What You Need to Know About Catalytic Converters

What You Need to Know About Catalytic Converters

By Ron Haugen

A catalytic converter is a device that has been mandatory to put on vehicles since 1975. The threat of air pollution is staggering and with it there is not as much of a threat as there used to be. This device is made to help reduce the harmful emissions that come out of the exhaust of your vehicle.

Noxious Gases

If there is not a catalytic converter put onto a vehicle, then the emissions that come from the vehicle can do serious damage to the ozone. These gases include carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide and hydrocarbons. It is these gases that cause ugly smog and kill off plant life. It also is what a lot of people have to thank for their respiratory issues.

What it Uses

It will use a type of metallic catalyst. It will cause a chemical reaction up against the noxious gases that will turn them into gases that are not as harmful. The main 3 metals that are use are often rhodium, platinum or even palladium.

History

In the 1960s, the catalytic converter was made. When the 1970s rolled around more and more vehicles were made with these devices. However, in 1975, the Clean Air Act was passed and this meant that every single vehicle that was made had to have a catalytic converter. Since then, a lot of improvements have been made with this particular device. It is so much more efficient than it was back in the 1960s and the 1970s. Since the Environmental Protection Agency or EPA has come about there have been a lot of improvements to make this device work better than ever.

Catalytic Converter Failure

While it is illegal in most areas for a mechanic to remove them, it may be necessary to replace it. These devices can fail because of exhaust valves that have gone bad on your engine or an overheated converter caused by plugs that have been fouled and have caused unburned fuel. It is difficult to know for sure if there is something wrong with them. However, it is typically clogged if you push down on the gas pedal and do not go faster. It also may be the problem is there is a large drop in your gas mileage. A converter that is partially dropped will be something of an engine governor. It will limit the overall RPMs down. If the device is completely clogged, then the engine will not run for long. Expect it to quit completely after only a couple of minutes.

Fixing a Catalytic Converter

If yours is damaged and needs to be repaired or replaced, do not try to do this yourself. Your device will have a long running warranty on it more than likely. Take it to an ASE certified mechanic and allow them to do the work for you. If you do not properly fix this device it could do serious damage to your vehicle that is irreversible.

If you are looking for honest advice, prioritized repairs, options on repairs, maximized fuel economy, and a good feeling with who you are doing business with go to http://www.westsideautopros.com

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Basics About Shocks and Struts On Your Car

Basics About Shocks and Struts On Your Car

By Ron Haugen

It is important that you understand the basics about the shocks and struts on your car. There is a good chance that you have been told a time or 2 by an auto technician that the shocks and the struts are blown on your vehicle and will need to be replaced. The price will often be a lot more than you expected and you will find yourself wondering if it is really that necessary to get them replaced. Like all parts on your vehicle, it is a good idea to try to have a basic understanding on what everything does and its importance to your vehicle and its ability to run.

Shocks and Struts in Vehicles

It is important to know that not all vehicles will have shocks and struts. Some vehicles will just have shocks while others will only have struts. Shocks will be the part of the vehicle that has to do with the suspension. The strut will have to do with the suspension assembly. The struts and the shocks in your vehicle will have 2 functions. The spring oscillation will be dampened thanks to them and the help with overall ride control. The springs that are in your vehicle are there to absorb the road shocks. Many people assume that the shock absorbers do this. However, the shock absorber is there to help the bouncing spring. Without the shock absorbers there the ride would suddenly become very bumpy and difficult to handle. Imagine when you hit a very large and deep pothole at a high speed; every small bump would be like this.

Symptoms of Trouble

The symptoms of trouble with your vehicle will include your vehicle swaying or rolling when you turn it. The rear end of your vehicle will squat whenever you accelerate. The front end will dive whenever you attempt to slow down or stop. Also, the vehicle will slide or bounce sideways whenever you are on a rough or winding road. You can also expect your vehicle to completely bottom out on any bump. Bottoming out is when the undercarriage of your vehicle hits the ground.

