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AACCEL EMISSIONS & LUBE Auto Tips and Videos: Alignment Inspection

Fri, 01 Jan 2016 15:33:56 GMT

Uneven tire wear, the auto pulling to one side or a steering wheel that is off-center are signs for Joliet motorists that their wheels may be out of alignment.

When doing an alignment inspection, the service advisor will check your tires for uneven wear as well as suspension and steering parts for signs of wear or damage. He’ll also compare your current alignment with the auto manufacturer’s settings.

Your vehicle owner’s manual will have a recommendation for when to check alignment. Of course, this recommendation is based on normal driving. If you have been in collision, hit a curb/pothole, frequently drive off-road around Joliet, or notice any symptoms of misalignment, have your AACCEL EMISSIONS & LUBE service specialist carry out a critical alignment check.

Professional Auto Maintenance at AACCEL EMISSIONS & LUBE: Causes of Wheel Misalignment

Thu, 24 Dec 2015 15:37:05 GMT

When properly aligned, all of your wheels are pointed in the same direction. Your vehicle will track true and handle the way it is designed. Joliet motorists often associate our wheels being “knocked” out of alignment with an event like a major collision, hitting a pothole, curb or some other object. While these can certainly take your wheels out of alignment, the bumps and bounces of everyday driving take their toll on wheel alignment as well. Your automobile can lose alignment over time with just normal driving.

When your wheels are out of alignment, the team of automotive professionals at AACCEL EMISSIONS & LUBE in Joliet can return your wheels to the factory settings. Most owners’ manuals suggest a diagnostic examination every year or two.

AACCEL EMISSIONS & LUBE Car Care Advice for Joliet Motorists: A Broken or Damaged Timing Belt

Thu, 24 Dec 2015 12:35:16 GMT

The timing belt rotates the cam shafts which open and close the valves that allow air, fuel, and exhaust to flow through the engine as it powers your auto.

An old timing belt can lose a “tooth” in the belt allowing it to slip. The engine could stop or misfire. Timing belt slip – or a broken timing belt – can be disastrous on some engines. In “interference” engines, open valves can get in the way of the piston when the timing belt breaks or slips. When that happens one or more valves can be bent requiring pricey engine repairs.

It is critical for Joliet auto owners to replace their timing belts as recommended in their owner’s manual to avoid unnecessary breakdowns. Ask the team of professionals at AACCEL EMISSIONS & LUBE in Joliet if it’s time for your timing belt to be replaced.

Vehicle Maintenance Videos by AACCEL EMISSIONS & LUBE: Tire Replacement Overview

Fri, 18 Dec 2015 15:38:16 GMT

Tires are an expensive purchase so knowing when tires should be replaced is important for Joliet motorists. Tires will just wear out with normal use. The depth of the tread on your tire determines how well it will stop, start and steer – especially in wet conditions. 4/32th of an inch of tire tread is considered a safe amount of tread.

Uneven tread wear can be a symptom of other problems and simply replacing your tires will not prevent the same uneven wear from happening to the new tires. We can survey your tires for excessive or uneven wear. Unusual wear may lead to further review of steering, suspension or alignment troubles. We can help with required repairs and with getting you the right tires for your needs.

AACCEL EMISSIONS & LUBE Vehicle Maintenance Tips and Videos: When to Replace a Damaged Tire

Fri, 04 Dec 2015 15:40:06 GMT

Repair or Replace? That’s a question Joliet drivers ask when they have tire damage. Some punctures cannot be repaired because of their size or location. Punctures larger than a quarter of an inch are considered too large to be safely fixed. Punctures in the sidewall or near the shoulders may not be able to be repaired. And sometimes there is internal damage revealed on inspection that indicates the tire should not be repaired.

Run flat tires should not be fixed. Repairing high performance tires may make them unsuitable for motorsports. Your honest AACCEL EMISSIONS & LUBE service advisor can review your damaged tire and tell you if it can be safely fixed or if it should be replaced – and then help you get back on the road.

AACCEL EMISSIONS & LUBE Auto Tips and Videos: Timing Belt Overview

Thu, 03 Dec 2015 15:41:20 GMT

In your engine, valves over each combustion chamber open to allow fresh air in, close during the combustion event, and then other valves open to let out the exhaust. All of this happens over and over thousands of times a minute. The timing belt’s essential job is to make sure that all of this happens as it should – at precisely the right time. If the timing is off, your engine won’t run efficiently or maybe not at all – so a good timing belt is important. If it should break, you could have expensive engine damage.

Ask your honest AACCEL EMISSIONS & LUBE service advisor when your timing belt is scheduled for replacement.

AACCEL EMISSIONS & LUBE Auto Tips and Car Care: Serpentine Belt System Wear

Fri, 20 Nov 2015 15:42:46 GMT

The primary job of the serpentine belt is to provide critical traction to spin the accessories. As the belt wears it loses some of its grip and the accessories may not spin at best speeds. For example, if your alternator doesn’t spin fast enough, the battery will not completely recharge while you’re driving and you could end up stranded with a dead battery.

