Archive for December, 2009

Battery Maintenance Tips From Quicklane Tire & Auto Center @ Al Packer White Marsh

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

When it comes to your Ford, it all starts with the battery. Proper battery maintenance is important for two reasons:

First, your Ford won’t start or run without it. Second, it is the key to the long life of your auto electrical system. If your battery isn’t working efficiently, your alternator has to work overtime to make up for it and other electrical components can suffer as well.

A number of years ago sealed batteries were introduced to the local White Marsh MD market. They were hailed as being ‘maintenance-free batteries’. While it is true that you can’t get in and adjust the electrolyte levels of a sealed battery, it is by no means maintenance free.

Batteries are very sensitive to changes in the weather around MD. Temperature really affects auto battery performance. A battery inspection is an important part of your spring and fall checkups. Next time you’re under your hood, take a look at your battery.

  • Is it clean and free of residue? A dirty battery will drain.
  • Is there corrosion at the terminals where the battery cables attach to the battery? If there is, the corrosion can interfere with how efficiently electricity passes back and forth from the battery.
  • Are the cables loose? Make sure they are tight.
  • Are the cables themselves corroded? Corrosion can actually eat through the battery cables.

Quicklane Tire & Auto Center @ Al Packer White Marsh can inspect and test your battery. If the inspection warrants a cleaning, have it done. If the battery test indicates that replacement of the battery or cables is in order, you will be lucky to have caught the problem before it becomes a major inconvenience.

Your battery will also last longer if you keep your fuel system and ignition system clean. It’s all part of your commitment to regular maintenance, to keep your Ford running at its best for a long, long time.

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Power Steering Service Near Baltimore

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009

For most of us living in the Baltimore area, it is hard to remember life without power steering – cranking those great big steering wheels? It was a pretty good workout. Now power steering is standard. The heart of any power steering system is its pump. The pump pressurizes the power steering fluid that provides assist for steering. Most pumps are driven by a belt that is run by the engine – a few are electrically powered. A high-pressure hose passes fluid from the pump to the steering gear. A low pressure hose returns the fluid back to the pump.

These hoses can develop leaks, so it is a good idea to inspect them at every oil change. Low fluid can damage the power steering pump. That is why fluid level is on the checklist for a full-service oil change. The fluid needs to be compatible with the hoses and seals, so check your owners’ manual for the right type – or just ask your service technician at Quicklane Tire & Auto Center @ Al Packer White Marsh.

The fluid cleans, cools and lubricates the power steering system. It breaks down as the years go by and collects unwanted moisture, so it needs to be replaced from time to time. Many manufacturers specify power steering service intervals. Unfortunately, this important service is sometimes left off the maintenance schedule for many of us in Baltimore. So, when in doubt, every 25,000 miles/40,000 km or two years is a good fallback. Your Quicklane Tire & Auto Center @ Al Packer White Marsh service center in Baltimore will use a detergent to clean the system, flush out the old fluid and replace it with the good stuff.

Here are some warning signs of trouble with your power steering: It’s harder to turn the wheel, there’s erratic power assist, you hear loud whining coming from the pump (which may be difficult to hear over the loud whining coming from the backseat), you have to top-off the fluid frequently, or you hear squealing belts. Remember to never hold the steering wheel to the far right or left for more than a few seconds at a time. That will wear out your power steering pump real fast.

Other steering components can be bent or damaged from wear or hard knocks. Ball-joint, idler-arm, steering-gear, steering-knuckle and tie rod to name a few. Warning signs here are steering play, wandering, uneven tire wear, and off-center steering wheel. An annual alignment check at Quicklane Tire & Auto Center @ Al Packer White Marsh will reveal bent or damaged steering components.

Most SUV’s, pick-ups and rear-wheel-drive cars need regular front-wheel-bearing service.

The bearings should be cleaned and inspected. If they are excessively worn, they need to be replaced. The bearings are then repacked in clean grease. It’s also recommend the wheel-seal be replaced when the bearings are serviced. Like everything else, check your owners’ manual maintenance schedule. It’s usually required around every two years or 40,000 miles/64,000 km. If you drive through water in the Baltimore area, the bearings will need service more often.

Quicklane Tire & Auto Center @ Al Packer White Marsh
9801 Pulaski Highway
White Marsh, MD 21220
(443) 777-5050

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