Los Altos Auto Repair

Hello, Cayenne here this week, and we're starting to see temperature changes as summer winds down and fall approaches. You know your body temperature is supposed to be 98.6 degrees F, 37 degrees C.  Your vehicle has a normal temperature, too, and paying attention to it can save you big headaches down the road.  So without being too hot or too cold, let's get barkin' on what our temperature gauge means in our vehicles. 

Many vehicles have a temperature gauge on the dash that reads the engine's coolant temperature.  Some have a thermometer symbol, some read C-H (cold to hot). Many have a red zone that shows when water temperature is entering the danger zone.  Others are digital and have a red warning light that signals overheating.  Some vehicles also have a light that comes on when the engine temperature is outside the normal range.

If your vehicle has a gauge, pay attention to it.  If you need help locating it, ask one of our Allied Auto Works experts for a quick explanation.  Chances are, when the vehicle has been running for 15 minutes or more, the temperature gauge will settle into its own "normal" zone, often just below the midway point.  If you have a digital readout, remember what that "normal" temperature is.  Here's why.

At any point when you're driving, the temperature gauge is the quickest way to get a sense that the engine is running the way it should, a quick health checkup, as it were. Say you're on a 3-hour trip, glance at that gauge every hour or so.  It should always be in the same spot.  If it starts to move one way or the other, you may catch a problem before it gets serious.

Pay special attention to it moving into the hot zone.  The needle on the gauge is the easiest and least distracting way to see an engine heating up, but on a digital gauge, start paying attention if the temperature reaches 240ºF/115ºC or more.

Remember, though, that just because the gauge reads "hot" doesn't mean your engine is on the verge of burning up.  It could be a bad sensor and the engine will be at a normal temperature.  But it also could be a failing water pump, coolant leak or thermostat.  By pulling off the road and observing your engine, it will give you a pretty good idea if it's running hot or not.

If the gauge is too "cold," it could be a broken gauge or thermostat sticking open.  Usually being in the cold range isn't as worrisome, but you should have it checked out since other systems may be affected.

Heat is one of a vehicle's worst enemies, especially when it comes from within.  Know your vehicle's normal temperature and keep an eye on it.

For this week I leave you this from a famous fairytale about hot & cold

In the fairy tale, Goldilocks and The Three Bears, Goldilocks tastes three bowls of porridge and finds that Papa Bear's is too hot, Mama Bear's is too cold, and Baby Bear's is neither too hot nor too cold, but just right.

Cayenne

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

Hello it is Duke here today!  We all get tired especially after a long day at work dealing with the kids or for me my long walks and looking for lizards and squirrels.  I just want to take a nap.  So we all get tired and so do your tires.  They get tired and worn out.  So today will bark about worn and tired tires and well what to do.

Tires are so reliable these days that few drivers pay much attention to them.  But tires wear out.  They have a tough job since they are the only point of contact between your vehicle and the road.  They have to get your vehicle going from a stop keep it going make sure it is headed in the direction you want it to go and –importantly – slow and stop it.  

Many drivers only think about their tires when there's a problem such as a flat.  Or they may lose control when they find their vehicle isn't stopping or steering like it used to.  One major safety organization estimates that 1 out of every 11 crashes involves a tire issue.  

Many of those problems come from worn tire tread.  Friction wears the rubber off after hours and hours on the road.  Your tires can also get damaged when they hit curbs potholes or other debris. Plus rubber ages as time passes.  We recommend you let us inspect your tires periodically so we can spot potential problems before it's too late.  

When it's time to replace your tires it's important to know which type fits your driving habits and the environments your tires usually encounter.  The most common tires are called all-season. As the name says they are pretty good in every season and their tread lasts a long time.  In other words they're good all-purpose all-around tires.

Another option is a performance all-season tire which has a little more grip but won't last as long. Then there are ultra-high-performance tires (UHP) which offer great grip and handling but a shorter lifespan. They also aren't the greatest in slippery conditions.

For those in more extreme climates especially where there is a lot of snow winter tires are worth considering because their performance in cold snowy conditions can make a huge difference in traction steering and stopping.  Some places require winter tires during certain periods of winter.

Don't underestimate how much of a difference tires can make on your vehicle.  Sure you probably don't pay much attention to them but they are one of the most important investments you can make and they can pay valuable dividends when you need them to come through for you.

I leave you with my tired quote

"I am not tired. I am just saving energy by keeping my eyes closed."

Duke

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

AHHHH....take a deep breath and smell the air!  Hi, Brandy here today. When I go for walks or take a car ride, I love to smell the air.  I learn a lot about what is going on around me.  All of us want the air we breathe to be clean and free of pollution.  So today, we will bark about keeping the air clean with our vehicles.  Let's take a deep breath and start barkin'!

So, back in the 1970s, automakers started equipping vehicles with a device that reduces harmful emissions before they even go out the tailpipe.  They’re called catalytic converters, and while they will likely last you years on your vehicle, they do wear out and eventually need to be replaced.  Catalytic converters are used not only in gasoline engines but also in many diesel vehicles.  

But how do you know when your catalytic converter is having problems? One sign is an odor coming out of your tailpipe that smells like rotten eggs (that’s sulfur).  You may see your exhaust smoke is darker than you remember.  A failing catalytic converter can also reduce your engine’s power, causing sluggish acceleration and lousy fuel economy.  You may hear rattles coming from under your vehicle.  Another sign is that your Check Engine light may come on.

If you notice one or more of those symptoms, bring it in so we can have a technician go through your exhaust system. The first thing they’ll check is that it’s not something else causing the problem, such as faulty oxygen sensors, coolant leaks, or a fuel mixture that's too rich. There are computer codes we can check that will also help confirm whether the catalytic converter is the culprit.

Often, older exhaust systems are rusty, and sometimes removing the old converter may require cutting and welding tools.  It’s also important to remove oxygen sensors so they’re not damaged.

When the old converter’s out, a replacement will be installed using new hardware and gaskets.  Then, the old oxygen sensors will be put back in and the technician will test the system for leaks, noises and warning lights.  

We’ll also check to make sure your failed catalytic converter wasn’t caused by bad spark plugs or burning oil.  Otherwise, your new converter might fail prematurely.  Once you’re back on the road, you should have the performance, fuel efficiency, and cleaner exhaust you used to have.

I leave you with my air quote,
"Fresh air is good if you do not take too much of it; most of the achievements and pleasures of life are in bad air." — Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.
Brandy

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