Your wheel bearings may be something to which you've never given a thought while driving around Rockford, Illinois. Wheel bearings are what enable your wheels to spin freely. Since they bear the entire weight of the vehicle, they have to be tough. Wheel bearings can last well over 60,000 miles or 100,000 kilometers. They do wear out though and must eventually be replaced.
You might hear a groaning sound from your wheels. The sound might disappear at some speeds and reappear at others. Your Rockford, Illinois, service technician at TJ's Auto Center Inc. can quickly tell if your bearings are bad by raising the vehicle and wiggling the wheel. When you grasp the top and bottom of the tire, it shouldn't move along the vertical axis.
Many vehicles these days have wheel bearing assemblies that cannot be serviced at TJ's Auto Center Inc.. When the bearings go bad, we simply replace the entire wheel bearing assembly.
For those vehicles with wheel bearings that can be accessed, we can do some preventive maintenance. You may have heard the phrase "pack the bearings." With this procedure we remove the bearings, carefully clean them and inspect for any imperfection or wear. If the bearings can be reused, we reinstall them and pack them with grease. If not, we put in new bearings. Check your owner's manual or ask your Rockford, Illinois, service advisor at TJ's Auto Center Inc. if your bearings can be serviced, and if so, when it should be done.
Now, taking care of bad bearings is extremely important. When bearings go bad, they generate tremendous amounts of heat, enough to lock up the wheel. That's not a good thing at any speed. In some cases the wheel can even fall off. Either of these could cause a serious accident. So have your wheel bearings inspected if you suspect a problem and replace them right away if there is one.
TJ's Auto Center Inc. 3427 E. State St. Rockford, Illinois 61108 815-399-2886
At TJ's Auto Center Inc. we install quality NAPA replacement parts.
Illinois Balance: Wheel Balancing and Tire Rotation
Posted June 16, 2010 12:00 PM
Everyone in the Rockford, IL area wants our tires to last as long as possible. Two ways to maximize tire life are wheel balancing and tire rotation.
When wheels are out of balance, they wobble a bit. That makes the tires wear in a cupping pattern. And they vibrate. To fix this, your service technician at TJ's Auto Center puts weights on your wheels to balance them out. If a front wheel is out of balance you’ll feel it in the steering wheel. If it’s a rear wheel you’ll feel it through your seat.
That brings us to tire rotation. The front tires on a car wear out more quickly than the rear tires. As they push through turns from Rockford to Machesney Park, the shoulders of the front tires wear down. So rotating front and rear tires allows them to all wear at about the same rate over the life of the tire.
Proper tire inflation will also help your tires last longer. Under-inflated tires wear excessively on the shoulder and may even overheat. This could cause tire damage or a blow out. Over-inflated tires wear to fast in the middle.
Four wheel drive trucks and SUV’s tend to wear their tires more unevenly so rotation is even more important with them. Give us a call to get our recommendation on your sedan.
See your owner’s manual or ask your service technician at TJ's Auto Center for your recommended tire rotation schedule. It’s usually every 5,000 to 8,000 miles.
Tires cost a lot and they are one of the most critical safety components on your vehicle. Take care of them and they’ll take care of you.
TJ's Auto Center 3427 E. State Street Rockford, Illinois 61108 815-399-2886
Protecting Your sedan From Theft In Rockford Illinois
Posted June 11, 2010 12:00 PM
Every car in Rockford Illinois is at risk for theft. So it's up to us to make our cars a less appealing target and more of a challenge – hopefully sending potential thieves to look elsewhere.
Let's review each of these. First, common sense: you would be surprised how many vehicles are stolen from Rockford Illinois where the keys were left in the ignition with the doors unlocked. Always take your keys, and lock the doors. In fact, in some places it's against the law to leave a vehicle unattended with the keys in the ignition.
And don't leave spare keys in the car or hide them outside – because a thief will find them. Try to park in well-lit areas that have a lot of foot traffic. If possible, park near the end of a row and near a light. Back your car into a parking space or your driveway to make your car more visible to passersby and harder for a thief to work under the hood without being seen.
Remember to roll up your windows completely and avoid leaving your car in public lots for a long time. If you park in a lot that has an attendant, only give them the ignition key.
Keep valuables out of sight: purses, wallets, cell phones, clothes and even change are attractive "smash-and-grab" targets. And pay to have your Vehicle Identification Number, or VIN, etched into your windows – it makes your car less attractive to a thief who wants to send your car to a chop shop.
There are lots of visible and audible devices available. A steering wheel lock is highly visible and will deter some thieves. Loud alarms can alert you and others that your vehicle is being tampered with. But if your alarm does go off, be careful. Observe what's going on; get descriptions of suspicious people and vehicles, including license plate numbers.
