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Just because the tread depth of a tire looks okay does not mean the tire is still safe. The age of the tire may be an even more important factor. Care must be taken to be certain the tires on a vehicle are not past a safe age. Many experts agree that six-years is the safe life of a tire. Even though the treads may be good the internal construction of the tire could be compromised.
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Vehicle maintenance can be very confusing. Every day, vehicles end up in junk yards because of a lack of it. At the same time, millions of dollars are wasted every year on useless services or worse, things that actually create problems.
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Vibrations in a vehicle are more than just annoying; they can cause damage. Solving vibration problems is easier with a logical approach. A few simple tests will help find the source of most problems.
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Louisiana and most others States collect a fee to handle disposal of old tires. Tire transporters are paid to collect and dispose of these used tires. Unfortunately no one verifies that these tires are destroyed. Instead these often outdated used tires are collected and sometimes resold to the public. Used tire stores and flea markets may sell dangerously outdated tires with little or no regulation.
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I feel it is ironic that two of the strongest urges in mankind are actually contradictory:
1.) The urge to avoid risk.
2.) The urge to get more than we pay for.
Perhaps as ironic, these two urges are often used to take advantage of people, giving them neither. A lottery may be an example. The amount wagered is small, thus seeming to avoid any real risk. Yet the lure is to get more than is paid for. Even though there is almost no chance to win, huge numbers of people give away millions of their hard earned dollars.
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Con artist often use an enduring method to make the person being taken think they are getting a great deal. Something in human nature tends to make people abandon caution when they think they are going to gain. This is the basis of many classic cons and I believe the basis of extended warranties .
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An automatic transmission is one of the most expensive components on a vehicle so protecting it where possible only makes sense. While this should be simple misinformation is everywhere and knowing at which mileage to service an automatic transmission can be difficult.
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A great deal is written when it is best to change oil and from many perspectives. Much of what is written appears to slant the facts about oil changes to fit their position and it is difficult to know what is best.
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A pull to the left or right, when driving, may have many causes. Improper wheel alignment is one, but not the most common. Before requesting a wheel alignment, we can check several things which may be the cause.
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Many people have never heard of a transient current flow. Transient current flow can cause thousands of dollars in damage to a vehicle. Unfortunately there may be very few outward signs until it is too late. Fortunately it can also be detected and prevented, with a few simple steps.
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After driving a long distance we pull off the interstate and stop for fuel. Resuming our trip, the transmission makes a hard shift and sticks in second gear. Many fears may come to mind such as, what’s happening, can I make it home and how much is this going to cost?
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Years ago, there was a best-selling book with a similar title. Though we believe we clearly state our wishes, often they do not come across to the auto repair shop. Apparently auto repair shops speak an alien language, or at least do not understand the one people use.
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This year, as in years past, AGGO will close our for Summer shop vacation.
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A blown head gasket may cause a number of different symptoms. Coolant in the engine oil, an engine misfire or oil leaking from the engine could all be a symptom. Each of these symptoms could also have other causes and an actual blown head gasket may show none of the above symptoms.
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Because of precise pressure requirements, modern vehicles normally use electric fuel pumps, located inside the fuel tank. These pumps are complex and can be difficult to access. This often makes replacement very expensive. Fortunately, fuel pump failure is often preventable.
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Any place that people live, we will also find rodents. They exist in many varieties and all have one thing in common. Rodents love to gnaw. When a rodent turns their eye to our automobiles, the results are expensive and inconvenient.
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An often overlooked part of an engine is the harmonic balancer. Failure in the harmonic balancer can be as simple as a squeaking noise or as catastrophic as an engine failure. Proper service procedures and learning to spot symptoms helps prevent most problems the harmonic balancer may cause.
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When a modern automatic transmission begins to fail, few signs may let us know. Computers allow them to operate and not show outward signs of a problem that is occurring. When symptoms begin to show, it is normally too late. By learning to watch the shift patterns, we can recognize signs that may help greatly reduce our costs.
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Have you ever wondered why AGCO closes at noon on Friday?
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Joe needs a set of tires for his vehicle and naturally he wants the best deal he can get. He shops a bit but hears so many pitches that he has no idea who to believe. Exhausted, he buys a set that promises the lowest price. A few days later he notices a vibration as he drives . . .
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Many problems with modern vehicles involve checking electrical circuits. Basic testing is easy but a good deal of damage can be done by careless methods. These tips should make the process much easier.
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Modern automotive engines use an overhead valve design. Valves require lubrication which allows an opportunity for leakage. Valve cover gaskets help to keep the engine oil where it belongs and prevent leaks.
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Power windows are convenient, until they malfunction. When the window stops working in an up position, it is annoying. A power window that will not close may be even worse, especially in the cold or rain.
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Changing your own oil is not for everyone. Some folks simply do not enjoy physical work and this is not for them. For those of us that enjoy the feeling of accomplishment that comes from work, I have included many details professionals use, to help do a great job.
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The positive crankcase ventilation or PCV valve is an inexpensive and often overlooked component. It is also one possible cause of expensive oil leaks and sludge buildup in an engine.
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Most modern vehicles will not shift out of the park position, unless we apply the brakes. This is a safety feature. The feature may go unnoticed, until the vehicle will not come out of park, even with the brakes applied.
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As a timing chain wears and gets longer, the camshaft starts to lag behind the crankshaft. We call this problem retarding the camshaft timing. An engine with retarded camshaft timing has lower performance and fuel economy.
