With a simple slide of a lever, push of a button, or turn of a dial, we can effortlessly switch from very hot to super cold in mere seconds without regard as to how our car air conditioning unit functions. That is, of course, until the day that it breaks and we suddenly find ourselves roasting (or freezing) in our own car.

The Complexity of Today’s Car Air Conditioning Systems

Ever since car air conditioning systems became widely popular in the 1940s, the technology behind it has also gone through a lot of modifications and enhancements. The complexity car air conditioning systems have become even more complex over the years through upgrades to the general durability, as well as computerized automatic temperature controls.

It has gotten to the point where it is virtually impossible for the average person to perform DIY (Do It Yourself) repairs on them when they break down. When it comes to car air conditioning repairs, we turn to our trusted, qualified mechanics. However, what everyone CAN do is to learn the basic inner workings of car air conditioning systems.

The Basics of Car Air Conditioning Systems

Understanding the basics of car air conditioning systems will help car owners in a number of ways.

For example, some car owners get worried whenever they see anything dripping from underneath their vehicle. However, if you know that typical air conditioning systems generate water, then you’ll know that it is perfectly normal to see water dripping from under your vehicle.

We have divided the basics of car air conditioning systems into two main topics:
1) How Does a Car Air Conditioning System Work? – Explaining how evaporation, condensation, compression, and expansion happen in an air conditioner.
2) Car Air Conditioning Components – While air conditioning components may vary from vehicle to vehicle, the most common components include the compressor, condenser, evaporator, orifice tube, thermal expansion valve (TXV), receiver-dryer, and the accumulator. (Click here to skip to that section)

How Does a Car Air Conditioning System Work?

As suggested by its name, a car air conditioner “conditions” the air by cooling it down and decreasing humidity or moisture content. Your vehicle’s air conditioning system function based on two primary principles which are evaporation and condensation, succeeded by two other stages, the compression and the expansion stages.

1. Evaporation – a kind of liquid vaporization that happens solely on the liquid’s surface.
2. Condensation – this is the complete opposite of evaporation and is defined as the transformation of matter from gas to liquid.
3. Heat of Compression – to illustrate more clearly, let’s use a bike pump as an example. When air is pumped into the bike’s tires, the air will be compressed and the air molecules will be bonded even closer together which will then lead to giving off heat because of friction.
4. Expansion – this can be defined as matter’s natural tendency to alter its form as a response to a change in temperature, which in the case of car air conditioning systems involves matter being transformed from a liquid refrigerant to vapor.

Car Air Conditioning Components

• Compressor – also known as the heart of the air conditioning system, it is a pump that is belt-driven and attached to the car engine. Its main task is to compress and transfer the refrigerant gas.
• Condenser – the area where heat dissipation happens. In most systems, condensers may look like the car’s radiator since they have the same purpose and that is to radiate the heat.
• Evaporator – this primarily functions to absorb heat but is also used for dehumidification. When warm air passes via the cooler evaporator coil’s aluminum fins, the air’s moisture, as well as any pollen and dust will condense on its surface.
• Thermal Expansion Valve or TXV – regulates the refrigerant flow going into the evaporator and found in most aftermarket and import air conditioning systems. It is also able to detect both pressure and temperature.
• Orifice Tube – functions like the thermal expansion valve and found in plenty of Ford and GM models.
• Receiver-dryer – used on car air conditioning systems with a thermal expansion valve and needs a liquid refrigerant. This is utilized to make certain that the TXV gets the liquid refrigerant, with its main function being the separation of liquid and gas. It likewise functions to filter dirt and eliminate moisture. Normally, it makes use of a sight glass found on its top portion for charging the system.
• Accumulator – used on air conditioning systems with an orifice tube and like a receiver-dryer, meters refrigerants coming into the evaporator. It stores the surplus liquid refrigerant and is directly attached to the evaporator. Like the receiver-dryer, it separates liquid and gas since liquid can damage the compressor. It can likewise eliminate moisture and debris.

Note: If your car air conditioning unit has an accumulator; it will not have a receiver-dryer since these two components function in the same way. Also, your car will either have an orifice tube or a thermal expansion valve (TXV). It won’t have both components.

There are plenty of things that can go wrong in the complex car air conditioning system. Specialized equipment is usually vital to being able to determine the causes of common car air conditioning problems. If you are having a problem with your car air conditioning unit, you should have a qualified professional diagnose and fix the problem.

