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Frequently Asked Questions
& Automotive Tips

Q. How do I know when it’s time to have my vehicle tuned up?

A. Many consumers today are confused by the 100,000-mile tune up advertisements. Some tell tale signs that your vehicle need attention in this area are: hard starting, stalling, poor fuel mileage, rough running, shaking at idle, and/or poor engine performance. There are also many definitions of a tune up. First of all check your owner’s manual to see what is the recommended service interval for your particular vehicle. Chances are that recommended replacement for items like your air filter, fuel filter, pcv valve and certain ignition components will be every 15,000-20,000 miles. Typically, depending on the grade of spark plug, these will be required every 30,000 to 60,000 miles up to 100,000 miles for the premium grade spark plugs.

Q. When should I service my cooling system?

A. We recommend that the cooling system be serviced every 2 years or 24,000 miles. Car manufacturers say 3 years or 36,000 miles. There are additives in antifreeze that provide alkaline to help neutralize internal corrosion before it begins. We find that after 2 years, the antifreeze starts to lose its corrosion resistance. When having your cooling system serviced, it should be flushed to help remove debris that may have accumulated in the system. It should then be refilled with a 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and clean water. This is also a great time for a visual inspection of your belts and hoses.

Q. When my '92 Ford Tempo is running I hear a loud humming noise from the rear. Is this noise something I should worry about?

A. For many years now, since the arrival of fuel injection, vehicles require much more fuel pressure and volume to operate. Because of this need, electric fuel pumps have been placed in the fuel tanks. The noise you are hearing is probably from your electric fuel pump. You may consider having a fuel pump pressure and volume test performed. This will let you know the condition of your fuel pump based on the vehicle's factory specifications.

On a fuel injected vehicle you can take a few preventive measures to protect your electric fuel pump. One is to change your fuel filter every 12 months or 15,000 miles whichever comes first. The other is to keep your gas tank at least 1/2 full. The gas acts as an insulator to keep your electric pump running cool and efficient.

A. The main purpose of the engine's timing belt is to drive the camshaft. The camshaft opens and closes the engine's valves, as it rotates, at specific intervals to allow the fuel/air mixture in and exhaust fumes out. If the timing belt fails, not only will the motor stop running, leaving your vehicle disabled but may also result in valve, cylinder head or piston damage. This can be very expensive. The reason for this damage is that some engines are built with very tight valve to piston clearances. If the valve timing on such an engine is allowed to vary too much or the belt breaks, causing the valves to open at the wrong time or stay open altogether, the pistons can hit the valves, causing damage.

For most cars, the timing belt should be replaced every 60,000 miles or four years, or anytime the belt becomes contaminated with oil or similar fluids. See your owners' manual for specifics. A timing belt is made using rubber which simply deteriorates with time and mileage. When a new belt is installed, the gears, tensioners, camshaft and crankshaft oil seals and possibly the water pump should also be inspected and serviced as necessary. Some engines also incorporate a counter-balance shaft system to reduce engine vibrations. Some of these counter-balance shafts are driven by a separate belt similar to a timing belt. This belt should always be replaced anytime the timing belt is replaced.

Q. Do all engines use timing belts?

A. No, some engines use a timing chain or gears to drive the camshaft. Rotary engines, such as those found in Mazda RX7s, as well as 2-cycle engines, do not have a camshaft and therefore have no timing belt, chain or gears. A failed timing chain or gear-to-gear system will result in engine failure and possible damage just the same as with a timing belt equipped engine. However, timing chains and gear-to-gear drives are in a more protected environment inside the engine's crankcase and receive a continual supply of oil. They generally have a much longer life span than timing belts and can last well past 100,000 miles on a properly maintained engine.

Automotive Tips:
Tire Pressure

Make sure you check your tire pressure regularly – at least once per month and before every long trip -- including the spare and keep it at the level recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.

The correct cold inflation pressure for your tires is listed on the vehicle placard on the door post, fuel door, glove box or in the owners' manual. "Cold inflation pressure" refers to the pressure in a tire that has not been driven for at least three hours. As tires warm during driving, it is normal for pressure to build up. Never "bleed" or reduce air pressure when tires are hot.

The tire pressure listed on your sidewalls is the maximum pressure and is not intended to serve as notification of the correct pressure.

Underinflation creates excessive stresses and heat and is a leading cause of tire failure. It is also important to guard against overinflation, which can cause uneven wear plus handling and stopping problems.

Vehicle Loading and Overloading

Before you fill the trunk and the roof rack with your stuff, check out the vehicle manufacturers recommendations for loading your vehicle. You may not realize it, but you and your passengers count towards the total recommended vehicle weight.

The vehicle manufacturers loading recommendation can be found on the vehicle information placard on the door post or in the vehicle owners’ manual.

Overloading your vehicle creates excessive heat inside your tires. Excessive heat can cause tire failure that could result in vehicle damage and/or serious injury or even death.

And don’t forget, if you’re going to be driving long distances with a loaded vehicle or you haven’t had your car checked in a while, have the alignment and rotation checked. Tires and wheels that are out of balance or misaligned can cause uneven wear or vehicle problems. Have your car checked by an automotive service professional before you leave.

Tread

Check the tread grooves of your tires to make sure that they’re free of foreign objects. This makes it easier for your tires to grip the road and increases your ability to safely maneuver your car.

Also check the sidewalls to make sure there are no gouges, cuts, bulges or other irregularities.

You may have irregular tread wear if there are high and low areas or unusually smooth areas. Built-in treadwear indicators, or “wear bars,” which look like narrow strips of smooth rubber across the tread will appear on the tire when the tread is worn down to one-sixteenth of an inch. When you see these “wear bars,” the tire is worn out and should be replaced.

Harlem Road Automotive
1501 Harlem Road
Loves Park, IL
2 blocks West of Logli Supermarket
(815) 654-7171