Waiting until the bitter cold before thinking about fixing up those strange sounds? You may want to think again! Fall is the perfect time to get both minor as well as major repairs fixed on your newer or late-model car.
Extreme temperatures, both hot and cold can wreak havoc on small problems with your front end or under your hood. Something that may just be clicking now, may snap when the cold air hits. By repairing front-end damage before it becomes major, not only are you putting your safety first, but you will also save a ton of money. Is your car winter-ready?
Another important thing you should consider is preparing an emergency kit for your car! A winter emergency kit can make sure you are prepared for the worst-case scenario!
Regardless of what type of work you need to be done on your car or truck, Mr. Muffler can help. We recommend scheduling an appointment to get a bumper-to-bumper inspection on your vehicle. The best time to make an appointment is now! Avoid the crazy busy times that winter brings into the shop. Our auto mechanics can provide you with an estimate and discuss with you what needs to be repaired on your car or truck.
What to look for in a battery charger. It is an important question to ask. During the winter months, your car battery can die faster. As a result, you can experience the frustration of a dead battery in the morning. While replacing your battery is ideal, a car battery charger can start up a depleted battery. However, there are certain qualities your battery charger needs to be effective.
About everyone has an experience with a dead battery. Sometimes you are starting up your car in the morning and refuse to run. Other times, your battery can fail. As a result, you could be stuck in an unknown and dangerous location. You could spend hours waiting for roadside assistance. In addition, calling family and friends to help jumpstart your car with jumper cables could be impossible.
The solution to this was creating a compact battery charger that would be able to spark the battery back to life. A battery charger can kept in your car, allowing easy access to the charger if your battery were to die. It is the simplest and easiest solution when it comes to restarting your dead battery. However, there are important features that you need to consider for your charger.
A battery charger is extremely useful for car owners. However, you can’t just pick up any battery charger. Because there are variations between a car model’s battery, some batteries will not be able to charge it. Furthermore, the charger’s features can also vary. So, here are a few things you should be looking for.
The most important part of a car battery charger is the voltage and amperage. If you do not have the right voltage or enough amperage, that battery will not charge at all. So you need to know what type of amperage and voltage your battery needs to charge. As a result, it will help you rule out chargers that don’t make the cut.
After ruling out these chargers, you should consider the features of the tool. This can include how compact the battery is, the effectiveness of the clamps, how long the charger can last, and other vital, quality of life features. Those features are up to the car owner’s discussion. Yet, it is nonetheless important. After all, the car owner is the one using it.
Even with the best battery charger, it won’t prevent your battery from dying. Your car will show signs that you will need to replace your current battery. Regardless if your battery is dead or faulty, you can trust the professionals at Mr. Muffler.
Mr. Muffler has decades of experience in dealing with car batteries and other car services. You will leave Mr. Muffler with satisfaction and a working battery, guaranteed! Have car battery troubles? Come down to Mr. Muffler and take advantage of our great deals!
As a parent, one of the most stressful things to deal with is your kid’s first car. In addition to having to deal with initial costs, you have to figure out what restrictions you need to have with your son or daughter. That doesn’t include when the inevitable accident happens. Here are some tips to help anxious parents!
It’s time for your kid to start driving! The idea of your child having this much independence is exciting and terrifying. The feeling can be overwhelming especially as you prepare your child’s first car. When buying your kid’s first car, there are a few essential things you need to take into account:
Typically, the first car for a teenager will be previously owned (used car or truck). For a used vehicle it is important to get the car inspected prior to letting your child drive it. However, getting a car is typically the second step. After all, the biggest hurdle a parent has to face is how to coach their child through their driving experience.
Driving is a privilege that requires a level of responsibility that your teenager is starting to learn. Furthermore, driving can be a complicated task. According to the University of Michigan’s Transportation Research Institute, injuries from car crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers. Although driver’s education teaches teenagers how to drive, they need a lot of practice to drive effectively. In fact, parents should consider spending 50 hours of supervised driving time with their children to help teach them safe driving.
When teaching your child how to drive you need to have open and honest communication with them about goals and expectations. While driving, parents should:
In addition, there are plenty of ways you can help your child at the beginning of their driving journey. To be sure, one of the most important things is teaching your child about maintaining and taking care of their car or truck.
When you were young did you pay close attention to oil levels, tread on your tires, or muffler noises? I’m guessing most of you didn’t. There are plenty of checks that you can show your teenage driver how to do. However, certain maintenance task needs to be done by professionals. And when your child inevitably has their first accident, it’s important to teach them about choosing an auto repair shop. When it comes to car maintenance and repair, Mr. Muffler has been servicing parents and their kid’s cars for nearly 30 years! We treat our customers like family, just ask anyone in Westland or check our reviews on Google or FaceBook!
Now that the summer months have hit, it is time for some summer car inspections. The summertime is always busy! Vacations and road trips across the state or country are always on the table. You can even cross the border and explore Canada! Even if you do not have any grand plans, your vehicle is still subject to daily trips to work and errands. Before hitting the road, whether for a long trip or for daily commuting, you should get your car inspected. In fact, everyone should start their summer by getting their car looked at.
