Although common belief has us fearing automotive breakdowns during the subzero chills of winter, our cars are equally susceptible to problems during summer’s scorching heat waves. This is especially true of a car’s coolant cooling system, which have the critical task of keeping the engine cool.

As you probably know, an engine that overheats often suffers catastrophic damage, making it useful as an oversized paperweight and little more. Fortunately, a properly maintained cooling system rarely fails and can ensure safe, reliable travels all summer—and winter—long. The most critical service is a cooling system flush, which removes coolant contanimated with dirt and debris from your system and replaces it with clean fluid. The fresh coolant also contains additives to prevent corrosion, which is key because the additives in your old fluid will have lost their effectiveness. While the recommended intervals for cooling system flushes vary from every 30,000 miles to every 90,000 miles, your Star Auto Authority service consultant will let you know what your vehicle requires.

Cooling system maintenance also includes periodically inspecting belts and hoses and ensuring the gasket on the radiator cap doesn’t deteriorate too much over time, reducing it’s sealing capabilities. In most cases, we also recommend replacing the water pump when you replace the timing belt. The water pump, which circulates the coolant through the engine, is usually located underneath all of the components you need to remove to access the timing belt. It’s minimal labor to replace it at the same time, and you could save yourself a breakdown and the trouble of paying for the entire job a second time if the water pump fails.

If you maintain the system and still find yourself with an overheating problem, here’s what you need to know if your coolant temperature light comes on or your temperature gauge goes into the hot zone Remember that overheating can be very expensive. You can literally melt down your engine and ruin it. Replacing the entire engine is an expensive proposition, so take the warning signs seriously and take immediate action.

1) Turn off the air conditioner. This will the lower engine temperature right away.

2) Turn your heater to maximum heat and run the fan at high speed. You might need to roll down the windows, but this will take a lot of heat off the engine.

3) Pull over as soon as you can safely do so, especially if you are stuck in slow-moving traffic, and shut the car off. It may take as long as 45 minutes for the engine to cool to the point that it’s safe to operate the car again.

WARNING: If you need to add water or antifreeze, wait until you are absolutely certain the engine has cooled down. If you open the radiator or even the overflow bottle when the coolant is hot and under pressure, it can shoot out like a geyser and cause serious burns. (When the car is running, the coolant is generally about 180-220 degrees Fahrenheit.)

4) After the engine has cooled, look to see if the coolant is low in the overflow tank. If so, you can cover the overflow tank cap with a large cloth and open the lid. Then start the engine and pour in some water or antifreeze. Pouring it in when the car is running will circulate the new, cool fluid with the warmer fluid in the engine and avoid engine damage.

5) Get to your auto repair shop right away.

If you have any doubts about the state of your engine or don’t happen to carry jugs of coolant around with you, do not hesitate to call a tow truck. (If you call Star Auto Authority directly, we can dispatch the tow truck for you.) Even if it costs you $100 or more, it pales in comparison to the cost of a new engine.

While the American automotive tradition always paints a picture of joyful motorists riding around in convertibles with the wind rushing through their hair, the reality on sweltering days like today is that we can’t escape the fresh air fast enough. We rush from the cool comfort of our air-conditioned homes and offices to our cars and immediately max the A/C, anxious for the cold to set in.

Posted by Jim

Unfortunately, there is the occasional setback: The air blows hot instead of cold, or the air cools but only trickles from the vents. When the temperatures soar like they have this week, we are flooded with calls from clients whose A/C has left them feeling a bit…tropical.  With those calls comes questions about vehicle air-conditioning systems, and I’d like to take a minute to clear up some misconceptions.

1) Your car’s A/C system uses a refrigerant, known as R-134a or R-12 (in older cars), as the cooling agent. This is not to be confused with your engine coolant, which is the antifreeze and water mix in your radiator. It is used to cool your engine. The refrigerant for your A/C system is entirely separate.

2) Before servicing an A/C system, your auto technician must use equipment to completely remove the refrigerant. After servicing, the technician uses the same machine to “recharge” the system, which means to fill it with the proper amount of refrigerant. Unlike your washer fluid reservoir, it’s not advisable to simply “top off” the A/C system. If the system has too little or too much refrigerant, it won’t cool properly.

