Maintenance Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Midwest Performance Cars

Why Did My Tire Pressure Monitor System Warning (TPMS) Light Come On?

Now that the brisk fall mornings are upon us, many of you will start your cars in the morning and be greeted by the worrisome TPMS light.

The pressure in your tires is affected by the ambient temperature outside. Tire pressure will drop approximately 1lb. per ten degrees of outdoor temperature. If your tire pressure was last set during 70 degree temperatures, then you will be approximately 4 lbs. low on that first 30 degree morning; this will trip your TPMS warning light.

When you see your TPMS light, it is VERY IMPORTANT that you check your tire pressure as soon as possible. While tires may be a few pounds low due to the weather, this could also be an indication of a puncture or other severe problem with one, or more than one, of your tires. This is a safety issue, as a compromised tire is prone to a blow-out, making your vehicle extremely hard to control and potentially causing an accident.

Be sure to adjust tire pressure as soon as possible. Remember that driving your car with low tire pressure has three negative impacts on your vehicle.

First. and most important, your vehicle’s handling will be compromised. The small, tire “contact patches” are the areas where your tires meet the pavement, and are responsible for the acceleration, stopping, and turning abilities of your vehicle. Even small changes in tire pressure will have a big impact on those contact patches. Professional racecar drivers adjust each tire by as little as ½ lb. in order to make the car handle precisely the way they want.

Low tire pressure will also negatively impact your fuel economy. Low pressure makes the tires more resistant to rolling; therefore, the engine has to work harder to make the vehicle move. Fuel economy goes down by approximately 0.3% for each 1 lb. drop in tire pressure.

Finally, driving on under-inflated tires has a profoundly negative impact on the life and wear of your tires. Underinflated tires generate more heat and cause excessive wear to the outer edges of the tires.

If you have a good quality tire pressure gauge, you can easily check and adjust your own tire pressure. Here is a tip: Check your tire pressure first thing in the morning, when the air is cold and before you drive anywhere. If your tires are 3 lbs. low, drive to your nearest service station and add 3 lbs. to each. As you continue to drive, tire pressure will increase from the heat generated by friction, as the tires roll on the pavement. It is much better to be 3 lbs. high rather than 3 lbs. low. You can find the manufacturer’s recommended cold-inflation pressures on the driver’s side door jamb.

You can also have your mechanic check and adjust your pressures. Midwest Performance Cars is happy to adjust your pressures and perform a complete vehicle safety check at no charge. Call us at (312) 432-9492 to set up an appointment, or use our online scheduler .

What you need to know about the NHTSA airbag recall

The Takata Corporation is a leading global supplier of automotive safety systems such as seat belts, air bags and child seats. The company has 46 plants in 17 countries around the world. (AP Photo/Jens Meyer)

Most of us have heard of the massive recall surrounding vehicles with airbags manufactured by Takata Corporation in Japan. This has been all over the news this week as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has increased the number of vehicles included from 4.7 million to 7.8 million.

The list of vehicles (as of October 24, 2014) that could have these defective airbags is shown below.

There has been a lot of confusion relating to this recall. Here is what you need to know:

The problem originates with the propellant used in he manufacturing process; it was either too powerful, or becomes too powerful in humid conditions. In an accident, pieces of the airbag’s frame and propellant container pierce the airbag and shoot out like shrapnel, along with the propellant itself. This can, and has, caused serious injury to the vehicle’s occupants.

The NHTSA believes that the concern is greatest for people living in high-humidity areas such as Florida, Puerto Rico, and areas near the Gulf of Mexico. In those geographical areas, the NHTSA is urging people to take IMMEDIATE action, and not to drive their vehicles until the airbags have been replaced.

In the rest of the country, there have been a few incidents reported in Indiana, Ohio, Maryland, and Illinois. Some manufacturers identified these issues as early as 2008 and sent out recall letters at that time.

What should you do if you have a vehicle on the list below?

Go to the NHTSA website – https://vinrcl.safecar.gov/vin/ – enter your VIN, and check if your vehicle is subject to the recall. If it is, no matter what area you live in, YOU ARE STONGLY URGED to visit your dealership as soon as possible, and have the airbags replaced. Vehicles in Chicago are subject to extremely humid interiors – often from blocked drains or even from a window left open during a storm. You simply cannot afford to take the risk that the airbag, which is meant to save you, could actually cause you serious bodily harm. Also, as this list is still evolving, checking every few weeks is highly recommended, until the list is finalized.

From the NHTSA Website:

7.8 Million Affected U.S. Vehicles, by Manufacturer, Impacted by CY 2013 and 2014 Recalls Involving Takata Airbags

Note: The list below corrects the list that accompanied our October 20th advisory, which incorrectly included certain vehicles. The numbers cited for potentially affected vehicles below are subject to change and adjustment because there may be cases of vehicles being counted more than once. Owners should check their VIN periodically as manufacturers continue to add VINs to the database. Once owner recall notices are available, owners can retrieve a copy from SaferCar.gov, or will receive one by U.S. mail and are advised to carefully follow the enclosed instructions.

