Shade Tree Automotive Diagnostics And Care - Part II - Hear No Evil

Some people are incredibly sensitive to the sounds their vehicles make. This is especially true of motorcyclists, those who refurbish vintage automobiles, and experienced mechanics. It's a very worthwhile skill to develop. There are mechanics who can listen to a running car engine and tell if the timing is slightly off, or the injectors are not operating properly. While this is a very neat thing to be able to do, you do not have to elevate your listening skills to that lofty place in order to get benefits from listening to your vehicle.

Listen To the Engine
(This is best done in relatively quiet surroundings until you get really good at it.) Open up the hood of your vehicle's engine compartment. If necessary on your model, be sure to use the metal rod to lock the hood in the upright/open position. Now, start your engine. Allow the engine to run for 30-60 seconds before you start listening too hard. Also, there are many moving parts inside of engine compartments, don't wear loose clothing, and mind all your fingers and hair! Safety first.

A brief word about engine sounds…
All engines make sounds. Some sound like jets, and other have constant clicking noises, or humming, or clattering. Which sounds are consistently made, and are okay, are unique to your specific vehicle's engine. The point being, don't be alarmed the first time you really take a good listen to your engine. You'll quickly learn the sounds that are okay, and the ones that are not.

You're going to listen to your engine from three different positions: 1) Directly in front of the car. 2) On the left (driver's side) side of the engine compartment. 3) On the right (passenger's side) side of the engine compartment. I like to start I like to start on the left – right in front of the driver's door.

Lean over the engine compartment (again – be careful with clothing, hair, and appendages) and listen carefully. Try closing your eyes to heighten your hearing. Listen for things that don't sound 'right.' Such things might include: clattering, metal rubbing metal, clanging, and squeaks. If you hear such a thing, open your eyes and try to focus in on it – moving the position of your head and ears as your track the sound to its source. Repeat this process at all three positions previously described.

This method of checking your engine can reveal loose caps, loose fan belts, loose fans, missing bolts, nuts, and many other things. Correct what you are able to, and have anything else dealt with by a service technician. Don't put your hands into your engine compartment to tighten something or check something while it is running. If you notice that the stays on the overflow tube are loose and rattling, turn off the engine before tightening.

Driving your car for a short distance over a good road with the radio and air conditioning off and the windows down is a good way to hear some other sounds. Clattering might mean you have a lug nut that came off, and it's stuck inside the hubcap. A metal-rubbing-metal sound may be a stuck brake.

The last listening project/technique is the best – or at least so people tell me. This one requires a willing and able assistant. The two of you climb into the vehicle together – you drive, the assistant rides shotgun. The assistant will require four things: some WD-40, a notepad, a small can of 3-in-1 oil, and a good rag. Head for a road that isn't so smooth, and simply drive along. The assistant listens for those irritating squeaks, squeals, and rattles.

The assistant should move around inside the vehicle, focusing on the sounds to locate their sources. One of the two lubricants will fix almost any squeaking – and the rag ensures a nice, tidy application of the chosen lubricant. Some things, such as loose or missing screws or bolts, should be recorded on the notepad for maintenance or repair later, when you get back home to the tools. You won't believe how quiet your cockpit becomes after you perform this process once or twice.

Okay, you've completed another step in becoming a full-fledged automotive diagnostician – or something like that, anyway. You've definitely gotten your vehicle in much better condition, and you should have learned a thing or two. Check out Part I – See No Evil, and look out for Part III – Smell No Evil.

Always remember if you need Exhaust, Brake and Chassis repair don't hesitate on contact us at 281-331-5921

Alvin Mufflers & Accessories
817 S Gordon Street
Alvin, TX 77511
alvin.mufflers.accessories@gmail.com

http://www.alvinmufflersandaccessories.com

Shade Tree Automotive Diagnostics And Care - Part I - See No Evil

Learning a little more about how to better care for your vehicles is a good idea for any number of reasons. It allows you to know if an unscrupulous mechanic is attempting to gouge you on your repairs – and that will save you money. It can prevent you from making unnecessary repairs – and that will save you money. It can help you locate a problem and fix it early, thus saving more money – sometimes a whole lot of money. It allows you to be more independent in an era where people are entirely too dependent on others to survive.

