AUTONET TV

Cabin Air Filter and Engine Air Filter: What?s the Difference?

You may have heard someone say they just got the air filter replaced in their vehicle.  But did you know your vehicle has two different major air filters and they both perform quite different—but very important—duties?

Today’s vehicles have a cabin air filter, and an engine air filter.  The engine air filter cleans the air that enters your engine so it can run better, and so contaminants don’t foul vital parts.  While the cabin air filter keeps the air inside the vehicle’s cabin clean, the place where you and your passengers sit.  

It is important that you have each of these types of filters changed at regular intervals, or earlier if either shows signs that they’re contaminated. Your vehicle’s owner’s manual often will recommend how long that interval should be.

First, let’s look at the engine air filter. Your vehicle’s manufacturer will offer guidelines on how often you should change the engine air filter as a matter of routine, by mileage or time interval.  

If you see signs of engine air contamination, such as misfiring, an illuminated check engine light, smoke coming out of your tailpipe, or loss of power, you may need to have the engine air filter replaced sooner.  

Next, the cabin air filter.  Again, the vehicle manufacturer will suggest how often you should replace it. But if you notice excess dust in the cabin, on the dash, console or seats, a bad smell in the cabin, or lower air flow out the heating and cooling ducts, you should have us check to see if your cabin air filter needs replacing. In either case, we’ll make sure we replace your air filters - either engine or cabin - with ones that are right for your vehicle.  

All Things Automotive & Diesel Service
1997 Walton Ave #C
Idaho Falls, ID 83401
208-523-3903

Don?t Skip Out on These! (Vehicle Maintenance Items You Should Never Postpone)

Maybe that little sticker on your windshield is giving you the reminder that it’s time for your vehicle to have an oil change.  You’ve thought, “Aw, I can skip this one and save myself a little money.”  When it comes to things you should never ignore on your vehicle, timely oil changes are number one on the list.  

When the oil stays in your vehicle too long, it can accumulate dirty particles and begin to break down, defeating its lubricating properties.  Skipping or delaying an oil change can lead to far more expensive repairs down the line.

Another is seeing a warning light and doing nothing about it.  Lights that advise you to check your engine or tell you things are running hotter than usual under the hood can be early warning signs to have a technician determine why.  Consider getting the answer earlier rather than later.  It could save you major headaches and money.

Don’t skip having important fluids checked. That includes your engine coolant, brake fluid and power steering fluid.  Big repairs may lie ahead if you ignore them too long.

And don’t put off having other regular maintenance services performed on your vehicle that your vehicle’s manufacturer recommends. Ignoring that recommended interval may void certain warranties, leading you to have to pay for a repair you may not have had to cover yourself.

Regular battery checks are another basic inspection that’s often overlooked.  Batteries can seem like they’re fine until they’re not, and being caught with a dead battery at an inopportune time can cause you unnecessary inconvenience and bills.

Oh, and please don’t skip regular tire inspections, either. A pro should regularly look at the tread, sidewalls and date of manufacture.  A tire failure at high speed can be very dangerous to you and others around you. And if you’re driving with worn tires on slick surfaces, your steering, handling and braking may let you down.

Sure, maintenance costs money and time, but it may save you money in the long run.

All Things Automotive & Diesel Service
1997 Walton Ave #C
Idaho Falls, ID 83401
208-523-3903

Why is My Brake Pedal Hard to Push?

When you push on your brake pedal, you should find your vehicle easy to stop.  But at some point, you might notice stopping takes much more pressure on the pedal than it used to.  When it gets to that point it becomes a safety issue, and you should bring your vehicle in so we can track down what’s not working correctly.

Brake pedals that are stiff mean there’s something wrong with one or more components of your entire brake system.  For example, it could be moisture has contaminated your brake fluid, making it harder to push the pedal down.

Many vehicles use hydraulics to amplify your pedal pressure to a force strong enough to stop your vehicle.  Certain problems can develop with your hydraulics, such as a faulty master cylinder, a kink in one of your brake lines, or a failed proportioning valve which regulates pressure to your rear brakes. Vacuum leaks can also make your brake pedal hard to push. Another cause could be a problem with your vehicle’s brake booster or its check valve.

Because your vehicle’s braking system is made up of many different components, one of our technicians will look at several different possible causes in yours.  Your vehicle may not have enough brake fluid in it, so they’ll check the level.  A visual inspection of your hoses, brake lines and vacuum line to the brake booster may turn up the root cause of your issues.   

