Why did my vehicle fail its emissions test?
Posted November 17, 2024 2:15 AMWe all want to breathe clean air and keep our planet green. One of the ways to do that is by requiring all vehicles with internal combustion engines to pass an emissions test. That’s because these vehicles can be big polluters.
Everyone wants their car to pass the test so they can continue their day-to-day driving routine. But then comes that one day when they tell you your vehicle has failed. Why does that happen?
One of the most common reasons is that your gas cap is leaking or loose (or maybe you don’t even have one on your vehicle!). The gas cap is supposed to seal in vapors, but sometimes its seals or gaskets dry out or crack. Replace it, and you’re good to go.
Another common reason your vehicle failed the test is that your catalytic converter isn’t doing its job. It is supposed to convert toxic gases from your engine into ones that don’t pollute the air. There are many reasons the catalytic converter may not be working. It may be physically damaged, or the steady flow of exhaust gases has fouled the converter.
You may have a bad oxygen sensor. It’s supposed to measure how much oxygen is in your exhaust. This can cause the air-fuel mixture to be too rich, resulting in too many hydrocarbons in the exhaust. Your ignition system may also have problems, such as worn-out spark plugs. Dirty fuel injectors can contribute to excess emissions.
Believe it or not, a dirty engine air filter may be the culprit. If it hasn’t been replaced for a while, your vehicle may be emitting too many hydrocarbons - something that will cause your vehicle to fail the emissions test.
You can usually avoid a failed emissions test by maintaining your vehicle regularly. The best way to do that is by bringing it to our trained technicians, so your vehicle gets the service it needs, scheduled and non-scheduled. Plus, you’ll be doing your part to keep our air clean.
All Things Automotive & Diesel Service
1997 Walton Ave #C
Idaho Falls, ID 83401
208-523-3903
Differential Essential (Differential Fluid Exchange)
Posted November 10, 2024 2:15 AMWhat's the dif? To an automotive technician, it's the differential, a part of your vehicle that helps direct power from the engine to the wheels. The differential is a gearbox that enables the drive wheels to turn at different speeds (they do that when you turn).
Inside the differential is a fluid that makes sure those gears and other parts are lubricated since there are a lot of metal moving parts in there. (Your vehicle may have more than one differential in it depending on the drivetrain.)
As you can imagine, it's important that the lubricant in those differentials do its job. Otherwise, the gears may be damaged by heat and friction. The more you drive your vehicle, the more likely it is for that lubricating fluid to break down.
So, it's important to have the differential fluid exchanged every so often. Your vehicle's manufacturer recommends how often your model should have that done, but a common interval is every 30,000-60,000 miles/50,000 km-100,000km. Regular exchange of differential fluid can reduce premature wear of the gears inside.
Scheduled maintenance goes a long way to preventing differential problems, but sometimes when they begin to fail, you may hear the vehicle sounding a little louder than usual where the differentials are located.
When it comes to changing the differential fluid, some have a drain plug in them. Others require the entire cover to be removed to drain the fluid. There are often gaskets that must be changed at the same time to make sure there are no leaks.
Now when someone asks you, "What's the dif?" You’ll know how essential the differential is and how to keep it running in top shape.
All Things Automotive & Diesel Service
1997 Walton Ave #C
Idaho Falls, ID 83401
208-523-3903
Putting a Stop to Brake Problems (Brake Service)
Posted November 3, 2024 2:15 AMIt's safe to say that most drivers take their brakes for granted. You press on the brake pedal and the vehicle slows down or stops. It's easy to see why it is so important for your vehicle's brakes to be working correctly. Brakes are an important safety feature of any vehicle.
When it comes to your brakes working correctly, maintaining them regularly will ensure that you will always be able to slow or stop your vehicle in any situation, whether on a sunny day on dry pavement or a bad weather day on slippery surfaces. And that is why regular brake service is such a sound investment for all drivers. The combo of brakes" and "surprises" doesn't usually end well.
You might already know about some of the parts of your braking system. Terms familiar to you might be pads, rotors, and calipers. In short, the calipers press the pads, which in turn contact the rotors. The resulting friction slows your vehicle. Another type of brake uses a drum and brake shoes. But both count on friction to work.
When you come in to have us check your brakes, we'll make sure those parts are all in good working together and meet the specifications of your vehicle manufacturer. But there are other important components as well. Your brake system has several parts of a hydraulic system that uses fluids to conduct the pressure you put on the brake pedal to the brakes on all of your wheels. There are hoses and lines that can sometimes degrade because of road salt or debris.
Last and not least, your vehicle has an emergency or parking brake. It's something you'll need to prevent your vehicle from rolling when you park on a steep incline. Your parking brake also is an important backup if your hydraulic brakes fail.
Give your brakes some tender loving care with regular service and they'll be there when you need them.
All Things Automotive & Diesel Service
1997 Walton Ave #C
Idaho Falls, ID 83401
208-523-3903
