5 Common Reasons Your Car Won’t Start

CC image ignition by Bill Selak on FlickrYou rely on your car for a lot of things, like shuttling the kids to soccer practice or for getting to work on time, so it’s easy to see why problems can arise if your car refuses to start.

There are literally hundreds of reasons why your car won’t start, but some are more common than others. Below, we discuss five common reasons why your car won’t start, and we offer some advice to ensure your car stays in top shape!

1. Dead Battery – A dead battery is the most common reason your car won’t start. Your battery can die for a variety of reasons; you left the dome light on over night, a wire is loose, water inside the component evaporated leading to poor conductivity, or it’s simply a really old battery! You can test to see if the battery is the problem by jump-starting your car. If the jump-start works, you’re most likely dealing with a dying battery. Consider replacing the battery, cleaning the connections, or have a technician do the service for you.

2. Bad Ignition Switch – If you know your battery is working properly, but your car doesn’t turn over on the first few tries, you might have a problem with the ignition switch. You can try to narrow down the cause of your issue by turning on your headlights. Because the battery controls your headlights and dashboard, if they turn on, but your engine won’t start, a bad ignition switch is the likely culprit.

3. Broken Starter – Similar to a bad ignition switch, a broken starter is another common reason your car won’t start. As the name implies, the starter provides the turning force necessary to get everything moving to start the engine. If you hear a clicking noise when you try to start your vehicle, a broken or weakened starter could be to blame.

4. Clogged Fuel Filter – If your fuel filter is clogged, the gasoline won’t be able to reach the engine. Fuel filters should be changed every 10,000 to 15,000 miles, so consider swapping filters next time you bring your car into the shop.

5. Gas Tank is Empty – Sometimes the most obvious answer is the right one. If you were running on fumes and forgot to refuel, your car might not have enough gas left in the tank to start. To quote funnyman Mitch Hedberg, go ahead and grab your toolbox, aka wallet, and ask someone to give you a lift to the nearest gas station.

Related source: About.com

The Benefits of Tinting Your Car’s Windows

CC image 2000 Mustang GT by J Heffner on FlickrWindow tinting has grown in popularity over the years, and it’s one of the many techniques we specialize in at our shop.

Tinted windows are not just for young people who want to look “cool”. In fact, there are many benefits associated with adding some tint to your car’s windows. Not only will your car be cooler temperature-wise, but tinted windows can also protect you in the event of an accident. Check out the bullets below for an expanded list of benefits.

  • You’ll be cooler. Literally – Window tint is designed to block more than 70% of solar energy from entering your car. Not only will your car be cooler when you leave it parked in the sun, but it can keep you cool while you drive, minimizing the need for you to blast your AC unit.
  • Protect your skin – Window tint is made to block up to 99% of the sun’s harmful UV rays. If you spend a lot of time in your car, it may be worth having your windows tinted to decrease your exposure to UV rays.
  • Tinted windows shatter more safely than un-treated windows – Your car windows may shatter during a crash. Although the windows are designed to break in a safe manner, passengers can be in danger from flying glass when a window shatters. If tint is applied, the glass will break in one giant piece, meaning the occupants won’t be exposed to shards of flying glass.
  • Keep your car safe – Car theft is often an impulse crime. Although a thief may decide in advance he’s going to break into a car, they usually don’t break in unless they spot something worth taking, like a backpack or purse. Not only will tinted window prevent would-be thieves from spotting your valuables, but they also won’t be able to see if your car has a built in alarm.

Tinting Laws in Minnesota

Now that you’ve brushed up on the benefits of window tinting, you might be considering getting your windows darkened. We’d love to help you with the procedure, but there are certain laws and regulations that govern which windows you can tint, and how dark they can be tinted.

A look the Minnesota Tint Law reveals that the state has some pretty strict standards compared to the rest of the nation. In order to regulate how tinted a window can be, darkness is measure by Visible Light Transmission percentage (VLT%). As you can tell by its name, VLT measures the amount of visible light that can pass through the window. Below, you can see the minimum VLT percentage each window on a passenger car must let in.

