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Many folks have experienced the aggravation of a dead battery. Cheap batteries, that leak, may also cause other far more expensive problems.
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Why does AGCO have white floors in the service department . . .
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Estimates suggest people spend 18% of their total home budget on transportation cost. Inevitably the decision comes up, should I keep my vehicle or buy another?
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Every day money is wasted on automotive services and products that are not needed. Even worse, in many cases the replacement parts may not be as good as the parts replaced.
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It is quite common to find out of round tires. They shake and often damage suspension components. A question I am often asked is, what makes tires go out of round? The fact is, tires do not go out of round.
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There are two things most people know about synthetic oil. First, it cost a lot and second, it is man made in laboratories and better than conventional oil. The first might be so and the second might not. There is a great amount of mis-information on synthetic oil. The truth is, synthetic oil is NOT for everyone.
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The automotive cooling system is one of the most problem-prone components of a vehicle. The system is complex while giving outward appearances of simplicity. This is why cooling system repairs account for a huge amount of total repair to vehicles. Like many other things, most of the repairs are preventable.
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Many owners of GM vehicles have experienced problems with their dash gauges. Speedometers, tachometers, fuel gauges and temperature gauges that are noisy, do not work, stick or read improperly. GM recalled many of their SUV and truck models for this problem. The recall is up to 70,000 miles, though most people will not see symptoms till 80,000 plus.
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More and more automakers are turning to hi-tech gadgets to lure buyers. Almost no thought is given to cost/benefit. More than ever car buyers need to be extremely wary. High tech can easily turn into high cost, quicker than you might imagine.
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Many times I have recommended original equipment parts as a quality replacement. While this is still largely applicable, there are times when the original design is inferior. Fortunately, sometimes the aftermarket comes to the rescue. The General Motors New Process transfer case is just such an incident.
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Can a caveman mount and balance a tire? The answer might help solve a number of common problems folks have, but should not.
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Most folks realize an engine thermostat can cause a vehicle to overheat. Did you know thermostats are also one of the leading causes of poor fuel milage?
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I received an interesting question, asking for a recommendation of a new car dealership, from a service standpoint. I feel service should be a consideration when buying a new vehicle. I also have a different view point of how service might best be obtained.
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After a few years, modern GM V8 engines are very prone to a rough idle and misfire when cold. The check engine light may also come on, with codes P0300, P0171 and PO174. Strangely, as the engine warms up, the roughness tends to go away, which seems confusing.
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Water pumps are often likened to the heart of the cooling system. When the pump fails, the results are not pleasant. Most water pump failure can be prevented with a few simple measures.
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U-joints are often used where a flexible, rotating means of transmitting power is needed. They are inexpensive and durable as long as a few guidelines are followed.
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Whether drum or disk brakes the force of stopping is transferred by a liquid brake fluid. Like most automotive fluids, brake fluid has a service life and needs to be replaced. What is confusing is that even experts do not agree on when.
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You are rolling slowly in a parking lot, with slight turning pressure on the steering wheel. You feel a disconcerting knock or clunk in the steering wheel, chances are good that you are driving a General Motors product.
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The Ford Explorer and Sport Trac are popular vehicles. Many also have an annoying squeak or knock when turning or hitting bumps. Difficult to diagnose, one cause is common and can be expensive to correct.
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From 1999 through 2006 GM manufactured millions of sports utility vehicles (SUV) and trucks with Kelsey Hayes anti-lock brake modules. These units have a peculiar fault. When they fail the ABS light comes on and the pump often starts running continuously, even with the key off.
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Largely accepted is that things get old and break. Automobiles are certainly no exception. Many people get hundreds of thousands of useful miles. Others have to replace much sooner and have far more problems along the way. There are reasons and knowing them can save a person thousands of dollars.
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Virtually all modern vehicles have power steering and the majority are still hydraulic. These systems are reliable and easy to keep that way with a few simple tips.
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Valve stems are such an insignificant part of a vehicle that most people never give them a thought. Flat tires and blowouts on the other hand, get attention very quickly. Unfortunately the two may go hand in hand.
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A slight rear differential leak or a slight bearing noise is sometimes tempting to ignore. A proper repair involves disassembly of the differential and replacement of the worn parts. Doing nothing is far more expensive.
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Virtually all vehicles built today have anti-lock brakes. Many people still do not understand what they are or what they do. Surprisingly ABS does not make the vehicle stop faster or better.
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Most folks in the Baton Rouge area are familiar with the AGCO Automotive sign. This sign has proudly represented our company since 1999, but was severely damaged in hurricane Gustav. With the severe damage and the aging technology, the decision was made to replace the sign with a more energy efficient design.
