A car's optimum performance depends largely on the exhaust system. The system has the responsibility of emitting gases and other combustion components from the automotive engine. If further reduces any unnecessary noise generated, making the ride comfortable and smooth. The exhaust system is a composition of different components that work collaboratively in achieving its functions. These parts include: Exhaust manifold Oxygen sensors Piping Catalytic converter Resonator Silence Tailpipe If there is trouble with any of the components, the functioning of the exhaust system is compromised. There are common exhaust system troubles that many drivers have report. They require immediate mechanical interventions to ensure safety while on the road. They include; Bad Oxygen Sensor Oxygen sensors are responsible for balancing the air and fuel mixture. They are located in the exhaust system. Their malfunctions are common, and this affects the computer engine. It results in improper a ... read more

Tires have a vital role when it comes to your vehicle. The lifespan of your tires is something that many don't tend to pay a lot of attention to. Recently, there have been a lot of conversations on maintenance of tires. It is extremely important that you keep your tires taken care of no matter what. A big topic of discussion is if nitrogen or is air better for tires? For years now many commercial vehicles have been using nitrogen to inflate their tire. This has been done for numerous amounts of reasons. In more recent years it has been marketed that nitrogen is a good choice for your everyday car tires. There are some things that you should consider when you're looking at if nitrogen or air is a better choice for inflating your tires. When you're looking at which will be more cost efficient, you must know that air will win. In most cases, when you take your car to a tire center, they won't charge you for air. However, if you took your tires to the same center and ... read more

It's a beautiful but cold morning, and you have errands to run. On entering your vehicle and driving off, you suddenly realize the heater is blowing out cold air rather than warm air. You are bound to be frustrated and cold. It could even be downright unbearable. To make it worse, you can't even defrost the mirrors and windows to get rid of condensation. A car heater that isn't working can be the bane of your existence. So, why isn't the heater working? Your car heater can stop working due to several reasons: Ineffective cooling system Your car's cooling system works like a radiator. Once you ignite your vehicle, the engine heats up to a certain temperature. With the aid of the thermostat, it heats the coolant that is made up of a 50/50 percent ratio of antifreeze and water. The mixture passes through the heating core, and then a fan blows the warm air from the core into the cabin of your vehicle. If the level of the coolant is too low, there ... read more

The thermostat within your vehicle maintains the engine's temperature and ensures it's operating with a range that's specified in your vehicle's owner's manual. Thermostats serve two main functions, to heat the engine and keep it consistently at optimum temperature. As you drive, the thermostat gets older and worn. A worn thermostat can get stuck open or closed, leading to an array of problems. It may not be easy to determine whether the thermostat is the main problem culprit when issues occur. Below we provide a brief overview of signs to look out for that indicate the thermostat needs to be replaced.   There's cold air blowing through the heater vents. If the thermostat is stuck open, the temperature within the engine will decrease.  The engine is overheating. If the engine is smoking and overheating, the thermostat may be stuck closed. A thermostat that is stuck in the closed position wi ... read more

It's late, and you're on your way home. The last thing you need is your battery dying or the tire going flat. Are you prepared for those circumstances if they happen? If you have roadside assistance, they may be your saving grace. While this option is reliable, emergencies can happen. Your cell phone battery can die, there may not be a dedicated phone signal, or assistance can be several hours delayed. An emergency kit stowed away in the trunk is a smart move to stay prepared for the unexpected. Below are a few suggestions on the best items to pack or include in your vehicle's emergency kit.  Portable battery charger If you're stranded several miles out away from the city, there may not be many other drivers nearby who can give you a jump. A dead battery can be resolved quickly with a portable charger because you won't need a second vehicle.  First Aid Kit A first aid kit will include Band-Aids, gauze, disposal gloves, adhesive tape, tweezers, medicati ... read more

You're on your way to work only to notice the engine won't turn over. There's nothing more frustrating than being in a rush and finding your car completely dead. For most people, driving is so routine; it's like you're on auto-pilot. You never realize how important your vehicle is until it stops working. Several different reasons can leave your car inoperable. Below are four of the most common reasons your car won't start.  The Battery Died One of the most common reasons an engine won't turn over is because the battery is dead. The battery provides electrical power not only to the electrical components but to the entire car. Driving allows your battery to charge sufficiently. If you've been self-isolating and haven't used your vehicle in a while, the lack of use could be the issue. Batteries are meant to last several years, but if you have left your headlights on or have any loose wires, it's time to consider a replacement.  ... read more

Wheel alignments are essential. There are not too many other vehicle maintenance services that extend tire life and improve handling and gas mileage. Long road trips are not the only way wheels can become misaligned. Bumpy roads, potholes, and uneven driving surfaces on the shortest drives can leave your wheels needing an alignment. Wheel alignments alter a vehicle’s suspension to correct the angles of the tires. Lex Brodie’s in Honolulu, HI, uses state of the art machinery to determine the proper angles at which your wheels should be placed. Driving with tires in an inadequate alignment takes away car balance, making the drive dangerous. If you pay special attention to your vehicle, warning signs will indicate that your car needs a wheel alignment.   The Steering Wheel is Vibrating. A steering wheel that is shaky and vibrating is a big indicator that the wheels may be out of alignment. The worse the shaking is, the sooner you should seek help. A vibra ... read more

Many drivers are abandoning their vehicles for the safety of their homes. It’s safer to work from home, do grocery pick-up, and fill your recreational time with activities that allow you to stay 6 feet apart. According to Inrix.com, a major traffic analytics company based in Washington, road travel was down by 38% during March’s last week. Cars are sitting around, not being driven. If your vehicle isn’t being driven, the gas inside your fuel tank can become stale and start to degrade. That leaves us wondering - why exactly does gas become stale? According to Greg Brannon, the Director of automotive engineering and industry relations for AAA, gasoline is a living chemical. Thus, with time, air, and condensation, it can break down and decompose. The lighter, volatile aspects of gas can evaporate, leaving the gas gummy in extreme cases. Gas can start to go bad after sitting for around three months. This gives room for alarm because if you ... read more

If you’re walking and notice your destination is directly across the street from you, but there’s no intersection, what do you do? You may consider just crossing the street. Depending on where you live, this occurrence happens more often than not. “Jaywalking” is a term that describes someone who crosses a road at a point where there isn’t a designated crosswalk. This is still an excellent term to describe that phenomenon; however, “jaywalking” has a more colorful history than you might expect. What is the history behind the word jaywalking?  Jaywalking has to do with pedestrian safety. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations show that a considerable amount of pedestrian deaths occurs due to jaywalking each year. The term jaywalking originates from the early 20th century from the colloquial word “jay.” Jay refers to a silly or goofy person and carries a history of holding a derogatory meaning. Before the automobile ... read more

While lines along the road are a regular occurrence for most drivers, they can indicate different rules. The white lines on the road can be solid, doubled, or broken, leading to confusion. Below is a description of the different types of white lines that can be found on the road and what they mean.  Solid white line:  These lines usually indicate where the road’s shoulder begins. They indicate areas where lane changes are discouraged because they may present a higher accident risk. Solid double line: These lines are very different from one solid white line and are usually separated by a few inches. A solid double line indicates that it’s illegal to cross them to change lanes or at any time.  Broken white line: A broken white line usually indicates an area where it’s considered reasonably safe to change lanes. Dashed white lines: A dashed white line may look similar to the broken white line, but the dashes are closer together. The dashes indicate tha ... read more