Bad Vibes
Posted March 26, 2023 10:51 AMYour vehicle has a way of letting you know when something's wrong. Consider a vibrating steering wheel. It certainly didn't do that when it was new, so that shake is trying to tell you something.
There are a few things that can cause your steering wheel to vibrate as you drive down the road. One of the most common is out-of-balance tires. You may not only feel that wobble in your steering wheel, you might also feel it in the tires. Sometimes it's not there when you're driving at lower speeds through residential areas, and sometimes it starts when you hit highway speeds.
So what is tire balance anyway? Well, you have a rubber tire that fits around a metal wheel. It should have the same weight all the way around. If it doesn't, it will start getting the shakes. Ever load your washing machine so that all the clothes are at one side of that drum that spins? When it hits the spin cycle, it can throw that washer against the wall.
That's the same thing that's happening with an out-of-balance tire/wheel combination. A technician has special equipment to figure out where to put small weights on the wheel to get things back in balance again. But it could be that you hit a pothole some time ago and bent the rim. Or your tire isn't as round and even as it once was. That could be due to age, damage or wear and tear. The technician will know and offer you options.
Another possibility for that vibrating wheel is a faulty brake, such as warped rotors or a sticky caliper. All of these issues can be evaluated as part of regular, routine maintenance with us. There are many things that cause vibrations in your wheels. But you don't want any bad vibes when it comes to your vehicle.
Garrigan's Auto Repair Shop
6465 E GOLF LINKS RD
TUCSON, AZ 85730
(520) 572-7505
What Is an Exhaust Leak and an EGR Valve?
Posted March 22, 2023 5:04 AMIf you've ever felt your vehicle hesitate, go, then hesitate again, you might think there's something wrong with the transmission. After all, it's not moving smoothly down the road. But there are plenty of malfunctions that can cause those symptoms, one of them being something you may have never heard of: the EGR valve.
EGR stands for Exhaust Gas Recirculation. It's a system that channels small amounts of exhaust back into the engine to cool down the cylinders and reduce polluting gases. Those include nitrogen oxides that can cause smog. The EGR valve regulates how much of the vehicle's exhaust gas is recirculated. After years and long distances traveled, that valve can get clogged or fail. Sometimes the EGR valve can stick open. When the EGR valve isn't working properly, your vehicle can start releasing those nitrogen oxides and pollute the air.
The symptoms of a malfunctioning EGR valve include:
- Engine losing power
- Engine idling roughly
- Pinging and knocking sounds in the engine
- Stalling and hesitation
- Fuel economy decreasing
- Check Engine light illuminated
Depending on its condition, the EGR valve can be cleaned or it may need to be replaced. Consult with your service advisor to see what options are recommended to you.
The EGR system is part of your vehicle's pollution and emissions control equipment. If you care about keeping our planet's atmosphere clean, you'll want to make sure it's doing its job—for everyone's benefit.
Garrigan's Auto Repair Shop
6465 E GOLF LINKS RD
TUCSON, AZ 85730
(520) 572-7505
http://garrigansautorepair.com
Fuel Saving Tip: Alignment for Your TUCSON Vehicle
Posted March 22, 2023 11:04 AM
Imagine you've left TUCSON and you're up in the arctic on a dog sled.
Your dog team is pulling straight and true. You can cover a lot of ground quickly. Now imagine what would happen if one or two of the dogs wanted to go their own way and were pulling off to the side.
That would slow you down. You would have to work harder to keep the sled going where you want it. The dogs are all working as hard as before, but you're covering less ground for the same effort.
You're wasting kibble.
The same is true of your vehicle when the wheels are out of alignment. That wheel that's pulling to the side is dragging down the rest of the vehicle; so you push a little harder on the gas pedal to keep up your speed. You're wasting gas.
So have your wheel alignment checked at least once a year. It is important to get it checked right away if you feel the vehicle pulling to one side.
Sometimes we TUCSON residents bump a curb or hit a pothole and knock our wheels out of alignment. An accident can take the wheels out of alignment as well.
TUCSON residents need to make sure they're tracking straight. You'll get better fuel economy and your tires'll last longer. Now, mush!
Garrigan's Auto Repair Shop
6465 E GOLF LINKS RD
TUCSON, AZ 85730
(520) 572-7505
http://garrigansautorepair.com
Differential Service in TUCSON, AZ - What You Need to Know
Posted March 22, 2023 11:04 AM
Scratching your head? Don't worry, if you don't know what a differential is – you will in a moment. That fact is that if you drive a car anywhere in TUCSON, AZ, you have a differential. Whether your vehicle is front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, you have a differential. Some TUCSON vehicles might even have two or three.
