Surprisingly, our vehicle’s are also a significant investment but we do not always put the same level of effort into keeping them maintained.  When we get in the vehicle to drive somewhere, many times our brains are operating on an automatic process.  We rarely pay attention to what our vehicles might be telling us until it’s too late – and we have a breakdown!

If you want to prevent your vehicle from a breakdown, you can use your senses to stay alert to potential problems.  When we use our eyes, ears, nose, and even touch to stay connected with our vehicles, we are more likely to avoid a costly breakdown.

Using Your Eyes

Our sense of vision is a great way to detect potential problems with our vehicles.

What do you see?

• Wear and tear: Do your tires look worn? Are the treads thin? Do you occasionally open the hood and check your hoses and belts for wear?  Do you see cracked, torn, or broken belts or hoses?
• Smoke: Leaks can usually lead to smoke or steam coming from various places in the vehicle. You may see smoke or steam from the hood, or underneath the vehicle.  Or, your vehicle may emit a white or dark smoke from your exhaust pipe.
• Leaks: Leaks are very easy to detect by looking underneath the vehicle. If you find puddles of oil or other fluids, there’s some type of leak.  If fluids leak enough, they may burn off when the engine is hot, producing smoke.
• Warning Lights: Your vehicle dashboard is equipped with a variety of warning indicators for your major and minor vehicle systems. Learn what these mean, and promptly address them with a service professional.

Using Your Ears

We all love to drive with music in the background.  Consider driving one day without any music and listen to what your car is telling you.  As parts begin to fail in your vehicle, they may hear specific sounds that can alert you to potential breakdown.

What do you hear?

• Squeaks: Squeaking sounds can be the result of suspension, steering or braking problems.
• Squeals, Grinding, or Screeching: These sounds typically alert us to problems within the braking system.
• Rumbling or Sputtering: You may hear a rumbling or sputtering sound coming from your exhaust, which could raise an alert to a problem with your exhaust system.
• Thumps and Knocks: These sounds could be an indication there’s a problem with one or more of your tires.

Using Your Nose

If you discount the discarded bag of a half-eaten hamburger in the back seat that was left there two weeks earlier, your vehicle can alert you to problems through unusual smells.

What do you smell?

• Rotten Eggs: If you smell rotten eggs, it could be a sign that there’s a problem with your catalytic converter.
• Metallic Burning: Burning smells are sometimes an indication of something wrong with your electrical system in the vehicle.
• Miscellaneous Odors:There are a variety of fluids in your vehicle that when leaked, can emit smells from being burned on hot engine parts.

Using Your Touch

Finally, our sense of touch can be a good judge of what is normal versus a potential problem.

What do you feel?

• Shimmies and Shakes: If your steering wheel shimmies or shakes, it could be a sign of alignment or steering system issues.
• Roughness and bumpiness: When there are suspension or tire problems, you may feel the road more or the ride will not be as smooth.
• Shudders and vibrations: Problems with tires may cause the car to shudder and vibrate through the steering wheel, or even your driver’s seat.

The next time you get in your vehicle, turn on your senses and use your cognitive process to stay alert to ways your vehicle may be trying to communicate with you.

In the unfortunate circumstance that you do breakdown, make sure to follow these steps to ensure you and your vehicle occupants are safe:

1. Evaluate where you can safely slow down and pull over to the side of the road.
2. Ensure you are away from the road as much as possible.
3. Engage your hazard lights.
4. Stay in your vehicle. If you have to exit, make sure to check for oncoming traffic and safely exit the vehicle to a spot a safe distance from the road.
5. If you have them, set up flares or triangles. If not, open your hood and tie a white cloth around the door handle.
6. Contact a service professional or automobile club for assistance.

Trust all your vehicle care to the professionals at Geller’s Automotive in Byram, New Jersey. If you notice any of the problems listed here, schedule an appointment for us to take a look and get it fixed. We can also handle all your routine maintenance so you can minimize the possibility of having a vehicle break down.

