USA Automotive Tips

Front Suspension
Front suspension Tech tip for checking Tie Rod Ends: make sure the weight of the vehicle is resting on the tires. Using your hand, grab the Tie Rod End and try to move it up and down or side to side. If there is movement, you should plan to replace the Tie Rod End and have the vehicle's wheels aligned.

Exhaust Hangers
If you're replacing an exhaust system that has missing hangers or hangs too low, try to use original equipment style hangers where possible. Adjust length to achieve proper clearance, and then bounce suspension to check for clearance & rattles. Never mount a solid metal hanger directly from the body to the exhaust system. This will create an internal vibration and noise inside the vehicle. If a solid metal hanger is the best choice to repair the problem, install a rubber grommet between the hanger and the body; this will eliminate vibrations and noise.

CV Joints
In the beginning there were u-joints. As front wheel drive vehicles became popular, u-joints gave way to constant velocity joints, or CV joints for short. What are some of the problems associated with CV boots, joints, or axles? How do you locate a bad CV? The most noticeable complaint from a car owner will be noise. The sound can be described as a popping or clicking noise that can be heard when the vehicle is turning or during acceleration. The condition the noise is heard under will determine whether the problem lies in the inner or the outer CV joint. Even when there is no noise, you should not assume the CVs are alright. The protective boots that cover the CV joint may be torn by road debris or deteriorating from wear. Boot damage leads to joint contamination and is probably the largest cause of joint failure.

Cooling System Maintenance
Replacing coolant on a regular basis will prolong the life of the radiator and other cooling system components. Most car maintenance schedules call for coolant changes every one to three years. We feel that annual coolant changes on late model vehicles with bimetal engines (aluminum heads/iron blocks) and/or aluminum radiators is a good idea. It does not make much difference how often the coolant is changed, as long as it is changed before it loses its corrosion resistance. Antifreeze is made of ethylene glycol (which never wears out) and other various additives (which will wear out). Some additives provide "reserve alkalinity" to neutralize internal corrosion before it starts. As long as the coolant has been changed before its reserve alkalinity is depleted, the cooling system should be no worse for the wear. If the wait is too excessive the result can be expensive internal corrosion in the radiator, heater core and engine. How can you tell when it is time to change the coolant? The only way to know if the coolant still has adequate corrosion protection is to test it. When the coolant is changed, the system should be reverse flushed rather than simply drained. This helps dislodge and/or remove accumulated debris and other debris within the system. It also removes the old coolant that would otherwise remain in the engine block. Use of a cooling system cleaner is not necessary unless this system has been badly neglected and is full of lime deposits. The cooling system should be refilled with a 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and clean water. This provides freezing protection down to -34 F and boil over protection to 265 F. When coolant is changed you should inspect belts and hoses, make a visual inspection for leaks, pressure test the radiator and cap, and check the operation of the heater and defroster. The Thermostat does not need changing unless the engine has severely overheated or it has been causing trouble. If a thermostat is replaced, it should have the same temperature rating as the original. This is extremely important on late model vehicles with computerized engine controls. You need to remember that the fuel, ignition and emission functions are all affected by coolant temperature.

Fuel Induction Cleaning
Dirty intake valves, fuel injectors, intake ports and combustion chambers can cause your vehicle to hesitate, idle rough, or lose power. Gasoline is a petroleum product that will, over time, leave deposits in your fuel induction system. These deposits can also cause surging, stalling, and make your vehicle hard to start. For this reason, the system can no longer perform the way it did when your vehicle was new. Fuel induction cleaning can remove these deposits, restoring your vehicles performance. These deposits can also create high emissions levels which can cause your vehicle to fail the annual NC inspection.

Hose and Belt Replacement
Hoses are made of rubber which will deteriorate over time. Chemical changes occurring inside the cooling system are the primary cause of deterioration of hoses. This type of damage is not externally visible. Ozone, engine vibration and oil contamination can accelerate external deterioration. Hoses can be pinched and/or visually checked to locate external damage. Internal damage is more difficult to determine. In order to avoid costly repairs, most manufacturers recommend replacing hoses every four years.
Belts will crack and fray over time. The internal cords will weaken and become brittle. Heat and mileage are the main cause of belt wear. A visual inspection of belts will not always reveal the condition of the belt. Most v-belt manufacturers recommend replacement every three year or 36,000 miles.

