Category: Basic Upkeep

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Basic Upkeep Wash & Detailing

3 Tips to Help You Keep Your Car Looking Brand New

For most car lovers out there, the effort to keep the car looking spanking new at all times is a constant challenge. In fact, some even are reluctant to bring the car out for a drive for the simple fact that they want to keep their vehicle looking brand new at all times. Unfortunately, this is no way to treat the car. After all, a car is built to be driven and enjoyed, and it won’t do anything of that other than simply looking nice when idle.

With that being said, when the car does get dirty, what should be done? Should you wash the car, or is there something else you can do? In this article, we’ll give you the answers you need to keep your vehicle pristine:

1. Wash the Car

Yes, there is no way around this. Even if your vehicle sits in the cleanest of the garage, it will collect dust over time. As such, whether you leave it in the garage or take it out for a drive, washing the vehicle is a must.

That said, the big question is how often you should wash the vehicle. The answer to that will depend on what kind of dirt and grime your vehicle constantly faces. If your car is continuously bombarded with bird droppings, tree saps, mud, and stuff like that, you can consider washing it once a week. On the other hand, if the car is relatively clean, cleaning it once a month should suffice.

2. Get It Waxed

Just like how your car needs to be washed once in a while, your vehicle also needs to be waxed. However, it doesn’t need to be waxed as often as it needs washing. In most cases, if you run the bead test, which is throwing some water to the car to see if the water beads up, and see that the water beads up, then you don’t need wax. However, if you see them simply run off, you will need to get the car waxed.

On average, you can expect to wax the car once every three months or so but do run the bead test every time you wash to get a gist of how long your wax lasts.

3. Clay the Vehicle

The term “claying the car” may be new to you, and we do not blame you. It is a relatively new thing, and with it only recently being introduced to the public, not many car owners will know about it. Essentially, claying is the method of using clay bars to polish or buff the vehicle. In addition, the clay also latches onto any dirt particles stuck to the paint, cleaning it in the process.

As to how often you should clay the vehicle, doing it once or twice a year should be enough. Generally, if you feel like your car’s paint is “rough,” it needs some claying. Just don’t forget to wax the vehicle after!

Conclusion

There are plenty of other things you can do to keep your vehicle looking like it just came out of the factory. Things like conditioning your leather seats to cleaning the engine bay are just some of the many things you can do! That being said, if you really want the max TLC for your vehicle, we highly recommend reaching out to professional cleaners and more to restore your vehicle to its former glory. They’ll ensure your vehicle is cleaned and maintained in the best way possible, allowing you to once more drive in the car you have loved driving since day one.

MobileMechanicBids.com is a free online tool to help you submit your vehicle-service needs for professionals to discover and offer their services to you. If you require car cleaning services in the US, share your needs on our platform and get the mobile car wash you need today!

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Basic Upkeep Mobile Mechanic

What Car Owners Need to Know About Their Filters – Our Guide

For any car owner, there are many different parts and components that significantly contribute to the overall state and shape of a vehicle—some being more important than others.

When the idea of having a “perfectly-running car” comes to mind, you probably think of parts like gaskets, oil changes, PMS, tires, and top overhauls. As you’ve learned and been told by sources online, there are some parts of your vehicle that require much more attention than others because of the impact they bear. 

However, what if we told you that you’re most likely overlooking one particular set of parts of your car that are especially critical for its performance? Here’s the answer: filters. 

Why do filters matter? 

At MobileMechanicBids, we’ve seen our fair share of clients come panicking and in need of our mechanics’ services because of problems that arose after they failed to keep up with their car’s filter-related maintenance work.

Like filters in coffee or HVAC systems, the same items in your vehicle are responsible for ensuring that items that shouldn’t be in certain working parts don’t end up there. While they may be far smaller in terms of cost and not have as many components as other intricate parts, there’s no doubt your car won’t run as well as it should if its filters aren’t maintained well. 

The various types of filters you need to maintain (and why they’re important)

When we talk about important filters that you’ll need to keep track of and maintain over time, here are three main types of options you should watch out for: 

Oil filters



The best way to define how an oil filter works is it ensures that the oil transferred to the engine is clean and of optimum quality while preventing abrasive particles from entering the heart of the car. Regarding performance bonuses, these filters are also critical in improving the car’s efficiency while maintaining the engine’s sublime condition to ensure its functionality! 

When should it be replaced?: Every 5,000 to 7,000 miles. 



Air filters 



The air filter, which is situated in the engine, is responsible for cleaning the air that goes into the engine for combustion and preventing any dust from entering the various spaces in its systems. Made out of various materials like cotton, foam, or paper, this key component is critical for maintaining smooth combustion and improves fuel efficiency for much more optimal engine performance!

When should it be replaced?: Every 15,000 to 30,000 miles. 



Fuel filters



Arguably one of the most important filters in a car, fuel filters help sift out the dirt and corrosive particles from fuel that is loaded into the car. 

