How To Tell If  Your Car Needs New Shocks

A car’s shocks gradually deteriorate over time slowly causing different things to happen that will tell you if you need to get them replaced. There are physical signs, changes in a cars behavior which affects other car parts that can tell you that you may need to change them.

Have you flushed your radiator lately?

Car owners tend to overlook the importance of flushing their car radiators on a regular basis. This is a relatively inexpensive car maintenance process which you should do annually. It is important that you consult what your owner’s manual says on this subject before you embark on the process. The radiator is important to the car as it is an important component of the car cooling system. It is important that you flush instead of drain. When you flush, the old antifreeze is removed by the new antifreeze. Draining may not remove all of the antifreeze that was in the radiator. Flushing also removes contaminants that build up in the system over time. 

The benefits are; it removes the contaminated old antifreeze. With regular use, antifreeze is contaminated reducing its effectiveness. The contaminants reduce the effectiveness of antifreeze as an anti-corrosive. This leads to increased contamination and makes the cooling system perform worse.

Two, it removes all of the rust which may have formed and deposited in the radiator over time. High heat, constant connection to moisture, and metal elements in the radiator usually leads to formation of rust over time. The rust flakes off contaminating the coolant and depositing itself on walls and pipes of the radiator. This reduces effectiveness when dissipating the vehicle engine’s heat. When you flush the system, rust is flushed out.

Three, it increases the protection of the cooling system against foaming, rusting, and contamination. New antifreeze has additives that prevent the coolant from foaming and slow down rusting. This protects the radiator from damage and increases efficiency.
Four, it lubricates the water pump which increases its performance efficiency and prevents wear and tear.

Lastly, a proper flushing is accompanied by a cooling system check. This ensures that it is working efficiently and there are no issues to address like pressure leaks.

Is it time for your car to get its radiator flushed? Have you been keeping up with your car’s maintenance schedule? If not, come in to Mr. Muffler, your Warren mechanic and get taken care of! Call us at (586) 933-5673 to make an appointment!

Is it time for a tune up?

Your vehicle has several ways of letting you know it is in need of a tune-up. Listening to your car can save you a great deal of money on repairs. Preventive maintenance is the best way to keep your vehicle running at its best and also can help to recognize problems before they become a major repair.

If you notice your vehicle’s fuel efficiency has dropped a tune-up may be the solution. The problem may be fuel filters that are dirty, faulty spark plugs, or fuel injectors that have been damage. All of these issues are checks during a tune-up. Often times when a vehicle has issues starting or the check engine light is on, it is a sign a tune-up is needed. Once again bad spark plugs could be the issue.

If your car squeals when you make turns or the steering wheel is stiff, you may be low on fluids. During a tune-up all fluids are checked and filled. If there are any leaks in the system, it will be discovered at this time, allowing you to make a minor repair and avoid a more costly one. The same can be true is you are experience problems with your transmission, which can be one of the most expensive repairs you can do on your vehicle. Also, if the brakes are not working properly it can be an issue with the fluid. This is a safety concern you will need to get checked out right away. A tune-up is a good first check to see if it is a just that the fluid is low or if there is a leak.

If you notice your vehicle’s exhaust smells worse than normal with a rotten egg-like odor, this is a sign of a clogged or dirty catalytic converter. During a routine tune up it will be cleaned and check out for performance. This can also be an issue that affects your fuel efficiency. Another sign your vehicle needs tune-up that is provided by your exhaust is black smoke and/or a burnt smell, signs a clogged O2 sensor.

Benefits of Using Ceramic Brake Pads On Your Car

At some point in their mechanical lives, every car or truck will need to replace the brake pads, which leads to the owner having to make a choice of one type over another. Many will find that ceramic brake pads have some significant advantageous benefits over the competition. There really are some good reasons why you should fork over the cash for them instead of the competing types and brands.

Admit it, when you put your brakes on fast or too hard it can make some really annoying sounds that just work as good as they do in the movies. Pads made from ceramic materials for your vehicle’s brakes are quieter and do not have as high pitch sound when being applied roughly. The other wonder about them is that they retain their quietness over the time of their lives while others like asbestos brakes just get noisier and noisier, especially when they’ve gone bad in the end.

You might have to pay a little more for them than organic or all metal brake pads but their ceramic counterparts are very well known their endurance abilities. As a whole they can handle heat a lot better at higher temperature and are able to evenly distribute it over the surface. Ceramics produce less brake dust as well. On this fact it’s lighter and doesn’t give tires a dirtier look compared to others. It’s also less likely to clog up in the inner workings of the care itself under the hood. These help to last longer than other premium pads thanks to the ingenuity of the ceramic materials they are made from, which is why they are now a dominant car part in the auto industry market.

