Every car will experience a leak from time to time. However, be wary of an oil leak because it can lead to major complications if left unattended. The most apparent indication of an oil leak is if you see a dark puddle of oil underneath your car. You may also be able to smell it since oil gives off a distinct scent. The problem with oil leaks is that they can be hazardous to the environment and harm your engine. Here are some of the most common causes of oil leaks that we see here at LexBrodies:   Damaged or Worn Seals The system that stores your engine oil has gaps in it that are supplied with valves or seals. If these components become damaged or old, it can cause oil to seep out of the system.   Broken Oil Pan Damaged pans usually emerge from collisions or when you run over rubble on the road. The oil pan is situated very close to the ground, which causes it to damage easily. Do your best to avoid road impediments when you're driving.   Old Filter  O ... read more

Your vehicle's braking system is the most important safety feature of your car, which is why you should always replace them on time. Your brake pads will last about every 50,000 miles, but they can vary depending on driving conditions and usage. Here are our top tips on how to prolong the life of your brake pads.   Avoid Speeding Surprise-surprise, but speeding never ends well for anybody. If you hit a full and complete stop after ramping up your RPM, you are at risk of prematurely wearing out your brake pads. Brake pads operate by converting energy into heat – and this means they become worn out more quickly the more energy they have to dissipate. If you slow down slowly, you can save wear and tear on your brake pads. Another negative of hurrying into a stop is that you're wasting excess gas.   Only Use 1 Foot  As you probably learned all the way back from Driver's Ed, you should only have one foot operating both the brake and acceleration pedals ... read more

  Every time you start your car, the engine heats up from the combustion processes. Sometimes, it can reach extreme temperatures. As a result, every car is built with a cooling system to prevent your engine from overheating. The heating system functions by eliminating excess heat from the engine. It also sustains an optimum operating temperature inside the vehicle and restores the appropriate temperature to the engine. The cooling system is thus vital to assure you of a dependable ride from Point A to Point B.   The cooling system comprises many parts that work together -- Radiator, Fan, Thermostat, Water Pump, and Freeze Plug are only several among others. If any of these pieces malfunction, it will bring about significant danger to the engine. The good thing is that it is relatively simple to detect trouble within the cooling system. Some of the symptoms that indicate a failing cooling system include:   Smoke Arising From the Hood If you notice smoke coming from ... read more

Your engine fuel injectors can collect grime, dirt, and soot leading to an air-fuel mixture imbalance for your car. When this happens, you may notice poor performance, rough idling, and inconsistent gas mileage over time. Spotting these signs and having your fuel injectors cleaned could help you optimize engine performance early enough. That said, obtaining effective engine performance is impossible with a clogged fuel injector. How to Detect a Dirty Fuel Injector Regular maintenance, profound injector function understanding, and knowledge to identify a dirty fuel injector could be helpful for every car owner. You will know it is time to visit your mechanic to clean your defective fuel injectors if you experience the following: Engine Stalls or Rough Idle Your car may sputter or shake, mostly during traffic stops. The engine idling is mainly due to inconsistent revolutions per minute (RPMs). A sudden decrease in fuel supply, especially during uphill climbing, may accompany rough id ... read more

When you see one of those pesky icons light up on your dashboard, check the owner's manual to identify what that icon means. It may be time for a tune-up. Your average gas mileage is dropping for no apparent reason. If you keep track of your mileage every time you fill up, you'll be able to spot trouble with your car's gas-burning efficiency quickly. Have your mechanic check the spark plugs and fuel injector. A tune-up may be just what your car needs to smooth out your ride. Slow acceleration and stalling can be quite annoying when you're driving. These are signs that you have dirty spark plugs or a loose connector. Also, your battery may be running low or your fuel pump may be plugged. Tell your mechanic what the weather conditions are when your car stalls. On hot days, you may be experiencing difficulties with the air conditioner. A tune-up may fix the problems. When you're driving on a smooth road, do you notice strange vibrations? Does this happen only at cer ... read more