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If your General Motors SUV or truck is losing coolant, with no visible signs of a leak, the source may shock you. Worse, allowing the problem to go on may well mean a new engine.
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Poorly thought out change can also be very costly, without providing benefits. The Ford two-piece spark plug is a good example of this. For whatever reason, Ford decided to build a two-piece spark plug and install it in millions of their V8 engines. The unlucky people that own such a vehicle may be in for a very expensive lesson.
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Not many people consider renting a car for years on end. Leasing a vehicle is the same thing, except we are obligated until the end of the lease. Financial experts like Dave Ramsey call them a fleece and not without good reason.
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Many people are confused by a timing belt. Not every engine has one, but those that do require replacement at a specific mileage or time interval. Timing belts offer a number of advantages, such as light weight and precise timing over their lives. The timing belt is also far less affected by lubrication problems than a chain or gear drive. Like any piece of rubber, a timing belt will deteriorate in time. To know if your engine has a timing belt, it is best to refer to the owner's manual or ask to a trusted professional.
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Understanding the check engine light on a modern vehicle may be confusing. Most people are concerned when it comes on. If the light goes off, we assume things are okay. Now it comes on again. Knowing if we should continue driving or stop right now is difficult. To clear the confusion, we need a basic understanding of what the check engine light is trying to tell us.
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Vehicle designers use tie rods to connect the steering linkage to the wheels of a vehicle. Tie rods are very durable and require little attention. Should they fail, we may lose our steering. Occasionally inspecting the condition of our tie rods can easily prevent a catastrophe.
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Vehicle manufacturers provide dash gauges to give drivers important information about their vehicle. A dash gauge can show when a problem exists. If we know what they are telling us, dash gauges can also let us know before a problem occurs. Understanding our dash gauges can help prevent many problems.
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Wheel bearings come in a variety of designs. Many early designs, were made to be serviceable. Today most are either bolt-in or integral in design. Neither requires routine maintenance, but when they fail, learning the reason is important.
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Properly checking the automatic transmission fluid level is not as simple as most people think. Vehicles use different procedures and even getting a correct reading can be tricky. This guide should help get accurate automatic-transmission fluid level readings.
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Learning they have damage to the frame or unibody of their vehicle comes as a surprise to most people. More often the vehicle owner feels they have persistent problems with the suspension and alignment. Until now, these were problems they could not get answers for.
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A check engine light means the onboard diagnostic system sees a problem. When this occurs, the system stores a diagnostic trouble code or DTC in memory and the check engine light comes on. The cause could be as simple as a loose fuel cap. Many wonder why a loose fuel cap causes a check engine light.
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Windshield wipers get very little thought, until it rains. Lack of operation, poor wiping or wont stop working, are all problems that sometimes occur. If they do, this article can help you to understand why.
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A career in automotive repair can be challenging and pay very handsomely. Folks near the top of their fields, normally find the work interesting as well as rewarding. As with any profession there are also many that do not do well. Like most things, the quality of a person’s life normally mirrors their commitment to excellence.
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A vacuum brake booster provides power assist to the brake system. As anyone who has experience a booster failure knows, the booster greatly reduces the effort required to stop the vehicle. Brake booster problems misdiagnosed, often set off a series of expensive events.
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Shock absorbers and McPherson struts are often recommended for replacement. The reasons sometime have more to do with profit margins in the shop than actual need of the client.
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The Ford 4.6 liter and 5.4 liter engines power millions of SUV, truck and car models. The Ford Modular engine is well engineered, but it is designed for specific lubrication. The oil viscosity and the type of oil filter can mean the difference between reliable service and an expensive repair.
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Driving about 45 MPH there is a sudden shudder in the vehicle. It almost feels like running over a rough spot in the road or a cattle guard. As quick as it appeared, it is gone, until the next time it occurs.
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In modern vehicles, a smooth comfortable ride is taken for granted. A great deal of technology is involved. When the ride becomes rough, there are reasons and this article may help find them.
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The color of automatic transmission fluid can suggest an automatic transmission problem. Using only the color of the fluid as a guide can also be misleading. When transmission problems exist, other symptoms are normally present. We should be cautious of businesses that sell repair based only on the automatic transmission fluid color. Knowing the normal color and looking for other symptoms can help prevent scams.
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The 2005 through 2010 models of Nissan Pathfinder, X-Terra and Frontier are popular vehicles. Unfortunately, many owners are having major automatic transmission failure at just more than 100,000 miles. Fortunately, it may be preventable.
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The wheel studs and lugs on older vehicles are very basic. Most are 7/16 or half inch diameter and they all work about the same. Modern vehicles use dozens of metric and standard sizes with several thread pitches. They also center the wheel on the vehicle differently and using the wrong application may be dangerous.
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When we have problems inside a door, we must remove the interior door panel. This may be no small task. Removal techniques are as plentiful as vehicles on the road. Service data for the vehicle is necessary for specific detail, but these guidelines may help us prevent damage.
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We hear also sorts of propaganda about buying a new car to stimulate the economy. I believe it is time for a little AGCOnomics, stimulate the economy of our own family. Not by losing 60% of what we pay for a new car, in three years. Learning how to make the vehicle we have last 15 years. With AGCOnomics, we spend the savings on our family, vacation, paying off our mortgage and things we enjoy.
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