Top 3 Reasons Why Your Car Will Not Start

Posted on April 21, 2022 by Benjamin

Although there are many automotive mechanical issues that can prevent a vehicle from starting, the most common reasons can be narrowed down to two likely culprits. If your car is not turning over and you have no idea why, continue reading to learn the initial 3 places you should be looking to fix the problem, and some additional reasons that could also cause your car to not start.

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Car Won’t Start? Check These 3 Places First

The first and foremost place you should be suspicious of when your car won’t start is the electrical system. Problems with the electrical system are the top causes for this issue. Now, the specific area within the electrical system could be a list of things. But the top 3 most common electrical system malfunctions that prevent a car from starting up is a dead car battery, bad starter, and a faulty alternator. Let’s take a closer look at all three.

Dead Car Battery

Because it is the easiest to fix, first take a look at your car battery. A dead car battery will certainly prevent your engine from turning over because its job is to send an electrical charge to the motor. If it is drained of all power, it cannot send the electrical charge necessary to power the engine. Grab your jumper cable and a pal with a working vehicle and give your battery a jump start. Not sure how to jump start your car? Refer to the owners’ manual for instructions that are specific to your make and model vehicle. You can also ask a pal, watch a YouTube tutorial, or look it up online. Don’t worry, it’s easy!

Faulty Alternator

Your next item on the diagnostic checklist is the alternator. If the jump start was unsuccessful or your car battery is full-power, your car starting problem could be caused by a faulty alternator. Car alternators should be replaced every 8 to 10 years, give or take, depending on the make and model vehicle. Many signs of a bad alternator mimic the same as a dead or dying car battery, such as dimming lights and an illuminated dashboard battery warning light. However, signs more specific to a bad alternator include burning rubber odors, whirring sounds, and grinding noises.

Bad Starter

You might think it obvious that if a car won’t start it must be the starter, but dead batteries and bad alternators are the usual suspects. If your alternator is not the issue and the jump start did not work, your starter could be to blame. Can you turn the key in the ignition? If you can, but the car will not start, it might be an issue other than your electrical system. But if your engine will not crank at all, or it cranks slowly, it could be the starter. Also, if you see smoke outside of your car after attempting to start it, or all of the lights illuminate but the car won’t start, the starter is probable cause.

Additional Causes of a Car That Won’t Start:

➾ Blown Fuse
➾ Bad Wiring
➾ Damaged Timing Belt
➾ Worn Spark Plugs
➾ Broken Fuel Pump
➾ Clogged Fuel Filters
➾ Fuel System Issues

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How to Tell if the Liquid Leaking From Your Car is Transmission Fluid

Posted on March 23, 2022 by Benjamin

It doesn’t matter what it is, when something goes wrong with your car, it’s a frustrating experience. This is especially true due to the fact that all car breakdowns require some type of costly solution. When your car breaks down as a result of a major auto part failure like the transmission, you can certainly expect to pay a hefty bill for repair or replacement. It is important to keep a close eye on your vehicle’s transmission performance, namely due to its high cost to repair or replace. Transmission leaks are one of the most common types of transmission breakdowns, and often discovered much too late.

Continue below to learn the common signs that indicate you have a transmission leak in your car or truck, plus what your options are if you cannot afford to pay for repairs.

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Top 4 Signs of a Transmission Fluid Leak

Your vehicle contains all sorts of automotive liquids, all designed with a specific function. As for your transmission fluid, its job is to keep the transmission, and ultimately, the engine, running smoothly. It assists the engine oil with lubricating all inner moving parts and regulating internal temperatures. Without a sufficient level of transmission fluid, your vehicle will suffer damage to engine parts and eventually experience total transmission failure.

The best way to identify a transmission fluid leak is to learn what transmission fluid looks like, smells like, and feels like, plus where it comes from. Here are the top four signs that your car or truck is experiencing a transmission fluid leak:

❶ The Fluid is Red or Brownish

Transmission fluid is red but turns brown as it gets older. Some car fluids are also red, such as coolant or windshield wiper cleaner, so be sure to look for other clues that confirm it is from the transmission.

❷ The Fluid Smells Like Petroleum

It is okay to give the mystery liquid a sniff. If it smells like petroleum, it is likely transmission fluid. If the color of the transmission fluid is on the brown side, it could smell burnt.

