Columbia SC Auto Repair Pro on 5 Tips for Better Fuel Economy

There is not a driver on the road that doesn’t hate spending so much money on gas.  

The Columbia, SC Auto Repair Pro has five tips to save gas and get better gas mileage.

Tip 1: Air Filter

A dirty air filter restricts air flow from going into the engine.  This will have an effect on the vehicle performance and fuel economy.  Some air filters can be cleaned, but some are made of paper and have to be replaced.  Click here for instructions on how to change an air filter.

Tip 2: Clean it Out

You do not realize how much extra and unnecessary weight you may be carrying around in your car.  We tend to spend so much time in our vehicles that we often fill them with things we really do not need.  Unload all that stuff you have tucked here and there and give the trunk a good cleaning too.  Keep only what you really need to have and the lighter load will help your auto use less gas.

Tip 3: Keep Tires in Check

When your tires do not have enough air there is more rolling resistance.  This means you burn extra fuel just to keep moving!  Check your tires when they are cooled.  Checking warm tires may cause inaccurate readings as warmed air within the tire creates increased pressure.  If you will take the time to regularly check your tires to ensure they are at the manufacturer’s recommended specifications, you will cut down on rolling resistance and your gas expenses.

Tip 4: Stock Tires vs. Performance

New performance wheels and tires can create visual appeal and offer improved handling, but they could be costing you gas too.  If you are riding on tires that are wider than the stock tires, you have increased your rolling resistance.  If you don’t want to go back to your stock tires, at least keep them handy for longer trips.  The narrower tread offers a smoother ride and helps increase your fuel economy.

Tip 5: Slow Your Roll

When you drive like you’re in a race car, you’re not only increasing your odds of having an accident, but hurting your gas mileage as well.  Even slowing it down to going no faster than the posted speed limit can help improve your fuel economy. 

As a professional mechanic, I know how to keep a car running its best.  Bad gas mileage is a big complaint for many drivers.  Following my five tips increases your fuel economy and saves you cash.

For more auto repair tutorials, mechanic tips, and automotive information from the Columbia SC Auto Repair Pro be sure to check out the Columbia SC Auto Repair Pro Blog.  You can even schedule an auto repair in Columbia, SC by calling 803-735-7902.  Sanford’s Automotive Service - proudly serving the Columbia area since 1989. 

Columbia SC Auto Repair Pro on New Car Maintenance Costs

When the time comes to buy a new vehicle, new or used, you should always take the time to look into the maintenance costs of the car or truck before you complete the purchase. 

The cost to properly maintain one vehicle may vary greatly with another make or model.  The Columbia, SC Auto Repair Pro is here to help guide you in making an auto purchase based on facts and figures.

Calculating Maintenance Costs

Auto maintenance costs cannot be determined by comparison to a similar make or model.  While one vehicle may run a few hundred for the first few years’ maintenance and upkeep, while another may cost over a thousand!  That is a fairly significant difference if you ask me.  And you cannot take maintenance shortcuts either.  Many automobiles have a strict maintenance schedule that is required to be maintained in order to keep your warranty intact.

Some auto makers will offer buyers a full maintenance package.  It may even be included in your purchase price. This is great for buyers as you will have no out of pocket maintenance costs, making it easier for you to actually get proper maintenance performed on the proper schedule.

There are a lot of places where you can compare automotive maintenance costs.  Consumer Reports is always a top choice.  They regularly assemble maintenance costs on a variety of cars and trucks.  Consumer Reports usually offers a wide range of information on the subject, in addition to being more current than some other sources.

 

More than Maintenance: Other Costs to Consider

A budget conscious buyer usually has more than the maintenance costs to consider with their new auto purchase.  These buyers will likely want to calculate expenditures like average costs of auto repairs and even the depreciation of the vehicle over a set number of years.  Either of these could be a surprise cost if you have not bother to check it out beforehand.

The Columbia SC Auto Repair Pro always encourages handling easy auto repairs and auto maintenance tasks at home if you possess the proper information and skills to do so, but when you are looking at meeting the requirements to keep your new auto warranty in effect, D-I-Y is not usually allowed.  