Additional Problems

If your shocks or struts begin to have problems, then they can cause other problems with your vehicle. The wear and tear of your tires will be done so at an accelerated pace if the shocks and struts are not where they're supposed to be. You can also expect for there to be issues with the CV joints, steering linkage, springs and the ball joints. The longer the struts and shocks go without upkeep the more damage will be done overall to your vehicle. It can end up costing you a lot more money than the original bill.

Prevention

The best way to prevent against any damage to our shocks or struts is to have your ASE certified auto technician check them out regularly. Every time you get your oil changed you should have them looked at. The sooner you get them fixed and working properly the less damage will be done.

If you are looking for honest advice, prioritized repairs, options on repairs, maximized fuel economy, and a good feeling with who you are doing business with go to http://www.westsideautopros.com

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Tips for All Wheel Drive Vehicles

Tips for All Wheel Drive Vehicles

By Ron Haugen

There are a lot of different all wheel drive systems one should know about. It basically means that there is power that is given to all 4 of the wheels. Because there are so many different car makers that all have different ideas of how to take advantage of it is confusing. It is a good idea to know what each one does and how it works.

Four Wheel Drive

You will hear about them pretty often. This is usually a part time system. They are meant primarily for conditions where there is low traction. This means driving in the ice or snow or going off road.

All Wheel Drive

When you hear about them, it is usually full time. These particular systems are made to work on any type of surface. This means whether you or off road or on a city street. When you have this system, it can be turned off. However, it often cannot be turned on or off.

Torque

Torque is what is needed for your vehicle to move. It is the twisting force that your engine makes. The different gears in your transmission will split up between all 4 of the wheels with torque. A lot of people do not realize that the most amount of torque that is made will actually depend on the amount of traction and has nothing to do with the engine.

Installation

Many people will purchase a vehicle and later want to put all wheel drive on it. If this is something that you want to do, then it is doable. With the help of an experienced mechanic you can get it installed onto your vehicle. Look around and compare prices. Be sure that the mechanic that you choose is one that is ASE certified. This is a big job and it is best to have a person that knows what they are doing for this task. If you get a person that is unsure of how to do it they could do serious and irreversible damage to your vehicle. It is best to feel as confident as possible in the work that your mechanic can do to your vehicle. Expect the installation prices to be expensive as this is a big job and will take a lot of labor.

Benefits

Of course the benefits for all wheel drive are great. If you live in an area where there is a lot of snow and ice, then this is a good thing to have. It also works well if you go off road a lot or live out in the country. Keep in mind that all wheel drive cannot help you if the ground is especially slippery, this is where you have to rely on your anti lock brakes and the shape that your tires are in. Tires that are bald will have trouble driving on roads that are in good condition so keep them maintained.

If you are looking for honest advice, prioritized repairs, options on repairs, maximized fuel economy, and a good feeling with who you are doing business with go to http://www.westsideautopros.com

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ASE Certification for Auto Technicians

ASE Certification for Auto Technicians

By Ron Haugen

The ASE certification for auto technicians is extremely important. No matter what you get fixed on your vehicle you should always get it done by a mechanic that is ASE certified. If you do not, then you run the risk of getting your car broken in a way that cannot be repaired. If an auto technician does not know what they are doing, then they could cause you to be on foot for a very long time. An auto technicians job is not an easy one, they need to be certified if they want to get a job at most shops. However, anybody can work out of their own garage.

The Importance of it

The ASE certification is extremely important. This means that they have gone to and completed the necessary classes that have to do with the skills that they need. They will be taught how to do everything necessary on a vehicle. Everything from changing the oil to fixing a transmission will be covered in these courses. There are a lot of things that can go wrong with a vehicle. This is why you need to know that the auto technician that you take it to is prepared for every possible scenario.

What it Means

If an auto technician has been ASE certified, then they can get a job at most auto repair shops. All auto repair shops will require for every single one of their technicians to be certified. They will sometimes have specialty mechanics for special jobs but the rest of them will be able to handle most any general problem that will come their way. ASE certification means that they are skilled and knowledgeable in just about anything that can go wrong with just about any vehicle.