3) If your car is blowing hot air, it’s likely because of a leak (it can be a pin-sized hole) that has allowed the refrigerant to leak into the atmosphere. To locate the leak source, a certified technician will place dye into the system and will use UV lighting to detect it. In most cases, this is enough to locate the leak and determine which hose or component needs to be replaced. In rare cases, the hole will be so small that the dye test does not help immediately. In those instances only, we’ll ask the client to drive the car for a couple of weeks and continue to run the system. When they bring the car back, we can detect the hole because the dye has had more time to work through the system and leave a telltale path.

We’ve helped a number of clients through the years who came to us frustrated because their A/C systems had stopped cooling and they’d taken quick lube technicians up on their offer to recharge the system without diagnosing or repairing it. When the refrigerant leaked out again, they were back at square one. As far as I know, none of the quick lubes do A/C system diagnostics or repairs, so I’m a little fuzzy on why they sell system recharges they know won’t resolve the problem. Do yourself a favor: If/when you car’s A/C stops working, take it to a shop like ours that can diagnose and repair it. Don’t go for the easy recharge.

4) There is no preventive maintenance for A/C systems, but a good practice is to run the A/C system for a couple of minutes on a regular basis—even in the winter. You don’t have to freeze. Simply hit the A/C button and then adjust your system to emit hot air, not cold. This will lubricate the seals and moving components.

5) While you may have no need for your A/C during a long, cold Chicago winter, your car’s defroster may. When you run the defroster, the A/C compressor kicks in to help clear the windows. If your A/C system isn’t operating heading into November, you may have defrosting woes.

6) The fastest way to cool your car on hot days is to turn the A/C system on max and choose “recirc” instead of fresh air. This tells the system to pull the air from inside the car—that is on its way to being cooled—rather than pulling continuously hot air from outside. Once you can breathe again, roll the windows up to expedite the cooling process.

If you’d like more info on how the A/C system actually works, click here.

Posted by Mike

I was thrilled to pick up the Daily Herald yesterday to see a column written by fellow shop owner Doug McCallister of Douglas Automotive in Barrington and Crystal Lake, IL. He concisely and effectively explained why diagnosing a “Service Engine Soon” light is more involved than hooking the car up to a computer and instantly retrieving trouble codes from the vehicle’s primary computer.

Here’s an excerpt from the column: Retrieving the code “is only the first step in diagnosing why a Check Engine Light might be on. Occasionally it is a code that is fairly cut and dry and you can be confident of what needs to be replaced or repaired just from the code. Most of the time, however, the code points to the area of the engine or emissions system that has a failure. Often these are layered problems with more than one failure, which tends to complicate matters.

“Take for example an ‘Evap Code.’ This refers to the evaporative side of the fuel system. The onboard computer tests the integrity of the fuel system in your car regularly. So when you get one of these codes, is it a bad gas cap? Is it a leak in a hose? What about one of the solenoids or switching valves? We had one the other day because the gas fill tube was cracked and rusted. This is where a technician has to work through the system to find the culprit using some high-tech equipment and common sense as he goes through it.”

I invite you to read his column and learn why it’s rarely a quick, simple process, why skilled and experienced technicians are essential to accurate diagnostics, and why we cringe every time we hear a radio ad touting an auto parts store’s willingness to pull your diagnostic codes for free. The column explains it well with the case of an Audi that came into the shop with 13 diagnostic trouble codes.

For those of you who believe the more pressing concern is: “What do I do when my ‘Check Engine’ light turns on?,” remember that you can usually continue to drive. Just schedule a visit to Star Auto Authority or your auto service provider as soon as you’re able. But if your “Check Engine” light begins flashing, the matter is more urgent and requires attention asap to prevent damaging other components. You should slow down, avoid towing or heavy loads, and take the vehicle in for service right away. To learn more, read our blog post.

Many of the somber news headlines lately have revolved around the bankruptcy filings of General Motors and Chrysler, and with that, came shocking announcements that record numbers of new car dealerships will be closing. Nearly 800 Chrysler dealership contracts were canceled, and General Motors is looking to close 1,100 of its dealers in October 2010.  The dismal economy is forcing other dealers to close because they aren’t selling enough cars and trucks to stay in business.

Some estimate that 40,000 dealership service bays could be eliminated within the next year, and in Libertyville, we’ve already lost the Volvo and Hyundai dealers. This is a tragedy for those who work at the affected dealerships and the owners that risk losing much of their life’s work. And for many motorists, the shake up has left them wondering who can service their cars.

