Understanding Your Car

Potholes form when water seeps below the pavement, freezes and expands, and then cracks the asphalt above. According to AAA spokesperson Amy Parmenter, driving your vehicle over a pothole can cause major damage to tires, suspension, alignment and the exterior.

But you often don’t notice a pothole in the road until it’s too late. If you attempt to make a quick maneuver to avoid the crater, you may cause an accident.

Here are some tips for dealing with potholes:

Be aware of the road

Make a point of checking the road ahead for potholes. If you are alert to the possibility of potholes you have time to avoid them, so it’s important to stay focused on the road. This can also help be aware of any debris or other types of objects that could be in the middle of the road.

Try to minimize the impact

If a pothole cannot be avoided, try to slow down if possible. Hitting a pothole at higher speeds greatly increases the chance of damage to tires, wheels and suspension components. Don’t slam on the breaks, though. This can cause more problems. Note: A puddle of water can disguise a deep pothole. Use care when driving through puddles. It is best to assume they may be hiding potholes.

Proper inflation

Your tires are the most important cushion between your vehicle and a pothole. Make sure tires have enough tread and are properly inflated.

Keep your vehicle in top condition

A vehicle that’s well maintained will have a better chance of weathering impact with a pothole. Make sure struts and shock absorbers are in good condition. Changes in vehicle handling, excessive vibration or uneven tire wear can indicate bad shocks or struts. Have the suspension inspected by a certified technician if you suspect problems. If you hit a pothole, you can knock the wheels out of alignment. It can also affect the steering. If a vehicle pulls to the left or right, have the wheel alignment checked to ensure that everything is working efficiently and is aligned properly.

BraunAbility® is the largest provider of commercial wheelchair lifts in the world. Bob Hope’s Auto Repair is now certified to repair BraunAbility Dual Parallel Arm (DPA) lifts.

Getting your mobility lift on a regular maintenance program is the most effective way to lengthen the life of your product. By sticking to check-ups every six months, you can avoid complications and ensure your BraunAbility product is working properly and safely. If something does go wrong with your lift, prompt repair by a certified technician will ensure that your vehicle has minimal down time.

If you are ready for a maintenance or repair appointment for your BraunAbility lift vehicle, contact us today. We look forward to serving you!

Sometimes when you have your vehicle repaired for one issue, you’re given a long list of additional repairs that are recommended for you to have completed as well. How do you know if these additional repairs are really necessary? Get a second opinion!

We’re all familiar with seeking a second opinion for a medical issue. But taking this step can save you money (and a lot of bother) with your car or truck as well. Bob Hope’s Auto Repair offers you a free second opinion. This helps to ensure that you are not getting ripped off on unnecessary, overly-expensive repairs. We will determine whether or not all the diagnoses you received from the first mechanic or dealership are in fact correct and/or urgent.

For each major item, we will help you answer these questions: Is this repair actually needed? If it is needed: 1) How critical is the specific repair? 2) How long can you drive the vehicle without repairing this problem? 3) What will happen if you don’t do this repair?

We have found that, in some cases, totally unnecessary repairs were being recommended. In other cases, the recommended repair is for real, but it’s being represented as more urgent than it actually is. For example, the other day we looked at a vehicle that had an “oil leak” that the dealer implied was a big problem (and an expensive repair).  We checked it out and found that it was more of a “seepage” that would cause the loss of less than a quart of oil a year. Given the age of the vehicle (and the owner’s budget) we recommended quarterly oil changes, and said that we would re-evaluate the leak at each visit. We told the owner that we believed the repair was something that could be put off for at least a year.

At Bob Hope’s Auto Repair, we’re not looking to make a quick one-time profit off of you, but rather to build a caring, lifetime customer relationship.

Contact us for your free second opinion today!

The check engine light will illuminate for a number of reasons. The best way to know what the reason is for your vehicle is to pay a visit to your auto mechanic and let him scan the diagnostic troubleshooting codes. This is really the only way to know for sure.

The check engine light may have been triggered for something as simple as an oxygen sensor needing to be replaced. Or it may be something more serious. Pay attention to how the car is running. If the engine sounds different, the problem may be serious and should be diagnosed soon. If your car is running like normal, you may have more time to fix the problem.

5 reasons your Check Engine Light may go on: 

1. Your Oxygen Sensor is failing and will need to be replaced.

Your oxygen sensor measures the quantity of unburned oxygen in your vehicle’s exhaust fumes. With a failing Oxygen Sensor your engine will be less fuel-efficient as it will be burning more fuel than it needs, A defective O2 sensor can also harm your spark plugs and exhaust system.

