Month: February 2023

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A Head Start on Starting (Battery Testing)

If your vehicle isn’t starting or doesn’t sound like it used to when you crank it, the culprit may be the battery.  You may have left a light on, or something plugged into one of charging ports.  Maybe you accidentally left your vehicle in the “on” or “accessory” position when you last got out. Maybe you’ve left it in the garage or driveway for a long time without starting it.  That can spell the end for a vehicle battery.

It’s also possible that your battery is just simply too old. There’s no standard lifespan of a battery, but 3-5 years is about average, even though some people only get 2 and heavier duty batteries may last many more. It’s possible your battery is defective, too.  And it could be your vehicle’s charging system isn’t recharging the battery. 

Whatever the cause, if you’re having problems with your battery, it’s a good idea to bring it in and have us perform a thorough battery test.  With state-of-the-art testing equipment, a technician will see if there’s a bad cell in the battery or if it can be recharged.  We will also look at the date it was made. 

At the same time, the technician will look at the whole charging system, including the alternator, starter, cables, and connections.  From there, the service advisor can go through your options. 

Your best chance of not getting stranded by a dead battery is to have your system checked as part of a regular maintenance plan.  That should give you a head start on dependable starts.

Tylers Auto TV
12485 SW MAIN ST
TIGARD, OR 97223
(503) 639-5588
http://www.tylersautomotive.com

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Road Ready (Trip Inspection)

Maybe you’ve been cooped up for a while and are yearning for a change of scenery.  Or maybe you need to visit a relative who lives far away.  You choose not to fork out the big bucks for airline tickets, so it’s time for a road trip.  Make sure you’re road ready by having your vehicle professionally inspected before the big drive.

One of our technicians can check out several of your vehicle’s most important systems so you can be more confident that you’ll be able to go the distance without a breakdown.  Here are a few things a trip inspection may include:

Your vehicle stops with brakes that, in turn, stop the tires.  They must both be in sound condition. The technician can look at your tire tread, the condition of the sidewalls, and note the tires’ age.  Brakes have pads and rotors that should meet certain specs, so an expert inspection of their condition is important, too.

A technician can check other vital fluids such as engine coolant, power steering, transmission, and windshield washer fluid. Your wipers must be in good condition so you can see, and they’re often one of the most neglected parts of a vehicle. 

Your headlights must work correctly and be aimed properly so you can see and so that you’re not blinding oncoming drivers. They’re powered by your battery, and a technician will check how old yours is and how well it holds a charge, all important for reliable starting. 

For cabin comfort, your climate control system needs to work correctly, which means both heat and air conditioning.  If things need to be repaired – before the trip will be a lot more convenient than trying to do it while you’re traveling.

The technician can inspect hoses and belts, two things that frequently fail on a long trip.  And the big advantage of having a pro look over your vehicle is that they not only know what to look for but also can make the repairs the right way.  Now that’s the ticket to being road ready.

Tylers Auto TV
12485 SW MAIN ST
TIGARD, OR 97223
(503) 639-5588
http://www.tylersautomotive.com

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The Little Valve that Could (PCV Valve Replacement)

It’s easy to get letters like PVC and PCV mixed up.  PVC is a plastic that’s used in a lot of things, especially plumbing pipes.  And PCV is a valve that helps your engine burn off excess fumes rather than having them pollute our atmosphere. 

PCV stands for positive crankcase ventilation.  When your engine ignites gasoline in the cylinders, some of the gases produced make their way into the crankcase, where oil is held to lubricate the engine.  In earlier days, those gases would be vented out through a hose and go directly into the air.  It was a waste of gasoline (since about three-fourths of the gases were unburned fuel) and a nasty source of pollution.

So engineers devised a one-way valve that directed those gases back into the engine’s air intake system to be burned again.  After a while, the PCV valve can get clogged up with gummy oil.  Not only does that reduce the recirculation of the gases, but it can also cause pressure in the crankcase to increase and possibly lead to an oil leak.

Signs your PCV valve has failed are oil leaks around the engine compartment or under your vehicle and poor engine performance. Your fuel economy will get worse. If you notice those signs, we can check your PCV valve. 

At the same time a technician inspects the PCV valve, they’ll also check the vacuum hose that runs back to the air intake.  Plus, they’ll make sure the vehicle doesn’t have any other engine problems that might be contributing to your issues. 

Many technicians recommend replacing your PCV valve with each major tune-up, so you get ahead of any problems before they develop.  Now that you’re an expert on PCV, it may be time to check out those PVC pipes in your bathroom!

Tylers Auto TV
12485 SW MAIN ST
TIGARD, OR 97223
(503) 639-5588
http://www.tylersautomotive.com