Let's plan a Michiana Auto Pros trip to Hawaii!!
Who's In????
Who's In????
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Jeep Creep Answers Questions for Jeep Owners
Here's a great column from www.offroad.com that answers all kinds of interesting questions for Jeep owners.
Funky Fuel Flow
Here’s the issue with my newly acquired ‘97 Wrangler 4-cyl. 5-speed. It has an exhaust leak. The exhaust manifold gasket gave up so the Jeep sounds like it’s ticking; therefore, I know that’s the problem. I feel like I should mention that although I’m pretty certain that’s not my issue. My issue lies here: The TJ turns over many times before starting. It takes a good 5 to 10 cranks for it to start and when it does it kind of sputters up. Doesn’t start strong (when it finally starts it idles poorly). It does not stall but I can feel a slight misfire. Then, if I rev it, it hesitates in the low rpm and then runs great when over 1,000 rpm. If I turn it off and QUICKLY turn it back on, it starts up fine, but if I wait even 10 seconds after turning it off, it takes quite a few cranks to start. So far I have replaced the air filter, distributor cap, rotor, spark plugs, and plug wires. What do I do next? What can it be? By the way: no CEL, and no codes come up on the self test. Just code 55, which is the end of OBDII test code.
Mystang
New York, NY
Your problem is obviously in the fuel system. When the engine is shut down for a time period the fuel has drained back into the tank, which it is not supposed to do. You could also have a problem with the fuel filter, which will also cause the engine to crank longer until fuel is delivered to the engine. Clean up your fuel line from tank to engine.
JK Jerking
Mystang
New York, NY
Your problem is obviously in the fuel system. When the engine is shut down for a time period the fuel has drained back into the tank, which it is not supposed to do. You could also have a problem with the fuel filter, which will also cause the engine to crank longer until fuel is delivered to the engine. Clean up your fuel line from tank to engine.
JK Jerking
I have a 2008 4-door JK. Shortly after buying it I lifted it with a Teraflex 2.5” budget lift. I added 1.25” wheel spacers and left the stock 255x75x17 tires on it and I never had a problem. Sharp corners entering freeway to 100 miles across the desert floor, sway and traction control never went on. I recently installed Toyo 33x12.5x18 Mud Terrain tires that are 1” taller, and now when I go around a corner left or right my brakes lock up. If I go down a dirt road straight over the smallest bumps, it locks the brakes until I stop. Had it aligned and the steering wheel is centered. Any ideas? Is there a flash to turn off the traction control permanently?
Jeff Dixon
Costa Mesa, CA
You’ll need to take it to your local dealer—the next servicing will do—and have the tech tell your computer that you have taller tires on it. That should clear everything up. I don’t know about turning off the system completely, which could be very dangerous. I have 34.5” Goodyear MT/R tires on my ‘07 JK Rubicon Unlimited (see “Polishing a Rubi” here on ORC) and have never experienced the troubles you’re having.
Too Young to Smoke
Jeff Dixon
Costa Mesa, CA
You’ll need to take it to your local dealer—the next servicing will do—and have the tech tell your computer that you have taller tires on it. That should clear everything up. I don’t know about turning off the system completely, which could be very dangerous. I have 34.5” Goodyear MT/R tires on my ‘07 JK Rubicon Unlimited (see “Polishing a Rubi” here on ORC) and have never experienced the troubles you’re having.
Too Young to Smoke
I need your help. I have a ‘93 Jeep Wrangler 6-cylinder. Lately I have to be adding oil to the motor, like 1-qt a week and it is smoking bluish smoke and of course running sluggishly. Do you think it’s going to run into a lot of money?
Silvia Javadiangilani
Have you done a compression check on the cylinders? Sluggish and blue smoke sounds like rings to me, which means a complete engine rebuild. Or you could have a fuel dilution problem, a bad fuel pump, or fuel leaking into the crankcase. You need to have a good tech check it out.