Now, if you catch a thief in the act, call 911 but don't approach the person. Your safety is more important than the car.
And here's a great one - immobilizing devices. They actually shut off your car's electrical or fuel supply. So without a key, or knowing where the hidden switch is located, a thief can't drive your car away.
Finally, you can also get a tracking device that allows police to track your car down and recover it quickly.
Remember, where you live, work and drive around Rockford Illinois has a great impact on your decisions. If you're in an area with high theft rates, you may want to spend more money on security systems. And check with your Rockford Illinois auto insurance company to see if they offer discounts for adding any of these items.
Of course, the common sense suggestions from TJ's Auto Center don't cost anything and go a long way toward keeping your car safe from thieves. Take a look at the attached video auto tip from AutoNetTV.
Come see us for practical advice on keeping your sedan safe. TJ's Auto Center 3427 E. State Street , Rockford, Illinois 61108 Call us at 815-399-2886
Power Steering: Keep Headed in the Right Direction, Rockford
Posted June 4, 2010 12:00 PM
Power steering is standard on nearly every car and truck in Rockford, Illinois these days. Now there are some exotic, new types of power steering systems, but for the most part, the heart of the system is a pump that’s driven by a belt powered by the engine.
Contact us at TJ's Auto Center for questions about your power steering.
The pump generates boost that assists you as you steer your sedan around Rockford, Illinois. Power steering systems use hoses to move pressurized fluid back and forth. These hoses can develop leaks so it’s a good idea to inspect them at every oil change.
A check of the power steering fluid level is on the list for every full service oil change because low fluid can damage the power steering pump. And the fluid needs to be compatible with the hoses and seals, so you need to use the correct type –just ask your service consultant at TJ's Auto Center.
In addition to providing boost, the fluid cleans, cools and lubricates the power steering system. The lubricants and detergents are depleted over time so you need to replace your old fluid with clean, fresh fluid periodically.
Excess moisture can collect in the power steering fluid as well. That can lead to rust and corrosion as well as reduce the effectiveness of the fluid.
Many manufacturers specify power steering service intervals in the owner’s manual.
Unfortunately, this important service is sometimes left off the maintenance schedule. When in doubt, every two years is a good fallback.
Your auto service center in Rockford, Illinois will use a detergent to clean the system, flush out the old fluid and replace it with the good stuff.
Now, if you are experiencing high steering effort, erratic power assist, loud whining coming from the pump you may have a power steering problem. Another sign is that you have to frequently top off the fluid.
Holding the steering wheel to the far right or left for more than a few seconds at a time can wear your pump out real fast. AutoNetTV wants you to be sure to service your power steering system regularly to keep you headed in the right direction.
TJ's Auto Center 3427 E. State Street Rockford, Illinois 61108 815-399-2886
My Dealer In Rockford Closed: What Do I Do?
Posted June 4, 2010 12:00 PM
New car dealership closings are all over the news. Nearly 800 Chrysler dealerships canceled. About 1,100 GM dealers’ contracts will not be renewed after October 2010. And record numbers are just shutting down because they aren’t selling enough cars and trucks to stay in business.
It’s estimated that some 40,000 dealership service bays could be taken out of service in the next year or so.
Of course, this is a tragedy for those who work at our local Rockford dealerships and the owners that risk losing much of their life’s work. Our Rockford communities will lose some of our best corporate citizens. Think of all the youth sports team, service clubs and Rockford community events that have been sponsored by our local new car dealers.
One question we hear a lot at AutoNetTV is, 'Who will service my car?' Rockford folks are concerned that they will not get the care and attention they need. They're wondering where they will find trained technicians in the Rockford area. Will they be able to get quality replacement parts for their vehicles?
Fortunately, the Rockford automotive aftermarket is ready to fill the need. As one of over 200,000 independent service and repair facilities in North America, TJ's Auto Center is here to help. TJ's Auto Center has been the backbone of the automotive service and repair industry for Rockford and will continue to provide this vital role.
TJ's Auto Center has the latest diagnostic and repair equipment, access to parts and repair databases, and a commitment to the highest standards of technician training. The reality is that our independent service center in Rockford is ready to service all your vehicle’s needs – and we always have been. We don’t have to 'step up' to the task – we're ready now.
Many consumers in Rockford have known this about the local Rockford independent service and repair industry and have used it for all their non-warranty work. And they have enjoyed greater convenience and have saved quite a bit of money along the way: The average independent service and repair center in Rockford costs 34% less than the dealership.
