The Importance of a Brake Inspection

Posted by & filed under Brakes.

Richard Petty once told AutoNetTV, “You’ve gotta have good brakes. If you’ve got good brakes you can keep yourself out of a lotta trouble.”

This is why it’s so important for Kent drivers to get a regular brake inspection. An inspection at Central Avenue Automotive will ensure your brake system is operating optimally and prevent big trouble later.

Of course, if you’re having issues with your brakes, get your car into the shop right away. Keep an eye on your car and bring it in if you experience any of the following:

  • Low or spongy brake pedal
  • Constant squealing or grinding from your brakes
  • A brake warning light that stays on
  • Hard brake pedal
  • Vibrations or clunking sounds when you apply your brakes

If you are experiencing any of these issues, you really need to have your brakes checked.

Brake Inspection

There are two types of brakes: disc and drum. Disc brakes have a rotor that’s attached to the axle. Calipers straddle the rotor, similar to the way brakes on a bicycle work. Drum brakes are more common on back wheels.

Both types have pads or shoes that press against the brakes and slow the vehicle down. Brake pads and shoes are made out of very tough material to withstand the heat and force generated when stopping your car, even repeatedly over time. Eventually, they wear out  and become too thin, which is when they need to be replaced.

If the brake pads wear away completely, it can cause severe damage when calipers grind grooves into the rotor. Then the rotor must either be resurfaced or replaced. This is dangerous because your vehicle won’t stop as quickly, and it can be expensive to repair. Additionally, sometimes rotors warp or crack and must be replaced.

Brake repair or service will also include a brake fluid check. When brakes are pressed, the pressure in the fluid actives the brake pads or shoes. Not enough fluid means not enough pressure to brake properly. Also, in damp environments, water builds up in the brake fluid over time, which leads to corrosion, leaks, and brake damage. With hard use, the brakes could severely fade or even fail. When you bring your car in, make sure a fluids check is always included in your service. Your technician should be able to tell you when it will need replacing.

Brake pads come in different grades: good, better, and best. Higher grades cost more, but give better braking performance and smoother operation. It’s okay to upgrade your brake pads, but you should never use a grade that’s lower than what the manufacturer recommends.

So, be sure to properly maintain your brakes, because it’s a lot cheaper than paying the body shop after an accident.

Come in to Central Avenue Automotive for an brake inspection before damage occurs. You can fill out our online form or call ahead for an appointment at 253.854.6762.

Photo Credit: Robert S. Donovan via Compfight cc

10 Services Kent drivers Often Overlook

Posted by & filed under Maintenance.

We live such busy lives nowadays: work, social events, running the kids all over Kent. Some days it’s all we can do to keep track of everywhere we need to be. That’s why you’ve gotta be organized. Smartphones, calendar apps – we have to keep track of it all.

So let’s talk about schedules. Specifically, automotive service schedules. And particularly, the key scheduled services that are sometimes forgotten.

Here is a list of 10 service items that are often overlooked by Kent drivers. They’re all very important and need appropriate attention. So here we go, in no particular order.

1. Power Steering Service
Be honest; have you ever thought of this on your own? Your power steering fluid gets dirty and builds-up moisture over time. Cleaning out your power steering system means that dirt and gum are removed and your vital power steering parts are protected from harmful corrosion. Next time you’re in for an oil change, ask your Kent service advisor if it’s time for a power steering check-up.

2. Wheel Alignment
When your wheels are out of alignment your SUV pulls to one side. It’s pretty annoying, but it’s also dangerous. And it causes your tires to wear out really fast; which is an unneccessary expense! Most auto manufacturers owners manuals suggest you get your alignment checked once or twice a year.

3. Differential Service
Did you even know you had a differential? Well, you do – one, two or three in fact. Differentials are often called gear boxes and they’re part of the drive-train that transfers power from your SUV engine to your wheels. They don’t need service that often, but you can’t completely forget them. Check with your considerate Central Avenue Automotive technician.

4. Cabin Air Filter
More and more Kent cars these days have cabin air filters (a great feature, in my opinion) to clean the air in the passenger area where we sit. They filter out dust and pollen. When they’re clogged up, they can get smelly. Change your cabin air filter on schedule to enjoy fresh, clean air, which can also help with allergies.

