A.G. Automotive and Diagnosis
AUTONET TV
Archive for September 2019The Need for Speed (Wheel Speed Sensor Maintenance)Posted July 3, 2022 8:27 AMToday's vehicles have some pretty amazing technology in them, including a computerized braking system we all pretty much take for granted these days. Antilock brake systems (ABS) have been around for years but they help drivers stop in much shorter distances reliably than ever before. When you see your ABS warning light come on, it's important to find out what's causing the problem. It's a safety issue. Often the problem when the ABS light comes on is a faulty wheel speed sensor. (In some cases the traction control light will also come on, perhaps because of a non-working wheel speed sensor.) Your vehicle uses the speed sensors to measure the rotational speed at each wheel. That sensor sends the speed data to a computer that can then adjust braking power and prevent your wheels from locking up. If any of the wheel speed sensors isn't working right, the ABS warning light will go on and the vehicle's computer will turn off the antilock brake system. You'll still have working brakes, but you will lose the functionality of that computerized system. When your vehicle warns you the ABS has a non-working sensor, you can have a technician check to see what's going on. It could be one of the sensors is dirty and a cleaning will solve the problem. But it also could be that one or more sensors needs to be replaced. A technician will use computerized diagnostic equipment to determine what and where the problem is, replace any bad parts and then check to make sure the system is fully operational. Antilock brakes and traction control are significant technologies that help prevent your vehicle from slipping on less-than-perfect road surfaces, especially useful during wintery weather. Make sure they're helping you drive the way they designed to. A.G. Automotive & Diagnosis Before You Buy that Used Vehicle (Having a Used Car Inspected Before Buying)Posted June 19, 2022 9:59 AMLet's face it. New vehicles are expensive, so finding a good used one can save drivers a lot of money. It's tempting to look through ads, find a private seller who has what you're looking for and pay a price you think is a great deal. But when you go over to look at a used car, do you really know what to look for to uncover potential problems with it? The answer is probably no. Used cars can look great on the outside, maybe even have lustrous paint and a super clean interior. But is it possible that vehicle's been in an accident? Does it have electrical problems you can't detect easily? Is any fluid leaking that you don't know about? Think about it. You are about to spend thousands of dollars for a complex machine and you're considering judging its condition without much expertise. That's why it makes sense to have a qualified technician inspect any used vehicle you're considering buying. Many vehicle repair facilities will do it for around $100-$200. They'll check to see what's working right and what's not working. They'll check for leaks and how strong the battery is; they'll look for signs it's been in an accident or has been painted. They'll look in places you'd find inaccessible, and they'll take it for a test drive to see what noises, vibrations and smells might give clues to any major problems. An inspection usually takes about an hour. You should have an inspection done by a technician you know and trust. They'll have your best interests in mind. And the inspection should be done before you start negotiating a price with the seller. It's money well spent to either give you peace of mind that you're getting a good vehicle or steer you away from a lemon. One sign a used vehicle isn't a good deal? If the buyer refuses to let you have it inspected. That says just about everything that needs to be said. A.G. Automotive & Diagnosis Don't be Fuelish (Signs Fuel Pump is Failing)Posted May 29, 2022 8:21 AMA driver of a large SUV loaded with equipment was heading on a 7-hour work trip when he stopped at a gas station to refuel. When he went to restart his SUV, it turned over but wouldn't catch. Try as he might, he was never able to get it started again. Of course there are many things that can cause those symptoms, but the next day he had his SUV towed to a service repair facility. Using their test equipment, they were able to pinpoint the problem. His fuel pump had failed. The pump, which was located in the fuel tank, had to be replaced, and after awhile he was back on the road, delayed, but happy to be up and running again. What had happened is that the pump was not strong enough to deliver adequate fuel to his engine, vital to being able to start it. It had delivered just enough pressure in the morning to get it started the first time, but it was on its last legs. He had been having trouble starting his SUV in the days leading up to this trip, a clue that something was wrong. The engine relies on a certain pressure of fuel from the pump to run properly, and there are some other signs to be aware of that your fuel pump may need to be replaced. If you are putting strain on your engine, such as going uphill or hauling a big load, and the engine sputters, it may be a sign that the pump isn't delivering that consistent pressure. Another warning sign is if your engine is running hot and then stalls. That could mean your fuel pump is getting weak. Sometimes you might notice your vehicle suddenly speeds up on its own or your fuel economy goes