Is That An Idiot Light On the Dash....Or Not?!

Every time you start your vehicle you see a bunch of lights that come on on the dash. Most of them go out after a few seconds, once the computers have done their initial scan of the systems, but what happens if a light stays on or a light comes on while you’re driving? Should you care, or are they just “idiot” lights?

I think that a lot of people like to ignore problems with their vehicle because they are either afraid they’ll get ripped off  if they take it to a shop, or they don’t want to think about how much it will cost to fix it. That being said, here are some lights that you SHOULD NOT ignore.

Red Oil Light: This light comes on when there is a problem with the oil pressure in the engine. Because the oil is like the blood of the vehicle, it’s important to keep it changed and full. If this light comes on while you are driving you should IMMEDIATELY pull over and turn the vehicle off. This light is the last warning before engine damage can happen, not the “you’ve got 50 miles before you need to get it looked at” light. If the oil is low, it’s possible that you could add oil and see if the light goes out. Most likely you’ll need a tow to a shop to see what the problem is.

Check Engine Light: This is a light that a lot of people ignore if the vehicle is driving okay. Unfortunately, this could make the problem worse and possibly cause an expensive repair down the line. The check engine light comes on when a sensor gives a bad reading. Sometimes the light can be on for something as simple as not tightening your gas cap, but other times it could be something more serious. There are many places now that will read this code for free. You can even purchase a code reader like the one from CarMD for about $100 to tell you the code. You can then look up this code to see what the possible problems are. You always want to make sure that you have a trained technician verify the problem before replacing parts.

Battery Light: The battery light comes on when there is a problem with the charging system of the vehicle. This could mean a problem with the battery, the alternator or the belt that drives it. Driving with the battery light on could cause the vehicle to just stop running. Many times a simple jump will not be the answer to fixing this problem so be aware they you may need to be towed to a shop for repairs. You should always have the battery and the alternator tested as one can cause damage to the other.

Coolant Light or Temperature Gauge: If this light comes on or the temperature gauge reads closer to the H than the C it means that you have an overheating problem. You should never let the gauge go into the red as this can cause engine damage. This is another light or indicator that tells you to pull the vehicle over and shut it off.  You should not drive the vehicle until it cools and coolant/antifreeze is added. Remember, you should never open the cap to add coolant/antifreeze while the engine is hot or you could suffer serious burns.

 These are just four of the lights you should watch and take action if they come on. Look in your owner's manual for more information and what other lights may indicate. Knowing when to stop driving before damaging your vehicle and preventing costly repairs will help you be an informed driver and keep you safe on the road. 

Remember, knowledge is power.....use it!

www.ladiesstartyourengines.com

Whew It's Hot In Here, Why Doesn't the A/C Blow Cold?

I don’t know about you, but I feel like I’m melting this summer, and we still have a lot more hot weather to go. Of course with this weather come all the air conditioning problems. Well, they were probably problems before, but we were able to ignore them. Now we want to get in our vehicle, turn the A/C on and feel cool air. I’m right there with you, rolling down the windows in this heat just doesn’t cut it.

One of the biggest complaints I hear is that the air is not cold enough. When I worked for a dealership, we had a lot of customers stop by on hot days to check their inside temperature. For the most part, the A/C was fine and they just needed an explanation about how the system works.

The simple answer is that when it’s 90 degrees out and there is 80% humidity, it is very hard to get super cold air out of your system. Your engine is hot, it’s hot outside, and the air has a lot of moisture in it. So the A/C unit has to take that air, dry it and cool it so that you can feel comfortable. 

Here’s a hint, if you have a recirculation button, use it. You can get cooler air by only cooling the air in your vehicle instead of trying to keep cooling the outside air.

Here is a more in depth article about how humidity affects the A/C system. (for geeks like me)

For most of us, we just want to know why the air doesn’t get cold. Usually it’s because the refrigerant/Freon, is low or has completely leaked out. Notice I used the word “leaked”? This system is what is known as a closed system. That means there is no place for the Freon to go other than around in a big circle within the A/C system. If it escapes, then we need to find the leak and fix it before we just add Freon.

Usually a shop will suggest using dye in the system so that it's easier to find the leak. This could be something as simple as a loose line or more costly if a component needs to be replaced. I’ll tell you right now that A/C repairs can be expensive. If the system gets contaminated then you usually have to replace every part of the system. This can run you up to $1000 in some cases.

Here are just a few things that can go wrong so at least you don’t feel totally lost when you take it to the shop.

