North and South Carolina Auto Repair

Engine misfire or engine knocking is a condition where the engine fails to ignite all the fuel in one or more cylinders, leading to a loss of power and efficiency. It can occur for many reasons and affect internal combustion engines, including gasoline and diesel engines. What Is Engine Misfire? An engine misfire is a problem that occurs when the engine does not fire at the right time. Things that can cause misfiring include: A faulty spark plug. A loose or broken wire leads to the spark plugs. A missing fuel injector (a component that mixes fuel and air before it enters an engine). An internal fault with your car's ECU (electronic control unit) or wiring system. If you're experiencing engine misfire, you'll notice your car losing power and becoming harder to start. Causes of Engine Misfire There are many causes for engine misfires. You can categorize them into three: mechanical, electrical, and fuel-related. Mechanical causes include problems with the engine itsel ... read more

Tire rotations are a crucial step in maintaining the tires on your vehicle. Rotating your tires is not only important for your safety, but extends the longevity of your tires. Plus it could be required to keep your car’s warranty, so it's time to get rotating!   A tire rotation service simply means switching the location or position of each tire. Typically, it is done every 5,000 miles or at every oil change. They are relatively inexpensive, but you still might wonder, “what is the purpose of tire rotations”.    Tire rotations are necessary to promote even tire wear across all the tires on your vehicle, extending the life of the tires. In other words, it will maximize their tread life. On most vehicles, the front tires tend to wear quicker in the front than in the rear. Therefore, changing the tires’ positioning ensures they are always even.   Even tires can make turning, braking and accelerating in your vehicle easier and safer. By ... read more

The battery is the lifeline of your vehicle. It is responsible for powering all the electrical components in your car and starting your engine. It can be very exasperating when you are in a hurry, start your vehicle, and it doesn't start. After you check under the hood, everything is in order apart from the battery. Best Time To Replace Your Car Battery It is best to replace your car battery before you need to. You should replace your car battery at least after every four years. However, some factors determine the lifespan of your car battery. Some of these factors are; Climate- if you are in hotter climates, you may need to replace your car battery sooner than in four years. The heat increases the degradation rate of your car battery. In cooler climates, batteries can last up to five years or more. Heat - The heat in the hood will also increase the rate of battery degradation; however, some auto manufacturers avoid this by installing a shield around the battery or putting the ... read more

When you find coolant/antifreeze under your car, it can be quite concerning. Since your cooling system comprises various parts, it can be hard to pinpoint on your own. Leaking coolant can be a symptom of a failing water pump.   Water pumps play a vital role in circulating coolant fluid from the radiator to the engine. Nowadays, they have a pulley system that relies on a series of belts, hoses, and bearings to move the fluid. However, some water pumps can get their energy from the electrical system. Over time, the water pump can malfunction. Read on to learn more about the signs of a failing water pump: Smoking and overheating - If you see smoke emanating from your vehicle, it is likely that it is a fault in the cooling system. You can tell when your car is overheating by referencing the temperature gauge located on your dash. Weird sounds - The engine can make unusual sounds when something is wrong. It can make knocking sounds when you have bad bearings around the engine. Keep ... read more

Spark plugs play a vital role in your car's combustion engine. Faulty spark plugs will result in poor combustion and eventually faster drains gas from your tank. When spark plugs malfunction, you might not ignite your vehicle because they'll fail to generate the necessary spark that helps move the engine's piston. Therefore, you must change them frequently to avoid such annoying malfunctions. Changing your spark plug will be determined by a lot of factors. If you feel that your ignition is not instantaneous as expected, you need to replace them. The interval of change of spark plugs varies depending on the specific vehicles. Checking the vehicle's manual will help recommend the particular interval of changing your car's spark plugs. However, 30, 000 miles is the recommended average mileage for a spark plug change. Failure to replace your car's spark plugs in time is a prerequisite for engine malfunctions. Issues like misfiring and abnormal idling will occur owi ... read more

It's exciting when you drive the car off without difficulty, but this can quickly turn scary when the car won't start again. If you're wondering why your car won't start, we've got some of the most common causes: Dead Battery The first item to check if your car won't start is the battery. Maybe something depleted the car's battery overnight, or it's simply old. Over time, car batteries weaken and fail. Batteries may be drained due to aging, improper wire connections or accessories left on. Corroded or Loose Battery Terminals Even if the battery isn't dead, it may be having issues. Inspect the connections for loosened or rusted parts. The terminal clamps should be tight. Corrosion might impair the connection. Cleaning the terminals with baking soda and water is straightforward hack. Dead Alternator A defective alternator might also cause the car not to start. The alternator charges the battery while the car is running. When it fails, the battery ... read more

The heat of the summer months along with increased traffic on the roads will ultimately cause some wear on your vehicle. Regular maintenance during the summer months is essential to ensure your safety and to avoid breakdowns. Here are some preventative maintenance items to follow before and during the summer months: Air Conditioning - Make sure that your air conditioning is working well before you get hit with that summer heat. A quick inspection of your A/C system will help make sure all is working properly as well as a top-off of coolant. Cooling System - Overheating is the number one cause of breakdowns during the summer, due to a combination of engine heat and environmental heat. The cooling system is what cools down your engine as you drive and is vital for summer months. The cooling system fluid should be exchanged every 24 months. Oil Change - As always, it is important to stay on top of oil changes at the recommended intervals. Low or dirty oil can cause en ... read more

With gas prices rising high these days, you may want to take the initiative to save money with your fleet. There are several ways you can reduce your fleets' fuel consumption. Measure how economically your drivers are driving - First and foremost, you should find a way to measure how efficient or inefficient your vehicles are so that you know which cars need improvement. Some vehicles have specific software that gives you this insightful info. Otherwise, you can invest in a system that measures it. Reward economical drivers - By rewarding your best drivers, you can encourage them to drive better. Throwing in some friendly competition will make your drivers more cautious of their driving style and habits. Perhaps, there will be less excessive harsh accelerations, braking, and sharp turning. Plan your trips smarter - Optimizing your routes is the best way to save on fuel expenses. Changing the order of stops can save tens or hundreds of miles each day.  Invest in new cars ... read more

If you're not an automotive technician, you have probably never heard of or cared for your vehicle's cabin filter. But the fact is, all cars have one. Cabin filters purify air by removing smoke, dust, allergens, and much more. Over time, the filter can get dirty and clogged, becoming ineffective. This is why mechanics stress the importance of changing your filters on time, and the cabin air filter is no exception. What happens if you don't replace cabin air filters? It can be considered dangerous if the cabin filter isn't changed on time. Here's what could happen if you leave a dirty filter in your car too long: Health Issues The cabin filter makes sure the air that comes out of your vents is safe to breathe. When the filter gets filthy, that's when breathing can become an issue. The cabin air filter is something individuals with asthma, or other health issues should be especially concerned about.  Foggy Windows The cabin air filter helps minimize the ... read more

Oil changes are the most frequent maintenance items for most car owners. While these visits to the auto repair shop may be quick, the consequences of neglecting a needed one can be devastating for your car's health and your wallet. Here are some ways to determine if your vehicle needs an oil change soon: Number of Miles You've Driven On average, most cars need an oil change about every 3,000 miles. However, this number can differ depending on your driving habits, your driving frequency, the age of your car, and the type of oil you use. If you drive a more modern vehicle, you might be able to put it off a little longer between each change. It is best to consult with your owner's manual or car experts if you are unsure. Vehicle Notification System The most obvious sign that it is time to get an oil change is if there is a warning light on your dashboard. Assuming that your oil change light is working, waiting for the message to come on will take away some of the flexibili ... read more