from good to poor in a short time. If your fuel gauge shows you have plenty of fuel in the tank and your engine stalls, that's another possible sign of a failing fuel pump. Technicians have special equipment to see where the fuel problems are, and there are many possibilities. Have your vehicle checked before you're left stranded. Oh, and one more tip to prolong the life of your fuel pump. Since it is cooled and lubricated by the fuel in your tank, make sure you keep at least a quarter of a tank of fuel at all times. Avoid your "low fuel" light going on and you may be helping yourself avoid having to replace your fuel pump. A.G. Automotive & Diagnosis Sounds Like a Hot Rod (Noisy Exhaust System)Posted May 8, 2022 10:29 AMDriving along, your exhaust system's rumbling so loud that people turn and stare at you pass by. You're wondering when the police are going to pull you over for illegal noise. Your mind immediately thinks, aha! A broken muffler. Well, your exhaust system is composed of many more parts than just a muffler. Your engine makes power because of thousands of tiny explosions from detonating fuel. Those explosions make a racket, so engineers came up with a system that acoustically dampens that sound in addition to getting rid of harmful exhaust. In the engine is the exhaust manifold that looks like several pipes that join up into one pipe. It directs exhaust to the catalytic converter. The catalytic converter converts harmful gases into less harmful gases using certain chemical reactions. Then comes the muffler that has baffles inside to quiet the sounds of your engine noise. Finally: the tailpipe. All of those pipes and parts are joined together by clamps and held up by brackets, and they ride over some pretty bumpy roads. They are also exposed to the elements, like salt, water, rocks and grit. Chances are that one of those clamps or brackets has been weakened by corrosion. When you hit a bump, bingo! The crack widens into a gap and there's a spot for the engine noise to come roaring out instead of being directed into the muffler's quieting chambers. You might be surprised to know that the exhaust system can rust from inside out. How? Moisture is one component of exhaust, and moisture on the inside can do the same kind of damage as moisture from the outside. It's a good idea to have your exhaust system looked at regularly by a technician. He or she can evaluate the condition of the metal and recommend when it might be time to replace parts before they break. Then you'll have a decision to make. Newer exhaust systems are made out of stainless steel that is much less prone to corrosion issues. Others are made of aluminized steel that also fights rust. You've probably already guessed that they can cost more, but the extra price up front may give you an exhaust system that will last much longer. Sure, with a repaired exhaust system, you won't have quite the head-turning vehicle you once had. You'll just have to live with all the quiet.
For Brakes' Sake (Brake Rotor Service in Winnetka)Posted May 1, 2022 9:30 AMThink of how much abuse your brakes take. Day in and day out, they stop your vehicle when it's going fast and when it's going slow. Maybe your vehicle has been vibrating when you brake, or maybe it seems like your stopping distance is a little bit longer than it used to be. Then it's time to get your brakes checked out. After all, you have to be able to stop if you want to be safe. Nearly all newer vehicles have disc brakes on the front, and many have that type of brake on all four wheels. That makes it likely you'll be getting disc brakes fixed at some time in your vehicle's lifetime. Knowing how disc brakes work is as easy as riding a bicycle. If your bike had hand brakes, you'll probably remember a mechanism that squeezed a couple of pads on each side of your bicycle wheel when you applied the brakes. Disc brakes are similar; but instead of the bike wheel, there's a metal disc instead. If that disc is warped or has irregularities in it, it's going to vibrate. It used to be that rotors were thick, and when they warped, a technician could "turn" them to scrape off a layer of metal so their sides were straight again. The latest vehicles are using thinner, lighter rotors with a slightly different construction. Now, it's likely that rotors that are resurfaced this way will not have enough metal left to work safely. In fact, some manufacturers advise only replacing rotors that are worn out. Newer designs have reduced rotor prices, and in many cases, the labor cost of turning the rotors is higher than buying new. There are times, though, where your rotors can be resurfaced and still meet manufacturer specifications. If you have a rotor replaced on one side of your vehicle, it might be a good idea to replace rotors on the other side, too. Maybe you're looking for the new rotors to last longer than the ones that were on there. New technologies can offer a longer lifespan in a premium rotor. Armed with knowing the type of driving you do, you and your A.G. Automotive & Diagnosis service advisor can make the best decision on which direction you want to go with your new brakes. A.G. Automotive & Diagnosis Drivers that "T" Us Off (Bad Driving Practices)Posted April 24, 2022 7:29 AMWe've all seen drivers who do things that—let's be frank—really irritate us. They're inconsiderate, can put people in danger and make the road a much less friendly place. They really "T" us off. These are the bad drivers who fit their description to a "T."