  • Windshield – Tint is not allowed on the windshield.
  • Front Side Windows – At least 50% of the sunlight must be allowed through the tint.
  • Back Side Windows – At least 50% of the sunlight must be allowed through the tint.
  • Rear Windshield – At least 50% of the sunlight must be allowed through the tint.

The regulations are slightly different when it comes to different types of vehicles. On vehicles like an SUV, truck or minivan, the rear windows only need to have a VLT of 20%. In fact, most of these types of vehicles come with factory-installed tinted rear windows.

Lastly, window tint cannot reflect more than a certain percentage of light. This regulation helps protect you from blinding other drivers on the road. According to Minnesota law, tint cannot reflect more than 20% of the visible light on any window.

Related source: HowStuffWorks.com, TintLaws.com

Is Premium Gas Worth the Money?

Gasoline_pump_2

Gasoline is the lifeline of your vehicle. It’s what powers your car to the grocery store and to work every Monday, but many drivers rarely give a second thought to what type of gasoline they put in their vehicles. You’ve probably noticed that most gas stations offer a few different options when it comes to gasoline, but have you ever stopped and asked yourself, “Which type of gas is best for my car?”

What are my options?

Most times when you hit the gas pump, you’re can choose one of three types of gasoline to put in your vehicle. Your choices are:

  • Regular Unleaded
  • Unleaded Plus
  • Super Unleaded (or Premium Unleaded)

The three options are separated based on their octane ratings. The higher the octane rating, the less your engine will rattle (also called “knocking”) as the gasoline ignites. Regular unleaded gasoline has an octane rating between 86-87, unleaded plus is often between 89-90, and super unleaded has a rating between 90-94.

My car doesn’t rattle, and I use regular gas

You might be thinking to yourself, “I’ve only ever used regular gasoline, and I’ve never heard my engine rattle.” That could easily be the case, because some cars don’t need premium gasoline to operate at optimal levels.

As car technology has advanced throughout the years, engineers have found new ways to prevent engines from knocking. Many average consumer cars have been developed with internal knocking sensors that prevent rattling if you use gasoline with a lower octane rating. That being said, a lot of luxury and performance cars have engines with high compression ratios that need a higher grade of gasoline to function smoothly.

The easiest way to determine if you should use premium gasoline in your vehicle is by referencing the owner’s manual. Your owner’s manual will provide you with one of three options, two of which are easy to comprehend.

Yes, No, and Recommended

When referencing your owner’s manual, you’ll likely see one of three answers; Yes, No and Recommended. We’ll explore the three options below.

  • Yes – If your manual specifically states that you should only put premium gasoline in your car, heed the advice. This will keep your can operating at top level, and prevent engine knocking that can cause thousands of dollars in damage.
  • No – If your car says premium gas is not needed, stick to regular unleaded.  Premium gasoline will not improve your cars performance; you’ll simply be throwing money down the drain.
  • Recommended – Determining if you need premium gasoline when the owner’s manual recommends it is a little trickier. As we said before, many of today’s vehicles are built with internal knocking systems that can adjust your engine’s performance based on the type of gasoline you use. Some industry professionals believe you’ll notice a very small drop in acceleration speed, but getting from 0 to 60 one second quicker isn’t likely worth the extra cash it will cost you to fill up your tank with premium. Ultimately, it’s up to the driver to make the call on premium gas in this situation.

Related sources: LifeHacker, HowStuffWorks

When Should you Replace your Brake Pads and Rotors?

CC image IROC Brake Upgrade by Nick Ares on FlickrYour brakes are arguably the most important part of your vehicle because they regulate your speed and help prevent accidents. Anyone who has had brake trouble can tell you how important it is to address any problems as quickly as possible. If your car takes a long time to come to a complete stop, or if you hear grinding noises coming from your car when you brake, you might have broken or worn out brake pads and rotors.

How do brake pads and rotors work?