And of course, TJ's Auto Center has access to the very same replacement parts as the dealership as well as a selection of superior parts for greater reliability and enhanced performance. And we can source parts that may help with a tight budget as well.
So in the midst of uncertainty surrounding dealership closings, know you can turn to your local Rockford independent service center to take care of your family’s safety and to keep your vehicles performing well. You’ll save some money too. And that’s good news in these times.
TJ's Auto Center 3427 E. State Street Rockford, Illinois 61108 815-399-2886
Exhaust And Emissions Service
Posted June 4, 2010 12:00 PM
Sometimes when we talk about exhaust service in Rockford, we think about exhaust pipes and mufflers. And if you can see smoke, or if it’s too loud. But, exhaust service at a place like TJ's Auto Center is really a lot more comprehensive these days.
For example, in the U.S., the federal government mandated catalytic converters for all cars in Rockford in 1976 and on-board emission control computers in 1990. Illinois and federal emissions requirements have forced manufacturers to come up with much more sophisticated ways to comply with environmental regulations. Cars sold in Canada follow the same guidelines.
So, exhaust service has really become exhaust and emissions service. High-tech computer-controlled emissions devices are now a big part of that. And because it’s so sophisticated, your vehicle manufacturer recommends having your emission system checked out by a qualified technician, like the ones we have at TJ's Auto Center, regularly to make sure everything’s working right – which is usually every six months or 6,000 miles.
If your 'check engine light' comes on while you are driving around the Rockford, IL area, especially if it’s flashing, then you need to get your car looked at right away. Chances are it’s an emission related problem. You might have exhaust or emissions trouble if your car is hard to start, runs rough, or if it’s noisy or smoking.
So let’s review the exhaust system. Everything starts with the exhaust manifold. That’s the part that attaches to the engine and collects the exhaust from the cylinders and directs it into the exhaust pipe.
The exhaust gaskets help seal the connection with the manifold and other joints along the way. Now, if the manifold is cracked or loose, or a gasket is leaking, then dangerous gases could escape into the passenger compartment, where you ride. Carbon monoxide can be deadly, so it’s important that your exhaust system doesn’t leak.
The exhaust pipes connect the various components. They can rust or be damaged by a rock, so they need to be inspected periodically.
Next comes the catalytic converter. This part actually looks like a muffler. It changes chemicals that are dangerous to your health, and to the local Illinois environment, into harmless carbon dioxide and water. Now it doesn’t require any maintenance itself. But eventually they wear out. If it has, you’ll probably find out when your car fails an emissions inspection.
Now the muffler. Its main job is to quiet engine noises. Mufflers work by either absorbing or baffling sound. And you can actually customize your car’s sound with different mufflers – which is pretty cool because you can change the look of your car, and the way it sounds.
Rusted or road-damaged mufflers can actually leak and they need to be replaced right away. The exhaust system is attached to the car by a series of hangers and clamps that hold the system in place. And when these hangers come loose or break then hot exhaust components can touch and melt wires, hoses and lines. Just think of the damage a hot curling iron can do – but worse. It’s not good to have that waving around.
And finally, we end at the tailpipe. Appropriate name. This is the final outlet for the exhaust. And one other component is the oxygen sensor. It monitors the oxygen content of the exhaust so the engine-control computer can adjust the fuel-to-air mix to keep the car running right.
We hope this hasn’t been too 'exhausting' of a discussion, but these things impact everything from life and death safety due to exhaust leaks, to just fine-tuning the sound of your ride. And talk with your service advisor at TJ's Auto Center if you feel you need any of these items inspected on your vehicle, because a quick look can sure save a lot of pain down the road.
10 Overlooked Services - Let TJ's Auto Center Inc. Take Care of Them for You
Posted June 4, 2010 12:00 PM
Let’s talk about Rockford drivers' automotive service schedules. And particularly, the scheduled services that are sometimesforgotten.
At TJ's Auto Center Inc. we have a list of 10 service items that are often overlooked. They’re all very important for Rockford drivers and need appropriate attention. So here we go, in no particular order.
1. Power Steering Service Be honest, have you ever thought of this on your own? Your power steering fluid gets dirty and builds-up moisture over time. Cleaning out your power steering system means that dirt and gum are removed and your power steering parts are protected from corrosion. Ask your TJ's Auto Center Inc. service advisor if it’s time for a power steering check-up.
2. Wheel Alignment When your wheels are out of alignment your vehicle pulls to one side. It’s pretty annoying, but it’s also dangerous. And it causes your tires to wear out really fast, which is expensive! Most owner's manuals suggest that drivers get their alignment checked once or twice a year.