If you don’t hear any difference in the sound of the motor when you turn on the A/C , (it may rev a little more loudly and you'll hear a clicking noise when the compressor comes on) this usually means the compressor is not running. The compressor could have seized, there could be no Freon or not enough to turn the compressor on, or there could be a clog in the system so nothing can circulate. (can become a costly repair)

You could have a loose hose connection or a bad hose, causing a leak, that needs to be replaced. (cheaper repair)

You could have a very slight leak that after adding Freon would take a long time to leak out. (cheapest repair)

Just remember that you need to have Freon in the system and it needs to be able to circulate or the air coming out of your vents won’t get cool. If it becomes too expensive to fix, you can always put the windows down :)

What You Know About Your Brakes Could Save You Money

I often get questions about brake pads. How do I know when  it’s time to replace them? How many miles will I get out of a set of pads? How do I know I’m  not getting ripped off when they tell me I need brakes?

First of all, you control how long your brake pads last. You know that person in front of you that starts braking two blocks before the stop sign, well, when I was working in the shop, I loved them! Why? Because whenever your foot is pushing on the brake pedal while the vehicle is moving, the brake pads are wearing.

When I told this to a class once, one of the women said “does that mean I should brake less?” NO, just be smart about it. Let’s say that the average driver needs to replace brake pads about every 30,000  miles. That person I talked about earlier that starts braking way before it’s time, well they may need to replace them every 15,000 miles. You see where I’m going with this? More money spent on replacing pads.

Brake pads are made to wear. You can’t stop them from wearing, just how fast they wear. There are a couple ways that you can check your pads.

The most obvious way is if the brake light comes on on the dash. This is an indication of low brake fluid, which could mean that your pads are worn or you have a brake fluid leak. Of course, the parking brake turns this light on as well, so make sure you take the brake off. Driving with the parking brake on is not good.

While I’m talking about brake fluid, as a vehicle owner, if you don’t know why the fluid is low, you should never add brake fluid to the reservoir. This does not fix your problem, it just covers it up for a while. Get a technician to figure out what is wrong.

When you do take it to a shop and they tell you that you need new pads, ask to see them. It’s best if you can see them on the vehicle so that you know the pad is really yours. Any reputable shop will be happy to take you out in the shop and explain the problem. If they won’t, then take it your vehicle somewhere else, you probably are getting ripped off. In the state of Pennsylvania, less than 2/32 fails inspection. By 4 or 3/32 you should be thinking about replacing them.

Brake pads are all about safety and shops know this. What better way to get you to buy a service than to tell you it won’t be safe to drive unless you fix them. Keep track of  the mileage between brake jobs and you’ll start to see a pattern of when your brakes need to be replaced. There are a lot of honest technicians out there, so don’t jump to the conclusion that everyone is trying to take advantage of you. Ask questions and if you don’t like the answers, find someone you trust.

Vehicle Maintenance: Can You Do It Yourself Anymore?

For most of you, when you open your hood, all you see is a big plastic cover that keeps you from seeing anything pertinent related to your engine. Remember the days when you could see the spark plug wires, there was enough space to see around under the hood, and you thought you recognized a few things whether you knew how to fix them or not?

Today, it’s not so easy. Opening the hood, you’re met with very little exposure to anything that would allow you to do maintenance yourself. I have a theory about this, and it’s the idea that the manufacturers think you shouldn’t touch anything you don’t understand. 

Vehicles are so technologically advanced today that you need a degree just to work on them. Gone are the days when a big wrench and a couple of screwdrivers could fix anything. Automobiles have so many computer systems now that your main tool is usually a computer or a scan tool. I know many technicians who do not even get their hands dirty because their skill is in the area of being able to diagnose problems.

Sure you still need to have brakes, alignments and tires changed, but the real skill is in diagnosing engine problems, and this can be difficult. 

So that brings me to the point of, what can you do yourself? If you open your hood and look closely you will see that there are a variety of things that are marked with words or symbols to tell you what they are. These are the things that you are free to do yourself. You can also look in your owner’s manual to find the items that the manufacturer feels are safe components for you to fix or replace yourself. 

The most common items under the hood are the washer fluid bottle, power steering reservoir, oil cap, oil dipstick, battery, fuse box, coolant/antifreeze reservoir, and the brake fluid reservoir. Some automatic transmissions may still have a dipstick as well, but more and more manufacturers are getting away from even providing those. Make sure you look closely at these symbols before you ever add any fluids to a reservoir. I will never forget how unhappy the person was who added antifreeze to their washer solvent bottle!