In short, a worn serpentine belt will stress all of the accessories it powers leading to premature wear and possible early replacement. When as little as 5% of belt material is lost, the serpentine belt cannot provide the proper traction for the accessories. Your honest AACCEL EMISSIONS & LUBE service professional can survey your belt for excessive wear and replace your serpentine belt system if it’s excessively worn.

AACCEL EMISSIONS & LUBE Car Care News and Information: Rotor Problems

Wed, 18 Nov 2015 15:43:59 GMT

The brake rotor, or disc, is attached to your wheel. The brake pads rub on the rotor to slow your vehicle.

Rotors can warp, crack or become misaligned. They can also be damaged by worn out brake pads that scratch grooves into the surface. These conditions result in less contact surface for the brake pads, leaving you with reduced braking power.

Over time and miles, rotors can also wear down below safe specifications. It is important for Joliet car owners to know that simply replacing brake pads on a wheel with a bad rotor will not solve the problem. Depending on their condition, rotors may be resurfaced or replaced.

Brake noise or a pulsation in the brake pedal are signs of potential brake troubles that should be addressed right away. If you have any brake concerns, please have your honest AACCEL EMISSIONS & LUBE tech carry out a thorough review.

Automotive Tips from AACCEL EMISSIONS & LUBE: Brake Noise

Fri, 06 Nov 2015 15:45:33 GMT

Your brake pads are the essential parts that rub against the rotor (or disc) to slow and stop your automobile. They eventually wear down.

When your pads are worn too much, they won’t stop your vehicle as well. When the friction material is worn away, metal parts of the pad are exposed and you’ll hear a squeal or grinding sound.

That’s when Joliet auto owners should replace their brake pads. Not only will new pads restore your stopping power, but replacing them on time will prevent damage to the rotor.

If your brakes are making noise, ask your AACCEL EMISSIONS & LUBE service specialist to review your brakes. Addressing issues early will restore your safety and prevent pricey brake damage.

AACCEL EMISSIONS & LUBE Auto Maintenance Videos: Making a Battery Last Longer

Thu, 05 Nov 2015 15:47:01 GMT

One thing all Joliet car owners can do to extend the life of their battery is to keep it clean. A greasy, dirty battery holds in damaging heat. Same goes for removing corrosion from the terminals. AACCEL EMISSIONS & LUBE can help maintain your battery.

Allowing your battery to be deeply depleted – like from using your headlights when the engine is off – is very harmful to your battery. Most automotive batteries can only take that about 10 times before they are ruined.

Also, making sure you have a full charge every month or so extends battery life. Either an extended drive at freeway speeds or using a battery charger will preserve your battery’s ability to hold a full charge.

The AACCEL EMISSIONS & LUBE Guide for Joliet Drivers: Knowing When Your Timing Belt Should Be Replaced

Wed, 28 Oct 2015 08:03:28 GMT

The timing belt in your engine controls the opening and closing of the intake and exhaust valves. Joliet drivers need to replace it on a schedule to avoid failure.

Timing belts are very problematic to get to, requiring quite a bit of labor to access. Timing belt replacement is one of the more expensive maintenance services, but the cost to repair an engine damaged by a broken timing belt is much, much more.

The timing belt has a tensioner to help maintain proper belt tension. The tensioner should be replaced along with the timing belt and any idler pulleys at the car maker’s specified service interval. Your honest AACCEL EMISSIONS & LUBE service professional can help you with the timing.

The AACCEL EMISSIONS & LUBE Auto Report: When to Replace Your Wiper Blades

Wed, 21 Oct 2015 15:14:11 GMT

There are several critical factors that go into how often Joliet motorists should replace their wiper blades. Of course, the more you use your wipers, the faster the blades will wear out – especially if you use them on an icy windshield. Whether it’s a lot of bugs and road grime from IL. freeway driving or lots of wet weather – your blades get a work out and start to wear.

But your wiper blades break down even when they aren’t used frequently. They are damaged by sunlight and temperature changes as well. The rubber in the blades can dry out and crack and eventually fall apart. Check your wipers: If they’re not doing their important job, have them replaced.

Talk to your AACCEL EMISSIONS & LUBE service specialist about how you drive – we can advise you on the prime blades for your needs.

The AACCEL EMISSIONS & LUBE Guide for Joliet Drivers: Battery Testing

Thu, 15 Oct 2015 15:15:43 GMT

The simple fact is that 70% of car batteries fail within 4 years. They just need to be replaced when they are no longer able to hold a full charge.

Batteries are a big ticket item for most Joliet car owners and it’s tempting to put off buying a new one as long as possible. But a battery that cannot hold a full charge requires the alternator to work extra hard, causing it to wear out prematurely.