Maintenance Tune-up
Loss of power, knocking, or stalling are all indications that your vehicle may need a tune up. Modern computer technology allows the engine to make some adjustments to help improve engine performance. This does not repair an engine problem, and could actually hide the malfunction. Your vehicles' manufacturer has recommended a regular maintenance schedule for your vehicle. This information should be available to you in your owners' manual or we will be glad to supply you with this information from our intensive data source if you would like. USA Automotive has ASE certified technicians trained to perform routine maintenance on your vehicle. Always follow the manufacturers' guidelines. Should you experience any of the problems listed above, or your vehicle is running rough, hesitates, is hard to start, or getting bad gas mileage, call us. Keeping your vehicle properly tuned and maintained will improve gas mileage and engine performance.

Timing Belts
Timing chains have been replaced by timing belts on many of today's newer engines. Belts are quieter, lighter and more efficient. The technician that regularly services your vehicle can tell you if you have a timing belt on your vehicle. You may also find this information in your vehicle manual. Timing belts ensure the pistons; valves and crankshaft operate together in proper sequence and are located at the front of the engine where they are protected by a plastic or metal cover. As with all engine components, the belt will wear out over time and must be replaced. The manufacturer of your vehicle will recommend a maintenance schedule for the replacement of your belt. Without proper maintenance, the timing belt could break. If this occurs, the engine will stop running and you will need to have the vehicle towed to your repair shop. The resulting damage can be limited to the timing belt only, resulting in the replacement of the belt. However, more expensive repairs may be required. In extreme cases, the engine may need replacing.

Brake Fluids
Most brake fluids have a glycol base which over time will absorb moisture (water). When the brake fluid is compromised by moisture, the boiling point will drop which can lead to brake fade during hard use. Moisture also contributes to corrosion of the brake lines, calipers, and wheel cylinders. Replace the fluid as preventive maintenance at least every two years or 24,000 miles to restore corrosion and fluid heat resistance.

Exhaust Systems
Most exhaust systems are made up of pipes, mufflers, and a catalytic converter. The type of materials that are used in the components, and the type of wear the system receives, determines the longevity of the exhaust system. Moisture and road salt also have an effect on longevity. Less moisture will build up in a hotter system. The exhaust in vehicles with converters is hotter, which can help to reduce moisture inside the system. Longer trips as opposed to short hops around town will get the system hotter also. However, if the engine is not properly maintenanced, too much fuel can be dumped into the exhaust system. This would create more heat than normal which can lead to the deterioration of the converter or even damage to the exhaust manifold. On most systems, components can be replaced individually, so it would not be necessary to replace the entire exhaust system because the muffler has a hole in it or the converter is damaged.

Shock and Strut Replacement
Shock absorbers and Struts are designed to prevent unwanted body gyrations and keep the vehicles wheels on the road. Over time the various moving parts of both shocks and struts will wear out requiring replacement. Replacement of shocks and struts should be considered if you notice any of the following symptoms:
1) Fluid leaking
2) Shocks, struts or hardware have been physically damaged
3) Bouncy ride
4) Cupped tire wear
5) Vehicle nose dives when braking or tail squats when accelerating
6) Vehicle sways excessively when cornering.

Wear rate of struts and shocks, front verses rear, will vary depending on vehicle loading and usage. Expect to replace rear shocks or struts when the front require replacement. The wear rate of shocks and struts, left side verses right side, vary little. As a result, it is recommended that both front or rear shocks or struts be replaced at the same time. Most shocks require replacement after 30,000 miles. Struts usually have a lifespan double that of shocks.

Motor Oil
Motor oil lubricates the moving parts within your vehicles engine reducing friction. It should protect the engine against sludge and varnish deposits, scuffing, wear, rust, and corrosion. Temperature effects motor oil in different ways. 10W30 is recommended for most vehicles year round driving needs as it performs better during most normal driving conditions. Most new cars come with the factory fill of 5W30. This product performs better at start up and makes cold weather starting easier. However, it may not hold up as well a 10W30 under conditions that elevate temperature, such as sustained highway speeds, towing in hot weather, and some engine designs that simply run hotter. Most manufacturers recommend changing the motor oil every three months or three thousand miles. If you do not know what type of motor oil your vehicle requires or how often it should be changed, check your owners' manual or ask your regular service advisor.