When you apply the breaks in your vehicle, you begin a process that slows the momentum of your car. The two main components in this process are your:

  • Break pads; and
  • Disk break rotors

Different vehicles require different types of break pads and rotors, but they all serve the same function. As you break, your break pads clamp down on your spinning rotor. The kinetic energy is converted into thermal energy as your break pads clamp onto the rotors to bring the car to a stop. Your car is essentially turning forward momentum into heat.

By picturing this process in your head, you can understand why it’s better for you to come to a slow stop than to slam on your brakes. A slow, gradual stop will create less heat in your brake system. Similar to when we discussed proper tire inflation, systems wear out quicker when they operate at a higher temperature. If you’re constantly slamming on your brakes, you’re exposing them to intense thermal energy.

Types of rotors

There are a few different styles of rotors available for your vehicle. Although there are rotors specially designed for performance vehicles (like racecars) and heavy vehicles (like 18-wheelers or fire trucks), we’ll focus on the two main rotors that are used among typical drivers.

  • Drilled rotors are probably the most common type of rotor on the road. A drilled rotor has small holes drilled into the side. These holes help regulate the thermal energy produced during braking, which keeps your rotors operating at a cooler temperature. Although they help get rid of excess heat, drilled rotors are weaker than other types of rotors because there are holes in the disc. Drilled rotors can crack after being exposed to long-term stress.
  • Slotted rotors are the other main type of rotor used in passenger cars. A slotted rotor has small divots in the disk that help regulate temperature. Because the divots aren’t full blown holes, slotted rotors tend to be more durable than drilled rotors. That being said, slotted rotors tend to wear down your brake pads faster than their drilled counterparts, so most people opt for drilled rotors.

How often should you replace brake pads and rotors?

There are a lot of different answers out there for when you should replace your break pads and rotors. You should consult with your trusty auto mechanic when you’re having either replaced, as they can estimate how long certain pads and rotors will last. As a general rule, break pads should be replaced every 10,000-20,000 miles, while rotors should usually be replaced every 50,000-70,000 miles.

With that said, it is imperative to get your brakes checked the first time you hear grinding or crunching while braking. The noise usually mean your break pads are worn and need to be replaced. If you continue to drive with worn pads, your rotors can become damaged. By replacing your pads before they become too worn, you can actually extend the life of your rotors, which will save you money.

Related sources:  PrimeChoiceAutoParts.com, HowStuffWorks.com

How Often Should I Check my Tire Pressure?

CC image Kids checking the tire pressure by notpierre on FlickrEveryone knows how to determine if their car is running low on gas, but how can you tell if your tires are running low on air? Tire pressure is often overlooked, but proper inflation is key to extending the life of your vehicle and your tires. In fact, not only will properly inflated tires extend the life of your tire tread, but it will also save you money on gas and keep your family safer on the road. Below, we discuss the in’s and out’s of proper tire pressure.

Why should I care about my tire pressure?

Some people believe as long as their tires pass the eye test, they are properly inflated (i.e. My tires don’t look flat, so they must be good to drive on). While it’s always a good idea to visually inspect your tires before you get behind the wheel, you could be compromising your safety and hard-earned money if your tires are over or underinflated.

  • Overinflated tires are problematic because it decreases the amount of tread that can touch the ground. This means you’ll have less stability and traction. Over-inflation can also make a tire more susceptible to blowout.
  • Underinflated tires will wear out faster than their properly inflated counterparts. Because your wheels are compensating for the added stress of low tire pressure, they will begin to overheat. Hot tires lose their tread much quicker than tires that are operating at the optimal temperature.
  • Properly inflated tires will save you money at the gas pump. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can improve your gas mileage by over 3% by keeping your tires at the proper pressure level. That’s roughly 12 cents a gallon. Assuming the average consumer fills up their 15-gallon tank once a week, properly inflated tires will save you $93.60 a year.

When should I check my tire pressure?

