Author: admin

Cobb Tire and Auto Repair Greenville SC 29615

Computer diagnostic Cobb Tire and Auto Repair Greenville SC 29615

There are many reasons why your Engine may be Shaking while you are Driving. Let’s go over the 3 most common.

Your car is a big maneuvering computer system. The onboard computer runs everything. For the engine to run smooth, the ignition system, the fuel delivery system and the air delivery system must be working correctly.

Why is my engine shaking Cobb Tire and Auto Repair Greenville SC 29615

The most common issue that we come across is faulty ignition at one or more cylinders. This is usually due to a bad spark plug or bad direct ignition coil. Sometimes this problem will occur because of a faulty electrical system. A bad wire in the harness or a bad electrical connector is an example of this. A faulty onboard computer can also cause this issue as well, but this is rare. Without the correct ignition spark, the engine will run rough.

Another issue that we come across is a fuel delivery problem. The electric fuel pump, located in the fuel cell, pumps the fuel to the individual fuel injectors. When the onboard computer needs gas, it turns on the fuel injector to get it. A faulty fuel injector can cause too much fuel or not enough fuel which will cause a rough running engine.

The third issue is an air delivery problem. The fuel from the injector will not ignite without a mix of air. The air supply travels into the motor through the front of the vehicle. It travels through the air filter and then through metering sensors. The sensors measure the volume of air coming in. When you push the throttle pedal down, the throttle valve lets air into the motor to run the engine. If the engine is getting too much air or too little air, the engine will run rough.

These problems can be tough to figure out. It will require Test Equipment and Computer Scanners to perform engine diagnostics to find and correct a problem. Cobb Tire and Auto Repair can help you with this.

Timing Chain Cobb Tire and Auto Repair Greenville SC 29615

Cobb Tire and Auto Repair Greenville SC 29615

By Alicia Lewis Service Advisor for Cobb Tire and Auto Repair.

What Is a Catalytic Converter Cobb Tire and Auto Repair Greenville SC 29615

What is a catalytic converter is? Why is it important? How do you know if there is something wrong with yours? Well, let me tell you.

A catalytic converter is a part of your car’s exhaust system. It converts harmful engine-exhaust pollutants into something less harmful. It also plays a large part in efficiency, health, and performance.

Why Do I Need a Catalytic Converter Cobb Tire and Auto Repair Greenville SC 29615

What kind of performance? A clogged converter can make your vehicle feel like it has no acceleration. It can cost you money at the pumps, and damage other exhaust components. It can even make your car fail at start up. To help identify a failing converter, these are some signs.

CEL(Check Engine Light).
Decreased gas mileage.
Decreased Acceleration.
Smell of rotten eggs.

These are a few ways to help you identify if you are having a problem with your catalytic converter.
Are you having any of these issues? Make an appointment with your trusted repair shop and have them check out your vehicle. Keeping up on your maintenance saves you money in the long run!

By Alicia Lewis Service Advisor at Cobb Tire and Auto Repair

Cobb Tire and Auto Repair Greenville SC 29615

Fluid Maintenance is Expensive! Do I Really Need it?

Why do repair shops keep trying to sell me Maintenance Packages? Do I need them? Yes, you do, and this is why.

Regular fluid maintenance keeps your vehicle running at its best. It also helps prevent breakdowns and part failures due to excessive wear by low or dirty fluids.

Transmission fluid heats up, breaks down its fluids, and will get debris. Servicing every 30,000 miles prevents damage to your transmission components.

Coolant helps protect your engine from being too hot or cold. Old fluid loses its ability to regulate temperature. Coolant also prevents engine parts from corrosion. Cooling system maintenance is recommended every 30,000 miles.

Brake fluid heats up and over time condensates and becomes corrosive, hindering performance. To keep your stopping power at peak performance, we recommend flushing your brake fluid every brake replacement.