As always, I will tell you to consult your owner’s manual before you attempt to do any maintenance yourself. Many manufacturers require that you buy your products from them. This means items like coolant/antifreeze and power steering fluid must be bought from the dealership. You may find that your vehicle will not operate properly if you choose to use something else and it may void your warranty.

Always use windshield washer solvent and not plain water. Not only will it do a better job at cleaning, but it won’t freeze in colder climates. Freezing can cause the bottle to crack and break and ruin the sprayer motor. 

Power steering fluid is in a closed system. This means you can add it if it is below the “full” line, but you need to get it looked at because you probably have a leak. 

Oil should be checked when the engine is not running. The engine can be hot or cold, but may need to sit a moment if it has just been driven. When you shut off the engine all of the oil drains back down to the oil pan. The dipstick is checking the level of the oil in the pan, so we want it all to be there. While the engine is running the oil is circulating through the engine and the dipstick will not give you an accurate reading. On the dipstick there will usually be 2 notches, holes or a hatched area to read the oil level. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it off. Insert the dipstick in a second time and see where the oil is on the stick. It should fall between the marks. If it is below the bottom mark, then oil should be added. Be careful when adding oil. Only put in a little at a time and continually check with the dipstick. You do not want to overfill the oil. You should see a cap with an oilcan or the word oil, on the top of the engine. This is where the oil is added. Make sure that you check in your owner’s manual as to the type of oil your vehicle requires.

Coolant/antifreeze can be added as well. Make sure that you never open the radiator cap even if the engine is cold. This system is pressurized and when you open the cap you introduce air into the system, which can cause it to overheat. You should always add coolant to the reservoir bottle. This will be a plastic bottle with a small hose connecting it to the radiator. Again, check your owner’s manual as to the specific type of coolant/antifreeze for your vehicle and always make sure it is a 50/50 mix of coolant and water. Only add to the full line and have it checked if you find yourself adding coolant often. You may be leaking or burning coolant if the reservoir is frequently empty.

Battery maintenance is important as well. The terminals should be clean at all times. If you find that there is a white powdery build up, this can be cleaned with a toothbrush and a 50/50 mix of water and baking soda. Don’t use the toothbrush to brush your teeth afterward however! If you need to remove the cables to clean them, always disconnect the negative terminal first and then the positive. This will prevent any sparks. When re-connecting, attach the positive cable first and then the negative. Otherwise these batteries are pretty much maintenance free. The days of adding water are gone. A well maintained battery may last 4 to 5 years.

Oil changes are best left to the shop. I only say this because it can be dangerous to lift the car properly. Under no circumstances should you use the jack for the vehicle as a way to hold up the vehicle while changing the oil. They are not safe enough to use while climbing underneath a vehicle. They should strictly be used for changing a tire only. You must also be careful not to spill oil and it must be taken in to be recycled. You also need the proper tools to remove the drain plug and the oil filter. I tell people that for $25-30, it is worth it to let someone else do it!
 
Air filters are usually easy to change yourself however. Locate it under the hood, usually under a big plastic cover with clips or screws holding it closed. Go to any automotive store and by looking your vehicle up in the product book or asking for assistance you should be able to find it. You can always go to the dealership to purchase the filter as well. Check the filter about every 15,000 miles or so. If it looks dirty, replace it.

 
If you find that an electrical item is not working in your vehicle I would always advise people to check their fuses first. Look in your owner’s manual to find out where the fuse is for the component. Remove the fuse and check to see if the filament is broken. Replace the fuse if this is the case. Make sure to only replace it with the size fuse that is recommended. If the fuse blows again or the fuse is found to be okay, then you will need to take the vehicle in for service.

 

While this may not seem like as much as you would like to be able to fix yourself, it is probably all that you “should” do. Doing something today on your vehicle that you do not understand can become a costly lesson. If you can read about it in your owner’s manual, most likely it is something you can do on your own. Don’t be afraid to get dirty once in a while, but leave the technical stuff to the trained professionals.



Lori Johnson
www.Ladiesstartyourengines.com
Empowering Women with Automotive Knowledge
888-391-LSYE (5793)
 
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Indications That There's a Coolant Issue

For a couple of months now I've noticed that my temperature gauge on my dash is going up pretty high before it drops back down to the mid-way point. I keep telling myself to check it out, but it's cold outside and that doesn't make me want to work on the truck right now.

