HOW TO: Replace An Air Filter

Today I started my own summer car maintenance and changed out my air filter. The Air Filter is like the lungs of your vehicle. An air filter prevents contaminants and debris from getting into your engine. As you know, an automobile engine is powered by a mixture of fuel and air. A clogged or overly dirty air filter can result in:

• Non-optimal gas mileage
• Weak performance
• Reduced engine life

Since the air filter collects many of the bad things in the environment, to keep them out of your car, it can get dirty and clogged, therefore needing replacement.

You should always check your owner's manual for the maintenance recommendations on your vehicle—including the air filter. But, in general, Edmunds.com says an air filter should be changed 12 months or every 12,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Dirty/Old Air Filter

 

New Air Filter

Locate the air filter.

Before you start the work, be certain the engine is cool. If it's still hot from driving, let it cool down before you begin. The air filter is generally located in a black plastic case near the top of the engine. It's about the size of a loaf of bread and should be the only plastic case on the top of the engine.

Open the case.

This is where the tools may come into play. Generally, the top is held onto the air filter case by metal clips. You can pop open these clips by sliding the butter knife between the clip and the plastic case. Sometimes, the case is held together by screws. If so, use the correct screwdriver and just unscrew the screws.

Remove the old filter and add the new.

Simply lift the old filter out of the case, wipe out any debris in the case with a rag, and place the new filter right side up into the case. Close the top and reattach the clips or screws.

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Warning Signs of a Failing Alternator

Recently my alternator went out on my 2006 Dodge Stratus SXT. Thankful my dad is my mechanic and he took my alternator to get rebuilt at CS Auto Electric Inc located at 7020 Mableton Pkwy SE 770 941 0003 it was significantly cheaper than buying new one from the Auto Part Store. I recommend doing this ONLY if you have a mechanic that you trust and that is knowledgeable! 

When it comes to your vehicle, the alternator is a pivotal piece of machinery. The alternator re-cycles the power your car battery uses while driving, restoring the power it has lost while supplying the engine management, climate, entertainment and host of other systems with the juice they need to run properly.

 

It takes a lot of battery power to get – and keep – your vehicle running. So much power that if not for the alternator, the battery’s power reserve would not last. Your vehicle’s electrical system depends on an optimally running alternator. When the alternator malfunctions or stops working altogether, it can mean expensive repairs, inconvenience or a break down.

Alternator Warning Signs

Dim lights

The alternator is part of the electrical system of your vehicle. Its key role is to provide power to operate the starter, ignition and all of the electronic accessories in your car. If the alternator starts to die, you might notice your headlights and/or dashboard lights beginning to dim. Once the dash light or headlights dim, it is a clear indication of potential alternator malfunction. A waning alternator may cause other electronic accessories such as power windows and/or power seats to operate a more slowly than usual.

Warning light

Most modern cars have a dashboard warning light that alerts you when the alternator is on the fritz. Usually, the light will be shaped like a battery, though, some might say ALT (for alternator) or GEN (for generator). This light may only trigger if you are using multiple electrical components. It is generally contingent on how much life your vehicle’s alternator has left and how much electricity your vehicle is using.

Weak or dead battery

A car battery, by definition, has a finite life and will not last forever. As good as an alternator is at replenishing your car battery; it can only recharge it to the point that it has a decent amount of life left in it and is able to accept a charge. If the battery is really weak or dead, the alternator cannot bring it back to life. To troubleshoot whether the issue is the alternator or the battery, just charge the battery and restart the vehicle. If the battery is weak or dead, the car will continue to run but the lights will again become dim after a short time, indicating a problem with the charging system. If the vehicle has difficulty starting after the battery is fully charged, the problem likely is with the alternator.

Weird smells

An alternator works in conjunction with a system of belts. If a belt is not turning freely, the excess friction will cause the belt to heat up, which produces a burning rubber smell. If you catch a whiff of a smell similar to that of an electrical fire, this could indicate that the belt is slipping on the alternator pulley, causing poor alternator output. Tightening the belt often does the trick. If the situation arises where tightening your belt does not fix the strange smell and alternator output, we recommend having your alternator evaluated by a professional.

