Here at Happy Jap’s Auto Repair we believe an informed customer is a good customer. We like to share our experience and knowledge about auto repair with the world. Through this blog we hope to help people learn how to better care for their cars. We hope to share some insight about what exactly our mechanics do to fix your car and get you back on the road. Great auto repair knowledge should not be kept secret. Follow this blog to learn more auto repair insight from our experienced mechanics. Browse the other pages of the site to get an idea about what kind of auto repair services we can provide.
A cold start occurs when the engine is at ambient temperature. Cold starts can actually cause more wear on the engine than normal use does. It takes time for engines to circulate oil through themselves. Typically this is less than a second, but the engine is actually running without oil during this time. Lower temperature aggravate the situation because the oil doesn’t flow as well and increases the time the engine runs without oil.
Modern vehicles use computers that feature on board diagnostics (OBD). These computers use sensors to watch various engine functions. When one of these sensors detects a signal that is outside of the range set by the car manufacturer, it turns logs a diagnostic trouble code and turns on the check engine light. This light indicates to the driver that the needs to be checked out.
Codes generated by the on board diagnostic system. A mechanic can use these codes to find out exactly what is happening inside the engine.
On board diagnostics are built into every modern car. The computer in the car monitors signals from sensors in and around the engine to monitor its health and performance.
These diagnostics can help a mechanic see what is going wrong on the car, but not why. It is important to remember that there is nothing that can magically tell the mechanic what needs to be replaced to fix the problem. A good mechanic is still needed to interpret these diagnostic results.
Responsible for keeping raw gasoline fumes inside the tank. Uses a system of hoses and valves to process air through the system. A charcoal filter traps any hydrocarbons in the air to prevent them from entering the atmosphere.
Refers to the parts that make the car move. This includes the engine, transmission, driveshaft, differential, and more.
Some parts on cars can be rebuilt by specialty companies and sold again at a lower cost. This is most common with driveshafts and alternators. These parts typically lost signifantly less than the new part. When purchased from a reputable company, will usually perform as well as a new part.
Used to transfer movement from the transmission to the wheels.
On rear wheel drive cars they typically run down the center of the car, underneath the floor to the rear axle.
On front wheel drive cars there are 2 running from the middle of the car outwards to the wheels, just behind the engine.
Joint in a shaft that allows the shaft to bend while turning. Most commonly used in driveshafts on rear wheel drive cars.
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