Additional Resources for Car Air Conditioning:

• Learn more about Car Air Conditioning
• Watch the Video: See how TalkToMyMechanic™ Works

What is a Head Gasket?

As its name implies, a head gasket is a kind of seal or gasket placed between your car engine’s block and the cylinder head. Your car engine is sometimes referred to as the heart of the car because it is where internal combustion takes place.

High compression pressure rates are required for internal combustion to take place in the piston chamber. This high pressure is achieved because the head gasket is responsible for sealing the cylinder in the engine, allowing the compression to take place.

The sealing action provided by the head gasket makes certain that the vaporized gas contained in the engine will not leak out and cause problems. Another responsibility of the head gasket is preventing the leakage of either engine oil or coolant in the combustion chambers and preventing them from mixing together.

7 Common Blown Head Gasket Symptoms

• Blown Head Gasket Symptom #1 – constant overheating of the engine. This symptom can actually be checked easily from your car dashboard’s temperature gauge reading. Engine overheating is likewise considered both a symptom and a cause of blown gasket heads.
• Blown Head Gasket Symptom #2 – a considerable drop in the level of engine coolant.
• Blown Head Gasket Symptom #3 – loss of engine power is also a possible indication of a blown head gasket because engine power decreases if there is a loss of compression. Likewise, the engine will not run as smoothly or as efficiently.
• Blown Head Gasket Symptom #4 – engine oil and coolant mixing together. To check for this, inspect your engine oil to see if the dipstick comes up with a somewhat frothy, which can signal the mixture of coolant and engine oil that resulted from a damaged head gasket.
• Blown Head Gasket Symptoms #5 – a milky substance around your oil cap, which means that the oil is contaminated. This happens when engine coolant mixes with the oil because of a gasket leak. To check, you have to drive your car for a bit and then inspect the oil cap.
• Blown Head Gasket Symptoms #6 – white smoke comes out of your exhaust pipe and is accompanied by a sweet scent.
• Blown Head Gasket Symptoms #7 – abnormal coloration around your spark plugs can also be a sign that you have a blown head gasket. If you have a serious problem with your head gasket, the coolant will leak out of the plugs’ holes. For example, if your engine coolant is orange, your spark plugs will also have an orange tinge around the plugs.

If your car is experiencing any of these symptoms and you think that you have a blown head gasket, you should immediately go to a mechanic. Now that you understand how critical your head gasket is to the overall working condition of your car engine, you understand why you need to allow a qualified professional to conclusively diagnose and fix the problems with your head gasket as soon as possible.

Additional Resources for a Blown Head Gasket:

• Learn more about a Blown Head Gasket
• Watch the Video: See how TalkToMyMechanic™ Works

The difference between a blinking check engine light and a normal, steady check engine light is a lot like the difference between seeing a police car with its lights flashing and just seeing a police car.

When most drivers see a police car, they slow down, check their speed, and make sure they’re not doing any suspicious. But when they see a police car with its lights flashing, they pull over to the side of the road (especially if the police car is directly behind them).

IF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS BLINKING or FLASHING, you should IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER to the side of the road. Usually, this means that there is a serious problem in the emission control system which is causing the engine to misfire. Many times, when you see that the light is blinking, you’ll also notice that the engine becomes very rough and loses power. Pull over to a safe place, shut off the car, and have your vehicle towed to a repair facility where they can find out exactly what is wrong. Severe engine damage and even fire can result if you ignore this for too long.

On the other hand, A STEADY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (much like seeing a police car without its lights on) is a signal to take a minute to slow down and check on everything. Is your car making any unusual noises? Is your gas tank almost empty (or is your gas cap loose)? Is your car doing anything out of the ordinary? If nothing obvious is amiss, then the computer in your vehicle noticed a problem (usually in the emissions system) and you’ll want to have a mechanic look into it at your convenience.

Read some of our other recent Check Engine Light topics:

• Interpreting Check Engine Light Warnings
• The History of the Check Engine Light
• Common Check Engine Indicators
• The OBD Check Engine Light System
• What You Should Do When the Check Engine Light Turns On
• How NOT to React to a Check Engine Light Indicator

Additional Resources for the Check Engine Light:

• Learn more about the Check Engine Light
• Watch the Video: See how TalkToMyMechanic™ Works

This indicator signal is normally positioned in the instrument panel of the vehicle in order to make it visually available to the driver in case it turns on. Usually when it turns on it takes on an amber color to attract attention.