Regular tire pressure checks are the best way to ensure your tires are running at the optimal pressure level. Give your tires a visual check every time you approach your vehicle, and get in the habit of preforming another check when you’re at the pump. You can find a handheld pressure gauge at your local hardware store, and keeping the gauge in your vehicle makes checking your tires a breeze. If you check your pressure while you’re getting gas, you can usually always find a pressure pump close by if you’re running low. If you don’t want to check your tires that often, a good rule of thumb to follow is to check your tire pressure once a month.

How Long Can I Drive on a Spare Tire?

CC image Wikipedia.orgUnless you’ve only been driving for a few years, chances are you’ve had to deal with a spare tire at some point in your life. Whether you popped a tire on the middle of the highway, or you simply returned to your vehicle to find a deflated tire, you’ve probably had to throw the old donut on the car to provide a short-term fix for the problem.

Your spare tire can get you out of a sticky situation, but you don’t want to rely on the tire for too long. Because the spare tire is usually a smaller, different version than the four tires on your vehicle, it’s not built for extended travel. The job of the spare tire is to keep you safe until you can visit an auto repair shop to have a regular tire installed.

Although you should consult your owner’s manual for a specific answer, a good rule of thumb to follow is to limit your travel on the spare tire to no more than 50-70 miles.

The main reason why you shouldn’t drive too far on your spare tire is because you may be putting yourself and everyone else on the road in danger. The spare tire is a small tire with very little tread, meaning it doesn’t have a very good grip on the road. This is especially dangerous if you are driving in elements like snow or rain.

When you’re driving on your spare tire, you may notice your car has poor handling or braking. This is more evident if your spare is needed on the front axel, where braking occurs. You may also notice that your car slightly pulls in the direction of the spare tire. As you can imagine, this occurs because the spare is not as equipped to handle stress like your regular set of wheels.

If you have any questions about your spare tire, or if you need to have a regular tire installed on your vehicle, don’t hesitate to contact us!  We’re always happy to help.

Related source:  AOL Autos

How Often Should I Rotate My Tires?

CC image Wikipedia.orgAside from the brakes, your tires are arguably one of the most important parts of your car because they are tasked with keeping you safe while on the road.  Many people often overlook simple tire maintenance, opting for other routine fixes like oil changes, brake checks, etc.  While those steps are essential in prolonging the life of your vehicle, proper tire maintenance can increase your gas mileage, extend the life of your tires, and prevent flats.  Below, we’ll explain how often you should rotate your tires.

Why we rotate

This may be common knowledge to some, but did you know that tire rotation has nothing to do with rotating the tire around an axle?  Tire rotation means you take all four tires off the car and put them on a different axle.

Some tires will wear down quicker depending on your type of vehicle.  Because your car often bears the majority of the weight in the front, your front tires can wear down twice as quickly as your back tires.  In order to compensate for the uneven wear, mechanics will swap your rear tires with your front tires.  Your trusty mechanic may also swap tires from the left side to the right and vice versa because one side may be subjected to more stress.

What if I skip regular tire rotation?

You could be putting yourself in danger if you neglect to rotate your tires.  Your car could begin to pull to one direction if one tire is significantly more worn down than the others, and it can also increase your chances of popping a tire at high speeds.

Also, you may be hitting the gas pump more frequently if you fail to regularly rotate your tires.  The more evenly dispersed the tire wear is, the smoother the car will run.  The less friction or pull caused by a vehicle, the less work it takes to run, which in turn saves you gas.

When should I rotate?

Although it will depend on your specific vehicle, most owners’ manuals suggest that you should rotate your tires every 3,000-10,000 miles.  Since you should get your oil changed every 3,000-7,000 miles, a good rule of thumb is to get your tires rotated every other time you change your oil.

Some places may even offer the service as part of their oil change package.  Most auto shops will at least check your tires during an oil change and recommend a rotation if they notice a different in tread wear.  A standard tire rotation usually costs between $20-$30, making it a cheap tune-up that shouldn’t be skipped.