Power steering fluid becomes dirty over time. When it does, it creates friction and becomes abrasive. It can ruin seals in the pump or the steering rack. Which becomes a very costly fix. Servicing every 25 to 30,000 miles prevents this from happening.

Your vehicle’s fuel injection system needs a balanced mix of fuel and air. Over time it becomes clogged with carbon deposits and debris. This impacts engine performance, starting, acceleration, and gas mileage. Fuel injection service is recommended every 15,000 miles.

A differential separates engine torque in a couple ways. It allows a different speed for each output’s spin. Compensation for the difference is what its job is. Example is when you turn a corner the inside wheel doesn’t have to travel as far as the outside one. So, the outer wheel must move faster than the inside to stay in pace. All the power of an engine goes through the differential. Differential oil is thicker than motor oil. It begins to wear thin and become contaminated, causing metal to metal contact. So, servicing your differentials is essential. It’s recommended to do your differential service every 30,000 miles.

Cobb Tire and Auto Repair Greenville SC 29615

What are Engine Diagnostics and why is it important.

As I have said in past blogs, your car is like driving a giant Computer. There are hundreds of feet of wire that is inside the wire harnesses. The wiring system is color coded. It is designed to carry important information data to various Computer Electrical components. This is how the Onboard Computer Module Communicates with the vehicle.

Let one wire or one electrical controller fail, and your Engine may stop running. We have seen thousands of Electrical Issues over the years. We have had to fix rodent damage to Wires. We have seen defective Electrical Sensors damaged from prior Repairs. And we have seen failures do too old age, water damage, collisions, and poor design.

What is Engine Diagnostics Cobb Tire and Auto Repair Greenville SC 29615

The actual Diagnostic Procedure is a multi-layered system of steps. The first step is recreating the issue. This is done by test driving the vehicle or by running the engine inside the Auto Repair Shop. Computer Electrical issues that only act up once or twice a week can be very difficult to pin down. Even problems acting up once or twice a day can be a challenge.

Once we verify the problem then the Test Equipment is utilized. Computer Scanners, Digital Volt Meters, Specialty Tools and Chemical Dyes are a few things that will aid the Technician in solving the problem. The challenge is to get the vehicle to act up while the Testing Tools are being used. Next the technician will isolate the malfunctioning system. He or she will then manipulate the system to note any changes that may occur.

Slowly and surely, the Technician will become familiar with the problem. Now the vehicle is Diagnosed, and the customer is informed. If the owner ok’s the recommended Repair, then the Technician will correct the problem. A retest is then done to verify that the Repair is fixed.

Why is Engine Diagnostic Expensive Cobb Tire and Auto Repair Greenville SC 29615

Cobb Tire and Auto Repair Greenville SC 29615

By Alicia Lewis Service Advisor for Cobb Tire and Auto Repair.

A Diagnostic is vital in finding out what is going on with your Vehicle. It is the what, how, and why. Without a thorough Diagnostic there is no way to determine the extent of a repair.

Your vehicle’s systems have a multitude of components. An example would be “My A/C isn’t working. How much will it cost to fix it?” Without running dye through the system and pressure testing, determining leaks would be impossible. Checking to make sure that your Compressor and Condenser are operating is essential.

Technicians must spend the time so that your car’s needs are addressed. Liken it to going to the doctor because you have a cough. Your physician runs tests to determine if you have an infection or allergies. It’s only then do they treat you.

The time it takes to run these tests vary from issue to issue. This is why checking your Charging System is less expensive than checking your Cooling System.

From your physician to your Auto Technician, Diagnostics are vital. And there are always associated costs. In the end, they save you time and money. Instead of throwing money at maybe, you find the cause… you can get the cure.

Cobb Tire and Auto Repair Greenville SC 2961

How do I know if my Starter Motor is going bad?