If you need the assistance of an ASE Certified Master Mechanic with a great reputation, come straight to our auto repair shop or call 803-735-7902. Sanford’s Automotive Service has proudly served the greater Columbia, SC area since 1989.  Sanford’s offers the experience and skill you need with the superior customer service you deserve.

Columbia SC Auto Repair Pro Talks Electrical Repairs and Fuses

Sometimes what you think could be an automotive electrical problem is nothing more serious than a fuse. Our Columbia, SC Auto Repair Pro helps determine if you are in need of automotive electrical repair or just a simple fuse replacement.

Auto Fuse Basics: Different Types of Fuses

Auto fuses come in three basic types, but almost all vehicles require blade style fuses.  They are easy to work with since they just easily plug in to the fuse box, pretty much like a standard electrical plug. Unless the car is pre-1980, you will probably not be dealing with glass or plastic tube fuse or ceramic fuses. Both are shaped kind of like a torpedo and also simple to install. Determine what type of fuses your vehicle requires and keep a variety of spares in a kit for when they are needed. A perfect place to store them is in the basic auto kit that every driver should carry.

Finding the Fuse Box

Many autos have two fuse boxes. Whether you have one or two auto fuse boxes, one is under your dashboard. It is usually located on the lower left driver’s side of your dash about knee level or lower. The cover should be easily visible. Once it is opened, look at the inside of the cover for a diagram of what each fuse is for. There will be rows of different colors and sizes of fuses. There are usually some spare fuses or empty slots that are left for your spare fuses. There is usually a small, flat, tweezers type tool, or fuse puller. While it is not necessary, a fuse puller can make it a bit easier to get a hold on the fuses. All that is left is to locate the right fuse that needs replacing.

Finding a Second Fuse Box

If the diagram on the under dash fuse box does not display a fuse corresponding to the auto trouble area you are looking for, you probably have a second fuse box. This under hood fuse box is normally easy to find and reach. You will find something that looks pretty much like the other fuse box, but here you might also see larger fuses that do not look the same as the blade fuses. They are vital to the protection of your whole electrical system. It is not recommended that anyone other than a certified mechanic deal with these larger, very important fuses. Just use the diagram located on the fuse box cover to find the blade style fuse you need.

How to Check a Fuse

Once you have located the fuse or fuses you were looking for, it is time to pull and checking them. Have a look at one of your new fuses. Do you see that tiny bridge that is between the two blades? If a fuse is blown, that little bridge is burned up. If the fuse is blown, it will be easy to see. Be sure to check the amperage of the fuse you are removing and ONLY replace with the same amperage fuse.

Quick tip: Auto fuses are color coded by amperage. If you always replace with the same color, you will be in good shape.

What If the Fuses Are Good?

So your fuses looked fine. Now what do you do? Now is when you make the decision between either getting ready for some electrical system troubleshooting and analysis, or you can find a reputable mechanic or auto repair shop to take care of it for you. If you are in the greater Columbia, SC area, come to Sanford’s Automotive Service on Wilson Blvd. Let our ASE Certified Master Mechanic take care of all of you automotive electrical repairs today.

Columbia SC Auto Repair Pro on Bench Testing Your Ignition Coil

The best way to accurately test whether your ignition coil is really going bad is by using a multi-meter.  The Columbia, SC Auto Repair Pro directs you on how to test the ignition coil and offers more on why a multi-meter is the way to do it.

Why a Multi-Meter?

To understand, you have to learn a little bit about the ignition coil. Inside are two coils on top of one another. These are called windings.  There are both primary and secondary windings. Each of them has a specific function too.  Your primary winding builds up power to create the spark.  The secondary winding then sends that spark on to the distributor.  If either of the windings does not function correctly, it may cause the ignition coil to stop working correctly or at all.

If there is no spark at all, you know your ignition coil needs replacement.  In other cases though, it may be going bad but not actually dead yet.  In cases like this you may get a weak spark. Too weak a spark is inadequate, causing your auto to run very rough.  To take the speculation out of the ignition coil diagnosis, you should remove the coil. Using a multi-meter will provide actual data that will determine the coil’s condition.

