Posted on 8/16/2021
It's not fun cruising around town with an unpleasant smelling A/C blowing out of your vent. You have no idea where the smell is coming from! Unbeknown to some, some smells can easily creep in your car's A/C. Here's what you need to know and what it may mean for your vehicle. There's a possibility that you're smelling something that's in the atmosphere that's just getting filtered through your A/C. If this is the case, driving away will simply resolve the problem. However, you should be worried if the smell is persistent and smells of gas, mold/mildew, vinegar, or burnt. Here is what those scents may indicate: Gasoline Smell: Even though your car has a cabin air filter, it may not be able to block more pungent smells like gasoline. If your vehicle has a fuel leak, there is a high chance that it will get sucked into your cabin and through the A/C system. Mold/Mildew: If your A/C reeks of mold or mildew, it may be mold or bacteria building up ... read more
Posted on 7/14/2021
Most of us are guilty of bad habits, especially those that take place behind the wheel. We often don’t recognize the bad habits we do because they just come naturally to us. However, we should always make an effort towards correcting our bad habits, especially when it comes to driving. Doing so can dramatically decrease your chances of getting into a horrific collision on the road. If you have a daily commute, try to remember to practice safe driving and always keep your concentration on the road. HERE ARE COMMON BAD HABITS THAT YOU SHOULD AVOID DOING WHILE DRIVING: Talking excessively to passengers Talking or texting on your phone* Driving with your headphones on* Eating or drinking (non-alcoholic) beverages One-handed driving Not signaling when switching lanes, turning, or parking* Riding the tail end of other cars on the road* Not wearing your seatbelt* Speeding* All of the above are bad habits that most automobile drivers are guilt ... read more
Posted on 6/25/2021
Many adults in the United States can still operate a car beyond their retirement age. On the other hand, some elders are associated with various physical illnesses related to aging that can interfere with driving. Either way, it is critical for older drivers - and their friends and families - to be more aware and spread these helpful tips to keep them more protected on the road. Here are some general safety driving tips that are sure to help your seniors: TIPS FOR OLDER DRIVERS 1. Mute your cell phone. Whether you are a baby boomer, Gen X, Gen Y, or Gen Z, most of us have cell phones in 2021. However, that means texting and calling while driving poses a more significant threat. Phones are the number one distraction attributed to vehicle accidents. To be more cautious, we suggest that you leave your cell phone on silent and away from your surroundings until you reach your destination. 2. Always buckle up. The majority of the states in the United States enforce seat belts as a ... read more
Posted on 5/25/2021
Brake repair is essential for your vehicle, as it keeps driving safe for you and others around you. Yet brakes are mechanical and are subject to failure, wear, and tear. A common problem that happens with drivers at times is a mechanical quirk known as "brake shudder," which is when you come to a complete traffic stop and feel a shaking in your brakes. Worse yet, it permeates into the steering column, thus causing your wheel to shake hard, and that's when you know you are having a serious issue within your brakes that warrants immediate attention. When this happens, your suspension gets affected as well. Brake shudder has its roots in any number of issues, from bad calipers and warped rotors to brand new brake pads that still need to be broken in. Whatever the issue is, it should be addressed right away before real danger happens. Vibrations felt in the steering wheel mean that your front rotors have gone bad. But if the same sensation is felt in the brake pedal, then i ... read more
Posted on 4/23/2021
When you're driving down the road and your car starts to bounce, it's probably time for new shocks or struts. But what are they? This blog post will explain why shocks and struts are important, as well as some helpful tips on how to maintain them so that you can continue to get the most out of your vehicle. What are Shocks and Struts? Shocks and struts are parts of the suspension system that help maintain a car's ride height and provide a smooth ride. They reduce the impact shock on your vehicle caused by driving over bumps in the road, or potholes. The shocks and struts are responsible for maintaining the relationship between the wheels and the chassis as it reacts with the steering system to control the vehicle's movement. You control your car's direction using the steering wheel, gear, and other steering components. The suspension system helps to help maintain vehicle stability by buffering the impact of the irregularities and by absorbing ene ... read more
