AUTONET TV BLOG

Why is My Vehicle Overheating?

When it comes to your vehicle overheating, the signs can be loud and clear when you have a problem.  You may see a thermometer-shaped warning light come on or a temperature gauge whose needle is pointing in the red zone.  When either of those happen, it’s important to take quick action to avoid serious damage.

An overheating engine usually results when the cooling system can’t remove heat fast enough. Among the most common reasons for overheating is that the amount of coolant in your engine is low. That coolant circulates through your engine, absorbs heat and then heads toward the radiator, where it can get rid of the heat.

So, what causes that coolant to be low? Often there’s a leak somewhere in the system.  The radiator, water pump or the engine block can all develop leaks as can the hoses that carry the coolant from one part to the next.  You can also get leaks when the clamps that connect them fail.

Another part that can go bad is the thermostat, which can cause the engine to heat up quickly. So can a broken water pump. The pump is supposed to keep coolant moving through the system. But when it fails, the coolant isn’t moving and therefore can’t carry heat away from the engine.

Other possible causes of overheating is a clogged radiator or a fan that’s not circulating air through it. Also, don’t forget that the coolant in your vehicle has to have the correct mix of water and antifreeze. 

Why is a cool engine so important? Because heat is your engine’s worst enemy. Having a technician regularly keep an eye on your cooling system can help prevent problems before they start.

Arizona Auto and Radiator Repair
1255 E FRY BLVD
Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
520-459-2216
www.azautorepair.net

Grinding, Jerking and Slipping

Gone are the early days of driving when people had to manually shift gears in their vehicles.  Now, though, we are spoiled by automatic transmissions that seem like they’ll go forever.  Like everything mechanical, automatic transmissions can develop problems. 

Signs trouble is brewing sometimes starts with small changes in how your vehicle feels, sounds or responds.  Knowing these signs can save you from major repairs.

One to watch out for is shifting that’s rough or delayed. Sometimes your vehicle will hesitate before it changes gears, or there’s a jerk when it shifts.  Maybe it feels like the transmission is slipping out of gear.  These are all signs you should bring it in for one of our technicians to check out.

Another thing to pay attention to is a new noise you don’t ever remember hearing before.  Your shifts should be quiet, but if you hear a clunking, grinding or humming sound during shifts, this could be a sign of low transmission fluid or worn-out parts.  It could also indicate worse things to come.

Use your nose to know if something might be wrong.  If you smell burning, it could be a sign of transmission fluid that is overheating or deteriorating.  Your eyes also might spot leaking fluid around your vehicle, especially if it’s red or pink.  That’s a good time to have us check yours for leaks.

Other signs of transmission issues are an illuminated Check Engine light, hesitation during acceleration or your vehicle not moving at all when it’s in gear. 

Your transmission delivers power from the engine to the wheels, and being aware of small changes in how your vehicle shifts, sounds or feels can be clues  problems are developing.  When you notice them, give us a call and have us check them out before you find yourself up shifts creek without a paddle.

Arizona Auto and Radiator Repair
1255 E FRY BLVD
Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
520-459-2216
www.azautorepair.net

Why Does My Battery Go Dead (The Silent Battery Killers Under Your Hood)

It’s a sound you don’t want to hear when you turn your ignition key or push your ignition button: silence, except for a click. It can signal that your battery doesn’t have enough power in it to start your engine.  There can be many things that cause batteries to lose their power, and they’re called “silent battery killers” because they can happen slowly without much warning.

One is what they call parasitic electrical draw. You might think when you turn off your vehicle that it’s not using any power.  But in modern vehicles, there are a lot of things that continue to use electricity, like clocks, alarms and various computers.  

Another major battery killer is a failing alternator. The alternator is supposed to recharge the battery while the engine is running. If it’s weak or has a bad diode, your battery won’t fully recharge.  The alternator could even drain the battery after the engine is shut off. 

Your battery connections may also cause a battery to die if they are corroded or loose.  You may not realize that corrosion creates resistance in wires, which can make it harder for your battery to charge properly and deliver power.
 
One of a battery’s worst enemies can be heat.  If your engine generates too much of it, it speeds up the chemical breakdown inside the battery and makes it harder for your battery to hold a charge.  Warm climates can make this worse.

If you don’t drive your vehicle often or only take it on short trips, your battery may not be getting enough of a recharge.  Starting a vehicle uses a lot of power, and short drives may not give the alternator enough time to replenish what was used.

So, if your battery keeps going dead, it’s important to find the root of the problem.  Bring it in to us so one of our technicians can test it with specialized equipment and track down the silent killer before they leave you stranded at the most inopportune time.

Arizona Auto and Radiator Repair
1255 E FRY BLVD
Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
520-459-2216
www.azautorepair.net

Your Brakes Are Telling You Something: When Rotor Replacement Makes Sense

You may not realize it, but your vehicle is communicating with you all the time.  For example, your brakes talk to you through sounds, vibrations and changes in how your vehicle feels when you stop. And one of your brakes’ components that eventually needs attention is the brake rotor. 
Brake rotors are the metal discs your brake pads grip to stop your vehicle. After hundreds of times you brake, pulsing and vibration in your brake pedal or steering wheel are signs your one or more brake rotors need attention. 

Excessive heat may have caused them to warp. Grinding or squealing noises can also indicate that rotors are worn or damaged, and your brake pads may be worn down too far.

When you bring your vehicle in to have a technician check out your brakes, a visual inspection may reveal deep grooves, rust buildup or rotors that are too thin to perform safely. While sometimes rotors can be resurfaced, more often they should be replaced. If you let worn brakes go, you will find your stopping distance is longer, your brakes aren’t as efficient, and your brake pads will wear out more quickly.

In fact, if you are having brake pads replaced it makes sense to replace the rotors at the same time, especially if the rotors are already worn out or wearing unevenly. Installing new pads with fresh rotors makes it more likely that they’ll break in smoothly and quietly. Another bonus, you’ll find your vehicle’s braking performance it was designed to deliver.

Listen to what your brakes are telling you.  If they’re vibrating, noisy or just don’t feel like they used to, consider that a cry for help. Listening to your vehicle can help protect your safety now.

Arizona Auto and Radiator Repair
1255 E FRY BLVD
Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
520-459-2216
www.azautorepair.net