Auto Repair Tempe

Welcome to Part 2 in this educational series on the functioning of the diesel engine! Today in Part 2 we're going to cover the Stages Of Combustion. If you missed Part 1 simply check last week's posting

You have no doubt noticed the level of technology built into the modern automobile. Who could have guessed what we have today just 50 years ago? Where will we be in another 50 years? What about just 10, or even 5 years? Check out the video below to see the automotive vision of Texas Instruments in our near future. About This Video And Its Authors TI, a leading supplier in automotive technology, offers innovations for cars of today and tomorrow. TI's vision of near-term and longer-term automotive technology is featured in this video. TI's automotive technologies give customers the ability to introduce many highly sophisticated features into today's automobiles including infotainment systems that keep drivers informed and passengers entertained, safety features that assist with parking and detect driver drowsiness and innovative communications technology. TI's automotive technologies transform cars into portable command centers for entertainment and information, with instan ... read more

There's nothing like the let down of noticing the first dent on your new car. As one person put it, "it's not much fun to wax a dent". Getting it fixed is certainly an option, but maybe a pricey one. Or is it? Perhaps you've seen paint-less dent removal advertised or even offered in a local, exterior mall kiosk. Have you ever wondered how it works, and even if it works? I've wondered myself. My experiences of popping out a dent in many materials is that there's always some kind or remnant of the damage left behind. Not to mention we're usually talking metal here (sometimes plastic of some variety). Well, wonder no more how this is accomplished, all without removing any body parts from your car. Here's a beginners guide demonstrating the type of techniques and equipment used! And here are a few more examples

Water pumps. We don't think about them often, but they're a really important part of our vehicles. Let's take a step back. You see, the engine is cooled by a coolant, anti-freeze, mixed with water. This mixture circulates around your engine, absorbing some of the heat. The coolant then flows through the radiator, where air cools it down for the return trip back through the engine. The water pump is what drives this process. Cooling system problems are the number one mechanical failure. So, the water pump plays a pretty important role. You can't get very far without a water pump! Do water pumps just wear out? If so, what causes them to fail? After all those miles and years of pumping coolant, they simply wear out. You might notice a whining or grinding sound coming from the water pump, or maybe you'll see coolant leaking from the pump itself. Where's the water pump located? The exact location varies, depending on the vehicle. Some have the water pump attached to ... read more

When it comes to saving money on your car, there are a lot of little tips and tricks some people don't know about. These things take very little effort or time, but they can end up saving you hundreds of dollars a year in car maintenance and gas costs. Here are six ways of saving money on your car that you might not have thought about before. Don't buy gas at the first station you see if you can avoid it. Shop around for gas. Sometimes one station will be consistently a little bit cheaper, and that savings can add up. Also, stations right off a major highway are often more expensive, so try to avoid them. You can also download apps for your smart phone that will help you find cheaper gas. You should also shop around for parts, tires, etc. It's estimated that the average driver will spend upwards of $3,300 a year on their vehicle! Even if your car is brand new or is in great shape, you'll still have to pay for routine maintenance such as ... read more

For more than a century people have been using cars, trucks and other personal vehicles to transport themselves, other people and goods from one location to another. In fact, the motorized vehicle went from being a luxury to a necessity in many parts of the world where public transportation and other options are limited. As a result of this dependence, it's vital the automobiles on the road are kept in good repair. The work needed to do so has changed a great deal since the first cars hit the road, and is likely to continue evolving along with the rest of the industry. A few decades ago, there were many people who could perform simple repairs on their own vehicles. On top of that, "backyard mechanics" were common. These men could take care of the more complicated auto repair matters, including the engine and other complex issues. Of course, the majority of people would take their cars and trucks to a mechanic shop with licensed mechanics. Dealership shops were a great place f ... read more

A flat tire is one of the best ways to ruin your day. Not only do you have to jack up the car, take the flat tire off, and put the spare on (or call a service like AAA), you have to suffer the inconvenience of having the puncture repaired. But how does a tire repair work, is it effective and when is a tire considered to be irreparable? 1. Tire Repair There are basically three approaches to repairing a tire: - Plugs are used to repair holes in the tread of the tire, normally in the size and shape of the puncture. This should seal leaks from the outside of the tire but may be ineffective at sealing the inside or inner lining of the tire. This is the preferred method as it is quick, easy and inexpensive. - Seals are used on the inside of the tire. This means the tire needs to be dismounted, which is a time consuming task. However, seals are often more effective than plugs. On the other hand, they do not repair the tread or outside of the ti ... read more

Bloomberg is currently reporting, "Self-driving cars being planned by Google and global automakers may help counter slumping demand from younger customers by tapping the fastest-growing demographic in the world’s largest vehicle markets: the elderly." Baby Boomers are all quickly joining the elderly in both the US and abroad in strong markets like Japan, where an ever-increasing number of older drivers are being hurt and killed in auto accidents. In an industry conference last week GM and Toyota both emphasized as many as 90 percent of traffic accidents caused by human error, therefore a key benefit of the automation technology is boosting safety. Japan, the world’s fastest-aging major economy and the third-largest car market, is leading the accident trend: of the 4,411 people who died on the road in the country last year, more than half ... read more

Over the last three weeks we've covered the technical nitty-gritty of how diesel engines work. Now that we've completed that short series, here's something nice to top it all off. This is aa video except from the wonderful Discovery Channel program, "How It's Made". Now, you'll get to see how a diesel engine is made in an Audi automotive factory

Some of the highest-priced car repairs could have been prevented with inexpensive, simple car maintenance. By performing this maintenance on a regular basis, you can potentially save yourself thousands of dollars over the lifetime of your car! Here are a few simple items to do on a regular basis: - Check your fluid levels and fill as needed - Check your tire pressure and adjust as needed - Change your oil as recommended in your car's owners manual - Have a professional safety inspection at least every other oil change - Have your transmission serviced as recommended in your car's owners manual Here's a few other suggestions from Scotty Kilmer, a mechanic for over 46 years