air conditioning, Arizona, Auto Repair, AZ, Phoenix, Saturn, Saturn Auto Repair | 3 Comments

The Manual Transmission – The Clutch

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Otis The Auto Guy

The clutch assembly on a car with a manual transmission is located between the engine and the transmission and serves as a means to disconnect the transmission from the engine. If the car had no clutch the transmission would always be turning at the same speed as the engine and the engine would stall when the car came to a stop.

The clutch assembly consists of three basic parts; the flywheel, the pressure plate and the clutch disc. The flywheel is part of the engine and is the driving member of the clutch assembly. The pressure plate is attached to the flywheel and uses spring pressure to hold the clutch disc against the flywheel. The clutch disc is attached to the transmission and transmits the rotary montion of the engine to the transmission and ultimately the wheels. The clutch disc is held in firm contact with the flywheel by springs in the pressure plate. Depressing the clutch pedal operates a linkage that releases the pressure holding the clutch to the flywheel and allows them to rotate freely of each other. The linkage connecting the clutch pedal to the clutch can be either mechanical or hydraulic.

Slipping:

The clutch disc has friction material on both sides. The friction material is similar to that used for brake linings. When to friction material is worn the result is slipping. Slipping can also be caused by friction material that is soaked with oil, a warped pressure plate or by weak springs. To check for slipping park the car, apply the the parking brake and disengage the clutch. Shift the transmission into third gear, rev the engine. Release the clutch pedal slowly until the clutch engages. If the engine does not stall within a few seconds, this is a sign of slipping.

Chatter

Chatter is shaking or shuddering that is felt when the clutch is engaged. Chattering is evident while the clutch is being engaged and stops when the clutch is fully engaged. Clutch chatter is usually caused by contamination of the clutch disc friction surfaces. Contamination can be caused by oil or hydraulic fluid leaking onto the clutch disc. Chatter can also be caused by loose bell housing bolts, broken engine mounts, and a damaged clutch linkage. You can check for clutch chatter by starting the engine, depressing the clutch completely, and shifting the transmission into first gear. Rev the engine and then slowly release the clutch pedal to check for chatter as soon as the pedal begins to engage. Do not release the pedal completely, and, depress the clutch pedal immediately and reduce engine speed or you could damage the clutch parts.

Drag

Clutch drag is when the clutch disc is not completely released when the clutch pedal is fully depressed. To check for clutch drag; with the engine running depress the clutch pedal completely, and shift the transmission into first gear. Without releasing the clutch shift the transmission into neutral, wait 5 seconds and attempt to shift smoothly into reverse. If shifting into reverse after waitng 5 seconds causes grinding of gears clutch drag is a possible culprit.

This is not an exhaustive list of clutch problems but only the most common ones. All sorts of noises and vibrations can be caused by clutch problems. Also, some cars such as the Kia Forte are prone to have clutch problems. If you suspect that you have clutch problems bring your car to Hi-Tech Car Care and we will give it a check up.

No matter what problem you are having with your car, you can be sure that we will fix it right at Hi-Tech Car Care. We have the equipment and expertise to diagnose and repair any problem.

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Identifying The Brake Problem

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Otis The Auto Guy

Excessive Effort
If you have power brakes and while driving stopping seems to take excessive effort, you probably need to have the power booster replaced.

Too Long To Stop
If your vehicle travels too far before coming to a stop you either need to have you brakes your brakes adjusted or you need new brake linings.

Pedal Too Low
If you have power brakes, the pedal should stop 1 to 1-1/2 inches from the floor. On cars without power brakes, the pedal should stop 3 or more inches from the floor. If pumping the brake pedal a couple of times causes the pedal to rise you either need to have your brakes adjusted or you need more brake fluid.

Pulls To One Side
If your vehicle pulls to one side when you apply the brakes, the problem could be a stuck caliper or a brake fluid leak. Bring it to Hi-Tech Car Care And we will diagnose your problem and fix it.