Not surprisingly, a differential's job is to compensate for differences; specifically, they're the differences in wheel speed when turning. For instance, imagine taking a corner near your TUCSON, AZ, home. Your inside wheel has a shorter distance to travel than the outside wheel as you turn the corner. That means that your outside wheel has to turn faster to keep pace with the inside wheel.
The differential allows the wheels to turn at different speeds while still providing power to your vehicle. Without a differential, TUCSON residents' tires would scrub and hop along the pavement during turns like the early cars.
Ever noticed the big bulge in the middle of the rear axle on trucks? That's the differential. Rear-wheel drive vehicles have a differential in back. Most four-wheel drive trucks and SUVs will also have a similar differential on the front axle. A front-wheel drive vehicle's differential is called a transaxle because it combines the differential and transmission in one unit. An all-wheel drive vehicle will have a differential or transfer case that adjusts for speed differences between the front and rear drive wheels.
It can seem a little complex to some TUCSON drivers - but you can see that all of the engine's power is routed through your differentials. They're strong enough to handle the work, but- we've said it before - they need to be properly lubricated in order to stay strong. So from time to time, you need to schedule a differential service in TUCSON at Garrigan's Auto Repair Shop. The used fluid is drained and replaced with clean fluid. Some advise certain differentials to have special additives installed.
Get your differential serviced at Garrigan's Auto Repair Shop in TUCSON.
Garrigan's Auto Repair Shop
6465 E GOLF LINKS RD
TUCSON, AZ 85730
(520) 572-7505
http://garrigansautorepair.com
Transmission Service at Garrigan's Auto Repair Shop in TUCSON
Posted March 22, 2023 11:04 AMLet's talk about transmission service. It can be easy for TUCSON drivers to forget about getting their transmission serviced because it doesn't need it very often. It's easier for people in AZ to remember to change the engine oil - you know, every 3,000 miles or 5,000 kilometers. But proper transmission servicing keeps your vehicle running smoothly and helps you avoid repairs down the road.
The transmission undergoes a lot of stress. The grit you can see in used transmission fluid is actually bits of metal that wear off the gears in the transmission. In addition to that, the transmission operates at very high temperatures. Usually, it's much higher than engine temperatures. Those high temperatures eventually cause the transmission fluid to start to break down and lose efficiency.
As the fluid gets older, it gets gritty and doesn't lubricate and cool the vehicle transmission as well - leading to even more wear. The fluid can actually get sludgy and plug up the maze of fluid passages inside the transmission. At best, your transmission won't operate smoothly. At worst, it could lead to damage.
When your transmission is running properly, it transfers more power from your engine to the drive wheels and improves fuel economy. That's why it is recommended to change your transmission fluid at regular intervals. Your owner's manual has a schedule for transmission service and, of course, your service advisor at Garrigan's Auto Repair Shop can tell you what is recommended.
Hot and dusty TUCSON area conditions, towing, hauling, stop-and-go driving and jackrabbit starts all begin to increase the load on the transmission and its internal temperature. That means TUCSON vehicles with these types of transmission requirements need to change the fluid more often. A good rule of thumb is every 35,000 miles, 55,000 kilometers or two years. If your owner’s manual suggests more frequent intervals or if you're driving under severe service conditions around the TUCSON area, you will need to change it more often.
Most TUCSON auto service centers (including Garrigan's Auto Repair Shop) have the ability to perform a transmission service while you wait and the cost is quite reasonable. It's downright cheap when you think about how much a major transmission repair can cost! Our pros at Garrigan's Auto Repair Shop will know the right type of transmission fluid to use. If it's getting to be time to have your transmission serviced, do your vehicle a favor and have it done.
Garrigan's Auto Repair Shop
6465 E GOLF LINKS RD
TUCSON, AZ 85730
(520) 572-7505
http://garrigansautorepair.com
Not Too Hot and Not Too Cold (Temperature Gauge)
Posted March 22, 2023 11:04 AMYou know your body temperature is supposed to be 98.6 degrees F, 37 degrees C. Your vehicle has a normal temperature, too, and if you pay attention to it, that can save you some big headaches down the road.
Many vehicles have a temperature gauge on the dash that takes the temperature of the engine's coolant. Some have a thermometer symbol, some read C-H (cold to hot). Many will have a red zone that shows when water temperature is getting into the danger zone. Others are digital and have a red warning light that signals overheating. And some vehicles have a light that goes on when the engine temperature is out of the normal range.
If your vehicle has a gauge, pay attention to it. If you need help locating it, ask one of our Garrigan's Auto Repair Shop experts to give you a quick explanation. Chances are when the vehicle has been running for 15 minutes or more, the temperature gauge will settle into its own "normal" zone, often just below the midway point. If you have a digital readout, remember what that "normal" temperature is. Here's why.
At any point when you're driving, the temperature gauge is the quickest way to get a sense that the engine is running the way it should, a quick health checkup, as it were. Say you're on a 3-hour trip, glance at that gauge every hour or so. It should always be in the same spot. If it starts to move one way or the other, you may be able to catch a problem before it gets serious.
