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Category: Maintenance

Corrosion Removal

Every time we remove a wheel from a vehicle, such as a tire rotation, brake replacement, or seasonal swap, our technicians meticulously clean and abrade any corrosion that commonly results from our Midwest winter weather and corrosive road salt. This is necessary to avoid future issues such as a vibration or abnormal brake disc runout. When properly cleaned in this manner, the wheel face can securely seat and sit flush with the disc hub surface. It takes extra time, but as the saying goes “the long way is the short way.”

Takata Airbag Recall Update

We are posting this as part of the continuing awareness campaign regarding Honda and Acura airbag recalls. This information was provided to us today by American Honda Motor Company, to be forwarded to anyone that we believe may have a defective Takata airbag in their vehicle. The following information has been provided by American Honda Motor Company and they are responsible for its content:

The Takata Corporation is a leading global supplier of automotive safety systems such as seat belts, air bags and child seats. The company has 46 plants in 17 countries around the world. (AP Photo/Jens Meyer)
The Takata Corporation is a leading global supplier of automotive safety systems such as seat belts, air bags and child seats. The company has 46 plants in 17 countries around the world. (AP Photo/Jens Meyer)

Attention
Important Safety Information for Your Customer:

 American Honda is providing crucial information that may help keep your customer safe. Everyone knows someone who drives a Honda – or Acura – and with your help, we can ensure our friends and loved ones are driving a vehicle that is safe.  Please check VINs at www.recalls.honda.com for Honda vehicles and www.recalls.acura.com for Acura vehicles or call 1(888) 234-2138 for open recalls.  If a vehicle is found to need a recall performed, please arrange to address it immediately.

Google 360° Photo Shoot Day!

In addition to a busy week of maintenance & repair on some of the most fun and interesting cars in the Chicago area, we all pulled double duty in getting the shop ready for our first ever Google 360° photo shoot. The end result can be seen by clicking on the photo below. Take a digital “walk” on our shop floor, with an immersive, panoramic photo tour. We very much enjoy sharing the eye candy that we get to see in our normal workday, with the many regular visitors to our website and our Google+ and facebook pages.

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Car Batteries – What Do I Need To Know?

Battery

At Midwest Performance Cars we receive a lot of vehicles that are towed in as they suddenly will not start. This is often due to a failed battery and is very prevalent during the winter months.

However, your battery is just one part of your vehicle’s complex electrical system. A dead battery may be a result of another problem. Often a faulty alternator is not charging the battery properly and causing it to fail. You may also have a “parasitic draw” which means some component of your car is putting an undue draw on the battery when the car is parked. Remember, vehicles these days often have more CPUs than your home and office combined. Many of these electrical systems require a small drain on the battery all the time. However, if something is amiss, then they can drain the battery dead.

Why do car batteries fail in the cold weather? There are a number of reasons:

1. A battery produces less power or energy as the temperature drops. In fact batteries are measured using Cold Cranking Amps (CCA). A CCA rating is the number of amps a battery can deliver at 0 ° F for 30 seconds and not drop below 7.2 volts. According to Interstate Battery’s website:  “Your vehicle’s battery loses 33 percent of its power when the temperature dips below freezing, and over 50 percent of its power when the temperature falls below zero.”

2. At the same time it takes more current to turn over a car’s engine when it is cold outside. The oil gets thick and there is more resistance that the starter has to deal with.

3. Cars are often “short-tripped” more in the winter. Short tripping is when a car is started and driven for a short period of time which does not allow the alternator to fully recharge the battery.

4. Vehicles are often driven less frequently in the winter. Periods on non-use can negatively affect the health of your battery – particularly if it is older.

Getting into your car and having it not start due to a dead battery is one of the most frustrating and disruptive aspects of car ownership (along with flat tires, running out of gas, and shoveling). Since you are in your car, you need to go somewhere – to work, to take your kids to school (in which case they are in the car), wherever. And there is no easy fix – you usually have to wait for the tow truck.

How Can I Prevent A Dead Battery?

Fortunately, your car will give you some early warning signs that your battery is at the end of its life.
• Age – most batteries today last an average of 3-5 years – less in harsher climates. In Chicago, if your battery is more than three years old you should have it tested periodically.
• Slow Engine Crank – when your car is harder to start than normal and slow to turn over, your battery is weak. The dreaded “rur, rur, rur” noise. If it does fire for you, don’t put it off too long.
• Check Engine Light/Battery Light/Strange Lights – some vehicles these days have a low battery light, others may throw a check engine light, or you may see weird lights that come on and off seemingly randomly. These are due to low voltage faults – one of the computers in the system is not getting enough power.
• Corrosion – look at the top of your battery and at your cables. Are your cables tight? Do you have something green that looks like it is growing off your battery or cables?

Let Midwest Performance Cars Check Your Charging System:

At Midwest Performance Cars we have diagnostic equipment specifically designed to check your entire charging system. This test will check the following:
1. The condition of your battery
2. The condition of your alternator
3. Your starter’s amp draw
4. If you have any parasitic draws
This test usually takes approximately one hour on most vehicle depending on where your battery or batteries are located.