2. Your Exhaust System needs to be checked.

A Catalytic Converter converts the carbon monoxide from your exhaust system into carbon dioxide, making less of an impact on our atmosphere. If the Catalytic Converted isn’t working, your vehicle won’t pass an emissions test. 

3. Spark Plugs or Plug Wires require repair. 

Spark plugs are an integral part of your vehicle’s motor as they provide the spark that ignites the air and fuel mixture within the cylinders. This continuous ignition is what keeps your car going. If spark plugs are not checked with regular services, cleaned or changed when necessary, they can cause engine problems.

Here are 6 signs you need to change your spark plugs:

• Engine has rough idle.
• Trouble starting your car 
• Engine misfires or engine surges
• High fuel consumption 
• Lack of acceleration

4. Mass Airflow Sensor may fail and need replacing. 

With a bad sensor, the engine will not know the right amount of fuel to add, causing problems including poor gas mileage, lack of power and more.

5. Your Gas Cap might need tightening, or replacing. 

Unscrew the gas cap and take a look to see if it has any cracks in it. If there are no cracks retighten the cap. Drive your vehicle and see if the check engine light turns off. If there are cracks in the cap you probably need to get it replaced.

These are a few suggestions for why your Check Engine light might be on, but your technician at Bob Hope’s Auto Repair can get right to the real reason so you no longer have to wonder and worry. Contact us today.

Your brakes are your vehicle’s most important safety system. Good braking performance is essential in the safety of operating any vehicle.

So, how do you know if your brakes are in need of service? There can be warning signs.

Noise is the most recognizable warning. When brake pads or shoes wear thin they can often produce a squeak as the heat generated from the braking process will produce hot spots and can create noise.

Another warning sign is vibration. If you feel shaking in the steering wheel, seat, or brake pedal when applying the brakes it means the brake rotors and or drums are warped. This usually occurs because of the heat generated and will inhibit the smoothness of the braking process. Normally noticed when braking from higher speeds, this not only leads to an uncomfortable stop, but also can make the stopping distance longer.

Brake pad and shoe life varies vastly depending on several different factors. The type of vehicle, driving habits, and driving conditions are all factors in just how long they will last. A brake inspection is the only real way to know how much of the braking material is remaining. Most brake pads these days do not have indicators that produce a warning squeak.

The hydraulic portion of the braking system is also one of the most critical components in safely stopping. Never ignore a softer brake pedal or fluid loss in the wheel area. Low brake fluid levels can result in a loss of braking ability and create very unsafe driving conditions. Regular brake inspections are the easiest way to know what kind of shape your brakes are in. Don’t let neglected brakes get you into trouble, contact us for an inspection today!

Your vehicle’s engine produces a lot of heat. While this heat is the natural result of a properly running engine, too much can pose a problem. It’s the job of your car’s coolant system to temper the heat and keep things running smoothly. 

Everything is well when the coolant system is operating properly. But if a part of the system isn’t working well, you could end up on the side of the road and dealing with an expensive major engine breakdown.

Radiator and Coolant
The radiator houses the antifreeze that ultimately helps regulate the temperature of the engine. This fluid is bright yellow/green in color, and you should always make sure that the fill level is where it needs to be. If the fluid level is low, you notice a leak or the fluid itself is burnt/dark, it could be a sign of a bigger problem that you should get checked out by an automotive repair expert.

Fans, Belts and Hoses
Numerous fans, belts and hoses can be found in the cooling system. These are all important parts that need to be in good condition for the system to work properly. Be sure to get these components inspected regularly to help prevent further issues.

Thermostat
The thermostat is what controls the temperature regulation while also tracking the temperature of the engine itself. It’s an important part that you need to make sure is working accurately to avoid overheating.

Water Pump
Coolant is pumped from the radiator through the water pump and into the engine compartment to keep the temperature regulated. It’s not uncommon for water pumps to fail over time, so they should be inspected regularly and replaced if any signs of trouble are found.

Transmission Cooler
Your vehicle’s transmission also depends on the cooling system to regulate temperature, therefore it has a transmission cooler that needs to be maintained and flushed from time to time.

Heater Core
As the heated fluid is expelled from the engine, it runs through the heater core to be recirculated back through the system. The heater core is what helps produce heat inside the vehicle if you have the heater/defroster on. The technicians at Bob Hope’s Auto Repair can help prevent coolant system issues with an inspection at our shop in Trenton. Don’t let an overheated engine leave you on the side of the road, contact us for an inspection today!