Why Is My Engine Running Rough?

 You may be wondering, "Why is my Engine Running Rough?" One common reason is that the Air Filter is Dirty and Plugged Up. When the Air Filter is Dirty, Air is restricted through the Filter. The decrease in air causes the Engine to run Rich or Rough, meaning there is too much Fuel going through with not enough air mixed in. Checking the Air Filter at regular oil intervals is important to keep your Engine at peak performance. At My Auto Works, we inspect the air filter as part of our free Pro Tech Check on most vehicles.   

The Air Filter on the Left is used, On the Right is a New Filter

Why Do My Brakes Grind?

“Why do my brakes grind” is a common problem that we hear. Grinding Brakes could be caused by several things that are best checked out by a Certified Mechanic in case it’s a serious issue. Grinding Brakes could be from Worn out Brake Pads, when the metal from the Brake Pad is rubbing against the metal Brake Rotor. In that case, the Brake Pads should be replaced, and possibly the Brake Rotors as well. Brakes could Grind due to debris that is trapped in-between the Brake Rotor and the Brake Pad. Brake Grinding Noise could also be due to poor quality Brake Pads. Broken Shims are another causing factor in Brake Grind problems. The ASE Certified Technicians at My Auto Works would be happy to determine whether it’s a minor or major brake problem.

Why is my Battery Light on in my Car?

Why is my Battery Light on in my Car?

Battery Clamps

If you notice the Battery Light is on in your car, you may be wondering why. There are several reasons why the Battery Indicator Light is on. The most common reason could be that the Starting and/or Charging System is not performing correctly. It could also be Electrical Wiring problems, Bad Battery Cables or Connectors, or a Bad Battery. It is important to get a Starting and Charging System Inspection to determine the issue. Many of the newer vehicles have Critical Safety Components that are powered by the Battery and Charging System (such as ABS, Traction Control, Electric Power Steering) that will not work if the Battery System Fails. If you have any questions or need your Battery and Charging System Tested, call us at one of our two My Auto Works’ locations and we’d be happy to help.

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Why is my Car Shaking?

There are a number of reasons why your Car might Shake.

• The most common reason for a car to shake is because of tires.  If the tires are out of balance then the steering wheel can shake. This shaking starts at around 50-55 mph.  It gets worse around 60 mph but starts to get better at high speeds.

• Sometimes brake rotors can be the cause of shaking.  If your steering wheel shakes while you are braking, then the problem could be caused by brake rotors being "out of round."  This vibration can also be felt through your brake pedal.

• Another problem that can cause shaking is when a brake caliper sticks on.  When this happens you will experience a vibration through the steering wheel starting at 45 to 50 miles per hour.  It will get very bad the faster you go, and you will also smell a burning odor when you stop.

The good news is that these problems are fairly easy to fix and/or avoid altogether.

The tire problem can be avoided by purchasing good quality tires and by having all of the tires carefully inspected when your car goes in for preventative maintenance service.

The brake problem can be avoided by including brake caliper service when your brakes are due for maintenance.  This is particularly important for vehicles that have over 75,000 miles on them.  And, like your tires, have all of your brake pads inspected as part of a regularly scheduled preventive maintenance program.

If you stick to your manufacturer’s scheduled maintenance timeline, you can avoid most of these problems.  Normally, the brake and tire inspections are performed when you have an oil change. 

Tires wearing in a strange way or having a wheel that’s out of round can both be signs of what’s causing a vibration issue.  If one of the front or rear brake pads (out of four) is seen wearing more than the other, this is a sign that the brake caliper is sticking.

 At My Auto Works, we perform a Pro-Tech Check on every Vehicle that comes in our doors, helping you detect these problems early.

Why Do My Brakes Squeal or Squeak?

Most Brake noise is caused by worn or loose parts. For example, an unevenly worn (warped) Brake Rotor won't let the Brake Pads press flat against the rotor when you apply the brakes, and that can create vibrations that cause noise.Then there are the pads themselves. The Brake Pads could be too worn out.  Other things that can cause Brake Noise could be glazed pads and rotors, broken anti rattle clips, lack of pad insulation or insulation shims, and incorrect rotor surface cut or no surface cut at all. Some Brake noise is harmless, however, it's always best to have a Certified Auto Mechanic inspect your Brakes for more serious issues.

Welcome to My Auto Works' New Blog!

We want to share information that is commonly asked about vehicle repair, and other things that are relevant to car ownership and drivers in general. We hope you find the blogs helpful and informative!