Your AACCEL EMISSIONS & LUBE service advisor can test your battery to see if it should be replaced. Testing is a good idea for IL. drivers because a battery might still be good, but become dead because of a bad alternator or even a worn serpentine belt and tensioner.

AACCEL EMISSIONS & LUBE Smart Car Care Videos: Serpentine Belt Overview

Wed, 07 Oct 2015 12:18:15 GMT

Your serpentine belt drives critical engine accessories like your alternator, air conditioning compressor, and power steering. In some automobiles it may also power the power brakes or water pump. The serpentine belt is powered by the engine and winds around pulleys and the accessories. Some cars have two serpentine belts.

The serpentine belt , the belt tensioner (which maintains the appropriate tension on the belt) and the idler pulleys are together known as the accessory drive system.

Now your serpentine belt and the belt tensioner will just wear out over time – that’s why your auto maker has a scheduled belt replacement interval. The team at AACCEL EMISSIONS & LUBE in Joliet can review your serpentine belt for wear and get it replaced if it’s time.

AACCEL EMISSIONS & LUBE Auto Maintenance Videos: Signs of An Alignment Problem

Sat, 26 Sep 2015 15:20:26 GMT

When properly aligned, all of your wheels are pointed in the same direction. Your vehicle will track true and handle the way it is designed. Joliet car owners often associate our wheels being “knocked” out of alignment with an event like an accident, hitting a pothole, curb or some other object.

While these can certainly take your wheels out of alignment, the bumps and bounces of everyday Joliet driving take their toll on wheel alignment as well.

Additionally, your car can lose alignment over time with just normal driving. When your wheels are out of alignment, AACCEL EMISSIONS & LUBE in Joliet can return your wheels to the vehicle manufacturer factory settings. Most owners’ manuals suggest an alignment check every year or two.

The AACCEL EMISSIONS & LUBE Auto Report: Serpentine Belt Tensioner

Thu, 24 Sep 2015 15:22:09 GMT

The serpentine belt tensioner applies pressure to the serpentine belt, maintaining ideal tension to drive the accessories like the alternator and A/C compressor. The service life of the belt tensioner is the same as the belt itself, so they should always be replaced together. A worn tensioner prevents the accessories from spinning properly, leading to premature wear and noise.

Your automobile manufacturer has a recommended mileage interval for serpentine belt replacement. A complete accessory drive system service replaces the serpentine belt, the belt tensioner and any idler pulleys your auto might have. Your honest AACCEL EMISSIONS & LUBE technician can review your system and let you know if it’s time for a replacement.

Problems with Suspension Solved at AACCEL EMISSIONS & LUBE in Joliet

Thu, 06 Aug 2015 15:26:19 GMT

A vehicle’s suspension system is tough. It can last for years and tens of thousands of miles for Joliet drivers. But it can be damaged quickly by hitting a pothole, curb or rock, and it can wear more quickly if you frequently drive off-road or on bumpy roads. A workhorse vehicle — one that hauls heavy loads — is also going to be hard on its suspension system.

Because the useful life of your suspension system contains these elements of unpredictability, it is important for Joliet car owners to have them inspected periodically. Worn, broken and missing parts can be identified during a diagnostic examination. An ineffective suspension system will curtail the driver’s control over a vehicle, so when it is damaged it frequently leads to the worst kind of vehicular damage — dangerous and pricey accidents.

The suspension system is composed of springs and shock absorbers (or shocks). Springs suspend the weight of the vehicle above its axles. They allow the vehicle to “bounce” over bumps, which reduces the force of the impact on the vehicle. Shocks curtail the rebound of the “bounce,” smoothing out the ride of the vehicle. They also force the tires to retain constant contact with the road. Shocks are responsible for “handling performance,” or the ease with which the driver controls the vehicle.

The springs in the suspension system are heavy-duty and rarely break or wear out. Shock absorbers are tough, too, but they will wear out.

Your sedan might be equipped with struts. Struts are a combination spring and shock absorber. Struts, like shocks, have a limited life span.

Inspecting shocks or struts for damage and wear should be part of your preventive maintenance routine. Since a good suspension system is ultimately an essential safety feature of your vehicle, it’s always better to be proactive about its care. In this case, good car care can prevent accidents.

There are some signs that will warn you that your suspension system may be in need of vital attention. One of the signs might be a cupped wear pattern on your tires. This is caused by the shocks bouncing unevenly. Other important signs of bad shocks manifest themselves in the handling performance of your vehicle. You may notice a drifting sensation when cornering, often referred to as a “floaty” feeling. If the front of your vehicle dips significantly when you brake or if it rocks back and forth after stopping, it’s time for new shocks. Your honest AACCEL EMISSIONS & LUBE service advisor will check your shocks visually. If they’re leaking, they need to be replaced.