The Starter Motor is an important part of your electrical system. When you turn your Ignition Key over to start the engine, the electrical system goes into action. The Ignition Switch sends a signal to the On- Board Computer to, “start the engine”. The computer then sends the signal to the relay panel that delivers voltage to the starter motor. When voltage arrives at the Starter Motor, it cranks over the engine. It does this by pushing forward on the Bendix Gear to mate with the Engine Flywheel. Now the Starter can crank over the engine.

How do I know if my Starter is going bad Cobb Tire and Auto Repair Greenville SC 29615

But how do you know if your starter is going bad? Usually, 1 of 3 things will occur when your Starter is malfunctioning. First is that you will hear a onetime click when cranking and nothing else. Every time you try to start the engine, it will only click. Second is that the Starter will drag when cranking. This will sound like the engine is struggling to crank over. The Starter Motor is working but it is so weak that it doesn’t have the power to crank over the engine enough to start up. The third is that when you turn the key over to crank the engine, nothing happens at all.

Engine Starter Motor Cobb Tire and Auto Repair Greenville SC 29615

Diagnosing a faulty Starter Motor can be tricky. It requires testing equipment and scanning tools that interface with the computer and the Electronics. I would recommend taking your automobile to a qualified Auto Repair Shop. A skilled Mechanic will be able to test the electronics and provide the proper Diagnosis. There are allot of things that can cause an engine not to crank over. The Starter Motor is one of many.

Starter Motor Cobb Tire and Auto Repair Greenville SC 29615

Cobb Tire and Auto Repair in Greenville SC 29615

By Alicia Lewis. Service Advisor at Cobb Tire and Auto Repair.

Air Condition Service Cobb Tire and Auto Repair Greenville SC 29615

Tis the Season to Check Your A/C and Cooling System. Don’t wait until the dog days of summer catch you sweating!

Most people don’t think about Heat and A/C until they don’t have it. Early spring is the time to check and service your A/C and Cooling Systems. An ounce of prevention prevents problems later.

Checking your A/C System and keeping up on its maintenance keeps the components in good working order. Regular system service helps to prevent costly system replacement. It also will keep you cool on those 100-degree days. Most Auto Repair Shops in Greenville have “packages” for A/C system checks and maintenance. Call your trusted center and make an appointment, the earlier the better.

Why is my anti freeze low Cobb Tire and Auto Repair Greenville SC 29615

Your Cooling System is also keeping you and your car cool during the summer months. When your car itself isn’t cooling properly, your A/C can’t cool you properly. The heat generated by your engine needs somewhere to go so it doesn’t get too hot. Most goes through your exhaust. The rest is transferred into the coolant inside your cooling system. This coolant is transferred much like refrigerant moves to create cool air when the A/C is on. That is the symbiotic relationship of your HVAC.

So be cool to your car and schedule an appointment.

Tis The Season Cobb Tire and Auto Repair Greenville SC 29615

DON’T BE LIKE FRED…KEEP UP ON YOUR BRAKE HEALTH.

Cobb Tire And Auto Repair Greenville SC 29615

By Alicia Lewis. Service Advisor at Cobb Tire and Auto Repair

Disc Brake Repair Cobb Tire and Auto Repair Greenville SC 29615

BRAKES LET YOU KNOW WHEN THEY NEED CHANGING.

If you can hear your brakes, you have waited too long. When your vehicle’s brakes are making noise, you have gotten to or past your wear sensors. This means, you may be metal to metal, gouging your rotors. You are definitely overheating your brakes. This causes brake fluid to overheat. Overheated brake fluid becomes corrosive and damages brake lines, brake cylinders, and other costly components. Your brakes are one of the most important systems in your car. Keeping up on brake system maintenance is literally a life saver.

Brake Hose Cobb Tire and Auto Repair Greenville SC 29615

WHY DO I NEED TO REPLACE MY ROTORS? DO I REALLY NEED A BRAKE FLUID EXCHANGE?

