Car and Truck Repair Blog

Ethanol fuel is becoming a household term, but most drivers struggle to understand what exactly it is, let alone what corn-based ethanol fuel has to do with them and how they fuel their cars. Many cars on the road today use Flex Fuel, which is composed of 85% ethanol fuel, has a dubious impact on the environment and isn’t necessarily the cash saver you might think it is. Flex Fuel is often marketed as offering drivers a lower carbon footprint and improved mileage, but neither of these are necessarily the case. The truth is that the environmental and economic impacts of relying more heavily on ethanol are still largely unknown, but evidence suggests that the supposedly more “sustainable” fuel is not much of an improvement over regular fossil fuels.

Why Should Drivers Care About Ethanol?

400 million tons of grain are produced in the US each year, and an average of 124 million of those tons to go ethanol distilleries – which has a tendency to push up food prices. Government mandates require standard gasoline fuel to contain 10% ethanol, a number which will soon rise to 15%. If you drive a car, you have ethanol in your tank!

The Problem with Ethanol Production

Producing ethanol creates a classic catch-22. Ethanol is made from corn, which, unlike fossil fuels, is a renewable resource; the end goal of switching from gas to ethanol is to reduce the environmental impact (aka “carbon footprint) of burning fuel in gasoline engines. The large-scale agriculture that makes ethanol fuel, however, consumes quite a bit of – you guessed it – fossil fuels. The standard gasoline needed to run farm equipment, create fertilizers, to distill, package and ultimately to transport ethanol is quite considerable. By the time you factor in all the fossil fuels that are used to manufacture ethanol, the environmental benefits are slim. When you factor in the carbon emissions created by burning ethanol fuel (which, though less than fossil fuels, still emits carbon), those benefits are slim to none.

Possible Alternatives to Corn Ethanol

Scientists and industry leaders are leaning towards using a “cellulosic ethanol”, an ethanol fuel that is made from inedible plant material rather than edible grain. This could help to reduce the food vs. fuel problem, but this type of ethanol is still in development and may take years to make an impact in the consumer market.

The Bottom Line for Drivers

Drivers have plenty of tough choices – which style car to buy, which model, used or new, insurance, the list goes on. Trying to make good car and fuel purchasing decisions in lieu of the food vs. fuel debate can be confusing and, for us consumers, ultimately fruitless. By the time fuel reaches us, the government and car manufacturers have made most of the decisions for us.

So how can drivers be more educated consumers when it comes to fuel usage? Drivers can reduce fuel usage in a number of ways: the least expensive way is to keep cars and trucks in tip-top shape to keep fuel usage as efficient as possible. Other options include opting for smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles and, last, buying a car with a hybrid electric engine.

While West Michigan residents are likely all relieved to not have to worry about driving through snow and ice for another eight months, springtime in Michigan often brings its own road hazards. A sudden downpour makes the roads treacherous, and it also can severely reduce visibility. Next time you get caught in the rain while going down the road – and before it happens – keep these safety tips in mind.

Get new wiper blades.

When we drivers lose visibility on the road, it seldom happens slowly or gives us fair warning to prepare. The best way to maintain visibility is to make sure your wiper blades are in good working order. The rubber blade tends to become stiff and crack after about six months, so wipers should be changed every six months as a rule. When buying new wipers, consider investing in higher-end wiper blades, as these can provide better visibility under bad conditions.

Check your tires’ tread.

By now you’ve probably switched back to summer tires. In order to provide good traction on wet roads, however, those summer tires need to have a decent amount of tread – don’t try to skate your way through on bald tires, or that’s exactly what you’ll be doing. Do a quick tread test with a penny – insert it into the grooves between your tires’ tread; if you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, it’s time for new tires!

An added technical note: tires lose wet traction (at 4/32 tread depth) before they lose dry traction (at 3/32) tread depth). To the naked eye, tires that have minimal remaining traction might look ok, but looks can be deceiving! If you bring your tires in to our shop for inspection, our technicians can not only check your car’s tires for tread depth, but also for correct wear patterns. Your vehicle usually tells you if there is a problem, the trick is knowing how to listen!

Be cautious when it first begins to rain.

When rain first hits dry pavement, the oil that has collected in the asphalt rises to the top in a slick, filmy residue. The first few minutes of a rainshower, before this film has washed away, can be the most dangerous time to drive, so be extra cautious of newly soaked pavement.

Avoid pavement grooves.

In a heavy rain, water tends to pool into the slight double grooves in the road – the grooves your car’s tires fit into nicely. If these grooves are deep or if the rain is very heavy, driving in flooded grooves can put you in danger of hydroplaning. Without going too close to the center or side lines, try to keep your tires out of the pooled water by driving slightly closer to the edge of the road.

Keep your distance.