Posted by Jack

Star Auto Authority can fill that role for anyone living or working near Vernon Hills, Libertyville, Mundelein and Lake Forest. We have the latest diagnostic and repair equipment necessary to service Volvo, Hyundai, Chrysler and General Motors vehicles, and we have technicians who specialize in each of those vehicle makes. In addition, each of our ASE-Master Certified Journeyman Technicians completes at least 40 hours of advanced technical training each year. This ensures we are ready to service all your vehicle’s needs, whether you drive a German sports car, an Asian sedan or a domestic SUV. Of course, we also have access to the same replacement parts as the dealerships, along with a  selection of superior non-dealer parts.

If you do not live or work in our area and are affected by a dealer closing, I encourage you to seek out a nearby independent service shop. A recent survey shows that consumers prefer independents to dealers, and as a veteran in the industry, I can attest to the quality owners and technicians who operate independent (non-dealer) shops across the country.

Note: Even if your car is under factory warranty, you are not required to return to the dealer for service. As long as you follow your vehicle’s maintenance schedule (and save the paperwork to verify it), you will not void your new car warranty.

Here’s how to find an auto repair shop you can get to know and trust for many years to come:

1) Ask friends, family and co-workers who services their vehicles. Their previous experiences are invaluable resources for you. If they trust the shop and like the quality of their work, chances are, you will, too.

2) Call a local auto parts supplier, such as a Bumper to Bumper or Auto Value store. They provide auto parts to many of your area’s auto shops and should be able to recommend the one or two for you.

3) Select a shop that has earned the ASE Blue Seal of Excellence designation. Only one percent of the 120,000 auto repair shops nationwide have earned the Blue Seal of Excellence, which is earned when at least 75 percent of a shop’s technicians are ASE Certified and when the shop employs at least one certified technician in each of eight technical categories, such as brakes, electrical systems, steering and suspension, and engine repair. Click here to search for a shop in your area.

4) Look for a shop that is involved in its industry and community. Consider searching for membership in the American Automobile Association (AAA), the Automotive Service Association (ASA), the International Automotive Technicians Network (iATN), and your local Chambers of Commerce.

5) Read consumer reviews on popular web sites, such as Angie’s List, Yelp, Yahoo Local and Google. (To find reviews on Google, go to maps.google.com and type in “auto repair” and the name of your town. It will produce a list of local auto repair facilities, and you’ll want to look for a link that says “7 Reviews” or “10 Reviews,” etc. Click on that link to read the reviews.)

Did I overlook any advice? Please feel free to post comments with more suggestions.

Did you know that today’s cars carry more computer power than the Apollo 121 Lunar Module that landed on the moon in 1969? Our cars are controlled by as many as 12 different computers and more than 5 miles of wiring. In fact, for about the last decade, computers have controlled about 85 percent of our vehicles’ functions.

All of this electronic wizardry is much more sophisticated than the mechanical systems of the automotive past—and also much more able to mask a developing problem.  So how do you know when a component has failed?  Look to your dashboard. Your car’s “Service Engine Soon” or “Check Engine” will come on. Your light can be triggered for more than 1,400 reasons, and it’s your vehicle’s way of telling you something is wrong.

Here’s how your computer knows: When you start the car and as you’re driving, your vehicle’s primary computer monitors the vehicle’s many sensors and their operating parameters. It uses that information to determine how much fuel to deliver to the cylinders, when to fire the spark plugs and even monitor the amount of pollution being emitted from your exhaust system.

If the computer notices a sensor operating outside its desired range, it turns on the Service Engine Soon light and stores a diagnostic code in the computer, which will tell your automotive technician which system is having the problem. Your technician will then know where to begin testing to determine specifically which sensor, pollution-control device or other component failed.

It can be alarming to have the Check Engine Light flash on while you’re driving, and you may wonder just how urgent the matter is. Generally speaking, this light is not critical like a temperature or oil pressure light. (When you see one of these lights, it means STOP NOW!)

But if the Check Engine light turns on and stays on, you can usually continue to drive. Just schedule a visit to Star Auto Authority as soon as you’re able. However, if your Check Engine light begins flashing, the matter is more urgent and needs to be addressed as soon as possible to prevent damaging other components. You should slow down, avoid towing or heavy loads, and bring the vehicle to Star Auto Authority as soon as possible.

Our technicians have undergone advanced training and have the experience and the special equipment necessary to determine what is wrong. No matter what make or model you drive, our experts will have you back on the road again in short order.