Steve's Auto Repair & Tire Blog

Steve’s Auto Repair invests in new tire machine

In Tires and Wheels by Steves Auto Repair and TireJuly 5, 2024

Eventually, tires reach the end of their lifespan, whether from a tire puncture or normal wear (we hope for you it’s the latter).

Steve’s Auto Repair has become even more equipped to address the tire needs of customers.

Our Woodbridge auto repair shop recently invested in a new tire machine. Last week, our Apprentice Technicians learned about its many features and how to use it.

More rim protection

Many vehicles today are equipped with expensive rims. It’s important that those rims aren’t damaged during the tire replacement process.

The Monty 8800 Tyre Changer from Hofmann offers additional protection for rims, thanks to its touchless system.

Rims can be damaged by old fashioned metal rim clamps that dig into them, according to Steve Bliss from MP Equipment.

The Monty 8800 Tyre Changer is a center post machine. It avoids rim damage by lifting the wheel onto the center post and holding it in place using an electromagnetic clamp.

Duck heads found on older machines are also potentially harmful. They feature a bar that helps technicians remove the tire.

On our new tire machine, a powermount finger lifts the tire off, preventing other machine parts from coming in contact with the rim.

Other benefits of our new tire machine

Additional rim protection isn’t the only perk of the Monty 8800 Tyre Changer. This Italian-made equipment eases the process for automotive technicians.

Rather than wrestling with a large bar, they can take advantage of the additional arms. These arms push the tire down into the drop center.

It also comes with dual speed, which comes in handy if the tire requires more torque.

Plus, the discs found on the machine are made for more delicate items.

Tire services at Steve’s Auto Repair

Flat tires are a common problem, especially with all of the construction around Northern Virginia. Tire repair is sometimes possible with a patch plug. However, some tire damage isn’t reparable.

Tire replacement is needed if the chords or sidewall cracks are visible. New tires should also be installed if the tire tread is low. We talk more about when to replace tires in this article.

Repairing and replacing tires are among our tire services. We also perform tire balancing, wheel alignments and tire rotation.

So, if your tires are in need of some attention, we’ve got you taken care of.

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Goodyear tire dealer located near Lake Ridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including BMW and Mercedes. Services include oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.

View Post

Why did my car battery light come on?

In Battery by Steves Auto Repair and TireJune 21, 2024

Vehicle’s will let you know if they sense that something is wrong. Sometimes, problems trigger a dashboard light.

One of these lights can tell you if the car battery needs to be checked out. The battery alert light is a small box with a plus and minus sign.

You will typically see this icon when you turn on your car before it disappears. However, sometimes the symbol doesn’t go off when the other lights do, or it may show up a while after you start the engine.

The battery light indicates that a car’s battery isn’t receiving the power it needs to run correctly.

What can cause the battery light to turn on?

A signal wire that has power all the time and is going to the light behind the dashboard. If the alternator or battery don’t send enough voltage, it will trigger the light.

Many problems can prompt the battery alert light to come on.

Bad battery

One possibility is that the battery is going bad. High quality batteries can last around 5 years. The type, size, quality and where it’s purchased can affect the lifespan.

Very hot and cold temperatures can cause a weak battery to die. We talk about other causes of battery failure in this article.

Apprentice Technician performing a battery test on a Lincoln MKZ

We check the status of a car battery using a battery test. This is a part of our oil change process.

The problem you are experiencing may be battery-related if the vehicle is cranking slowly or it has a flashing battery light.

Alternator failing

The alternator is responsible for sending power to the battery and accessories. Eventually, it needs to be replaced.

This component normally provides between 14 and 14.8 volts of electricity. Issues can occur if it’s running too high or low.

You may have a bad alternator if the electronics aren’t working right, or you smell something that resembles burnt rubber or electronics burning.

Whirring, grinding and growling sounds, or a slow or dead battery are other symptoms.

More information about alternator problems and dead batteries can be found in this article we wrote.

