AUTONET TV

Your Biggest Fan (Radiator Fan Problems)

Your vehicle's engine makes a lot of heat when it's powering you down the road, so it needs a way to get rid of that energy.  That's why your vehicle has a cooling system, complete with a radiator and one or two radiator fans, also called cooling fans.  Those fans make sure air keeps moving across the radiator so that the heat stored in the coolant can be dissipated outside when the vehicle is stopped or not traveling fast.

Radiator fans can develop problems and can stop working properly or stop working altogether.  Some signs to look for? If you're driving slowly and idling and you see your temperature gauge moving toward the red or hot zone, that could spell trouble.  Another thing you may notice when a radiator fan is failing is that there may be a loud noise coming from the engine compartment.

There are two types of radiator fans.  One is mechanically connected to the engine and uses the engine's rotational energy to turn it.  The other is an electric fan and is the type used in most newer vehicles.  In the electrical type, one of the components, such as a relay or fuse, may fail, causing the fan to stop turning.  In the mechanical type, since it's driven by a pulley/belt mechanism, one of those components may break or stop working properly.  A clutch can wear out or a belt may slip or break. 

When your cooling fan isn't working properly, it may cause your engine to overheat which could lead to expensive damage. That's why it's important to make sure you visit your service facility if you notice any of these symptoms.  A technician is trained to diagnose the problem and make sure your radiator fan is doing its job.  When it comes to your vehicle, your radiator fan really is your biggest fan.

Car Doc On The Island
419 South Tamiami Trail
Venice, FL 34285
(941) 786-1595
www.cardocontheisland.com

Upsizing Wheels and Tires With Car Doc On The Island

Many Venice drivers want to accessorize their vehicle - you know, make it theirs. One of the easiest ways to get a custom look is to get some new wheels. There are thousands of wheel designs at Venice area tire shops to get you the look you want. And for many Venice drivers, that look includes bigger wheels. It used to be that cars came from the factory with 15 or 16 inch wheels. Now 16, 17 and even 18 inchers are standard. And the factories are offering optional wheel packages up to 20 inches or more.

So let's talk about what to consider when you want to upsize your wheels. It's not exactly a DIY project, so you need to know a thing or two before you get started. The most important term to know is rolling diameter. The rolling diameter is simply the overall height of your tire. Unless you want to modify your vehicle suspension, you'll want to keep your rolling diameter the same when you upsize your wheels.

Let's think about those three golden doughnuts in front of you. They're all about the same size. So if we pretend they're tires, they would have the same rolling diameter. The doughnut hole is the size of the wheel. Now pretend we've made the hole bigger on some. That's like having a bigger wheel - but the rolling diameter is the same.

It's important to keep the rolling diameter the same for several reasons. First of all, if the tire is bigger, it might not fit in the vehicle wheel well. Next the speedometer, odometer and anti-lock brake system are all calibrated for the factory rolling diameter. In order for your anti-lock brakes to work properly, the rolling diameter must stay within 3% of the factory recommendation. If you ignore that, you run the risk that your anti-lock brakes won't work properly.

Some have vehicles with electronically-controlled suspension that will be negatively affected by changing the rolling diameter. Let's think about the doughnuts again. You see, as the size of the wheel gets bigger, the sidewall gets shorter. The tire holds less air, so the sidewalls are made stiffer to compensate.

Low profile tires from top manufacturers use special compounds that give the sidewall the strength it needs without compromising ride quality. As you increase your wheel size, you'll typically get a slightly wider tire. This means that you have a larger contact patch. The contact patch is part of the tire that contacts the road. Because there's more rubber on the road, the vehicle will handle better. And braking distances will be shorter. A lot of Venice folks with trucks or SUVs love the extra control.

FL drivers need to watch out that the contact patch isn't so big that the tires rub in turns or over bumps. What we're talking about here is fitment. Your tire professional at Car Doc On The Island can help you get this right. He'll install your new wheels, add spacers if needed to make sure your brakes fit inside your new wheels and get you rolling.

Also, if you drive off-road in FL a lot, you may need a higher profile tire to protect your new rims. And make sure your new tires have the load rating you need if you tow a trailer or haul heavy loads. Again, your tire professional at Car Doc On The Island knows how to help.

And don't forget about tire pressure. If you have larger rims, your new tires will hold less air and they'll need to run a slightly higher pressure. Forget that and you'll wear your tires out fast. Finally, get an alignment at Car Doc On The Island after you get your new shoes. 

Stop by Car Doc On The Island to learn more about how you might upsize your wheels or tires.

