Car Repair Blog

Does my transmission ever need service?

10/26/2011 10:03:00

Most car care experts advise having an automatic transmission’s fluid and filter changed every two years or 24,000 miles, to keep it in good working order. This is especially important if the vehicle is more than five years old. Many vehicles newer than five years old may need scheduled service less often and some new vehicles have transmissions that need no scheduled service for the life of the car.

By-the-book service, however, may not be adequate if your vehicle is driven hard, tows a trailer, goes off-road or carries a camper. Under these conditions, the fluid and filter may need to be changed more often -- every 12 months or 12,000 miles --because dirt and moisture buildup in the fluid can cause internal damage. Heat buildup can also be a problem. The harder the transmission works, the hotter the fluid gets and the quicker the fluid breaks down.

Manual transmissions generally need no regularly scheduled service, but may need service due to worn clutch and throw-out bearings and broken synchromesh gears. Check your owner’s manual for specific information on manual transmission service or talk with your local automotive service provider. To find out the recommended service schedule for your vehicle’s transmission, check the owner’s manual or talk with one of our knowledgable staff by calling (775) 200-4669.

How often should my car get a tune-up?

10/26/2011 09:57:00

The term “tune-up” actually applies only to older cars without electronic ignition (before 1981). On these vehicles a tune-up would generally be required every 15,000 – 20,000 miles and consisted of replacing the spark plugs, ignition contact points, rotor and distributor cap and adjusting the ignition timing as well as the carburetor.

On modern vehicles equipped with electronic ignition, fuel injection and computer controls, the term “engine performance maintenance” is a more accurate term. A “tune-up” for these newer vehicles is an orderly process of inspection, computer diagnosis, testing and adjustment to maintain peak engine performance, maximum operating efficiency and low exhaust emissions. During this process, spark plugs, plug wires, sensors, and modules may be replaced. The frequency at which a newer vehicle needs a tune-up is dependent more upon driving conditions than mileage and recommended tune-up frequencies vary between 30,000 – 100,000 miles, depending on the manufacturer. To learn how often your vehicle needs a tune-up, check your owner’s manual or call us at (775) 200-4669 to speak with one of our ASE Certified automotive technicians today.

What can I do if my car overheats?

10/26/2011 09:54:00

If you are driving at normal highway speed and the vehicle starts to overheat, turn off the air conditioner, turn on the heater and immediately pull over to the shoulder. Odds are if the vehicle starts to overheat at highway speed, there is a problem in the cooling system such as low coolant, a clogged radiator or a broken drive belt or burst hose. Once at the shoulder, shut off the engine, open the hood and let the engine cool down – 20 minutes minimum. Once any overboiling stops and the engine has cooled, look for obvious signs of trouble. DO NOT attempt to open the radiator cap unless the engine is off and the top of the radiator is cold. If there is no noticeable problem such as a broken drive belt or burst hose, you can then add a coolant/water mixture to the radiator or overflow reservoir. Should you need help with your overheating problem call Nevada Mobile Automotive Service at (775) 200-4669 and one of our knowledgable technicians will be happy to help.

Why is heat coming out of my air conditioner?

10/26/2011 09:51:00

If your air conditioning system is blowing hot air instead of cool, the refrigerant gas may have leaked out, you may have a clogged condenser, or the air conditioner's blend door may be stuck. Whatever the cause of the problem, the air conditioning system needs immediate service. Turn the system off. You can cool the vehicle interior by putting the ventilation control in the ""vent"" position and/or opening the windows. For air conditioning diagnostic and repair call our office at (775) 200-4669.

How can I tell if my coolant is OK?

10/26/2011 09:47:00

It is impossible to determine the condition of the coolant in the radiator just by looking at it. Coolant, a mixture of ethylene glycol and water, breaks down with age, picks up contaminants that cause sludge, and becomes acidic. When this happens, it can cause corrosion within the radiator and cooling passages of the engine. To determine its condition, coolant must be checked with coolant test strips that measure PH balance. Coolant is an environmentally hazardous substance. It pollutes the water table and is poisonous to people and animals and therefore must be disposed of as a hazardous waste. Your mechanic has special tools and procedures for testing and changing coolant.

