The Test Your Vehicle Can Fail (Emissions Tests)

Let's address a very important maintenance item for everyone in JEFFERSON CITY MO – timing belt replacement. It's important because letting this one slide can lead to very expensive engine damage. Your timing belt choreographs the timing of your combustion process. Your pistons travel up and down in the cylinder. Intake valves open at the right time to let in air and fuel; they close at the right time to allow the fuel to burn and then the exhaust valves open at the right time to let out the exhaust. All this happens thousands of times a minute and it's your timing belt that makes sure the valves are opening and closing at precisely the right time. If the timing is off, your engine won't run. And that's the best case. The worst case is that a valve is opening at the wrong time and collides with the piston. The result is bent valves and maybe even more damage to the cylinder head. Repairs can run several thousand dollars. Now, timing belts just wear out naturally so you want to replace a worn belt before it slips or breaks. Check your owner's manual or with your service advisor at Frosty Auto Clinic in JEFFERSON CITY, MO, to see when they recommend you replace the timing belt. If you've never replaced your timing belt and have more than 60,000 miles/100,000 kilometers on the clock, talk with your JEFFERSON CITY service advisor at Frosty Auto Clinic right away to see if you're due. On some engines, the water pump is driven by the timing belt as opposed to the serpentine belt. If that's the case, it's a good idea to replace the water pump when you're replacing the timing belt and vice versa, since much of the same work has to be done for either. The same is true for the timing belt tensioner – it should be inspected and possibly replaced. Now, replacing a timing belt is one of the more expensive routine maintenance items on your service schedule. But not replacing your timing belt can lead to some of the most expensive repairs you're likely to ever have. Call Us Today.

Today's Frosty Auto Clinic article focuses on the effect of tire tread depth on braking. When JEFFERSON CITY and drivers talk about stopping power, they tend to focus on their brakes. But our tires are where the rubber meets the road. We have to have tires with enough traction to translate braking power into stopping power. Let's concentrate on stopping in wet conditions. In order for a tire to have good contact with the road, it has to move the water out of the way. If it can't move the water, the tire will actually ride on top of a thin film of water. That's called hydroplaning and it is a factor in many MO auto accidents. If it's really bad, you can actually spin out of control. At best, you won't stop as fast. Your vehicle tires have channels for water to flow through. The deeper the channel, the more water it can move. A brand new tire has very deep channels and can easily move a lot of water. As the tire wears down, the channels become shallower and can move less water. When it wears down enough, it can seriously affect your ability to stop on wet MO roads. That's why it's so important for JEFFERSON CITY and motorists to replace their tires when they get worn. Consumer Reports and other advocate groups call for a standard of replacing tires when the tread is worn down to 4/32 of an inch. That's 3.2 millimeters. By comparison, you've probably seen the wear indicator that's molded into tires. When tires are worn to 3/32 of an inch, the tread wear bar is visible. And that little bit of additional tread makes a big difference. Stopping distances are cut dramatically on wet JEFFERSON CITY surface streets and highways. A safe stop from MO freeway speeds with 4/32 of an inch of tread would result in a crash with worn out tires. There's an easy way to tell when a tire's worn to 4/32 of an inch. Just insert a quarter into the tread. Put it in upside down. If the tread doesn't cover George Washington's hairline, it's time to replace your tires. With a Canadian quarter, the tread should cover the numbers in the year stamp. You've probably heard of this technique using a penny and Abe Lincoln's head. That measure gives you 2/32 of an inch – half the suggested amount. And if you have uneven tread wear, have us check it out at Frosty Auto Clinic. It could be a problem with your steering or suspension components or a wheel alignment problem. If you need new tires or have any concerns about your brakes, give us a call today at 573-635-1767.