A.G. Automotive & Diagnosis Wired! (Battery Cable Service)Posted April 17, 2022 11:24 AMColder weather brings out the worst in a vehicle's battery. On a very cold day, you may have experienced that your engine cranks slowly when starting. But while it may be the battery itself, it may also be the parts that transfer the power to other the other electrical components, the battery cables. After all, you have to have some way to get the current out of the battery and out to where it needs to go. Battery cables have a couple of enemies: corrosion and age. You may have looked under the hood and noticed a light-colored powder or crust around the terminals. That's what happens when acids corrode the ends of the battery terminals. Corrosion inhibits the connection and may reduce the amount of power getting to the electrical accessories to the point where they are not working correctly, if at all. Here are some symptoms of problems with your battery cables. You might notice a clicking sound when you turn the key, some of your vehicle's electrical parts (like the sound system or the horn) don't work or, in some cases, the vehicle won't start at all. When you take your vehicle to a repair facility, the technician will use instruments to check voltages to see how much current is getting to what location. That includes a starter draw test during which the battery's voltage is checked when the starter is cranked. The technician will also visually inspect the cables and the charging system. To make sure the alternator is putting out the right voltage, the technician will measure that as well. If the problem is found to be the battery cable assembly, the entire set may have to be replaced. Sometimes they can be repaired. During the colder months, it's vital that your vehicle has the proper power going to its electrical components. Having a vehicle that won't start or run smoothly is not something you want to battle with when you're already up against challenging weather. Keep your electrons flowing… and your vehicle moving.
Going (Lug) Nuts (Lug Nut Replacement)Posted April 3, 2022 11:13 AMHere's a part of your vehicle you probably don't think about much: lug nuts. They're what fasten your wheels onto your axles. Pretty important, right? In order to take the wheels off your vehicle to service the brakes, rotate the tires, etc., the lug nuts have to be in good shape so a wrench will grip them tightly. Because lug nuts are on your wheels, they are exposed to all the elements of the road (salt, water, grime) and really take a beating. Unfortunately, some manufacturers have made them out of two different metals. Underneath is the working part of the lug nut, made of steel. On top is the decorative (the "good looking") part, made out of chrome, stainless steel or aluminum. After a while, the steel part begins to corrode and expands. That changes the shape of the outer cap, sometimes rounding off the hexagonal edges and making it hard (if not impossible) to either loosen or tighten the lug nuts since the wrench won't fit any more. The reason that's so important is those lug nuts must be functional, especially if you find you have a flat tire somewhere on the road. If the wheel can't come off to be swapped with a spare, it leaves few options, one of which is your vehicle may have to be towed. All that for corroded lug nuts! When you take your vehicle in for service, the technician who works on it keeps an eye on many things, especially if he or she is removing wheels. It's not unusual for your service advisor to recommend you replace several lug nuts at once since some corrode at a different rate than others. Your repair facility is trying to help you avoid driving a vehicle that has wheels that can't easily be taken off when they need to be. The good news is there are one-piece lug nuts that don't have the problem the two-piece lug nuts have, so replacing them could eliminate that from happening again any time soon. And that's not "nuts" at all. A.G. Automotive & Diagnosis The Engine Gets a Boost (Turbocharged Engine Maintenance)Posted March 27, 2022 8:41 AMIf someone told you that your vehicle could have the same power but with a smaller engine, wouldn't that sound like great idea? Just think, a smaller engine would save you money at the gas station and you'd still get the same horsepower. The technology to do just that has been around for a long time. It's called a turbocharger. Race cars and other performance vehicles have been using turbochargers for years. It gives them a power boost without the need of a bigger engine, saving them fuel and pit stops. Automakers have offered turbo gasoline and diesel engines for years, but there were problems with durability. Plus drivers had to make some driving adjustments with the way turbos delivered power. Newer turbos, though, have been vastly improved, and manufacturers are including them in more models. For example, Jeep offers its 2019 Cherokee with a choice of two engines that each make about 270 horsepower. One is a 4-cylinder turbocharged engine and the other is a 6-cylinder conventional gasoline engine. The general rule of thumb is: the fewer the cylinders, the better the fuel economy. A turbocharged vehicle uses a turbine that is turned by exhaust gas. That compresses air that goes into the engine, which then allows it to use more fuel per second, increasing power. One advantage of a turbo is that it is only engaged when the driver demands more power from the engine by stepping on the throttle harder. One thing to remember, though, is that turbocharged engines have additional parts and are more complex. That means they can be more expensive to maintain. The upside? You'll likely save fuel. Like any complex machine, it's important that you maintain your turbo vehicle so it will give you more years of service. A.G. Automotive & Diagnosis technicians are trained to inspect and service the systems associated with a turbo engine. If you already drive a turbocharged vehicle, keep up your regular maintenance schedule to get the longest life and performance out of it. Because of the advantages these powertrains offer, turbo engines are definitely here to stay. A.G. Automotive & Diagnosis Why You Have an O2 Sensor (Oxygen Sensor)Posted March 6, 2022 8:28 AMIf someone asked you what gas made up the largest portion of the atmosphere, what would you guess? Well, it's not oxygen; it only makes up 20.9 percent. But since we're talking about oxygen, you should know that your vehicle uses oxygen sensors to make sure your engine is running the way it should. The oxygen sensors measure how much oxygen is in your exhaust. If there's too much, it means there's a problem with the mixture of fuel and air. The sensor sends signals to computers in your engine and adjusts the mixture so it maximizes performance and efficiency. It does this constantly. Many vehicles have multiple oxygen sensors. Some have one close to the engine, another close to the muffler. Two measurements are better than one since they allow readings to be more accurate. You may have a vehicle with a dual exhaust, so you'd have twice as many oxygen sensors. Your oxygen sensors can fail. One thing that can damage them is contamination from bad fuel. The sensors can simply wear out, though they usually last a long time. It's not unusual for an oxygen sensor to last 100,000 miles/160,000 km. One more thing that can cause an oxygen sensor to fail is residue from an engine that's burning oil. Plus contaminants from the road like salt can also cause problems. Here are some signs that your oxygen sensors might be failing.