It is equally important to understand that the installation of the Check Engine Light is not the same for all vehicles. For those that are based on the OBD-II (On-Board Diagnostic system) it makes use of a two-stage indicator: steady (for minor faults) and flashing (to signal severe problems).
(Click here to read more about What a Blinking Check Engine Light Means)

The fault code that is associated with a particular problem is stored in the engine control unit so that it can be used to diagnose the cause of the problem to come to an accurate solution.

Skip to:Common Check Engine Indicators|The OBD Check Engine Light System
What You Should Do When the Check Engine Light Turns On
How NOT to React to a Check Engine Light Indicator

The History of the Check Engine Light

The Check Engine Light or MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp) made its initial appearance in vehicles during the early part of the 1980s—coinciding with the introduction of computerized engine controls. This was a time when extensive computerization was taking place in virtually all sectors of society, including business and automotive manufacturing. The introduction of the Check Engine Light was part of the self-diagnosis function of the computer controlled engine system.

Initial versions of the MIL were fairly simple and straightforward. When a fault was detected by the engine computer, the MIL indicator on the instrument panel turned on.

Later, the introduction of the OBD-II (On-Board Diagnostic) system added signaling codes to the Check Engine Light. Similar to the Morse code system, the OBD-II system uses different flashes for every code and malfunction.

Common Check Engine Indicators

As part of the electronic control system of the vehicle, the indicator turns on every time it thinks it finds something wrong with the operation of the vehicle. Common MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp) indicators included service engine soon, check engine, or check powertrain.

Sometimes the Check Engine Light indicator showed just a picture of an engine which represents the International Check Engine Symbol. In some vehicles only the work check is displayed on the instrument panel.

It is important to understand that the Check Engine Light indicator is just an outward manifestation of a trouble code that represents the specific problem of the vehicle. An electronic scan tool or a diagnostic computer is used to retrieve the code that has been stored. Therefore, to correctly identify the meaning of the Check Engine Light indicators, the services of a qualified mechanic or electrician would be required.

The OBD Check Engine Light System

The original intention for the OBD (On-Board Diagnostic) system was to assist technicians to specifically pinpoint automotive malfunctions to simplify troubleshooting. The system was reserved primarily for the problems associated with the powertrain which can cause a significant impact on the emission system. The OBD system troubleshoots problems based on the specific model, make, and year of the vehicle making their capabilities widely varied.

By 1996 the OBD-II was introduced based on regulations imposed on car manufacturers. This standardized the Check Engine Light system using a more sophisticated method that functions as a built-in emission testing station. It monitors as well as adjusts various functions and components like the fuel system and exhaust system among others.

When a problem is identified it allows self-correction before alerting the driver of a problem. More modern OBD systems have become so efficient that they are checked for trouble codes instead of using traditional tailpipe emission testing procedures.

What You Should Do When the Check Engine Light Turns On

Despite the seeming usefulness of the MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp) system, it is a pity that many drivers are unaware of exactly what the light is attempting to say, therefore they do not know how to react. Some car manufacturers have even referred to the Check Engine Light as the most misunderstood indicator on the instrument panel of the vehicle primarily because it can reflect a variety of problems from a loose gas cap to a comparatively serious misfiring engine condition.

According to the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, when the Check Engine Light indicator turns on, the driver does not necessarily have to pull over immediately to the side of the road. It also does not mean that a tow truck needs to be called and discontinue the use of the vehicle. What the Check Engine Light indicator means is that the vehicle should be checked out as soon as possible by a qualified automotive technician or mechanic.

***HOWEVER, if your Check Engine Light is blinking or flashing, you should immediately pull over to the side of the road. (Click here to read more about What a Blinking Check Engine Light Means)

How NOT to React to a Check Engine Light Indicator

Without a question only a qualified automotive technician or mechanic will know what is exactly wrong with the vehicle as well as how to resolve it. As a result, it is very important that drivers understand what NOT to do if the Check Engine Light turns on.

1. Never ignore the indicator warning because it may result in completely damaging expensive vehicle components.
2. Do not attempt to do a self-diagnosis. While conditions can trigger the Check Engine Light, it does not necessarily mean that you can conclusively know the cause without the proper tools and training.
3. If you are not a qualified automotive technician or mechanic never attempt to troubleshoot Check Engine Light associated problems, even if you have a tool that can read the stored codes.