For those of you who don't know, I drive an 88 Toyota 4WD pickup with 296,000 miles. She'll be 23 in March and I just want to keep her running. We finally got a break in the weather and I decided to check a few things under the hood. Since the engine was cold, I took off the radiator cap to check it out. Sure enough, I couldn't see any coolant. I got my 50/50 mix of coolant and water and added it until it was just below the fill neck.

I then started the truck and let it warm up until the coolant began to boil up. This is important so that you get all of the air out of the system. An air pocket can cause the engine to overheat as well. I put the cap back on and checked the temperature gauge and all looked good. It still goes up a little higher than I'd like it too and maybe in the spring I'll replace the thermostat....it's possible that it just gets stuck. Here are some things to look at if you have any of these problems:

Your vehicle is overheating - Check the coolant level, do this through the reservoir.  Have it changed if it's been 2 years or about 30,0000 miles, Feel your upper radiator hose to see if it gets hot after it warms up. If not, you may have a bad thermostat that isn't opening. You may also have a block somewhere in your system.

Your temperature gauge never goes up and there's no heat in the vehicle - Most likely your thermostat is stuck open. This means it takes a long time for the coolant to heat up, and it may never get to a warming temperature.

These are just a couple quick things to check if you're having coolant problems. When I'm driving I always try to check out my dashboard gauges periodically just to make sure everything is functioning properly. If you see the coolant gauge going up toward the red you should pull over before it becomes an overheating problem that could do engine damage.

One little trick that may get you a little further....if your vehicle is getting hot, before it gets to the red, turn your heater on high to vent the hot air into the vehicle and away from the engine. If the needle starts to go into the red pull over and shut the engine down. It isn't worth blowing the engine just to drive a little further. Add water (once it cools down) if that's all you have, and get yourself to a shop.

Battery, Alternators and Coolant problems are all things that can shut your vehicle down while you're driving. Keep an eye on them and you can catch issues before they strand you.

Radical Wrencher

Female Consumers in the Automotive Market: Are Their Voices Being Heard?

The automotive market has long been seen as a male dominated industry. Men design the vehicles, produce and drive them. For many years little thought has been put into the idea of how this affects women and whether it matters. However, with more women in the work force, not only do they have the money to purchase their own vehicles, they are becoming a large portion of consumers of which should not be ignored. Women have long been alienated by the automotive industry and only in recent years have studies been done to assess how much.

                                              

Over the years one thing remains clear, women are not taught about maintaining their vehicles like men are. If we go back to the days when women attended home economic classes while men had shop and automotive, it is clear that the intentions were that car maintenance was men’s work. There are even some who believe that women do not have the capability to learn this technology. The unfortunate problem with this belief is that women drive cars, cars break down and they need to understand at least a little bit about them. Everyone needs to at least have an understanding of the language and how to communicate as an informed consumer about their vehicle, yet we continue to teach the boys and not the girls.

The automotive industry has largely been catering to a male audience with little to no acknowledgment that women today have much more buying influence. While some progress has been made to include women, there is still a long way to go. The automotive shops need to be a place where women can feel comfortable to come in, ask questions and be treated with respect no matter what their knowledge base. Until this happens, the automotive industry will continue to alienate a large group of the consumer population. Why should this matter to them? Because women purchase over 50% of all new cars and 48% of used cars, and they influence 80% of all auto purchases and repair decisions (Road & Travel Magazine).

Women really just want to be heard and taken seriously. They are just as concerned as the men are about what type of work needs to be done to their vehicles and why it is important. My goal, when I started Ladies, Start Your Engines, was to give women a safe place to learn and ask questions about their vehicles. It also offers a chance for the shops that hire me to show that they are concerned with what women want and that they are interested in offering them this type of service. It is not easy to win women over. It will take some work, because they want their questions answered in a way that makes them feel comfortable. They want to understand why the work is being done and not given the line “it’s too technical for you to understand”.

Ladies, Start Your Engines is a light maintenance class for women, taught by a woman. In 2 hours I try to give them the basic understanding of how their vehicle operates, the importance of proper maintenance and the language they need to understand so that they know what their service person is trying to tell them. I want to create a confidence in them to ask questions and not to think that any question is dumb. I explain to them that there are just as many men who do not know about their vehicles, they just act like they do or they ask questions.

So what can your shop or dealership do to attract more female customers and keep the ones you do have.

1. Take a look at your waiting area. Is it clean? Are the chairs comfortable to sit in for more than 5 minutes? Do you offer free WiFi and coffee?