Any of these symptoms warrants a diagnostic examination of the suspension system. You should also get your suspension system inspected if you are involved in an accident involving one of your wheels. Joliet motorists should never put off suspension repairs. If you actually experience suspension system failure, it can cause a serious accident. If one of your shocks needs to be replaced, then replace all four of them. This allows for even handling of the vehicle. Replacing just one of the shocks is rarely good auto advice.

When you replace your shocks or struts, use parts that are equivalent to or better than the original shocks on the sedan. The original equipment was developed for the weight and expected use of the vehicle, and Joliet drivers should never downgrade.

Upgrading, however, is another matter for Joliet motorists. If your suspension system gets a workout or you just want to improve your sedan’s handling performance, then you should examine upgrading to a better shock. If you haul heavy loads around Joliet or tow a trailer, then you should definitely examine getting heavy-duty shocks.

Most Joliet car owners are not likely to show off their suspension system to anyone admiring their sedan, but it’s essential just the same. In the end, it’s something all of us Joliet auto owners can be enthusiastic about.

Clean Air for Your Engine: A New Engine Air Filter at AACCEL EMISSIONS & LUBE

Thu, 06 Aug 2015 15:24:47 GMT

All of us Joliet car owners know we have to get the oil changed in our sedans periodically. That’s just part of good car care. But when Joliet service professionals change your oil, they also usually inspect your air filter . That’s why they sometimes let you know that your air filter needs to be changed before releasing your sedan.

Don’t just chock this up to trying to sell you something else. Cresthill car owners really do need to change their air filter when it gets dirty. You can check your owner’s manual to see how often your air filter should need to be changed, but remember, if you live in an area in IL. with poor air quality , or if you drive a lot or drive under harsh conditions in the Joliet area, you may need to change that filter more often than is recommended.

Changing an air filter isn’t guesswork. If a filter’s dirty, it needs to be replaced. Air filters aren’t very pricey at AACCEL EMISSIONS & LUBE in Joliet. But the problems they cause if Joliet car owners don’t change them can get to be costly.

For every gallon of gas your sedan burns, it needs 12,000 gallons of air . Clean filters allow better airflow into your engine, which means that your engine will get more air more quickly. That means your sedan engine runs more efficiently.

Dirty air filters cut airflow to your engine. All the debris in the filter clogs up the spaces the air needs to pass through to get to the engine. This dirty air can damage costly electronic components.

If you are in tune with your sedan, you’ll notice a difference when you change a really dirty air filter for a clean one. Your sedan may actually purr for you again. Its performance improves when it has a new, clean filter. So remember, changing your air filter is one of the most important elements of preventive maintenance. At AACCEL EMISSIONS & LUBE, it’s inexpensive, it’s effective, and it’s important.

Keep Your Cool In Joliet

Thu, 08 Aug 2013 15:29:10 GMT

Joliet drivers rely on their car’s coolant system to keep their engine cool. Coolant (also called antifreeze) mixed with water flows through your sedan engine and absorbs heat. The mixture then flows out to the radiator where it’s cooled by air flowing over the radiator. From there the coolant/water mix circulates back through the engine to absorb more heat.

There’s a reason we mix coolant and water. Water alone actually does a good job transferring heat from the engine. The problem is that water boils at a temperature that’s easily reached inside your sedan’s engine, so it can turn to steam which does not conduct heat as well and is harder to contain.

Also, if it’s freezing outside in Joliet, the water in your engine could freeze while your vehicle is sitting out in the cold.

So, if you remember your Joliet high school chemistry, you’ll know that a mixture has both a higher boiling point and a lower freezing point than either component alone.

Coolant, or antifreeze, is specially formulated to keep your engine safe in a wide range of environmental and operating temperatures in and around Joliet.

Whenever the sedan is running, the coolant in the cooling system is working to keep your engine from overheating. When it’s cold outside, the coolant acts as antifreeze to keep the fluid from freezing in your engine.

All that exploding fuel in your engine creates a lot of heat. Without coolant, the metal sedan engine parts would expand so much that the engine would seize up and stop running. Expensive parts could be broken or warp so badly they would have to be replaced. It could even be so bad that the whole sedan’s engine is ruined and has to be junked.

This is why it is critical that Joliet drivers check coolant levels frequently and have their sedan cooling system inspected for leaks. Also your sedan manufacturer has a maintenance requirement for draining and replacing your coolant. These recommendations can vary widely, so check your owner’s manual or ask us at AACCEL EMISSIONS LUBE in Joliet.

The reason you need to change the coolant is that it has additives in it to protect the cooling system. As you can imagine, with all the heat, the cooling system’s a pretty harsh environment. The additives keep the fluid from becoming corrosive and damaging the radiator and other sedan cooling system components. Over time, the additives are depleted and the coolant just has to be replaced.

Many Joliet auto owners ask AACCEL EMISSIONS LUBE why there are different colors of antifreeze. It is very important that you use the correct type of antifreeze. The different types of antifreeze – or coolant – are different colors so you don’t mix them up.

Auto manufacturers use different materials to make the cooling system, and they require different types of antifreeze to protect them.