If you’re into environmental conservation you should consider ceramic pads first. They are made with less carbon emissions at the factory and are made from more natural materials than their metallic counterparts which helps the world as a whole.

The benefits of ceramic brake pads are good compared to the competition even if they sometimes cost a little more. The pros certainly outweigh the cons.

Summer is coming, is your AC up to speed?

Summer is right around the corner and the days of 100 degree heat will be upon us very soon. So, it is important that you make sure your vehicle is ready for the blazing heat and humidity, which can take a toll on your vehicle’s engine. Probably one of the most important pieces of equipment in your car during summer is the air conditioner. The last thing you want to happen is for your air conditioner to go out in your car in the middle of a heat wave. So, it is important that you get your AC serviced before summertime approaches.

The car’s A/C system is generally comprised of five parts: compressor, condenser, accumulator, expansion valve, and evaporator. In addition, there are hoses and refrigerant containers within the A/C system. The compressor is the core of the system and works in tandem with the condenser, accumulator and expansion valve. The evaporator is the part that finally cools the air and removes any moisture before coming out of the vents into the vehicle’s interior. With so many moving parts, even one part failure can cause your entire A/C system to crash and leave you stranded in blistering heat.

Luckily, you can prevent many of the A/C failures before they happen by simply getting your air conditioner tuned up. Generally, a mechanic will perform a visual check of all the belts and hoses for cracks or leaks. They also might clean the condenser, evaporator, and radiator core if needed. Finally, they will ensure that your Freon level is sufficient and providing cool air at an efficient rate.

Having your A/C tuned up before summer offers several advantages. First, you can save money and time by getting your vehicle before everyone else does. Generally, people are less inclined to get their A/C serviced when it is not hot yet, so by getting a head start you will be able to get in and out usually within a day. Otherwise, your wait time maybe longer due to everyone getting the same service done. Another advantage is you engine will perform better when the A/C is tuned up, because a non-functioning A/C puts unneeded stress on your car engine, which could lead to other mechanical break downs.

Signs You Need New Brake Pads

There are many things that can go wrong with a vehicle at given time. Brake pad wear is one of the most common problems and from time to time they will need to be repaired or replaced.

One of the most common signs of brake pad wear to look is a loud screeching or high-pitched squeaking sound. If these sounds are heard when the car is braking or slowing down, it is one of the first indications that something is wrong with the car’s brakes. The sounds occur when a small piece of metal that is called an indicator begins to rub against the brake’s rotor. This is a clear indication that new brake pads are needed, and it is highly recommended that the car is taken in for service as soon as possible.

Another sign to look for is pulling. If the car starts to pull to one side or the other when the brakes are applied, it could mean that the brake linings and pads are worn and need replacing. It could also mean that the brakes need an adjustment, so it is best to have the brakes inspected.

One more sign to look for is lack of brake response. If the brakes do not respond normally or if the brake pedal does feel firm when pressed down, it is highly possible that there is a leak in the braking system. If a small puddle of brake fluid is found under the car, most likely brake fluid is leaking. The best way to correct this problem is to take the car in for servicing.

Vibrating or pulsating brake pedals are other possible signs of brake pad wear. If the brakes vibrate or pulsate, the rotors have more than likely become warped and will need repairing or replacing.

Maintaining the car’s brakes is one of the best ways to keep the vehicle in good working condition. In addition, it is one of the surest ways to increase safety on the road. Repairing or replacing the car’s brakes or brake pads can be costly, so it is best to have the brakes inspected often by a qualified and reputable mechanic.

If you need to get your brakes repaired by the experts at Mr. Muffler, Call us at 586-580-9431 to schedule an appointment today!

Why you should consider switching to synthetic oil

Any time some new type of technology becomes available on the market, some people hesitate to adopt the new item until it has become time tested. Synthetic oil is a good example of such a product and technology. Here is some information on the benefits and disadvantages of using synthetic oil for your vehicle.

Benefits of Using Synthetic Oils

Synthetic oils have been tested and proven to provide better engine performance at both low and high engine operating temperatures. Synthetic oils are also chemically more stable. All liquids have a rate of evaporation. For synthetic oils the evaporation rate is substantially less than other types of petroleum lubricants.

Synthetic oils do a better job of fighting internal engine oxidation. They also cause fewer engine oil sludge problems because they are less likely to fail due to high temperature breakdown.