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Safety is an important factor in your overall enjoyment of your vehicle.  Make sure to keep your vehicle in top shape by listening and looking for signs when critical safety systems might be failing.  If you have concerns or questions, make an appointment today with your Geller’s Automotive service professional. We are conveniently located in Byram, New Jersey.

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You are driving on a long, curvy, country road.  Daylight is fading quickly into the evening.  As you are approaching a curve in the road, a large deer jumps out in front of your vehicle.  You slam on your brakes only to avoid hitting the deer by inches!

If you have ever been in this situation or a similar one, you know how important it is for your brakes to work in those split seconds when you need them the most. Having properly functioning brakes can sometimes be a matter of life or death.

In this article, we examine the basic anatomy of your vehicle’s braking system, potential problems that may arise with your brakes, and ways to stay alert to problems with your brakes.

Key Components of the Braking System

There are several key components of your braking system that are important to understand, as follows:

Common Brake Problems

Since your braking system gets a lot of constant wear and tear – overuse and negligence can lead to a variety of problems. Below are a few of the signs and symptoms that you can be alert to for potential brake issues.

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms with your vehicle when braking, it is advisable to get your brakes checked out.  Brake issues will only get more severe when ignored, and can lead to much costlier repairs or even worse, reduced braking performance.  You should consider having your brakes checked at least every six months, and include a brake check along with tire rotation.

Don’t get into a situation where your brakes will fail you when you need them most.  If you would like a full brake inspection, contact us today to schedule an appointment.  The service professionals at Geller’s Automotive in Byram, New Jersey, will conduct a thorough check of your brake components and make any necessary repairs or replacements.

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Why is oil so important to your vehicle?

Oil is one of many fluids in your engine that must be maintained and replenished on a regular basis.  Your engine could not function effectively for long without oil.

Oil is beneficial to your engine for the following reasons:

• Oil cleans your internal engine parts from the corrosion and build-up of dirt over time.
• Oil lubricates your engine’s parts during operation, allowing them to function better under the stress of engine friction.
• Oil protects your engine’s parts from temperature and heat, thus keeping your engine from working as hard.  This increases the fuel efficiency of your vehicle along with your engine’s life expectancy.

So, we have established that oil is an important aspect of keeping your engine running smoothly.  Now, let’s go over some maintenance tips about oil.

Basic Oil Maintenance

Oil is an additive to our vehicle’s engine, which means that over time it is subjected to heat, friction, dirt, and other factors that diminish its capabilities.  That’s why regular oil changes are necessary to maintain your engine’s health.

For some of us, we may not worry about the details of changing our oil.  We simply make an appointment and get the oil changed.  We leave the details to the professionals.  Or, you may be the type of vehicle owner that likes to get your hands dirty (and you will with oil), by changing it on your own.

Whether you facilitate your own oil changes or you pay someone, there are some maintenance tasks that are easy and sensible to maintain the oil in your vehicle.

1. Oil Warning Lights:  Always address an oil warning light on your dashboard.  If your oil is low, check the level and replenish it if necessary.
2. Check the Oil Level:  Find your vehicle’s oil dipstick and check for the level of oil in your engine.  You can do this while the engine is cold, although some auto professionals recommend checking oil when the engine is warming up.
3. Check the Oil Color:  Oil should always be an “amber” color and clear.  If you see dark colored or black oil on the dipstick, this means that you are overdue for an oil change.  Oil will develop buildup of dirt and sludge over time and lose its effectiveness.

If you determine that you need an oil change, let’s briefly review some key facts about choosing oil.

How do you choose the right oil?

The easiest way to choose the right oil for your vehicle is to consult with your owner’s manual or one of the service professionals at Geller’s Automotive.

