AUTONET TV
Archive for August 2020That Squeal is Telling You Something (What Causes Squealing While Steering)Posted August 30, 2020 8:11 AMIf you hear a squealing noise when you turn your vehicle, it's trying to tell you something is wrong. After all, it never made that noise before, right? The sound you hear may becoming from a few sources. Let's take a look (or a listen) to some of the possibilities. First, you almost certainly have power steering in your vehicle. Without power steering, you practically have to have arms like Arnold Schwarzenegger to turn, so automakers have technology to assist your steering, either mechanically or electrically. For a long time, the most common power steering has been hydraulic, using a belt to supply power from the engine that turns a power steering pump full of a fluid that helps you steer. Sometimes that fluid gets low because of a leak or some other problem. The belt could wear out and start squeaking, and you might feel the steering start to become harder. Your service repair facility can figure out the problem and offer some solutions. Another cause could be in your suspension. Some components may not be getting lubricated like they should. Or you may be hearing your tires squealing when you are turning. Properly working steering is a huge safety factor for your vehicle's operation. Your steering affects handling, vital to your well-being as well as that of drivers around you. So take your vehicle over to your repair facility and have it checked out. You'll be doing everyone on the road—including yourself—a big favor by listening to your vehicle. When it comes to steering, silence really is golden. Get that squealing repaired and get back to safe driving. Long Hill Auto Service Have a Ball! Know your Ball Joints (Ball Joints)Posted August 23, 2020 10:25 AMWe all have joints in our own skeletal system, but did you know your vehicle has some joints of its own? One of the most important is called a ball joint. One of the interesting things is that it's somewhat similar to the ball and socket joints we have in our hips and shoulders. A ball joint allows two parts it joins together to move in more than one direction at the same time. Think about your wheels. They have to move up and down when there are bumps in the road but in sideways directions when you are making a turn. As you can see, the ball joints are important for your steering and handling to work correctly. Since ball joints do so much, they can wear out and become loose. When the ball wears down or the socket gets worn, there can be too much play in them. It can get so bad that the ball can come out of the socket and your wheel can fall off, a dangerous situation. Ball joints can also seize up. Some of them are sealed and never require maintenance; others require periodic lubrication. Here are some signs that your ball joints are going bad:
The earlier a failing ball joint is discovered, the better. The best way is to have regular inspections by a technician. Your service facility will periodically check ball joints at intervals recommended by the manufacturer. The cost to replace them can vary widely depending on whether you have a vehicle with a 2-ball or 4-ball configuration. Also, sometimes just the joints can be replaced, but other times they are part of a larger control arm assembly that has to have all the parts replaced at the same time. Your vehicle's proper steering, handling and tire wear all contribute to a better, safer driving experience. Make sure your ball joints are up to the job. Long Hill Auto Service To Fix or Not To Fix: That Is the Question.Posted August 16, 2020 7:34 AMNo matter what vehicle you drive, when certain things break, you have to make a decision. Should I get it fixed now, later or never? Air conditioning is one of those things. You can certainly live without air conditioning, but it sure is nice to have on a sweltering day. Let's say your air conditioning breaks in the fall and you live in a climate where it gets quite cold in the winter. Should you get it fixed now, wait until spring since it won't get warm until then or maybe not get it fixed at all? That can be a tough decision. There are several reasons air conditioning in vehicles break. One is fairly simple: It could be an electrical problem, perhaps a relay or solenoid is not turning on the system. It's also a fairly inexpensive repair and doesn't require hours of labor. Or, the problem is that the coolant has leaked out. Your service facility can find the leak and replace the parts that are leaking. With a refrigerant recharge, you're back in business. The repair costs vary, depending on the reason for the leak. When air conditioning malfunctions involve a compressor, evaporator or condenser, the costs can be significant since parts and labor add up. Depending on the age and value of your vehicle, you may choose to simply roll down the windows and live with it. Keep in mind that many vehicles in cold climates use air conditioning in winter. Many vehicles automatically turn on the A/C when you use the defroster. The A/C dries the heated air it blows on the windshield and side windows to eliminate fogging more quickly. Outside conditions such as snow and ice can severely hamper visibility. Add to that fogging on the inside and it can present very challenging conditions for the driver. In order for all systems to be functioning optimally, a vehicle owner might feel it's worth it for safety reasons to get a broken air conditioner fixed, even if it is done right before the approach of cold weather. Discuss these options with your service advisor so you can make the best decision for your situation. Long Hill Auto Service
1905 Long Hill Rd
Millington, NJ 07946
(908) 647-7984
The Third Brake Light (Third Brake Light Service)Posted August 9, 2020 7:22 AMSo you thought you only had two brake lights. Look again and you'll see one in the center at a higher level than the two on either side of the vehicle. They're sometimes in the inside of the vehicle behind the back window, or they could be in the deck lid, on the roof or on the spare wheel carrier, But why is that third brake on your vehicle? Experts say it helps prevent rear end collisions. Tests done by installing the third brake light in taxis and fleet vehicles showed fewer rear end crashes in the ones that had the extra light. The third brake light was mandated in new passenger cars in 1986 in the US and Canada. The requirement was added to new light trucks and vans in 1994. Sometimes it's difficult to know if your third brake light is even working. Many vehicles have bulb warning systems that alert you to non-functional bulbs, but not all do. Your vehicle service facility will often check to see if all your turn signals, taillights and headlights are working during routine maintenance inspections, and they may notice that the third brake light is out. So, do you have to have it replaced? Not necessarily. Many areas only require one brake light to work in the rear of a vehicle. So even though new vehicles have to have the third brake light, you may not get a ticket if it eventually stops working. But you may be missing an opportunity to drive a safer vehicle if you don't get it fixed. In 1995, an insurance institute study found that 1986 model cars were involved in 5 percent fewer rear-end collisions from 1986-1991 than they would have expected without the extra light. Ask your service advisor for advice. Keep in mind that in these days of drivers distracted by everything from texting to putting on makeup while driving, you can reasonably conclude that anything that makes you more visible to the vehicle behind you adds one more—possibly life saving—safety margin.