5. Timing Belt Replacement
Most cars and some vans and trucks driven around the Kent area have timing belts. Without going into a lot of detail, let’s just say that your car won’t run without it – period. And if it breaks while you’re driving it can do thousands of dollars worth of costly engine damage. Check your owners’ manual or with your Kent service advisor. If you’re approaching 60,000 miles; definitely look into it right away.

6. Transmission Service
Transmission serviceis very basic, but it’s often forgotten by Kent drivers. Your SUV transmission needs clean fluid from time to time to keep operating efficiently and avoid pricey repairs. And it can also improve your fuel economy.

7. Air Conditioning Service
Most of us Kent car owners don’t think about our air conditioning until it fails on a hot day in Kent. If you’re lucky, you just need to add refrigerant. If you’re not, some of the components may have been ruined. Of course, these components are not cheap. Regular air conditioning service at Central Avenue Automotive in Kent adds clean refrigerant which cools and lubricates your air conditioner and conditions the seals.

8. Brake Service
No we’re not talking about squealing, grinding brakes here. We’re talking brake fluid. Over time the fluid gets a lot of water in it. Because water compresses differently than the brake fluid, your brakes won’t work as well. It may even get dangerous. The water can also rust out brake system components and then your brakes can fail altogether. Check with your Central Avenue Automotive technician for recommendations.

9. Coolant System
Another thing that’s so easy for Kent car owners to forget about: When you don’t change your antifreeze on schedule it becomes corrosive. Fresh coolant contains additives that maintain the pH balance in the coolant. These additives wear out and the fluid in the radiator can actually eat holes in the radiator or hoses. Then you’re stranded – bummer.

10. Fuel System Cleaning
In these times of high fuel prices, fuel system cleaning is vital. Fuel gums up a bunch of parts as it moves from the gas tank and through the engine. A thorough fuel system cleaning at Central Avenue Automotive in Kent will keep clean gas flowing into the engine. Your fuel injectors also get gunked up over time and need to be cleaned. Having your fuel system cleaned on schedule at Central Avenue Automotive will really help your fuel economy.

There you have it; 10 services that are often overlooked. Did you know that a recent survey showed that 90 percent of vehicles on the road have at least one scheduled maintenance service that hasn’t been performed? Considering our busy lives, we’re not surprised.

Kent auto owners know it takes some thought and effort to actually maintain a vehicle; but it not only saves money in the long run – it saves time too. And we can all use a little more time.

Central Avenue Automotive can help with any of these services. Give us a call at 253.854.6762.

Budgeting for Maintenance In Kent, WA

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Life’s full of surprises in Kent, WA, some of which cost money. A leaky roof, a broken tooth, or an unexpected car repair. Central Avenue Automotive and AutoNetTV have done some research on how we can budget for proper vehicle care.

Most Kent drivers do their best to budget for scheduled vehicle maintenance. What’s hard is unexpected repairs. The truth is that our SUVs can stay on the road longer than ever before with proper maintenance. That’s because of improved vehicle design and manufacturing quality. But some of those same improvements also lead to higher repairs costs.

Let’s take the fuel pump. Previous generations were often stranded by the side of the road by vapor lock. This occurred when the gas vaporized between the gas tank and the fuel pump. Fuel just stopped flowing. Kent drivers in this situation had to sit and wait until the car would start again. To alleviate the problem, fuel pumps are now located inside the gas tank. This is a great solution, but when the fuel pump fails, it’s a much more expensive to replace it.

Sealed wheel bearing assemblies are another example. These wheel bearings can’t be serviced – you just have to replace the entire assembly when it starts to fail. That costs several times as much as service on non-sealed bearings.

So we all benefit in Kent, WA from design improvements, but we need to plan for critical repairs down the road.

There’s a tool that can be found on Edmunds.com that Kent folks can use to prepare their service and repair budget.