There are some things you should take into consideration when choosing oil:

1. Viscosity:  Viscosity is the thickness of oil.  This is important because in colder temperatures, the viscosity of oil must be lower (i.e. the oil is thinner), so it can circulate through your engine faster and easier.
2. SAE Rating:  The SAE, or Society of Automotive Engineers, has developed a rating that provides you with information the viscosity in both cold and warm temperatures.  For example, a 10W 30 Oil indicates that it has a viscosity rating of 10 in Winter and a viscosity rating of 30 when the engine is at 212° Fahrenheit.
3. Conventional or Synthetic Oil:  More recent oils are synthetic, meaning they were developed in laboratories to comply with specific needs of today’s engines.  Synthetic oils can handle a range of temperatures, but they cost more to manufacture.  This cost is passed on to the consumer.  However, synthetics do not need to be replaced as frequently as conventional oil.

How often should you get an oil change?

The frequency of oil changes really depends on a few things:

• The type of oil you choose,
• Your specific vehicle requirements, and,
• Your driving habits.

For most vehicles, getting an oil change every 5,000 to 7,500 miles is the standard.  Synthetic oils can go without oil changes up to 15,000 miles.

Trust your next oil change to the professionals at Geller’s Automotive, located in Byram Township, NJ. Our technicians can assist you in selecting the right oil for your vehicle and will change the oil and filter accordingly.

Contact us today to make an appointment for an oil change.

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What now?  

If this scenario makes you sweat just reading about it, then read on to learn more about your vehicle’s water pump and ways you can mitigate this type of roadside disaster!  In this article, we cover some basics on your vehicle’s water pump and the typical problems that can damage your water pump, and ultimately your vehicle engine.

What is a Water Pump?

Your vehicle’s water pump is a very important component of your engine’s operation.  The water pump serves the role of circulating fluids (mixture of coolant and water) through your engine block, hoses, and radiator.  Because a combustible engine is in constant motion, this results in an increase in temperature.  Coolant is necessary to maintain an optimal temperature of the vehicle so that the engine does not overheat or fail.

A water pump is controlled by a serpentine belt that is connected to the crankshaft pulley.  A functioning pump will continuously move the fluids around the engine, through the hoses and radiator and then back through the engine to complete the cycle.

The most common problems that will cause your water pump to fail are (1) broken water pump fan blades, (2) loose water pump bearings, or (3) water pump leaks.  Problems with a water pump require immediate attention as they can lead to further damage of your vehicle’s engine.  The best way to stay on top of your water pump is to look for visible signs that something’s wrong.

What Signs Do You Notice with a Failing Water Pump?

When your vehicle starts to experience water pump problems, you will notice specific signs and symptoms.  You should address these symptoms with a service professional as soon as possible to avoid a full engine breakdown.  Ignoring water pump problems is not advisable.

Typical symptoms include:

• Overheated engine: An overheated engine is a major sign that something’s wrong in your vehicle’s coolant system.  Ignoring an overheated engine can result in further damage to cylinder heads, gaskets, or pistons.
• Steam from engine: When you see steam rising from the hood of your vehicle, it’s time to pull over and open the hood to let the engine cool.  Continuing to drive with an overheated engine could result in full engine failure.
• Coolant leaks: If you notice coolant on the ground under the front of your vehicle, it’s possible that there’s a dried, worn, or cracked gasket or seal.  This means that the coolant that is supposed to be flowing through your vehicle’s engine is no longer there to provide temperature control.
• Loose pulley or belt: If the belt or pulleys that control your vehicle’s water pump are worn or loose, it may make a high-pitched noise when operating the vehicle.  These are subject to cracking and wear and tear from constant vibration and heat.  If they are not providing adequate motion to circulate fluids, this will impact your coolant system and vehicle temperature.

How Can You Avoid Water Pump Problems?

One of the best ways to avoid a problem with your water pump is to maintain the coolant.  Checking coolant levels periodically as well as having the coolant fluid flushed are two ways to ensure that the lubricants in your coolant system are working properly.  Consult with your vehicle’s owner’s manual or service professional to determine the right timeframe for a coolant flush.  Typically, coolant flushes are done every 30-45K miles.