So check with us at AACCEL EMISSIONS LUBE or your owner’s manual for the right kind because using the wrong coolant can void the warranty for your sedan cooling system.

Busted: The Maintenance-Free Myth In Plainfield

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 12:31:50 GMT

There’s a segment of the Plainfield population that’s not committed to proper vehicle maintenance. Mistaken perceptions have crept into the IL. area over time. Many Plainfield motorists think the root lies in the fact that modern cars are so reliable. Reliability has improved dramatically in recent years. Quality surveys report fewer problems with new cars than ever before.

Back when cars spent more time in the repair shop, Plainfield drivers were more mindful of routine service . Now, it’s much easier to put it off.

Take tune-ups for example. In the days of mechanical ignition systems, an engine needed to be tuned-up every couple of years. The ignition points had to be replaced, spark plugs and coils replaced and the timing adjusted. If your engine was out of tune, you knew it. It ran poorly and got bad fuel economy.

Now, the ignition system in your sedan is electronic and controlled by the engine management computer. Spark plugs rarely get fouled and will last for as much as a hundred thousand miles. So tune-ups used to force you in to AACCEL EMISSIONS LUBE for service and while you were there you just took care of whatever else was on the list.

Also, in recent years, a large percentage of new cars in Plainfield have been leased. These folks plan on turning the car in after two or three years, so they haven’t focused on the maintenance that helps your car last longer.

Given all that, what’s the benefit to keeping up with factory scheduled maintenance? Well, your sedan will perform better and return better fuel economy.

Those benefits pay for themselves as they go along. The big plus is that major repairs are prevented . And these aren’t just repairs that are a long ways off. Modern sedan engines are far more sophisticated and have many parts that are in critical need of proper lubrication. Missing just one oil change can allow oil sludge to start forming. Sludge clogs small engine passages, robbing parts of the lubrication they need. An expensive failure could easily occur within two or three years.

And modern engines require more sophisticated fluids . Because of the different types of materials that are used to make auto parts, things like aluminum, plastics and steel, different types of additives are required to protect automotive components from corrosion. These additives deplete with time as well as with use.

For example, your sedan engine coolant could actually become so corrosive that it eats holes in your radiator or other cooling system parts. Of course, that could lead to massive engine damage, all for the want of replacing the coolant on schedule.

Taking care of the little things now prevents big problems later. At AACCEL EMISSIONS LUBE, we have been taking care of all those little things for seven and a half years. Your sedan still needs to be taken care of – it’s just that some of those points of care have changed with automotive advancements. The need for proper maintenance in Plainfield did not go away.

Joliet Drivers: Get Fresh Air Inside Your Car

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 10:23:25 GMT

Cabin air filters are now coming on most new sedans in Joliet. These filters clean the air in the passenger compartment. They can filter particles down to three microns, so that’s good enough to clean out dust, pollen and most pollutants. If you suffer from allergies in Joliet, this is very good news. Your car can be a haven during your Joliet commute.

Now, it’s only been in the last few years that cabin air filters have become common. You can look in your owner’s manual to see if you have one. If you do, there’ll be a recommendation for replacing it when it gets dirty. If you live in an area of Joliet where there’s a lot of dust, pollen or pollution, you may need to change it more often.

You can also ask your service advisor at AACCEL EMISSIONS LUBE in Joliet. How hard is it to change an air filter on a car? It depends on your vehicle. Some are quite accessible; others take some doing to get to them. They’re usually in the engine compartment or under the dashboard.

Because cabin air filters are so new on the scene, some Joliet people haven’t heard of them – even people who have cabin air filters in their sedan. AACCEL EMISSIONS LUBE service advisors have discovered that many Joliet customers who complained about an unpleasant odor in their sedan simply had a dirty cabin air filter.

Hitting The Brakes In Cresthill

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 07:36:32 GMT

Hello Cresthill, let’s talk about brakes. Braking, as all Cresthill drivers know, is slowing or stopping a vehicle. As you can imagine, brakes are engineered to work well on a particular vehicle application. For example, you would expect more powerful brakes on a heavy-duty pickup that routinely hauls big loads and pulls trailers, than you would on a compact car. And a Corvette that can go over 180 miles per hour would have much different braking needs than the family mini-van you drive around Cresthill.

But the mechanical aspects of the brakes themselves are just one issue. There’s also the power brake pump and brake fluid . And then there are the tires , which are critical to the effectiveness of the brakes.

Let’s step back. A new sedan or truck rolls off a local Cresthill dealer showroom floor. It has brand new brakes with brand new brake pads. The brake lines and pump are filled with fresh fluid and are completely clean inside. And the tires are brand new, with full tread.

Naturally, braking power is at its peak performance. Now the miles start to add up on the sedan. We tend to focus on the brake pads . In the business, the pads, and shoes on drum brakes, are called the friction material. That’s because they provide the friction used to stop the vehicle. The pads are designed to be effective throughout their useful life – it’s not until they are worn so thin as to be out of spec that they lose stopping effectiveness.