Because there are many different causes of a hard-to-push brake pedal, solutions may involve one or more different steps.  Keep in mind this is one problem that needs to be fixed for you to drive safely.  That’s why it’s important to have a professional track down the issue, or issues, and take care of the problem(s) so you can be back on the road, safely going and stopping.

All Things Automotive & Diesel Service
1997 Walton Ave #C
Idaho Falls, ID 83401
208-523-3903

No Charge (Why Won?t My Battery Hold a Charge?)

When your vehicle’s battery is dead, it leaves you with that horrible, helpless feeling.  A dead battery means it won’t hold a charge, and there are several reasons it won’t.

One is age.  Batteries have chemical and electrical systems in them that create power, and as time goes by, they won’t work well anymore.  They may have been degraded by exposure to extreme temperatures, both hot and cold. Batteries have a code on them that can tell you when they were manufactured.

Another reason your battery won’t hold a charge is corrosion on the terminals, the metal posts where your battery cables are connected.  A chemical reaction between the battery’s acid and air creates a salty moisture that can corrode those terminals.  

If your vehicle’s alternator is not working properly, it won’t charge your battery as it is designed to, and the battery may lose its charge more quickly than it should. Another possibility is there might be an electrical component that’s staying on when you turn your vehicle off, and it may slowly drain the battery so much that there won’t be enough power to start your vehicle.  

When you notice any of these things, bring your vehicle in so a technician can evaluate what’s causing the problems.  We will give your electrical system a thorough inspection and run tests that can tell the health of the battery and other components.  You may be able to avoid problems by having us evaluate your electrical system regularly as part of a periodic maintenance schedule.

All Things Automotive & Diesel Service
1997 Walton Ave #C
Idaho Falls, ID 83401
208-523-3903

In the Red (Why a Vehicle Overheats)

Heat is one thing that can damage a vehicle, especially if a problem isn’t taken care of soon.  Be on the lookout for signs that it’s getting too hot in some parts of your vehicle, starting with the most obvious one: the heat gauge/warning light on your instrument panel.

When you see that heat gauge heading into the H zone or the warning light comes on, it’s often because your engine’s coolant is contaminated or running low.  It’s important to let a pro look at it soon before serious damage is done,

The radiator is another trouble spot that can cause overheating.  It has a fan that needs to run properly, and it needs to be free of debris and dirt. Another radiator trouble spot is the core.  When it gets clogged and coolant isn’t circulating as it should, an overheated engine can be the result. Have your cooling system checked regularly, including its thermostat.

Your water pump is another part of the cooling system that can wear out, and when it’s not working right, your engine can get hot quickly.  It should also be on the list of regularly checked engine components.

Finally, your vehicle has several rubber belts and hoses that play vital roles in making sure the coolant is getting where it needs to be.  It’s important to have those inspected by a technician before they fail and heat starts to build up.

Your vehicle’s cooling system is complex and critical to its operation. Plus, it must be maintained so it does what a vehicle’s engineers designed it to do.  When it comes to your vehicle, cool is cool, hot is not.  

All Things Automotive & Diesel Service
1997 Walton Ave #C
Idaho Falls, ID 83401
208-523-3903

(Ball Joint Replacement)

Every day that goes by, our bodies get a little more wear and tear on them.  Our vehicles have the same issue.  The older we get and the farther we travel, certain parts start showing some wear.  

Think of your hips. There are parts of our vehicles that are similar to them; just like hips allow your legs to pivot in several directions, your vehicle has similar parts called ball joints, and they connect your vehicle’s wheels to the suspension, allowing them to move together.  These ball joints get a good workout every time the vehicle is moving, especially on bumpy roads.  

Usually, these joints are well lubricated with grease, so they’ll work smoothly and quietly. They’re surrounded by a rubber sleeve called a boot, but that can wear out with age or exposure to moisture or debris.  When the rubber breaks, the grease can leak out, and damage accelerates.

When the ball joints start wearing out, you may start to hear clunking sounds that come from the corners of your vehicle.  You might hear it more clearly when you are turning a corner or going over a bump.  Over time, it might get worse.  Other signs are sloppy steering, vibrations when you’re moving and uneven tire wear.
If a ball joint gets extremely worn, it’s possible you can lose control of your vehicle, a dangerous situation indeed.

If you notice any of these symptoms, bring it to us so a technician can diagnose the problem.  If they determine you need a new ball joint, the technician will check the condition of all the suspension components.  We usually recommend if one of a pair of ball joints goes bad, the other is likely quite worn as well and should be replaced, too. In no time, you’ll be back on the road with an updated agile suspension that feels young again.  

All Things Automotive & Diesel Service
1997 Walton Ave #C
Idaho Falls, ID 83401
208-523-3903