What happens if you put gas in a diesel engine? What about the other way around, diesel into a gas engine? These are questions that we often ask ourselves when we fill up at the gas station. After all, it is not always easy to tell what fuel goes in which tank. However, there is a lot of confusion and misinformation out there on this topic. In this article, we will discuss both sides of the question – what happens if you put the wrong fuel in your car – and talk about some possible damage that can be done by putting the wrong fuel type in your vehicle’s tank.

What happens if you put gas in a diesel engine

Gas is primarily made with a mixture of hydrocarbons. Diesel fuel, on the other hand, consists of only hydrocarbons. When gas is poured into a diesel engine, gas particles will break down the diesel fuel, which will result in some gas particles being burned while others are not. This means some gas will be lost while others are just broken down to smoke and gas that burns.

The gas particles that are not burned will eventually clog up the engine filters. If left unchecked, this can lead to serious damage to the engine. This type of damage will usually not show up until the engine has been running for some time. Of course, gas in a diesel car can also cause an immediate problem that is easy to detect. Gasoline simply does not combust at as high of temperatures as diesel fuel, so if gas were used in a cold start situation, it would likely stall out on the first start.

What happens if you put diesel in a gas engine

When you put diesel in a gas engine, the first part of your car that will experience a problem will be the fuel pump. This is because diesel is much thicker and denser than gasoline; the fuel pump will have to work harder to move it through the system.

Your fuel filter will also be damaged because diesel will have a hard time passing through a fuel filter designed for a gas engine. Worst case scenario, diesel fuel will clog up the fuel filter. Whatever diesel that does go through the fuel filter will then clog up the fuel injectors which will force them to not work properly. You will notice that your car will seize up once the diesel hits the injectors.

While this looks bad, it’s not as dangerous as when you put gasoline in a diesel tank.

How you can prevent putting the wrong fuel in your car

It’s not always easy to figure out what kind of fuel a car uses, especially if you are not yet a seasoned driver. If you are driving an unfamiliar car, it’s always better to ask than to assume. For example, if you are driving a rental or a borrowed car, you might want to ask them first what fuel to use (or if you even need to fill it up with fuel, as it might be an electric car) before driving off the lot.

If you are already driving and you failed to ask, the next best place to ask is the fuel station. Some attendants will be more than happy to assist you and give you the right fuel for your car. Most attendants already have a vast understanding of what cars use diesel and what uses gas.

Fill Your Car With The Wrong Fuel? Ask T3 Atlanta For Help

Things happen. You might have absentmindedly filled up a gas engine with diesel. Don’t worry, if you’ve put the wrong fuel in your car, it’s not the end of the world. If the engine seized up and won’t start, you need somebody to take a look at the damage so you can find solutions.

If you’ve made this mistake, give T3 Atlanta a call right away. Our team has had the chance to look at engines damaged due to being filled up with the wrong fuel. As such, we have the experience and expertise to find out what’s wrong and to propose solutions so your car can get back on the road ASAP.

Reach out to us today!

The best time of year for a pandemic road trip is coming up! Fall is the perfect time to huddle inside a car and drive for miles with family or friends to see beautiful foliage and enjoy the crisp autumn air. In anticipation, you will need to prepare your vehicle and your passengers for the trip ahead. You’ll also want to pack the essentials that drivers should bring for fall road trips in general and Covid considerations.

Considerations to make for a pandemic road trip

A road trip during a pandemic is far from ordinary, and the preparations are a bit more unique. Here is what you should do before you go on your pandemic road trip.

Talk to the group

First off, you need to get everybody on board. Travelling will increase your chances of contracting or spreading the virus. So make sure you talk to everybody who will join the road trip and the people you are visiting.

Please make sure they are aware of the trip and the possible implications of a visit. Be sensitive about their choices and plan around their decisions. If they are not comfortable with aspects of the trip, then you should respect that and find alternatives that everyone can agree on.

Get your car into shape

The last thing you want to happen in a pandemic road trip – or any road trip – is getting stuck on the side of the road because your car broke down. Remember that your vehicle has been in the garage for some time, and you may not have taken it for a ride. That is why you should do a complete maintenance check-up.

If you don’t want to bother yourself with getting your car into shape, you can always rent a car. Most rent-a-car companies have complete Covid-19 protocols in place that ensure you and your passengers are safe.

Also, before driving off, make sure you have a car emergency kit in hand. The kit should include essentials such as a tow cable, a multitool, jumper cables, duct tape, blankets, water, and a first aid kit.

Pack light

If space is an issue in your car, then you should pack lightly as much as possible. This means bringing only the basic stuff that everybody needs. Give each passenger the same amount of space for their property. Using packing cubes is a good start.