❸ The Fluid is Oily and Slick

Place your finger or a stick in the liquid to get a feel for its consistency. Transmission fluid is similar to motor oil or brake fluid since it is greasy, oily, and slick.

❹ The Puddle of Fluid is Near the Front

If the puddle of liquid dripping from your car is landing near the front or middle section, it is likely transmission fluid.

▶ If the liquid leaking from your vehicle meets these tell-tale attributes of transmission fluid, you can safely assume it is indeed, transmission fluid.

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Have You Winterized Your Car Yet?

Posted on January 31, 2022 by Benjamin

Winter has been in the making since December 21^st of last year. Have you prepared your vehicle for the wintry conditions the season brings along with it in Indiana? If not, continue reading to review some top advice on how to winterize your car or truck, plus what you can do if the winter gets the best of your vehicle this year.

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Automotive Maintenance to Prepare Your Car for Winter

When you want your vehicle to perform optimally through the winter in terms of safety and efficiency, it is necessary to implement specific automotive maintenance. Many industry professionals and enthusiasts refer to this as “winterization” or “winterizing a car.” The basic approach to winterizing a vehicle, whether car, truck, van, or sports utility, includes tire care, fuel stabilization, fluid fill-ups, and brake care.

Tire Care

The colder climate in winter can cause your tires to lose air at a faster rate. Not only should you inspect your tire pressure before every drive, but you should also have your tires inspected and serviced by a professional shop to ensure they are prepared for winter conditions. A tire rotation and balance are usually all you need, but you might have to replace a tire or two. Traction is essential when it comes to ice and show, so do not skip this maintenance!

Brake Care

Along with tires, your brakes are the most important safety feature on your vehicle when it comes to traction and control. Have your brakes inspected and serviced to ensure safe winter driving. You may need to replace your brake pads or rotors, or even refill your braking fluid.

Car Fluid Fill Ups

Your vehicle, no matter the make or model, requires 7 essential automotive fluids. Although windshield wiper fluid isn’t always necessary in the winter, the remaining six certainly are. They include motor oil, power steering, brake, coolant, battery, and transmission fluid. Be sure your vehicle is filled up before hitting the winter roads.

Fuel Stabilization

Sometimes the weather can get so cold, your fuel can freeze up or go bad, which can also affect the carburetor. This is more common in vehicles that are parked outdoors. Adding a fuel stabilizer to your tank can help prevent your fuel from gumming up, becoming contaminated, or freezing.

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3 Ingredients to Clean Up Gasoline Spills in the Car

Posted on May 19, 2021 by Benjamin

So, you spilled gasoline inside your car? Now what? Live with the noxious fumes until they finally dissipate after several weeks, or even months? No way. Instead, use a simple, homemade cleaning solution that only requires three handy ingredients, and then clean away the gasoline mess yourself.

Continue reading to learn how to make your own cleaner for gasoline spills, and how to use it on your car’s upholstered surfaces.

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What You Need to Remove Gasoline Smell in Your Car

So, what’s the secret ingredients that will remove gasoline smell inside your car? The trio includes hot water, distilled white vinegar, and baking soda. How much do you use of each? Equal parts, such as 1 cup water mixed with one cup vinegar and one cup baking soda. For larger surface areas that need to be treated, double or even triple the measurements. This is often the case with major gasoline spills and large SUVs or trucks.

To clean away a gas spill, gather up:

☑ Distilled White Vinegar
☑ Baking Soda
☑ Hot Water
☑ Bucket or Large Bowl
☑ Clean Towel or Rag
☑ Floor Fan (Optional)

How to Get Started:

Mix each ingredient in equal parts in a large bowl or bucket. Be sure your water is HOT.

Soak a rag in your cleaning solution, and then gently scrub the affected area.

Combined with the friction created by the rag, plus the odor-eliminating properties of both vinegar and baking soda, your car should smell gas-free after a few cleanings. Yes, you may have to repeat the process a few times depending on how much petrol was spilled in your car.

Did You Spill Gas on the Garage Floor?

If you spilled gasoline all over the garage floor, and now it has a pungent, nauseating stench, simply go for the kitty litter. Apply a liberal layer of cat litter over the spill, allow it to sit for a couple hours, and then sweep it up with a broom and dustpan. Do not use a vacuum because it may ruin it. Before disposing of your gasoline-soaked cat litter, check your local and state laws for proper fuel disposal. You may not be permitted to simply toss it in with your weekly garbage.

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