Los Altos Auto Repair

TPS sounds like Tender Porterhouse Steak to me.  Hi Cayenne here, and no, TPS does not mean that.  Actually, it means Throttle Position Sensor.  So today we bark about what that is and how it affects your vehicle's performance.   Let's get barkin'!

You know you have an accelerator pedal; step on it and your vehicle is supposed to go.  But did you know there is a part in your vehicle that tracks the throttle's position? It's called the Throttle Position Sensor, or TPS.

The TPS is a sensor that helps your vehicle figure out the right mix of air and fuel is reaching your engine.  It does that by monitoring the throttle and sending the information to your vehicle's computer.  Other factors play a role in how well your engine is performing, including air temperature, how fast the engine is turning over and air flow. 

When the TPS isn't working right, you may find your vehicle won't accelerate or doesn't have the power you're expecting when you press on the accelerator.  In some cases, it may accelerate on its own.  Sometimes your vehicle won't go over a certain speed.  Your Check Engine light may go on.

Any of these symptoms should be checked out soon.  If your TPS stops working properly, your vehicle may not be safe to drive.  Fortunately, most vehicles have a "limp home" mode that will allow you to get off a busy road to a safe spot. 

Your service advisor can let you know which TPS is the correct replacement for your vehicle.  Your shop may need to reprogram the new TPS to ensure it works correctly with other software in your vehicle.

It's a fact of life these days that computers control many of a vehicle's functions. The sensors that feed information to those computers help make your vehicle work the way it was engineered to and keep you motoring down the road safely and efficiently.

I leave you with this dog thought,

Perks of being an adorable dog, with great cuteness, comes no responsiblity

Cayenne

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
http://alliedautoworks.com

Hey Duke here and you may remember a song that went, "Objects in the rearview mirror may appear closer than they are." While that was a song about life's lessons, there are a few things we should all know about the importance of rearview mirrors in safe driving.  So let's check our mirrors and get barkin'!

While new electronic devices are helping drivers stay aware of surrounding traffic in high-tech ways, the good old rearview mirror remains a dependable way of letting you know what's around you.  There are usually three on each vehicle: one attached to the windshield inside and two attached outside on each of the front doors.

They must be adjusted properly before you start driving (not while you're driving). Experts say the windshield rearview mirror should cover the area behind the vehicle, while the outside mirrors should not simply duplicate that view but extend it to the sides, where blind spots normally are.

Your rearview mirrors must be able to hold the positions they're adjusted in; if there's play in them or they move around, you'll never be sure they're pointed in the direction that will let you see where traffic is.  The one on the windshield must be firmly attached.  If it won't stay where you want it, head to your service facility, where they can tighten it or replace any necessary parts to ensure the mirror maintains its aim. If it has fallen completely off the windshield, a technician can reattach it using the proper adhesives or fasteners.  There may also be electronics that require proper connection.

The outside mirrors cover your blind spots, and they must be able to hold their adjustments as well.  Many adjust electronically; switches and motors can fail, electrical connections can detach or become corroded and the reflective glass can crack, discolor or develop a hazy fog.  A technician can diagnose and repair those problems and recommend any replacement parts you might need.  Mirrors that are adjusted manually should also be restored to proper working order to maintain this important rear visibility.

Drivers don't think about their rearview mirrors all that much.  On reflection, don't they deserve respect and care for the important job they do?

I leave you with this funny quote,

Monkeys are superior to men in this: when a monkey looks into a mirror, he sees a monkey.~ Malcolm de Chazal

Duke

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
http://alliedautoworks.com

Cayenne here on this beautiful Autumn day, and did you ever wonder what one of the best things is to ever happen to your vehicle's engine?  It's the little thing that usually looks like a can, the oil filter.   So today we will bark about the important job your filter does and making sure you are filtering through and using the right one for your vehicle.

Just like your kitchen sink strainer filters out errant particles of food that could clog your drain, the oil filter cleans out small particles that could cause harm to your engine.

Your engine operates in a dirty, hot environment and gathers a multitude of tiny contaminants, including dirt, dust, small metal shards, and unlucky bugs that get sucked in.  Get those things circulating in your engine, and those little particles can cause friction, which starts wearing out those finely machined metal parts. 

You know how important it is to change your oil regularly.  It's vital that you change your oil filter at the same time to keep the oil as close to brand new as possible.

Most oil filters resemble a metal can with holes in the bottom.  Inside, there are carefully chosen materials that can screen out contaminants while allowing the lubricating oil to pass through.  Early oil filters were made from steel wool, metal mesh, or actual screens. Then they tried fabric filters using materials such as linen and cotton.  Finally, a less expensive disposable filter using paper and cellulose did the trick.

