A.G. Automotive and Diagnosis
AUTONET TV
Archive for September 2023The Byte Stuff (Your Vehicle's Computers)Posted March 30, 2025 3:41 AMNobody has to tell you that computers are a part of so many things in our lives. Smartphones, kitchen appliances, vacuum cleaners, televisions. You name it—it has a computer in it. And your vehicle is no exception. The earliest cars relied on the technology of their time, and there was no such thing as a computer. But now, it's not unusual for a vehicle to have as many as 150 computers in it. They perform a variety of functions. An important one is diagnosing your vehicle's problems. There are various sensors throughout modern vehicles that measure thousands of data points. When something is not working correctly, they send a signal to another computer that stores that information. The data can be read by someone who has a special computer that plugs into a port in your car. It displays certain codes that help technicians track down the culprit. But it's not just the diagnostics that are computerized. Everything from your vehicle's fuel injection to anti-lock brakes is. Convenience features such as power windows, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a wi-fi-hot spot, streaming video and navigation are all sophisticated computers. Then there are the safety features; air bags, traction control, automatic emergency braking and a host of others are all dependent on computers. It is important that those computers work correctly because they interface with many of the other computers on board. To properly diagnose problems with those computers requires training and special equipment. Your service facility has invested considerable resources into both, and they are equipped to properly evaluate and repair and/or replace malfunctioning components. Some lament the days when backyard mechanics could pull out their tools and do their own repairs. Those days are fast disappearing with the computerization of vehicles. But look at the bright side. Your vehicle does so much more, has so many more features and travels far more safely than those past generations drove. And they're bound to get better and more sophisticated down the road. A.G. Automotive & Diagnosis Oh, Stop! (Disc Brake Service)Posted March 23, 2025 3:33 AMEvery time you drive your vehicle, you wear down your brakes just a little bit. And after a while, that adds up. Gradually, your stopping power isn't like it used to be. Since brakes are one of your vehicle's most important safety features, it just makes sense to keep them performing well. Most vehicles have disc brakes. One key component, as the name suggests, is the disc. Most vehicles have discs on their front and rear wheels. The discs (also called rotors) are made of metal, and each rotates with the wheel hub. Your brakes also have pads that make contact with the rotors when you press down on the brake pedal, and the friction stops your vehicle. After many, many stops, that friction wears down both the pads and the discs and reduces their ability to stop the way you need them to. The discs may also become uneven from all the heat they generate, and your brakes won't stop as well as they used to when they were newer. Some signs that your rotors need attention include vibration at the wheels when you stop, discolored rotors (the metal looks blue), excessively hot rotors, or grooves in the metal. If you see any of these signs, it's time to bring in your vehicle for us to inspect your brakes. A technician will measure the thickness and trueness of the rotors and check the surfaces for wear. If they need to be replaced, they'll be done in pairs, so if a front rotor is bad, the other front rotor will also be replaced. Usually, your brake pads will be replaced at the same time. You can ask your service advisor if higher-performance brakes would benefit you. When your vehicle is at the shop, the technician will check other components of your brake system to make sure they are operating safely. Brakes are vital to the safe operation of your vehicle. Keep them well maintained so they can be there when you need them. A.G. Automotive & Diagnosis Procrastination Prevention in WinnetkaPosted March 16, 2025 3:34 AMEvery one of us has a little procrastinator inside us. Some put off getting our teeth cleaned. Others put off answering our emails. Yet others put off calling friends and family (sorry, Uncle Joe). And there are those of us who put off getting our vehicle's service done, whether it's a repair or regular maintenance. You may make the excuse that you don't have time, it can wait until tomorrow, you have other things to do. Well, there are some things you should NEVER put off when it comes to your vehicle because that procrastination could have dire consequences down the road. The biggest one is changing your oil. Yes, it's one of those things you may hear somebody nag you about, but changing your vehicle's oil regularly is probably the one thing that will do the most to keep things running smoothly… and well. It's the lubricant that keeps metal engine parts from wearing out. Oil doesn't last forever and it gets dirty, so you have to swap it out for fresh every so often. How often? Your A.G. Automotive & Diagnosis service advisor can tell you, and your owner's