Electrical problems

Maybe the battery and alternator are good, but the issue is occurring between the two.

Corroded battery terminals on a Kia Soul

For example, the battery terminals could be corroded. This is a result of acid that’s released from the battery.

If cheap battery terminals are used and moisture gets in, corrosion and rust sometimes build up on the battery cable that connects to the terminal.

Corrosion can stop electricity from making it to the battery or vehicle. Battery terminal corrosion may be avoided by using protection pads.

Some vehicles have a fuse that protects the electrical system. If the fuse breaks, the battery light will appear.

Brakes: What we check during the Virginia State Inspection

In Brakes by Steves Auto Repair and TireApril 26, 2024

We want to make sure that you and your passengers are in safe hands as you travel down the road.

When performing the Virginia State Inspection, we look for a variety of concerns that could impact your safety.

This annual requirement spans components across the vehicle. The brake system is one of the areas that’s checked.

Different brake problems could cause a vehicle to fail the Virginia Safety Inspection.

Virginia State Inspection brake concerns

Here are some safety items that inspectors keep an eye out for:

Low rear brakes on Mazda CX-5

Brake wear: The brake pads and rotors need to meet certain parameters. Pads must be at least 2/32 of an inch. It’s a good idea to replace them around 3/32 or 4/32 of an inch. Meanwhile, rotor thickness depends on what the manufacturer suggests.

Brake rust: If we see brake rust, it could mean that there’s a brake problem.

Seized brake caliper: We want to make sure that the brake calipers are able to move back and forth correctly.

Twisted brake hoses: Our automotive technicians confirm that the brake hoses aren’t twisted from daily use or previous repairs.

Brake hose wear: The brake hoses can also become worn or cracked over time.

Brake fluid leaks: A vehicle will fail the Virginia Safety Inspection if brake fluid is leaking from the system. It can be brown, clear, or yellow. You might see it near the wheel well, or a technician could notice it when looking under the car.

Hard brake pedal: Hard brake pedals are another problem we look for. It may be caused by parts going bad, such as the vacuum pump, power steering pump, or brake booster. Cracks can also develop in the vacuum hose and there can be electronic issues on vehicles that use an electro hydraulic brake booster.

Soft brake pedal: We are watchful for soft brake pedals, as well. This problem is sometimes the result of air in the hydraulic brake system, a leak, or the brake pads not seeding correctly.

Toyota Tacoma parking brake

Malfunctioning parking brake: The parking brake must hold when the vehicle is sitting on a slight incline. Electronic parking brakes are checked, too.

Brake light: If the red brake light is on, the vehicle won’t pass the Virginia State Inspection. This issue can be a sign that something is wrong with the parking brake system or brake fluid.

Missing brake parts: Components shouldn’t be missing from the brake system or parking brake.

Can multiple dashboard lights be from one issue?

In Diagnostics by Steves Auto Repair and TireMarch 29, 2024

Having a light on your vehicle’s dashboard turn on can catch your attention and even be a bit distracting. Multiple dashboard lights, however, might cause some concern.

The tire pressure light, check engine light, oil pressure warning light, and anti-lock braking system (ABS) light are some of the symbols you may see.

Different meanings are typically associated with each of them, and more than one problem could be behind the alert. But did you know that multiple dashboard lights can stem from one issue?

Multiple dashboard lights, one problem

On specific vehicles, a problem might result in a couple of symptoms or prompt more than one icon to appear on the dashboard.

Certain manufacturers will trigger multiple lights to catch the driver’s attention and encourage them to stop driving.

This would sometimes occur on older Toyotas. If your check engine light came on, so would your traction control light and vehicle stability assist (VSA) light.

A lot of customers would say they all turned on at the same time. Usually, this meant that the problem was related to the check engine light and led to the other lights illuminating.

For some GMs today, it will say that the stability control is off if your vehicle is experiencing a major engine misfire. The shaking of the vehicle could impact the ABS system.