Cellulose or other synthetic media are used in most oil filters today.  Cellulose is inexpensive and effective.  Fibers filter out particulates, allowing the oil to flow.  The other synthetic media have the ability to screen out even tinier particles while not significantly restricting the oil from getting through.  Engineers continue to work on even more advanced filter materials.

Choosing the right oil filter is something our experts at Allied Auto Works can help you with, as there are many options available.  Factoring into that decision are your driving habits, how far you drive, and the temperatures to which your engine will be subjected.  While some filters may cost more than others, they may be worth the investment to extend the life of your engine. 

However, most important is remembering to have your oil changed at Allied Auto Works regularly, at the intervals recommended by the vehicle's manufacturer. Just like you wouldn't want to have a plumber come over to fix a clogged kitchen drain, you certainly wouldn't want to have to pay for major engine repairs if regular oil and filter changes could prevent them.

Today I leave you with a "Filtering" quote,

"It's a common mistake to speak the same to everybody. We all have different filters." ~ Julian Treasure

CAYENNE

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
http://alliedautoworks.com

Hey Duke here as we roll into Autumn here in Los Altos.  It is still going to be warm, actually, with temperatures reaching 96 degrees here, but the days are getting shorter, so it is essential that your headlights are in working order.  So today we will bark about the importance of both headlights working......let's dim the lights and get barkin'!!

Did you know that having a burned-out headlight can result in your rearview mirror reflecting some flashing lights? In other words, you might get pulled over by the police for only having one working headlight, because in most places it's against the law. 

Not only is it illegal to drive with one headlight burned out, but it's also dangerous. You can't see down the road nearly as well at night with only one headlight, and other drivers can't see you as easily either.

The good news is many newer vehicles warn you when one of your headlamps burns out. When that happens, have it taken care of as soon as you can.  While there was a time when all headlamps were pretty much the same, that is no longer the case. There are halogen, Xenon, LED and other technologies used in modern vehicles.  Plus, there are sealed beams (similar to those found on older vehicles) and capsules.

If you have a burned-out headlamp, ask your service advisor for recommendations.  Usually, when one side goes, the other isn’t far behind. Many suggest replacing both headlamps at the same time.  Your vehicle's owner's manual can tell you what the manufacturer recommends.  You can also ask your service advisor about upgrading to a headlight that may provide better visibility. 

In order to make sure you're able to see down the road the way your vehicle was designed and not blind oncoming drivers, it's vital that new headlights be aimed properly.  That's another good reason to have this service performed by a technician. Now, that's a really bright idea.

I leave you with this,

A thought-provoking question asks, "If your car could travel at the speed of light, would your headlights work?"

Duke

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
http://alliedautoworks.com

Cayenne here, and those who know vehicles believe the steering system may be the most vital component of them all. Perhaps you've found over the years that your steering has gotten loose. Or maybe suddenly, your steering wheel has gotten very hard to turn. Let me steer you in the direction of understanding why this may be happening.  Let's get barkin'!

First, loose steering. This can likely be the result of wear and tear on the components that connect the steering mechanism with the wheels. Those parts can be ball joints, Pitman arms, or tie rods. These parts take a lot of abuse on the road, thanks to railroad tracks, potholes, uneven surfaces: you name it. It's important that they be checked regularly and maintained at Allied Auto Works.

Second, the hard-to-turn wheel. Virtually all vehicles on the road have power steering. There are a couple of different types, though, so let's deal with each. By the way, when they fail, your vehicle's steering can suddenly go from easy peasy to really hard to control.

Some vehicles have hydraulic power steering. It uses a hydraulic fluid that can either leak out or become contaminated. When that happens, you can lose that power assist. There's also a belt involved, and if it becomes worn, stretched or cracked (or even breaks), you'll find yourself struggling with the wheel. If you hear a loud whine coming from the area in the engine compartment when you are steering, that could mean your power steering pump is failing. The best way to avoid these problems is regular maintenance.

Recently, manufacturers have been utilizing electric power steering systems, which offer several advantages over hydraulic systems. They have electric motors that—like everything mechanical—can fail. Sometimes a fuse to the power steering motor will blow, but simply replacing the fuse often doesn't get to the root cause of the problem. A Allied Auto Works technician can evaluate the system and recommend a solution.

Steering issues are all about safety and should be addressed as soon as possible. When you tell your service advisor, try to be specific about the signs and symptoms. It's one way to steer clear of trouble on the road.