How often should I change my wiper blades?

10/26/2011 09:44:00

For vehicles that are parked inside, car care experts recommend that the wiper blades be replaced at least once a year or when the wiper blades start streaking – which ever comes first. On vehicles kept outside or in areas where the wipers receive excessive use, changing the blades two or even three times a year is recommended for clear vision.

What’s the correct tire pressure for my vehicle?

10/26/2011 09:42:00

The correct tire pressure for a vehicle is determined by the size and weight of the vehicle, the type of tires it uses, load hauled, and the type of driving the vehicle is intended for. The vehicle manufacturer places a tire inflation placard in each vehicle that gives the proper tire inflation pressures for that vehicle. This placard is located on the inside of the glove box door, inside the fuel-filler door, or on the driver’s side doorpost (depending upon manufacturer). Most manufacturers also list tire inflation levels in the owner’s manual.

CAR CARE TIPS from Nevada Mobile Automotive Service

10/26/2011 08:49:00

It's always better to fix something before it breaks, the same applies to your car. That's why regular maintenance is so important on today's vehicles. Below are some helpful hints and articles that we think will help you maintain your vehicle for years to come.

Change your oil at regular service intervals.
Replace your wiper blades twice a year for streak-free visibility.
Screeching or grinding sounds from your brakes can mean trouble. Make an appointment with us to get a brake inspection.
A loud muffler may not just be annoying, it can be dangerous because harmful exhaust fumes may be leaking into the passenger compartment. Have your exhaust system checked as soon as possible.
Brake pads are your friends. Check them regularly.
Maintaining proper oil and coolant levels can help ensure a long life for your engine.

If your have any questions or need repair service contact us at (775) 200-4669.

Why choose Nevada Mobile Automotive Service over those other guys?

09/14/2011 23:37:00

First, we'd like to tell you a little bit about Nevada mobile Automotive Service...

Nevada Mobile Automotive Service is a local, family owned, auto repair business; committed to providing our customers with the best auto repair and service in the industry. It is our goal to provide every customer with convenient, hassle free service that they would love to recommend to a friend.

What type of experience does your company have?

At Nevada Mobile Automotive Service our owners and mechanics have a combined 30 years experience in the automotive field. Our employees have received extensive auto repair training from companies such as Ford, GM, Dodge, Chrysler and Pacar; and hold certificates such as Brake Service Excellence from Bendix Brake Systems, and Air Conditioning Service and Recycling from the Mobile Air Conditioning Society.

Nevada Mobile Automotive Service strives for service excellence. As a result, we require all of our service technicians to be ASE Certified; and our company is committed to using only the highest quality parts for a longer vehicle life.

Do you have a code reader for check engine lights?

Yes we do. In fact we have better then a code reader. At Nevada Mobile Automotive Service we own state of the art diagnostic equipment.

What is the difference between your equipment and a code reader?

The typical code reader is exactly that...a code reader. It is designed to connect to the OBDII system of your car to retrieve the codes produced by the malfunctioning system and provide a small description of what the code means.

The problem with a code reader is that besides retrieving the problem code with a minimal description, it doesn't really do anything else.

At Nevada Mobile Automotive Service, we use state of the computers to communicate with your car's system.

Our state of the art equipment not only retrieves the codes set by the malfunctioning system in your car, it also has the capability of retrieving live data regarding the running conditions of your car, such as fuel pressure, sensor output voltage, etc. Our equipment also has troubleshooting and programming capabilities, such as key programming and PATS system programming, making it easier to provide all the services required by your car with minimal downtime to you.

What type of warranty do you offer?

Most auto repair services carry a 12 month / 12,000 mile (non-transferable) parts and labor warranty (up to the cost of repair), whichever comes first

Used parts usually carry a 30 day parts and labor warranty

Nevada Mobile Automotive Service is happy to install customer supplied parts, however, we do not provide parts or labor warranties for customer supplied parts

What type of licensing do you have?

Nevada Mobile Automotive Service is a mobile automotive repair garage licensed to do business with the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles, the State of Nevada, Washoe County, the City of Reno, the City of Sparks, and the US Department of Transportation.