Ever wonder where they came up with the term "dashboard" for that part of your vehicle that sits behind the steering wheel? That name began back before cars were even invented. People used to travel by horse and buggy, and streets weren't as well built as they are today. On a muddy road (which was sometimes just a couple of ruts alongside a field), it wasn't unusual for those inside the buggy to have mud and stones "dashed" (knocked, thrown, or hurled) in their direction. So those who built carriages began installing a board to protect them. That became known as the dashboard. The word carriage got shortened to car, and the dashboard is sometimes shortened to dash. Today, the dashboard sits behind and below the windshield that houses various controls and instruments. In addition to the speedometer, tachometer, and gas gauge, there are warning lights you need to pay attention to on your dashboard and instrument panel. (You may have gauges for some of these, but it's still important for you to keep an eye on them.) Here are some examples: Oil pressure — This lets you know if you have had a drop in oil pressure in your engine. Low oil pressure means your engine parts aren't getting lubricated as they should, and this can cause serious damage. Call your service advisor immediately; you may damage your vehicle if you drive it in this condition any further. Check Engine light — If you see this one (it usually looks like an engine), it means one or more sensors in your vehicle has detected an abnormal situation. Again, you should have this checked out as soon as possible. A technician at your service facility can read a code stored in your vehicle that will point towards the issue. If the Check Engine Light is flashing, there is something wrong that could lead to serious damage – so get it checked out right away. Brake light — If this is illuminated, your parking brake may be on, or there may be a more serious problem like low brake fluid or hydraulic system issues. Check your parking brake and if it isn't on and the light is, make sure to get it checked asap. Tire pressure — Newer vehicles have tire pressure monitors (TPMS) built in that will tell you if any of your tires are over or underinflated. Both conditions need to be checked out. If the TPMS light is flashing, the system itself needs attention. Of course, there a many more warning lights. You should get your vehicle checked as so as you can. Here are some critical warning lights for which it is recommended that you have your vehicle towed to your AutoCare Canter: Oil Light, Temp(erature) Light, Charging (Batt) Light, and Brake Light if pedal performance is low. These warning lights indicate a condition which could cause serious engine damage, leave you stranded, or with unsafe brakes. Things were sure simpler back in the horse and carriage days, but it's a good thing today's dashboard can tell you all these things about your complicated vehicle. We at NAPA AutoCare want to make sure your driving experience is trouble- and worry-free. Consult us for all of your vehicle maintenance and repair needs. Read the original article on the NAPA website.

Imagine waking up one morning with a stomachache. You pick up the phone, call the doctor’s office and say, “I’ve got a really bad tummy ache. How much will it cost to make me feel better?” Of course, you wouldn’t do that. You know that there could be a lot of reasons for your symptoms and that the doctor will have to examine you, ask some questions, and probably run some tests before she can tell you what’s wrong and give you treatment options. This same scenario plays every day at auto repair facilities. When the cause of the concern isn’t obvious, the vehicle will need to undergo a diagnostic process. The typical vehicle has about 30,000 parts, including several networked computers and miles of wiring. Finding exactly what is wrong can be very complicated and take some time. The most experienced technicians at the shop are the ones that tackle the difficult diagnostic jobs. Once they have determined the cause of the problem, they can work out the plan for how to fix it and tell you how much it will cost. When you look at it this way, it makes perfect sense that, 1) the Service Advisor cannot provide an estimate before the diagnosis is done, and 2) there is a charge for diagnostic services. You expect to pay for an office visit to the doctor and for any needed tests before you can be presented with your treatment options and costs; same goes for your vehicle. We know it can be frustrating when something is wrong with your car and you aren’t sure what is going to be involved in getting it fixed. We’ll do everything we can to help you through the process; communicating with you at each step along the way. We have highly trained diagnostic technicians and state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment to uncover the cause of your problems. We use quality replacement parts to help make sure you stay on the road after the repair is done. That’s our prescription for automotive peace of mind. Give us a call . Read the original article on the NAPA website.