Look for it

It is so important to look for the certification whenever you talk to any mechanic. Just because a person knows a lot about vehicles does not mean that they are certified. They will hang their certification up on a wall somewhere to show that they are. Some shops will have them wear a uniform where it states it on a badge somewhere on them. It is important to always look for the certification when you take your vehicle anywhere to get it fixed or even for a simple maintenance job.

Specialties

There will be a total of 9 specialty areas that will come along with ASE certification. The most common form of certification will be for light trucks and autos. However, there will be some ASE certified auto technicians that will have specialty certifications which mean that this is the type of work that they excel in. Engine repair is one of the big specialties. The engine can be very complex and get to be expensive to fix. Automatic transmission as well as manual drive train and axles are 2 other specialties. Brakes and suspension and steering are 2 more specialties as well as electronic and electrical systems. Heating and air conditioning and engine performance are more specialties. The last specialty is light vehicle diesel engine.

If you are looking for honest advice, prioritized repairs, options on repairs, maximized fuel economy, and a good feeling with who you are doing business with go to http://www.westsideautopros.com

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Taking Care of Rack and Pinion Steering

Taking Care of Rack and Pinion Steering

By Ron Haugen

The majority of vehicles on the road today utilize rack and pinion steering. Rack and pinion is a durable steering mechanism, and when installed correctly they can last more than 100,000 miles. Because of the design however, they will end up needing repaired at some point. Many problems can be fixed yourself, while others may need a professional mechanic. Here are a few of the most common problems, and what you can do to correct it.

Leaks

Leaks are common in power racks. Wear on the seal can allow fluid to leak from the power cylinder in to the ends of the rack itself. Since the end bellows are not made to hold power steering fluid, this can be problematic. When this happens the rack needs to be replaced. If you don't replace the rack the bellow will continue to fill with fluid, and will eventually burst.

If fluid is leaking around the pinion input shaft, you can fix this temporarily by using a seal kit. However, it will eventually need to be replaced by a mechanic. Just installing the seal kits can be problematic for many shade tree mechanics, as it requires special tools and a delicate procedure.

Diagnosing Steering Issues Visually

If you feel like your steering is off, there are a few things you can do to check it before sending it off for repair. The most common way to check your rack and pinion steering is to perform whats referred to as a dry park check. This will require you to rock the steering on a ramp type lift. The lift is necessary so the full weight of the vehicle will stay on the wheels.

Start this by making sure the steering column is unlocked. You'll want someone with you to rock the steering while you inspect. You want to inspect the outer tie rods for visible play. Visible play is a red flag. You also need to check the input shaft coupling. This should be turning freely with no audible noise. The inner sockets should show no motion. And you should not see any movement between the rack and chassis. While you are inspecting, look for obvious cracks or bulges. If you see any of these things you need to have the rack and pinion repaired.

Test Drive

Part of the diagnostic process should be a test drive. But you need to know what to look and listen for before this will do you any good.

Get the vehicle out on an open road where you can make turns without worrying about holding up traffic. Your neighborhood may be the best place for this as you probably won't have to worry about listening to the car over the sounds of other traffic. Listen for noises when you turn, or any noises that are coming from the steering column. You also want to pay attention to any pulling to one side or the other as you turn. Pay attention to any looseness in the steering wheel or any play. Some of these things may be caused by alignment issues, but they could also be a result of something faulty on the rack and pinion. If you notice any of these issues you should have your vehicle inspected by a professional.

If you are looking for honest advice, prioritized repairs, options on repairs, maximized fuel economy, and a good feeling with who you are doing business with go to http://www.westsideautopros.com.

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Tips for Tinted Windows

Tips for Tinted Windows

By Ron Haugen

Tinted Windows are easily one of the more controversial modifications that can be made to a vehicle. While they are allowed in some locations, they are not allowed in others. It is important for all to understand exactly why they are allowed or disallowed, and the consequences that may come from these modifications.