We need to get started now, so that we have time to cover everything…

First, do a visual check of your vehicle. The following will assist you in where to look, and for what:

• Look at your tires. Do they look low? A tire pressure gauge, available inexpensively at any discount store of auto parts store will help you make sure tire pressure stays dead on. Maintain as necessary. Better tire pressures will make your vehicle safer, and more fuel efficient. There are some very inexpensive air pumps for sale at discount stores – should you really want to stay on top of air pressure in your tires. Motorcyclists and moped riders need to be exceptionally concerned about their tire pressures.
• Look closely at your tires and inspect for severely worn edges, areas missing chunks of rubber, or objects sticking into the tire. Maintain or replace as necessary. If your tires are relatively new, and they seem to be wearing unevenly, take you vehicle into the shop for an alignment, and likely a tire rotation. 
• Look under the vehicle for liquids. One drop usually means nothing. Look for consistent drip marks. Remember that during summer months your vehicle's air conditioning will steadily drip water when in use – no worries. Your coolant system may also spew an occasional bit of water/anti-freeze, and that's okay too. If you find a stain indicating long-term or consistent leaking, trace the leak to its source: engine oil, transmission fluid, rear end oil, etc. Maintain or repair as necessary. Sometimes, just getting under the vehicle with a pressure hose at the car wash will clean off years of old oil and debris that causes many 'driveway' leaks – thus fixing the faux leak.
• Visually check your engine oil. Check it according to the manufacturer's instructions, and also feel it with your fingers. Engine oil is the life blood of your vehicle's power plant. Does the oil feel thick, or does it feel watery. Thick is good, watery is bad! Change watery oil. Add the appropriate oil if the level registers low. NEVER overfill your oil!
• Check the coolant level. Be sure to use caution, and follow the manufacturer's instructions to avoid injury from hot, pressurized liquids. Maintain as necessary. If you haven't had your coolant/anti-freeze checked lately, it might be advisable. Be sure to never add coolant or anti-freeze that is not recommended by your vehicle's manufacturer. Some radiators require special products so as not to erode or corrode them.
• Visually check your engine compartment. Tighten caps, firmly tug/test hose connections, look for worn things, things that have blown into the engine compartment, etc. Maintain or repair as necessary. This is also a good time to do light engine cleaning. Nothing too serious, just some rags and some degreaser: ammonia and water make a cheap, great degreaser, but it shouldn't be used on aluminum – certainly not left on it. A toothbrush is also an excellent tool here – it makes quick work of much engine debris.
• Visually check your automotive battery and connections. Make sure the connections feel tight at the battery. If you have green or white build-up on the battery, mix some baking soda with tepid water (1/4-cup of baking soda to one quart of water) and stir it thoroughly. Now, slowly pour it directly over the affected areas. Don't worry about all the fizzing and crackling – it's just cleaning. Make sure you do this where the runoff won't harm anything. An old toothbrush will make this go faster. When the terminals are clean and dry, apply a thin coating of automotive grease onto each battery terminal, and connection. Automotive grease comes in small, plastic tubs that weigh about a pound each. They're cheap, so get a good brand name. I use popsicle sticks to spread it with. Grease is good to have around for many automotive fixes and preventive maintenance actions.

Okay, you've completed the first steps of becoming a full-fledged automotive diagnostician – or something like that, anyway. You've definitely gotten your vehicle in much better condition, and you should have learned a thing or two. Keep an eye out for part II – Hear No Evil, and Part III – Smell No Evil.

Always remember if you need Exhaust, Brake and Chassis repair don't hesitate on contact us at 281-331-5921

Alvin Mufflers & Accessories
817 S Gordon Street
Alvin, TX 77511
alvin.mufflers.accessories@gmail.com


http://www.alvinmufflersandaccessories.com
  

4 Reasons Why You Need A Tonneau Cover

Installing a quality tonneau cover on your pick up truck is a great idea that can only enhance your truck’s look and value. You can shell out a little bit of money and get a cover that looks no better than a tarp or you can pay a lot of money and get a tonneau cover that really makes a statement. In the middle area -- where most consumers shop -- you can find more than a few sensibly priced designs that are sturdy, long lasting, and eye-catching. Some covers look cut-rate -- and they are, while others look costly -- but they really are not. For the most part you will pay less for a soft-top tonneau cover than for a hard-top cover, therefore it becomes a matter of personal taste as to which cover you select.

Simple to maintain The way you wash your truck is the way you will clean your tonneau cover: just be careful not to use a car tire or dashboard cleaning agent on it. Simply follow the manufacturer’s recommendation on how best to maintain your cover. Most any auto supply retailer should stock products expressly developed for maintaining a tonneau cover.

Secure for your stuff If you regularly carry valuable merchandise in your truck bed, consider purchasing a locking, hard shell tonneau cover. Covers such as those made by Retrax or Extang are designed with your security requirements in mind and will keep probing eyes from seeing what is in the back of your truck.