Related source:  AOL Autos

5 Ways To Keep Your Parked Car Cool When It’s Hot

car in shadeSummer is here and that means hot weather for us Minnesotans. And while it’s great to be able to drive with the windows down after so many cold months, the summer heat can also really heat up your car when it’s parked for a long period of time.

No one likes stepping into a heat soaked car when it’s extremely hot out. So here are a few quick and easy things you can do to keep your car cool in these hot summer months.

  • Park in the Shade. This is the most obvious solution but may not always be an option. Naturally, shade will keep the sun away from you car and keep it cool in the process. Try to find trees on the edges of parking lots that you can park under.
  • Use a Windshield Sunshade. If you can’t park in the shade, the next best option is to use a sunshade. A windshield sunshade is a device made out of varying materials that you use to cover your windshield while it’s parked. The sunshade will reflect sunlight and keep your car cool as it protects from interior fading.
  • Cover Seats with Blankets. This is especially beneficial if you have leather seats. The blankets will absorb the heat and prevent the leather from heating up.
  • Crack the Windows. This will increase air movement so that hot air isn’t sitting stagnant in the car.
  • Get your Windows Tinted. This is the effective and long lasting solution. Having your car’s windows tinted will constantly reduce the amount of sun rays that enter your vehicle – keeping it cool throughout the summer.

Use these above methods to keep your vehicle cool in the summer and avoid burning yourself on your leather seats or seatbelt buckles.

Why Does my Car Pull to the Right or Left?

Reasons your Car Pulls

Ever get the feeling that your car is dragging or “pulling” to the left or right? This could be the result of several different factors, including:

  • Vehicle alignment. Alignment keeps your tires parallel with one another and even with the ground. If the alignment is off, it can cause a car to pull.
  • Brake Hose. The brake hose distributes brake fluid to your tires. If it gets clogged, fluid is dispensed unevenly to the tires, causing a car to pull as a result.
  • Tires. Over time your tire tread will wear out. If you don’t help distribute the wear evenly by rotating your tires on a regular basis, one will inevitably wear out quicker than the others. Low tire pressure can also be a cause of pulling.

A car that pulls to the right or left is more difficult to control as it requires the driver to constantly correct the pull. This can put an increased burden on the driver and take their focus off of driving safely.

Cars designed for driving on the right side of the road are manufactured to pull slightly to the right. This is to prevent the car from drifting into oncoming traffic if the driver falls asleep at the wheel. That being said, this should only be a very slight pull to the right. If your car is pulling significantly, it’s a good idea to get it checked.

How to Correct the Pull

There are a few home remedies you can try to stop the pull, such as:

  • Switching your front tires is a good test to see if the problem lies in the tires. Only rotate your tires if you know exactly what you’re doing.
  • Check your tire pressure to make sure one tire isn’t significantly lower than another.

If none of these tests work or you’re uncomfortable rotating your tires, it’s best to bring your vehicle into an auto repair shop and have an auto technician take a look. An experienced mechanic can examine your vehicle, identify the cause of the pulling, and fix the issue.

Why Pay for Car Diagnostics?

Car Diagnostics - Wiki CCVehicle diagnostic checkups are often ignored by car owners, but are very important to the long life of your car.

What are Vehicle Diagnostics?

Back in the day, it was up to the individual mechanic to determine what was wrong with your vehicle. Now Electronic Control Units (ECUs), which are present in all modern cars, help mechanics figure out and fix vehicle issues quickly.

When the ECU in your vehicle detects a problem, it will turn on the “check engine” light. A mechanic can then plug into the vehicle and download the error report recorded by the ECU.

It’s true that anyone who knows what they’re doing can plug in and download the ECU error report. So why is it a good idea to bring your vehicle in when the check engine light pops up?

Why Bring your Car in?

Even if you know what’s wrong with your vehicle, fixing the problem is another thing entirely. An experienced mechanic can interpret the error report and determine the best solution for fixing the problem.

There are also certain issues that won’t cause the “check engine” light to go off. A mechanic can examine your vehicle inside and out and get you back on the road in no time!