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Archive for July 2023TCB your PCV (PCV Valve Replacement)Posted July 30, 2023 7:02 AMYour gasoline engine goes through some exhausting work. Yes, it's truly exhausting, as in: it produces exhaust! And when your engine starts behaving like it's exhausted, such as running poorly or getting lousy fuel economy, the trouble may be something called a PCV valve. Did you know it's a series of explosions that creates the power in your engine? The spark plugs ignite a mixture of gasoline and air and BANG! A whole bunch of those and you're engine is humming away. Leftover vapors from those explosions go into your crankcase, which is also a place where engine oil goes. Those vapors still have a lot of unburned fuel in them, and if they had nowhere to go, they'd turn your oil into a thick mess called sludge, not good for a smooth running engine. Engineers came up with an idea. Re-direct those gasses building up in the crankcase into the engine's air intake and mix them with fresh air. That way the unburned fuel could go through the engine again and produce power. It also means the unburned fuel doesn't pollute the air. The part that makes that happen is called the Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve. Besides reducing pollution and preventing the oil from turning to sludge, the PCV valve also relieves pressure in the crankcase, reducing the potential for oil to leak. One of the reasons you should get your oil changed as frequently as your vehicle's manufacturer recommends is that it helps reduce chances for problems with the PCV valve. After a while, the PCV valve can itself get gummed up and stick, and the driver may notice oil leaks, reduced power or engine hesitation. That's why it's important to make sure the PCV valve is operating like it should, and often it can be diagnosed during a visual inspection by our technicians. Replacing a PCV valve is usually quick and inexpensive. After it's done, your vehicle will run with the performance and fuel economy you're used to. Goodbye exhaustion! Houston ADAS A Turn for the Worse (Using Turn Signals)Posted July 23, 2023 7:02 AMDistracted driving is bad, you know that. Daydreaming, talking on the cell phone, putting your makeup on in the rear view mirror. All bad. But there's something else that causes more than twice as many accidents, according to a recent study. And that's people who don't use their turn signals. Maybe you're one of them. One survey said nearly a quarter of drivers were just too lazy to use their turn signals. Others said they didn't use them because they weren't really necessary. Traffic laws may dictate otherwise, but statistics show police don't write that many tickets for turn signal violations. You may have encountered the driver who cuts into your lane without signaling a change. Often, that person does it deliberately to catch you off guard so you won't invade his or her space. And when it comes to young drivers using turn signals, one insurance company survey showed more than two-thirds of those they talked to admitted it wasn't their regular practice. Knowing that, you may wonder why you should use your turn signal. The reason is simple. It lets other drivers know what you plan to do. Driving it tricky enough with all the moving parts on the road. The more you know what other people are doing, the more you can prepare for that with the way you drive. How many times have you seen someone turn left without putting their turn signal on? That's a leading cause of rear-end accidents. Not only does using your turn signal promote safety, it also shows courtesy to other drivers. There are some drivers who don't use turn signals because their turn signals don't work. What a lousy excuse! All of the safety equipment in your vehicle should be working; if it isn't, head over to your repair facility. Often it's as simple as a burned out bulb or a broken wire. Finally, the number one reported reason for not using a turn signal is that drivers just forget to do it. (And the ones who DO use their turn signals and forget they're on? We won't even go there.) Engineers put turn signals on vehicles for a reason. They help drivers communicate with other drivers. Using them could save accidents… and lives.
Winter TiresPosted July 16, 2023 8:30 AMWhat type of technology do you use? Do you prefer an 8-track tape or an iPod? When it comes to winter tires, much of Porter driver's perception dates back to when 8-track was the best way to listen to the Bee Gees. Houston ADAS Fuel Saving Tip: Slow Down Around PorterPosted July 9, 2023 7:19 AM
Houston ADAS Got it Covered! (Timing Cover Maintenance)Posted July 2, 2023 8:26 AMYou may have heard at one time or another about something called a timing belt or timing chain in your engine. And you may know that if they fail… well, let's just say that there can be some major engine damage. So obviously, we want our timing belts and chains to be in tip-top shape. One part that helps keep them running the way they should is the timing cover. As you can probably guess, it's something that covers the belt or chain. The timing cover protects both belts and chains from dirt and road debris. Timing belts also need to be lubricated so their covers allow them to be lubricated as well. They have a gasket that insures a good seal for the engine. If that gasket breaks or develops a leak, then engine oil can escape, and loss of lubrication is never good for an engine component. Other symptoms of a failed timing cover are leaking coolant, a metallic sound coming from the front of your engine or your Check Engine light coming on. You might also notice a drop in power when you're going uphill. It's important that your timing cover be in good condition and functioning properly. Your repair facility will check out that part of your engine to make sure gaskets are in good shape and the cover is doing the job it's meant to do. Catch that leaking or broken timing cover in time and your engine will thank you for avoiding some serious damage and an expensive repair. Houston ADAS | ||
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