Head to your service facility and tell your advisor what symptoms your vehicle is experiencing. They have the equipment and training to track down the issue. Note that simply replacing the oxygen sensor is often not enough since it doesn't get to the root of the problem; other repairs may be needed. So make sure your oxygen sensors are working the way they should be. Oh, and back to the question of what gas makes up most of the Earth's air? It's nitrogen, which comprises 78 percent of the air we—and our engines—breathe. A.G. Automotive & Diagnosis | ||
SearchArchiveMay 2019 (16)June 2019 (5) July 2019 (4) August 2019 (4) September 2019 (5) October 2019 (4) November 2019 (4) December 2019 (5) January 2020 (5) February 2020 (4) March 2020 (5) April 2020 (4) May 2020 (5) June 2020 (4) July 2020 (4) August 2020 (5) September 2020 (4) October 2020 (4) November 2020 (5) December 2020 (4) January 2021 (6) February 2021 (4) March 2021 (4) April 2021 (4) May 2021 (5) June 2021 (4) July 2021 (4) August 2021 (5) September 2021 (4) October 2021 (5) November 2021 (4) December 2021 (4) January 2022 (6) February 2022 (4) March 2022 (4) April 2022 (4) May 2022 (5) June 2022 (4) July 2022 (5) August 2022 (4) September 2022 (4) October 2022 (5) November 2022 (4) December 2022 (4) January 2023 (5) February 2023 (4) March 2023 (4) April 2023 (5) May 2023 (4) June 2023 (4) July 2023 (5) August 2023 (4) September 2023 (4) October 2023 (5) November 2023 (4) December 2023 (5) January 2024 (5) February 2024 (4) March 2024 (5) April 2024 (4) May 2024 (4) June 2024 (5) July 2024 (4) August 2024 (4) September 2024 (5) October 2024 (4) November 2024 (4) December 2024 (5) January 2025 (4) February 2025 (4) March 2025 (5) April 2025 (4) May 2025 (4) June 2025 (5) July 2025 (4) August 2025 (5) September 2025 (4) October 2025 (4) November 2025 (5) December 2025 (4) January 2026 (2) | CategoriesHeadlamps (4)Auto Safety (4)Service Standards (3)Tires and Wheels (4)Brakes (9)Air Conditioning (9)What Customers Should Know (57)Shocks & Struts (2)Alternator (4)Fuel Economy (6)Keys to a long lasting vehicle (1)Fuel System (4)Fluids (5)Check Engine Light (4)Winter Tires (1)Cooling System (4)Maintenance (4)Alignment (6)Battery (10)Automotive News (2)Steering (3)Safe Driving (1)Tire Rotation and Balancing (2)Fuel Saving Tip: Slow Down (1)Windshield Wipers (3)Exhaust (6)Inspection (3)Timing Belt (2)Oil Change (3)PCV Valve (1)Dashboard (1)Safety (1)Tires (7)Transfer Case Service (1)Trip Inspection (2)Customer Detective Work (1)Fuel Filter (1)Drive Train (1)Engine Air Filter (1)Spark Plugs (1)Transmission (1)Brake Service (3)Water Pump (1)TPMS (2)Wheel Bearings (1)Winter Prep (1)Service Intervals (1) | |
OUR REVIEWS
Angela Guida, 04/15/2025Everything works great on my vehicle now! They do a thorough job diagnosing the problem and get you back on the road in no time! All of the employees are very friendly and considerate, Tammy even gave me a ride home so I could leave my car there and on another visit, so did Melissa. They kept in touch with me and let me know what was going on with all the repairs. AG has a holistic approach to checking on and maintaining your car! Thank you!
join our team
We are currently on the lookout for the following:
partners