Don’t wait to find out if your car is hydroplaning until you have to make a hard brake. Give yourself plenty of extra time to stop by doubling the distance between you and the car in front of you. By the same token, keep an eye on the cars behind you. If someone is too close for comfort, tap your brake lights as a polite reminder to back off a bit.

It’s surprising how much of our common sense flies out the window when we’re in a hurry or simply not paying attention. While mechanical failures and unavoidable situations do cause car accidents, many of the accidents and major breakdowns that occur on the road could be prevented by the driver reacting to his or her surroundings more quickly. Preventing accidents and severe mechanical damage requires one part common sense, one part automotive savvy and one part alertness at all times.

While the common sense and alertness are up to you, the driver, we can help you become a bit more automotive savvy. These are our top 6 signs it’s time to pull the car over before an accident or damage to your car occurs.

Keep in mind that when we say pull the car over immediately, we mean to pull the car over as soon as it is safe to do so.

Bad visibility

This is a no-brainer, but many of us still fail to follow our common sense when we lose visibility on the road. Sudden fog, a torrential downpour, a crack in the windshield, gooey wipers – any of these can make us nearly blind to other cars and the road in front of us. Ironically, studies have shown that most drivers actually speed up when visibility is compromised, because their perception of speed is hindered.

Rather than squirting the windshield with wiper fluid and hoping visibility returns soon, your safest bet is to pull over to the side of the road and attend to the problem (wait for the weather to pass, clean your windshield, call a tow truck).

Flames, smoke or vapor

Another no-brainer, but one that’s easy enough to ignore or deny when we’re in a rush. If water vapor is rising from under the hood, it could mean that there’s a coolant leak. If it’s a slow leak or the fluid is hitting a hot pipe that causes it to steam, it doesn’t pose an immediate threat to your car’s engine, but a more severe leak can quickly cause your engine to overheat, which can ruin your car’s engine and cost you thousands. Smoke can be caused by something innocuous – such as oil dripping on to a hot pipe – but it can also indicate a more serious problem (left the oil cap off again?), such as a fire. It’s safe to assume that if your car is issuing flames, there’s a big problem, and you should exit the car immediately!

Sudden loose or off-kilter steering

A sudden change in handling can indicate a number of problems, some of them very bad and others not-quite-so-bad. Suddenly sloppy steering or steering that pulls dramatically in one direction can mean a blown tire, a loose wheel or simply a lost wheel weight. Blown tires can be fixed easily, but damaged wheels (what will happen if you keep driving) can’t. A wheel that is about to fall off is major bad news, and stopping the vehicle before this occurs can prevent both a severe accident and severe damage to your car. Rather than trying to diagnose the problem while going down the road, be safe – pull over and check it out.

Temperature or oil gauges in the red

A hot engine always = bad news for your car, and an engine that’s not properly lubricated (that’s what the oil is for) is equally bad news. Both of these can cause severe engine problems in very short order. If your car’s oil light goes on or temperature gauge pushes into the red, pull over immediately and take a look. Being late or missing an appointment is a much better option than destroying your car’s engine by overheating.

In-cabin chaos

Kids fighting in the back seat? Dropped that CD somewhere on the floor? Spilled hot coffee on your lap? Botched mascara application? Don’t try to deal with these while flying down the road – be safe: pull over and deal with the problem before taking your 3 ton machine back on the road.

Foreign noise

A new noise can mean a number of things, some bad and others completely harmless. If a new, loud noise is suddenly coming from your car and not from the road or a piece of debris you’ve run over, chances are your vehicle has lost a key component and continuing to drive could risk further damage. Don’t take the risk – pull over and examine the situation before continuing on.

If you’re on the road and experience any of the mechanical issues mentioned above, feel free to give us a call at our shop. Our technicians can help you determine whether it’s safe for you to drive your vehicle to a repair shop or if it needs to be towed. Remember, when it comes to your car, it’s always better – and less expensive – to be safe than sorry!

With summer just around the corner, the right time to troubleshoot your car’s air conditioner is now! This relatively small component tends to give auto owners more trouble than most others – or perhaps problems with the AC are simply more noticeable. Either way, understanding how to properly maintain your car’s AC unit and diagnose common problems can not only help you stay cool in the summer time, but also save money on AC repairs that are more costly than necessary due to neglect.

Auto AC Maintenance

How often your car’s AC needs to be maintained really depends on the age of the car. If the vehicle is new or new-ish, it’s probably okay for it go three to four years between maintenance. Older cars’ air conditioners have acquired more wear and tear and may be more prone to leaking, so they really should be looked at at least once a year. If your car is older than 5 years, it’s a good idea to ask your auto technicians to take a look at the AC during its springtime oil change, battery check and other routine maintenance tasks.

