Hargrave's Collision & Mechanical Repair

Phoenix Drivers: Is Nitrogen Right for Your Tires?

hargrav839 — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:20:28 +0000

Should Phoenix drivers use nitrogen in their tires? Air’s air, right? Well it turns out there is a difference. At the heart of the matter is maintaining proper tire inflation. When your Sedan tires are properly inflated, they last longer, handle better and more safely and they save money at Phoenix gas pumps.

The problem is that tires filled with air can lose a pound and a half of air pressure every month. This just happens as the oxygen in the tire seeps out as you drive around Phoenix. So if you don’t check your pressure for a month or two you can be significantly low – low enough to affect handling, shorten tire life and waste money at the fuel pump. Tires filled with nitrogen will take about six months to lose as much pressure as regular air does in a month. So it’s more forgiving of those Phoenix drivers who don’t check their pressure every week.

Also, oxygen at higher temperatures – like those inside your tire when you’ve been driving for a while – oxidizes the inside of your tire. Getting the oxygen out of your tire means that it’ll last longer.

So who’s using nitrogen? Let’s start with NASCAR and Indy. These racers like nitrogen’s ability to maintain consistent tire pressure and reduce tire temperatures under very demanding conditions. The U.S. government requires all commercial aircraft to have nitrogen in their tires. NASA and the U.S. Military use nitrogen. The mining industry has been filling those ginormous tires with nitrogen for years. AZ Semi-trucks and trailers are starting to use nitrogen extensively. These guys chart everything they do and they invest in the benefits of nitrogen.

The good news is that nitrogen fill doesn’t cost very much or take long at Hargrave’s Collision & Mechanical Repair in Phoenix. It doesn’t affect your tire warranty. If you decide that nitrogen is right for your Sedan tires, remember that it’s still important to check your tire pressure regularly. You might have a leak that needs to be fixed. And you can always top your tire off with regular air if you need to.

If you have questions about nitrogen, Belts or Transmission Flush, give David George a call at Hargrave’s Collision & Mechanical Repair in Phoenix. We’ve been providing professional automotive services in Phoenix for 66 years.

Hargrave’s Collision & Mechanical Repair
602.956.3760
1934 E Indian School Road
Phoenix, AZ 85016

At Hargrave’s Collision & Mechanical Repair in Phoenix AZ (85016) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 602.956.3760. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

Viva la Differential At Hargrave’s Collision & Mechanical Repair

hargrav839 — Tue, 08 May 2012 20:21:48 +0000

With front-wheel drive being so common in Phoenix these days, the differential is just taken care of during a transmission service, so most Phoenix folks don’t even have to think about it. And most rear-wheel drive Sedan differentials don’t need to be serviced for many miles, so it’s understandable that it’s not something on the top of mind. So it’s not uncommon for AZ people to not know they have a differential let alone know that it needs service.

To better understand what a differential does, think about a high school track. There are lanes marked off on the track. For the longer distance races, the starting lines are staggered. The starting lines for the outside lanes are ahead of the starting lines for the inside lanes. That’s to compensate for the longer length of the outside lanes. Staggering the starting lines means that each runner has the same distance to run.

The differential compensates for the difference in speeds on drive wheels between the inside wheel and the outside wheel in a turn, because they have to travel together through slightly different distances.

Many Sedan differentials do a lot of work and require very heavy duty parts. And those parts need protection. The differential fluid lubricates the gears in the differential and keeps them cool. The fluid eventually gets dirty and worn down. Some kinds of differentials require special additives that break down over time. So manufacturers and Hargrave’s Collision & Mechanical Repair technicians recommend intervals for replacing your differential fluid.

Your Hargrave’s Collision & Mechanical Repair service technician will drain the used fluid and check it out for metal bits, which could be a sign of excessive wear on the gears. He’ll then replace the fluid and install the additives if necessary.

Phoenix four wheel drive Sedans need special attention to their differentials because they have a differential on both the front and rear axles that work at different times and sometimes under heavy loads – so they may need to be serviced at Hargrave’s Collision & Mechanical Repair at different intervals.

Your Phoenix service advisor can look up the manufacturer’s recommended service interval or you can check your Sedan owner’s manual.

Give us a call

Hargrave’s Collision & Mechanical Repair
602.956.3760
1934 E Indian School Road
Phoenix, AZ 85016

Getting The Right Wheels And Tires At Hargrave’s Collision & Mechanical Repair In Phoenix

hargrav839 — Fri, 04 May 2012 20:14:18 +0000

A lot of people in the Phoenix area want custom wheels. When you do this yourself (over the internet . . .) you could run into trouble if you’re not careful. Sometimes they just don’t fit right: The tires rub in turns or over bumps. Consulting a tire professional at Hargrave’s Collision & Mechanical Repair in Phoenix can ensure you get the right fit for your Sedan. First he’ll ask you a series of questions about your driving needs and what you want in your new wheels.