These might seem like simple things to you, but put yourself in the place of the customer. Women are not going to sit in a dirty area where they can overhear the technicians talking and laughing out in the shop. They may even have to bring a child with them, do you have something to attract their attention? I’m not saying that you have to spend thousands of dollars to fix up your waiting area, but make it a place that you would want to sit for at least a half hour. If you have a TV, it is best to have the volume turned off and run closed captioning on the screen. People who read or bring work to do will not want to have to listen to a loud television playing in the background.

2. Stick your head in the women’s bathroom. This is something else that women complain about in service waiting areas. You should keep this bathroom spotless. Make sure that all the dispensers are full, trash cans are emptied every night and that you offer some type of changing area for babies. More and more men’s rooms have these as well. Many times you may have customers come in for a quick oil change and then they head off to work. They want to stay clean and they expect your bathrooms to be clean as well.

3. Is there signage that directs people where to go when they come in for service? If women are already apprehensive about coming to your shop, not knowing what to do or where to go may just make them keep driving by. It is always best to acknowledge the customers when they come in so that they know you have seen them. Even a simple “Good Morning” let’s them know that you know they’re there and you’ll get to them as soon as you can. Remember, the customer in front of you is your most important client. If the phones are busy in the morning, have someone who is not working the desk answer them. The customer in front of you is already there and willing to spend money, make sure you are courteous and listen to their needs. Women especially want to make sure that you understand what they need and expect an explanation of what is being done. Just telling them it is time for a 30,000 mile service is not enough. They want to understand what is involved in this type of service. It is never a bad idea to do a quick walk around with each customer to make sure you understand their concerns. If you think you do not have time for this, think about how much more time you will have when they do not come back.

4. Call your customers. Women want to know the status on their vehicles. Guessing that the work is finished at the end of the day and finding out it is not, will only create an angry customer. Remember that many women are working moms who have very busy schedules. They would rather know up front if you need the vehicle longer than to find out once they arrive at your shop.

5. Show them what needs to be done. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and in this case it solidifies with your customers what you are telling them. I cannot tell you how many women have told me that they are not taken out to see their vehicles because they are told that customers are not allowed in the shop. Be forewarned, that I am telling them this is not true. I took customers in the shop all the time. What better way to explain why the brakes need to be replaced than by showing them. I always tell women that if the service writer will not show you what you want to see on your vehicle, take it someplace else. You may only have to take them out into the shop a few times and then they will begin to trust you to do the work according to what you say is the problem. Many women feel they are being lied to when no one is willing to explain why a service needs to be done, do not let yourself fall into that trap.

From my experience as a technician, a service manager and a female, I can tell you that one of the biggest obstacles you will face is gaining their trust. Once you do though, they will be your most loyal customers. They will talk to their friends and recommend you. If you treat them poorly, they will not return and they will tell more people about their experience. One of the reasons I chose this profession was for the opportunities that would always be available. People will always drive cars and they will always need someone to fix them. In many ways, those who do not know much about their vehicles are at the mercy of the service shops. With more and more choices of where to go, women are asking their friends and choosing places where they feel comfortable and feel they are being treated fairly.

I always tell the women to read their owners manual, understand their maintenance schedule and to not be afraid to check their fuses or change a bulb. This simple encouragement empowers them to be more pro-active with their vehicles. Having brochures about your different services allows them to read about the service long before they need it and to formulate questions they may not think to ask when the service is being written up. It is also not a bad idea to have women working in your service or parts departments. This often makes women feel more welcome in your shop. When I was a service manager, many of the female customers would come to me to ask simple questions that they did not feel comfortable asking the men. Many times I would go with them to their service writers and make sure that they were comfortable working together and then they would no longer need me as much.

I cannot stress enough how important the first impression of your shop is to most female consumers. If the place is dirty, technicians are fooling around at the desk, the bathrooms are not clean and no one acknowledges them when they first come in, it will probably be their last visit to your facility. I have found that women are eager to learn about their vehicles if they are just given a chance. You can try offering an information session just for women at your own shop. Ask your female customers to bring their friends, let everyone know that you are female friendly and that you are willing to go that extra mile to produce a happy customer. For many of us, at the end of the day it is not just about the work, but about the people we help. If you were not interested in working with people, you would not be in this business. I remember when I was a technician, going home at the end of the day feeling a sense of accomplishment. I get that now every time I teach a class. I enjoy being able to give back and often times get hugs from the women who take my classes. I cannot think of a better way to judge my success than that! 

Lori