How important is it to check your fluid levels?

    Car maintenance is very important especially if you intend to keep your car past the manufacturers warranty. keeping the fluid levels topped off can prolong the life of a car and its components. Even keeping the washer fluid level full will keep the washer pump properly lubricated and help prevent it from failing. It doesn't take a mechanic to figure out if you run out of brake fluid the car may have some trouble stopping.

    So we know its important to keep the fluids topped, it is just as important to know how to check fluid levels in the first place. One common mistake is adding to much fluid. You do not want to overfill the fluid levels. These levels are set for a specific reason. If you add to much transmission fluid it will do more damage than good. If you overfill the coolant level it may cause it to spew all over and can get on other components of the engine that might damage them over time.

    The engine oil level is one of the most important as it can save you money and keep the engine running for years and years with less problems than if you didn't. So take the time to get to know your car and its proper levels. You can refer to your cars owners manual for specific locations. Keeping all the fluid levels topped off is quite important.Why not check them now.

Air Conditioning Blows Hot

Air Conditioner

No air coming from air conditioning vents

1. Check the air conditioner fuse and replace as necessary.
2. Air conditioner system discharged. Have the system evacuated, charged and leak tested by an MVAC certified technician, utilizing approved recovery/recycling equipment. Repair as necessary.
3. Air conditioner low pressure switch defective. Replace switch.
4. Air conditioner fan resistor pack defective. Replace resistor pack.
5. Loose connection, broken wiring or defective air conditioner relay in air conditioning electrical circuit. Repair wiring or replace relay as necessary.

Air Conditioner blows warm air

1. Air conditioner system is discharged. Have the system evacuated, charged and leak tested by an MVAC certified technician, utilizing approved recovery/recycling equipment. Repair as necessary.
2. Air conditioner compressor clutch not engaging. Check compressor clutch wiring, electrical connections and compressor clutch, and repair or replace as necessary.

Water collects on the interior floor when the air conditioner is used

1. Air conditioner evaporator drain hose is blocked. Clear the drain hose where it exits the passenger compartment.
2. Air conditioner evaporator drain hose is disconnected. Secure the drain hose to the evaporator drainage tray under the dashboard.

Air conditioner has a moldy smell when used

1. The air conditioner evaporator drain hose is blocked or partially restricted, allowing condensation to build up around the evaporator and drainage tray. Clear the drain hose where it exits the passenger compartment

2007 Chevy Equinox Throttle Body Replacement

Throttle Body Assembly Replacement Removal Procedure Important The throttle actuator control (TAC) module is not replaceable separate of the throttle body assembly. If the TAC module requires replacement the entire throttle body assembly must be replaced. Remove the air cleaner intake duct. Refer to Air Cleaner Inlet Duct Replacement . Remove the heater outlet pipe. Refer to Heater Pipe Replacement - Outlet . Cover the throttle body opening with a shop towel and use the shop air to remove any dirt at the base of the throttle body. Disconnect the TAC module electrical connector (1) by pulling up on the connector lock (2) to release the connector from the TAC module (3).

Throttle Body

Remove the throttle body bolts (2). Remove the throttle body (1) from the intake manifold. Block the intake manifold opening with a clean shop towel to prevent dirt from entering. Remove the throttle body studs ONLY If replacement of stud is necessary. Installation Procedure Caution! Refer to Fastener Notice in Cautions and Notices. Install the throttle body studs if previously removed. Tighten Tighten the throttle body stud to 6 N·m (53 lb in). Install the throttle body (1) to the intake manifold. Install the throttle body bolts. Tighten Tighten the throttle body-to-intake manifold bolts to 10 N·m (89 lb in). Connect the TAC module electrical connector (1) to the TAC module (3) then press down the connector lock (2) in order to secure the TAC module electrical connector. Install the heater outlet pipe. Refer to Heater Pipe Replacement - Outlet . Install the air cleaner intake duct. Refer to Air Cleaner Inlet Duct Replacement .

