Auto Air Conditioner Repair and Service
When it's hot outside, there's nothing more refreshing than getting into a cool, air-conditioned car. However, if your air conditioning system isn't working correctly, even a short ride in the car can be unbearable. Just like the other mechanical systems in your car, air conditioners need occasional maintenance to function effectively and efficiently.
How An Air Conditioner Operates
An auto air conditioning system does much more than simply blow cold air into the car. It removes the hot air and humidity from the vehicle and draws in outside air, cooling it to the temperature set by the user. The process requires the efficient operation of several components, including the evaporator, condenser, and compressor. As with all mechanical parts, these items are prone to wear. Over time, fittings become loose, and hoses and seals wear out. When an auto air conditioning system breaks down, refrigerant leaks, which is not only harmful to the environment but is detrimental to your car as well. Leaking coolant can damage your vehicle's evaporator and compressor.
If you notice hot air blowing, or a lack of pressure when you run your air conditioner, it's time to get the system checked out. Servicing your car air conditioner at the first sign of trouble will save you both money and time. It's always good practice to get a full air conditioning service at least once a year, before the start of the season.A regular servicing also helps to identify any potential problems and avoid a breakdown.
North Jackson Tire's automotive professionals are adept at diagnosing problems in your vehicle's air conditioning system. Since 1998, we have performed accurate, affordable auto air conditioning repairs to help keep our customers comfortable in their cars when the temperatures rise in South Central Tennessee.
How An Air Conditioner Operates
An auto air conditioning system does much more than simply blow cold air into the car. It removes the hot air and humidity from the vehicle and draws in outside air, cooling it to the temperature set by the user. The process requires the efficient operation of several components, including the evaporator, condenser, and compressor. As with all mechanical parts, these items are prone to wear. Over time, fittings become loose, and hoses and seals wear out. When an auto air conditioning system breaks down, refrigerant leaks, which is not only harmful to the environment but is detrimental to your car as well. Leaking coolant can damage your vehicle's evaporator and compressor.
If you notice hot air blowing, or a lack of pressure when you run your air conditioner, it's time to get the system checked out. Servicing your car air conditioner at the first sign of trouble will save you both money and time. It's always good practice to get a full air conditioning service at least once a year, before the start of the season.A regular servicing also helps to identify any potential problems and avoid a breakdown.
North Jackson Tire's automotive professionals are adept at diagnosing problems in your vehicle's air conditioning system. Since 1998, we have performed accurate, affordable auto air conditioning repairs to help keep our customers comfortable in their cars when the temperatures rise in South Central Tennessee.
Brakes
Most of us don't think twice about the brake system in our vehicles until it fails. There is nothing worse than stepping on your brakes and not being able to stop or slow down. If the brakes in your car are not working correctly, the safety of you, your passengers, other vehicles, drivers, and pedestrians are at risk. The brake system is unquestionably the most critical safety system in your vehicle.
Regularly have your brakes inspected to make sure they are operating properly and to detect early signs of wear. The main components of car disc brake systems are brake pads, brake rotor, and brake caliper, which all wear out over time. How long brakes last depends on several factors, including:
When Should You Replace Your Brakes?
Under normal driving conditions, brake pads should be replaced after about 50,000 miles. However, some vehicles may need new brakes much sooner. It all depends on the factors we discussed above. Consult your vehicle's owner's manual to get a more accurate number for your car's specific needs. As mentioned earlier, it's crucial to inspect brake pad thickness regularly. It's always a good practice to have a mechanic look at the brake pads whenever you have the tires rotated, or the oil changed. Also, keep aware of other warning signs that indicate your brake pads are not working correctly, such as:
At North Jackson Tire, we recommend having your brake system inspected with each oil change. If you have any questions or need any further information, please give us a call at 931-455-8592.
Regularly have your brakes inspected to make sure they are operating properly and to detect early signs of wear. The main components of car disc brake systems are brake pads, brake rotor, and brake caliper, which all wear out over time. How long brakes last depends on several factors, including:
- Driving habits: How hard a driver pushes on the brake pedal significantly affects how long the brake pads last. Some drivers gently coast to a stop, while others continually ride the brakes and stop abruptly. As you can guess, smooth, gradual braking will increase the lifespan of your brake pads. However, as we all know, sometimes braking suddenly is necessary to avoid an accident.
- Environment: Driving in the city is harder on brakes due to stop-and-go traffic and traffic lights, whereas driving out in the country or on long straight roads requires less braking. The need to control your speed on steep declines, such as in the mountains, also wears out the brakes faster.
- Materials: Most vehicles on the road today have semi-metallic brake pads, which are typically made of iron, copper, steel and graphite all mixed and together and bonded. They are durable, versatile, and practical over a wide range of temperatures. Ceramic brakes pads, which use ceramic compounds and copper fibers, are another option. Although they are more expensive, they offer quieter stops, cleaner wheels, and generally longer pad-life due to their harder composition.