Plan your food

Due to the pandemic, dining inside restaurants and diners might be risky. As such, your best options are drive-thrus, takeaway food, and preparing food on the road ‘ala backpacker’.

If you are particular about how healthy you are eating, then drive-thru food won’t be an option. So, bring supplies and find a couple of recipes online that you can easily prepare while on a stop or even while driving.

Prepare your tech

There is a good chance that you and your whole family/group will have at least one phone with them during the trip. Make sure you have the means to charge them while on the road (although getting everybody to put down their phones is much better). You can do this with the help of a car phone charger. You can also bring one (or two) power bricks that will give your devices extra juice throughout the trip.

Also, if you are not that familiar with the place you are traveling to, make sure you download the map of that location on your phone. It might be 2021, but there are still areas in the country with no reception, so it is best to err on the side of caution and have a downloaded map ready in case you happen to turn down the wrong road.

Start Your Pandemic Road Trip Right

Want to ensure your pandemic road trip is a memorable one? While you take care of the clothes, gadgets, and food prep, let T3 Atlanta take care of your car for you. Our expert mechanics can look at your car and make sure everything is in order before you set off on your journey.

Contact T3 Atlanta today!

Can you adjust your headlights? It’s a question many drivers ask themselves when they notice the headlight is not as bright as it used to be. If this sounds like something you want to do yourself, then read on. This article will talk about why someone might adjust their headlights and how to adjust them. We will also touch on some considerations that may impact your ability to adjust your headlights, such as voiding warranties or damaging the vehicle.

The importance of adjusting your headlights

Put simply: for you and your passenger’s safety.

There’s no easier way to say it. You need to adjust your headlights when you feel unsafe driving the car because you can’t see appropriately during low light conditions. When your headlights aren’t correctly set, you don’t know what’s in front of you, making you a danger to your passengers and everybody else on the road.

You might adjust your headlights if:

• You notice that the headlight is not as bright as it used to be
• Your headlights are misaligned, and you want them fixed properly instead of just screwing them back into place

Adjusting your car’s headlights yourself will save you time and money. If this sounds like something you would like to do on your own, great! Keep reading for more information about adjusting a headlight on a vehicle without damaging anything else or voiding any warranties along the way.

How to adjust your car headlights

It can be a relatively simple process but will vary depending on what headlights are installed in your vehicle. For example, suppose screws hold down each headlight unit and sliders under them, allowing horizontal movement. In that case, adjusting is easy – just tighten or loosen those bolts/sliders until they’re at an angle that suits you.

However, some cars use gears instead, which means more steps will be involved with this type of adjustment. Also, consider adjustability when you adjust your headlights – if they can’t be angled downwards, then move them so that the light is being directed away from oncoming traffic.

Tightening headlight bolts

Go to your local hardware store and pick up a set of wrenches that will fit the bolt on either side of one headlight. You may need an adjustable wrench, depending on what kind of bolts you have holding them down.

If they can be tightened using a screwdriver or a socket, then do so until the headlights are angled in the desired direction – adjust for both sides evenly if necessary.

Adjusting headlights with gears

Depending on where this is located in your vehicle’s engine bay/underneath, adjusting these gears yourself might take some time. In many cases, there will be a metal tab that indicates which way each gear needs to be turned to adjust them appropriately.

If you adjust the headlight gears yourself, be sure to take your time and move them one at a time. You want to make sure that both headlights are angled in the same direction; otherwise, they’ll blind oncoming traffic.

Considerations before adjusting headlights yourself

There are a few things to consider before adjusting your headlights. For example, you will want to check and see if the adjuster is moveable by hand or needs an adjustment tool (such as a screwdriver) to shift it properly.

Another consideration may be whether or not there’s any risk of damaging your vehicle when making this attempt; for example, some headlights can only be adjusted with specific tools such as T20 Torx drivers.

What if I adjust my headlights but still can’t see correctly?

If adjusting your car’s headlight doesn’t help with visibility, then it might be due to other factors such as poor weather conditions or dirty/damaged lenses. This means more work is involved than simply tightening bolts or turning screws. It could mean opting for professional services like those offered by our general repair service, which can clean off any debris from the lens so you can see again!

If adjusting your own car’s headlights seems too complicated or risky for you, do not worry! At T3 Atlanta, we have a team of certified mechanics who can help you make proper adjustments without having to worry about possibly blinding oncoming traffic. Give T3 Atlanta a call today and we can help you see the road clearly again!

