AUTONET TV
Archive for December 2022Your Biggest Fan (Radiator Fan Problems)Posted December 25, 2022 11:42 AMYour vehicle's engine makes a lot of heat when it's powering you down the road, so it needs a way to get rid of that energy. That's why your vehicle has a cooling system, complete with a radiator and one or two radiator fans, also called cooling fans. Those fans make sure air keeps moving across the radiator so that the heat stored in the coolant can be dissipated outside when the vehicle is stopped or not traveling fast. Radiator fans can develop problems and can stop working properly or stop working altogether. Some signs to look for? If you're driving slowly and idling and you see your temperature gauge moving toward the red or hot zone, that could spell trouble. Another thing you may notice when a radiator fan is failing is that there may be a loud noise coming from the engine compartment. There are two types of radiator fans. One is mechanically connected to the engine and uses the engine's rotational energy to turn it. The other is an electric fan and is the type used in most newer vehicles. In the electrical type, one of the components, such as a relay or fuse, may fail, causing the fan to stop turning. In the mechanical type, since it's driven by a pulley/belt mechanism, one of those components may break or stop working properly. A clutch can wear out or a belt may slip or break. When your cooling fan isn't working properly, it may cause your engine to overheat which could lead to expensive damage. That's why it's important to make sure you visit your service facility if you notice any of these symptoms. A technician is trained to diagnose the problem and make sure your radiator fan is doing its job. When it comes to your vehicle, your radiator fan really is your biggest fan. Gilmore's Auto Service Too Hot to Handle (Vehicle Overheating)Posted December 18, 2022 11:58 AMIn the hot weather, seeing steam coming from the engine compartment is something we all dread. No one wants that to happen to them. But if you know the signs of overheating and how to deal with it, you may be able to reduce the risk of damage to your vehicle, maybe even prevent getting stranded on the road. Besides the steam coming out of the engine compartment, here are a few signs of overheating. Your vehicle has a heat gauge that may have a needle that can go into a red zone or up to the "H" (for High) position. You may smell odors, perhaps a burning (could be hot oil) or a sweet smell (engine coolant leaking). When you encounter any of those signs, you know you have to do something to keep the engine as cool as possible to avoid potentially catastrophic damage. Turn off the air conditioning and turn up the heat. While that last part may sound odd, it helps draw heat out of the engine. If you can do it safely, pull off the road to a spot away from traffic. Turn off the engine so it can cool down for a few minutes. You may want to call for help at this point, then switch on the key to "accessory" position to see if the engine has cooled down to the normal range. You may have to have your car towed to a service facility or, if there's one nearby, you may be able to slowly drive to it. But keep your eye on the heat gauge and immediately stop if it starts to overheat again. The best hedge against engine overheating is regular maintenance. When the cooling system and other engine components are working like they should, your chances of an overheated engine are drastically reduced. Your service facility will keep their eyes open for leaking hoses, cracked belts, rusted pipes and other things so they don't fail at the most inopportune time. Gilmore's Auto Service Serpentine Belt Service at Gilmore's Auto ServicePosted December 11, 2022 11:54 AMMost Walnut Creek folks occasionally have days when they've got a bunch of errands to run. Yesterday was my day off and I needed to fill the gas tank, pick up some groceries at my Walnut Creek market, swing by the ATM and get the kids from school. I could have made four trips . . . but that would have been totally inefficient. Instead I got unusually organized and planned my stops. I hit the ATM first and got gas next. Then I went to the supermarket and picked up the kids on the way home. I was proud of my wise use of time and money. Gilmore's Auto Service Budget for Maintenance in Walnut CreekPosted December 4, 2022 12:03 PMSometimes busy Walnut Creek residents dream about going back to the “simpler” days of our grandparents. But if you could travel back in time and take a road trip around CA in a Model T, you might change your mind. The improved designs and quality of today's automobiles have significantly reduced the amount of time Walnut Creek residents spend at the side of the road during breakdowns. With proper maintenance, today's vehicles can stay on the road longer than ever before. Gilmore's Auto Service | ||
SearchArchiveJune 2020 (18)July 2020 (4) August 2020 (5) September 2020 (4) October 2020 (4) November 2020 (5) December 2020 (4) January 2021 (6) February 2021 (4) March 2021 (4) April 2021 (4) May 2021 (5) June 2021 (4) July 2021 (4) August 2021 (5) September 2021 (4) October 2021 (5) November 2021 (4) December 2021 (4) January 2022 (6) February 2022 (4) March 2022 (4) April 2022 (4) May 2022 (5) June 2022 (4) July 2022 (5) August 2022 (4) September 2022 (4) October 2022 (5) November 2022 (4) December 2022 (4) January 2023 (5) February 2023 (4) March 2023 (4) April 2023 (5) May 2023 (4) June 2023 (4) July 2023 (5) August 2023 (4) September 2023 (4) October 2023 (5) November 2023 (4) December 2023 (5) January 2024 (5) February 2024 (4) March 2024 (5) April 2024 (4) May 2024 (1) | CategoriesMaintenance (20)Shocks & Struts (4)Older Vehicles (3)Battery (11)Fuel System (21)Tires and Wheels (13)Serpentine Belt (3)Brakes (5)Service Standards (5)Differential Service (2)Automotive News (3)Fuel Economy (5)Service Intervals (3)Customer Detective Work (1)Steering (7)What Customers Should Know (28)Inspection (4)Warranty (1)Winter Prep (6)Parts (2)Check Engine Light (2)Timing Belt (2)Alignment (8)Transmission (3)Cabin Air Filter (4)Exhaust (6)Drive Train (3)Cooling System (7)TPMS (1)Dashboard (2)Fluids (6)Diagnostics (2)Keys to a long lasting vehicle (3)Air Conditioning (5)Tires (2)Safety (2)Monitoring System (1)Auto Safety (3)Spark Plugs (1)Oil Change (2)Alternator (2)Windshield Wipers (2)PCV Valve (1)Brake Service (1)Diesel Maintenance (1)Engine Air Filter (1) |
OUR REVIEWS
Justin Lyon, 05/07/2024Phil was very helpful in scheduling my appointment and even starting to diagnose my issue over the phone. My car wouldn’t drive, wouldn’t go into gear, but he talked me through some troubleshooting and got me going again. That saved me a tow truck fee, thanks, Phil!
Get free Coupons
Take advantage of these great offers!
FREE COURTESY INSPECTION WITH REPAIR
First time customer? Come in for any paid repair work and let Gilmore's inspect your car at no extra cost to you.
No tricks. No Pressure.