Pay special attention to it moving into the hot zone. The needle on the gauge is the easiest and least distracting way to see an engine heating up, but on a digital gauge, start paying attention if the temperature reaches 240ºF/115ºC or more.
Remember, though, that just because the gauge reads "hot" doesn't mean your engine is on the verge of burning up. It could be a bad sensor and the engine will be at a normal temperature. But it also could be a failing water pump, coolant leak or thermostat. By pulling off the road and observing your engine, it will give you a pretty good idea if it's running hot or not.
If the gauge is too "cold," it could be a broken gauge or thermostat sticking open. Usually being in the cold range isn't as worrisome, but you should have it checked out since other systems may be affected.
Heat is one of a vehicle's worst enemies, especially when it comes from within. Know your vehicle's normal temperature and keep an eye on it.
Garrigan's Auto Repair Shop
6465 E GOLF LINKS RD
TUCSON, AZ 85730
(520) 572-7505
http://garrigansautorepair.com
Drivers that "T" Us Off (Bad Driving Practices)
Posted March 22, 2023 11:04 AMWe've all seen drivers who do things that—let's be frank—really irritate us. They're inconsiderate, can put people in danger and make the road a much less friendly place. They really "T" us off. These are the bad drivers who fit their description to a "T."
- The Tailgater. You've seen this terrible driver who follows a few inches off the bumper of the vehicle ahead. We all know what's going to happen if the driver ahead of the tailgater has to slam on the brakes. And we've all been that driver followed by the tailgater, whose vehicle fills up your entire rearview mirror. The tailgater is likely not in a great frame of mind and, thanks to his or her stupid driving practices, the "tailgatee" is getting pretty ticked off as well. That's a formula for a big problem. Know anybody who respects or likes a tailgater? Didn't think so
- The Texter. All sorts of people think they are perfectly capable of texting while driving. It's not hard to spot them. They're usually going more slowly than other drivers. They may be weaving in and out of their lane. They're looking down at their phone, not at the road. At a stoplight, they're the ones who sit there for 30 seconds after the light has turned green. Did you know a recent study found that a quarter of all accidents involve someone who is texting and driving?
- The Trasher. Their window goes down and the trash flies out. They treat anything outside their vehicle as their personal garbage dump. They finish up a cigarette and flick their butt out, leaving dozens a day for the rest of us to "admire." The Trasher has been around for a long time. It's time for them to clean up their act.
- The Turn-signal Troublemaker. They don't think they need to use turn signals because THEY know where THEY'RE going and no other driver needs that information. They change lanes without any warning. Or they made their move minutes earlier and have "forgotten" to turn off their signal. Use those turn signals wisely and carefully. And if you're not using your turn signals because they're not operating correctly? Get 'em fixed!
Garrigan's Auto Repair Shop
6465 E GOLF LINKS RD
TUCSON, AZ 85730
(520) 572-7505
http://garrigansautorepair.com
Cool Running in TUCSON
Posted March 22, 2023 11:04 AM
Unless you live in Death Valley, you really don't hear much any more about cars overheating. That's because cooling systems in vehicles have been much improved. That doesn't mean you can't overheat your vehicle engine, though. Without proper preventive maintenance, you could still find yourself on the side of the road in TUCSON waiting for your vehicle engine to cool down.
When you service your cooling system at Garrigan's Auto Repair Shop, your technician will check the condition of the coolant. It can become corrosive over time, which can damage a radiator — leading to an overheated engine. Changing the coolant periodically is good vehicle care. Your vehicle owner's manual can give you guidelines on how often to replace it.
If your engine overheated, your friendly and knowledgeable service advisor will also check your coolant system for leaks. Check the vehicle radiator for cracks and the radiator hoses for leaks. He'll also check your water pump. They don't need to be replaced on a regular schedule, but they do need checked regularly. They can and do wear out.
The water pump is a critical component of your vehicle cooling system. It pumps the coolant to keep it circulating through the engine. The coolant is cooled in the radiator, then it travels through the engine, where it absorbs heat, then it returns to the radiator, where it releases the heat. And so on. But a water pump is something of a misnomer. The fluid pumped through your vehicle cooling system is not just water. It also contains coolant, which is actually poisonous. You should never consider your radiator as an emergency water supply.
There are many types of coolant. It varies from vehicle to vehicle, and using the wrong kind could damage your engine. Your service advisor will know which kind your vehicle's manufacturer recommends. The team of automotive professionals at Garrigan's Auto Repair Shop is always a good source for auto advice. We've been providing quality automotive services at our convenient location in TUCSON for years.
At Garrigan's Auto Repair Shop, we help you keep your cool which will keep you in the driving lane.