Commonly found in internal combustion engines, this particular component helps in ensuring that both the fuel pump and engine run smoothly to minimize long-term breakdowns and issues. The reason fuel filters make a difference as big as they do is that they catch particles, debris, and impurities before they enter the fuel tank!

When should it be replaced?: Every 20,000 miles.



Conclusion



Even though filters aren’t the first thing that comes to mind when ensuring that your car runs smoothly, they’re undoubtedly a critical component that leverages much impact on the performance and durability of your vehicle. By keeping track of the three key components mentioned above, your efforts will go a long way in ensuring that you have safer and more comfortable trips on the road! 



If you’re looking for a mobile auto mechanic in the US who can take care of your periodic maintenance service for your car, look no further because we’ve got you covered.

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Basic Upkeep Mobile Mechanic

Dealing with Car Acceleration Issues – 5 Potential Causes

Stepping on the gas pedal naturally forces your vehicle to pick up speed, depending on the pressure you apply. If your car has enough fuel to accelerate, your car should take off without any issue. However, if there are hiccups during this process, you could have problems with your fuel or emissions system.

Assessing Your Car’s Acceleration Issues

Cars that have trouble accelerating should be checked immediately for damage, especially since your acceleration is essential for specific maneuvers. This includes driving uphill, crossing an intersection, or merging into a freeway. Lacking that boost can lead to complications for other motorists, resulting in unprecedented accidents. For this reason, you must identify the cause of your combustion engine’s issues.

In this article, we’ll share five potential causes for your car’s acceleration issues.

1. Sensor Malfunctions

Your car’s combustion system utilizes different sensors to regulate air-fuel mixtures. If they’re malfunctioning, your car’s computer cannot direct the right signals to the engine to trigger acceleration. For example, an oxygen sensor can misread the oxygen emissions of your vehicle. Additionally, the Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) can misread the angle of the throttle valve. Inaccurate or missing values can cause your engine speed to increase or decrease unintentionally, regardless of your pressure control on the pedal.

2. Clogged Filters

Besides your vehicle’s software, you can also experience acceleration issues if it suffers from simple blockages. Clogged air filters can be a simple yet dangerous cause of inaccurate acceleration. Since these filters catch debris and impurities in the air, too much buildup causes an uneven air-to-fuel ratio. This results in slower acceleration.

3. Catalytic Converter Malfunction

When your vehicle’s catalytic converter fails, there will be an improper amount of backpressure in your engine. This affects your engine’s ability to send hot air through the exhaust exits. Besides creating acceleration issues, it will also increase your engine’s risk of overheating.

4. Compromised Timing Belt

Timing belts connect the camshaft and crankshaft to manage the engine’s pistons. With the camshaft controlling the opening and closing of valves, the timing belt ensures the proper timing to match the acceleration’s combustion. If the timing belt is compromised, no amount of pressure will cause your vehicle to propel further with additional fuel input.

5. Disrupted Fuel Delivery Process

The fuel delivery process is vital for acceleration through combustion. However, a damaged fuel injector can decrease the amount of fuel released into the combustion chamber. Since these passages naturally become clogged over time, it’s necessary to clean these chambers frequently. A thorough cleaning of your fuel system will remove other contaminants that can disrupt the fuel delivery process.

Conclusion

Combustion engines must be capable of delivering enough fuel to dispel exhaust gases from your vehicle safely. To ensure a safe and effective fuel delivery process, numerous components and sensors oversee these combustion procedures to propel your car forward.

Continuing to drive a car with acceleration issues will be a danger to you and others on the road. Even if the simple solution is an air filter replacement, you shouldn’t put off needed vehicle repairs. Any complications to your car’s engine system can be more deadly than losing control of your brake pedal. For this reason, it’s necessary to get your vehicle checked by a professional mechanic as soon as possible.

Sometimes, heading straight to a garage isn’t an option, especially if your car troubles prevent you from driving away from home. This is why MobileMechanicBids provides a wide range of mobile vehicle services, including car wash and detailing, oil change, and locksmith services directly to your location. Contact us for a free bid from our professional mechanics today!

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Basic Upkeep Mobile Mechanic Oil Change Tire Service

Should You Maintain a Car by Yourself or Hire a Mechanic

man repairing a car - opening the brake calliper for to change the lining pads

No matter how old or new your vehicle is, maintenance is a must to ensure it is performing at its best at all times. However, there is always this one question that must be asked when carrying out any maintenance activity: should I DIY it or hire a mechanic to do it for me? The answer to this isn’t as straightforward as you may realize, simply because it all depends on the nature of the maintenance job.

Essentially, some things you can do by yourself while other things are better left to a professional mechanic. In this article, we’re going to share with you a few common car maintenance activities and talk about whether you can do it by yourself or hire a mechanic for it:

1. Fixing the Brakes

When it comes to fixing the brakes, you are much better off letting a professional mechanic do the job. They may seem easy to install, but this simplicity can catch people off. Mistakes like putting the brakes on backward are issues that can lead to devastating results. As such, if you want to replace the brake pads on your vehicle, hire a professional mechanic to do it. 

