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Archive for July 2024Idle Talk about Engines (Causes of Rough Engine Idling)Posted July 28, 2024 4:44 AMWhen you slow down at stoplight, your vehicle's idle should be smooth as silk. But what happens when the engine is missing or idling roughly? That's your engine's way of telling you, "Hey, I've got something wrong with me and if you don't get someone to find out what it is, I may not start the next time you turn the key." You can help your service facility if you can describe the problem in detail. Here's a list of things to make a note of:
Make sure you describe the problem in as much detail because it will help a technician diagnose the problem. One of the first things they'll check is how the spark plugs are firing. Modern iridium plugs are supposed to last a long, long time. But they CAN eventually wear out. Inspecting the firing end can help the technician figure out the root of the problem. Corroded or worn out spark plug wires, too, can contribute to an idling irregularity. There are other potential problem spots, too. The technician may check the ignition coil, timing piston rings, valves and cylinder walls. If the mixture of air and fuel isn't correct, that may affect how smooth your vehicle is running. Your service facility is equipped with diagnostic equipment that helps them pinpoint the problem. Once that idle is smoothed out to the way it used to be, you'll be the smoothest operator on the road. Triple A Automotive The Red Menace (How to Deal with Rust)Posted July 21, 2024 4:43 AMRust. It's worse if you drive in places that use salt on the roads in winter, or if you spend time driving near a body of salt water. But any vehicle has to deal with rust after years on the road. And it's not just that rust can eat away your vehicle's body and fenders. It can be a real problem around your suspension, drivetrain or any place where there's metal. Rust takes its time. You don't see it until it's already done its dirty work. It can wreak havoc with your electrical system. Sure, vehicle manufacturers do their best to keep it to a minimum, but especially with road treatments like brine around, their task is a difficult one. The one spot everyone notices is in the paint. You see a little bubbling under the once-smooth surface. By the time it bubbles, it's well involved in rotting away that spot of your vehicle. You wouldn't believe how just a little thing can start the process on its way. A stone chips the paint down to the metal, moisture and salt reach the steel and rust is off and running. It could be a scratch in the paint, a little dent, acid from a parking garage, tree sap, you name it. If you spot it, show it to your service advisor because rust can be more than a cosmetic problem. It can be a safety issue. While you can see the rust destroy your vehicle's body, you can't see it destroying your engine. But it can. It can eat away at such areas as air intakes or the exhaust system. Not only can it reduce performance, but also it can disable electrical connections. In this day and age where just about everything in your vehicle has a computer component to it, just a small electrical problem can strand you at the roadside. Corrosion can attack your vehicle's chassis or frame, and they are what provide the structural strength and stability for everything attached. Think powertrain, suspension, axles, window frames. The list goes on and on. Structural integrity is vital to safety, so the stakes are high. Now you can see why rust damages more than just the good looks of your vehicle. There's one thing to remember about corrosion - much of it is only visible from underneath the vehicle. When you bring your vehicle in to Triple A Automotive for service, our technician can look for any problems from that important vantage point. It's always a good idea to point out any spots that you think might spell trouble. That way you can stay ahead of it and beat rust at its own game.
Steering You Right (Power Steering Signs of Problems)Posted July 14, 2024 5:42 AMNearly every modern vehicle on the road today has power steering, a wonderful invention that makes steering take far less effort than it did in the "good old days." Today, we take our steering for granted: until something goes wrong, that is. Most power steering these days is rack-and-pinion, the rack being a metal bar between the front wheels with notches in it and the pinion being a gear whose teeth fits into those notches. Adding power assist makes it easy to turn. That assist comes in the form of hydraulic fluid that is pressurized by a pump powered by the engine, an electric motor that adds a power assist or a system that uses both an electric motor and hydraulic fluid. Your vehicle usually gives you a heads up that something is going wrong with its steering. Here are a few signs to look for:
If you notice any of these signs, it's a good idea to have a trained technician check them out. They may be signs of:
It's important to have these checked out sooner rather than later. You need to be able to steer properly in order to drive safely. Plus, some of these problems can cause more serious—and expensive—damage if they're not fixed. Power steering is a wonderful feature of your vehicle. Keep it well maintained and it will steer you right. Triple A Automotive Out of Joint (CV Joint and Boot Replacement)Posted July 7, 2024 5:44 AMIf you have a front-wheel-drive vehicle, it has components called CV joints which enable you to turn your wheels smoothly. The CV stands for “constant velocity.” In essence, it’s a set of gears that connect a shaft that allows power from the transmission to be sent to the wheels. When you turn the wheels, no matter what angle, the input velocity rotation will be equal to the output. Thus, the name, CV (constant velocity) joint. Other vehicles with 4-wheel drive and all-wheel drive also use CV joints. If one of your CV joints isn’t working right, you may find your vehicle difficult to handle. If one breaks, your vehicle may stop moving. So, it’s important that CV joints be in top working condition. The joints need a lot of lubrication, so they are surrounded by grease. There’s a rubber enclosure around them called the boot which holds the grease in and protects CV joints from the elements. Signs your CV joint needs changing out? You might hear a clicking sound when you turn if the CV joint is worn out. You might notice some thick, black grease around your wheel or on the pavement where you park your vehicle. You might also feel your vehicle vibrate when you’re going fast. If you suspect you might have a bad CV joint, bring your vehicle in so a technician can determine what’s going on. Keep your CV joints in good shape and reduce the risk of them seizing up at an inopportune time so you can avoid being stranded. Triple A Automotive | ||
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What our clients are saying about us
We have established longterm and stable partnerships with various clients thanks to our excellence in solving their automotive needs!
Doug and Triple A Automotive are awesome! As my wife and I were driving home to Los Angeles from Yosemite with our trailer in tow, my truck had a major breakdown. We were in Coarsegold on a Friday afternoon, and most auto shops couldn’t even look at the car for at least a week. As we were waiting for a tow truck, one of my wife’s friends recommended that we try Doug and Triple A Automotive. I called Doug, told him the situation, and he said that he couldn’t look at it until Monday morning but that I should bring it in. On Monday morning, I had the truck towed to his shop and left it there for Doug to work his magic. It wasn’t an easy fix, but the entire time Doug was always communicating with me and letting me know what they were going to do to get my truck back on the road. It took a few weeks, but that was mainly due to issues with parts. I finally got my truck back, drove it back to L.A., and even took another long road-trip with it this past weekend and it is as good as it ever was. I have a local mechanic that I trust and have been going to for years in Los Angeles. Now I have another mechanic that I trust in Clovis! If I lived closer, Doug and Triple A Automotive would be my go-to. Communication was awesome throughout and Doug was honest and forthright with his estimates and what they planned on doing to get my truck back on the road. Highly recommended!
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Great service Doug always takes care of our car
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