Jeeps are a very popular vehicle in Oregon & Idaho. Due to the famously tough terrain and heavy snowfall, people need a vehicle they can be confident will get them to where they need to be no matter the obstacle. Jeeps are tough, there’s no question about it. However, like any vehicle, they will run into car issues that need to be repaired eventually. While you may not need too many of them, being aware of the most common Jeep repairs will benefit you. It can sometimes be hard to tell when exactly your vehicle needs service.
Don’t Get Caught by Surprise
One thing that often happens with Jeep owners is that they’ll come in for service and be shocked to hear that they need a lot of work done. The good thing about [...]
Whether by plane, train, or automobile, Holiday travel has a reputation for being stressful. Traveling by car can be particularly stressful since it means remaining diligent throughout your trip. Heavy traffic, bad weather, and distractions only add to it. This creates the perfect scenario for an auto accident or collision that can lead to needing major car repairs. Play it safe this year and make sure you’re prepared to hit the road by following these tips:
Make Sure Your Vehicle is MaintainedBreakdowns on the highway are inconvenient, dangerous, and cause a traffic snag for everyone else on the road. Make sure your vehicle is ready to hit the road by having the tires inspected and fluids topped off. If there are any unusual sounds under the hood, have it looked at. Check your wipers to make sure they’re in good condition and replace them if they need it. It’s probably time for a new [...]
Road rage is all too common these days. From simple merging mistakes to speed and traffic, there’s no shortage of triggers out there, either. When we get worked up behind the week, a simple hand gesture or some name-calling can seem like a convenient way to vent our frustrations, however, this behavior can lead to a dangerous situation. When tempers flare behind the wheel, accidents and collisions can occur very easily. We thought we would share some tips on how to avoid losing your cool behind the wheel to help keep you a bit safer on the road.
Keep Calm and Carry OnAs simple as it sounds, it can be quite difficult to let things go while driving. After all, that person who didn’t notice you in their blind spot before merging could have caused an accident, and that person driving slow in the left lane could be making you late for a meeting. [...]
There’s more than meets the eye when it comes to the engine in your vehicle. You may be aware that the engine is responsible for creating the energy to move the vehicle forward, but how well do you really know how it works? What’s the difference between a diesel and gas engine, a four-cylinder versus a V6, or a two vs four-stroke engine? Learn more about how each of the many components and parts that work together to get the vehicle into motion as well as the difference between them, so you can get to know your engine.
Gas and Diesel-Powered Engines
While both engines function on applying the intake, compression and power, exhaust, and air to fuel proportions, each engine functions differently. Diesel-powered engines take air into the combustion chamber while gas-powered engines take in both air and fuel. Power and compression differs as well. Each engine compresses air into a small area, creating [...]
When the sun goes down and it gets dark outside, a driver’s ability to see the road becomes a lot more of a challenge. Luckily, all vehicles are outfitted with headlights to help illuminate the road ahead. Over time, just like any light, they can begin to dim or burn out altogether. Driving around with just one headlight could pose a danger to yourself and other drivers as well as put you at risk for a traffic violation. If you’re in the dark about your car’s headlights, we’ll shed some light on everything you need to know about your car’s lighting.
How Many Lights Are Out?
If you notice just one headlight out, as opposed to two, you can assume that just one bulb has burned out and requires a replacement. [...]
Sometimes it happens that you have to go on a trip in the hot season, and your car has no air conditioning or it is broken. What shall you do then? First of all, do not cancel your trip. Air conditioning may get broken in the middle of nowhere. You never know. Moreover, sometimes you cannot repair it as quickly as possible.
Air conditioning is one of those modern marvels most of us have grown used to by now—perhaps too used to. Believe it or not, people survived in the days before reliable, widely-available aircon, and you can, too. Here’s our guide on how to embrace the sweaty life without dying.
When the weather is hot, the biggest risk is dehydration. When your body lacks water, you [...]
Each changing of the season creates new stressors that can affect the performance of your automobile. Having automotive problems can make you second guess taking that road trip or even a visit to the local swimming hole. What many Portland, Oregon, and Idaho, drivers do is schedule a service appointment at Mac’s Radiator & Automotive Service.
When you schedule any kind of service at Mac’s, they let you know, as a courtesy, if there are any other weak spots in your vehicle that need attention before a failure. Often times, drivers forget to change fluids, fail to top off fluids, or have premature wear in spots that they can’t see. When it comes to summertime problems, it is common for drivers to experience weak batteries, transmission problems, engine stalling, A/C system failures, and overheating.
Carburetors are responsible for mixing air with fuel to obtain the correct ratio for a combustible vehicle’s engine. The carburetor also helps to control the engine’s speed when the gas pedal is pressed. However, you don’t hear much about carburetors in cars too much these days, with the advent of fuel injected engines. But, that doesn’t mean they’ve gone away completely. You’ll still find carburetors on small engine machines, like your lawn mower, rototillers, and other such equipment. That leads us to question, what’s the function of a carburetor and what is the difference from fuel-injection?
The carburetor is a pipe above the engine cylinders with an air pipe and a fuel pipe connected to it. The air pipe brings in outside air, first through an [...]
Hooray! You’ve decided to get a new car. You may even have your heart set on a certain make and model, but you just can’t decide whether to buy or lease your new car. When it comes to deciding whether to buy or lease, it’s best to consider the pros and cons of each option. Simply put, buying a car means it’s yours to do so as you please whereas leasing a car is similar to an extended rental. Leasing is like renting an apartment versus paying a mortgage for a home. Neither one is right or wrong, you’ll just need to decide which option works best for you, your finances, and your lifestyle.
Why You Should Consider a Lease
If you’re looking for a lower down payment and monthly payment, want the [...]
Beyond your steering wheel lies the dashboard, called the On-Board Diagnostic system or OBD, that shows detailed information on your vehicle’s operation and performance. In short, it’s a uniformed system that allows the vehicle to monitor and communicate via the car’s internal computer system or ECM/PCM. OBD is essential in monitoring major engine functions, electrical condition, and measuring vehicle emissions. A qualified technician utilizes the vital information that is stored by OBD to help determine what mechanical or electrical processes have failed in order to repair a vehicle.
What Is OBD?
The Check Engine Light is Part of the OBD
Sensors within the vehicle’s engine monitor and provide information to the vehicle’s computer to keep it performing optimally. The engine itself is a complex component and has many internal operations that work together in order to keep the vehicle moving forward. The internal [...]