Enhance your truck’s overall value If you keep your truck looking and running its best, a premium tonneau cover will only boost your truck’s value. When it comes time to sell you truck, you should be able to command a better selling price.

Save on gas Today’s high gas prices mean you must think of innovative ways to save on fuel consumption. One way you can achieve decent savings -- as much as 10-15% -- is to have a tonneau cover installed. With a tonneau cover in place, wind drag is significantly reduced: the less drag on your truck, the better your fuel economy will be.

If you ready to find the perfect Tonneau Cover for you truck call us at (281) 331-5921

Alvin Mufflers & Accessories
817 S Gordon Street
Alvin, TX 77511
alvin.mufflers.accessories@gmail.com

http://www.alvinmufflersandaccessories.com

We Want To Examine Your Brakes

Regular brake inspections are an essential part of good automotive maintenance that can save you money and keep your car from wrapping itself around the first tree out of your driveway. Make sure that your brakes and rotors are receiving the proper maintenance by following the steps outlined. Your safety as well as that of your passengers, pedestrians, and other drivers is at stake.

1. Time for a free inspection. Alvin Mufflers & Accessories offer customers free brake inspections and estimates. The inspection typically includes the following steps:

• Check your vehicle’s brake pads and shoes for signs of wear;
• Visual inspection on hydraulic fluids;
• Examine rotor/drum wear and calipers;
• Examine the anti-lock brake system [if you have one]

An annual check up of your brakes is wise, but do it more often if you drive well above the national average [about 15,000 miles per year] or if you do heavy stop and go driving.

2. Awareness is the key. Most brake system problems can be avoided if motorists would pay attention to certain signs of pending problems including:

• Your brake warning light comes on.
• Your brake pedal is either squishy, difficult to push down, or you must pump the brakes to get them to work correctly.
• Your brakes grind continuously and you hear a loud metallic racket when you push down on them.
• Your car pulls to one side when you push down on the brakes, instead of stopping in a straight line.
• Your car jerks to a halt when you push down on the brakes.
• One or more wheels are strikingly hot even after a brief trip.
• You observe fluid leaks in the vicinity of any wheel or in the engine section near the master cylinder. 

Take care of your vehicle and it will take car of you especially in an emergency situation where a properly working brake system is an absolute must.

To schedule an appointment contact us at (281) 331-5921

Alvin Mufflers & Accessories

817 S Gordon Street

Alvin, TX 77511

alvin.mufflers.accessories@gmail.com

 http://www.alvinmufflersandaccessories.com

Floor & Cargo Liners for Your Vehicle

Your Ford F-Series, Toyota Tundra, Dodge Ram, or GMC/Chevy pick up truck gets the job done when it comes to moving people and your stuff. Likely, your truck’s cargo bed is utilized frequently as you use it to transport wood, gravel, household items, or even food items. To protect your cargo bed and the truck’s interior from mistreatment, custom made liners and floor mats form Weather Tech offer extraordinary protection for your vehicle that no stock product can possibly equal. Let's examine some important features that custom made liners and floor mats have to offer.

Custom made liners offer the best protection for your pick up truck or SUV because they feature the following characteristics: 

• Each liner is custom made to the specific specifications of your truck’s cargo area. 
• Liners are made from rigorous materials to stay supple in intense weather conditions: from the heat of summer to the worst of winter's extreme chill. 
• Liners resist snow, ice, hail, sleet, rain, mud, dirt, gas, oil. 
• Liners include molded-in tread pattern cargo grips to lessen the movement of your passengers, pets, and other stuff. 
• Are available in three important colors: gray, black, and tan to match mostly any vehicle. 

Likewise, custom made floor mats offer the following significant features: Are constructed with the toughest rubber to endure abusive foot traffic.

Warranted to not crack or break; compare that with one year limited warranties from off the shelf competitors. Contrasting to clumsy fitting off the shelf models, custom floor mats offer an exact fit.
No dangerous folding or slipping while operating your car! Withstand snow, ice, hail, sleet, rain, mud, dirt, gas, oil.

Besides serving full sized truck and SUV offerings, custom liners and floor mats can be made for a wide range of other vehicles, all the way from the Ford Mustang to a Land Rover and beyond. Protect your vehicle today and let us get you the mats and liners that are right for you.

To purchase a cargo liner or floor liners contact us at (281) 331-5921

Alvin Mufflers & Accessories
817 S Gordon Street
Alvin, TX 77511

alvin.mufflers.accessories@gmail.com

 http://www.alvinmufflersandaccessories.com