A car battery provides electrical energy to various systems in the vehicle. More importantly, it powers the starter, which then cranks the engine. Getting stranded in the middle of nowhere because of a dead car battery can be a harrowing experience. Not all car batteries will give you a sign before dying out, but luckily, most do. What Causes a Dead Battery? There are several reasons why your car battery is dying or not performing optimally, which include: Corroded terminals or loose battery connections Leaving your headlights on for an extended period Extreme temperatures in winter or summer The battery is too old The battery is not charging while you drive Parasitic draws on the battery due to faulty electrical systems Taking too many short drives that don't allow sufficient battery recharging Signs of a Dying Car Battery The following are the top 5 most common signs of a battery in need of a thorough check or replacement: Clicking Sound When You Turn ... read more

If you’ve been a good vehicle owner who is on top of their maintenance, then you are probably familiar with tire rotation services. Tire rotation service is the process of switching the position of your tires from front to rear or side to side. Tire rotation is one of the most important services you can get to maintain your tires. This service ensures even tire wear, improves gas mileage, promotes safe handling, and more. You should aim to rotate your tires every time you change your oil. Read on to learn about the pros of rotating your tires. #1: Improve Fuel Mileage One of the biggest benefits of tire rotations is improved efficiency. When your tires wear evenly, it requires less energy for your tires to roll on the road. Your engine won’t have to work hard to get wherever you need to go. #2: Longer Tire Life Another major advantage of tire rotations is that it extends the life of your tires. With even tire treads, your tires can last for years longer than tires that ... read more

Back-to-school season is right around the corner. While you may be busy shopping for school supplies, clothes, and shoes, for your kids, we’re here to remind you not to forget about your car. Most of you will be back in the routine of dropping your children off for school and practice soon, and the team at LexBrodies Honolulu is ready to help you with all your car care so that you and your family can be safe.   Here are the top 3 auto services that we think you should get for the back-to-school season: General Inspection There’s no better time to get a multi-point inspection. Our professionals can check your vehicle bumper-to-bumper for any potential problems. If we detect minor problems, we can fix them early on so you can dodge extensive repairs. Plus, it’ll give you peace of mind knowing that your brakes, battery, wipers, etc. are safe. Tire Pressure Check Your tires should always be properly inflated. Fortunately, checking your tire pressure is an easy ... read more

Oil lubricates your engine and protects it against frictional damage. It contains anti-foaming agents, anti-oxidants, dispersants, and detergents that protect the engine. However, with continued use, it forms an oil sludge. With time, contaminants such as dirt, dust, water, and coolant, build up and oxidize due to the engine's intense heat. When these contaminants combine with oxidation in the engine, it forms a thick gel called engine or oil sludge. Preventing engine sludge formation is vital since it can damage your car. How Oil Sludge Hurts Your Car Oil protects the engine by cooling and absorbing contaminants. But, with time, it reaches its absorption capacity and deposits them on the engine instead. It hinders adequate engine lubrication and increases friction, causing overheating. The heat causes engine parts to rapidly wear out, lowering your car's efficiency. It also reduces your engine's lifespan by blocking the oil screen siphon, preventing proper circulation ... read more

Your car is a lifetime investment. It protects you from the cold and rain and saves you from public transportation. With a machine hosting such benefits, the last thing you may want is to maintain it. Unfortunately, many people think car maintenance is all about changing oil, tire, and wiper blades replacements. Do you know your car's cabin air filter? Well. It is a component that filters the air entering your car. So, how often do you neglect to check this item? For some, it is quite frequent. Others feel like they should drive their car forever without maintaining air filters. But this is not always the case with any vehicle. In fact, a poorly maintained cabin air filter can alter your overall driving experience. Sometimes, it is unhealthy and unpleasant to you and your passengers. Here are reasons why you should have your cabin air filter replaced. Improved comfort Pollution is one of the primary reasons you need to change your cabin air filter. In fact, the ... read more