A lot of service and repair customers in JEFFERSON CITY are a little tentative when they talk with their automotive advisors. They want to ask questions but don't want to be embarrassed or to seem pushy. Cars are very complicated and there's more to know about them than most of us JEFFERSON CITY drivers have the time to learn. At Frosty Auto Clinic, we think automotive service customers have a right to ask any question they need to understand what is wrong with their vehicle and what it will take to fix it. They need to feel free to ask the cost and benefits of recommended services. And they certainly have a right to understand the financial end of the transaction. It's all about the communication . What are some of the barriers to communication? Well, most Frosty Auto Clinic service advisors are very busy trying to service and fix cars to get JEFFERSON CITY drivers back on the road. So, just ask when you feel you need more information. Financial related issues seem to be most frustrating to JEFFERSON CITY customers. If you're not sure, ask what the auto repair payment policies are. For example, there's a big difference between giving your vehicle a quick once over and doing a thorough inspection. Diagnosing a problem may take quite a while for your friendly and knowledgeable Frosty Auto Clinic technician. Make sure you know what's done as a courtesy and what has a fee. Remember, you still have to pay for the office visit even if the doctor says you only have a cold. Communication is a two way street. If you have some real budget concerns, ask your friendly and knowledgeable service advisor what he can do. He can give you priorities and options. He can tell you what needs to be taken care of right away for safety or financial reasons. Then you can work out a plan for when to get the rest done. He can also help you with options on the parts. The preference is to always use a high-quality part with a reputation for reliability. But if money is real tight, he might be able to find rebuilt auto parts or a used part. He should tell you the difference in the guarantee for the part so you can make a good decision. Ask about Frosty Auto Clinic warranties for car parts and labor. Be sure to get all the paperwork you need to make a possible claim in the future. At Frosty Auto Clinic in JEFFERSON CITY, we stand behind our work and want you to understand precisely what that means. Be sure to ask for and keep a detailed explanation of all the work that's done on your vehicle. These records will help you keep track of service, warranties and document the good care your vehicle has received at Frosty Auto Clinic when the time comes to sell it. Give us a call.

When JEFFERSON CITY drivers take a corner in their vehicle, the outside wheels have a slightly longer distance to go than the inside wheels. That means that the outside wheels have to turn a bit faster than the inside. The piece of mechanical wizardry that makes this possible for is called the differential. The differential allows the drive wheels to rotate at different speeds in turns without the wheel binding or hopping. If you have a rear-wheel drive vehicle, the differential is on the rear axle. You've seen that bulge in the middle of the axle when you're behind a truck; that's the differential. If you have a front-wheel drive vehicle, the differential function is handled by your transaxle . Of course, all-wheel drive vehicles have differentials on both axles. They also have a center differential or a transfer case between the front and rear axles to compensate for speed differences between the front and rear. Because all the power of the engine is transferred through the various differentials, you can imagine that they are very strong and are built last a long time. That's why it's important for JEFFERSON CITY drivers to keep their differential properly lubricated. Differential fluid cools and protects the gears. Your friendly and knowledgeable Frosty Auto Clinic technician will check differential fluid level and top it off if necessary. With low fluid, the differential will run too hot and wear prematurely. Ask your service advisor at Frosty Auto Clinic ((523) 635-1767) when it's recommended to change your differential fluid. Fresh fluid will extend the life of your differential. Your technician will also inspect the u-joints which connect your drive shaft to the differential and may recommend service. Some u-joints can be lubricated as part of a routine Frosty Auto Clinic lube, oil and filter change as well. JEFFERSON CITY drivers need to know that differentials eventually wear out and need to be replaced. You might notice a strange noise from your axle area as one of the first warning signs. When the differential shows signs of failing, it's time to repair it. MO residents who leave it too long run the risk of it freezing up when they're driving and could lose control of the vehicle. Plus, other parts like the axle, driveshaft and transmission could be damaged. Read the original article on the NAPA website.

Let's talk about your transmission. Transmissions are heavy duty pieces of equipment that are designed to last a long time for most JEFFERSON CITY drivers. But like any other machine, they'll eventually wear out and need repair. So let's focus on what you can do to push that day off as far as possible. The first thing you can do is to make sure your transmission always has enough fluid. Transmission fluid cools and lubricates the transmission. When there's not enough fluid, the transmission will run hotter and wear out sooner. The transmission fluid also provides the pressure needed to transfer power from the engine to the transmission. Not enough fluid, and your transmission won't shift properly. Your JEFFERSON CITY service center will check your transmission fluid level with a full service oil change and top it off if needed. If you see any transmission fluid on the driveway – it's a reddish color – have us inspect it for a leak. A gasket, hose or seal could be leaking and may need to be repaired. The next thing you can do to prolong the life of your JEFFERSON CITY transmission is to replace your transmission fluid on schedule. As you can imagine, all those gears grinding on each other result in lots of little bits of metal in the fluid. The more there is, the faster the transmission parts will wear out. Transmission fluid also contains detergents and other additives to protect your transmission. These additives are depleted over time, so old fluid doesn't protect as well as new fluid. Your owner's manual or Frosty Auto Clinic service advisor will have a recommendation for when you should have a transmission service. If your transmission isn't shifting as smoothly as it should, or if you suspect a transmission leak, let Frosty Auto Clinic take a look at it. And ask if it's time for a transmission service. Regular maintenance and taking care of small leaks right away will help your transmission last as long as possible. Call us today. Read the original article on the NAPA website.