3. Differential Service Okay, did you even know you had a differential? Well you do. One, two or three in fact. Differentials are often called gear boxes and they’re part of the drive train that transfers power from the engine to your wheels. They don’t need service that often, but drivers can’t just ignore them. Check with your service advisor.
Cabin Air Filter More and more cars these days have cabin air filters to clean the air in the passenger area where Rockford drivers sit. They filter out dust and pollen. When they’re clogged up, they can get smelly. Change your cabin air filter on schedule to enjoy fresh, clean air, which can also help with allergies.
5. Timing Belt Replacement Most cars and some vans and trucks have timing belts. Without going into a lot of detail, let’s just say that your vehicle won’t run without it , period. And if it breaks while you’re driving it can do thousands of dollars worth of engine damage. Check your owners’ manual or with your TJ's Auto Center Inc. service advisor. If you’re approaching 100,000 kilometers absolutely look into it right away.
6. Transmission Service Transmission service is very basic, but it’s often forgotten by Rockford drivers. Your transmission needs clean fluid from time to time to keep running efficiently and avoid costly repairs. And it can improve fuel economy too.
7. Air Conditioning Service Most of us Rockford drivers don’t think about our air conditioning until it doesn’t work. Then if you’re lucky, you just need to add refrigerant. If you’re not, some of the components may have been ruined. Those components are not cheap. Regular air conditioning service adds clean refrigerant which cools and lubricates your air conditioner and conditions the seals.
8. Brake Service No we’re not talking about squealing, grinding brakes here. We’re talking brake fluid. Over time the fluid gets a lot of water in it. Because water compresses differently than the brake fluid, your brakes won’t work as well. It may even get dangerous. The water can also rust out brake system components and then your brakes can fail altogether. Check with your TJ's Auto Center Inc. service advisor for recommendations.
9. Coolant System Another thing that’s so easy for drivers to forget about. When you don’t change your antifreeze on schedule it becomes corrosive. Fresh coolant contains additives that maintain the pH balance in the coolant. These additives wear out and the fluid in the radiator can actually eat holes in the radiator or hoses. Then you’re stranded.
10. Fuel System Cleaning In times of high fuel prices in Illinois, fuel system cleaning is so important. Fuel gums up a bunch of parts as it moves from the fuel tank and through the engine. A thorough fuel system cleaning will keep clean fuel flowing into the engine. Your fuel injectors get gunked up over time and need to be cleaned. Having your fuel system cleaned on schedule will really help your fuel economy.
And there we have it – 10 services that are often overlooked by Rockford drivers. Did you know that a recent survey showed that 90% of vehicles on the road have at least one scheduled maintenance service that hasn’t been performed? Based on our busy lives here in Illinois, we’re not surprised.
Stop by or give us a call.
TJ's Auto Center Inc. 3427 E. State St. Rockford, Illinois 61108 815-399-2886
At TJ's Auto Center Inc. we install quality NAPA replacement parts.
How Do You Save Gas?
Posted June 4, 2010 12:00 PM
No one near Rockford, Illinois likes high fuel prices. But if one good thing has come about, it’s that people are really focused on how to reduce their fuel consumption. North Americans literally drive billions of miles less each month during times of high fuel prices. But we still need to drive, so it makes sense to try and increase our fuel economy however we can.
Let’s look at a real life example of one of our AutoNetTV producers. He has one of those really big SUVs. Lots of kids and horses to haul around, you know. His family was planning a four day camping trip. Here’s what he did to cut his fuel costs:
First, he installed a new, high flow engine air filter. Then he had his service center change his oil, flush his cooling system and service his front and rear differentials along with the transfer case. He also had a fuel system cleaning, replaced his PCV value and breather element. He also made sure his tires were up to the recommended pressure.
Now this cost several hundred dollars. But keep in mind, it all needed to be done anyway; it was all scheduled, and some of the work was overdue.
So he headed out, loaded with nine people and pulling a ton of trailer with everything needed for four days of camping. When the trip was over, he had turned in the best fuel economy he had ever gotten on that vehicle. It had improved 25 percent. He saved $48.00 on that trip alone. And the savings keep coming every day.
Here’s a quick summary of what you can do to save fuel with your Rockford, Illinois vehicle. First get caught up on your routine maintenance. Nearly every scheduled service item can save you some fuel. If its time for a tune-up, git ‘er done. That’s a big item.
If your check engine light is on, have TJ's Auto Center figure out why and fix it. Check engine problems can be real gas wasters.
Proper tire pressure and wheel alignment can really help as well. Try not to carry around a bunch of stuff. An extra hundred pounds can cost a mile per gallon.