manual has the manufacturer's recommendations, too. You have to keep the right amount of air in your tires. They don't inflate themselves! You may have a newer vehicle that has a tire pressure monitor built in and lets you know when a tire is over- or under-inflated. Don't ignore those warning lights! If your vehicle doesn't have those electronic monitors, have our pros at A.G. Automotive & Diagnosis check your pressure every so often. If your tires have the right amount of air in them, they'll last longer, save you money and keep you much safer on the road. Make sure you have the right amount of vital fluids in your vehicle. The important ones (besides oil) are brake fluid, transmission fluid and coolant. Without the right amount of brake fluid, your vehicle may be hard to stop. Without the right level of transmission fluid, gear shifting may be erratic. And without the right amount of coolant, your engine may overheat. Ok, so if you put off calling your Uncle Joe today, he probably will be ok with that. But when it comes to these important vehicle maintenance points, prevent procrastination… and prevent problems down the road. We’d love to hear from you. Let us know if you have any questions. A.G. Automotive & Diagnosis Shifty Letters PRNDL (Transmission)Posted March 9, 2025 3:20 AMYou probably figured out those shifty letters. They're what you see on your automatic transmission shifter and stand for Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive and Low. Your automatic transmission is one of the great automotive inventions; here are some ways you can keep yours working well. Maintain your transmission regularly. A technician will check your transmission fluid's level and even its appearance and smell. If it's dark or has an unusual odor, that could be a sign of trouble. Change from one transmission direction gear into another only when your vehicle is stopped. So many drivers want to switch from Reverse to Drive quickly or the other way around. If you do that when the vehicle is moving, you can damage your automatic transmission. Keep your vehicle's cooling system in top shape. What does the cooling system have to do with the transmission? It helps keep the transmission fluid from overheating. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for maintaining your transmission. Some recommend at least an annual checkup by a trained technician. Let your powertrain warm up a little before overtaxing it. Especially in cold weather, don't step on the throttle too aggressively before all components are warmed up. That way both your engine and transmission will last longer. Transmissions can be costly to fix. If you treat your powertrain with respect and regularly maintain it, you'll not only avoid expensive repairs, but you’re also much less likely to find yourself stranded because of a transmission problem. A.G. Automotive & Diagnosis The Best Book that's Not a Best-SellerPosted March 2, 2025 3:17 AMSometimes the movie is better than the book, sometimes it's the other way around. But when it comes to your vehicle, the best book of all is the owner's manual. The plot is simple: Owner wants long life and dependable performance from the vehicle, manual has the way to achieve that long life and dependable performance. And yet, it's amazing that some people will own a vehicle for years and never even crack this book. They'll only read it when they absolutely have to, for things like finding out how to change the clock. Ok, so you're probably not going to rush right over to your glove box and start reading the owner's manual cover to cover. We know that. But just think of what you can get out of it. Consider this. Those who wrote or helped write this book include the engineers who designed it and the people who tested and refined it. They know more about your vehicle than anyone, period. They know how long a part is likely to last and what you need to do to take care of it. They know how far a distance or how long a time you can drive before you have to change certain fluids in it. They know what temperature it can reach before things will start to break. And they've put your vehicle model through torture, testing it in the absolute worst conditions to see how to make it stand up to more abuse than it will ever receive. They've then torn it down, examined it and, in many cases, redesigned the parts to make them even better. And they've put down—in fairly minute detail—this blueprint that, if you and our experts at A.G. Automotive & Diagnosis follow their suggestions, will make it very likely that your vehicle will serve you well for a long time. If you don't follow those suggestions, all bets are off. We didn't even mention that the owner's manual tells you how to operate everything in your car. How to adjust the heat and air conditioning, how to pair your smartphone with the audio system, how to program your key fob so it won't sound the horn when you lock your vehicle. Have you lost your manual or did you buy a vehicle that didn't come with one? Many are available either online or in paper form. If you don't know where to begin with such a long book, try a couple of pages a week, just three minutes. You’ll discover your vehicle does things you never even knew it could do. And the movie will never be as good.