BMW: 627,615 total number of potentially affected vehicles

2000 – 2005 3 Series Sedan
2000 – 2006 3 Series Coupe
2000 – 2005 3 Series Sports Wagon
2000 – 2006 3 Series Convertible
2001 – 2006 M3 Coupe
2001 – 2006 M3 Convertible

Chrysler: 371,309 total number of potentially affected vehicles
2003 – 2008 Dodge Ram 1500
2005 – 2008 Dodge Ram 2500
2006 – 2008 Dodge Ram 3500
2006 – 2008 Dodge Ram 4500
2008 – Dodge Ram 5500
2005 – 2008 Dodge Durango
2005 – 2008 Dodge Dakota
2005 – 2008 Chrysler 300
2007 – 2008 Chrysler Aspen

Ford: 58,669 total number of potentially affected vehicles
2004 – Ranger
2005 – 2006 GT
2005 – 2007 Mustang

General Motors: undetermined total number of potentially affected vehicles
2003 – 2005 Pontiac Vibe
2005 – Saab 9-2X

Honda: 5,051,364 total number of potentially affected vehicles
2001 – 2007 Honda Accord)
2001 – 2002 Honda Accord
2001 – 2005 Honda Civic
2002 – 2006 Honda CR-V
2003 – 2011 Honda Element
2002 – 2004 Honda Odyssey
2003 – 2007 Honda Pilot
2006 – Honda Ridgeline
2003 – 2006 Acura MDX
2002 – 2003 Acura TL/CL
2005 – Acura RL

Mazda: 64,872 total number of potentially affected vehicles
2003 – 2007 Mazda6
2006 – 2007 MazdaSpeed6
2004 – 2008 Mazda RX-8
2004 – 2005 MPV
2004 – B-Series Truck

Mitsubishi: 11,985 total number of potentially affected vehicles
2004 – 2005 Lancer
2006 – 2007 Raider

Nissan: 694,626 total number of potentially affected vehicles
2001 – 2003 Nissan Maxima
2001 – 2004 Nissan Pathfinder
2002 – 2004 Nissan Sentra
2001 – 2004 Infiniti I30/I35
2002 – 2003 Infiniti QX4
2003 – 2005 Infiniti FX35/FX45

Subaru: 17,516 total number of potentially affected vehicles
2003 – 2005 Baja
2003 – 2005 Legacy
2003 – 2005 Outback
2004 – 2005 Impreza

Toyota: 877,000 total number of potentially affected vehicles
2002 – 2005 Lexus SC
2002 – 2005 Toyota Corolla
2003 – 2005 Toyota Corolla Matrix
2002 – 2005 Toyota Sequoia
2003 – 2005 Toyota Tundra

Spring Car Care Tips

Spring-Driving

You and your car have survived the Chicago Winter and we should be all finished with any real snow and ice. Now is the right time to bring your vehicle in for a Spring Service. Winter is very hard on many components of your car and some wear or damage to important components may have occurred. If your car has been safely stored away for the winter, it is a good idea to have it gone through before the fun driving season begins.

It goes without saying that spring and summer are very different environments in which your car must operate in than winter is. While generally easier on the equipment, each season does present its own set of challenges. Spring brings a lot of rain and wet driving conditions. This stresses electrical components, tires and drains among other systems. Contact Midwest Performance Cars today to schedule an appointment for your Spring Maintenance. Below are a few of the things we will check for spring as well as a few recommendations:

Spring Service Package – There are a few high quality additives that we recommend periodically adding to your oil and fuel systems in order to remove contaminants and to reduce wear. We have bundled three of the best into a Spring Service Package. All three products come from the highly respected German company Liqui Molly. “Engine Flush” is added to the engine and run for a few minutes just prior to an oil change – this removes contaminants from the oil circuit. After the oil change, we recommend “Cera Tec” which adds a ceramic coating to the metal and reduces both wear and friction. This service should be completed every 30,000 miles. Finally we recommend “Jectron” to keep the fuel injection systems clean. With our Spring Service Special we combine these three great services into a package at a considerably reduced price.

Battery – Winter is hard on your starting system components – battery, alternator and starter. The cold puts a high load on this system in order to turn over your motor filled with cold, thick oil. MPC will check this system to make sure it is still on good order. Signs that your battery is failing include hard starting, warning lights, dimming headlights and interior lights, and slow power windows.

Brakes – Salt, slush and ice get packed into your wheels and brakes during the winter. This can corrode your brake components – pads, rotors, brake lines, and ABS systems. Signs that your brakes need attention include pulling to one side, warning lights, a soft brake pedal, and squealing or grinding noise upon application.

