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Monthly Archives: June 2012

Guide To Using the Correct Fluids in Your Vehicle

Today's post focuses on using the proper fluids for your vehicle. Big advances in automotive technology have lead to the development of high-tech fluids to keep pace. Some because of engineering advances and others, advances in the materials used to build automotive systems. A simple example of this is the cooling system. For decades it was primarily made out of iron, steel and rubber hoses. There was one kind of coolant that protected these components from corrosion. Now cooling system components are made with various metal alloys and plastics. These materials require different additives to protect them from corrosion. Since the materials used vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, we now have a number of different kinds of coolant. And it's important that car owners use the right coolant. If you pour in the wrong kind, it won't protect the cooling system and may even void the warranty. Check ... read more

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Cooling System Components

Today we want to talk about a very important system in our cars - the cooling system. It's one of those things that you don't give much thought to until it fails and then you're stranded by the side of the road. Cooling systems fail more often than any other mechanical system - usually because of neglect. Don't you hate it when something breaks, and you could have done something to prevent it? The good news is that if you take care of your cooling system it can keep working for the life of your car. Here at Mackert Automotive, we emphasize preventive maintenance services like replacing your coolant according to the factory schedule. But the various parts that make up the cooling system need attention too. The major components of the cooling system are the water pump, freeze plugs, the thermostat, the radiator, cooling fans, the heater core, the pressure cap, the overflow tank and the hoses. It sounds complicated, but we don't have to b ... read more

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TPMS: Tire Pressure Monitoring For Your Automobile

You may know that all 2008 model year and newer cars, mini-vans and light trucks in come with a tire pressure monitoring system. Many slightly older vehicles around have these systems as well. A tire pressure monitoring system - called TPMS - consists of sensors on each wheel that measure tire pressure. If tire pressure drops 25 percent below the manufacturer's recommended pressure, the sensor sends a signal to a monitoring unit that causes a warning to light up on the dashboard. When you see the warning light, you know it's time to put some air in your tires. There are many benefits to driving with properly inflated tires around . First is cost savings. Running at the correct air pressure improves fuel economy. Driving on under-inflated tires is like driving through sand - it drags down your fuel economy. You'll also see longer, more even tread wear so your tires'll last longer. Another important benefit of properly inflated tires is ... read more

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On Your Serpentine Belt

Today we're going to be talking about serpentine belts for our customers. Let's start by talking about the accessories that are driven by the serpentine belt. First is the alternator. That's the device that makes electricity to power the vehicle and recharge the battery. Then there's the air conditioning compressor that makes cool air for you while you're driving around in the summer. The power steering and power brake pumps are driven by the serpentine belt in most vehicles. Those pumps make the pressure that assists your steering and braking. In many vehicles, the water pump is driven by the serpentine belt. The water pump is what circulates the coolant that protects your engine. In some cars around , the water pump is driven by the timing belt. The radiator cooling fans on some vehicles are also driven by the serpentine belt. Some have separate electric motors. That's really a lot of work for one belt. But modern engine design has a single bel ... read more

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