The mechanical parts of the brakes have pistons and springs that get quite a workout while breaking. Over many miles, these wear and get gummed up. They start to lose effectiveness gradually and could even fail. That’s why a regular brake inspection is important for your sedan. At AACCEL EMISSIONS LUBE we can test the operation of the brakes and see if any parts need cleaning or replacing.

That leads us to brake fluid service at AACCEL EMISSIONS LUBE. Some of the critical additives in the fluid that lubricate and clean the sedan fluid system are depleted over time. That and moisture building up in the system deteriorate the performance of the brake fluid. A brake service at AACCEL EMISSIONS LUBE cleans out deposits, water and dirt. Then the system is filled up with fresh fluid.

The tires are what connect the sedan to the road. The stopping force is ultimately dependent on the traction provided by the tires. The better they grip the road, the quicker you’ll stop .

This is especially important on wet Cresthill roads. Studies have shown that wet stopping distance increases significantly as tires wear down. Cresthill drivers need to understand that they can have brakes that are operating at peak efficiency and yet still be in danger because their tires are worn out.

The Importance Of Joliet Drivers Following Service Intervals

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 07:31:29 GMT

Today in our AACCEL EMISSIONS LUBE blog, we’re going to talk about following recommended service intervals . Your sedan isn’t the only aspect of your life in Joliet with recommended intervals: Let’s start with twice yearly dental cleaning. And physical exams. How about laundry, mowing the lawn and paying the bills?

Now, what would happen if you didn’t follow these intervals? Well, you’d get more cavities. You’d probably not become aware of health issues that benefit from early detection and treatment. And you’d have to wear dirty clothes, be embarrassed by your overgrown lawn and have your utilities shut off.

We all realize there are some things in life that we have to take care of regularly. If we don’t, there are negative consequences. Our quality of life takes a hit and it inevitably costs more money.

So why is it so hard to remember to follow regular preventive maintenance on our sedans? Probably a couple of reasons. One is that automotive maintenanceitems just don’t seem that urgent. Everyone in Joliet can see our dirty shirt, but no one knows how dirty our transmission fluid is. It’s easy to put off. The other reason is that we’re just not as familiar with automotive maintenance, so it’s a bit intimidating.

From a practical standpoint, Joliet people don’t need to memorize their sedan owner’s manuals. You can let your AACCEL EMISSIONS LUBE advisor remind you of the manufacturer’s recommendations: he has checklists of what the manufacturer recommends and can find potential problems when he inspects your sedan. You really can rely on AACCEL EMISSIONS LUBE professionals to help you make good car care decisions.

For Joliet drivers who want to be more proactive with their sedan care, here are some simple ways to remember what has a maintenance interval.

First: Fluids. If it’s liquid, it’s got a replacement schedule. Oil, transmission fluid, coolant, power steering fluid, brake fluid, differential fluid, etc.

Then think tires. They need air, rotation, balancing, and alignment. And while you’re thinking tires, think brakes and shock absorbers.

And what makes your sedan go? Air and fuel. Air filter replacement, fuel filters and fuel system cleaning. Of course there are more items, but if Joliet car owners remember to take their car or truck in to AACCEL EMISSIONS LUBE for these things, their service advisor will help them with the rest.

And if you don’t follow recommended service intervals? You use more gas, your sedan doesn’t perform as well, your safety is compromised and you’ll spend more money in the long run . So it’s the same as everything else: The quality of your motoring life takes a hit and it ends up costing you more.

Reason enough for me to follow recommended service intervals.

AACCEL EMISSIONS & LUBE: Why Replace Your Engine Air Filter?

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 07:28:21 GMT

Your sedan engine really needs clean air to operate efficiently. Let’s go egghead for a minute. For every gallon of gas we burn driving around Plainfield, twenty pounds of carbon dioxide comes out the tailpipe. Question: how can a gallon of gas that weighs a little over six pounds produce twenty pounds of carbon dioxide?

The answer is that the carbon comes from the gasoline, but the oxygen comes from the air. You see, it takes about twelve thousand gallons of air to burn a gallon of gas in your engine. Clearly, your sedan needs a lot of air to keep going in Plainfield. A lot of clean air is better.

You’ve seen the pictures of the crowds in Asia wearing face masks. They want some kind of filter to keep unwanted pollution and germs out of their lungs. Well, your sedan also works better when its internals are clean . When your sedan air filter’s dirty, it simply can’t trap any more dirt, so the dirt just passes through into your air intake system. From there it can clog your fuel injectors and even get into the engine itself. And burning dust and pollen in your sedan engine does you no good.

So, we’re talking potential damage for Plainfield drivers. But another big thing is wasted fuel. Your sedan engine management computer tries to mix the correct amount of air in with the fuel. If the filter’s clogged, there isn’t enough air for the optimal fuel to air mix and that really messes with fuel efficiency.

