Automotive Repair Archives - Page 11 of 13 - Ferber's Tire & Auto Service

The radiator hose is an essential part of your cooling system that manages the flow of coolant from your water pump to the heater. Your radiator hose is a rubber device that removes excess heat from the coolant before it goes back to your engine to repeat the cycle again. There are two types of radiator hoses, upper and lower. These parts aren’t interchangeable and come in different length and shapes.

The upper radiator hose:

  • Primarily a pressure hose
  • Connects the engine to the radiator
  • Where the hot coolant enters the radiator from the engine

The lower radiator hose:

  • Primarily a suction hose
  • Contains a wound wire spring on the inside of the hose to prevent collapsing
  • Connected to the bottom of the radiator and the pump of the engine.

While both hoses transport coolant and made from synthetic rubber they have different roles within the cooling system. To ensure proper working condition, bring your vehicle to Ferber’s Tire and Auto for a coolant inspection.

WHAT CAUSES MY BALL JOINTS TO GO BAD?

Ball joints play a crucial part in the suspension of any vehicle. Ball joints are a ball and socket configuration that allow your wheels to turn and move vertically as the road changes. A comfortable and smooth ride is impossible without ball joints. Your car’s ball joints are what connect your wheel and tires with Read More

HOW IMPORTANT IS MY SERPENTINE BELT?

Your vehicle’s serpentine belt is located in the front of your engine and transports power to important automotive components. The name serpentine is derived from the snaking, long, and winding nature of the belt. The serpentine belt is responsible for efficiently running your power steering pump, alternator, air conditioning, and potentially your water pump. You Read More

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I REPLACE MY ENGINE AIR FILTER?

It turns out we’re not the only ones who need fresh air to properly operate. The engine air filter traps the pollutants and debris to keep your engine’s peak performance and dependability. Engine air filters should be replaced every 30,000 miles, about the same rate as you would replace your cabin air filter. They are Read More

HOW DO I PREPARE MY CAR FOR A ROAD TRIP?

Even though summer is winding down, many across the country are still taking road trips. Long drives are something a majority of Americans do every year so it’s extremely important to prepare your car for whatever may happen on the road. Here are a few things to check to ensure a safe trip.

WHY IS MY TPMS LIGHT ON?

A properly inflated tire is critical to the proper handling of your vehicle. Properly inflated tires improve tire performance, load carrying capability, and reduce tread movement. You lose these benefits if you fail to pay attention to your TPMS light. TPMS stands for the tire pressure monitoring system. This system involves a valve and a Read More

WHY ARE MY BUSHINGS SQUEAKING?

Car bushings are a common joint found in your suspension system. Bushings are rubber or polyurethane sleeves that allow your suspension component to rotate. Not only do bushings allow for rotation, but they also provide cushioning, isolate vibration, and even reduce friction between metals in your vehicle. Bushings can begin to squeak if the rubber Read More

WHEN SHOULD I REPLACE MY SPARK PLUGS?

Spark plugs provide the spark that power your engine. Without functioning spark plugs, you aren’t going anywhere. Without that crucial spark, your car won’t start. While it’s such a small part, it’s importance to your vehicle couldn’t be bigger. New spark plugs help keep your car running at its peak performance. Before replacing your spark Read More

WHAT IS A CV JOINT?

The CV or constant velocity joint, is a flexible part of your vehicles drive shaft system. The constant velocity refers to the steady spinning of your wheels regardless of up and down movement in your suspension. They allow a transfer of power from your transmission to your wheels at various angles without increasing friction or Read More

DO I REALLY NEED A BRAKE FLUSH?

Brakes, like anything else, wear down over time. Flushing your brake fluid removes the majority of contaminated fluid from your brake system and replaces it with brand new fluid. So, to answer the question yes, it’s extremely important to get a brake flush, which is usually recommended every 30,000 miles. Moisture can get in your Read More