TJ Gear Ratio
Silvia Javadiangilani
Have you done a compression check on the cylinders? Sluggish and blue smoke sounds like rings to me, which means a complete engine rebuild. Or you could have a fuel dilution problem, a bad fuel pump, or fuel leaking into the crankcase. You need to have a good tech check it out.
TJ Gear Ratio
I have an ‘05 Jeep Wrangler X model 6-speed manual transmission, 3.07:1 gear ratio and 32” tires. I do more highway driving then off-road. What gear ratio would work the best—4.11 or 4.56—for my Jeep? Where would the rpm be in 6th gear at 55/60 mph?
Roger Jackson - Pottsville, PA
Since you said you do more highway driving than off-road wheeling, I’m assuming you want highway gears rather than crawling gears. With 32” tires, I’d recommend the 4.11 gears. That should see you doing about 1,500 rpm in 6th. I love my 4.56 gears in my CJ, but it’s a trail Jeep with 35” tires.
Roger Jackson - Pottsville, PA
Since you said you do more highway driving than off-road wheeling, I’m assuming you want highway gears rather than crawling gears. With 32” tires, I’d recommend the 4.11 gears. That should see you doing about 1,500 rpm in 6th. I love my 4.56 gears in my CJ, but it’s a trail Jeep with 35” tires.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Maintaining Your Present Vehicle May Be the Key to Long-term Financial Happiness
How will you spend your tax refund? Flat-screen TV? IPod? Clothes? The Car Care Council has a better idea for your money: spend it on your second biggest investment, your car.
"Whether it's an oil change, replacing brakes or new belts and hoses, that periodic repair bill is a drop in the bucket compared to monthly payments on a new car," said Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council. "The bottom line is that a properly maintained vehicle is safer, more dependable, more fuel efficient, less polluting and more valuable. The smartest way to get a solid return on investment is to keep your car through what we call the 'Cinderella Era'. It's that period of time after the payoff when your car is still in great shape and needs only modest repairs."
The Car Care Council estimates that more than $62 billion in vehicle maintenance and repair is not performed every year, evidence that there is considerably more that consumers should be doing to protect their automotive investment.
"We advise our clients that if they want a 10-percent increase on their investments every year they need to cut down on their expenses," said Terry Mulcahy, vice president of investments for R.W. Baird in Mequon, Wis. "A new automobile is for most people their second biggest investment next to a home, so a great way to save money and increase financial assets is to hang onto their current vehicle rather than buy a new one every few years. Budgeting for and doing preventative maintenance on your car is one of the best ways to cut your costs and keep your car."
"Whether it's an oil change, replacing brakes or new belts and hoses, that periodic repair bill is a drop in the bucket compared to monthly payments on a new car," said Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council. "The bottom line is that a properly maintained vehicle is safer, more dependable, more fuel efficient, less polluting and more valuable. The smartest way to get a solid return on investment is to keep your car through what we call the 'Cinderella Era'. It's that period of time after the payoff when your car is still in great shape and needs only modest repairs."
The Car Care Council estimates that more than $62 billion in vehicle maintenance and repair is not performed every year, evidence that there is considerably more that consumers should be doing to protect their automotive investment.
"We advise our clients that if they want a 10-percent increase on their investments every year they need to cut down on their expenses," said Terry Mulcahy, vice president of investments for R.W. Baird in Mequon, Wis. "A new automobile is for most people their second biggest investment next to a home, so a great way to save money and increase financial assets is to hang onto their current vehicle rather than buy a new one every few years. Budgeting for and doing preventative maintenance on your car is one of the best ways to cut your costs and keep your car."
Article provided by http://www.carcare.org/
Off Road Parks
Off Roadin' season is almost here, so get your vehicle ready to go now! Call us for an appointment to get you ready to roll.
We've been waiting all winter to get outside and play in the mud, conquer some trails and climb some rocks! Here's a list of awesome Off Road Parks in our area that are just waiting to be explored.
Badlands - Attica, IN (3 hour drive)
Bundy Hills - Jerome, MI (2 hour drive)
Haspin Acres - Laurel, IN (4 hour drive)
Silver Lake Sand Dunes - Hart, MI (3 hour drive)
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Fuel Saving Factoids
147,000,000 gallons of gas each year vaporize into the atmosphere due to misused or missing gas caps.