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When the average person thinks of frame or unibody repair they may consider it as a single distinct thing. In reality there are almost countless ways a frame or unibody can be bent. There are also countless variations and combinations of damage.
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Power windows are a great convenience, until they break.
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Many people are being told that flushing their transmission is as good as a proper service. This is simply not the case and here is why.
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Traditions can be good things, when they help people and allow for better service. They can also be very bad when they stand in the way of improvement. AGCO thinks it's past time to turn some things around . . .
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With some things recognizing quality is relatively easy. The look, the feel, you can just see the quality. With other things, like auto service, it is a lot more difficult. For instance, how can we judge quality, before we have purchased the service.
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Late model General Motors vehicles have had more than their share of problems with intake manifold gasket failure. Many times these vehicles come to us, leaking again after having had the intake gaskets replaced elsewhere. Any number of things have been blamed, from Dexcool coolant to defective gaskets. I feel neither of these adequately explains the large number of repeat failures suffered by these engines.
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Several times a week vehicles come into the shop with major problems. Rear main seals, valve guide seals and valve covers leaking are very common. Inevitably, when the engine is examined it is clear the oil has not been changed often enough. The seals are now very hard and brittle and the engine has several leaks. More unfortunate, this may only be the beginning.
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Battery terminal corrosion is quite common. Not only is it damaging to the battery terminal and cable it can cause problems you might never expect. Simply cleaning it off is temporary at best and can cost you a bundle.
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AGCO wins the American Advertising Federation (AAF) award for an advertising campaign once again . . .
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Dull, dingy, yellow headlamps are as common as they are aggravating to drivers. They cause reduced visibility and are very unsightly. Most modern vehicles use plastic headlamps and many will discolor with age. Replacement is expensive and unnecessary. They are surprisingly easy to restore with inexpensive cleaners.
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Brake hoses are one of the most overlooked problem areas on a vehicle. While technology has transformed almost every component, the lowly brake hose remains virtually unchanged. Failure can be disastrous and inspection is not difficult.
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Sometimes older vehicles need major repair. A transmission, engine or possibly large air conditioner repair. Often when this occurs the first thought is, how much is the vehicle worth? The answer may have less to do with a book-value and far more to do with your needs.
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It is common to bait folks in with the offer of a low price. High profit add-ons, often of questionable value are then used to make profit. One example, in my opinion, is using nitrogen to fill passenger tires. The advantages have been hugely exaggerated as the benefits are almost nil.
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Buying a new hybrid may seem like a great way to save money. Many claim to get fantastic fuel mileage and there is no shortage of media promotion. From a service standpoint and from the standpoint of overall lowest cost, I feel there is another side to the story.
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The original vehicle brakes lasted 45,000 miles. Just 5,000 miles after the first "brake job " they are squealing again and now the steering wheel shakes when the brakes are applied.
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If the brake caliper slides seize, the inboard pad will apply and the outboard will not. If the slides bind, the outboard pad will not release when the brakes are released. In either case, rapid pad wear and rotor problems will result.
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The debate of advantages for diesel over gasoline light trucks is an old and ongoing one. There are pros and cons to both and basically, the decision to purchase one over the other comes down to expected use. Three diesel engines dominate the US light truck market.
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After coming to a stop it feels like someone hits you from the rear. You turn and look, but no one is there. If you drive a General Motors or other rear wheel drive truck or SUV, you are not alone. A loud clunk after stopping is a frequent complaint on these vehicles. You may have even been told it is normal. It is not and it can normally be fixed without much expense.
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Being energy efficient does not have to mean doing without. These insulation panels have proved to be a win-win situation . . .
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The terms "environmentally friendly" and "green" have largely been exploited to the point of making folks feel ill. Anything can be pushed to the point of absurdity by those that stand to gain. There are serious business applications for energy saving products. Energy equals money and saving energy means saving money.
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In August of 1992 the American Automobile Labeling Act (AALA) was introduced by the Senate. While the purpose was never clearly stated, it was heavily supported by the Big-Three and UAW. It was passed into law on 6 October 1992. In theory it informs vehicle buyers about domestic content in their vehicle. In practice it has several deficiencies.
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Rear differentials have axle bearings at both wheels. The bearings allow the axle shafts to rotate with little friction. As long as they are properly lubricated, they can last the life of the vehicle. If not they can cost a huge amount to repair.
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Properly setting the air pressure in tires can improve performance and extend life. Two pounds per square inch (PSI) can have a noticeable effect. Something not often considered is the accuracy of the gauge being used. Many gauges can read off by up to ten percent or more.
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At one time, everybody basically understood or knew someone who understood how vehicles worked. Today vehicles are so complex that even experts in the field normally only work with certain systems. With so much complexity there is bound to be misunderstanding. Where there is misunderstanding and money, shysters will find a way to prevail.
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