Undoubtedly, a vehicle represents one of the most expensive investments that any person can have. Therefore, it is important to value it by giving it adequate attention and care. A Check Engine Light problem is not something that should be left to chance because it can represent a deeper and bigger automotive problem that can permanently ruin your vehicle.

Additional Resources for the Check Engine Light:

• Learn more about the Check Engine Light
• Watch the Video: See how TalkToMyMechanic™ Works

Wheel alignment costs are usually not very expensive, but should still be given the proper attention that they deserve. Not only can misaligned wheels lead to decreased driving performance, but they can decrease your fuel mileage and the life of your tires as well.

Every car owner knows how expensive it is to replace worn out tires and wants their tires to last as long as possible. Misaligned wheels are one of the leading causes for your tires to wear out faster than they should.

Skip to:FAQs for Wheel Alignment Cost|The Importance of Wheel Alignment
Wheel Alignment and Camber|Wheel Misalignment Signs and Considerations

Understanding Wheel Alignment

In order to understand why the cost of wheel alignment is an important necessity, you first have to understand exactly what wheel alignment is all about.

A certain amount of wear and tear occurs every time you go for a drive. That’s why it is essential that every vehicle be maintained in proper running condition. In the long-run, this will help you to avoid potentially more expensive repair charges (like replacing your tires because of uneven tire wear).

Wheel alignment is a type of mechanical adjustment which will make the angle of the wheels perpendicular to the ground as well as parallel to one another. This is done to gain maximum tire life as well as provide the correct traction and direction when moving on a level and straight road.

FAQ: “How did my wheels get out of alignment?”

Answer: In general, misaligned tires can be brought about by accidental striking of the curb, road debris, parking blocks, worn parts, and (more commonly) potholes.

FAQ: “Are wheel alignment and wheel balancing synonymous, and just a tricky way to charge me twice for the same thing?”

Answer: No. While they both affect the handling and quality of ride of the vehicle, in reality both wheel alignment and wheel balancing are mechanical adjustments that are completely independent from each other.

Often, the common symptoms from each one can help you know which one is the problem. Vibration at high speeds is commonly the result of improper wheel balance, while tracking or steering problems accompanied by exhaustive tire wear are usually associated with wheel alignment.

FAQ: “How do I know if my wheels need to be aligned?”
Answer: Click here to read about Wheel Misalignment Signs and Considerations

The Importance of Wheel Alignment

One important thing to keep in mind is that while a tire’s alignment may not be visible to the naked eye, its effects are undeniable. When the tires are out of alignment, the orientation based on its center-line becomes off-center leading to uneven and frequent tire wear, difficulty in controlling the vehicle, and reduced fuel economy.

By paying the wheel alignment cost, you will actually be saving yourself money in the long-run through all of the benefits of having higher fuel economy. Also, you will be saving money by not replacing your tires as often as you would if you had uneven tire wear.

Wheel Alignment and Camber

Car owners should be familiar with the term “camber” when dealing with wheel alignment cost because it is the most common terminology that you may encounter.

Camber represents the angle of the wheel (in degrees) when viewed from the front of the vehicle. A wheel that is perpendicular with the road has a camber of 0°. A negative camber means that the wheel is leaning in towards the center of the vehicle, while a positive camber means that it is leaning away from the center of the vehicle.

If the camber is different on both sides, it can result in a pulling action that will cause the vehicle to swerve to the side where the camber is greater. A camber needing adjustment causes increased tire wear that eventually requires you to replace your tires sooner (which is likely to be more expensive than the wheel alignment cost).

Note: While “camber” is what you’re likely to hear as you’re talking to your mechanic, you might also hear terms like Caster, Toe, Steering Axis Inclination (or SAI), Included Angle, Scrub radius, Riding height, Set back, Thrust Angle, Steering Center, Toe in, or Toe out on turns.

(Click here to read more about Camber, Caster, Toe, and The Basics of Wheel Alignment)

Wheel Misalignment Signs and Considerations

The most common sign of wheel misalignment is exhaustive or uneven wear on the tires. However, there are some signals which may not be visibly observed, which is why car owners and drivers should not take their wheel alignment for granted.

A classic sign, or symptom, would be a steering wheel that is not centered when running on a straight and level road. Another sign that many drivers leave unconsidered is when the vehicle has a slight pull to either side.

Often, people do not notice these signs until the damage becomes worse. In the meantime, they have usually had lower fuel economy and increased wear on their tires.

