Posted on 8/18/2019
You've probably noticed how much easier it is to see when you're driving in the daytime as opposed to at night. It's one of the main reasons about half of all fatal vehicle accidents happen when it's dark. That's why it's important that your vehicle's headlights are in top condition and working the way they should. That means that they're aimed correctly and producing the amount of light they are intended to produce. For many years, headlights were a standardized size and shape. They were what is called a "sealed beam," and when you needed to replace one, it was pretty simple. You just took the old one out and plugged a new one in. But now there are hundreds of different types of lighting systems on vehicles, producing light with such illuminating technology as light-emitting diodes (LEDs), halogen bulbs, high-intensity discharge (HID) bulbs and more. Some vehicles have systems that turn your lights in the direction you turn your steering wheel so you can ... read more
Posted on 8/11/2019
With the weather getting colder, you might be tempted to start your vehicle up, let it idle for 15 or 20 minutes and then get in the nice, cozy cabin. Some vehicles offer remote starting that let you do that from the comfort of your home or apartment. But is letting your vehicle idle like that good for it? Manufacturers say it doesn't harm the vehicle. They say it's because modern vehicles are made differently from those in the past. Just about all newer vehicles employ fuel injection which uses computers to adjust the amount of gasoline that goes into the cylinders. The engine gets only the fuel it needs, taking conditions into account. Older vehicles, on the other hand, used to use carburetors. When you started a cold engine, the carburetor wasn't able to adjust the gasoline amount depending on conditions. Some of the gasoline would mix with oil and the pistons wouldn't get the same lubrication as they would with undiluted oil. So yes, you ca ... read more
Posted on 8/4/2019
There's one fluid in your car you are always careful to keep at a certain level: the fuel. If you don't have fuel, you're not going anywhere. Your vehicle has other fluids which are vitally important to proper and safe operation, too. So, here's a "level" headed approach to those "other" fluids. Engine oil. This one's probably the most important fluid to maintain at the proper level. Without enough oil, you'll wear out your engine prematurely. Sometimes vehicles have warning lights on the dash that will tell you to get your oil checked. Don't ignore that one; get it checked immediately. Certainly don't go on a long trip at high speeds with your oil level low. Oh, and it's not good to have too much oil in, either. Our pros at Lange`s Auto Care, Inc. can advise you on oil levels and tell if you if you should be concerned about abnormal fluctuations. Windshield washer fluid. OK, this is one you probably know about. You certainly miss it when ... read more