You'll find us at:

Car Doc On The Island
419 South Tamiami Trail
Venice, FL 34285
(941) 786-1595
www.cardocontheisland.com

Timing is Everything (Timing Belt)

Talk about exquisite choreography; it happens under the hood of your vehicle every time you take a drive.  Your engine’s many complex parts must work exactly together.  One key is a part called a timing belt, which enables the synchronizing of two of your engine’s components, the camshaft, and the crankshaft.  

The timing belt coordinates the valves in your engine to open and close at the appropriate time to get exhaust out of the engine’s cylinders. Timing belts may also power the water pump and the oil pump.  The belt is made of rubber.  Some engines use a timing chain (made of metal). 

Your vehicle’s manufacturer recommends an interval after which you should have your timing belt or chain replaced, and that service should be part of your vehicle’s regular maintenance.  It’s always better to replace it before it breaks rather than after.  After all, if your timing belt breaks while you’re driving down the road, it throws off the whole sync of engine parts and can cause major damage to the type of engines most commonly used in vehicles today.

It's also important to remember that a timing belt is made of rubber, and rubber deteriorates with time, no matter how much use it gets. Have us look at your timing belt to see if it’s time to get it replaced.  

Here are some signs to look for that will let you know if your timing belt is failing. You might have trouble starting your vehicle, it may misfire or black smoke may come out the tailpipe. If you notice any of those symptoms, bring your vehicle in and have us take a look right away.  When it comes to your engine, timing is everything.

Car Doc On The Island
419 South Tamiami Trail
Venice, FL 34285
(941) 786-1595
www.cardocontheisland.com

That Clunk Isn’t Normal: Why Your U-Joints Need Lubrication (Lubricate U-Joints)

If you’ve noticed a clunk when shifting from park to drive, accelerating from a stop or letting off on your accelerator, it may be your vehicle warning you about dry or failing U-joints. Those are small, critical components in your drivetrain that allow the driveshaft to flex as your suspension moves, transferring power smoothly from the transmission to the wheels. 

They take a licking every time your vehicle is on the road since they’re always moving and bearing a heavy load.  The key to keeping U-joints healthy is making sure they’re lubricated.

If they’re not, they’ll be at the mercy of their main nemesis: friction.  Bearings inside then begin to wear, which can cause a lot of play in the joint.  That play is what makes the clunk you can hear and feel.  If they don’t get lubricated, a dry U-joint can overheat, seize or even fail completely.  That can lead to damage to other systems, such as your driveshaft, differential or driveshaft. 

Another sign you may have a U-joint that’s failing is vibration at highway speeds. The more wear it gets, the less smoothly your driveshaft rotates. You may hear a stutter or hum when you go faster. Your driveshaft may even come loose, leaving you in a very unsafe situation.

U-joints that can be serviced have grease fittings.  We recommend you have us lubricate yours at regular intervals.  That’s especially important on trucks, SUVs and if you tow with your vehicle. 

If it’s been a while since your drivetrain has been inspected and you notice clunking noises or vibrations, have one of our technicians check your U-joints. Taking care of the issue early can prevent other costly repairs and keep you on the road safely and smoothly.

Car Doc On The Island
419 South Tamiami Trail
Venice, FL 34285
(941) 786-1595
www.cardocontheisland.com

Grinding, Jerking and Slipping

Gone are the early days of driving when people had to manually shift gears in their vehicles.  Now, though, we are spoiled by automatic transmissions that seem like they’ll go forever.  Like everything mechanical, automatic transmissions can develop problems. 

Signs trouble is brewing sometimes starts with small changes in how your vehicle feels, sounds or responds.  Knowing these signs can save you from major repairs.

One to watch out for is shifting that’s rough or delayed. Sometimes your vehicle will hesitate before it changes gears, or there’s a jerk when it shifts.  Maybe it feels like the transmission is slipping out of gear.  These are all signs you should bring it in for one of our technicians to check out.

Another thing to pay attention to is a new noise you don’t ever remember hearing before.  Your shifts should be quiet, but if you hear a clunking, grinding or humming sound during shifts, this could be a sign of low transmission fluid or worn-out parts.  It could also indicate worse things to come.

Use your nose to know if something might be wrong.  If you smell burning, it could be a sign of transmission fluid that is overheating or deteriorating.  Your eyes also might spot leaking fluid around your vehicle, especially if it’s red or pink.  That’s a good time to have us check yours for leaks.

Other signs of transmission issues are an illuminated Check Engine light, hesitation during acceleration or your vehicle not moving at all when it’s in gear. 

Your transmission delivers power from the engine to the wheels, and being aware of small changes in how your vehicle shifts, sounds or feels can be clues  problems are developing.  When you notice them, give us a call and have us check them out before you find yourself up shifts creek without a paddle.

Car Doc On The Island
419 South Tamiami Trail
Venice, FL 34285
(941) 786-1595
www.cardocontheisland.com