Now, not every wheel can go on every vehicle. Care must be taken so that tires and wheels are not too large or that the wheel is centered too far towards the outside or the inside. If you don’t want to make any modifications to your Sedan, you would need to focus on a wheel and tire combination that would fit. With trucks, some Phoenix people like much bigger tires so they need a suspension lift.

Also, most Phoenix people don’t realize that you need to keep the rolling diameter of your new tires – that’s the overall height of the tire – very close to what came from the factory in order for your anti-lock brakes and stability control systems to work properly.

The Sedan computers that control these systems are calibrated to a certain size tire. When you go bigger or smaller, the computer doesn’t know what changes you made so it can’t tell how fast you’re going. This, of course, means it sends commands to the brakes and traction control that are based on the wrong sensor information. If you go with a different rolling diameter, your Sedan vehicle control computer can be reprogrammed for the new tire size. At Hargrave’s Collision & Mechanical Repair, we can give you information about control computer reprogramming.

Either way, there are hundreds of wheel and tire choices to choose from in Phoenix. You can pick the style of wheel you want and then talk with your Phoenix tire professional about how big the wheel should be – and select the right tire to meet your style, performance, ride and handling needs – and the best way to do all this is to have your Friendly Hargrave’s Collision & Mechanical Repair tire specialist see your Sedan in person so mistakes are not made.

At Hargrave’s Collision & Mechanical Repair, we also offer Belts and Transmission Flush.

Give us a call

Hargrave’s Collision & Mechanical Repair
602.956.3760
1934 E Indian School Road
Phoenix, AZ 85016

Wheel Alignment Service At Hargrave’s Collision & Mechanical Repair In Phoenix

hargrav839 — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:08:15 +0000

When all of a vehicle’s wheels are lined up exactly with each other, your wheels are in alignment. Hitting a road hazard in Phoenix or even just the normal bumps and bounces of everyday AZ driving can cause your Sedan wheels to be out of alignment. This can lead to expensive premature tire and suspension wear.

Here are some alignment basics from Hargrave’s Collision & Mechanical Repair:
The first angle is called toe: do the wheels point in towards each other or away from each other at the front of the tire.
The next angle is called camber: do the wheels tip in or out at the top.
And finally, there is castor. Castor measures the angle where the front axles attach to the vehicle.

The ideal alignment for your Sedan was designed by its engineers. Hargrave’s Collision & Mechanical Repair alignment service starts with an inspection of the steering and suspension – so see if anything’s bent, broken or worn out. Then the Hargrave’s Collision & Mechanical Repair technician will look at tire condition. From there, the Sedan is put on an alignment rack and an initial alignment reading is taken. The wheels are then aligned to manufacturer’s specifications.

Your owner’s manual probably has a recommendation for how often your Sedan alignment should be checked – usually every couple of years. If you suspect an alignment problem with your Sedan, get it checked at Hargrave’s Collision & Mechanical Repair before you suffer expensive tire or suspension damage.

Give us a call

Hargrave’s Collision & Mechanical Repair
602.956.3760
1934 E Indian School Road
Phoenix, AZ 85016

Cooling System Service At Hargrave’s Collision & Mechanical Repair

hargrav839 — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 18:25:59 +0000

Your Sedan cooling system’s job is to keep your engine cool. Coolant (also called antifreeze) mixed with water flows through your engine and absorbs heat. The mixture then flows out to the radiator where it’s cooled by air flowing over the radiator. From there the cooled mix circulates back through the Sedan engine to absorb more heat.

Coolant, or antifreeze, is specially formulated to keep your engine safe in a wide range of environmental and operating temperatures in Phoenix.

Without coolant, the Sedan’s metal engine parts would expand so much that the engine would seize up and stop running. Expensive parts could be broken or warp so badly they would have to be replaced at Hargrave’s Collision & Mechanical Repair in Phoenix. It could even be so bad that the whole engine is ruined and has to be replaced.

Also, if it’s freezing outside in Phoenix, the water in your engine could freeze while your vehicle is sitting out in the AZ cold. This is why you check coolant levels frequently and have your cooling system inspected for leaks. Also your manufacturer has a maintenance requirement for draining and replacing your coolant. These recommendations can vary widely, so check your Phoenix owner’s manual or ask your service advisor at Hargrave’s Collision & Mechanical Repair in Phoenix.

The reason you need to change the coolant is that it has additives in it to protect the cooling system. As you can imagine, with all the heat, the cooling system’s a pretty harsh environment. The additives keep the fluid from becoming corrosive and damaging the radiator and other Phoenix cooling system components. Over time, the additives are depleted and the coolant just has to be replaced. A simple pH test can measure the coolant’s acidity.