A problem with a battery or alternator could trigger different lights and many codes. You could get a code or a light for the air bag, ABS and check engine at the same time.

The diagnostic process

How we resolve dashboard lights varies.

During check engine light diagnostics, our technicians pull codes using a scan tool. These codes act as a starting point. Then, we look up Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) to check for any safety recalls or updated parts. If there are no safety recalls, we perform component testing based on the codes.

Check engine lights are very broad because each system operates differently.

Looking into the ABS light has a similar procedure. However, rather than an Engine Control Unit (ECU), the ABS system has an ABS computer that talks to different systems and collects information.

For the TPMS, there are sensors that read the pressure and have a radio frequency that is sent to the dashboard. When TPMS was first designed, it was much more complicated, very difficult to figure out, and expensive to repair. Now, it’s very simple. Certain vehicles don’t have sensors in their wheels. Instead, they read off the ride height.

Oil pressure sensors have constant power. The light will come on if it loses its ground, which is oil.

Testing the dashboard lights

We have had drivers bring their vehicle in and say that multiple dashboard lights are rooted in one problem. However, we aren’t able to confirm that this is the case until we start looking into it.

The various lights require various types of testing. Every system, manufacturer and monitor differ. To add to the complications, there are also many makes and models.

So, determining why a vehicle has multiple dashboard lights isn’t necessarily a straight path. It can take time and the process could change based on the situation.

View Post

Why is my car AC not working?

In Diagnostics by Steves Auto Repair and TireMarch 15, 2024

Warmer weather is on its way, and before we know it we will have the A/C system on full blast.

During this transition – where it isn’t too hot or too cold – we recommend confirming that your car’s air conditioning system is working.

If you notice that it isn’t blowing cold air or no air is coming through the vents, have the problem checked out by an auto repair shop.

Air conditioning condenser

Common a/c issues

There are numerous causes behind car AC problems. Among them are several common ones.

You may have a malfunctioning expansion valve or a blocked condenser that needs to be changed. A/c repair might require changing out other bad parts, like the compressor, drier, blower motor, or cabin air filter.

Something could also be wrong with the Electronic Climate Control System, which can be found on newer cars.

The a/c system having low freon is a possibility, as well. This might be a sign of an air conditioning leak.

As silly as it may sound, user error is another potential reason why you’re having a problem. This article we wrote provides more details about these issues.

Complicated air conditioning problems

A/C diagnostics on Chevy Colorado

The reason why a car AC won’t run the way it should can be the result of a deeper problem, such as a bad wire.

A Chevy Colorado we worked on had an intermittent issue. Sometimes the a/c and heat would work, but then it would randomly stop blowing air. Various parts were replaced, including the blower motor, but the problem persisted. We couldn’t pinpoint the cause and eventually it stopped working altogether.

Through diagnostic testing, the technician found that we had bad ground to the blower motor and needed to replace the ground wire.

Other wiring problems are possible, too. You have a control head and signal wires that go to the mode door and temperature door. There’s a separate set of wires that go to the blower motor and resistors for the blower motor.

Problems with the mode and temperature controls could also occur. These can be a bit more complicated and time consuming, because you need to get into the dashboard. They also require technicians with a higher skill level who can perform circuit testing. Sometimes, a scan tool needs to be connected.

Getting your car AC working again

Having an air conditioning problem can be frustrating, especially as the temperatures rise. However, it can take time to determine where the issue lies, especially if it’s a more complicated problem.

You may need to replace different parts and make a couple of visits to the autoshop before the issue is resolved completely. It might even require leaving your car at the shop for a couple of days so they can delve into the problem further.

Providing as much information as possible – what’s happening (or not happening), when it occurs, issues that seem related, and other repairs that have been performed – can help speed up the process.

Before long, you should be back on the road, comfortably enjoying all that the spring and summer months have to offer you.

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Goodyear tire dealer located near Manassas, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including BMW and Mercedes. Services include oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.

Page 9 of 54
←
1
...
8
9
10
...
54
→