What is Your Check Engine Light Telling You ?

One of the most vital components to a properly functioning vehicle is the ‘Check Engine’ light. It alerts the driver to a variety of potential problems based on the vehicle’s onboard diagnostic system. When the ‘Check Engine’ light comes on, it means that some system in your vehicle, including ignition, fuel injection or emission control, is not operating at peak performance, even if your vehicle appears to you to be running normally.

A glowing ‘Check Engine’ light doesn't mean you have to immediately pull the car over to the side of the road, but it does mean you should get the car checked out as soon as possible. Ignoring the warning light could severely damage engine components and incur additional repair expenses.

If your ‘Check Engine’ light comes on, first check the gas cap to make sure it wasn’t left loose after refueling. Sometimes this can trigger the ‘Check Engine’ light. If the cap was loose, the light should go out after a few short trips.

If the gas cap wasn’t the problem and the light remains on steady, have the system checked out as soon as possible. A light that flashes requires more prompt attention, indicating a more severe condition that must be checked out immediately to prevent damage to the catalytic converter. When you experience a flashing light, minimize driving at high speeds or under heavy loads.

Our Technician will connect your vehicle's computer to a diagnostic computer, which will provide a “trouble” code indicating why the ‘Check Engine’ light was activated.

While the diagnostic computer is connected to your car, our Technician can check the idle speed, throttle response, engine temperature, fuel system pressure, manifold vacuum, exhaust emission levels and many other key indicators. Once the problem is diagnosed and fixed, your car's computer makes sure everything is back to normal, and then turns off the ‘Check Engine’ light.

Question: Is Having Your Brakes Flushed Really Necessary ?

If you're like most drivers having your brakes flushed is one of the more frequently forgotten car maintenance services. Many of us don’t think about our vehicle’s brakes maintenance until they start squeaking or stop working. We usually think of a brake repair as replacing pads and rotors when in reality your brake system needs to be flushed periodically as part of your regular brake system maintenance.

Your vehicle’s brake system absorbs and retains moisture which turns the metal to rust and corrosion causing failure of internal brake system components. This leads to a compromised effectiveness and decreased stopping power.

If you look at the brake fluid in your car’s reservoir it should be clear with a yellowish hue. Brake fluid as it gets older will change to a deeper amber in color or perhaps brown and possibly blackish. This is absolutely when you need to have a brake fluid flush, before it leads to rust and corrosion problems within the braking system.

A good rule of thumb is to have your brakes flushed every 30,000 miles or every 2 years if you don’t drive a lot. Think of it this way, you wouldn’t skip changing your car’s engine oil, right ? Oil is the lifeblood of your engine as brake fluid is the lifeblood of your braking system.

With the potential of vehicle safety and brake system repairs that could cost many hundreds of dollars, the money spent on a brake flush is well worth the peace of mind.

Tips for Safe Halloween Driving

Halloween is coming up next Monday. This is the most anticipated night of the year for many young children and adults who love to put together great costumes for Halloween parties and go trick or treating. I know when my daughters were growing up this was absolutely their favorite night of the year. (and I have to say seeing the happiness, smiles and excitement on my children’s faces was also a great joy for me.)

This is also the one night of the year when you really need to be extra careful driving when entering or exiting driveways and streets. Driving slow on Halloween is a must. Children get so excited with the thought of more candy by getting to the next house faster. They will run out in front of your car. So on this one night drive like a snail and everyone will be safer.

• Windshield Wipers and Fluid - A dirty windshield cuts down on your visibility to see the children and other vehicles. If the weather turns rainy as it often does on Halloween cracked or torn wipers will also pose a problem to visibility.

• Vehicle Lights - Check that all your lights are working for maximum performance and visibility on Halloween. This year the end of Daylight Saving Time isn’t till Nov 6 th which means that children will be out at dusk trick or treating. Driving at dusk is difficult because although the sky is bright, objects on the road can blend in with the shadows and fade into darkness. When I am driving at dusk this time of year I have to drive slower because everything seems to blend together and the details of what I’m seeing are hard to distinguish .

• Street Safety - Parents and adults need to remind their little ghosts and goblins to stay out of the way of cars and walk up on the sidewalk or curb on the opposite side of the street facing traffic if possible. All children should wear bright, reflective clothing. Larger groups of kids are easier for drivers to see so encourage your children to stick together. Flashlights are a great idea for every child to carry.

We hope you all have a very fun and safe Halloween.