When Should You Replace Your Brakes?
Under normal driving conditions, brake pads should be replaced after about 50,000 miles. However, some vehicles may need new brakes much sooner. It all depends on the factors we discussed above. Consult your vehicle's owner's manual to get a more accurate number for your car's specific needs. As mentioned earlier, it's crucial to inspect brake pad thickness regularly. It's always a good practice to have a mechanic look at the brake pads whenever you have the tires rotated, or the oil changed. Also, keep aware of other warning signs that indicate your brake pads are not working correctly, such as:
- Squealing, scraping, or grinding noise. Brake pads have small metal hairs, called sensors, that make a squealing sound when the pads are worn. If your brakes are squealing, they should be replaced immediately.
- Wobbling, vibration, or bouncing when brakes are applied
- Spongy or soft brake pedal
- Burning smell while driving
- Car pulling to one side when braking
At North Jackson Tire, we recommend having your brake system inspected with each oil change. If you have any questions or need any further information, please give us a call at 931-455-8592.
The Importance of Changing
Your Vehicle’s Oil
Even though our lives are busier than ever, it's essential to make time for regular oil changes on our vehicles. Why are oil changes so important? The engine of your car depends on it. Oil serves a major purpose in your vehicle: it cools the engine, cleans, seals, and lubricates. Engine oil loses its effectiveness over time due to several factors such as:
- High heat - engines operate at high temperatures, which cause the oil to breakdown. When this happens, the oil does not lubricate as it should, which can result in engine parts rubbing together and wearing out.
- Contamination - Engine oil gets dirty and old from continually flushing the engine out.
- Moisture - changing temperatures can cause condensation to form inside your engine. Water typically evaporates and exits through the tailpipe. However, water can remain in the oil if the vehicle is left parked for an extended period. Water can also lead to the formation of sludge.
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Consumption - vehicles burn up oil over time. Most engines will use less than a quart of oil between changes, but others can consume much more. Improper oil levels can lead to costly repairs.
Shocks and Struts
Shocks and struts are essential components of your vehicle's suspension system, and both have a significant influence on how your car handles and the comfort of the ride. However, they each have their distinct roles, and their wear has a substantial impact on the safety of your vehicle.
Worn shocks and struts can compromise how your car handles and holds the road such as dangerous swaying and hydroplaning. They can also accelerate the wear of your tires and other suspension parts such as the ball joints, steering linkage, springs, and C.V. joints. New shocks and struts provide a smoother ride, better control, stability, safety and even a shorter braking distance.
What's the difference between shocks and struts?
Shocks absorb impact. They minimize bumps, vibrations, and noise and ensure that the car's tires remain in contact with the road surface at all times. Struts are a structural part of the vehicle's suspension system. They are mounted to the chassis and function to support and control the car in motion. A strut is much stronger than a shock because of its weight-bearing capabilities. Struts are also more expensive to replace.
How do you know if your vehicle needs new shocks or struts?
The life of a shock or strut is approximately 50,000 miles. There are also several signs you can look for if you suspect a problem such as fluid leaking from the shock, dented or damaged shocks, or unusual wear patterns on the tires. A bumpy or shaky ride, an inadequate steering response, stiffness or noise when steering or instability when braking can also be due to worn shocks and struts. However, It is essential to add that shocks and struts do not always show visible signs of damage or wearing.
At North Jackson Tire, we recommend having your shocks and struts inspected at every oil change or alignment, or every 5,000 miles. Give us a call at 931-455-8592 to schedule an appointment, and we will be more than happy to inspect them for you.
Worn shocks and struts can compromise how your car handles and holds the road such as dangerous swaying and hydroplaning. They can also accelerate the wear of your tires and other suspension parts such as the ball joints, steering linkage, springs, and C.V. joints. New shocks and struts provide a smoother ride, better control, stability, safety and even a shorter braking distance.
What's the difference between shocks and struts?
Shocks absorb impact. They minimize bumps, vibrations, and noise and ensure that the car's tires remain in contact with the road surface at all times. Struts are a structural part of the vehicle's suspension system. They are mounted to the chassis and function to support and control the car in motion. A strut is much stronger than a shock because of its weight-bearing capabilities. Struts are also more expensive to replace.
How do you know if your vehicle needs new shocks or struts?
The life of a shock or strut is approximately 50,000 miles. There are also several signs you can look for if you suspect a problem such as fluid leaking from the shock, dented or damaged shocks, or unusual wear patterns on the tires. A bumpy or shaky ride, an inadequate steering response, stiffness or noise when steering or instability when braking can also be due to worn shocks and struts. However, It is essential to add that shocks and struts do not always show visible signs of damage or wearing.
At North Jackson Tire, we recommend having your shocks and struts inspected at every oil change or alignment, or every 5,000 miles. Give us a call at 931-455-8592 to schedule an appointment, and we will be more than happy to inspect them for you.