Garrigan's Auto Repair Shop
6465 E GOLF LINKS RD
TUCSON, AZ 85730
(520) 572-7505
http://garrigansautorepair.com
What's up with Diesels in TUCSON?
Posted March 22, 2023 11:04 AM
Would you be surprised to learn that about half of the passenger cars in Europe have diesel engines? You might also be surprised to learn that most manufacturers produce a variety of diesel-fueled cars for purchase abroad.
Diesel-fueled vehicles haven't been as popular in the North American markets like AZ. But that won't be true for long. North Americans are seeing a lot more diesel-fueled vehicles on the road. And we're not talking about buses and trucks. These vehicles will be passenger cars, pick-ups and SUV's.
There are two reasons for this. The first is a recent change in environmental laws that have upgraded emissions standards for diesel fuel in North America. Diesel fuel in North America used to have higher sulfur content than European fuel, meaning that it was a dirtier fuel to burn. That was okay for larger vehicles, but the lighter-weight engines in passenger vehicles just couldn't tolerate it.
But that high sulfur content is now a thing of the past. Fuel producers are now required to sell cleaner diesel fuel in TUCSON. That opens the North American market to more diesel-powered vehicles. The second reason we're going to see more of these vehicles in TUCSON is that they're more fuel-efficient than their gasoline-powered counterparts. Diesel fuel has higher energy density than gasoline. That translates to more power per barrel of fuel. In your tank, that translates to better engine performance and about 20% better fuel economy.
People in TUCSON may associate diesel engines with black smoke, noise and a definite “shake, rattle and roll.” That's also a thing of the past. Modern diesel engines are smooth, quiet and produce cleaner emissions than gasoline engines. Also, forget that three-second wait behind a diesel vehicle at a stoplight. Modern diesels are just as quick to accelerate as other vehicles on TUCSON roads.
Diesel engines have other advantages over gasoline engines. Diesel engines are heavier than gasoline engines because they require more heavy-duty parts, but that means the engines are more durable and can last longer than gasoline engines. Also, diesel engines may be the engines of the future since they can burn many of the new bio-fuels.
Bio-diesel can be manufactured from vegetable oils, including used cooking oil from TUCSON restaurants. Just think, one day you could fuel your vehicle on stuff that was once considered waste—one step closer to a cleaner environment here in AZ. And if you think hybrid cars are environmentally sound, consider what a diesel-electric hybrid could mean.
TUCSON drivers who are considering buying a diesel-fueled vehicle should know that preventive maintenance and inspection schedules are different for a diesel engine than a gasoline engine. Diesel fuel is harder on emissions systems than gasoline, so the filters and other devices have to be changed and checked more often. Also, the fuel injection system operates at much higher pressures for diesel than for gasoline, so keeping it clean becomes a higher priority.
When you switch from a gas vehicle to a diesel, you'll have to learn some new rules of vehicle care. But you won't be alone. Most TUCSON service centers are aware that diesels are coming to North America and are already prepared to provide service for diesel engines. At Garrigan's Auto Repair Shop, we are well-versed in diesel technology. You can rely on our team of automotive professionals to provide quality service for diesel-powered vehicles.
Garrigan's Auto Repair Shop
6465 E GOLF LINKS RD
TUCSON, AZ 85730
(520) 572-7505
http://garrigansautorepair.com
Emergency Items for Your vehicle
Posted March 22, 2023 11:04 AM
Local TUCSON roadside emergencies can range from a flat tire downtown to being stranded in a snowy ravine for three days. So you may want to consider a basic emergency kit to keep in the car at all times and a travel kit tailored to a specific trip.
Your close-to-home kit for around TUCSON would have some basic items to work on your car: everything you need to change a tire, gloves, a couple quarts of oil, some antifreeze and water. A can of tire inflator is a great temporary fix for minor flats. You'll also want jumper cables or a booster box, flares, a flashlight and some basic hand tools.
Now for your comfort and safety: a first aid kit, drinkable water, high calorie food (like energy bars), blankets, toilet paper, cell phone, towel, hat and boots. Keep some change for a pay phone, emergency cash and a credit card.
People who live in areas with frequent severe weather or earthquakes may want to carry provisions for longer emergencies.
For trips away from home, consider the weather and geography as you assemble your emergency supplies. You'll need to have a source of light and heat and will want to provide protection against the elements as well as adequate food and water for everyone in the car.
Always tell people where you are going and have a plan for checking in at waypoints. Then if you run into trouble, you can be reported missing as soon as possible and rescuers will be able to narrow the search area.
The key to safe travel is to keep your vehicle properly maintained, plan ahead and let others know your itinerary.
Garrigan's Auto Repair Shop
6465 E GOLF LINKS RD
TUCSON, AZ 85730
(520) 572-7505
http://garrigansautorepair.com
