Month: April 2014

Nissan Debuts Self-Cleaning Paint

The carwash may soon be going the way of the dodo.

According to Nissan, the car giant has debuted a paint that is both hydrophobic and oleophobic, meaning it is naturally resistant to both water and oils. A Nissan spokesperson said the paint effectively creates “a protective layer of air between the paint and environment.”

The paint is called Ultra-Ever Dry and was developed by a company called UltraTech International. Check out the video below to see the paint in action.

“Washing a car can be a chore – and a costly one at that. In response, Nissan has begun tests on innovative paint technology that repels mud, rain and everyday dirt, meaning drivers may never have to clean their car again,” said a Nissan spokesperson.

Currently only Nissan Europe is actively applying the paint to its cars, but it is expected to make its way across the pond in the near future. There is also speculation that Nissan plans to offer the paint as an aftermarket application, meaning the product could potentially be implemented to any car on the road.

While the repellant paint may be a hit with Nissan investors and car enthusiasts, those in the car washing business aren’t likely clamoring for the product to make its way overseas. According to The Detroit News, the car washing industry generates over $23 billion worldwide. The industry is also home to more than 130,000 workers.

No price has been set for the procedure, but industry experts expect it to run between $500-$1,000.

Related source: Yahoo.com

How to Change a Flat Tire On Your Car

Flat TireIt’s pothole season, and that means your tires are exposed to dangerous crevices on a daily basis. Particularly nasty potholes can puncture your tire, leaving you high and dry, unless you know how to fix the problem (or you have AAA). Changing your tire is something everyone should know how to do, so follow along as we walk you through the procedure in seven easy steps.

Find a Flat, Safe Surface – Although it’s not always easy to get to a perfectly flat surface, make sure you pull far enough off the road that you’re out of danger, especially if you need to change a tire on the driver’s side. If you can’t get to a safe area, call a tow truck. It’s never worth risking your life. Make sure your hazard lights are on as well.

Secure Your Car – You want to keep your car in a stationary position, so put your car in park and throw the parking break on for good measure. For added safety, put a rock or other larger object in front of your tires to ensure your car stays as still as possible throughout the process.

Jack It Up – Secure the jack under your car’s frame near the tire that you are going to change. Reference your owner’s manual to make sure the jack is in the correct position. Typically this is just behind the front wheel well if you’re changing the front tires, and just in front of the back wheel well if you’re changing the back tires, but give the manual a glance. Once secure, raise the jack so it is supporting the car, but not lifting it further than need be. Double check to make sure the jack is perpendicular to the ground.

Loosen Up – Remove the hubcap and loosen the nuts. By keeping the wheel on the ground during this process, you’ll ensure that you’re turning the nuts and not the whole wheel. Once that is done, crank the jack high enough to remove the flat. Completely remove all the nuts at this point.

Add The Spare – Remove the flat tire and put the spare tire in place. Once it’s on, securely tighten the nuts by hand until they are snug. You don’t need to tighten the nuts with a tire wrench until the wheel is back on the ground.

Lower The Jack – Slowly lower the tire until it’s back on the ground, but not so much that the wheel is fully supporting itself. Tighten the nuts with a tire iron as much as possible. After the nuts are secure, lower the jack until it is no longer supporting the car. Remove the jack and replace the hubcap.

Clean Up – Put the jack back in the trunk along with any other supplies you used during the process. Take the flat tire with you until you get to a location where it can be disposed of properly. If your spare tire is a different shape and size than the other tires, you’ll want to take your car into a service center sooner rather than later, as driving long distances on a spare can be dangerous.

Related source: WikiHow

Why Isn’t My Car’s Air Conditioning Working?

My car's AC isn't workingSpring is here, and if you’re like us, you’ve already taken a drive with the windows down at least once. Temperatures are only going to rise, and soon enough you’ll be turning that dial on your dashboard from heat to cool air to AC.

Air conditioning is a nice luxury that most people don’t give a second thought to until their unit stops working. Today, we explain some of the most common reasons why your car’s air conditioning isn’t working.

Refrigerant Leak – A leak in the air conditioning system is one of the more common problems we see with broken AC units. To fix this, mechanics inspect the hoses and flush the system to identify the leak. Once the leak is found, we simply seal the crack and recharge the refrigerant. Preform regular maintenance checks to prevent leaks in your hoses.

Broken Cooling Fans – Cooling fans, as their name implies, help push the cool air into your car’s cabin. If one or more of the fans break, you’ll notice it pretty quickly. Replacing the fans is a relatively quick fix for most mechanics.