Because of better performance and other benefits listed above, synthetic oils allow the vehicle to be operated longer, for increased distances. This type of oil also causes less waste and lubricates engines better, providing most cars with an increased performance in fuel economy.

Synthetic oils help extend engine life, because of improved lubrication. This is a big factor during extreme weather starts.

Some engines with special carburetor systems and turbochargers have problems with deposits of ash like material when using natural petroleum oils. The use of synthetic oil in these engines reduces the incidence of this situation, especially when such deposits would cause clogging of oil passageways.

Synthetic oils provide some improved power and torque because this type of oil reduces drag on engine parts better than natural petroleum oil. Synthetic oils contain no detergents that were usually added to natural petroleum oils.

There is no reason for the average car to be using anything other than synthetic oils. If more car owners knew that the jet engines of today are required to use synthetic oils, they might change their minds.

Need  an oil change for your car? Consider synthetic oil this time around! Call us today at (586) 806–4680 for quick and professional service.

Need a tune up?

Winter weather can take a toll on your vehicle. Getting a tune-up before summer begins is an excellent idea. Depending on the year of your vehicle, tune-ups include some or all of the following: check cooling system, conduct pressure tests for leaks, check the condition of belts and hoses, check the brakes, replace spark plugs and wires, replace filters, check fluids, check ignition components, check the battery, and check emission control valves.

Any malfunctioning item in a vehicle may cause other parts to be affected. This could domino into an expensive repair bill. While cold weather can be detrimental to the condition of your car, hot weather has its damaging effects also. Warm weather is hard on fluids and batteries. Having a tune-up before summer begins, can alleviate low fluid levels. Warmer temperatures may make the battery corrode of crack. Checking for the battery condition can save on costly repairs.

Some areas experience brutal warm weather. That suffering is made much worse if your air conditioner is not working. Getting the coolant checked and assessing the source of any leaks before summer may save you from discomfort on a hot muggy day in traffic.

The best benefit of getting a tune-up before summer begins, is the money you will save. It is estimated that an improper functioning engine can result in a 50% increase in gas usage. The price of gas is unlikely to go down significantly. Getting better gas mileage is like putting money in your pocket.

Tune-ups vary by the age of a vehicle. Older models require more engine related checks. Having regular tune-ups scheduled after the cold weather and prior to the heat of summer just makes sense. The vehicle will run cleaner, have better gas mileage, and cause less worry. All three of these give your vehicle a longer lifespan.

Need  to service your vehicle and get it ready for the warm weather?  Call us today at (586) 806–4680 for quick and professional service.

Keep your car running this Spring.

Following these simple maintenance tips will help you get your car ready for spring. It is much easier to address any problems that you have with your car now than it is to wait until you are waiting for a tow truck to come pick you up after your car breaks down. Simple preventive maintenance is the key to keeping your car running well, now and for years to come.

Mr Muffler to service your vehicle and get it ready for the warm weather in order to avoid costly repairs in the future. Call us today at (586) 806–4680 for quick and professional service.

If there is one aspect of your car that you should not ignore it is your transmission. Yet it can be difficult to know what to do about the transmission since it is so complex, consisting of gears, gaskets, clutches, bands and more that are designed to work in harmony to keep your engine performing at its best. When the transmission needs to be repaired it is virtually impossible for the average person to do it themselves. However, fortunately there are things that can be done to help keep track of the health of your transmission so that it will need professional care less frequently and to help ensure that you seek professional advice before a problem goes too far.

One of the telltale signs of transmission problems are spots that appear beneath your vehicle. To determine if the problem is your transmission you will need to know the color of the fluid leaking, which can be difficult if the leakage falls on asphalt or dirt. Therefore place some white cardboard or heavy paper so that the drips will fall on it. If the color is reddish that is a strong indicator that you have a transmission problem. You should take your car to a professional immediately to determine the cause of the leak.

Another warning sign is a burning smell indicating that your fluid levels are wrong. If you let your engine idle for a few minutes and then check under the hood with your dipstick, you may experience a smell as if something is burning. The fluid on the dipstick may also appear brown rather than reddish. In either case this is a good reason to ask a professional to check your transmission.

One of the best ways to judge whether you have transmission problems is your own common sense. No one knows how your car runs better than you do. So when you hear such changes an inexplicable whining sound or a change in the shift between gears, these are things you need to take seriously enough to go see a professional about as soon as possible.

Mr Muffler will like to remind you that servicing your transmission is strongly recommended in order to avoid costly repairs. Come visit us in our new Warren location for quick and professional service. Call us today at (586) 806–4680