Sinking Pedal
This is an indication that your master cylinder may be defective, and that its unsafe. The master cylinder needs to be repaired or replaced

Pulsating Pedal
If your brake pedal pulsates up and down when you stop in a non-emergency situation it is usually caused by a warped disc or drum. This is caused by your brakes being overheated from overuse. The warped disc or drum needs to be either machined or replaced.

Spongy Feel
This is an indication that you have air in your brake lines. The brake system needs to be bled in order to purge the air from the system.

Shaking Steering Wheel
If your steering wheel shakes when you brake your front brake discs need to be machined or replaced.

Squealing
If your brakes squeal when you stop the cause can be out of round drums or discs, worn brake linings the, loose or worn parts, or inferior brake linings.

Grinding
A grinding noise coming from your brakes indicates excessively worn brake linings which can cause extensive damage to your brake system. Do not drive your vehicle, have it towed to Hi-Tech Car Care.

No matter what problem you are having with your car, you can be sure that we will fix it right at Hi-Tech Car Care. We have the equipment and expertise to work on discontinued lines such as Saturn and Oldsmobile. To avoid a master brake failure in the S Series Saturn, have regular inspections on the brakes with wheel rotations. Be sure to have your brake pads replaced as necessary in the Kia Sedona to avoid crystalized rotors. We can also replace your Pontiac G6 front Rotors, if you hear brake noises before the rotors warp.

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Good to know when fixing your vehicle brakes

Posted on May 23, 2011 by Otis The Auto Guy

Like most car parts, brakes wear out. It is hard to define how long brake life is because it depends on how they are driven. Brake pads can last about 30,000 to 70,000 miles. They usually let you know they are going bad when they start to squeal. But they do not always do that. It is a good idea to get them checked periodically. A good time is when you rotate your tires. If your mechanic does not suggest checking your brakes, remind him/her. We at Hi-Tech Car Care will suggest it to you.

Most cars today are equipped with drum brakes, disc brakes or a combination of the two. The majority of cars have disc brakes on the front wheels and drum brakes on the rear wheels.

Drum Brakes

Drum brakes consist of an outer shell which is attached to the wheel and rotates with it. Inside the drum are a pair of brake shoes which are pressed into the inside of the drum by hydraulic pressure when the brake pedal is depressed. The brake shoes are curved to match the inside of the drum and ride in close proximity to the drum without touching it. The brake shoes are kept from touching the drum by a set of springs and the distance between the drum and shoes is controlled by an adjusting mechanism. In use the brake shoes gradually wear down and the distance between the drum and the shoes must be adjusted. In older cars the brakes needed to be periodically adjusted by hand but modern cars have automatic adjusting mechanisms which operate either when the car backs up or when the emergency brake is applied. Eventually The brake shoes will wear down to the point where they have to be replaced; this is the most common type of service required for drum brakes. If the brake shoes are allowed to wear down too far they can score the inside surface of the drum. When this happens the brake drum must be either refinished or replaced.

Disc brakes

The operating principle behind disc brakes is similar to drum brakes but they are easier to service. Disc brakes consist of a rotating disc which is attached to the wheel. A caliper is mounted at the edge of the disc which carries one or more pistons which act on pads in contact with the disc. When the brake pedal is depressed, hydraulic forces squeeze the disc between the pads. There are no springs to retract the brake pads and they are in constant light contact with the disc. There is no need to adjust disc brakes since the pads do not fully retract when the brake pedal is released. Similarly to drum brakes; the pads need to be changed when they become worn and this is the most common service performed on disc brakes. If the brake pads are allowed to wear down too far they can score the surface of the disc. When this happens the disc must be either refinished or replaced.

Emergency Brake

The emergency brake should more correctly be called the parking brake. The emergency brake should not be used for stopping unless it is absolutely necessary. In modern cars the emergency brake operates on the rear wheels using a mechanical linkage instead of the hydraulic actuation used by the main braking system. The mechanical linkage consists of a cable inside a carrier. The emergency brake should be operated occasionally to make sure that the cable has not siezed inside the carrier.

Service

The brake system should be inspected for leaks at each oil change and the brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, brake lines & hoses and parking brake system should be inspected at each tire rotation.