Additionally, checking for worn belts and hoses can help to identify potential problems on the horizon.

Remember, if you want to avoid being stranded on the road in the middle of nowhere, make sure to keep a healthy coolant system for your vehicle.  To schedule an appointment for a cooling system service or to have your water pump replaced, contact Geller’s Automotive in Byram, New Jersey, today.

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How’s it Work?

First, let’s talk about the basic operation of your vehicle’s cruise control system.

The cruise control system controls the speed of your vehicle in a similar fashion that you do when you press down on the gas pedal.  However, instead of pushing down or letting up on the pedal, the cruise control system engages with the throttle through a cable that is connected to an actuator, or type of motor. When a driver makes speed adjustments on his cruise control switches on the steering column, this determines how much the cable will open or close the throttle valve to control the flow of air to the engine.

To disengage cruise control, the driver merely needs to tap the brake pedal or turn off the switch on the steering column.  This will put the acceleration or deceleration back into the control of the driver.

Cruise control systems have continued to evolve from their conventional design with something called adaptive cruise control.  Through the use of laser and radar technology, adaptive cruise control can properly maintain a safe driving distance between one vehicle and another.  This more advanced technology has been tested and used in a more expanded manner with self-driving cars.

What’s Wrong with My Cruise Control?

Understanding how cruise control works is helpful when you are trying to figure out what’s wrong with it when it doesn’t function.

The more common issues that will surface with cruise control may be in the following components:

• Controls, switches, or wiring – including the brake switch and other controls that are tied to the in-cabin driver switches
• Fuses or relays that control the actuators
• Leaks in the vacuum actuator, which is the type of actuator used in older vehicles
• Speed sensor communication issues which can impact the functioning of the cruise control system.

The above issues are just a few of the more common areas that a certified technician will look at when diagnosing your cruise control repair issue. Keep in mind that unlike other components of your vehicle, ongoing maintenance is not something you can do with a cruise control system. In many cases, the only indication that there is a problem is when your cruise control system is not functioning at all.

If you are experiencing any issues with your cruise control, contact Geller’s Automotive in Byram, New Jersey, to make an appointment for cruise control repair.

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Over the last 100 years, automobile suspension systems have evolved to an integrated set of components that provide our vehicles with stability, driving performance, and comfort.

Let’s briefly examine the basics of suspension and review some of the more common problems that the suspension system can experience.

The Basics of a Suspension System

Your vehicle’s suspension system is a set of components that work together to absorb the shock and friction of the road during driving.  When you consider your vehicle on the road moving at a high rate of speed and you hit a bump, the suspension system is what prevents that shock of a bump from affecting the frame of the vehicle and ultimately, the occupants.  The suspension system also maintains the stability of the vehicle when cornering or turning.  Without a proper suspension system, our tires (which are the only part of the car that touches the ground), would not be able to stay firmly connected to the road.

Vehicle suspension systems are primarily made up of springs and dampers.

These springs and dampers are connected to your vehicle’s tires or throughout your vehicle’s chassis (i.e. frame) or steering system.  Each of these components play different roles in managing your vehicle’s suspension.

• Springs:  Springs support the overall weight of your vehicle, and also absorb the shock from the different road surfaces during driving.
• Dampers:  Dampers, like shock absorbers or struts, control the upward/downward and side to side movement of the vehicle when it encounters bumps or rough surfaces.

There’s much more to a vehicle’s suspension system, but the key components of springs and dampers are a big reason for issues when your suspension system is not operating effectively.

Common Suspension Problems

In some cases, identifying a potential suspension problem through the signs and sounds of our vehicle is easier than pinpointing the source of the problem.  There are telltale signals and sounds that alert us to potential suspension problems.  If you pay attention to these warning signals and address them sooner than later, you will be able to maintain a healthy suspension system and avoid costly repairs.

