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Maintenance Items Most Often Missed by Motorists
Vehicle Maintenance Tips from Red’s Auto Repair: Air Blend Box
Lake Barrington motorists push a few buttons or turn some knobs, and voila, they have balmy air blowing on their feet or cool air chilling their face. How does all that happen? Well, it’s all thanks to the air blend box. This box lives behind your dash and conveys just the right temperature of air right where you want it.
Let’s break it down. First there is the blower fan that circulates the air through the heating/air conditioning system. The fan can blow at different speeds, depending on how much hot or cold air is required to be comfortable. The blend box can either transfer fresh air from outside, or recirculate air from inside the cabin. Lake Barrington auto owners often choose to recirculate air when first starting the vehicle until it starts to either cool down or warm up.
The next thing the blend box does is transfer airflow over the heater core to warm the air, or over the air conditioner evaporator core to chill it – or a blend of hot and cold to get it just right. From there the blend box can direct the air out into the passenger compartment through the floor vents, the panel vents, the defroster, or a combination. All of this allows Lake Barrington car owners to customize the climate just the way the like it.
Some vehicles have different climate control zones, like one for the driver and one for the passenger – or even more zones for the back seat. Additional blend boxes are used for this. Climate controls could be manually adjusted or computer controlled depending on your vehicle.
The blower motor and all of the little actuator motors that open and close the various blend doors can fail and need to be replaced. Most new vehicles come with a cabin air filter. This filter cleans the air before it gets into the blend box. If you neglect changing the cabin air filter, it can get clogged, smelly, and even allow mildew and other microorganisms to build up in the blend box.
Red’s Auto Repair in Lake Barrington can complete a heating/air conditioning system cleaning service that will clean and disinfect the system, restoring a fresh clean scent. If you are not getting enough hot or cold air, Red’s Auto Repair can check your system, diagnose the cause and set things right. And don’t forget to replace the cabin air filter on schedule. Furthermore, if you live and drive in dusty Lake Barrington conditions or where there is a lot of pollen or other pollutants, you may need to replace your cabin air filter more frequently.
Give us a call
Red’s Auto Repair
22 N 049 Pepper Rd
Lake Barrington, IL 60010
847.382.1442
At Red’s Auto Repair in Lake Barrington IL (60010) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 847.382.1442. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.
Safe Towing Tips for Your Next Road Trip
Simple Answers from Red’s Auto Repair for Lake Barrington: Timing Belt Replacement
Simple Answers from Red’s Auto Repair for Lake Barrington: Timing Belt Replacement
Question:
My friend had a broken timing belt and it was very expensive to repair his engine. What can I do to avoid a broken timing belt?
Red’s Auto Repair Answer:
Well, a broken timing belt can lead to one of the most expensive engine repairs Lake Barrington car owners will ever face. The good news is that replacing your timing belt on its recommended schedule can help avoid those problems. Here’s a brief overview of what the timing belt does:
Air is drawn into the cylinder of the engine through the intake valves. After the air and fuel mixture is burned, it’s pushed out through the exhaust valves. The timing belt, which is driven by the engine, turns the camshafts which control when the intake and exhaust valves open and close. It is important that the opening and closing of the valves take place at exactly the right time for the engine to run properly.
Beyond that, on some family car engines the valves actually extend into the combustion chamber far enough that they can be hit by the piston as it moves up and down in the cylinder. When everything is timed just right – no problem. When the timing is off, the piston will slam into the valves and cause big (pricey) damage for Lake Barrington motorists.
The timing belt makes sure everything is timed just right. However, the belt does have a useful life. Beyond that it can break or slip – and that’s when the damage can be done. If your vehicle has a timing belt (some have metal timing chains) it will have a recommended interval for replacing it, typically in the 60,000 to 90,000 mile range. Be sure to check your owner’s manual or with your Red’s Auto Repair tech to make sure you know when your timing belt needs to be replaced: there is a lot at stake.