You may have noticed that there are different colors of antifreeze at Hargrave’s Collision & Mechanical Repair: it is very important that you use the correct type. The different coolant types are different colors so you don’t mix them up. Manufacturers use different materials to make the cooling system, and they require different types of antifreeze to protect them.

So check with your Friendly Hargrave’s Collision & Mechanical Repair service advisor or owner’s manual for the right kind because using the wrong coolant can void the warranty for your Sedan cooling system.

Ask us about European Cars, Transmission Flush and timing belt replacement.

Give us a call

Hargrave’s Collision & Mechanical Repair
602.956.3760
1934 E Indian School Road
Phoenix, AZ 85016

Severe Driving In Phoenix

hargrav839 — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:54:59 +0000

Most Phoenix motorists know that their owner’s manuals have schedules for preventive maintenance. Things like oil changes, transmission service and so on. They say you should change your oil every so many miles or after so many months. Phoenix people understand this very well. What they may not know is that there are actually two service schedules: the regular schedule and the severe service schedule. The mileage and time intervals are lower on the severe service schedule.

Now when you hear “severe service”, you may think it doesn’t apply to you because you don’t feel your driving conditions are severe or extreme – it’s just normal everyday driving around Phoenix. At Hargrave’s Collision & Mechanical Repair, we discuss the conditions that manufacturers classify as severe so that you can make the judgment on your own driving.

Most trips are less than four miles

Most trips are less than ten miles and outside temperatures are below freezing in Phoenix

You drive in very hot AZ weather

Driving at low speed most of the time (under 55 mph)

Stop and go driving

Operating your vehicle in dusty, polluted or muddy conditions

You tow a trailer, regularly carry heavy loads or carry a car-top carrier on your Sedan

Most Phoenix drivers operate under severe driving conditions at least some of the time. How do you know which schedule to follow for your Sedan?

Carefully think about your driving conditions and decide if you should do your preventive maintenance closer to the severe service recommendation or the regular recommendation. Of course, your Hargrave’s Collision & Mechanical Repair advisor can help you with your decision.

Phoenix Tire Tread Depth – Washington vs. Lincoln

hargrav839 — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:39:50 +0000

Today’s Hargrave’s Collision & Mechanical Repair article discusses the effect of tire tread depth on braking. When talking about stopping power, Phoenix drivers tend to focus on brakes. But our tires are where the rubber meets the road. So having good brakes isn’t enough. Phoenix motorists have to have tires with enough traction to translate braking power into stopping power.

Let’s focus on stopping in wet Phoenix conditions. In order for a tire to have good contact with the road, it has to move the water out of the way. If it can’t move the water, the tire will actually ride on top of a thin film of water.

That’s called hydroplaning. At Hargrave’s Collision & Mechanical Repair we want our customers to know that if it’s really bad, you can actually spin out of control. At best, you won’t stop as fast.

So how does a tire move water? It has channels for water to flow through. Look at a tire and you’ll see channels: channels that run around the tire and channels that flow across the tire. They’re designed to direct water away from the tire so it can contact the road better.

And the deeper the channel, the more water it can move. A brand new tire has very deep channels and can easily move a lot of water. As the tire wears down, the channels become shallower and can move less water. When it wears down enough, it can seriously affect your ability to stop on wet Phoenix roads.

So that’s why it’s so important for Phoenix drivers to replace the tires on their Sedans when they get worn. Consumer Reports and other advocate groups call for a standard of 3/32 of an inch and they have the studies to prove it.

By comparison, you’ve probably seen the wear indicator that’s molded into tires. When tires are worn 3/32 of an inch, the tread wear bar is visible. So the recommended standard has twice the tread depth as a completely worn out tire.

And that little bit of additional tread makes a big difference. Stopping distances are cut dramatically on wet roads. A safe stop from AZ freeway speeds with 4/32 of an inch of tread would result in a crash with worn out tires.

There’s an easy way to tell when a tire’s worn to 4/32 of an inch. Just insert a quarter into the tread. Put it in upside down. If the tread doesn’t cover George Washington’s hairline, it’s time to replace your tires. With a Canadian quarter, the tread should cover the numbers in the year stamp.

You’ve probably heard of this technique using a penny and Abe Lincoln’s head. That measure gives you 2/32 of an inch – half the suggested amount.

Of course, tires are a big ticket item for Phoenix car owners. Most of us want to get as many miles out of them as we can. But there’s a real safety trade-off. It’s your choice.