Diagnosing Common Air Conditioner Problems

There are a number of things that can go wrong with your car’s AC, and there are a number of ways that AC problems can manifest themselves. Knowing what problems to look for and their potential causes can help you diagnose a problematic air conditioner quickly, before more damage occurs.

Leaking Coolant

Car air conditioners require refrigerant to run. A lack of coolant is perhaps the most common AC problem; in older cars, the AC’s refrigerant can simply run out after years of use, or leaks in the hoses can develop. When there is little or no coolant in the AC, it simply won’t generate cold air.

Leaks are key to keep in mind when having your AC serviced; simply refilling the air conditioner with coolant won’t fix the problem if there is a leak. Broken ACs need to be thoroughly checked for leaks before they’re refilled with coolant and sent on their way.

Fluctuating Temperatures

If your car’s air conditioner blows warm and cool air sporadically, it’s typically because moisture has gotten into the assembly and is blocking the hose with ice buildup. This can also be caused by a faulty electrical system which fails to trigger the AC’s compressor. Either way, this can be a relatively simply problem to fix if caught quickly.

Stinky Air

Smelly air coming from the AC is another common problem that’s caused by bacteria breeding in the evaporator. If caught in a reasonable amount of time, this can usually be fixed by a technician without requiring a replacement.

Noisy Air Conditioner

If a rattling noise accompanies the air conditioner each time it turns on, it’s most likely caused by a broken component in the AC compressor. Most of the time, this will require the compressor to be replaced.

Remember: when it comes to car problems, prevention is the best – and least expensive – cure! Our name may say brakes and tires, but our certifications and equipment say so much more; we are certified for air conditioner service and have the most current Bosch AC equipment.

If you’ve ever purchased a car from a dealership before, you have likely been encouraged to purchase an extended warranty for your new (or used) vehicle. Dealerships tend to make extended warranties sound like a true money saver, an essential for your new car. And in theory, they often are. After all, who wants or can afford to shell out big bucks for maintenance and repair months and years after a factory warranty has expired?

There are, however, some details about extended warranties that dealerships often leave out, and not everyone needs – or can even make good use of – extended warranties. Some car experts swear that extended warranties are a waste of money. For every day drivers, trying to make the right decision about their vehicle’s warranties can be a very confusing process.

So what is the deal with extended warranties? Are they worth it, or not?

The truth is that there’s no simple answer. Extended warranties can be useful and money saving in some circumstances, but for many drivers, they simply don’t make sense.

First – what exactly is an extended warranty?

An extended warranty is something of a misnomer; it’s actually more like insurance than it is like a warranty. It’s essentially an insurance policy purchased from the factory or – in many cases – by the dealership itself which covers repair and some maintenance items once the vehicle’s factory warranties have expired. The logic behind purchasing extended warranties is that if you purchase an extended warranty, you will pay more in your car payments but won’t have to shell out for unforeseen maintenance and repairs that may be required down the road.

What does an extended warranty cover?

What an extended warranty covers differs from purchase to purchase, but by and large, extended warranties typically cover big repair jobs, such as a failed transmission. Some extended warranties cover some maintenance, but many warranties that claim to cover maintenance in truth only cover a portion of required maintenance, leaving the car owner to pay 50% or more for routine maintenance such as oil and brake pad changes. Many new car owners may not realize that purchasing an extended warranty does not exempt them from having to pay for routine maintenance.

Will an extended warranty actually save me money in the long term?

It depends. Cars are more reliable than ever, making the likelyhood of a new vehicle having a significant breakdown within the extended warranty period quite low. The truth is that most car owners who have purchased extended warranties never need to use the warranty they paid extra for. Some car owners do end up using the warranty, but the amount they saved with the warranty still doesn’t outweigh the cost of the warranty itself long term. Think of it like this: if you were in Vegas and were going to bet $ 1,500.00 on one roll of the dice, you would have a 50% chance of winning $ 3,000.00 – and a 50% chance of losing $1,500.00. That’s the simplest way of looking at many of the extended warranties that are sold.

There are, however, some exceptions. If you plan on using your new vehicle for a significant amount of travel or have a long daily commute, an extended warranty might make sense. Another reason an extended warranty might be a good idea is if you are bad at saving and managing finances and don’t keep the kind of cash on hand that would be required to pay for a large, unforeseen breakdown. An extended warranty can act as a buffer against the expense of unexpected repairs and prevent transportation emergencies. For drivers who aren’t good at saving money, the risk prevention can make it worth the cost of an extended warranty.

The bottom line: if you’re considering purchasing an extended warranty, know exactly what the warranty covers, then consider whether or not it makes sense to you individually. How much will you be traveling? Do you put a light, average or excessive amount of wear and tear on your vehicles? Do you have a good savings buffer, or are you living paycheck to paycheck?

Keep in mind, of course, that regular, quality car maintenance (not usually covered by warranties) will significantly reduce the likelihood of you having to deal with a breakdown.