Now, getting to the timing belt requires a lot of labor so it is a steep service item, but it is certainly less costly than repairing a damaged engine. If your timing belt drives your water pump, change them both at the same time to save labor costs down the road. Ask your Red’s Auto Repair service specialist when you timing belt should be changed and get an estimate for what it will cost so you can budget for this critical service.
Give us a call
Red’s Auto Repair
22 N 049 Pepper Rd
Lake Barrington, IL 60010
847.382.1442
At Red’s Auto Repair in Lake Barrington IL (60010) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 847.382.1442. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.
Red’s Auto Repair Tech Question On Engine Failure
Red’s Auto Repair Tech Question:
I’m Collins of Lake Barrington. I had my engine go out and had to have it completely re-done at Red’s Auto Repair in Lake Barrington. What could I have done to prevent this?
Red’s Auto Repair Tech Answer:
You’ve got to feel for Collins: an expensive major engine rebuildis pretty extreme. It’s a tough situation for Lake Barrington car owners to be in: maybe you’re still making payments on your family car and nobody wants to buy it with a blown engine, so you really have no choice but to pay the money to get it fixed.
This is why your vehicle manufacturer and Red’s Auto Repair haspreventive maintenance schedules – to help you avoid major repairs. Suppose you don’t change your timing belt on schedule and it breaks. That can mean bent valves and a damaged cylinder head.
Maybe you’ve skipped over the Red’s Auto Repair recommendation to replace your coolant and end up with catastrophic overheating.
It could be you’ve skipped a few too many oil changes and now sludge has built up in your family car to the point that expensive parts in your engine are being damaged.
Check your family car oil level every month and follow your vehicle manufacturer’s recommended service schedules. And if you’re behind on any services, ask your understanding Red’s Auto Repair service advisor to help you work out a plan to get caught up.
Give us a call
Red’s Auto Repair
22 N 049 Pepper Rd
Lake Barrington, IL 60010
847.382.1442
At Red’s Auto Repair in Lake Barrington IL (60010) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at847.382.1442. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.
Car repair Barrington IL
Simple Answers from Red’s Auto Repair for Lake Barrington: Selecting Tires
Simple Answers from Red’s Auto Repair for Lake Barrington: Selecting Tires
Question:
I need new tires. How do I know which tires to get?
Red’s Auto Repair Answer:
Let’s look at selecting new tires in light of three factors: Function, Fit, and Value.
Function: This gets at what your needs are for new tires: weather conditions, terrain, temperatures, etc.
New family vehicles sold in IL ordinarily come with all-season tires. They can be used all year long and do pretty well in most Lake Barrington road conditions – but they aren’t ideal at the extremes.
Winter tires have a more aggressive tread for handling snow and ice and they have a rubber compound that helps them have better traction as temperatures drop below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Definitely better stopping and road-holding characteristics for Lake Barrington car owners than all-season tires in IL winter weather.
Dedicated summer tires enhance warm weather performance driving.
If you drive off-road around Lake Barrington, there is a spectrum of tires from all-terrain (a good mix of highway and off-road capability) to dedicated off-road tires.
The key is to discuss the function you need with your Red’s Auto Repair tire professional to get the type of tire, load rating, speed rating and wear rating you need.
Fit: The easiest thing is to select tires in the same size that were installed at the factory. If you want a different size wheel or tire profile, be sure to work with a professional that can make sure that your new wheels and tires fit properly and don’t rub in bumps or turns. It’s also vital to make sure that important safety systems like anti-lock brakes, stability control and traction control aren’t adversely affected by the new tire size (the computer may need to be recalibrated to make necessary adjustments).
Value: Note, I didn’t say price. The tire that meets all your needs AND has the warranty and tread life you expect will probably not be the cheapest option – but it may well return the best value for your tire dollar.
Your understanding Red’s Auto Repair tire professional will help you with options for this key automotive decision.
Give us a call
Red’s Auto Repair
22 N 049 Pepper Rd
Lake Barrington, IL 60010
At Red’s Auto Repair in Lake Barrington IL (60010) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 847.382.1442. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.
Ask us Questions!
