May 11, 2012

Brake Service At Clack Automotive Repair In Elko

Filed under: Power Brakes — clackautom225 @ 6:28 pm

Brake Service At Clack Automotive Repair In Elko

Most Elko drivers know that braking means slowing or stopping a vehicle. The mechanical aspects of the brakes themselves are just one issue. There’s also the power brake system and brake fluid. And then there are the tires, which are critical to the effectiveness of the brakes.

Let’s step back. A car or truck rolls brand new off the showroom floor at a local Elko dealer. It has brand new brakes with brand new brake pads. The brake lines and the power assist are filled with fresh fluid and are completely clean inside. And the sedan tires are brand new, with full tread. Naturally, braking power is at its peak performance.
 
Now, as your drive from Elko to Elko and back, the miles start to add up. Most Elko car owners tend to focus on the brake pads. In the Elko automotive service community, the pads, and shoes on drum brakes, are called the friction material. That’s because they provide the friction used to stop the sedan. The pads are designed to be effective throughout their useful life – it’s not until they are worn so thin as to be out of spec that they lose stopping effectiveness.

The mechanical parts of the brakes have pistons and springs that get quite a workout while stopping the sedan. Over many miles, these wear and get gummed up. They start to lose effectiveness gradually and could even fail. That’s why a regular brake inspection is important. At Clack Automotive Repair, we can test the operation of the brakes and see if any parts need cleaning or replacing.

That leads us to brake fluid service at Clack Automotive Repair. Some of the critical additives in the fluid that lubricate and clean the sedan fluid system are depleted over time. That and moisture building up in the system deteriorate the performance of the brake fluid. Brake fluid replacement at Clack Automotive Repair includes flushing the brake system to clean out deposits, water and dirt. Then the system is filled up with fresh fluid.

The tires are what connect the sedan to the road. The stopping force is ultimately dependent on the traction provided by the tires. The better they grip the road, the quicker you’ll stop as you drive around Elko.

For questions about brakes, brake pads, chassis lubrication, transmission service, or tires, talk to Clack Automotive Repair  manager John Clack.

Give us a call

Clack Automotive Repair
775.738.8106
475 14th St
Elko, NV 89801

At Clack Automotive Repair in Elko NV (89801) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 775.738.8106. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

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May 1, 2012

Cooling System Service At Clack Automotive Repair

Filed under: Cooling System — clackautom225 @ 8:47 pm

Cooling System Service At Clack Automotive Repair

Your sedan cooling system’s job is to keep your engine cool. Coolant (also called antifreeze) mixed with water flows through your engine and absorbs heat. The mixture then flows out to the radiator where it’s cooled by air flowing over the radiator. From there the cooled mix circulates back through the sedan engine to absorb more heat.

Coolant, or antifreeze, is specially formulated to keep your engine safe in a wide range of environmental and operating temperatures in Elko.

Without coolant, the sedan’s metal engine parts would expand so much that the engine would seize up and stop running.  Expensive parts could be broken or warp so badly they would have to be replaced at Clack Automotive Repair in Elko. It could even be so bad that the whole engine is ruined and has to be replaced.

Also, if it’s freezing outside in Elko, the water in your engine could freeze while your vehicle is sitting out in the NV cold. This is why you check coolant levels frequently and have your cooling system inspected for leaks. Also your manufacturer has a maintenance requirement for draining and replacing your coolant. These recommendations can vary widely, so check your Elko owner’s manual or ask your service advisor at Clack Automotive Repair in Elko.

The reason you need to change the coolant is that it has additives in it to protect the cooling system. As you can imagine, with all the heat, the cooling system’s a pretty harsh environment. The additives keep the fluid from becoming corrosive and damaging the radiator and other Elko cooling system components. Over time, the additives are depleted and the coolant just has to be replaced. A simple pH test can measure the coolant’s acidity.

You may have noticed that there are different colors of antifreeze at Clack Automotive Repair: it is very important that you use the correct type.  The different coolant types are different colors so you don’t mix them up.  Manufacturers use different materials to make the cooling system, and they require different types of antifreeze to protect them.

So check with your understanding Clack Automotive Repair service advisor or owner’s manual for the right kind because using the wrong coolant can void the warranty for your sedan cooling system.

Ask us about safety inspection, transmission service and tune up.

Give us a call

Clack Automotive Repair
775.738.8106
475 14th St
Elko, NV 89801

At Clack Automotive Repair in Elko NV (89801) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 775.738.8106. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

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April 27, 2012

Deciphering The Menu Board At Clack Automotive Repair: F to W

Filed under: Making Your Vehicle Last — clackautom225 @ 7:30 pm

Deciphering The Menu Board At Clack Automotive Repair F to W

You may not be familiar with all of the items on Clack Automotive Repair’s menu board so here is a quick description of some of the typical services that might be listed. Remember, the board is there for reference; speak to your Clack Automotive Repair Service Adviser about other possible needs or services.

Clack Automotive Repair Fuel System Cleaning: Over time, the fuel system gets gum and varnish built up. A fuel system cleaning at Clack Automotive Repair gets rid of that and cleans out the fuel injectors. Saves gas as you drive around Elko and on Elko freeways, by the way.

Clack Automotive Repair Headlamp Replacement: Halogen and standard headlamps gradually fade. When one burns out, replace both so they’ll have the same brightness. Also, if your headlamp lenses are yellowed or cloudy, you can have them professionally restored to like new-condition. As your understanding Clack Automotive Repair advisor for information.