Posted on 3/17/2021
For any car owner, it is important to keep your car up and running and in a good condition. The adage that prevention is better than cure rings true for many things in life – including your Lexus. Here are the top 5 tips to ensure that your Lexus will keep running at its best for a long time. Maintenance The easiest way to make sure that problems are prevented and addressed before they become expensive complications is to follow the suggested maintenance plan for your Lexus. The maintenance schedule is specially designed to check specific parts and systems at specific intervals to maximize their lifetime. During these maintenance visits, mechanics will replace vital parts before they need replacing to ensure you an extended safe driving experience. Take it easy Easy driving will lead to the longevity of your Lexus. If you respect your car then its parts will last longer, for example, protect your car's transmission box from damage by shifting gears smoothly and avoid shi ... read more
Posted on 2/18/2021
The ignition switch has many practical uses, from starting the vehicle's electrical devices and powering the fuel and ignition, to activating the engine. Located on the steering column or dash area, the ignition switch also locks the steering wheel when there's no key in it, making it a useful deterrent for thiefs and one of the most important components of any vehicle. However, through everyday use, the ignition switch can eventually wear out and succumb to faults. Such failures usually occur over a gradual period rather than instantly, but there are many tell-tale signs that indicate a faulty ignition switch and that your vehicle may need to be taken in for repair. Key Won't Turn Excessive wear-and-tear can prevent the key from accurately lining up with the keyhole. Depending on the severity of the damage, you may notice the key not entering the ignition switch as smoothly, failing to turn, or even failing to insert altogether. Engine Won ... read more
Posted on 1/21/2021
If you're looking for a vehicle that has both power and speed, then you might've considered one that's been outfitted with a supercharger or turbocharger. These additions to vehicles essentially force-feed your engine more air, allowing them to produce more power. The way this works is very simple. Internal-combustion engines need air flow to function, as fire requires oxygen to burn. Turbochargers and superchargers both feed your engine more air, thus allowing more power to be generated. But which one is better? Is there a clear favorite between the two? Let's dive into this a little bit and see what we can find out. Turbochargers The way turbochargers work is pretty simple. When your car produces vehicle exhaust, it sends out a piping hot stream of gases. This stream can be utilized and its energy converted into something that serves more of a purpose. In this case, that purpose is powering up a vehicle to make it more powerful and more efficient ... read more
Posted on 12/15/2020
Are you fighting with your steering wheel to get your vehicle to drive straight rather than drifting from side to side? This a common problem that drivers can experience and this symptom can indicate a number of things. Let's look at what makes the wheels pull to the right or left, and how this issue can be fixed by one of our professionals. Vehicles that experience this drift often have bad wheel alignment, which is a simple maintenance item that can be taken care of. In some cases, the tires, suspension system, or a steering prroblem can also be the source of the issue. Here are some of the potential causes and how to deal with this annoying driving issue: Tire Maintenance Underinflated tires can cause them to have increased rolling resistance which can affect the ride quality. This makes the vehicle tend to move moreso to one side, which is why keeping an eye on your vehicle's tire pressure is important, among other rea ... read more
Posted on 11/6/2020
The timing belt is similar to the chain on a bicycle; it works to keep all of your vehicle's moving internal parts running in sync. Timing belts are black rubber with a bit of nylon and typically need to be replaced over time. They're a similar construction to a clothing belt, but with square teeth or cogs. If the timing belt breaks or becomes worn, multiple problems will occur in a domino effect. Without the timing belt, the combustion's timing reaction will be off. The valves will not open at the right time and can become severely damaged. The air and fuel mixture will not be ignited at the right time, and in severe cases, may cause a misfire. Since the timing belt and water pump work hand in hand, they're usually replaced during the same service. Replacement service can restore the performance and functionality of your vehicle. Most modern cars have a timing chain that doesn't need replacement, but you should stay informed if you're driving an ol ... read more