I love a deal, who doesn’t? I shop for bargains a lot, but one of the things I spend my money on is my car. More importantly, the things on my car that keep me and others safe on the road. When I was a younger woman, brake rotors were made differently than they are today. Rotors were twice the thickness they are now. Why? Due to emissions standards and road wear, there was a need to shave weight off of vehicles. Rotors are now half of the depth they were. Every time you replace your pads, replace your rotors. Heating up of the metal causes warping. Warping causes wobble and irregular wear on brake pads. You will end up replacing brakes more often and your drive performance will take a hit. As I explained in the previous paragraph, brake fluid becomes corrosive. When brake fluid gets hot time after time it starts to degrade brake components. Change your fluid when you change your brakes. We live in a fast-paced world, don’t forget to STOP and smell the roses!

Cobb Tire and Auto Repair Greenville SC 29615

The Brake Master Cylinder is an important component of a vehicle’s Braking System. It Generates the fluid pressure and sends it to the Disc Calipers and the Drum Wheel Cylinders. This is where the braking occurs.

What is a Brake Master Cylinder Cobb Tire and Auto Repair Greenville SC 29615

Brake Fluid Cobb Tire and Auto Repair Greenville SC 29615

So how do I know if my Brake Master Cylinder is faulty. There are two things to look for. First, the Master Cylinder will leak externally at the unit. Open the hood and find the Brake Master Cylinder. It is the component that you fill with brake fluid. It will have a black plastic screw on or snap on cap. Inspect the Master Cylinder for signs of wetness or fluid dripping off it. If the Brake Master Cylinder is leaking, it needs to be replaced. The second thing to look for would be the foot brake pedal fading to the floor when you step on it to stop your car. When you stop, the brake pedal should always feel firm and strong when holding it down. If you feel the pedal slowly fade down towards the floor, it could be problematic. If you feel like you must hit the pedal again to regain firmness, the Brake Master Cylinder might be faulty.

Brake Master Cylinder Cobb Tire and Auto Repair Greenville SC 29615

Master Cylinder Cobb Tire and Auto Repair Greenville SC 29615

With most Auto Repair problems, a skilled Repair Shop should perform the Brake Diagnoses. They will recommend the proper fix. Checking the Master Cylinder should be done when the Mechanic is performing the Digital Vehicle Inspection

Cobb Tire and Auto Repair Greenville SC 29615

By Alicia Lewis. Service Advisor for Cobb Tire and Auto Repair.

WHAT IS AN ABS LIGHT? WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

An anti-lock braking system (ABS) is a safety anti-skid braking system. This system is used on planes, cars, trucks, buses, and motorcycles. ABS operates by preventing the wheels from locking up during braking. Maintaining tractive contact with the road surface. That allows the driver to maintain more control over the vehicle.

Here are some of the most common reasons why the ABS light comes on in a car:

ABS Brake Module Cobb Tire and Auto Repair Greenville SC 29615

What is an ABS Brake Module Cobb Tire and Auto Repair Greenville SC 29615

· Faulty ABS sensor: The ABS sensor is a device that measures the speed of the wheel. If the sensor malfunctions, it can send the wrong signal to the ABS control unit. This can cause the ABS light to come on.

· Low brake fluid: The brake fluid reservoir is under the hood. If the brake fluid level is low, it can cause the ABS light to come on.

Broken ABS wheel speed sensor: The ABS wheel speed sensor is a device that measures the speed of the wheel. If the sensor breaks, it can send the wrong signal to the ABS control unit. This can cause the ABS light to come on.

· ABS control unit malfunction: The ABS control unit is a computer that controls the ABS system. If the control unit malfunctions, it can cause the ABS light to come on.

· Clogged ABS lines: The ABS lines are the hoses that carry brake fluid to the ABS wheel speed sensors. If the ABS lines are clogged, it can cause the ABS light to come on.

If your ABS light comes on, quickly take your car to your trusted auto repair center. The technician will be able to diagnose the problem and recommend the best course of action.