Schedule A Suspension Inspection At Hargrave’s Collision & Mechanical Repair

hargrav839 — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:35:33 +0000

Today’s Tempe car care article focuses on your suspension system. After many years and tens of thousands of miles, your Sedan suspension system components do wear out, but how long that takes depends a lot on how you drive. As you can imagine, if most of your driving is on smooth Tempe highways, your shock absorbers will last a lot longer than if you do most of your driving on bumpy roads or hauling heavy loads.

In addition to just wearing out, Hargrave’s Collision & Mechanical Repair customers need to know that suspension components can be damaged in an accident or by a hard impact – like a pothole, hitting a curb or a rock in the road.

Because the life span of shocks can vary so widely, your Sedan manufacturer and Hargrave’s Collision & Mechanical Repair recommend periodic inspections. During an inspection, your Tempe service technician will check for worn, broken or missing parts.

Signs that shocks or struts are wearing out: The tires may have a cupped wear pattern. This is from the shocks bouncing unevenly as you drive around Tempe. You may notice a floaty or drifting sensation when cornering. If the front of your Sedan dives excessively when stopping, or rocks back and forth after you stopped, your shocks may be worn out. And if they are leaking fluid, it’s definitely time to replace them.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, come into Hargrave’s Collision & Mechanical Repair for a suspension inspection. Same if you’ve been in an accident that involved one of your wheels. Worn or broken shocks can cause premature wear or failure on other Sedan suspension parts such as ball joints and other steering components as well. If your suspension actually fails, it could lead to a serious accident, so let us take care of your suspension components at Hargrave’s Collision & Mechanical Repair.

When you replace your shocks, it’s usually a good idea to replace all four at the same time. That’ll give you more even handling. Talk with your service advisor at Hargrave’s Collision & Mechanical Repair because you don’t want a big difference between the performance of your shocks from wheel to wheel, and replacing all may be the safest bet.

Serpentine Belt Replacement At Hargrave’s Collision & Mechanical Repair

hargrav839 — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:39:38 +0000

Today’s Hargrave’s Collision & Mechanical Repair article focuses on your serpentine belt. Your serpentine belt is a long belt that’s driven by your engine. It winds around several accessories that power important automotive systems. Let’s go over them.

First, the serpentine belt drives your air conditioning system. Next, the belt powers the alternator.

The serpentine belt may also run the pumps for both the power steering and power brakes. In some Sedans, power steering may have an electric drive and power brakes can be vacuum driven.

And, on many vehicles, the serpentine belt powers the water pump (on some cars, the water pump is powered by the timing belt).

Your Hargrave’s Collision & Mechanical Repair service technician can perform a visual inspection of the belt to see if it has any cracks that signal the belt could fail soon and will measure the amount of belt material to make sure there is enough.

Phoenix drivers should be aware that there’s a special, spring loaded pulley attached to the engine called the tensioner pulley and sometimes an extra pulley call the idler pulley. Their job is to make sure there’s a constant tension on the serpentine belt so that it doesn’t slip. The spring can become worn and no longer provide the necessary pressure to keep the belt tight. That’s why it’s often recommended that the tensioner, and the idler pulley if so equipped, be replaced at the same time as the serpentine belt.

All in all, the serpentine belt’s an important part for the function of your Sedan. And it’s not that expensive to replace at Hargrave’s Collision & Mechanical Repair – so it’s good to do so before it fails.

PCV Valve Replacement At Hargrave’s Collision & Mechanical Repair

hargrav839 — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 22:15:51 +0000

Today’s Scottsdale car care article focuses on PCV valve replacement. The PCV valve is a little, inexpensive part that does a big job for your Sedan. PCV stands for Positive Crankcase Ventilation.

The crankcase is the bottom area of the engine that holds the oil. When the Sedan engine’s running, fuel is burned to generate power. Most of the exhaust from combustion goes out through the exhaust system. But some exhaust blows by the pistons and goes into the lower engine, or crankcase.

These hot gases are about seventy percent unburned fuel. This can dilute and contaminate the oil, leading to damaging engine oil sludge. It can also cause engine corrosion in your Sedan. At high speeds, the pressure can build up to the point that gaskets and seals start to leak.

Scottsdale car owners need to know that over time, the vented gases will gum up the PCV valve and it won’t work well. That can lead to all of the problems I’ve already described, oil leaks, excessive oil consumption and wasted gas.

Fortunately, it’s very easy to test the PCV valve and quick and inexpensive to replace it at Hargrave’s Collision & Mechanical Repair. Even so, it’s often overlooked because many Scottsdale drivers don’t know about it.

Check your Sedan owner’s manual or ask your Hargrave’s Collision & Mechanical Repair advisor. If this is the first time you’ve heard of a PCV valve, you might be in line for a PCV valve replacement.

Please ask us about your PCV valve. For the price of a couple of burger combo meals, you can avoid some very expensive deep engine repairs.