I leave you with a funny quote about steering clear of trouble,

"A positive attitude is a choice, like walking to the other side of a street to avoid trouble or making a 180-degree turn when you feel you're heading in the wrong direction" —Richard M. DeVos

Cayenne

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
http://alliedautoworks.com

Hey Duke here and you probably have heard that expression, "A stitch in time saves nine." In other words, if you fix an issue at its early stages, it will prevent a much more difficult problem later. That's certainly the case with your vehicle and here's a true story to demonstrate it.  Let's get barkin' into this story. 

A driver noticed his vehicle was due for an oil change, so he took it in to his service facility early in the morning so he could wait while the work was performed. The technician routinely checks the battery on vehicles just before extreme weather is approaching (cold or hot), so with winter coming up, he hooked up the load tester (it measures voltage while a load is put on the battery). It showed the battery wasn't holding a charge well.

The technician also checked the manufacturing date on the battery (most batteries have a date stamped in code somewhere on them). The date showed it was five years old. While batteries can last more than five years, many technicians say you should expect to get anywhere from three to six years out of them, depending on what they go through.

So, this battery was getting a little long in the tooth, and it wasn't holding a charge particularly well. But how much current was it being sent by the vehicle's alternator? If it wasn't getting enough, that might be a factor. A test of the charging system showed the alternator was putting out the correct amount of power. The technician recommended replacing the battery, and the driver agreed.

That was the stitch in time. Had the technician not checked the battery, that driver likely would have been stranded the next time he tried to start his vehicle on a very cold day. What was originally supposed to be just an oil change led to a technician's sharp diagnosis and a little preventive maintenance for one fortunate driver. Sometimes timing is everything.

And if you did not know what a "stitch in time" means, here you go,

The proverb “a stitch in times saves nine” is one of the most famous sayings in the world of phrases and idioms. The basic meaning of this proverb is- one should act on time to solve a problem before it turns complex or unmanageable.

Duke

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
http://alliedautoworks.com

Hello on this beautiful sunny California day!  Cayenne here, and who thinks about their fuel gauge?  You probably don't… until it doesn't work anymore.  Then you have to guess how much fuel is in your tank, and that's no way to live life on the road.   So today we will bark about the fuel gauge from E (Empty) to F (Full).  Let filler up and get barkin'!

Fuel gauges, like every other part in your vehicle, can fail.  And when yours stops working, you will probably want to head over to your service facility soon, because no one relishes running out of fuel.

The fuel gauge system is much more than just the gauge you can see on your instrument panel. Most systems have a float inside the fuel tank that rises and falls depending on the fuel level.  It's called the fuel sending unit, and it sends an electrical signal to the gauge (located on the dash) telling it to display the amount of fuel remaining in the tank. 

So, what could go wrong?  Well, a few things.  For one thing, corrosion from bad fuel can cause it to stick, and it won't move up and down anymore.  So you could fill up your tank, and the gauge would still read Empty.  If a sending unit needs to be replaced, often the parts can be costly. The good news is that fuel sending units rarely fail, and most drivers will likely never experience one malfunction.

Other things that can go wrong? An electrical problem could cause a fuse to blow and you won't get a reading at all.  A technician can figure out where that electrical problem is and how to repair it.  Finally, it's possible for the gauge itself (on the instrument panel) to fail.

One thing to keep in mind is that if your fuel gauge isn't working, you might be tempted to carry around an extra container of fuel.  That's ok if it's outside the cabin, such as in the bed of a pickup.  But if you carry it inside the cabin or trunk, fuel fumes can be very dangerous for your health, even fatal.

A working fuel gauge gives you peace of mind… so you'll never have that "empty" feeling.

I leave you with this quote for the week,

"My fuel gauge is firmly in the 'E' zone, but my determination is fueled by sheer stubbornness and the promise of snacks."

Cayenne

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
http://alliedautoworks.com

Duke here and I love taking breaks during my busy day of chasing squirrels.  A light goes on in my dog brain saying it's time to take a break and slow down.  Something similar with your car, a brake warning light pops up on your dash.   Do you know what it means? Well, if you said no, you wouldn't be alone. You know it has something to do with your brakes, but exactly what is it? You're not sure. One reason is that it could mean many different things.  So today, there is no braking and we are going full speed into the brake warning light.  Let's get barkin'!

It could be something simple, such as forgetting to release the parking brake. Easy fix, you're on the road in seconds. Alternatively, it could indicate a problem with your anti-lock brake system. That is a pretty complex symphony of speed sensors, computers, and wiring, and sometimes things get a little out of whack. You could have a defective sensor or some wiring may have gotten damaged or come loose. A trained technician at Allied Auto Works with special equipment can sort it all out.