While there is plenty to know and understand about them, these are a few pieces of information for you to consider before purchasing a used car with tinted windows of a car you already own.

Laws by State

There are different laws in every state in regards to tinted windows, and for various reasons. Most states that have strict laws state that the laws are in place to help protect police officers and other members of law enforcement. They allow individuals to hide their actions, which may include a gun in some instances. The lack of them, especially in the front, helps to eliminate that risk.

Some states simply dictate how heavy it can be, with some allowing near black-outs and others only allowing a small tint. Other states dictate how it must be applied - some must fade out from one side or from top to bottom. There are some states that simply do not allow you to tint them, or only allow you to have the back of your vehicle completed.

Those who do not follow the laws in their state will find that there are multiple fines that may be assessed. Some states, like the state of Michigan, provide options for those who are caught with them. If the individual who has been given a ticket for tinted windows provides a receipt and proof that they have removed the tints from their windows, the ticket will be thrown out. This is in place to do more than just "deter" individuals for using tints, but to actually get citizens to remove the offending tints.

Those who are lucky enough to be in states that do not have laws regarding tinted windows will find that nearly everyone has some sort of tint on their windows. The tint serves two different purposes - the first purpose is to make the car look clean and sexy. The other purpose is for privacy, keeping other individuals from looking into the vehicle.

They can help to make a car look more interesting, more sports-like, and sexy. For many, tinted windows put the finishing touch on a car that is all about looks and beauty. While this is allowed in some states, it is not allowed in others. You simply need to work to understand the laws of your area or take on the consequences of having them. For some, the windows are worth the law-breaking consequences. Others will simply wait until the move to a different location before they use tinted windows on a vehicle.

If you are looking for honest advice, prioritized repairs, options on repairs, maximized fuel economy, and a good feeling with who you are doing business with go to http://www.westsideautopros.com

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How to Know When It's Time for New Struts and Shocks

How to Know When It's Time for New Struts and Shocks

By Ron Haugen

It is important that you are able to tell whenever your shocks and your struts begin to look worn out. It is something that can be very dangerous if you do not pay attention and end up letting the shocks and the struts go out on your car. This is why you should know when it is time so that you do not put yourself or others in danger.

Visual Inspection

The best thing that you can do in terms of knowing when to replace your struts and shocks is to keep an eye on them. This is something that you can do whenever you are already changing something else out, like your spark plugs. Look to see if they are leaking or damaged in anyway. Even something as simple as them looking worn out is something that you should keep an eye on. The hole does not have to be big for leaks to be easy to see. You will simply need to keep an eye out for any wetness or oil that is on the outside of your shocks or struts. Just touch along the sides of them to see if there is any moisture or slick spots.

Checking for Damage

In order to look out for damage, then you should keep an eye out for dents along the housing, or any mounts that are broken. It is typical for the shocks that came along with your car to be in good enough shape, but may simply not be able to keep up with the demands of your car or truck. If this is the case, then it will be time for you to not only replace but to upgrade the suspension system in your vehicle. You will need to do this with some shocks or struts that are more heavy duty than what you originally had.

Performance Considerations

If you do not see any actual damage on your struts or shocks, then there are other things that you can look out for to know when it is time for you to replace them. Make sure that you keep an eye out for these things as it can be very gradual to the point where you do not even notice it. If the ride seems to be bumpier than it normally is, then this can be a sign. The sound of the vehicle can be a dead giveaway.

If there is a thumping or a rattling sound, then this is something that could mean that the cushion has begun to wear out and that it needs to be replaced. If you happen to be driving on terrain that is especially bumpy, then pay attention to how your vehicle handles it. If it is bouncing more than normal then this could be a sign of wear and tear. If the front of your vehicle tends to dip whenever the brakes are hit, then this is also a hint, also look for excessive swaying when taking a tight corner.

If you are looking for honest advice, prioritized repairs, options on repairs, maximized fuel economy, and a good feeling with who you are doing business with go to http://www.westsideautopros.com

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