Odd sounds

There are many different parts that spin inside your vehicle’s alternator to produce electrical current. If one of these parts becomes worn or breaks, this could cause a grinding or whining noise. Specifically, worn out bearings inside the alternator have been known to cause this type of noise. If the bushings that the alternator is mounted on have gone bad, a noise will be produced. Alternators are normally replaced as an assembly.

Visual cues

If you are experiencing problems with the electrical system, the alternator itself might be fine because the problem could be with one of the belts connected to the alternator. By doing a visual inspection of the engine compartment, you can determine if a belt is too loose or too tight. If a belt is cracked or worn, you should be able to spot that as well.

Alternator Warning Signs provided by Pep Boys

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Top 7 Do-It-Yourself Auto Repair Tips

As a single woman I know the importance of being able to check my car I keep up with the Maintenance, Wiper Blades, Tires and Brakes etc. I'm starting this blog to share tips that I've learned and what others have taught me. I hope you enjoy! 

1. Keep it simple
Start with the easiest types of repairs first.
Here are some relatively easy repairs for budding mechanics to try at home:

• Replace the wiper blades
• Change the air filter
• Change a headlight
• Change a battery
• Replace the spark plugs
• Change the oil
• Change serpentine belt

2. Avoid high risk repairs
Novice DIYers should avoid repairs and maintenance items where the consequences of making a mistake are dire.  If you mess up a brake job, you could end up crashing your car!  If you don’t install a timing belt correctly (or reassemble the engine correctly), you could destroy your engine.  Save these types of services for when you have more experience.
 
3. Get the right tools
 Before you start ripping apart your car, make sure you have the right tools.  A hammer and a screwdriver just won’t cut it.  Run out to Sears or your local automotive store and a starter set of automotive tools.  A good basic set will include a complete set of socket wrenches with extensions, open-end and box wrenches, screw drivers, and pliers.  If your car requires any special tools for removing the oil filter, pulling spark plugs, and whatnot, then you may want to invest in those as well.  If you plan to remove the wheels from your car, a high quality torque wrench is a MUST.
 
4. Do your homework
Always do your homework before plunging into a repair.  A little research time invested up front will save you a lot of time (not to mention the headache) later.  Buy the manufacturer’s shop manual for your vehicle (or the online subscription from AllData), and read up on the repair.  Make sure you understand each step and what is involved BEFORE you undertake the project.  (If step one says “remove the engine”, then you might want to reconsider.)   Beware of “how to” information on the internet.  Enthusiast forums and YouTube are full of step-by-step guides on how to change the thingamajigger on your 2002 Humbug GT.  Make sure the advice comes from a trusted, professional source and not just Bubba in his backyard.
 
5. Ask for help
If you’re undertaking a repair you’ve never even seen done before, it’s reasonably likely that you’ll screw it up.  At best, you’ll do it the hard way and possibly pick up a bad habit or two.  Besides, there’s no sense in reinventing the wheel.  Find someone who knows what he or she is doing, preferably a professional (ASE Certified) mechanic, and ask for a lesson.  Not only will you learn the right way to do the repair, you may even learn the quickest and easiest method.  If you get into the repair and you make a mistake, don’t be ashamed to ask for help.  Better to eat a helping of humble pie than risk ruining your car.
 
6. Safety first
Working on your car can be dangerous, especially if you have to get underneath it.  If you have to jack up your car, don’t use flimsy jack that came with it.  Invest in a hydraulic floor jack and ALWAYS use approved jack stands to support the vehicle.  Try to avoid repairs that involve contorting yourself into an uncomfortable position, which can make a repair more difficult and more dangerous.  Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from dirt, flying parts and spewing fluids.  Consider wearing latex or polyurethane gloves to protect your skin from dirt and grease – your significant other will thank you for keeping clean.
 
7. Dispose of waste materials properly
Nearly all automotive jobs result in waste projects, such as used coolant, motor oil, brake pads or other hazardous materials, which will need to be disposed of properly.  Pouring used fluids down the storm drain or casually tossing used oil filters into the trash bin is environmentally unsafe and, therefore, illegal.  Google your county government website to find the hazardous waste facility near you.  Many automotive parts stores accept used motor oil, coolant and other fluids, as long as you bought the products from them in the first place.

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