While car manufacturers generally suggest that wheel alignment should be done every 10,000 miles, unfortunately, not every car owner follows this. For some drivers, wheel alignment maintenance is one of the first things to go when they are trying to save money.

However, paying the small amount of money that it takes to keep your wheels properly aligned will actually save you money in the long-run. The benefits of having higher fuel economy and avoiding frequent tire replacements that occur because of uneven tire wear usually far outweigh any wheel alignment cost.

Additional Resources for Wheel Alignment:

• Learn more about Wheel Alignment
• Watch the Video: See how TalkToMyMechanic™ Works

Muffler repairs can be as simple as tightening some bolts or as complex as having the entire muffler replaced. Either way, diagnosing and fixing the problem is something that should be done by a qualified technician because, if done incorrectly, it can result in some unwanted consequences (like lack of power).

You also want the assistance of qualified professionals because all of the work is done underneath the vehicle, requiring lifts and some other specialized equipment (like an acetylene torch) for efficient and complete muffler repair.

Skip to:Muffler Repair Cost Considerations|Q&A: Common Muffler Repair Concerns

What Causes Muffler Degradation?

In general, rust is one of the most common problems that are associated with muffler repair. Throughout the course of a year, wet environmental conditions make it inevitable that liquid comes in contact with metallic parts of your car. Over time, this normal, everyday driving can allow rust to begin to develop.

It is also possible that rust can develop faster when car owners frequently go on short trips. When vapor is released into the exhaust system and is not given enough time to exit, it eventually condenses while still inside the exhaust system, putting wear and tear on different components.

The muffler’s oxygen sensor component is one of the most common repairs in the exhaust system. Failing to pay attention to the oxygen sensor can result in decreased fuel efficiency, which not only results in muffler repair but also in additional fuel costs.

Muffler Repair Cost Considerations

When it comes to muffler repair, car owners will sometimes consider the option of using a variety of muffler repair kits that are widely available today. However, you have to ask yourself if the perceived savings are really worth it.

When you decide to allow qualified professionals to handle your muffler repair problems you can be more confident that an accurate diagnosis will be made. Also, you can also be sure that other potential problems can be caught immediately before they become worse. The cost of muffler repair should be viewed from the point of view that it can actually translate to savings in the long run, even though it has the immediate appearance of being a bit more expensive than do-it-yourself solutions.

While those muffler kits are advertised as being able to take care of muffler problems without needing the help of qualified professionals, if you are not a qualified professional, how can you be sure that there are no related problems with your vehicle?

Often, when inexperienced people try to save some money by repairing their muffler themselves, another muffler problem appears just a few weeks later. Eventually, they end up spending more than if they would have taken their vehicle to a qualified professional in the first place.

Any labor charges, miscellaneous expenses, and taxes that that are included in the cost of a professional muffler repair will be far outweighed by your assurance that future troubles were foreseen and addressed by qualified professionals, leaving you with fewer worries and fewer hassles.

Q&A: Common Muffler Repair Concerns

Many car owners do not actually understand how mufflers and the exhaust system work, leading to a number of questions about muffler repair. Here are some of the most common concerns about muffler repair:

Question: Do noises in older cars (or newer cars) mean a muffler going bad?
Answer: It is important to consider that the exhaust system of a vehicle is very complex and any excessive noise can be attributed to a number of reasons, such as holes or cracks in the manifolds, pipes, gaskets, and the muffler itself. This is the reason why you should bring your vehicle (no matter how old or new it is) to qualified professionals to correctly identify the causes.

Question: Do mufflers have special soundproofing material?
Answer: Many car owners do not realize just how sophisticated the muffler and the exhaust system really are, which is probably why they just assume that an excessive noise immediately calls for muffler repair. The metal tubes inside the mechanism work together in order to cancel the sound, allowing for quieter vehicle operation.

Question: What warning signs would help me know that I need a muffler repair?
Answer: There are several early signs that normally are indications that you need a muffler repair, including: excessive rust, broken rubber hangers, damaged pipes, as well as unfit conditions of the exhaust system components. Also, if the muffler is hanging excessively low, not only can it necessitate muffler repair, but it can also be dangerous if it kicks out while the vehicle is moving.

No matter what signs or symptoms you are seeing, diagnosing and fixing the problem is something that should be done by a qualified technician because they can do the best job of keeping the muffler and the other exhaust system components in top condition.