Let’s suppose you have a 2003 Toyota Camry – a very popular car in Kent, WA. It’s now paid for and you’d like to keep it running for the next three years. You can go to Edmunds’ True Cost to Own calculator and enter your vehicle’s data. The calculator will provide estimates of what it’ll cost to service and repair your vehicle over the next five years. The estimate is based on where you live in or near Kent, WA, your car maker’s recommendations and repair experience for your particular model.

Of course these are just estimates – there’s no way to predict what’ll actually happen to the car in your driveway, but it’s a good starting point.

The calculator also has estimates for depreciation, financing, insurance, taxes and fuel costs.

Let’s focus on maintenance and repair. This table shows that the average monthly cost of maintenance and repairs is eighty-three dollars. That may sound like a lot, but compare it to a new car payment.

Budgeting for Maintenance

So if you set aside eighty-three dollars a month, you’d go a long ways towards taking care of routine maintenance and being prepared for the unexpected repairs that arise.

Of course, you can’t predict when something will go wrong or how costly it will be, but at least you have a reasonable target to shoot for.

Some Kent car owners are afraid of what can go wrong with their older SUV so they buy a new one. That’s fine if you really want a new SUV, but if you properly maintain your older vehicle, you’ll save a lot of cash on new car payments and WA auto insurance. It just makes good economic sense.

Get with your service professional at Central Avenue Automotive and work out a plan for keeping your SUV on the road.

You can visit Central Avenue Automotive at 1514 Central Ave S Ste A in Kent, WA 98032 or just give us a call at 253.854.6762.

Automotive Acronyms

Posted by & filed under Brakes, Cooling System, Dashboard, Engine, Monitoring System.

The car repair industry is full of acronyms, and sometimes the professionals forget that our customers aren’t as familiar with them as we are! We thought it’d be nice to create a key so you can better understand those odd terms your auto technician is using. Some of the most common automotive acronyms are:

LOF = Lube, oil, and filter. It’s pronounced “loaf,” like a loaf of bread.

DIS = Driver information system. This is a critical system that allows the driver to monitor functions like fuel mileage, tire pressure, and service reminders. Every DIS is different, so you should consult your owner’s manual for specific messages and symbol definitions.

ABS = Anti-Lock Brake System. This is a system that prevents your tires from locking up when you’re applying maximum brake pressure so you are still able to steer the car.

TPMS = Tire pressure monitoring system. This is a system that is designed to alert you when you have a tire low on air. This is displayed in the DIS, or as a random symbol on your dashboard. I always thought that a picture of a flat tire would do the trick, but almost every make of car has different symbol for the same thing, so it’s important to have a look at your manual.

PCM = Powertrain Control Module. The PCM is the “manager” of the vehicle. It takes all of the information from every sensor and computer on the car and then makes a decision about what to do next.

Automotive Acronyms BMW
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TPS = Throttle position sensor. This is a sensor that tells the engine computer how much pressure your foot is putting on the gas pedal so it knows how much air and fuel is needed to get the vehicle to do what the driver is asking it to do.

EGR = Exhaust Gas Recirculating. This is one of the first automated systems put into automobiles. The EGR system was introduced in the early 70s to reduce the amount of Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) in the air. It is the granddaddy of pollution control in cars.

BCM = Body Control Module. Its purpose is to control everything inside the car, including the radio, seats, heaters, sunroof, turn signals, and all of the car’s lighting functions.

SRS = Supplemental Restraint System. This is the system that maintains the airbags and seat belts. If the SRS light is on and you are in an accident, the airbags will not deploy and the seat belts won’t work as designed.

CSS = Cooling system service. This is a term that is used when a vehicle needs to have its cooling system serviced by doing a flush and replacing the antifreeze/coolant.

Next time you’re in the shop, it might be fun to through a few of these acronyms at the service adviser to show that you know what they’re talking about. This is just a small sample of all of the acronyms that are used daily in an automotive repair shop.

Check Your Transmission Fluid

Posted by & filed under Transmission.

Possibly one of the top neglected services we see here in the shop is transmission fluid service. Transmissions start to fail at 60,000, 70,000, or 80,000 miles due to heat, or due to contaminated fluid.

