Posted on 10/26/2021
Oct 26th, 2021 You've probably seen them lying around at the side of the road: someone's outside rearview mirror that's been knocked off by a driver’s not-so-perfect driving. And you realize the person who owns that vehicle now has lost an important safety feature. Having functional mirrors enhances your safety and that of drivers around you. You probably don't think too much about your mirrors, so now it's time to "reflect" on some signs that yours may have problems. The most obvious one is broken mirror glass. Whether caused by an accident or vandalism, a cracked outside rearview mirror reduces your ability to see your blind spots. In these cases, you may only have to have the glass replaced. Driving blind (without a mirror) can cause serious accidents. Don't put this off. Another issue is an outside mirror that can't easily be adjusted. Many newer vehicles have power mirrors. They're s ... read more
Posted on 10/20/2021
A vehicle's oil filter has two important functions: filter out contaminants and keep oil in the right place, at the right time. Your engine can’t perform efficiently without clean engine oil, and your motor oil can’t do its job without an oil filter. Operating your car with a clogged oil filter can do more than affect your oil quality, it can damage your engine and its surrounding components. Understanding what your oil filter is and how it functions can better your awareness of when it’s time for an oil change and filter replacement. The oil filter collects all the harmful debris, dirt, and metal fragments that it may have picked up along its flow. If these contaminants get into your lubricant, it can severely damage the engine. How Often Does It Need to Be Replaced? Every 3,000 miles you drive, your oil has gone through the oil filter 12,000 times! It not only means you need an oil change, but it means you need a filter change too. Many manufact ... read more
Posted on 10/18/2021
Timing Chain Oct 18th, 2021 As your engine runs, the intake valves need to open up to allow air into the engine. They remain closed while the air and fuel is compressed and ignited, powering the piston. Then the exhaust valves open to release the exhaust. This all has to be timed very precisely. It is the job of the timing belt or timing chain to make sure all of this is synced up properly. Timing belts are made of a very tough compound that can last for a long time. Timing chains are made of metal and last for a very long time as well. If your vehicle has a timing belt, your vehicle's owner's manual has a schedule for replacing the belt. If your vehicle has a timing chain, there may not be a specified schedule for replacing it, but that doesn't mean that the timing chain system is indestructible and never needs attention. For example, the chain runs on sprockets on the crankshaft and the camshafts. A broken tooth on a sprocket can cause the chain to sli ... read more
Posted on 10/15/2021
Deep Breathing In Norfolk: Engine Air Filter Your vehicle engine really needs clean air to operate efficiently. It takes about twelve thousand gallons of air to burn a gallon of gas in your vehicle engine. And clean air is much better than dirty. When your air filter's dirty, it simply can't trap any more dirt, so the dirt just passes through into your air intake system. From there it can get into the vehicle engine combustion chamber. And burning dust and pollen in your engine as you drive around Norfolk does you no good. The verdict: When your engine air filter needs to be replaced, it needs to be replaced. How often depends entirely on how dirty the air is in VA where you drive. A simple visual inspection by a friendly and knowledgeable Carmasters Automotive technician will tell you when you need a new engine air filter in your vehicle. When you look at the air filter on your furnace in your home and see it's all clogged up with ... read more
Posted on 10/7/2021
Timing Chain Oct 7th, 2021 All engines have either a timing belt or a timing chain to synchronize the opening and closing of the intake and exhaust valves. This keeps the engine running smoothly and efficiently. If the timing is off, it may not run at all. Timing belts need to be replaced on a schedule. A broken or slipping timing belt could cause extensive engine damage. Timing chains are being used more and more in modern engines. They are more durable and usually do not have a recommended replacement interval. However, timing chains and their associated components do wear over time. The tensioner and guide rails can wear causing the chain to be loose. A tooth on a cam sprocket could break allowing the chain to slip. You don’t want to wait for a complete failure (and possible extensive damage) so you need to watch for the signs of impending failure. You may notice sluggish performance, reduced fuel economy, or diffi ... read more