  Having a car that is in good condition is what every car owner wants. A car that can take you from point A to point B as fast as possible with minimal faults. When you need all these then a car with a slow acceleration is a nuisance. When a car is sluggish then it means it has slow acceleration which could be caused by a failure in some of the engine components or the car is too old. A car with slow acceleration even after you have floored the gas pedal is very risky especially if you are driving through a busy road or overtaking in a risky area. Here are some of the causes of a sluggish car; If the oxygen sensor is used for tracking oxygen release and scrutinize the air-fuel ratio that flows to engine fails, the engine fails to modulate the air-fuel balance which results to low engine power. when the engine lacks power then there is slow acceleration. Clogged Fuel filter The fuel system is very instrumental to the acceleration of every vehicle. This is because the fuel sy ... read more

Caring for your cars coolant system should be part of your regularly scheduled car maintenence routine. The coolant system in your car is the key to how well your vehicle operates in extreme heat, extreme cold and everything in between. Here are the top 7 signs your vehicle may be in need of a coolant flush sooner rather than later. Vehicle Running Hot And Overheating If your temperature gauge is running high or close to the danger zone while driving you might want to schedule that coolant flush before you have a bigger problem to deal with. Steaming Hood If you notice steam coming from under the hood or hear a hissing sound escaping from under the hood, you should schedule a coolant flush Coolant Leak or Discoloration If you start noticing a puddle of liquid under your car that has a greenish tint or a sweet smell it means you have a coolant leak and you should schedule a coolant flush as soon as possible. Also if you notice a discoloration in your coolant you want to get any ... read more

If your shocks or struts start failing, it could lead to disaster. So how do you notice the signs of worn shocks or struts? Shocks and Struts: What's the Difference? A vehicle's struts are a major part of your suspension system. It both acts as a shock absorber and provides structural support for your suspension system. A shock absorber, however, does only one job. Absorbing the shock from movements in your suspension system. Your shocks do not support the weight of your vehicle or provide structural support. So what are the signs these components are failing? #1 — Dipping or Leaning During Use If you notice your vehicle leaning to one side while making a sharp turn, this could be a sign of a worn shock or strut. Another sign is the front end dipping lower than usual if you have to step on the brakes harder than usual. #2 — Instability at High Speeds If you're on the highway, and your vehicle feels shaky, this might be an indicator that your suspension sys ... read more

Vehicle braking systems are composed of various parts, including rotors. Rotors are oversized metal discs that can often be seen behind a car's wheels. A common problem with rotors is that they can sometimes warp. You might wonder, how does it even happen?   Rotors can't warp on their own unless an external force like heat interferes with their performance. When they have been exposed to extremely hot conditions, the rotors can bend.    For your overall braking process to work correctly, the brake pads must even apply against the rotor. However, excess friction can cause some brake pad materials to form a leaking substance which can get onto the brake rotors. Once this residue drops onto the rotor, uneven surface levels can cause.     Lastly, drivers with terrible brake habits can also contribute to uneven rotors. For instance, riding the brakes for prolonged periods of time can cause hot brake pads to drip the rotors. To prevent a warped rot ... read more

Just because Hawaii appears to get all sun doesn't mean that driving conditions are always stable. In fact, Hawaii's rain season spans from November to March. When it rains, driving inevitably becomes more dangerous. However, being behind the wheel with a rain-covered windshield doesn't have to be a nerve-wracking experience. We've created a trusty checklist to keep in mind whenever it starts pouring during your drive. Tip #1: Stay alert This advice is a no-brainer, but you must stay extra attentive to your surroundings when weather conditions aren't ideal. Drivers should practice defensive driving and remember to check their blind spots frequently.  Tip #2: Use your headlights Please remember to turn on your headlights in bad weather when visibility is low. Many states even have laws requiring drivers to put on their headlights in certain conditions, so it's better to be safe than sorry. Tip #3: Careful with hydroplaning Whenever a surplus of water s ... read more