Los Altos Auto Repair

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

Hello, it's your favorite red coonhound, Cayenne.  With the days getting hotter during the summer, there is nothing I like better than jumping in the lake to cool off.  But what about your car when it gets hot?  How does it cool off?  Today, we will bark about keeping our vehicle cool with the vital component, the water pump.  Let's get barkin;!

Your vehicle is like you in a way.  When it gets hot, it needs to be cooled down.  And one of the key parts to keeping it cool is the water pump.

Now, that's a bit of a misnomer.  It IS a pump, but it's pumping coolant, not pure water.  Cooling off your engine is vital since it builds up heat when it creates power by burning fuel.  Your water pump acts as a way to recirculate that coolant.  It goes through a series of tubes and hoses through the engine, where it picks up heat, then is sent off to the radiator to get rid of that heat.  Cooled off, the coolant is recycled through the water pump to start the journey again.

The water pump works by taking mechanical power from the engine, usually from a belt.  That belt has to be in good condition and adjusted properly or else the water pump won't be able to do its job.

Here are some things to look for that will signal problems with your water pump.  If your heat gauge is erratic or showing a much higher than normal temperature, that could be a sign of trouble.  Another is if you hear a whine under the hood.  And if that gets louder when you go faster, get it checked right away.  You may see steam coming out from under the hood, or coolant may be leaking. 

These signs indicate that it's time for a technician to check and identify the problem. A timing belt powers some water pumps.  If your vehicle has that design and your timing belt is due for replacement, sometimes it's a good idea to replace the water pump too, even if it's working correctly.  That's because the labor to replace the timing belt can be expensive, and it may be wise to proactively take care of the water pump while it's disassembled.

Your service advisor will explain the options available and offer the best path to keeping your water pump doing its job.  Your engine's life depends on it.

My summer quote,

"Summer means happy times and good sunshine" ~ Brian Wilson (The Beachboys)

Cayenne

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