Tires – Those of you that have one set of tires for all year should have them checked out in the Spring. Spinning your wheels on ice trying to get out of your parking spot, alley, or garage can do a lot of damage to your tires. See this terrific article from Car Talk: Car Talk on Winter Tire Damage. Further, hitting potholes (hard not to do in Chicago Winters) can cause sidewall bulges or cracked/broken wheels. Either of these is unsafe and should be replaced immediately. We will check your tires for dry-rot – rubber cracks as it ages and old (5 years or more) tires will start to dry out and crack from the inside out. Finally, MPC will set your tire pressures. Tire pressures will change as the temperature outside changes so you should always have your pressures checked in the spring.

Belts and Hoses – The cold and salt will also age rubber parts in your engine such as belts and hoses. As the rubber ages, belts will start to peel and crack and hoses will get soft. Blowing a hose in your cooling system will cause your car to overheat and you will need a tow. Similarly, a broken belt can cause many issues from a loss of power steering to overheating. Midwest Performance Cars will check your belts and hoses to make sure you are ready to enjoy spring driving.

Spark Plug Wires & Coils – Both rubber spark plug wires and plastic coils will crack with age and heat. Often in the rainy spring weather, the humidity in the air will cause these cracks to develop into shorts which will result in misfires, hard starts or no starts.

Drains – This is an important maintenance item that is overlooked by many shops and dealerships. Most vehicles have drains in the front cowling, doors, and sunroofs. These can get blocked up with leaves and other debris. When the drains are plugged up, water will often back up into the cabin on the floors and/or into the dash. These areas usually are full of electronic control modules that get damaged with water intrusion. We too often see vehicles with damaged, expensive control modules and moldy wet carpeting caused by something as simple as plugged drains.

Oxygen Sensors – These are one of the most common causes for a Check Engine Light to come on. There are often multiple oxygen sensors in today’s European cars, but they all work the same way. The oxygen sensor measures the unburnt oxygen in the exhaust stream and allows the vehicle’s fuel management to add or reduce fuel flow in order to maintain the perfect mixture. If your oxygen sensor(s) malfunction, the fuel management will often provide too much gas (rich mixture) and can reduce your mileage by up to 40% according to the auto repair website, CarMD. Running too rich can also damage your catalytic converter which is an expensive component of your vehicle. Oxygen sensors typically need replacing every 30,000 to 50,000 miles.

Fluids – It is always important to check all your fluids to make sure they are topped up and fresh.

A/C System – It is a good idea to check out your A/C system before you really need it. The cold of the winter can shrink seals and cause your Freon to leak out. Turn your A/C on to max and see if it is working. If it is not, give Midwest Performance Cars a call to schedule an appointment.

Suspension & Alignment – If you drive in Chicago in the winter, you are going to hit potholes – we all have to pretty much accept that. However, potholes are very hard on your car’s shocks, struts, bushings and alignment. At MPC we will thoroughly check your suspension and make sure no damage occurred during “pothole season”.

clean cabin filter versus dirty cabin filter

Cabin Filter – The cabin filter removes contaminants from the air inside the passenger cabin. If the filter is blocked or dirty, irritants such as dust and pollen can circulate in your cabin. This is particularly troublesome if you or anyone in your family suffers from allergies. Midwest Performance Cars will check your cabin filter every time your car is in for service.

worn wiper blades leaving streaks on windshield

Wiper Blades – Winter often destroys wiper blades, we will check them out for you.

Car/Undercarriage Wash – Removing all the salt and road debris that accumulated on your vehicle over the winter is an important maintenance task. Underneath your car, the salt and muck causes the components to rust. On the top, washing the car thoroughly and even treating your car to a good wax job will prolong the life of your paint. Midwest Performance Cars will wash your car with each service, however we recommend going to your favorite detail shop for a wax and undercarriage wash. We recommend Simon’s Shine Shop in Lincoln Park at 1439 W. Shakespeare, (773) 348-2000.

Why Do I Need To Flush My Brake Fluid?

There are a lot of different opinions and misconceptions regarding the need for periodic brake fluid flushes. Do you need this service? How often? Why?

Most European car manufacturers recommend having your brake fluid flushed every two years. Brake fluid is hygroscopic which means it attracts and holds water molecules. Water will be absorbed right out of the air, and as brake fluid ages it will promote corrosion in many of the hydraulic components found in the braking system. In addition, the seals and hoses used in the braking system slowly deteriorate causing small rubber particles to be suspended in the brake fluid.

Old, contaminated brake fluid on the left vs. fresh fluid on the right.

Antilock brake systems (ABS) have small passages in their pumps and control valves which are easily plugged from the suspended corrosion and rubber particles. That contaminated fluid will lead to compromised braking performance. Replacing your brake fluid at the proper time intervals will help maintain your braking system and prevent more costly repairs down the road.

Midwest Performance Cars recommends following your vehicle manufacturer’s scheduled maintenance intervals. If your vehicle is due for a flush, or you do not know when it was last done, call us to schedule your brake flush today.

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Category: Maintenance

Why Did My Tire Pressure Monitor System Warning (TPMS) Light Come On?

What you need to know about the NHTSA airbag recall

Spring Car Care Tips

Why Do I Need To Flush My Brake Fluid?