Additional Resources for Muffler Repair:

• Learn more about Muffler Repair
• Watch the Video: See how TalkToMyMechanic™ Works

Skip to:Disc Brakes|Drum Brakes|How to Know if You Need Brake Repair

Types of Car Brakes
In general, a car’s brake system is made up of disc brakes both for the front and rear wheels or disc brakes for the front wheels and drum brakes for the rear wheels. These are all connected via hoses and tubes from the master cylinder to the brake on every wheel. The brake system is also connected with other systems including the anti-lock system, power brake booster and parking brakes.

Once you push the brake pedal, you are pushing against the master cylinder’s plunger that in turn forces the brake fluid—via a series of hoses and tubes—to the car brakes at every wheel. It is vital to note that the brake fluid used for this process has to be pure liquid with no air bubbles.

This is due to the fact that air is compressible, which can cause the brake pedal to be “spongy,” resulting in decreased braking efficiency. In case air bubbles manage to pass through, your brake system should be “bled” to eliminate it. This process will be handled through the “bleeder screws” on every caliper and wheel cylinder.

Disc Brakes
Arguably, disc brakes are the finest and most widely used car brakes. Disc brakes are preferred over other brake systems because they are self-cleaning, more durable, self-adjusting, and known to withstand water, stopping, pulling, and grabbing. In fact, because of their superior characteristics, they are heavily used outside of the automotive industry, especially in jumbo jets and locomotives.

Disc brakes are made up of a rotor, caliper, brake pads and caliper hardware. With disc brakes, the brake fluid coming from the master cylinder is directed to the caliper where it will be pushed against the piston. In turn, the piston will press the brake pads against the rotor or disc fastened to the wheel which will make the wheel stop or slow down.

Through simple physics, we know that a vehicle in motion possesses kinetic energy and it is the responsibility of the car brakes to get rid of this kinetic energy so that the car will stop or slow down. When you have successfully stopped the vehicle, the car brakes will have transformed the energy into heat produced by friction generated on the surface of the brake pads. Over time, this heat causes the brake linings—the surfaces of the brake pads—to wear out, eventually reaching a point where they need to be replaced.

Drum Brakes
The components of drum brakes include a brake drum, brake shoes, backing plate, return springs, wheel cylinder, or a self-adjusting. With drum brakes, the brake fluid will be directed under pressure from the master cylinder to the wheel cylinder. The wheel cylinder in turn forces the brake shoes to get in contact with the drum’s machined surface located inside it.

Once the pressure has been released, the return springs will pull back the brake shoes to a position where they are at rest. With the wearing of the brake linings, the brake shoes are then tasked to travel a much longer distance in order for them to get in touch with the brake drum. Once this distance has reached a particular point, the self-adjusting system will respond and adjust the brake shoes’ rest position for them to be nearer to the brake drum.

The drum brakes’ brake shoes are responsible for converting your vehicle’s forward motion into heat, just like the disc brakes’ brake pads. This heat will eventually cause the brake linings on the brake pads to wear out and need be replaced.

How to Know if You Need Brake Repair
Brakes endure a certain amount of wear and tear every time you go for a drive, making it very important to know when it is time to have the mechanic check your brakes.

Here are some of the most common symptoms and warning signs that may indicate that you need brake repair:

• When you require greater effort when stepping on your brake pedals to make the car brakes function.
• When you encounter a severe pressure drop in your brake’s hydraulics.
• When you apply the brakes, your car pulls or swerves sideways.
• When you feel that your car brakes “grab” even when you only exert a small amount of pressure when stepping on it.
• When your entire car, brake pedal, or steering wheel vibrates or shakes when the brakes are applied.
• When you notice that your car brakes are unusually close to your vehicle’s floorboards when applied, which may lead to the activation of your brake warning light.
• When your car brakes squeal loudly. In general, a little squealing here and there is not uncommon, but loud noises accompanied by loud screeches are causes for alarm.

The modern, more advanced brake systems that are now used for cars have been refined and restructured numerous times since their inception and have become more efficient, reliable, and durable. They’ve also become harder to maintain and repair.

Since car brakes are important investments for you and your family’s safety, you should have your car brakes periodically checked and maintained by a professional mechanic so you won’t have brake problems.