You may not be familiar with all of the items on your JEFFERSON CITY auto service center's menu board so here is a quick description of some of the typical services that might be listed. Remember, the board is there for reference; speak to your friendly and knowledgeable Frosty Auto Clinic service advisor about other possible needs or services. Frosty Auto Clinic fuel system cleaning: Over time, the fuel system gets gum and varnish built up. A fuel system cleaning gets rid of that and cleans out the fuel injectors. Saves gas, by the way. Headlamp replacement: Halogen and standard headlamps gradually fade. When one burns out, replace both so they'll have the same brightness. Also, if your headlamp lenses are yellowed or cloudy, you can have them professionally restored to like new-condition. Inspections: JEFFERSON CITY residents get inspections for many reasons. Maybe they're going on a trip or just want to make sure their vehicle's ready for summer or winter. Maybe they just bought a used car and want to give it the once over. An inspection may reveal some things that are broken or are getting close to having a problem. Frosty Auto Clinic oil change – there are several options: Some JEFFERSON CITY auto centers offer just an oil change and new filter as an option. Most will also check and top off all of your other fluids and do a quick visual inspection with a full service oil change. There may also be options for higher mileage fluids or an upgrade to synthetic oil. PCV valve: PCV stands for Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve. It's a little part that releases pressure from the vehicle engine. It can get gummed up and that can lead to engine damage. Just needs to be changed now and then. Frosty Auto Clinic power steering service: Often overlooked. Your friendly and knowledgeable Frosty Auto Clinic will evacuate the old fluid, clean out the system and replace it with clean fluid. Keeps the system running well for a long time. Serpentine belt: That's the belt that powers the vehicle engine's accessories like the alternator, air conditioner, power steering and brakes. We'll want to replace the serpentine belt before it breaks or wears down too much, because that'll lead to other service issues. Shocks and struts: This starts with an inspection of the suspension components. Shocks last a long time and wear out slowly, so many JEFFERSON CITY residents don't notice when it's time to change them. If they're worn or leaking, they need to be replaced. Frosty Auto Clinic transmission service: This involves removing the transmission fluid and replacing it with clean fluid. It's like an oil change for your transmission. Tire rotation and wheel balancing: The tires are rotated from front to back using the recommended rotation pattern. This helps tires wear more evenly. Wheels need to be balanced from time to time to keep them turning without any wobble or bounce. Helps the ride and saves tire wear. Give us a call. Read the original article on the NAPA Website .

A driver called in to the shop the other day saying his European sports sedan had an odd problem. He was driving when his car started to slow down. Applying more throttle didn't help. He pulled over to the side of the road, shut the engine off and waited a few minutes before starting it up again. It ran fine… for a couple of minutes. Then the same thing happened. He was able to finally get home by stopping and restarting, and he was calling to see if we could take a look at it. Turned out it was one of his car's fuel filters that choked up with debris so badly that enough fuel couldn't get through it. When he stopped the car, enough fuel could flow through the unpressurized fuel line to supply enough fuel for a couple of minutes when he restarted his car. But then the pressure would cause things to clog again. There are other symptoms that point to a failing fuel filter. Perhaps your engine misfires, your vehicle is hard to start, or your fuel pump starts making odd noises. If you experience any of these signs, bring your vehicle in so we can have a technician check it out. Many vehicles have at least two fuel filters. One is a strainer that is part of the fuel pump in the fuel tank, and the other is in the main fuel line. Your vehicle's manufacturer recommends how often yours should be changed, but your driving habits and environment (such as dirty or dusty conditions) may mean yours will have to be replaced more often. The technician will also look to see if your vehicle might have another problem that's causing your fuel filter to fail more frequently than normal, such as corrosion in the fuel tank. Your engine needs fuel to run. Maintain the health of your fuel system and that will help keep you on the road to your destination. Read the original article on the NAPA Website . Frosty Auto Clinic 310 VETERANS LN JEFFERSON CITY, MO 65101 (523) 635-1767