Questions to Ask Your Red’s Auto Repair Service Advisor
Oct 22nd, 2017
A lot of service and repair customers in Lake Barrington are a little tentative when they talk with their automotive advisors. They want to ask questions but don’t want to be embarrassed or to seem pushy. Cars are very complicated and there’s more to know about them than most of us Lake Barrington drivers have the time to learn.
At Red’s Auto Repair, we think automotive service customers have a right to ask any question they need to understand what is wrong with their vehicle and what it will take to fix it. They need to feel free to ask the cost and benefits of recommended services. And they certainly have a right to understand the financial end of the transaction.
It’s all about the communication. What are some of the barriers to communication? Well, most Red’s Auto Repair service advisors are very busy trying to service and fix cars to get Lake Barrington drivers back on the road. So, just ask when you feel you need more information.
Financial related issues seem to be most frustrating to Lake Barrington customers. If you’re not sure, ask what the auto repair payment policies are. For example, there’s a big difference between giving your vehicle a quick once over and doing a thorough inspection. Diagnosing a problem may take quite a while for your friendly and knowledgeable Red’s Auto Repair technician. Make sure you know what’s done as a courtesy and what has a fee. Remember, you still have to pay for the office visit even if the doctor says you only have a cold.
Communication is a two way street. If you have some real budget concerns, ask your friendly and knowledgeable service advisor what he can do. He can give you priorities and options. He can tell you what needs to be taken care of right away for safety or financial reasons. Then you can work out a plan for when to get the rest done. He can also help you with options on the parts. The preference is to always use a high-quality part with a reputation for reliability. But if money is real tight, he might be able to find rebuilt auto parts or a used part. He should tell you the difference in the guarantee for the part so you can make a good decision.
Ask about Red’s Auto Repair warranties for car parts and labor. Be sure to get all the paperwork you need to make a possible claim in the future. At Red’s Auto Repair in Lake Barrington, we stand behind our work and want you to understand precisely what that means.
Be sure to ask for and keep a detailed explanation of all the work that’s done on your vehicle. These records will help you keep track of service, warranties and document the good care your vehicle has received at Red’s Auto Repair when the time comes to sell it.
Give us a call.
Red’s Auto Repair
22 N 049 Pepper Rd
Lake Barrington, IL 60010
847.382.1442
http://serviceassistant.autonettv.com
At Red’s Auto Repair we install quality NAPA replacement parts.
Windshield Wipers
Simple Answers from Red’s Auto Repair for Lake Barrington: Windshield Wipers
Dec 5th, 2018
Question:
When should I replace my windshield wipers?
Red’s Auto Repair Answer:
Well, most Lake Barrington drivers wait until they fail. The problem with that is that you find out they have failed when you actually need them most – a little too late.
Wiper blades are really a safety system for Lake Barrington drivers. As you can imagine, 90% of our driving decisions are based on what we see. If you can’t see well because your wipers can’t clear your windshield, your ability to drive safely is significantly impaired.
So the simple answer: of course, Lake Barrington drivers should change wipers if they don’t work well. But replace them before they go bad so they are always ready when that storm hits. For some Lake Barrington drivers, once a year may be enough. For others – those who drive a lot, whose wipers are exposed to a lot of sun or use their wipers more – replacing the blades a couple of times a year might be in order.
There several types of wiper blades. The conventional blade is the base model. On the other end of the spectrum are beam blades. These have a solid beam that provides uniform pressure over the entire wiper surface for better contact with the windshield. And there are hybrid blades that are a combination of conventional and beam blades.
Upgraded wiper blades last longer and provide a cleaner wipe. Lake Barrington drivers can always upgrade but should never go with a lower grade blade than what was installed on your vehicle from the factory.
Finally, there are special winter blades. The special design of winter wiper blades resists snow and ice build-up in the blade.
Remember, using your wipers on an icy windshield will tear up your wiper blades. Scrape your windshield before running your wipers.
Your friendly and knowledgeable Red’s Auto Repair service advisor can give you wiper blade options and help you select what’s best for this safety system.
Give us a call.