Instrument Cluster Warning Lights – What You Should Know

Instrument-Panel-Warning-Lights

Many people do not know what all the warning lights on their instrument panels mean – or more importantly – what to do if they illuminate. These lights often need immediate attention, as they are usually telling you that something is wrong. It could mean that conditions are unsafe for you and your passengers, or that something is happening that can damage your vehicle. The following list is not an exhaustive one. Every driver should be familiar with all the warning lights on their particular vehicle.

Low-Tire-Pressure-WarningLow Tire Pressure Warning 

Most modern automobiles (and all vehicles sold in the US after 2005) consistently monitor the pressure of each tire, and warn you when there is a pressure drop. When the low tire pressure light comes on, you should pull over to a safe place and visually inspect the tires.

If your tires are not inflated properly all aspects of your vehicle’s handling are negatively affected. Also, driving with either low or overly-inflated tires adversely affects fuel economy and causes premature wear on your tires.

It’s common to see the low tire pressure warning light in the fall and winter when outdoor temperatures drop, resulting in a reduction of tire pressure. See our other blog for more information: Why did my tire pressure monitor system warning tpms light come on?

A good rule of thumb is to check fluid levels and tire pressure once a month (including the spare). Driving on a flat tire is dangerous and can result in damage to the both the tire and the wheel. Call for roadside service or change the tire. Midwest Performance Cars is always happy to check and set your tire pressures at no charge.

Low-Battery-WarningLow Battery Warning

When the low battery warning light comes on, it’s a good idea to have the charging system checked immediately. Often this indicates the alternator is not charging the battery properly, which can easily leave you stranded the next time you try to start your car. You should also check the terminals to ensure they are tight and free of corrosion. This light typically will NOT tell you that the battery itself is failing.  Indications of a bad battery are – your car turning over slowly at start, or not turning over at all. In the midwest, with the hot summers and cold winters, modern batteries typically last 4-5 years. Midwest Performance Cars can check the condition of your battery as well as test your charging system.

Brake-Fluid-WarningBrake Fluid Warning

An automobile’s brake system is the most important safety feature of the car. Never ignore a brake warning light. This warning light can indicate a fluid leak – and a resulting lack of stopping power. Brake failure can be life-threatening for you, your passengers, other drivers and pedestrians.

If the brake light is on, check the emergency brake to ensure it isn’t engaged. If the light remains on after disengaging the emergency brake, check the brake fluid. If low, add brake fluid up to the line indicated on the brake master cylinder, and pump thebrakes several times. If you feel the brake pedal “going down” and “getting soft”, you most likely have a brake fluid leak.

Any time brake issues are suspect, the safest option is to have the automobile towed to our auto repair shop, Midwest Performance Cars, and have the brake system inspected. If the brake system is losing fluid it is absolutely unsafe to drive the vehicle. When this light turns on, don’t risk it. Have the vehicle towed to our shop.

Brake-Pad-WarningBrake Pad Warning

Many vehicles have a separate warning light for the brake pads.  When you use your brakes, the brake pads clamp down on the brake discs and the generated friction slows the car.  As this happens, a small fraction of the pad material wears away. Over time, the pads wear down until a sensor in the pad hits the disc and turns on the Brake Pad Warning light. This is an indication that you need to have your brake pads, and sometimes rotors, replaced. You have a fairly short amount of time before the pad material wears away completely and the brakes cease to slow your vehicle. When you see this light, call Midwest Performance Cars. We will be happy to inspect your braking system at no charge.

Oil-Pressure-WarningOil Pressure Warning

Oil is a lubricant that reduces the friction and resulting wear on a car’s engine. The engine is the most costly component of an automobile, therefore it is important to keep it lubricated. This is also the reason periodic oil changes are vital. Over time, the oil wears out and is unable to lubricate properly, resulting in the premature engine wear.

An illuminated oil pressure light can indicate any one of several oil-related problems. Some of these are: an oil leak, a bad sensor, or your engine burning oil. Whatever the cause, this light requires immediate action. Pull over to a service station and check your oil level. If oil level is low, check your owner’s manual and top up with the correct weight oil until the engine is filled correctly. NOTE: DO NOT OVERFILL – too much oil can also harm your engine.

Get your vehicle to your mechanic as soon as possible – even if adding the oil causes the light to go off.  Midwest Performance Cars will be happy to find the cause of the trouble.

Temperature-WarningTemperature Warning

An illuminated temperature warning light can indicate your car has a coolant leak, bad water pump or faulty thermostat. While there are other potential causes, these are the most common. Driving an overheating car can result in damage to the engine which may or may not be repairable. Never open the radiator cap on a hot car, severe injury from scalding fluids can result. Have your car towed to Midwest Performance Cars, for diagnosis and repair by one of our certified mechanics.

Midwest Performance Cars is happy to advise you on any warning light issue and perform a complete vehicle safety check at no charge. Call us at (312) 432-9492 to set up an appointment or use our convenient online scheduler.