Additional Resources for Brake Repair:

• Learn more about Brake Repair
• Watch the Video: See how TalkToMyMechanic™ Works

• Rotor – the assembly of the rotor includes many ‘pole shoes’, slip rings, and copper field windings mounted on the alternator’s crankshaft. The rotor’s North (N) and South (S) poles pass across the stator windings’ sets (in threes) to generate three phase alternating current or AC.
• Stator – located among the alternator’s two halves with the spinning rotor found in the middle. It has poles with winding copper wires, with the poles grouped in threes for supplying three phase current.
• Diode – this is a 1-way valve used for electricity. It employs infinite resistance in one direction and low resistance in the other.
• Slip Rings – two copper rings attached to the rotor’s shaft and works in conjunction with the brushes to energize the alternator’s field coil.
• Brushes – these are created from graphite and are tasked to get in touch with the 2 slip rings for a common purpose.
• Rectifier Diodes – 6 of these diodes which include 3 negative and 3 positive are used for converting the stator’s 3 phase AC (alternating current) output to DC (direct current).
• Regulator or Extra Diodes – some car alternators have extra diodes that simply imitate the function of the rectifier diodes. However, they only contain small loads.
• Voltage Regulator – tasked to supply electrical current to rotor field coil through the slip rings and brushes. It also varies the electrical current for controlling the output of the alternator. Almost all current alternators are internally regulated since the voltage regulator is inside them.

Additional Resources for Alternator Problems:

• Learn more about Alternator Problems
• Watch the Video: See how TalkToMyMechanic™ Works

Symptoms that Signal Your Wheels are out of Alignment

• When your car drifts away when driving straight or when driving on a level and straight road
• The steering wheel’s spokes are inclined to one side even when driving straight
• Faster than normal and uneven wear on tires

Skip to: Checking to see if you Need Wheel Alignment Adjustments

Primary Angles for Wheel Alignment
These are the fundamental wheel angle alignment of tires relative to the body of the vehicle and to each other. These include the camber, caster, and the toe.

What is Camber?
Camber is the wheel angle (calculated in degrees). When not properly adjusted, the camber is capable of causing faster tire wear on one portion of the wheel’s tread. It can also cause an issue by pulling in one direction or the other.

What is Caster?
Caster is the steering pivot angle (calculated in degrees) as seen from the side. When a caster is misaligned, it causes issues in driving, or “tracking,” in a straight line. If the caster is not equal on all sides, the car will likely pull to the positive caster’s side. With an equal caster that is more negative than positive, the car will wander off because steering can be lighter than usual, but won’t maintain tracking in a straight line.

What is Toe?
The toe is the most vital setting for wheel alignment, and is a big factor to the wear and tear of your tires. If the alignment setting of the toe is even 1/32 inch off, every tire on that particular axle will drag sideways almost ½ foot for each mile, which leads to faster tire wear.

The angle of the toe will identify the tires’ direction compared to the car’s centerline. Cars with rear-wheel drive push their front tires when rolling on the road, while resistance triggers drag that result in the suspension arms’ rearward movement in opposition to the bushings. In this case, cars with rear-wheel drive employ positive toe for balancing the movement of the suspension.

On the other hand, cars with front-wheel drive pull the car which results in the suspension arms’ forward movement in opposition to the bushings. In this case, these cars employ negative toe as opposed to positive toe for cars with rear-wheel drive.

Other wheel alignment settings are considered secondary angles, including SAI or steering axis inclination, included angle, maximum turns, toe out on turns, track width difference, toe curve change, wheelbase difference, rear ride height, front ride height, frame angle, and setback.

Checking to see if you Need Wheel Alignment Adjustments
To check if your car requires wheel alignment, inspect all your tires and check for uneven patterns of wear and tear. However, the main issue with this inspection method is that in the event that you do see uneven patterns of wear as mentioned below, there is a higher chance that your tire will not be saved because of severe damage. This is the reason why you should regularly have you wheels checked by mechanics.

Get a coin and place it in the wheel’s tread at the outside, center and inside. If you notice that the tread is shallower in the center and deeper at the edges, your tire may be over-inflated. If you notice that the tread is shallower at the edges than in the center, your tire may be under-inflated. If you notice that the tread is shallower on one side and deeper in the other, you should consult a trained wheel alignment specialist as soon as possible.

Also, if the tire’s tread is jagged in one direction and smooth in another direction, this is called a “saw-tooth” wear pattern, which typically is caused by toe in issues. In this case, having an alignment specialist check your wheels is also recommended since this can greatly contribute to faster wear and tear of your tires.

Additional Resources for Wheel Alignment:

• Learn more about Wheel Alignment
• Watch the Video: See how TalkToMyMechanic™ Works