The most common suspension system problems include:

Of course, having a trained professional inspect your vehicle’s suspension system is critical to locating and addressing any potential issues.

You can maintain some aspects of your vehicle’s suspension system by:

• avoiding large pot holes and rough surfaces as much as possible.
• keeping your tires properly inflated and,
• getting a wheel alignment periodically can help to avoid problems with your suspension.

If you think that you might have a problem with your suspension and you have witnessed some telltale signs, get your vehicle into a service professional as soon as possible.  Avoiding suspension issues will not correct them, and they will only result in increased problems such as gas mileage, worn tires, and overall performance and safety issues. Contact Geller’s Automotive today for an appointment to inspect your suspension system. 

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☑ Tires:  Replace your all-season tires with snow tires.  Snow tires have enhanced treads and are made of a different compound for colder weather, giving you better braking and overall performance in harsh weather conditions.  Additionally, make sure your tires are properly inflated before venturing onto the road.

☑ Brakes:  Get your brake pads inspected for wear and tear.  Good functioning brakes are essential to stopping on wet and icy road conditions.

☑ Fluids:  Make sure the fluids in your car are topped off, especially your vehicle’s antifreeze and the wiper washer fluid.  Always keep at least a half tank of gasoline in your vehicle during the winter.

☑ Safety Supplies:  It’s always a good idea to keep a box of safety supplies in your vehicle during the winter that may include:  road flares, an ice scraper, a blanket, jumper cables, a flashlight with extra batteries, and a bag of sand or cat litter.

Winter Driving Conditions:  When the weather is nasty outside, it’s usually advisable to stay off the roads altogether.  But when that is not possible, make sure to follow safe driving techniques

☑ Adjust Speed:  It’s always important to adjust your speed for ice and snow and drive slower.  By driving slower, your tires will have greater traction on tough road conditions.

☑ Adjust Driving Space:  Remember that you can only control your own driving, not other drivers.  Putting more space between you and the driver in front of you ensures that you have adequate stopping time.

☑ Adjust Braking:  When you are on icy or snowy roads, it takes longer to slow down and stop.  If you slam on the brakes, your car will most likely slide.  Slowly brake and allow for more stopping distance when you know you have to stop ahead on the road, such as at a traffic light or intersection.

☑ Adjust Acceleration:  When you try to accelerate on an uphill too much, your tires will most likely slip and spin.  Accelerate slowly and allow your tires to grip the road as you gain speed.  Avoid stopping up-hill on acceleration, as you may lost momentum and slip and slide backwards.

If you remember to focus on the four important factors of speed, space, brakes and acceleration, you will be able to more successfully maneuver difficult winter driving conditions.

Our vehicles perform and respond differently in bad weather conditions such as icy rain, sleet, or snow.  If you apply these key tips, you can avoid injury or damage to your vehicle or others. Trust your winter car care needs to out auto repair shop in Byram, New Jersey. Contact Geller’s Automotive today for an appointment.

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With the start of Daylight Savings Time and winter around the corner, we can expect the daylight to grow shorter and increased bad weather to reduce our driving visibility.  Visibility is of utmost importance for driving safety.  By proactively following the tips below and making visibility a priority, you can make winter driving an overall safer experience.