| ||
SearchArchiveMay 2016 (19)June 2016 (4) July 2016 (4) August 2016 (5) September 2016 (4) October 2016 (5) November 2016 (4) December 2016 (4) January 2017 (5) February 2017 (4) March 2017 (4) April 2017 (3) May 2017 (5) June 2017 (4) July 2017 (5) August 2017 (3) September 2017 (3) October 2017 (5) November 2017 (4) December 2017 (3) January 2018 (5) February 2018 (4) March 2018 (4) April 2018 (4) May 2018 (5) June 2018 (4) July 2018 (5) August 2018 (4) September 2018 (5) October 2018 (4) November 2018 (4) December 2018 (5) January 2019 (5) February 2019 (4) March 2019 (5) April 2019 (4) May 2019 (4) June 2019 (5) July 2019 (4) August 2019 (4) September 2019 (5) October 2019 (4) November 2019 (4) December 2019 (5) January 2020 (5) February 2020 (4) March 2020 (5) April 2020 (4) May 2020 (5) June 2020 (4) July 2020 (4) August 2020 (5) September 2020 (4) October 2020 (4) November 2020 (5) December 2020 (4) January 2021 (6) February 2021 (4) March 2021 (4) April 2021 (4) May 2021 (5) June 2021 (4) July 2021 (4) August 2021 (5) September 2021 (4) October 2021 (5) November 2021 (3) December 2021 (4) January 2022 (6) February 2022 (4) March 2022 (4) April 2022 (4) May 2022 (5) June 2022 (4) July 2022 (5) August 2022 (4) September 2022 (4) October 2022 (5) November 2022 (4) December 2022 (4) January 2023 (5) February 2023 (4) March 2023 (4) April 2023 (5) May 2023 (4) June 2023 (4) July 2023 (5) August 2023 (4) September 2023 (4) October 2023 (5) November 2023 (4) December 2023 (5) January 2024 (5) February 2024 (4) March 2024 (5) April 2024 (4) May 2024 (4) June 2024 (5) July 2024 (4) August 2024 (4) September 2024 (5) October 2024 (4) November 2024 (2) | CategoriesTiming Belt (3)Fuel Economy (6)Maintenance (7)Service Intervals (2)Safety (2)Service Standards (3)Fuel System (5)What Customers Should Know (59)Transmission (1)Brakes (11)Fluids (3)Steering (7)Tire Rotation and Balancing (2)Check Engine Light (4)Exhaust (4)Oil Change (5)Alternator (6)Tires and Wheels (2)Auto Safety (4)Wheel Bearings (1)Air Conditioning (5)Battery (5)Windshield Wipers (1)Winter Prep (5)Cooling System (7)Tires (5)Automotive News (1)Drive Train (2)Headlamps (3)Fuel Saving Tip: Slow Down (1)Shocks & Struts (2)Differential Service (1)Alignment (5)Water Pump (1)Transfer Case Service (1)PCV Valve (1)Brake Service (3)Trip Inspection (2)Safe Driving (1)Cabin Air Filter (1)Spark Plugs (1)Older Vehicles (1)Customer Detective Work (1)Inspection (1) |
Reviews
The guys working there are super nice and friendly F. Ahmed, 10/19/2024 |
The staff here are great people. I would recommend checking them out before anyone else. Sebastian Mendoza, 10/02/2024 |
We were in town visiting family for a wedding celebration. I noticed vibration in the front end of our Honda Pilot, and at the advice of my brother (local resident), I asked if Bob could check it out Friday afternoon. Having a full schedule on Saturday, Bob slipped us into the schedule, made the repair, and got us on our way back to Florida. Great service/great communication/honest and friendly staff/fair pricing- strongly recommended! Barton Parker, 08/11/2024 |