CODE PO401 : Insufficient EGR Flow

The Exhaust Gas Re circulation (EGR) system is designed to reintroduce exhaust gas into the combustion chambers, thereby lowering combustion temperatures and reducing the formation of Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx). The amount of exhaust gas that is reintroduced into the combustion cycle is determined by several factors, such as: engine speed, engine vacuum, exhaust system back pressure, coolant temperature, throttle position. All EGR valves are vacuum operated. The EGR vacuum diagram for your particular vehicle is displayed on the Vehicle Emission Control Information (VECI) label. The EGR system is Differential Pressure Feedback EGR (DPFE) system, controlled by the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) and composed of the following components: DPFE sensor (also referred to as the back pressure transducer), EGR Vacuum Regulator (EVR) solenoid, EGR valve, and assorted hoses. The P0401 code means that OBD detected an insufficient amount of EGR. Symptoms There may be drive-ability issues such as pinging ( pre-ignition knock , similar to cheap gas) when the vehicles engine is under heavy load or the vehicle is climbing a steep grade. There may also be other symptoms. Causes A code P0401 most likely means one or more of the following has happened: The DPF (differential pressure) sensor is faulty and needs to be replaced There is a blockage in the EGR (most likely carbon buildup) The EGR valve is faulty The EGR valve may not be opening due to a lack of vacuum Possible Solutions In fixing this code, it is quite common for people to just replace the EGR valve only to have the OBD code return. The EGR valve is not always the cause. If you replace all 3 components the like is all but guaranteed to go away . Or you can test each component . Use a vacuum pump and pull the EGR valve open while monitoring engine RPM's. There should be a noticeable difference in RPM's with the EGR open Clean out the EGR valve to remove deposits Replace the DPF sensor Replace the EGR valve

Just what the Automatic Gearbox Is All About

The automated gearbox is preferred by certain drivers, as it is commonly known that the cars using those gearboxes usually consume more gas. However, there is yet another hybrid alternative, a car that can be converted between manual and automated within the gearbox. A Few Of The Good Things About A Manual Gearbox 1. You believe that you’ve got more control of the car when you find yourself driving than you would with an automated gearbox. 2. Should you have a vehicle with a smaller engine, it may possibly feel more powerful with a manual transmission. A manual gearbox helps make the car slightly faster, but from 2 liters up, you are not going to feel the difference. 3. Your automobile will certainly consume a reduced amount of gas. 4. Longer lasting and less chance of breaking down. Automatic gear boxes often have a diminished life span and are going to break much faster. If a gearbox of this variety is destroyed, you can’t repair it and have to take it to the manufacturer, which can often cost a significant amount to fix it. If you wish to actually enjoy the driving, then the manual gearbox is the greatest. The Benefits Of The Automated Gearbox 1. Efficient. It is possible to drive with both hands on the wheel or one hand on the wheel and another hand on something else. Let’s get serious, how often have you attempted to switch the gears in a crowded intersection while having the phone at your ear at the same time. Quite a few automatic gearboxes feature cruise control which is great for long drives. The automated gearbox can even maintain its position on steep inclines without the need to pull the handbrake. 2. Effortless When It Comes To Newbies. You never have to be worried about the car dying on you while you are driving. Moreover it won’t take much work to take short drives. If you would like a reliable automated gearbox, you should get the 2 Tronic. The PSA group offers it as a robotized alternative. In the event you are looking for a somewhat better model, then the Selespeed is a better option, especially for performing cars. You’ll be able to compare this robotized gearbox with the manual gearbox of the Smart ForTwo. The thing that’s great about it is that it provides low fuel utilization but still has high performance. The newer generation of automated gearboxes tend to be much more efficient with fuel and are very sound than gearboxes made in the past resulting in lower fuel and repair costs. You can see the difference whenever driving in rush hour traffic in the city. May very well not see so much of a distinction on long distance drives. Should you obtain a car that’s priced less than $20,000 and not thought to be sporty, you may not need the latest and greatest automatic gearboxes. Having a sensibly priced gearbox, you won’t consume large quantities of gas and this is important since there is a continuous increase in its price per liter. If you get a gearbox with a low powered engine, you will be able to have plenty of reducing spending on fuel each month.

1994 Town Car problems running

I have a 1994 Town car(115K miles) that has problems running. It hadn't been started since last year, and ran rough then. I can start it no problem(surprise), but it idles rough and shuts off as soon as I take my foot off the accelerator. A guy I used to work with suggested that there could be a bad vacuum hose. I looked through the engine compartment and saw a connector with NO hose on it. Couldn't find another spot where that might connect to. I'm not sure if this is the problem with it running, or if it would affect something else(like AC, vents, etc.) This same car has a problem with the hood latch - it won't. I don't see anything *obviously* wrong, and I even tried spraying lithium grease on it thinking something was stuck. No good, still won't close all the way. I created a photo album and uploaded pictures, but they're not showing up for some reason. Do we have to request upload permission? I'll try to upload pics again... Any assistance in getting this beast running well would be appreciated. Thanks!