1. Check all of your vehicle lights: Headlights can sometimes burn out without any warning; we may not even know a headlight is out until we see an approaching car that is signaling us with their bright lights.  The same goes for our brake and directional lights.  The easiest way to ensure that all of your lights are functioning properly, is to do a visual light check.  It’s helpful to ask a friend or family member to help you out.  Turn on the headlights, bright lights, fog lights, and directional lights (blinkers) and get confirmation that all of them are functioning.  While in PARK, press down on the brake pedal and make sure that your brake lights light up.  Finally, put the vehicle in reverse and have someone safely observe that your reverse lights (the white lights inside your rear brake lights) are working.  At a minimum, check your lights once a month.
2. Keep your headlamps clean:   As your vehicle ages, the headlamps may become dull, yellowed, smudged, or dirty.  It’s easy to keep the outside of your headlamps clean with some glass cleaner and a little elbow grease.  However, since headlamps are sealed to prevent water intrusion, you cannot clean any smudges or discoloration on the inside of the lamps.  If you notice any issues inside your headlamps, check with a professional to find out what they can do to address the problem.
3. Replace windshield wipers twice a year:   There’s nothing worse than cracked and worn windshield wipers that cannot adequately remove the rain or snow from our windshield when we need it the most.  Since the primary component of windshield wipers is rubber, temperatures and frequent use can easily wear them down.  Make a habit of having your wipers checked when you bring your vehicle in for an oil change.  You may even consider keeping a spare set of windshield wipers in the trunk of your vehicle.  While it may seem simple, replacing a wiper requires a little bit of patience.  Learn how to replace easily replace them so that when you’re in a pinch, you can get it done.
4. Maintain your windshield:  If you are using your windshield wipers often, make sure to maintain your wiper fluid.  During winter months, it is advisable to keep a clean rag, glass cleaner, and a bottle of windshield wiper fluid.  You will never be caught with a dirty windshield that cannot be addressed right away.  Additionally, always have any visible chips or cracks repaired.  Small cracks in windshields can lead to bigger issues, especially in extreme temperatures.  Let a professional examine your windshield damage to determine if it can be repaired or needs to be replaced.  Do not forget to check with your auto insurance to find out if there is any coverage for your windshield repairs/replacement.

At Geller’s Automotive in Byram, New Jersey, we can help you with any of your vehicle visibility issues. Contact us today for an appointment.

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Fluids – When temperatures drop below zero, vehicle fluids can get thicker. Make sure you change the fluids in your vehicle according to manufacturer recommendations. Do oil changes regularly and use winter weight so it flows better during those cold days. It’s also important to make sure your antifreeze isn’t too old and can protect your engine from freezing. We can do a simple test of your antifreeze to let you know if there’s enough protection. If it’s been more than a year since you changed the antifreeze, make an appointment to have that service done before the colder weather sets in.

Tires – When temperatures drop, so does the air pressure in your tires. If your vehicle is equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) (see our article on TPMS), that’s good. It will alert you to a problem with low tire pressure. The issue with relying on the TPMS to let you know when to add air is that the system is designed to alert you when the tire is well below recommended pressure. It’s a good idea to get in the habit of checking tire pressure once a month and adding air as necessary. You will want to do this when the tires are cold as the air expands once you start driving and the tires heat up.

Battery – Just as hot weather is harsh on an older battery, so is the colder weather. To avoid not being able to start your vehicle on a cold winter morning, have the battery tested. You will also want to replace it before it can’t start your vehicle. In New Jersey, the typical battery life is around 4 years old.

Fuel Lines – The water in fuel can end up frozen in fuel lines. This means you won’t be able to start and operate your vehicle. To avoid having this happen, in the winter don’t let your fuel gauge get to empty before filling. In fact, it’s a good idea to fill it when the gauge is showing ¼ to ½ tank remaining. Not only will it prevent water from freezing in the lines, it will provide extra weight in the event you get stuck having to drive during a winter storm.

Visibility – The dark mornings and evenings require extra care when driving. Maximize your visibility by checking headlamps, directional lights, and brake lights to make sure they are working. Replace wiper blades. Make sure you fill the windshield wiper fluid and carry extra in your trunk. Have yellowed or cloudy headlamps restored. Replace or repair cracks or dings in windshields. Do all you can to make sure you can see and be seen.

Taking a preemptive approach to car care is the best way to avoid winter car problems. The auto repair technicians at Geller’s Automotive can help you avoid unnecessary car repairs when you bring your vehicle to our shop in Byram, New Jersey, on a regular basis. Click here to schedule an appointment to have your vehicle winterized now.

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