Laurel Auto Repair

What Does A Check Engine Light Mean? The Check Engine Light in your car can signal various issues. Emissions problems and sensor failures can cause the Check Engine Light to come on. The Check Engine Light is also known as the Malfunction Indicator Lamp. It is a critical warning on your car’s dashboard. When it lights up, it’s a sign that your car’s onboard computer (ECM or PCM) has found a problem in the engine or emission control system. Newer cars have robust emission controls. The Check Engine Light may indicate issues with parts like the catalytic converter or oxygen sensor. Loose gas caps, faulty fuel injectors, or fuel pump problems can trigger the Check Engine Light. Engine misfires from spark plugs, ignition coils, or vacuum leaks are common causes. Sometimes, transmission issues can also cause the Check Engine Light to come on. Wiring problems, faulty connectors, or electrical components in the engine control system can be root causes. Our mechanics will us ... read more

Why Is My AC Blowing Warm In My Car? When you push the button to turn on the AC in your Car, you expect the AC to Blow Cold Air from the vents. What does it mean when the AC Blows Warm Air? There are two sides to the AC system in your car. The first side is the power, or the control unit where you ask the AC to come on. You set the temperature control and tell the air where to blow. These temperature controls can be digital with a temperature display. Most digital controls include dual-zone climate control, or front and rear zones. They can also be analog, or use a knob that shifts the temperature along a range from cold to hot. Your vent positions are controlled the same way. They change from dash, to vent to floor depending on the position you choose. The second side of your AC system is mechanical. This part of your AC system is a sealed system. It uses refrigerant or Freon to make the air in the passenger compartment cold. Parts like the AC Compressor, AC Condenser, and Evaporator ... read more

Can You Drive A Car With An Oil Leak? Engine oi is a very important part of your car, specifically the engine itself. Oil is made to clean, lubricate, and dissipate heat from the moving parts of your car engine. Each engine is made to hold a specific type and a specific amount of oil. Most of today’s cars use synthetic oil. This means you are not going to the auto shop every 3,000 miles for service anymore. Your car may not be getting checked out as often as it used to. So, what happens if your car develops an oil leak? An engine oil leak may appear as a darkened spot underneath your car. You may experience a burning smell from the engine compartment. To help prevent damage (premature failure or further wear), check your engine oil level. If it is low, you can top off your oil level with the correct viscosity. Driving with an active oil leak can cause more expensive repairs in the future. There are additives and higher detergent value in modern engine oil. This can cause rubber ... read more

What Does A Cabin Air Filter Do? Your car has a cabin air filter that helps clean the air you breathe. The cabin air filter can catch particles like pollen, dust and pollutants. Over time, the cabin air filter can become clogged with dirt and debris. The heat and AC in your car are affected by the air flow through the cabin air filter. Sometimes when a cabin air filter gets dirty you may notice a bad smell or musty smell from the vents. Cabin air filters are made from paper, cloth, or carbon. With allergy season so close, have our mechanics check your cabin air filter today. Our mechanics can make sure you have a great time on the road this spring. Visit us on Google: https://posts.gle/r3YiGw

Is It Safe to Drive A Car That Is Overheating? The short answer is no. If your car is overheating, you could damage the engine by continuing to drive. Cars use coolant or antifreeze to control engine temperatures. Parts like the water pump push coolant through the cooling system. In the front of your car, cooling fans blow air over the engine compartment. The radiator also sits at the front of your car. It has an inlet where antifreeze or coolant enters the radiator. The radiator works like a heat exchanger. It helps cool down the fluid before it makes its way back to the engine again. The thermostat watches the engine temperature. It opens or closes based on the temperature and signals when the fan should switch on and off. Modern cars have coolant temperature sensors and coolant level sensors. These sensors track and adjust engine control systems. The engine is not designed to operate outside of a safe operating temperature. Modern car modules, computers and parts need to be protecte ... read more