The summer season provides unique stressors that can affect your vehicle. Cars are constantly at risk of overheating due to the intense weather. The heat can wreak havoc on your car’s systems causing massive breakdowns. This can lead to issues like:
So, how do you avoid these issues?
Before you hit the road, there are a few ways that you can help to make sure your car is not going to break down on you.
Before you hit the road, you should check your:
Coolants
You should check your coolant levels and make sure it is clean. After all, your coolant is essential to keeping your car from overheating. Your coolant should be translucent and clear from contaminants. If it is not, you need to flush your coolant system.
Tire Pressure
The summer heat can drastically affect your car’s tire pressure. Tire pressure increases faster in the summer than in the winter. Tire air pressure increases during the summer and decreases during the winter with lower temperatures. Proper tire air pressure is important year round to the overall wear and performance of your cars tires. Avoid unnecessary wear and dangerous driving conditions by maintaining the correct air pressure in your tires.
Brakes
During the summer months, people tend to put pressure on their braking system. This causes brake discs and pads to wear down, tearing them apart. It can also cause leaks in your braking fluids line. Most brakes need to be replaced every 30,000-35,000 miles in urban use. In less demanding situations like highway driving in light traffic, brakes may last 80,000 miles or more. It is always a good idea it’s important to have your brakes and braking system inspected before taking a road trip.
Battery
Your car’s battery should always be regularly inspected. High temperatures and humidity can help to corrode your car battery and help to weaken it and prematurely end its useful life. In addition to helping to start your vehicle, your car battery has other functions that help to operate your vehicle.
Don’t feel like you can thoroughly inspect your car? Mr. Muffler can give your car a thorough 21-point inspection to make sure you’re ready to take on the summer! We offer a variety of services to maintain your vehicle like radiator flushes and oil changes! In addition to your car exhaust system and muffler maintenance, we are really known for our outstanding auto service and repair work.
Located in Westland, our mechanics work hard to satisfy our customers. Please avoid the hassle this summer and come to our local auto repair shop today! Finally, be sure to join us on Facebook today.
The dangers and damage from vehicle exhaust leaks cannot be understated. Some of them may be obvious, however, there may be some that you have not considered. While most know that the fumes can be very harmful, less obvious may be the damage that an exhaust leak can do to your vehicle. This article covers a bit of both.
Most people are concerned about protecting the environment. Car exhaust is a significant contributor to air pollution, releasing greenhouse gases and pollutants that harm the environment. Although there have been many improvements over the years, Gas or Diesel powered vehicles still have a significant impact. In that regard, these pollutants contribute to smog formation, damage vegetation, and can have long-term effects on ecosystems. By fixing exhaust leaks and reducing emissions, individuals can help minimize their impact on the environment.
It is important to address any car exhaust leaks promptly. If you suspect a leak, it is recommended to have your vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic and your vehicle repaired as necessary to ensure your safety and the well-being of others.
Exhaust system leaks can cause damage to a vehicle in several ways:
The exhaust system plays a crucial role in the proper functioning of the engine. Leaks in the exhaust system can disrupt the backpressure balance required for optimal engine performance. This can result in reduced power, decreased fuel efficiency, and poor acceleration. In addition, the heat from an exhaust system, particularly in the engine compartment can lead to the escape of hot gases near the engine components. Over time, this can cause overheating of surrounding parts, including wiring, hoses, and nearby components. Excessive heat can lead to the deterioration of these components, leading to malfunctions or even engine damage.
O2 Sensor Malfunction: The oxygen (O2) sensors in the exhaust system are responsible for measuring the oxygen content in the exhaust gases. If there is an exhaust leak upstream of the O2 sensors, it can introduce false air into the system, leading to inaccurate readings. As a result, you may have poor fuel economy, rough idling, and even trigger the check engine light.
Damage to Exhaust Components: Exhaust leaks can cause corrosion and damage to various components of the exhaust system, including the exhaust manifold, catalytic converter, muffler, and pipes. The presence of moisture and corrosive gases in the exhaust can accelerate rust and corrosion, leading to weakened or perforated components. If left unaddressed, this can result in the need for costly repairs or replacements.
One of the noticeable signs of an exhaust system leak is increased noise and vibrations from the vehicle. When there is a leak, the exhaust gases escape before they can be properly muffled by the muffler. This can result in a loud noise both annoying to you and other drivers. In addition, some cities issue tickets for noise pollution. However, the whistling from an exhaust leak is another tell tail sign of a leak that if not a problem immediately will be very soon.
As we mentioned; it is important to address exhaust system leaks promptly to prevent further damage to the vehicle and ensure optimal performance and safety. If you suspect an exhaust leak or simply want a thorough inspection to make sure your car is operating at peak performance levels CONTACT MR MUFFLER TODAY!