Flooding has been a recent issue for a lot of areas in the Southeast USA. Places that never got an inch above the heel of puddles suddenly have to deal with rising floodwaters when heavy rains happen in succession. As such, a lot of people don’t know how to deal with it. This includes car owners. As a result, flood damage is starting to be one of the biggest reasons for car repairs. But how can you protect your car from flood damage? If it’s a force of nature that we can’t control, is there any way for you to mitigate the damage?

How to protect your car from flood damage

Fortunately for us, there are ways to prevent our cars from suffering from flood damage.

But first thing’s first, we need to understand that different flood depths produce different types of damage to our cars. Several inches of floodwater is usually not a problem. Once the level reaches your car floorboard, though, that’s when you need to start worrying.

Getting your car partially submerged (around 20-40%) is a cause for concern. When your vehicle gets fully submerged, it’s best to start the grieving process.

So, let’s start with our list of tips on how you can protect your car from flood damage.

Be wary of flood-prone areas

If you have been driving around the exact location for years, you will have a good idea of where the flood-prone areas are. As soon as you see the rain pick up, steer clear of said areas. Not only are flood-prone areas dangerous for your car, but you might also end up getting stuck in said area as more people get stranded.

Always have a backup “flood free” route in your mind at all times. They might not be the shortest, but if it allows you to reach your destination without wading through a flood, they will be the best choice.

Think twice about driving through puddles

So the rain has stopped, and all you have in front of you are puddle-riddled roads. As much as possible, don’t drive through puddles. You might miscalculate the depth of the puddle and end up in a foot or two of water.

If you need to go through the puddle, wait for another car to pass by and estimate the puddle’s depth if it’s something your car can take.

Find a flood-free area and wait

If you are stranded and surrounded by severely flooded areas, find a safe space for your car and wait. There’s no point risking your car. Wait for the floodwaters to subside before venturing out. Some parking areas are elevated enough to keep you and your car safe from rising flood water so you can start there.

Invest in a flood cover

If your home is in a flood-prone location, there is very little you can do. You can relocate your car to higher ground, but there is an issue of security.

However, one thing you can do to protect your vehicle from flood damage is to buy a flood cover. A flood cover is almost like an inverted sun cover. It’s a simple tool that wraps your car from the underside up, keeping water away from entering the engine. Get one as soon as possible so you won’t have to worry about flood damage to your car at home.

Get a comprehensive car insurance plan

If you are worried about flood damage to your vehicle, you might as well get a comprehensive car insurance plan. Basic car insurance plans don’t cover flood damage, so a comprehensive one is much better. You can expect a higher monthly premium, but if it helps your peace of mind, it will be worth it.

T3 Atlanta For Flood Damage Assessment And Repair

If you think your car has flood damage, waste no time and contact T3 Atlanta right away. T3 Atlanta is the leading expert in repairing Infinity, Toyota, Nissan, and Lexus vehicles in the greater Atlanta area. Our team of experts can help assess a flooded car and give an expert diagnosis on what type of repair it will need to get it running.

Call T3 Atlanta to book an appointment today!

It doesn’t matter what season – weather damage is inevitable. It can be in the middle of a hot sweltering summer day or a torrential downpour. Weather does and will continue to be a significant threat to your car. But we are not helpless, though. There is something you can do to protect your car from weather damage in every season. Let’s talk about each one in this article.

How to protect your car from weather damage during extreme heat

Extreme heat during the summertime can be uncomfortable for you, and it can cause a lot of damage to your car’s surfaces. Here are some things you can do to prevent such issues.

Find shade

Always park your car in the shade as much as possible to prevent the heat of the sun from hitting your car directly. However, it would help if you also were wary of where you are parking beneath. If you park beneath a tree, you may have to deal with bird droppings or a tree branch falling. You also have to consider sap and other organic materials from the tree that can cause staining.

If you can’t find a shade for your car, invest in a windshield sunshade at the very least. This will protect your car’s interior surfaces and will help lower the internal temperature of your vehicle.

Check the cooling system

If it’s hot outside, your car’s cooling system will be working double-time to keep you cool inside. This is a good time for you to check it to ensure it is in the best shape possible.

How to protect your car from weather damage during the rainy season

The rainy season might be the perfect time for hugs and hot cocoa, but it can do extreme damage to your car if you are not careful. Well, it’s not the rain per se that you should worry about, but all the chemicals and oils that come with it. Let’s find out what you can do to protect your car.

Proactively wash and wax your car

One of the most significant issues with rain is the water spots it leaves behind. To prevent such things from happening, you should proactively wash and wax your car to seal and coat it properly. This will give your vehicle a barrier between the paint and the rain. This means cleaning your car is much more manageable while protecting it at the same time.

Seal all openings

The interior of your car is off-limits to water. As such, you should make sure you seal all openings that will allow water to seep through the interiors of your car. Double-check the rubber linings on the doors and have them repaired right away if you see issues.