If asked, would you be willing to provide referrals?

Yes. Nevada Mobile Automotive Service has several customer testimonials and referrals posted on our customer testimonial page, as well as various other sites throughout the internet, such as google, yelp, and others. If necessary, we are also willing to provide written referrals from previous customers.

Do you provide fleet maintenance and repair?

At Nevada Mobile Automotive Service, we have the ability to provide your fleet with hassle free maintenance while saving you time and money. Curious about our fleet maintenance services? Call our sales team today for more fleet maintenance information.

Have Questions or Need Repair? Call us at (775) 200-4669 for the answer to your automotive needs.

At Nevada Mobile Automotive Service, our goal is to offer honest, hassle free, automotive repair service and we would welcome the opportunity to offer you the best service in the industry.

Is it better to clean or replace dirty fuel injectors?

08/26/2011 00:19:00

Injectors include a precision-ground needle valve and are controlled by an electro-magnetic solenoid that is turned on and off by an electric control unit. Fuel is injected only during the "on" time and is metered by the size of the opening, duration of "on" time, and fuel pressure.

Injector Service

Try cleaning them first. If this is not successful, they must be replaced.

Because of their construction, fuel injectors tend to "gum up" after 15,000 to 30,000 miles of driving. Fuel spraying from the injector must pass through a very small opening in the discharge nozzle. This is necessary to create a cone-shaped spray pattern that breaks the fuel up into a fine mist for proper atomization. Some newer style injectors are more clog resistant than their predecessors, but all are vulnerable to some extent.

Every time the injector sprays fuel, a small amount remains in the nozzle. As it evaporates, it leaves behind a wax-like residue that forms hard varnish deposits.

The rate at which deposits build up depends on the quality of gasoline burned, whether or not the gas has detergent in it (and what kind), and the number of thermal cycles the engine experiences per miles driven. Short-trip driving builds up deposits more quickly than continuous driving.

As deposits build up in injectors, they restrict the discharge orifice and break up the normal cone-shaped spray pattern. The spray pattern may develop "legs" (streamers of unatomized fuel) or turn into a continuous stream of unatomized fuel like a fire hose.

Liquid fuel does not burn as efficiently as atomized fuel, so it has a "leaning effect" on the air/fuel mixture. Accumulated deposits in the discharge orifice also restrict the total amount of fuel delivered per squirt, which further compounds the leaning effect. This can result in the appearance of driveability problems such as hard starting, hesitation, poor fuel economy, loss of power, and elevated exhaust emissions.

An engine with dirty injectors will usually show a wide variation in RPM between cylinders when doing a power balance test. There will also be a lot of variation in peak firing voltages between cylinders on a scope.

For do-it-yourselfers, there are two options - use a fuel additive to clean the injectors, or buy a can of pressurized solvent that's designed for on-car injector cleaning. Fuel additives can only do so much, so badly-clogged injectors usually need to be pressure flushed with solvent.

With on-car cleaning, pressurized solvent is run through injectors to flush out deposits. To do this, the fuel pump is temporarily disconnected so solvent can be fed directly into the test valve fitting on the fuel rail.

When the engine is started, the solvent becomes the temporary "fuel supply" while injectors are cleaned.

The resulting improvement in performance is usually quite noticeable. But on-car cleaning doesn't always do the trick, especially if an injector is badly plugged.

Unless injectors are removed and tested, there is no easy way to spot marginal injectors (those with defective spray patterns) or ones that don't deliver as much fuel as the others (mismatched injectors can reduce horsepower and increase emissions).

Off-car cleaning involves more work, but results are often worth it. For one thing, injectors that don't respond to on-car cleaning can often be restored to like-new performance with off-car cleaning.

Some available cleaning equipment can reverse flush injectors, doing a thorough cleaning job. Most off-car cleaning equipment also allows the mechanic to observe and measure injector flow patterns so bad ones can be identified.

Flow rating also allows injectors to be more closely matched for improved engine performance.

For more information on injector cleaning and replacement, or to schedule an appointment, call our office at (775) 200-4669.