A car's optimum performance depends largely on the exhaust system. The system has the responsibility of emitting gases and other combustion components from the automotive engine. If further reduces any unnecessary noise generated, making the ride comfortable and smooth. The exhaust system is a composition of different components that work collaboratively in achieving its functions. These parts include: Exhaust manifold Oxygen sensors Piping Catalytic converter Resonator Silence Tailpipe If there is trouble with any of the components, the functioning of the exhaust system is compromised. There are common exhaust system troubles that many drivers have report. They require immediate mechanical interventions to ensure safety while on the road. They include; Bad Oxygen Sensor Oxygen sensors are responsible for balancing the air and fuel mixture. They are located in the exhaust system. Their malfunctions are common, and this affects the computer engine. It results in improper a ... read more

Tires have a vital role when it comes to your vehicle. The lifespan of your tires is something that many don't tend to pay a lot of attention to. Recently, there have been a lot of conversations on maintenance of tires. It is extremely important that you keep your tires taken care of no matter what. A big topic of discussion is if nitrogen or is air better for tires? For years now many commercial vehicles have been using nitrogen to inflate their tire. This has been done for numerous amounts of reasons. In more recent years it has been marketed that nitrogen is a good choice for your everyday car tires. There are some things that you should consider when you're looking at if nitrogen or air is a better choice for inflating your tires. When you're looking at which will be more cost efficient, you must know that air will win. In most cases, when you take your car to a tire center, they won't charge you for air. However, if you took your tires to the same center and ... read more

It's a beautiful but cold morning, and you have errands to run. On entering your vehicle and driving off, you suddenly realize the heater is blowing out cold air rather than warm air. You are bound to be frustrated and cold. It could even be downright unbearable. To make it worse, you can't even defrost the mirrors and windows to get rid of condensation. A car heater that isn't working can be the bane of your existence. So, why isn't the heater working? Your car heater can stop working due to several reasons: Ineffective cooling system Your car's cooling system works like a radiator. Once you ignite your vehicle, the engine heats up to a certain temperature. With the aid of the thermostat, it heats the coolant that is made up of a 50/50 percent ratio of antifreeze and water. The mixture passes through the heating core, and then a fan blows the warm air from the core into the cabin of your vehicle. If the level of the coolant is too low, there ... read more

The thermostat within your vehicle maintains the engine's temperature and ensures it's operating with a range that's specified in your vehicle's owner's manual. Thermostats serve two main functions, to heat the engine and keep it consistently at optimum temperature. As you drive, the thermostat gets older and worn. A worn thermostat can get stuck open or closed, leading to an array of problems. It may not be easy to determine whether the thermostat is the main problem culprit when issues occur. Below we provide a brief overview of signs to look out for that indicate the thermostat needs to be replaced.   There's cold air blowing through the heater vents. If the thermostat is stuck open, the temperature within the engine will decrease.  The engine is overheating. If the engine is smoking and overheating, the thermostat may be stuck closed. A thermostat that is stuck in the closed position wi ... read more

It's late, and you're on your way home. The last thing you need is your battery dying or the tire going flat. Are you prepared for those circumstances if they happen? If you have roadside assistance, they may be your saving grace. While this option is reliable, emergencies can happen. Your cell phone battery can die, there may not be a dedicated phone signal, or assistance can be several hours delayed. An emergency kit stowed away in the trunk is a smart move to stay prepared for the unexpected. Below are a few suggestions on the best items to pack or include in your vehicle's emergency kit.  Portable battery charger If you're stranded several miles out away from the city, there may not be many other drivers nearby who can give you a jump. A dead battery can be resolved quickly with a portable charger because you won't need a second vehicle.  First Aid Kit A first aid kit will include Band-Aids, gauze, disposal gloves, adhesive tape, tweezers, medicati ... read more