Red’s Auto Repair
22 N 049 Pepper Rd
Lake Barrington, IL 60010
847.382.1442
http://serviceassistant.autonettv.com
Check Engine Light On?
Lake Barrington Drivers Ask: Why is My Check Engine Light On?
Jul 28th, 2017
The Check Engine light strikes fear into the hearts of some people in Lake Barrington and is totally ignored by just as many. Just what it means is a mystery to most of us.
First, if your Check Engine light is flashing, that means that something is wrong that could cause severe damage to the catalytic converter or other components. Get that taken care of right away. If your Check Engine light is flashing, you shouldn’t drive at highway speeds, tow or haul heavy loads. Take it easy all the way to your Lake Barrington service center.
If the light is glowing steadily, you should keep an eye on it for a day or two. If the light doesn’t go off, schedule an appointment with your friendly and knowledgeable service advisor at Red’s Auto Repair to get it checked out.
Most of your vehicle engine functions are controlled by a computer, not surprisingly, called an engine control computer. The computer is able to adjust many engine parameters for environmental conditions, engine condition and even the way you drive.
In order to make these adjustments, the computer relies on a network of sensors to provide data. The computer knows the proper operating range for each sensor. When a sensor reading is out of range the computer runs some tests and may turn on the Check Engine light.
The computer will also try to make adjustments to compensate for some readings. If it can do so, it’ll then turn off the Check Engine light.
If the problem can’t be resolved then the light will remain on and you should get your vehicle checked at Red’s Auto Repair in Lake Barrington.
Your friendly and knowledgeable professionals at Red’s Auto Repair will plug a scanner into the on-board diagnostic port and read the trouble code stored in the computer. The trouble code will give them a starting place as they diagnose the cause of the problem.
Stop by or give us a call.
847.382.1442
Red’s Auto Repair
22 N 049 Pepper Rd
Lake Barrington, IL 60010
http://serviceassistant.autonettv.com
At Red’s Auto Repair we install quality NAPA replacement parts.
Shocks and Struts
Shocks and Struts
Oct 6th, 2017
Let’s talk shocks and struts.
Shock absorbers and struts last a long time for Lake Barrington drivers and wear out pretty slowly for most vehicles. They’re easy to take for granted, but your shocks and struts do a very important job so you need to pay attention to them. They keep your tires on the road; and your tires are what connect your vehicle to the road and allow you to safely handle your car through turns, over bumps and even stop in time.
When your shocks and struts are worn, your tires bounce excessively over bumps. Your vehicle will wallow through corners, your front-end will dive when you stop and your rear-end will squat when you accelerate. All this hurts your ability to control your vehicle. And your ride just isn’t as comfortable.
Worn shocks or struts cause excessive tire wear so Lake Barrington drivers will have to replace their tires sooner than they should. Worn shocks and struts also stress other suspension and steering parts, causing them to wear prematurely. Struts are actually a major structural component of the suspension system; there’s a lot riding on them.
Replacing worn shocks and struts saves money in the long run – and of course, you can’t really put a price on your safety and that of your passengers. At Red’s Auto Repair, we generally recommend replacing shocks and struts at 50,000 miles/80,000 kilometers.
When it’s time for new shocks or struts, we’ve got you covered in Lake Barrington. At Red’s Auto Repair, we can give you back the ride and handling of a new vehicle. And if you have special needs we can help you there too. We have premium shocks and struts that’ll improve your performance. We can even help you with upgraded, heavy-duty shocks that’ll give you the confidence you need to handle those big towing or hauling jobs.
Lake Barrington experts recommend replacing all four shocks at the same time so that handling is even at each wheel.
If you need new shocks or struts, let Red’s Auto Repair help you take care of this safety service. You’ll feel better, and you’ll save on tires and other suspension repairs down the road.
Stop by or give us a call.
Red’s Auto Repair
22 N 049 Pepper Rd
Lake Barrington, IL 60010
847.382.1442
http://serviceassistant.autonettv.com
At Red’s Auto Repair we install quality NAPA replacement parts.