Some manufacturers state that they offer lifetime transmission fluid. There is no such thing.

They say this to lower the initial cost of the ownership when you purchase a vehicle.

If you want to buy a brand new car and you only want to keep it for 70,000 or 80,000 miles, then go ahead and follow those instructions. You’ll probably be okay. The problems are going to arise for the next person who owns the car.

Check Your Transmission Fluid
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If you’re a person who will buy either a used car or a car that you’re going to keep for 150,000 or 200,00 miles, you should definitely keep an eye on the transmission fluid. As expensive as cars are, we’re starting to see more and more people who are driving their cars 200,000, 250,000, or even 300,000 miles.

With regular fluids services, transmission flushes, oil changes, brake fluid flushes, tire rotations, and spark plugs replacement at the correct time, your car will stay in good shape. If you do all that stuff, there’s no reason you can’t have a fabulous running car for at least 300,000 miles.

It’s so important not to slack on routine maintenance for your car. It may be a pain, but it will save you money and headaches in the long run. A well-maintained car can last for tens of thousands (or even hundreds of thousands) miles longer than a car that’s not properly cared for. Don’t just take the dealer’s word for it… they want to be able to sell you a new car sometime in the next few years. Talk to maintenance professionals you trust to come up with a regular maintenance schedule that’s best for your car.

Suspension Service At Central Avenue Automotive In Kent

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Suspension systems function effectively for many years and tens of thousands of miles. Eventually, however, SUV suspension components do wear out, but how long that takes depends a lot on how you drive around Kent and Burton.

As you can imagine, if most of your driving is on smooth WA highways, your shock absorbers will last a lot longer than if you do most of your driving on bumpy Kent roads or haul heavy loads. In addition to just wearing out, SUV suspension components can be damaged in an accident or by a hard impact – like a pothole, hitting a curb or a rock in the road. Because the life span of shocks can vary so widely, SUV auto manufacturers recommend periodic inspections.

Suspension Service At Central Avenue AutomotiveDuring an inspection at Central Avenue Automotive in Kent, your considerate automotive service technician will check for worn, broken or missing parts.

Here’s a quick rundown of suspension system components:

First there are the springs which hold the weight of your SUV. There are several varieties of springs. Springs are obviously critical heavy duty parts that rarely break or wear out. Shock absorbers work in conjunction with springs to smooth out the ride and help keep the tires on the road. Good shocks are essential for handling performance and ride comfort.

You’ve probably heard of struts. They combine a shock absorber and a coil spring in one unit. Shocks and struts will wear out over time. If your tires develop a cupped wear pattern, your shocks or struts may be wearing out. This is from the shocks bouncing unevenly. You may notice a floaty or drifting sensation when cornering. If the front of your SUV dives excessively when stopping, or rocks back and forth after you’ve stopped, your shocks may be worn out. And if they are leaking fluid, it’s definitely time to replace them at Central Avenue Automotive.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, visit Central Avenue Automotive for a a vital suspension inspection. Same if you’ve been in an accident that involved one of your wheels. If your SUV suspension actually fails, it could lead to a serious accident, so don’t put it off.

When you replace your shocks, it’s usually a good idea to replace all four at the same time. That’ll give you more even handling. Talk with your considerate Central Avenue Automotive tech because you don’t want a big difference between the performance of your shocks from wheel to wheel, and replacing all may be the safest bet.

There are different grades of shocks and struts. You always want to use a replacement shock or strut that equals the one that came as original equipment when your SUV was new. But remember, they were designed to meet the expected needs of the broad range of Burton people who buy that particular vehicle. Your needs may be more specialized.

For example, if you want increased handling performance, your considerate Central Avenue Automotive advisor can recommend an upgraded shock or strut specially designed for improved handling. If you haul heavy loads or trailers in Kent, we can recommend some heavy duty shock absorbers.

Maintenance Free Myth

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Sometimes we hear Kent car owners say, “What’s up with all this maintenance stuff? Modern cars just don’t break down.” While it is true that today’s cars and trucks are extremely reliable, they are also becoming increasingly complicated and use more exotic materials than ever before. All that complexity demands higher tolerances for everything. For example, most Kent motorists don’t realize how high tech automotive fluids have become. Fluids like, engine oil, transmission fluid, coolant and brake fluid.