Alternator Facts (Failing Alternator)Posted February 23, 2025 3:18 AMIf you notice that your headlights are flickering at night, that's something to pay attention to. While there could be many different things that could cause that problem, one possibility is your vehicle's alternator. The alternator takes mechanical energy from the engine and turns it into electricity, in essence a generator. The current it makes charges the battery and supplies power to the vehicle's electrical systems. An alternator is made up of several different parts: a pulley, magnets, coil wires, brushes and a voltage regulator. While your vehicle is running, these parts get a good workout and, after time, they begin to wear out. Other symptoms of a failing alternator include your vehicle's lights dimming, the power windows going up and down more slowly than they used to, your power seats not moving quite as fast as before. Another sign of a worn out alternator is engine stalling. Vehicles with fuel injection require a certain amount of power, and when an alternator is going bad, your engine could stall because the alternator isn't cranking out enough of it. An alternator on its last legs can also fail to charge your battery properly. Sometimes your battery isn't getting enough charge from the alternator and will go dead. It also can be the opposite problem. The battery is getting too much power and will cause the battery to get hot. Your vehicle may give you a clue on the instrument panel. If you see any of these warning lights, take note: Check Engine, ALT, CHARGE or one that looks like a picture of a battery. If that light is on, it's time to have your service facility give it a look. As mentioned earlier, there are other components of your vehicle's electrical system that can fail, such as a worn out serpentine belt or a malfunctioning voltage regulator. A reputable service facility has diagnostic tools to pinpoint the causes of your problems. And when your issues are fixed, your electrical system will be back to its hard-working self. You'll get a real charge out of it! A.G. Automotive & Diagnosis Round and Round (Wheel Balancing)Posted February 16, 2025 3:18 AMIn a perfect world, all wheels and tires would be perfectly round and weigh exactly the same at every point of the wheel. Unfortunately, they're not, and if they're out of balance, they can reduce the lifespan of your tires, make your vehicle shake like a carnival ride, and maybe even damage a few suspension parts along the way. You don't want that! Wheel balancing, sometimes known as tire balancing, is a process by which a technician makes sure your tire/wheel assembly has evenly distributed weight. If it isn't, it can give your ride bad vibrations. If you feel your vehicle's steering wheel shaking, it can mean unbalanced wheels in the front. If you can feel a vibration in your seats, it could be unbalanced rear wheels. In addition to your vehicle vibrating at higher speeds, there are other signs that your wheels are out of balance. You may see uneven tread wear, or you may notice you aren't getting the kind of fuel economy you used to. When you experience these problems, bring your vehicle in, and we can put your wheels on a machine designed to detect any imbalance. The technician will start your wheels spinning, and a computer will determine how much weight is needed where. Then, the technician can add small weights on the inside or outside of your wheel rim to precisely balance out the uneven weight. When the wheel is balanced correctly, it will spin evenly and smoothly. Sometimes your vehicle will hit a pothole or object in the road that dislodges one of those weights, which can throw that wheel out of balance again. If so, you'll have to bring it in to have that corrected Some drivers confuse wheel balancing with wheel alignment. Alignment is making sure the wheels are perpendicular to the road and parallel with each other. Sometimes your vehicle will need both balancing and alignment done at the same time. No vibrations are good vibrations when it comes to your wheels. Bring your vehicle to us, and we'll perform a balancing act to keep your vehicle riding smoothly down the road. A.G. Automotive & Diagnosis Tire or Re-Tire? (Getting Tires Ready for Hot Weather)Posted February 9, 2025 3:16 AMHeat isn't easy on vehicle tires, and as the seasons change, make sure yours are ready to take the heat. Let's talk first about inflation. Heat causes air to expand, so heat alone can raise the pressure in your tires. If you are driving on overinflated tires, they won't have as much contact with the road surface. In that case, it will take you a longer distance to stop. On the other hand, you don't want your tires to be underinflated during hot weather, either. That can cause your sidewalls to flex. Friction will then hike up the temperature and your tire can be in danger of blowing from the added heat. Other things can cause problems, such as uneven wearing. Your service advisor knows the signs to look for and can diagnose where the wear is and what is likely causing it. Another thing a technician will look for on tires is tread depth and the condition of the sidewalls. Any cuts, cracks or bulges could be indications that your tire is not healthy. Oh, and one other thing. Your tires could have plenty of tread left on them but still be dangerous. And that is because rubber ages, gets brittle and cracks after time. (Ever run across an old rubber band in a drawer that has never been used but breaks the second you try to stretch it? 'Nuff said.) Some tire manufacturers recommend replacing tires after 6 years of their manufacturing date. Your service advisor can read a manufacturing code and tell you how old your tires are. Tire manufacturer Michelin used to have an ad slogan that said, "Because so much is riding on your tires." That includes you and your passengers. Always keep healthy tires on your vehicle and make sure they're ready for whatever season it is. A.G. Automotive & Diagnosis Cold Weather Vehicle No-Nos (Items to Avoid Storing in a Freezing Vehicle)Posted February 2, 2025 3:16 AMIt's always easier to leave a few things in your vehicle so you'll have them on hand. But in cold weather, while it's a good idea to carry items such as a phone charger, blanket and shovel, there are some things you shouldn't store in your vehicle.