How to Use a Multi-Meter to Test the Ignition Coil

First check your vehicle service manual for resistance specifications for your specific ignition coil.  You must have this information to proceed. If you cannot find your manual, an internet search on your make, model, year and the word manual will typically find it for you easily.

How to Test the Primary Winding

Your primary winding receives the battery voltage.  Using a multi-meter, you have to test the primary winding you find in the ignition coil.  If you have a traditional round coil, place the meter’s leads on the small outside poles.  With the newer type of enclosed ignition coil units, the leads need to be placed on the indicated poles.  Check your reading to establish whether it is within the specified range.  If so, you are fine. If the reading is even modestly out of spec, you want to go ahead and replace the coil.

How to Test the Secondary Winding

The secondary winding transfers the spark to the distributor. The distributor then sends it on to the spark plugs.  A secondary winding going bad can have no spark at all or it could be transferring only a weak spark.

Attach one of your multi-meter’s leads to the outer 12-volt pole.  The other will be at the center pole where the main wire is connecting to your distributor.  Use the meter to test your resistance. If it is within your owner manual’s specified range, great.   Even a minute irregularity points to needing the ignition coil replaced. 

If you would like for us test your ignition coil for you, contact our auto repair shop in Columbia, SC at 7917 Wilson Blvd. To get here, take Exit 71 off I-20.  Our ASE Certified Master Mechanic will take care of your every auto need. We offer top quality auto repairs on foreign and domestic autos as well as superior customer service.  Sanford’s Automotive Service has proudly served greater Columbia, SC and surrounding communities since 1989.  At Sanford’s Automotive Service, your auto repairs are always fixed right the first time!

Troubleshooting Car Sounds with the Columbia SC Auto Repair Pro

All vehicles make noises and not all of them are unusual or problematic. Strange automotive sounds do not necessarily mean you need to prepare for pricey auto repairs. The sounds your car makes may help in diagnosing what your issue may be. These are some of the more common auto sounds that can aid in troubleshooting auto problems.

I hear a tick, tick, tick sound

If you have a sharp tick, ticking from under the hood and it continues ticking all the time, you should take a look at the oil level.  When oil levels are low it can cause a ticking type of noise within your engine.  Check to see that your oil is full.  If not, fill to the appropriate level and see if the ticking problem stops.  If this does not remedy the problem, or if the ticking would get louder, you should set an appointment with a trusted mechanic or auto repair shop to have your valves evaluated.

If the ticking sounds only happen when the car is first started, but stops shortly after, it is most likely completely normal and is just the oil taking a little time to circulate through the engine.

Another cause of a tick, tick or clacking sound from your engine could be faulty lifters.  If you think this is likely your issue, consult with an auto repair shop to determine your options.

I hear a rattle and tick sound

There are a couple of likely issues to look into when you hear rattling and ticking or clacking sounds.  You first need to determine what area of your engine the sounds are coming from.  Begin with checking if the sounds come from the front side of the engine or the side where your belts are located.  When sounds come from this area and also become either faster or louder as you rev the engine, you are likely looking at a loose timing belt.  While some cars do not have these anymore, many still do.  When discovered early, a loose timing chain can be fixed before creating bigger problems.  If you think there are problems with the timing chain I definitely recommend a trip to an auto repair shop to have it assessed by a mechanic.

I hear a grinding sound

Grinding noises as you press on the breaks needs to be addressed quickly.  You are most likely in need of a brake repair.  You never want to put it off dealing with brake problems.  Waiting can cause extensive and sometimes very costly damages.

If the grinding sound happens as you come to a stop, you need to find and fix it immediately.  By the time this type of noise begins you are already probably going to be replacing your brake discs.

In the Columbia, SC area you can schedule an auto repair appointment at Sanford’s Automotive Service.  We have been proudly serving Columbia, SC and surrounding communities with the best in foreign and domestic auto repairs since 1989.