In fact, replacing a dirty air filter at AACCEL EMISSIONS LUBE can improve your fuel economy in Plainfield by up to ten percent. At today’s fuel prices in Plainfield, you should be able to pay for a new air filter before your next oil change.

The verdict: When your sedan engine air filter needs to be replaced; it needs to be replaced . How often depends entirely on how dirty the air is where you drive in Plainfield. A simple visual inspection at AACCEL EMISSIONS LUBE will tell you when you need a new engine air filter.

When you look at the air filter on your furnace at home and see it’s all clogged up with dust and dirt, you don’t hesitate to replace it. When your AACCEL EMISSIONS LUBE technician brings out your nasty engine air filter, you now know why you should go ahead and change it out.

All Lined Up: Wheel Alignment Service At AACCEL EMISSIONS & LUBE

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 08:01:21 GMT

When all of a vehicle’s wheels are lined up exactly with each other, your wheels are in alignment. Hitting a road hazard or even just the normal bumps and bounces of everyday driving in Plainfield can cause your sedan’s wheels to be out of alignment.

Driving for an extended time in Plainfield when you’re out of alignment causes your sedan’s tires to wear unevenly and excessively – perhaps causing you to have to replace tires years too early or even lead to a blowout: Dangerous … and expensive. It can also cause premature wear to your suspension system, which can be really expensive.

Here are some alignment basics:

The first adjustment is called toe or do the wheels point in towards each other or away from each other at the front of the tire.

The next adjustment is called camber or do the wheels tip in or out at the top.

And finally, there is castor. Castor measures the angle where the front axles attach to the vehicle.

The ideal alignment for your sedan was designed by its engineers. Alignment service at AACCEL EMISSIONS LUBE starts with an inspection of the steering and suspension – to see if anything’s bent or broken. Then the Plainfield technician will look at tire condition.

From there, the sedan is put on an alignment rack and an initial alignment reading is taken. The wheels are then aligned to sedan manufacturer’s specifications.

Your sedan owner’s manual probably has a recommendation for how often your alignment should be checked – usually every couple of years. If you suspect an alignment problem, get it checked at AACCEL EMISSIONS LUBE before you suffer expensive tire or suspension damage.

Battery Replacement At AACCEL EMISSIONS & LUBE

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 07:45:05 GMT

Hello, welcome to AACCEL EMISSIONS LUBE. Today’s topic is batteries. It se ems like everything in Romeoville runs on batteries. Of course, the batteries we’re most concerned with here at AACCEL EMISSIONS LUBE are those in our vehicles. Car batteries wear out just like any other battery and need to be replaced. There are a couple of things Romeoville drivers should know when looking for a new battery.

There are two measurements that come into play: one is cold cranking amps and the other is reserve capacity .

Let’s start with cold cranking amps.

This can be thought of as the power output used to start a cold engine. The number of cold cranking amps you need depends on your vehicle and where you live, specifically how cold it is where you live. The two factors are that the colder your sedan’s engine is, the more power it takes to turn the engine over to get it started. It has all that cold, sluggish oil to contend with.

The other factor is that the chemical reaction in the battery that creates electrical energy is less efficient in the cold. We even have a table. Let’s say it’s eighty degrees Fahrenheit out. At that temperature, 100% of the battery’s power is available. At freezing, only 65% of battery power is available, but it requires 155% as much power to start the engine as it did at eighty degrees.

As you can see from the chart, the colder it gets, more power’s needed, but the available power drops.

So if you live where it’s cold, you need a battery with more cold cranking amps than you do where it’s moderate or hot. The battery that originally came with the vehicle was based on averages. At AACCEL EMISSIONS LUBE, we like to remind Romeoville auto owners that they should always get at least as many cold cranking amps as the manufacturer recommends, but may want to upgrade if they live where it gets real cold.

And the type of engine you have will impact the battery you need: A six-cylinder engine requires more cold cranking amps than a four. An eight cylinder needs even more. And diesel sedans require more than a gasoline engine with the same number of cylinders.

Now on to reserve capacity : It’s a measurement of the number of minutes of reserve power the battery has at a given load. The number is more important to Romeoville drivers these days because of parasitic drain. Parasitic drain is the battery energy that’s used when the key is off in your sedan. So, the power drawn by the security system, the remote start system, even the power the computers require to maintain their memory.

Reserves are also needed when you make very short trips around Romeoville. You’re not driving long enough for the battery to recover the energy it used to start the engine. So go with the minimum recommended by your manufacturer or AACCEL EMISSIONS LUBE and upgrade if you need more.

Talk with us at AACCEL EMISSIONS LUBE about your options. If you need more from your battery, a larger, heavy-duty battery may be called for. At AACCEL EMISSIONS LUBE, we remind our customers that it’s very important that the new battery fits your sedan: the terminals can’t be touching other parts and stuff.

