Air conditioning

Let's talk about air conditioning maintenance and repair issues.  Generally, we don't really care about our air conditioning system as long as it's producing fresh air.  However, it is a complex and expensive system that deserves our attention before it starts to provide warm air.

Alternator

Vous avez sûrement déjà remarqué de nombreux témoins qui s'allument sur votre tableau de bord lorsque vous démarrez votre voiture. Ils s'allument pour tester les circuits et s'éteignent ensuite si tout est en ordre. L'un deux ressemble à une batterie de voiture. Sa tâche consiste à vous informer si le chargement de la batterie ne se fait pas correctement.

Axles

Your axles are the final power transfer devices between the engine and the wheels. They are solid parts that last a long time, but can still be prone to malfunction.

Axles wear out over time and need to be replaced. Sometimes it is the axle joints that leak and cause premature axle wear. Lubricants disappear, water and dirt seep in and contaminate the pinions. When this happens, you may hear unusual noises coming from the axle.

Battery

Automotive batteries are relatively expensive and at some point they all need to be replaced. But don't worry, there are things you can do to help your battery last longer.

Check engine

The engine malfunction warning light is frightening to some and completely ignored by many others. Knowing what it means is a mystery to ordinary people.

In theory, if your trouble light is flashing, it alerts you to a problem that could cause serious damage to the catalytic converter or other components. Have this problem corrected immediately. When the trouble light is flashing, do not drive at high speeds or tow or carry heavy loads. Drive peacefully to the service center.

If the light stays on without flashing, monitor it for one to two days. If the light does not go out, schedule an appointment with your service technician to have a look at it.

You may find it helpful to learn more about how the trouble light works. Most of your engine's functions are controlled by a computer called - not surprisingly - an engine management computer. It can adjust many engine settings to suit the weather, engine condition, and even the way you drive.

To make these adjustments, the computer receives data from a network of sensors. The computer knows the acceptable operating range for each sensor. When the sensor provides data outside this range, the computer performs a few tests and illuminates the trouble light if necessary.

The computer also attempts to make adjustments to compensate for certain readings. If successful, it will turn off the trouble light.

If the problem cannot be resolved, the light will remain on and you will be asked to have your vehicle inspected.

Your service technician will connect an analyzer to the On-Board Diagnostic port and read the trouble code recorded on the analyzer. The technician will then know where to begin diagnosing the cause of the problem.

Disc brakes

It's easy to forget about brake fluid when servicing a vehicle. It doesn't need to be changed very often, and when it does need to be changed, it's usually not as well defined as when it's an oil change, for example. Over time, however, the brake fluid becomes contaminated and must be replaced before the damage is done.

Drum brakes

Brakes in good condition are essential for your safety. It is therefore important to perform proper maintenance on your brakes. On vehicles equipped with drum brakes, the brake components are grouped together inside a drum that rotates with the wheel. When you depress the brake pedal, the brake shoes press against the inside surface of the drum, slowing the wheel.

The brake shoes wear from friction on the drum as you brake. Replacing the brake shoes is easy to repair.

If you hear a hissing or squealing sound when braking, ask your service technician to check them. He or she will have a technician perform a thorough inspection to determine what needs to be done. He or she will examine the brakes for any signs of trouble and inspect other brake components to make sure they are working properly.

Exhaust

We have all heard of a car or truck with a muffler that needed to be replaced. But there's more to the exhaust system than just the muffler.

The exhaust system has three main functions:

To safely evacuate hot exhaust fumes from the engine through the tailpipe

Treating exhaust gases to remove hazardous pollutants

Mute engine noise

Exhaust fumes are very toxic. They should not be allowed to enter the passenger compartment at all costs. Carbon monoxide, for example, can be deadly. That's why you should never run the engine in a closed garage. If there is a leak somewhere in the exhaust system, the gases could seep into the passenger compartment and become a source of illness or death.

If you smell exhaust fumes in the vehicle, roll down the windows and have the vehicle inspected. You may smell or see fumes coming from the engine compartment or under the vehicle if you have a leak. Sometimes an exhaust leak is noisy and easy to recognize. Sometimes you may hear a rattling sound as the engine starts and stops while driving. This noise could be caused by a small crack or bad connection that leaks when it's cold, but seals when the metal warms up and expands.

Now let's turn to environmental issues. Exhaust gases contain a number of pollutants and very fine particles. The catalytic converter (or pot) transforms some of these hazardous substances. And diesel vehicles have systems that eliminate soot. Your catalytic converter will wear out sooner or later and will have to be replaced. Since they are expensive, it's best to extend their life as much as possible by keeping the fuel system clean and replacing your air filter. The function of these components should be checked from time to time by a fume test.

All that remains is the muffler. Buying a new silencer is pleasant because you can choose the sound effect you like. Some people prefer a whisper, while others prefer a rumble. For others still, you need a big roar.

Headlamps

You may be surprised to learn that 40% of fatal accidents occur at night even though there is 60% less traffic. This statistic shows how essential good visibility is for night driving.

