PISTON RING MAINTENANCE Piston rings maintain combustion pressure in the cylinder and prevent oil from seeping into the combustion chamber. Ring failure results in white exhaust smoke excessive oil consumption compromised performance To verify the need for piston ring maintenance, the technician uses a compression tester to check for low compression readings. The technician may
AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEMS Automatic Braking Systems – We are entering a new era in vehicle safety. Car manufacturers are focusing, on preventing crashes, not just protecting occupants from car crashes that have already occurred. While the federal government has yet to mandate that automatic braking systems be installed in all new vehicles, several auto manufacturers
CAR WINDOW FAILS When a car window fails to open or close, it can be more than an annoyance. A non-functioning power window compromises personal security. It may also allow precipitation to get inside the passenger compartment. When all the windows are in shut-down mode, a faulty fuse may be the culprit. Otherwise, if the problem
TIMING BELT REPLACEMENT Unlike a timing chain, which is made of metal, a timing belt is made of rubber. While a timing chain only needs to be replaced when there is evidence of wear or other problems, a timing belt must be replaced a regular intervals. Recommended timing belt replacement intervals at approximately 60,000 miles are
Electrical Fault Light While a CHECK ENGINE light or a SERVICE ENGINE light does not necessarily signal the need for immediate action, the electrical fault light is another matter. This warning light usually appears as a battery icon with positive (+) and negative (-) notations at each terminal. This light usually becomes illuminated as the