Batteries are a big ticket item for most Romeoville motorists, so the warranty gives piece of mind. There’re two kinds of car battery warranties: pro-rated and free replacement. With the pro-rated, you get a credit for a portion of the battery if it fails during the warranty period. With a free replacement warranty, you get just that, a free replacement. Be sure to ask us at AACCEL EMISSIONS LUBE about the warranty so you know what you’re getting.

Differential Service At AACCEL EMISSIONS & LUBE: Vive ala Difference

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 07:41:36 GMT

Every sedan on IL. freeways has a differential , and it is critical to the proper operation of the vehicle, but most Joliet drivers don’t have a clue what it is.

The differential compensates for differing wheel speeds. For example, when you turn, the inside tire on the turn travels a much shorter distance than the outside wheel. So the inside wheel of the sedan must move at a slower speed than the outside wheel. Without a differential, the wheels would hop and scrape while turning.

Have you ever seen the large bugle-shaped object in the middle of the rear axle of a truck? That’s the differential. In a rear-wheel drive vehicle, the differential is located on the back axle. Four-wheel drive vehicles and SUV’s have differentials on both the front and the rear axle.

You might expect that the differential is located on the front axle of a front-wheel drive vehicle. You’d be right. But the differential is called a transaxle on a front-wheel drive vehicle because its location allows it to be combined with the transmission.

In an all-wheel drive vehicle, an additional differential or transfer case is located between the front and rear axles. Differentials are strong: They have to be because of the critical job they do. But those tough parts need proper lubrication . You don’t want your differential to seize up. That results in expensive damage to your sedan.

So you need to have your sedan differential serviced regularly. It’s not a complicated job. At AACCEL EMISSIONS LUBE in Joliet we’ve been servicing differentials for seven and a half years. The used lubricating fluid is simply drained and then replaced. Some vehicles require specific additives in the differential fluid; your Joliet service center will ensure you are getting what your sedan needs.

The intervals in time or mileage for servicing your differential vary greatly from vehicle to vehicle. Check with your owner’s manual or AACCEL EMISSIONS LUBE to find out how often your sedan differential needs to be serviced.

Generally, however, front-wheel drive vehicles need their differential serviced more often than rear-wheel drive vehicles. Also, if you spend a lot of time off-road or on Joliet area dirt or gravel roads, or if you drive through water, you will need to service your differential more often than the standard recommendation – check with your honest AACCEL EMISSIONS LUBE technician.

Preventive maintenance for your differential is good car care that can spare you expensive repair bills. Knowing what your differential is and how it operates is critical and will help you understand why this is good auto advice. Remember, take care of your sedan, and it will take care of you.

Cresthill Drivers: Is It Time To Replace Your PCV Valve?

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 10:20:31 GMT

The push for fuel economy has two benefits: using less gas, and fewer emissions . Cresthill cars and trucks run cleaner than ever. Cresthill people may not realize that the first federally mandated pollution control device came out almost fifty years ago.

Cresthill folks that were around in the early 60′s may remember that the PCV valve came out on 1964 model cars. PCV stand for Positive Crankcase Ventilation . crankcase is the lower part of the engine where the crankshaft is housed and where the engine oil lives. The crankshaft is connected to the pistons that power the engine.

When fuel is burned in the sedan engine, it pushes the pistons down and the crankshaft rotates and sends power to the transmission. Some of the explosive gases from combustion squeeze past the pistons and down into the crankcase.

Now this gas is about 70% unburned fuel. If it were allowed to remain in the crankcase, it would contaminate the oil and quickly turn it to sludge. Sludge is like Vaseline and clogs passages in the engine leading to damage.

Also, the pressure build up would blow out seals and gaskets. So in the old days, there was just a hose that vented the crankcase out into the air. Obviously, not good for our environment in Cresthill.

Enter the PCV valve. It’s a small, one-way valve that lets out the gases from the crankcase, and routes them back into the air intake system where can be re-burned in the engine . Fresh air comes into the crankcase through a breather tube. This makes for good circulation in the crankcase. And that gets the bad air out. As you can imagine, the valve gets gummed up over time.

Cresthill drivers that skip oil changes now and then will notice that the PCV valve gets gummed up even faster. If the PCV valve is sticking in your sedan, the gases won’t circulate as well, leading to increased pressure in the crankcase. That, in turn, can lead to oil leaks. Fortunately, the PCV valve is very inexpensive to replace at AACCEL EMISSIONS LUBE. Some can even be checked for function by your honest service technician.

Manufacturer’s usually recommend they be changed somewhere between twenty and fifty thousand miles. Unfortunately, PCV valve replacement is left out of some sedan owner’s manuals, but at AACCEL EMISSIONS LUBE, we will make sure your PVC is replaced if needed.

All of us Cresthill car owners can do our part for the environment. Watch that lead foot, stay on top of our automotive maintenance and don’t forget to replace our PCV valve.