Did you know that a modern engine would not run for more than a few months using motor oil formulas from 30 years ago? Today’s automotive fluids contain a much higher percentage of additives to protect your vehicle’s components from premature wear and corrosion. Time and miles march on for all of our cars. Please don’t think we’re using scare tactics to get you to take care of your maintenance – but here are some personal stories from AutoNetTV staff members to emphasize and show how important it is to get things done when they are due. Names are withheld to avoid embarrassment to those who should know better. Even though they should know better, it usually comes down to real life: time and income. But they are tales of a stitch in time saves nine.

The first comes from a staffer who bought a used pick-up truck for his son. The oil was clean and all the fluids were topped off. A short time later, the truck overheated on a highway in WA and shut down. The repair shop diagnosed the problem: the radiator pan was corroded and dumped the coolant. Even though the coolant level was correct, it was clear that the coolant had never been completely replaced – just topped off from time to time. While this kept the engine cool, all of the anti-corrosion additives had worn out; the coolant became acidic and ate through the radiator pan. The cost: hundred of dollars and four days in the shop. This demonstrates the need to get your coolant exchanged on schedule.

Another story involves the true cost of skipping an annual inspection. Our staffer took his SUV in for the WA safety inspection to renew his registration. At the Kent inspection station, he learned that the law had changed and that his newer rig only required an inspection every two years. He was very happy to save the bucks. The problem was, his rear brake pads were very worn. Two months later, it was bad enough that he could hear the grind – over the radio, DVD player and the kids. He took it in to get the bad news. Both of the rear brake rotors were damaged. The left one could be resurfaced. The right had to be replaced. So saving a little cash on his safety inspection turned into an extra $500 over what brake pad replacement would have been. Moral of the story for Kent car owners: don’t skip your critical annual inspections. The irony is that many Kent service centers would have done a brake inspection for free.

Next: a teenage daughter and a curb. Daddy’s little princess smacked a curb when she turned into a shopping center and popped the tire. The problem came when Dad didn’t get an alignment. The impact was hard enough to ruin the tire – so it was powerful enough wreck the alignment. But instead of an alignment after the first tire, Papa ended up buying a second tire a few months later – and then an alignment.

Situation: son and wife with cars from the same car maker with essentially the same engine. Our staffer checked the son’s maintenance schedule and saw that it needed a timing belt replacement at 90,000 miles/145,000 km. He had it done – it cost several hundred dollars. His wife’s car had about 60,000 miles/97,000 km, so it should be ok for a while. Right? Wrong. The problem was that the wife had the turbo charged version. Its belt was scheduled for replacement at 60,000 mi/97,000 km. At 63,000 mi./101,000 km, the belt snapped on the interstate. The valves all crashed down into the cylinders at high speed and the entire head was shredded and had to be replaced. The cost: several thousand dollars. Does he wish he had checked the vehicle manufacturer’s maintenance schedule? You bet he does – every time he passes a big-screen TV.

The team at Central Avenue Automotive in Kent recommends taking care of little things before they become big things. And when you take care of the little things, you can make your car run better and is more economical to operate in WA. Remember to save those maintenance records. It’ll show potential buyers that you’ve taken care of your vehicle and it will help you get a better price. Or when you buy a used car, check those records. If there aren’t any, assume that the maintenance hasn’t been done and take it to your Burton or Kent service center or Central Avenue Automotive in Kent for an inspection. Take care of unperformed critical routine maintenance sooner rather than later.

Central Avenue Automotive
1514 Central Ave S Ste A
Kent, WA 98032
253.854.6762

How to Manage a Breakdown

Posted by & filed under Battery, Cooling System, Dashboard, Engine, Fluids, Monitoring System.

No matter how well your vehicle is maintained or how new it is, if you drive long enough, you’re probably eventually have to deal with a breakdown. Even if you’re just having one of those days and your car decides to pile it on, these are a few simple tips on how to effectively manage a breakdown.