Now you may not want to hear this, but the single biggest fuel waster for most Illinois people is their right foot. Zooming away from stop lights and hot rod lane changes really waste fuel. Take it easy, don’t speed and plan ahead.
Finally, you may have noticed that we haven’t mentioned any magic pills or devices that will 'double your mileage'. That’s because there aren’t any. Some may help a bit, but there are a lot of scams. Do some research and check with TJ's Auto Center before spending your hard earned cash.
Differential Service: What You Need To Know
Posted June 4, 2010 12:00 PM
Don’t be embarrassed if you don’t know what a differential is; you will in a moment. That fact is that if you drive a car, you have a differential. Whether your vehicle is front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, you have a differential. You might even have two or three.
As you might guess from the name, a differential’s job is to compensate for differences. Specifically the differences in wheel speed when turning. For instance, imagine taking a corner. Your inside wheel has a shorter distance to travel than the outside wheel as you go around the corner. That means that your outside wheel has to turn faster to keep pace with the inside wheel.
The differential allows the wheels to turn at different speeds while still providing power. Without a differential, our tires would scrub and hop along the pavement during turns.
You’ve probably noticed the big bugle in the middle of the rear axle when you’re behind a truck. That’s the differential. Rear-wheel drive vehicles have a differential in back. Most four-wheel drive trucks and SUVs will also have a similar differential on the front axle.
Front-wheel drive vehicles’ differential is called a transaxle because it combines the differential and transmission in one unit. An all-wheel drive vehicle will have a differential or transfer case that adjusts for speed differences between the front and rear drive wheels.
It can seem a little complicated. But you can see that all of the engine’s power is routed through your differentials. They’re strong enough to handle the work, but they need to be properly lubricated in order to stay strong. So from time to time, you need to have your differential serviced. TJ's Auto Center can service your differential. The used fluid is drained and replaced with clean fluid. Some differentials also require special additives to be installed, and at TJ's Auto Center we can help you with that, too.
The rule of thumb for the time and mileage interval for servicing your differential can vary greatly by vehicle. A front-wheel drive vehicle’s transaxle will need servicing more frequently than the rear differential on a pick-up truck, so check with your service advisor or your owner’s manual for recommendations.
How and where you drive will have an impact as well. If you drive on dirt roads or through streams in the Rockford, IL area, you’ll need to service the differential at TJ's Auto Center much sooner than if you always stay on the local Rockford, IL pavement.
Tire Rotation and Balancing
Posted June 4, 2010 12:00 PM
You can make your vehicle tires last longer with regular tire rotation and wheel balancing.
Let's start with tire rotation. In normal driving around Rockford Illinois, your front tires wear more on the shoulders because they handle much of the cornering forces in turns. Front-wheel drive vehicles have even more force on the front tires.
We rotate the tires so that all of the tires do some duty on the front end as well as getting a little break on the back end. That way, all four tires wear more evenly over their life and last longer.
For most vehicles in Rockford Illinois, tires are rotated front to back. Some manufacturers recommend a cross rotational pattern that includes the spare tire, and some high-performance vehicles have different size tires on the front and rear and may even have uni-directional tires that can only be on the left or the right side of the vehicle. Your Rockford Illinois service advisor at TJ's Auto Center Inc. can help you sort that out and will perform the right tire rotation for your vehicle.
Your tire manufacturer will have a recommendation for how often you should rotate your tires. It's usually somewhere around 5,000 to 8,000 miles, or 8,000 to 13,000 kilometers.
Let's move on to wheel balancing. That's when there are heavy spots on the tire and wheel that cause it to wobble.
Balancing adds weights to the wheel to balance it out. Now, we are talking about very small weight differences. Variations in the tire and wheel manufacture can cause a slight imbalance. The valve stem, and now the tire pressure monitoring sensors in the tire, also play into the equation.
Even small differences can cause annoying vibrations at speed: the wheel is essentially bouncing a bit as it goes down the road. For example, at freeway speeds, an out of balance wheel can be slamming into the road 14 times a second. That's annoying and can cause your tires to wear out more quickly.
If a front wheel's out of balance you'll feel the vibration through the steering wheel. When it's a rear tire, you'll feel the vibration through your seat. If you're getting bad vibes from your vehicle, bring it in to see if it's a balance issue or something else. You should balance your wheels whenever you get a new tire or remount a tire like when it's been removed for a flat repair.
TJ's Auto Center Inc. 3427 E. State St. Rockford, Illinois 61108 815-399-2886
At TJ's Auto Center Inc. we install quality NAPA replacement parts.
TJ's Auto Center