It's also possible you have low brake fluid. Several factors could cause that. One simple reason is that your brake pads have worn down. Replacing them could solve the problem. Another possibility is that you have a leak in your brake system. That could be serious. If your brake fluid level gets really low, your stopping power goes down along with it, and a vehicle that can't stop is a safety hazard to you and others on the road.

Of all the warning lights on your instrument panel, pay attention to the brake warning light. If it arrives, please come over to Allied Auto Works very soon. A vehicle is great when it's moving. However, if it cannot be stopped, that is a disaster waiting to happen.

We’d love to hear from you. Let us know if you have any questions.

Here is my quote for this week,

"It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop" — Confucius. 

Duke

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
http://alliedautoworks.com

Hey, it's your cool hound dog, Cayenne, and if there’s one thing you should pay attention to with your vehicle, it’s the temperature gauge. It’s the one that may say C---H (that means “cold---hot”).  Or maybe yours has a picture of a thermometer on it and a blue and red zone.  If you see the needle heading farther to the “H” or red area, that means your vehicle’s engine is running hotter than it normally does. Today we will bark about being cool as in coolant leak repair.  Let's get barkin'!

One of the most common causes of an engine running hot is a leak in your cooling system.  Maybe you’ve seen puddles of coolant under your vehicle, or you’ve smelled the coolant, either inside or outside your vehicle (it has a sort of “sweet” or fruity smell). That’s your engine giving you a warning signal that it’s time to head over to your repair facility to find out what’s going on.

Your vehicle’s coolant can leak for several reasons.  You may have hoses that are deteriorating (heat and age take their toll). It’s possible the pump that circulates coolant has developed a problem (seals and bearings can fail from heat and wear).  You may have something as simple as a bad radiator cap.  Or your radiator or heater core may have holes in it. 

If your coolant is leaking out, it can cause serious damage to your engine if left unattended.  Your engine could get so hot that some of the metal parts start to warp.  Sometimes, your coolant can start mixing in with your engine oil.  That can result in a very expensive repair if it gets to that stage, so have it checked out before that happens.

A technician will visually inspect your coolant system, including the reservoir tank, check hoses and fittings, test the water pump, and may also pressure test the radiator.  When the problem or problems are found, they will replace the necessary parts and get you back on the road. 

When it comes to a coolant leak, finding the cause can be tricky.  But it’s important to catch a cooling system issue in time—before your engine sustains more serious damage.  Now, that’s pretty cool.

And for all you who don't think you're cool, I leave you with this quote,

"Being uncool is being pretty much the coolest you can be." ~ Rufus Wainwright

Cayenne

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
http://alliedautoworks.com

Duke here and now that the mercury is rising, the heat is on, and your vehicle takes a beating.  Several of your vehicle's systems are under extra stress in hot weather, so here are a few things to check to make sure they are getting the care and maintenance they need.  

It makes sense that the cooling system is one that needs to be in top shape.  Vehicle breakdowns in summer are often due to a problem with one of the cooling system's components.  Coolant levels must be up to specs, the coolant-to-water ratio must be correct, and all hoses, pumps, belts, and the radiator must be working properly to prevent vehicle overheating.

Summer is also hard on your air conditioning system.  You might find that no air is blowing out of the vents or maybe only hot air is coming out.  Air conditioning equipment is best diagnosed and repaired by a trained and experienced technician.  The problem could be in any number of components, including the condenser, compressor or blower motor.

You may think the battery gets a break in the summer, but heat will shorten the life of your battery more quickly than cold.  Your service facility can analyze the condition of your battery and tell you whether it's healthy or needs replacing.

Tires take a beating in the heat, too.  Pavement can be scorching hot, and the sun's rays break down the rubber.  Watch inflation pressure in hot weather, too, since air expands the hotter it gets.  Your technician can check air pressure, tread depth, cupping, and other uneven wear and diagnose the source of any problems. 

And don't forget brakes.  One video online says brakes on a car that were driven hard on a track reached temperatures as high as 500°C/932°F.  Heat can reduce stopping power.  A technician should periodically inspect pads, rotors, drums, lines, and other components to identify potential issues before you lose the ability to stop.

Finally, engine oil is really put to the test when it gets hot.  Your vehicle service facility will make sure you have enough oil and the proper kind to keep your engine's components properly lubricated.  Help your vehicle beat the heat.

Summertime and the living is easy,

Duke

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
http://alliedautoworks.com