You should be familiar with your car’s gauges and know what is normal and what isn’t. That way, when the gauges have readings that aren’t normal, you will know something is not right. If you never look at your gauges, you won’t know.

If you’re driving and you begin to feel something strange, see unusual activity on your gauges, smell something that is not normal, or you see a flashing “check engine” light, you should move to the right lane and pull over as soon as it’s safe to do so. You don’t want to be one of those disabled vehicles blocking traffic on the freeway — it’s hazardous to you and other drivers. If you’re close enough to the next exit, try get off the freeway if possible. If that’s not possible, get as far to the right as you can. If you’re on the freeway and it’s not safe, don’t get out of your car. Turn on your hazard lights (or “flashers”) and call for help. Central Avenue Automotive has a 24-hour hotline for help at 253-854-6762, and we’re also certified to provide AAA services.

Manage a Breakdown

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If your vehicle is beginning to overheat, (remember to check your gauges like you check your speedometer), turn on the heater. It might seem counter-intuitive, but it will help cool the engine by drawing heat away from it and into the car’s cabin. Do NOT turn on the air conditioner — it has the opposite effect. Pull over as soon as it’s safe and turn the car off. One of the most costly and damaging things you can do is drive a overheating car.

If your “check engine” light is flashing, pull over as soon as possible, shut the engine down, and have it towed. The light will often turn on and stay lit to indicate that there’s an issue that needs inspection, but when the light is actually flashing, that means there’s a serious problem that needs immediate attention. Don’t ignore it.

If your “low oil pressure” light comes on, this is not typically because the car needs oil, but it still needs to be checked. Driving a car that is low on oil or pressure will damage the engine.

If the “battery” light comes on, this also typically does not mean that you need a new battery. It actually means that your car’s charging system has detected a fault. This issue usually gives you a little more time than more serious issues. When you see that light, turn off all accessories to conserve power and drive to you nearest repair facility. You will usually have about 20 minutes during the day, and 15 minutes at night if you’re using your headlights, which you should be doing.

Above all, you need to do what is safe for you and your car. Remember that relatively speaking, a tow is cheap compared to a new set of catalytic converters, a new engine, or even a new wheel because you drove on a flat tire. Most insurance companies have roadside assistance and AAA for around $80 per year that gives you discounts all over the place and gas if you run out. They will also change that flat or help you if you lock your keys in your car. It’s definitely worth the money.

Hopefully now you feel prepared in the event of a breakdown! Remember, if you’re in the Kent area, you can call on us anytime.

The Real Price of Car Maintenance

Posted by & filed under Maintenance.

I have been asked this question several times over the years: “How much does car maintenance cost? What will save me the most time and money over all the years that I may own this car? Should I wait for it to break down or should I do preventative maintenance?”

Consumer Reports did a study in 2012 on the cost of car ownership would be for the average driver in one year, three year, five year, and eight year time frames.They determined how much money was spent and how it was spent. There are six areas in which the typical car owner spends their money on their car.

  1. Depreciation
  2. Fuel
  3. Interest rate (finance charges)
  4. Insurance
  5. Taxes
  6. Maintenance and repair

The Real Price of Car Maintenance
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When you look at maintenance and repair, you see that only a small fraction (1-6%, depending on time frame) of your total cost of ownership has to do with maintenance. Most cars are under warranty, so any cost the first year would be service work. When you look at the 3-year numbers, that cost goes up to 2%. On year five, it goes to 4% ,and at year eight, it goes to 6% of your total cost for owning that vehicle per year.

As you can see, we would expect that number to grow as the car gets older because of the car’s needs, and because other costs, like taxes and insurance, decrease. Finance charges will likely disappear completely.

When you are looking for a new car, the things to be wary of are PPM (Pre-Paid Maintenance) plans, 2 years of maintenance included, or “lifetime” free oil changes. This may be convenient, but it is the most costly way to pay for maintenance. To prepay for maintenance or to have “free” maintenance just means they’ve rolled the cost into the purchase price, so now you’re paying interest on the cost of maintenance or the cost of the extended warranty.