Clack Automotive Repair Inspections: Elko drivers get inspections for many reasons. Maybe they’re going on a trip or just want to make sure their vehicle’s ready for summer or winter in Elko. Maybe they just bought a used car and want to give it the once over. An inspection at Clack Automotive Repair may reveal some things that are broken or are getting close to having a problem.

Clack Automotive Repair Oil Change Service – there are several options: Some Elko auto service centers offer just an oil change and new filter as an option. Most will also check and top off all of your other fluids and do a quick visual inspection with a full service oil change. There may also be options for higher mileage fluids or an upgrade to synthetic oil.

Clack Automotive Repair PCV Valve Service: PCV stands for Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve. It’s a little part that releases pressure from the engine. It can get gummed up and that can lead to engine damage. Just needs to be changed now and then.

Clack Automotive Repair Power Steering Service: Often overlooked. Your Clack Automotive Repair technician will evacuate the old fluid, clean out the system and replace it with clean fluid. Keeps the system running well for a long time.

Clack Automotive Repair Serpentine Belt Replacement: That’s the belt that powers the engine’s accessories like the alternator, air conditioner, power steering and brakes. You’ll want to replace the serpentine belt at Clack Automotive Repair before it breaks or wears down too much, because that’ll lead to other problems.

Clack Automotive Repair Shocks and Struts Replacement: This starts with an inspection of the suspension components. Shocks last a long time and wear out slowly, so many Elko motorists don’t notice when it’s time to change them. If they’re worn or leaking, they need to be replaced.

Clack Automotive Repair Transmission Service: This involves removing the transmission fluid and replacing it with clean fluid. It’s like an oil change for your transmission.

Clack Automotive Repair Tire Rotation and Wheel Balancing: The tires are rotated from front to back using the recommended rotation pattern. This helps tires wear more evenly. Wheels need to be balanced from time to time to keep them turning without any wobble or bounce. Helps the ride and saves tire wear as you drive around Elko.

Give us a call

Clack Automotive Repair
775.738.8106
475 14th St
Elko, NV 89801

At Clack Automotive Repair in Elko NV (89801) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 775.738.8106. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

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April 19, 2012

Viva la Differential At Clack Automotive Repair

Filed under: Differential Service — clackautom225 @ 7:07 pm

Viva la Differential At Clack Automotive Repair

With front-wheel drive being so common in Elko these days, the differential is just taken care of during a transmission service, so most Elko folks don’t even have to think about it. And most rear-wheel drive sedan differentials don’t need to be serviced for many miles, so it’s understandable that it’s not something on the top of mind. So it’s not uncommon for NV people to not know they have a differential let alone know that it needs service.

To better understand what a differential does, think about a high school track. There are lanes marked off on the track. For the longer distance races, the starting lines are staggered. The starting lines for the outside lanes are ahead of the starting lines for the inside lanes. That’s to compensate for the longer length of the outside lanes. Staggering the starting lines means that each runner has the same distance to run.

The differential compensates for the difference in speeds on drive wheels between the inside wheel and the outside wheel in a turn, because they have to travel together through slightly different distances.

Many sedan differentials do a lot of work and require very heavy duty parts. And those parts need protection. The differential fluid lubricates the gears in the differential and keeps them cool. The fluid eventually gets dirty and worn down. Some kinds of differentials require special additives that break down over time. So manufacturers and Clack Automotive Repair technicians recommend intervals for replacing your differential fluid.

Your Clack Automotive Repair service technician will drain the used fluid and check it out for metal bits, which could be a sign of excessive wear on the gears. He’ll then replace the fluid and install the additives if necessary.

Elko four wheel drive sedans need special attention to their differentials because they have a differential on both the front and rear axles that work at different times and sometimes under heavy loads – so they may need to be serviced at Clack Automotive Repair at different intervals.

Your Elko service advisor can look up the manufacturer’s recommended service interval or you can check your sedan owner’s manual.

Give us a call

Clack Automotive Repair
775.738.8106
475 14th St
Elko, NV 89801

At Clack Automotive Repair in Elko NV (89801) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 775.738.8106. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

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February 29, 2012

Serpentine Belt Replacement At Clack Automotive Repair

Filed under: Serpentine Belt — clackautom225 @ 10:36 pm

Today’s Clack Automotive Repair article focuses on your serpentine belt. Your serpentine belt is a long belt that’s driven by your engine. It winds around several accessories that power important automotive systems. Let’s go over them.

First, the serpentine belt drives your air conditioning system. Next, the belt powers the alternator.

The serpentine belt may also run the pumps for both the power steering and power brakes. Serpentine Belt Replacement At Clack Automotive RepairIn some sedans, power steering may have an electric drive and power brakes can be vacuum driven.

And, on many vehicles, the serpentine belt powers the water pump (on some cars, the water pump is powered by the timing belt).

Your Clack Automotive Repair service technician can perform a visual inspection of the belt to see if it has any cracks that signal the belt could fail soon and will measure the amount of belt material to make sure there is enough.

Elko drivers should be aware that there’s a special, spring loaded pulley attached to the engine called the tensioner pulley and sometimes an extra pulley call the idler pulley. Their job is to make sure there’s a constant tension on the serpentine belt so that it doesn’t slip. The spring can become worn and no longer provide the necessary pressure to keep the belt tight. That’s why it’s often recommended that the tensioner, and the idler pulley if so equipped, be replaced at the same time as the serpentine belt.

All in all, the serpentine belt’s an important part for the function of your sedan. And it’s not that expensive to replace at Clack Automotive Repair – so it’s good to do so before it fails.

At Clack Automotive Repair in Elko NV (89801) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 775.738.8106. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

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