Also, don’t opt for cheap pads. They’ll deteriorate quicker and can damage your vehicle. Put the extra money into purchasing high-quality brake pads, and not only will you have to replace them far less frequently, but you can be confident that your car will brake as you expect it to!

2. Changing the Oil

One of the simplest maintenance activities you can do for your vehicle is to change its oil. The whole process is straightforward, and if you know what you are doing, you can get it done in no time at all. However, the problem doesn’t lie with knowing or not knowing how to change the oil. It comes in at the frequency of the oil change. Many people follow the “change the oil every three months or 3,000 miles, whichever comes first” saying, but new oils today last a lot longer than that. 

To know exactly when to replace the oil, have a mechanic change the oil for you. They will note down exactly when you need to change the oil, making your life a lot easier.

3. Rotating the Tires

Tires, even the high-quality ones, need to be rotated once every so often. This is because the wear and tear experienced by the wheels can differ, and as such, cause one wheel to wear faster than the other.

When carrying out tire rotations, it is essential to know which tires go where. Not only that, but you must also know when to rotate the tires. If these are two things you cannot bother tracking, have your car serviced by professionals. They will know exactly where the tires should go, and give you recommendations on when the tires should be rotated and even replaced.

Conclusion

In summary, there is only a handful of maintenance you can do by yourself easily. However, even those types of activities can be done far better by professional mechanics. Apart from simply carrying out these maintenance tasks, mechanics can also survey your car more to highlight any issues that need fixing. This, along with their quality service, will ensure your vehicle is in its best shape possible, giving you the best experience every time you decide to hit the road. As such, no matter the maintenance you want to carry out, hire a professional mechanic to do it for you!

MobileMechanicBids.com is a free online tool to help those in need of vehicle-related services place their needs online for professionals to find and submit their bids to offer assistance. If you are looking for auto tire services and more in the US brought right to you, post your needs on our site today!

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Basic Upkeep

5 Areas to Check for Vehicle Coolant Leaks

Coolant leak check

Coolant is an essential fluid that every vehicle needs to have to keep running at tip-top shape. Since engines go through a series of thousands of combustions per minute, the mini-explosions inside the block heat the engine to scalding temperatures. This heat is evident when you put your hand on the hood of the car after running it even for just a few miles.

When leaks happen, these can come in many different areas, making them hard to trace. The worst is when these aren’t caught on time, and you find yourself stranded due to an overheated engine, requiring you to schedule an appointment with a mechanic. Engine coolant leaks can occur in the worst places, and some might not be visible to the naked eye. One thing to note is that modern cars do not typically require a constant top-up of fluids, so if coolant is continuously decreasing, there is likely a problem. Here is a guide to check for leaks when you start to smell excessive coolant after a drive:

1. Check the Coolant Tank

The tank is the first place you should be looking at, as this is the usual suspect when coolant leaks occur. Depending on your car’s age, the tank’s plastic casing might develop cracks due to hitting bumps and potholes when driving over time. When cracking is the evident cause, replacing the tank is a must.

Sometimes, the coolant cap might be loose if you forgot to seal it properly after topping-up fluids. Additionally, the gasket seals on the cap and coolant tank can deteriorate, as time typically breaks down rubber. When this happens, a replacement cap is required.

Take note that opening up the coolant tank must always be done when the vehicle is in a cooled-down state, and not just after running the engine, as this will cause steam to burst out.

2. Check the Hoses

Checking the hoses that run from the tank to the engine is essential, as some of these can be wiggled loose after hitting any potholes or driving on bumpy roads. Additionally, there might be holes on the hoses, which is a possibility when a car gets older. Checking the hoses’ seals from the tank to those that reach the engine and other components can show you any potential problems.

3. Check the Pump

The coolant pump can develop problems, leading to overheating due to the lack of fluid circulating throughout the entire car’s cooling system. Some cars have a plastic pump with a shorter lifespan that can develop cracks and leaks easier. When you notice any leaks coming from the pump or issues with coolant circulation arise, replacing the pump will prevent overheating at the wrong times.

4. Inspect the Radiator

Sometimes, the radiator can have leaks or damages, causing coolant solution to seep out into the air and prevent the engine from receiving cooled air while driving the car. The radiator works to suck in air while in motion, allowing the engine to stay cool as it reaches higher revolutions-per-minute. When the radiator leaks, this can result in coolant reductions, so have any damaged radiators replaced immediately.

5. Have the Engine Block Checked

On rare occasions, when you cannot locate a coolant leak, but you notice antifreeze solution in the air after driving, this can indicate an internal leak inside the engine. Engines can receive holes inside the block that allow coolant to seep out and leak, which can be why coolant levels are reducing without any visible leaking. After all, you can replace parts and still experience leaks, which may indicate a hole in the engine block. Unfortunately, this is an expensive fix and might even require an entire overhaul.

Conclusion

There are many reasons why coolant leaks happen, and most occur due to age or due to rough driving styles. Pushing engines too hard can cause excess vibration that can loosen specific components, while not avoiding rough roads or potholes can cause many damages to car parts.

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