AUTONET TV

Such a Little Part (Climate Control Resistor)

You expect your heater/air conditioner to work like it should.  You have a control for temperature and one for fan speed.  You even have a control for what vents the air comes out of. 

Don't be surprised one day if your blower fan develops a mind of its own and starts going crazy.  Most of the time, you may find that it starts blowing at full speed, and nothing you do to try to control it does any good.  This is what may be happening.

Your blower motor has an electronic component called a resistor.  It does what its name says; it offers resistance.  When you want the fan to run more slowly, you turn the fan speed down.  That resistor accomplishes that by turning its resistance up.  When the resistor fails, the power has nothing to slow it and the fan speeds up. 

It's a small part and can fail due to age or corrosion.  It's usually not an expensive part, either, but it's often found in a location that's not that easy for the technician to get to.  That means labor costs will vary depending on the design of your vehicle. 

Occasionally, a faulty resistor can cause the blower motor not to work at all or only partially come on.  But other things can cause that as well, such as a faulty fan switch or vent control. 

This is where a technician's training comes in.  Special equipment can track down precisely where the issue is so you can be assured the correct part is being replaced.

It's just not pleasant when the blower motor isn't following orders.  Have your service facility check it out so you can be the blower's boss, like it should be. 

High-Tech Auto and Truck Center
4007 Westfax Drive
Chantilly, VA 20151
7039686648
http://high-tech-auto.com

Putting a Stop to Brake Problems (Brake Service)

It's safe to say that most drivers take their brakes for granted.  You press on the brake pedal and the vehicle slows down or stops.  It's easy to see why it is so important for your vehicle's brakes to be working correctly.  Brakes are an important safety feature of any vehicle.

When it comes to your brakes working correctly, maintaining them regularly will ensure that you will always be able to slow or stop your vehicle in any situation, whether on a sunny day on dry pavement or a bad weather day on slippery surfaces.  And that is why regular brake service is such a sound investment for all drivers. The combo of brakes" and "surprises" doesn't usually end well.

You might already know about some of the parts of your braking system.  Terms familiar to you might be pads, rotors, and calipers. In short, the calipers press the pads, which in turn contact the rotors.  The resulting friction slows your vehicle.  Another type of brake uses a drum and brake shoes.  But both count on friction to work.

When you come in to have us check your brakes, we'll make sure those parts are all in good working together and meet the specifications of your vehicle manufacturer.  But there are other important components as well.  Your brake system has several parts of a hydraulic system that uses fluids to conduct the pressure you put on the brake pedal to the brakes on all of your wheels.  There are hoses and lines that can sometimes degrade because of road salt or debris.  

Last and not least, your vehicle has an emergency or parking brake. It's something you'll need to prevent your vehicle from rolling when you park on a steep incline. Your parking brake also is an important backup if your hydraulic brakes fail.  

Give your brakes some tender loving care with regular service and they'll be there when you need them.

High-Tech Auto and Truck Center
4007 Westfax Drive
Chantilly, VA 20151
7039686648
http://high-tech-auto.com

Sounds Like a Hot Rod (Noisy Exhaust System)

Driving along, your exhaust system's rumbling so loud that people turn and stare at you pass by.  You're wondering when the police are going to pull you over for illegal noise.

Your mind immediately thinks, aha! A broken muffler. 

Well, your exhaust system is composed of many more parts than just a muffler. 

Your engine makes power because of thousands of tiny explosions from detonating fuel.  Those explosions make a racket, so engineers came up with a system that acoustically dampens that sound in addition to getting rid of harmful exhaust.

In the engine is the exhaust manifold that looks like several pipes that join up into one pipe.  It directs exhaust to the catalytic converter. The catalytic converter converts harmful gases into less harmful gases using certain chemical reactions.  Then comes the muffler that has baffles inside to quiet the sounds of your engine noise.  Finally: the tailpipe.

All of those pipes and parts are joined together by clamps and held up by brackets, and they ride over some pretty bumpy roads.  They are also exposed to the elements, like salt, water, rocks and grit.  Chances are that one of those clamps or brackets has been weakened by corrosion.  When you hit a bump, bingo! The crack widens into a gap and there's a spot for the engine noise to come roaring out instead of being directed into the muffler's quieting chambers.

You might be surprised to know that the exhaust system can rust from inside out.  How? Moisture is one component of exhaust, and moisture on the inside can do the same kind of damage as moisture from the outside. 

It's a good idea to have your exhaust system looked at regularly by a technician.  He or she can evaluate the condition of the metal and recommend when it might be time to replace parts before they break.

Then you'll have a decision to make.  Newer exhaust systems are made out of stainless steel that is much less prone to corrosion issues.  Others are made of aluminized steel that also fights rust.  You've probably already guessed that they can cost more, but the extra price up front may give you an exhaust system that will last much longer. 

Sure, with a repaired exhaust system, you won't have quite the head-turning vehicle you once had.  You'll just have to live with all the quiet.

High-Tech Auto and Truck Center
4007 Westfax Drive
Chantilly, VA 20151
7039686648
http://high-tech-auto.com

Gearing Up (Differential Fluid Service)

You may have never thought about it, but when you turn a corner, the wheels on one side of your vehicle turn at a different speed than the other side.  What is this magic? The answer is something called the differential.  

A differential is a gear box placed between the drive wheels and needs lubrication to work.  Over time, that fluid can become contaminated, reducing its effectiveness. You likely won’t be able to detect any signs that it’s happening, though it may get a little noisier over time. 

If you continue to drive with contaminated and degraded differential fluid, the gears may wear prematurely. That can also contribute to excess wear on the drive-wheel tires.   

Two-wheel drive vehicles have one differential while all-wheel and 4-wheel drive vehicles will have two or three.   Your vehicle’s manufacturer has guidelines on how often you should have the differential fluid changed, and we recommend you follow those.  

Changing the differential fluid is different depending on what model and year of vehicle you own.  Some have a drain plug so the fluid can be removed and replaced.  In others, a cover and gasket on the differential will have to be removed and replaced.  

Because differentials have constantly moving parts, they generate heat.  That’s why some have a vent to help dissipate the heat caused by friction, and sometimes that vent will need replacing.

When you bring your vehicle in for differential fluid replacement, our technician will also inspect the differential for other issues and test drive it to make sure it’s operating the way it should.  

High-Tech Auto and Truck Center
4007 Westfax Drive
Chantilly, VA 20151
7039686648
http://high-tech-auto.com