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

Tire tread is the key factor that indicates when you need to replace your vehicle's tires. Tread provides you with the necessary traction to safely stop and turn. Lastly, treads on your tires help funnel water out from under the tire to minimize hydroplaning on wet roads.  The U.S. Department of Transportation suggests that motorists replace tires when they've worn down to 2/32 inch (or 1.6 mm).  Signs of Wear Besides tread depth of less than 2/32 inch, other signs can indicate the need for new tires, including: Exposed fabric or cord on the tires Bump, bulge, or knot that impacts the tire structure Unrepairable punctures Uneven wear caused by driving on a flat tire Bent, cracked, rusty, or damaged rim/wheel Improper tire repairs and services While tread depth is an obvious indicator, it can be difficult to measure an increment that tiny. Most professionals use a tread depth gauge to measure tread. But if you don't have one on hand, you can use a penny ... read more

How do you know which type is best suited for your vehicle with multiple engine oils to choose from? Fortunately, the process of finding a good match doesn't have to be overwhelming, and it is relatively easy. First and foremost, you should always check your manufacturer's recommendations (listed in your owner's manual). When making this decision, you should also consider driving habits, vehicle style, and environmental factors (climate). Here's a deeper look at the different types of oil you can get for your vehicle! Full Synthetic Oil Synthetic oil has many attractive attributes. For instance, it has a higher viscosity, which can withstand sludge buildup, hot temperatures, and corrosion. Synthetic oil is also more consistent in formulation, which minimizes the friction inside the engine and increases overall efficiency. If you own a high-performance vehicle, synthetic oil is the preferable option. The only setback of synthetic motor oil is its higher price tag. Howe ... read more

An auto warranty is an important factor to consider when it comes to purchasing a car. It is a contract that compensates for the cost of repairing or replacing parts of your vehicle for some time. However, not all car warranties are created equally, which is why you must read over the fine print before making your purchase. Factory Warranty If you bought your vehicle from a dealership, you probably have a factory or manufacturer’s warranty. This type of warranty is possible for new, used, and certified pre-owned cars to cover any defective parts caused by any assembly errors. It is also only valid up to a certain number of miles or years. Some manufacturers are more forgiving than others, so that the numbers can vary. Another feature of the factory warranty is that it is movable from one owner to another as long as it hasn’t expired or been terminated. Unfortunately, they can void the contract if you fail to follow factory guidelines, such as keeping up with regular main ... read more