AUTONET TV

Today’s Headlights: Brighter, Smarter… and Harder to Replace

Maybe you’re old enough to remember when headlights were essentially all the same on every vehicle.  They were so cheap and easy to replace, most people could do it themselves.  Those days are gone.  Now, headlights put out more and better light and are more efficient.  Those all contribute to better visibility for you, the driver.  But those improvements mean they’re more complicated and, therefore, harder to repair or replace. 
 
The new headlight technology basically takes two approaches, HID (High-Intensity Discharge) or LED headlights.  The LEDs put out a brighter light that can illuminate more of the road ahead.

Another new feature in today’s headlights allows them to turn when you turn your steering wheel.  The advantage is you can more clearly see where you are going.  They can dim parts of the beam so oncoming drivers aren’t blinded.  You’ll notice the difference most on dark, winding country roads.

Because these new headlights are far more complex than the previous generation, in most cases you can’t just unplug a lamp and plug in another.  Today’s headlights often come as a sealed assembly, and in some cases to replace it means taking off the bumper, the grille or the headlight housing. Some may require you to get a whole new assembly.

That, of course, raises the cost.  A new headlight assembly with LEDs, sensors and control modules may cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars, especially on high-end vehicles. Plus, the installation is complex.

That’s why when it comes to modern headlight assemblies, it’s best to have a technician diagnose the issue.  What you thought might be a simple burned-out leadlight could be any number of things, such as a wiring problem or a failed module. Having a professional diagnose it helps make sure you get the correct repair, and you won’t be replacing parts that don’t need replacing.

Joe D'Auria's Auto
1401 BRACE RD
CHERRY HILL, NJ 08034
(56.427.9422
www.autorepaircherryhill.com

Let’s Shift Gears (Transmission Fluid Replacement)

If you have a vehicle with an automatic transmission, you probably never think about gear shifting.  When motor vehicles were invented, all of them had to be shifted manually.  But that wonderful self-shifting transmission, referred to these days as simply an “automatic,” changed everything.

Automatic transmissions have a lot of moving parts, and they are bathed in a fluid that keeps them lubricated and cool. That fluid also is vital to the whole gear shifting process. 

As you might imagine, the longer that fluid does its job, the more chance it has to pick up some contaminants.  Sometimes a leak will spring up in an automatic transmission.  Dirty transmission fluid or not enough of it will both create problems. It may cause your Check Engine light to come on, or your transmission may run rough and make strange noises.

The best strategy is not to let it get to this point.  That means you should have your transmission fluid replaced at regular intervals. Your vehicle’s manufacturer recommends how often you should have your transmission fluid changed. You should also have the fluid checked at regular intervals to detect if any problems crop up before that recommended interval. They’ll check not only the level but also inspect its condition.

Keep in mind that most automatic transmission problems are caused by overheating. You can reduce your chances of transmission failure by making sure your transmission—and its fluid—is regularly inspected and the fluid is replaced when it needs to be.

Joe D'Auria's Auto
1401 BRACE RD
CHERRY HILL, NJ 08034
(56.427.9422
www.autorepaircherryhill.com

That Clunk Isn’t Normal: Why Your U-Joints Need Lubrication (Lubricate U-Joints)

If you’ve noticed a clunk when shifting from park to drive, accelerating from a stop or letting off on your accelerator, it may be your vehicle warning you about dry or failing U-joints. Those are small, critical components in your drivetrain that allow the driveshaft to flex as your suspension moves, transferring power smoothly from the transmission to the wheels. 

They take a licking every time your vehicle is on the road since they’re always moving and bearing a heavy load.  The key to keeping U-joints healthy is making sure they’re lubricated.

If they’re not, they’ll be at the mercy of their main nemesis: friction.  Bearings inside then begin to wear, which can cause a lot of play in the joint.  That play is what makes the clunk you can hear and feel.  If they don’t get lubricated, a dry U-joint can overheat, seize or even fail completely.  That can lead to damage to other systems, such as your driveshaft, differential or driveshaft. 

Another sign you may have a U-joint that’s failing is vibration at highway speeds. The more wear it gets, the less smoothly your driveshaft rotates. You may hear a stutter or hum when you go faster. Your driveshaft may even come loose, leaving you in a very unsafe situation.

U-joints that can be serviced have grease fittings.  We recommend you have us lubricate yours at regular intervals.  That’s especially important on trucks, SUVs and if you tow with your vehicle. 

If it’s been a while since your drivetrain has been inspected and you notice clunking noises or vibrations, have one of our technicians check your U-joints. Taking care of the issue early can prevent other costly repairs and keep you on the road safely and smoothly.

Joe D'Auria's Auto
1401 BRACE RD
CHERRY HILL, NJ 08034
(56.427.9422
www.autorepaircherryhill.com

Make Your Vehicle Last

We live in such a disposable society. It's amazing all the stuff we throw away. New stuff comes out so fast, we just toss the old and move on. In the old days, NJ folks were real sticklers about taking care of their things. If something got lost or ruined by neglect, tough - they had to do without. Most CHERRY HILL drivers couldn't afford new vehicles very often, so they had to make them last as long as they could.

It's a good thing that vehicles are more reliable these days. They just don't break down as often. And the good news for us NJ penny pinchers is that a modern vehicle can easily go 200,000 miles/320,000 km with proper care. The engineering and the manufacturing quality is tremendous. The missing ingredient is us CHERRY HILL vehicle owners making sure we follow the vehicle manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedules.

Every time you go a little farther between recommended oil changes, you have created an opportunity for sludge to be formed and for clogged passages. Then some vehicle parts don't get properly lubricated and they start to wear out faster. Skip a cooling system service and the corrosion inhibitors become depleted; the radiator starts being damaged - one step closer to a failure. Same thing is true for transmission service, power brakes, fuel system cleaning - really everything on your schedule.

It is probably even more important for older vehicles. Those engines and other systems have had more time to get dirty, so they are a bit more stressed anyway. But it is never too late to get back on track with your auto maintenance and to hold off further damage.

And it really does start with the oil change. When you get a full service oil change in CHERRY HILL at Joe D'Auria's Auto, we top off all your fluids and check for other items that are on your maintenance schedule. It's like your safety net. Go in for an oil change on time, and let your service advisor at Joe D'Auria's Auto help you keep track of the rest.

Some things are going to wear out along the way, things like alternators, water pumps, etc. But fixing those at Joe D'Auria's Auto is cheaper than a new car  payment for CHERRY HILL drivers. And taking care of problems early means they have less time to mess with other things. It is like having high cholesterol - you don't want to wait for a heart attack before you address it.

Joe D'Auria's Auto
1401 BRACE RD
CHERRY HILL, NJ 08034
(56.427.9422
www.autorepaircherryhill.com