When you’re faced with a large, expensive repair, the last thing you want to do is say, “I’m just going to buy another car.” If you had a car that was worth $10,000 and the car was eight years old, that means only 6% of the money is being spent on maintenance. If you pay $600 for a repair on your car, that’s often the same amount you’d pay for 1-3 monthly new car payments. It seems like a big cost up front, but think about the long term — if your car is paid for, you’re not making payments. With a new car, it might be smaller payments stretched over time, but you’re still paying much more every year.

People will often see a large repair bill and say that their car’s not worth it. Consider a report performed by the credit agency Experian in 2012 that showed most used cars are financed at 130% of their value. It’s important to understand that a very large portion of the finance cost will be lost due to depreciation. This is why it’s often more advisable financially to keep an older car despite maintenance costs rather than buy new.

Kent Exhaust And Emissions Service

Posted by & filed under Exhaust.

Many Kent motorists don’t realize that there is more to exhaust system maintanance than just tailpipes and mufflers. And if you can see smoke, or if it’s too loud. Exhaust service at a full-service automotive center like Central Avenue Automotive is really a lot more comprehensive these days.

For example, in the U.S., the federal government required catalytic converters for all cars in Kent in 1976 and on-board emission control computers in 1990. WA and federal emissions requirements have forced car makers to come up with much more sophisticated ways to comply with environmental laws. This also goes for cars sold in Canada.

So, exhaust service has really become exhaust and emissions service. High-tech computer-controlled emissions devices are now necessary. And because it’s so sophisticated, auto manufacturers recommend having your emission system checked out by a qualified technician, like the ones we have at Central Avenue Automotive, regularly to make sure everything’s working right – which is usually every six months or 6,000 miles.

If your ‘check engine light’ comes on while you are driving around the Auburn area, especially if it’s flashing, then you need to bring your car into Central Avenue Automotive ASAP. Chances are it’s an emission related problem. Signs of exhaust or emissions trouble include difficulty starting, engine noise or smoke.

So let’s do a quick rundown of the exhaust system for Kent car owners. First up, the exhaust manifold. That’s the part that attaches to the engine and collects the exhaust from the cylinders and directs it into the exhaust pipe.

The exhaust gaskets help seal the connection with the manifold and other joints along the way. Now, if the manifold is cracked or loose, or a gasket is leaking, then dangerous gases could escape into the cabin, where you ride. Carbon monoxide can be deadly, so it’s important that your exhaust system doesn’t leak.

The exhaust pipes connect the various key components. They can rust or be damaged by a rock, so they need to be inspected periodically.

Next comes the catalytic converter. This part actually looks like a muffler. It changes toxic chemicals into harmless carbon dioxide and water. The catalytic converter doesn’t require any maintenance itself for Kent auto owners, but eventually it wears out. If yours has stopped working, you probably won’t discover it until your car fails its WA emissions inspection.

Next, the muffler. The key job of this aptly-named part is to muffle engine noises. Mufflers work by either absorbing or baffling sound. Many Kent auto owners don’t know that you can actually customize your car’s sound with different mufflers – which is pretty cool because in addition to changing the look of your ride, you can also customize its sound!

Rusted or road-damaged mufflers can actually leak and they need to be replaced right away. The exhaust system is attached to the car by a series of hangers and clamps that hold the system in place. And when these hangers come loose or break then hot exhaust components can touch and melt wires, hoses and lines. Just think of how dangerous a hot curling iron can be – but worse. It’s not good to have that waving around. Talk to your considerate Central Avenue Automotive service advisor.

And finally, we end at the tailpipe. Appropriate name. This is the final outlet for the exhaust. And one other component is the oxygen sensor. It monitors the oxygen content of the exhaust so the engine-control computer can adjust the key fuel-to-air mix to keep the car running right.

We hope this hasn’t been too ‘exhausting’ of a discussion. Remember that a properly functioning exhaust system is vital for Kent motorists’ health and safety. Talk with your considerate service professional at Central Avenue Automotive in Kent if you think you might need a diagnostic examination of your exhaust system. A quick look can sure save a lot of pain down the road.

Auto Tips Videos provided for Central Avenue Automotive by AutoNetTV.