Under inflated tires increase rolling resistance and waste gas- like driving with the parking brake not fully released.
Keeping up with regular vehicle maintenance can improve gas mileage by an average of 4.1 percent.
Fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve your mileage by as much as 40 percent.
Slipping automatic transmission can reduce fuel economy by one mile per gallon.
Replacing a clogged air filter can improve gas mileage by as much as 10 percent.
A dirty spark plug causes misfiring and that wastes fuel, up to two miles per gallon.
Aggressive driving can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent on the highway and 5 percent in the city.
Cooling system thermostat that causes the engine to run too cold can reduce fuel economy by two miles per gallon.
Unused roof rack and accessories add weight and drag-decreasing fuel efficiency.
A loose gas cap can allow fuel to evaporate, up to two miles per gallon.
Gas mileage decreases rapidly above 60 miles per hour.
Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as a longer multi-purpose trip covering the same distance.
Idling gets 0 miles per gallon.
An extra 100 lbs in the trunk reduces fuel economy by 1-2 percent.
Dirty or substandard oil can reduce fuel economy by one mile per gallon.
Improve gas mileage 3.3 percent by keeping tires inflated to the proper pressure.
A worn O2 sensor can reduce fuel economy by three miles per gallon.
Information provided by www.carcare.org
$21.95 Oil Change Special + $20 Rebate
Purchase a NAPA Gold Air Filter or Cabin Air Filter along with your next NAPA filter oil change and receive a $20 mail-in rebate. (Air filters vary between $10 -$40 depending on the year and model of your car).
It's very important that your filters are clean and working properly for your vehicle to function at it's best. You can read more about air filters here: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-an-air-filter.htm and here: http://www.allergybegone.com/car-cabin-air-filters-info.html
Call 574-675-0695 to schedule your appointment today!
Offer valid March 1 - 31, 2010
Our Offroad Division....Auto Pros Offroad
In addition to Auto Repair, we also have an Offroad division called "Auto Pros Offroad", where we build and customize offroad vehicles. Trent and Shaun Rajski have a combined 30 years of experience in Offroad. (Trent is the owner and Shaun is his nephew).
Trent is known as "The Jeep Guy" and specializes in Jeeps.
Shaun is known for his expertise in fabricating and Diesel performance.
We have customers who come from all over Indiana, Michigan and Ohio just to have their trucks and Jeeps worked on by us, so make sure you give us a call when you're ready to lift or customize your vehicle!
2006 Chevy Trailblazer
2006 Chevy Trailblazer
Owner: Denny McKrill
- Removed Factory Suspension
- Custom Built front and rear link suspension
- Coil over shocks and hydraulic bump stops
- Custom shock hoops
- Custom shock braces
- Rear disc brake conversion
- Front cross over steering
The owner came to us wanting to run a 39" tire - problem is that you can only get a 5" lift for a Trailblazer. Shaun, our GENIUS fabricator and off road specialist, fabricated a lift that came out to be about 20"! AWESOME job Shaun!!
2000 Jeep Wrangler TJ
Stacy is a great customer of ours. He came to us because he took his Jeep to another shop to have a 3” lift installed. When the job was done, he wasn't happy with it. Stacy heard that we were the best Off Road shop around and that Trent is known as "The Jeep Guy", so he brought it to us.
The Jeep has been a work in progress over the past couple of years. Stacy is a very talented photographer and he wanted to build a dual purpose Jeep - one that he could take into the wilderness to get great photographs, AND something reliable that he could drive every day. With the expertise of Shaun and Trent at Michiana Auto Pros, that mission was accomplished!
Stacy also takes his Jeep to Jeep Jamborees and he wheels it hard! When other people are putting their Jeeps on the trailer to trailer it home, Stacy gets in his and drives it home - no trailer for him! Now that's a true Jeep guy!
Check out Stacy's website at http://www.sundogimage.com
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