Compressor Issues – There is a clutch on the compressor on the front of your air conditioning unit that can cause problems if it gets stuck. Compressor issues can be very problematic, especially if the clutch gets locked in the “on” position. If that happens, your AC will run constantly, draining your fuel efficiency and locking you into a perpetual state of cool. If it gets stuck in the off position, a mechanic will have to determine why the clutch isn’t engaging.

Major Problems – If one of the above problems goes unaddressed for too long, it can cause other issues with your air conditioning unit. A leak can cause fan issues, which can lead to compressor problems. In this scenario, your mechanic may need to replace the whole AC system, which isn’t cheap. As always, the best way to prevent major issues is to fix minor problems when they arise.

Related source: Ward Automotive

April is National Car Care Month

National Car Care MonthApril has been deemed National Car Care Month, and it seems fitting since it appears the snow has finally subsided for the season. Drivers are encouraged to celebrate National Car Care Month in their own way, but we’ve listed a few suggestions as a way of saying “thank you” to your ride.

Buy New Tires – As we mentioned in a previous post, deals on tires revolve around the seasons. The best time to buy tires is in the spring or in the fall because drivers want to prep for the hot summer sun or the snowy winter season. Many auto shops have great deals on tires during the spring as they stock up for an expected rush. If your tires have taken a beating from the Minnesota potholes, it’s probably time to invest in a new set.

Get an Oil Change – Changing your oil is one of the simplest ways to extend the life of your vehicle. If you’ve been waiting for the weather to warm up to preform the service yourself, now is your chance! If you’d rather let a professional do the work, we’d be more than happy to assist.

Fix Any Cracks – Your windshield takes a beating during the winter months. Dirt, grime, rocks and ice get kicked up onto your window, and sometimes they leave their mark. If you’ve left any chips or cracks unattended, now is the time to get them fixed. Changes in temperature can cause cracks to grow, and the last thing you want is for your windshield repair to turn into windshield replacement. As we preach on the blog, fix the minor problems before they turn into a major headache.

Brake Check – Drivers tend to hit their brakes more often during the winter season because snowy conditions and icy roads lead to more congestion on the highways. If your brakes are making a grinding noise, or if your stopping distance seems to have increased, stop in to an auto center to have them serviced. Remember, as a general rule, break pads should be replaced every 10,000-20,000 miles, while rotors should be replaced every 50,000-70,000 miles. If you’re overdue for service, make an appointment during National Car Care Month!

The 4 Most Common Car Diagnostic Codes

Diagnostic Codes for CarsSince the teams competing in the Final Four and the Frozen Four (Go Gophers!) have been determined, we thought we’d stick with the theme and come up with a list of four on our own. Behold, the four most common car diagnostic codes!

Oxygen Sensor Codes – As we made mention in last week’s post about crazy car facts, the most common car problem is a faulty oxygen sensor, so it makes sense that sensor issues top the list of common diagnostic codes. If your oxygen sensor isn’t working properly, you’ll likely notice a dip in gas mileage or your car will randomly stall, neither of which are good. Get your oxygen sensor fixed before it causes bigger problems.

Engine Misfire Codes – An engine misfire code is another common code that mechanics deal with on a daily basis. If your engine is misfiring, one or more of the cylinders isn’t working properly. Not only will this impact fuel efficiency, but you’ll also likely notice that your car vibrates a bit. You never want to ignore an engine issue, so if you notice that your car shakes while idol, swing on into a service center.

Evaporative System Codes – The evaporation system is another important part of your car. The evaporation system is responsible for containing and removing vapors that are produced when fuel is burned. It’s a pretty complex problem that can be disrupted by the simplest things, like a loose gas cap. If a diagnostic test reveals an evaporation code error, try tightening the gas cap. If that doesn’t work, you’ll need to let a mechanic take a closer look.

EGR Codes – EGR stands for Exhaust Gas Recirculation, and its purpose is to control the engine’s emission of smog-causing nitrous oxides. The vehicle’s computer system controls the EGR system by opening and closing valves as needed. EGR problems can occur if you don’t regularly have your oil changed, or if you take a lot of short trips with your car. These quick trips don’t give your car enough time to adequately warm up, which can cause carbon buildup. Left unchecked, a problemed EGR system can cause major engine issues.

Related source: Bumper to Bumper Radio, KTAR 92.3FM in Phoenix