Take a little time and effort not to leave these things out in a frigid vehicle. You'll likely spend far more time and money tending to the resulting consequences than if you'd just brought them inside in the first place. A.G. Automotive & Diagnosis A Fluid Situation (Check Fluid Levels)Posted January 26, 2025 3:17 AMThere's one fluid in your car you are always careful to keep at a certain level: the fuel. If you don't have fuel, you're not going anywhere. Your vehicle has other fluids which are vitally important to proper and safe operation, too. So, here's a "level" headed approach to those "other" fluids. Engine oil. This one's probably the most important fluid to maintain at the proper level. Without enough oil, you'll wear out your engine prematurely. Sometimes vehicles have warning lights on the dash that will tell you to get your oil checked. Don't ignore that one; get it checked immediately. Certainly don't go on a long trip at high speeds with your oil level low. Oh, and it's not good to have too much oil in, either. Our pros at A.G. Automotive & Diagnosis can advise you on oil levels and tell if you if you should be concerned about abnormal fluctuations. Windshield washer fluid. OK, this is one you probably know about. You certainly miss it when it runs out. You find yourself trying to clean your windshield with the wipers but you need a little liquid help. Unless you live in an area that requires you to use an awful lot of windshield washer fluid, one fill-up can often last between oil changes. Modern vehicles have large enough windshield washer fluid reservoirs to keep you going for quite a while. Engine Coolant. Here's another fluid you need to keep your engine running properly. You need it to keep the engine running at the proper temperature. Plus, you'll need it for heat when the temperature gets chilly outside. Power Steering Fluid. If you have a vehicle that uses power steering fluid, it's important to keep the correct amount in your system. Without enough of it, you might find steering difficult. Plus, if you’re losing power steering fluid, our experts at A.G. Automotive & Diagnosis can find out why and perhaps prevent a more expensive repair later. Brake Fluid. You may have heard of hydraulic brakes. Hydraulic refers to the fluid and is one of the key reasons your brakes work. Levels should be checked regularly and, like power steering fluid, if you're losing brake fluid, a technician needs to find out why so you can get the issue repaired and maintain your stopping ability. If you have regular preventative maintenance performed at A.G. Automotive & Diagnosis, we’ll keep an eye on all of these fluids when you bring your vehicle in for service. 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) | CategoriesHeadlamps (4)Auto Safety (4)Service Standards (3)Brakes (8)Air Conditioning (4)Fuel Economy (5)Tires and Wheels (2)What Customers Should Know (43)Shocks & Struts (2)Alternator (4)Keys to a long lasting vehicle (1)Fuel System (3)Fluids (5)Check Engine Light (4)Winter Tires (1)Cooling System (5)Maintenance (4)Alignment (4)Battery (8)Automotive News (2)Steering (4)Safe Driving (1)Tire Rotation and Balancing (2)Fuel Saving Tip: Slow Down (1)Windshield Wipers (2)Exhaust (6)Inspection (3)Timing Belt (2)Oil Change (2)PCV Valve (1)Dashboard (1)Safety (1)Tires (4)Transfer Case Service (1)Trip Inspection (2)Customer Detective Work (1)Fuel Filter (1)Drive Train (1)Engine Air Filter (1)Spark Plugs (1)Shocks and Struts (1)Transmission (1)Brake Service (1) | |
OUR REVIEWS
Amanda C., 03/24/2025Been doing the "happy dance" in my mind cos my truck works again! After "Muffler Nayarit" & his little cronie did a number on ma vehicle, Mr Chuck (to me) bent backwards to get it fixed! Tammy was great cos she made me feel like a friend & not just a customer. I am grateful! Praise God ma truck runs and sounds great! Pics of what was replaced repaired by those crooks posing as "mechanic$"
join our team
We are currently on the lookout for the following:
partners