Of course, a clean windshield is important; having good wiper blades is also important. Your headlights also play a crucial role. There are two main problems to avoid. The first is related to the headlight bulb. The other is the lens. 

There's no doubt that headlights fade over time. All we have to do is replace them. Some vehicles are equipped with standard bulbs, which can be replaced with either a similar bulb or a halogen bulb, which gives a much brighter light. A halogen bulb costs a little more, but the difference is obvious.

Shocks & struts

It is the springs, essentially, that support the body of your vehicle. There are several types of springs: helical, leaf, torsion bar, etc. Their function is to lift heavy loads. Shock absorbers and struts, in turn, are shock-absorbers that keep body movement within certain limits and keep the tires in contact with the road to maintain traction.

Shock absorbers and struts have a chamber filled with hydraulic fluid. Shocks activate a piston that passes the fluid through a series of valves to dampen rebound. Then a rebound spring pushes the piston back into place. 

Level 1 is used to absorb the millions of small bumps you encounter while driving every day. The level 1 valve is a notched disc through which liquid passes at a controlled rate.  

Level 2 is used to absorb medium bumps: such as depressions, driveways, expansion joints, and forces during cornering, stopping, and acceleration. These bumps and forces are not large, but they can manifest themselves in different ways. Level 2 damping is provided by a set of flexible discs that are housed in the damper chamber or leg. When you hit this type of bump, the fluid is compressed against these discs, and the discs bend to allow the fluid to pass through. The larger the bump, the more the discs have to bend.

Level 3 is used to absorb large impacts, such as sidewalks, potholes, etc. Level 3 damping is provided by restrictive openings in the level 3 valve. This is the last step in maintaining proper tire and body control.

It is the level 2 flex discs that wear out over time. The metal will fatigue and bend too easily, allowing fluid to pass to the Level 3 valve. That's why one of the consequences of worn shocks is a hard ride: level 3, which is restrictive, is crossed too early.

Heavily worn shocks/shocks cause a reduction in the grip of your tires on the road. When cornering at higher speeds or turning to avoid a collision, the body tilts out of the curve and literally pulls your vehicle off the road. An abrupt stop throws your body forward, greatly increasing your stopping distance. Acceleration causes the rear end of your vehicle to drop, reducing traction on the front tires.

Loss of tire and body control can severely reduce the effectiveness of your vehicle's collision avoidance systems, such as traction control, stability control and anti-lock brake systems.

Your shocks and struts wear out slowly, so it's hard to notice a change in their performance. How quickly your shocks and struts wear out depends on the loads carried by your vehicle and road conditions. As a rule of thumb, have them evaluated by a road test at 80,000 kilometres. At that point, your shocks and struts will have moved 75 million times. We can inspect and examine your suspension system, and help you choose the right parts to restore or improve the original performance of your vehicle.

Suspension

Suspension systems should work well for many years and tens of thousands of miles, keeping your tire footprint firmly planted. All components will wear out sooner or later: but your driving will determine which one.

As you can imagine, if you almost always drive on beautiful highways, your shocks will last much longer than if you drive on rough roads or carrying heavy loads. In addition to normal wear and tear, suspension system components can be damaged in an accident or by an impact that includes hitting a nest hole, sidewalk or rock.

Because the life of shock absorbers can vary so much, your vehicle manufacturer recommends periodic inspections. During an inspection, your service technician will check for worn, broken or missing suspension system parts.

If the inspection reveals any problems, be sure not to neglect this work, which is so important to the safety of passengers and loads. When replacing your shock absorbers, consider replacing all four at once. This is a good idea. Replacing all four will give you consistent maneuverability in all four corners of your vehicle.

If you have special maneuverability needs (such as improved cornering) or towing and hauling requirements, your technical advisor can suggest a higher-caliber shock absorber or strut.

Tire pressure monitoring system

Under-inflated tires waste gas. Consider how difficult it is to walk in the sand. You have to work harder because of the resistance. When your tires are under-inflated, their rolling resistance is greatly increased and you need more gas to get you to your destination.

Always check your tire pressure when you refuel. If the level is low, even just a little, bring them back to the proper pressure. You'll find a label on the inside of the driver's door indicating the manufacturer's recommended tire pressure.

Don't wait for your tire pressure monitoring system to notify you that the level is low. This system is set to alert you when the pressure drops twenty percent below the recommended values. At this point, the tires are seriously under-inflated and you should have been adding air for a long time. Slow leaks should be repaired immediately.

Fill up with air and save on fuel.

Water pump

Let's talk about water pumps. The engine is cooled by a mixture of water and coolant (sometimes antifreeze). This mixture circulates around the engine and absorbs some of its heat. The coolant then passes through the radiator where it is cooled by air before being returned to the engine. The water pump is the part that operates this mechanism.

Wheel bearings

Maybe you've never thought about wheel bearings. Wheel bearings are the parts that allow the wheels to turn freely. Since they support the total weight of the vehicle, they must be very sturdy. Wheel bearings can withstand well over 100,000 miles. However, they still wear out and need to be replaced.