How to protect your car from weather damage during blizzards and extreme cold

When people talk about extreme weather, one of the first things that come to mind are blizzards – which is warranted. Snow is something we don’t experience often here in Atlanta, but it can cause a lot of damage to your car if you’re traveling up North.

Cover your windshield with a towel

Are you tired of waking up in the morning only to see your windshield covered in snow? This means you have to scrape it all off before you start your day. Eliminate this by placing a towel on your windshield the night prior. When morning comes, remove the towel along with all the snow that accumulated that night.

Check your tire pressure

When it is colder, your tire pressure might get low – dangerously low. So make sure to check it now and then and fill it up once it gets too low.

Get snow tires

If you experience frequent snowstorms, you might as well get snow tires. These tires are created specifically to help cars during winter road conditions. If you don’t want to invest in snow tires, consider getting chains – but make sure that they’re allowed where you will be driving first.

Get special wiper fluid

If you feel like the current wiper fluid you are using is only causing more problems than solving them, you should get winter-specific wiper fluid. This type of wiper fluid does not produce streaks and will help prevent your windshield from getting dirty.

All-Weather Maintenance And Repair At T3 Atlanta

Feel like there’s something wrong with your car? Take it to T3 Atlanta and let one of our expert mechanics take a look. We specialize in Nissan, Toyota, Infiniti, and Lexus cars. T3 Atlanta is a trusted name in car repair and maintenance in the greater Atlanta area, so you can be sure you are in good hands.

Give T3 Atlanta a call or a visit today!

There are a lot of things that are outside the control of man, one of which is the weather. Depending on where you live, a few days of rain can either be a bummer or something that will keep you up at night. This is because flooding in some areas is no joke. In some places, like in the Southeast US, flooding is a big problem for car owners. But what should you do if you have flood damage in your car? What are the things you should do first? Let’s talk all about that in this article.

How does being submerged damage your car?

This question is self-explanatory, but to better handle flood damage in your car, you have to understand what damage it does first.

First off, your car’s engine is not built to be introduced to water. Aside from possibly damaging electrical components, your vehicle will not run right when water enters the cylinders and pistons. If you try to turn on the engine when moisture is present in areas it shouldn’t be, it can total your car. Then there’s also the musty odor and silt that gets left behind,

The truth is, some vehicles that have been submerged in a flood can still run. But the number of repairs and replacements it might need often make them lost causes. You need an expert to assess the flood damage in your car thoroughly.

So, what should you do if your car got partially or fully submerged?

What to do when your car gets flooded

Check the overall damage

While an expert mechanic should do this, you can do a preliminary check of the damage done by the flood to your car. While doing so, don’t forget to take pictures of your vehicle for your insurance.

Refrain from trying to see if your car still works. Leave that one for the experts. At this point, you need to determine which areas of your vehicle were flooded. A partially flooded car has a higher chance of working while a fully submerged one is good as gone.

Dry it up

The first actual thing you can do for your car at this point is to help remove as much moisture as possible. This is to prevent further damage and inhibit the growth of mold. You can either push your car to get it into a good area or have it towed. The goal is to transfer it to a place where you can ventilate it properly.

You can use a dry/wet vacuum to suck up any remaining water within the car. Use dry towels to dry the cushions or seats. You can also opt to put the chairs under the sun if you know how to remove them.

Process your claim

Depending on the type of insurance you have, you can start processing your claim if the car is totaled. Regular insurance usually does not cover flood damage, so you should check the fine print first.

Call your agent and tell them about the current condition of your car. You can send the pictures you took when you did your inspection as well. Ask them what you should do next to start processing your claim.

Get an expert to see if your car can be salvaged

After calling your agent and knowing your options, you can focus on drying your car, or you can go and call an expert to help you inspect it further.

One of the things they would check will be the oil and the vehicle’s electrical components. If your mechanic has experience with flooded cars, they can outright tell you if the vehicle is too far gone or if it is still repairable.

Depend On T3 Atlanta For Support

Flood damage in your car is not a laughing matter. That is why the team of T3 Atlanta is ready to offer expert advice and support for people who have had their cars flooded. Our team of expert mechanics specializes in diagnosing and repairing Lexus, Infiniti, Toyota, and Nissan cars. Call T3 Atlanta today and let us help you assess your situation further.

Accidents happen. No matter how careful we are, some things are outside our control. Even the best drivers have had the unfortunate experience of accidentally hitting a parked car. When you hit a parked car, it’s easy to panic and feel terrible about yourself. But it’s also one of the most common accidents and is usually solved quite easily if you don’t let your brain overthink. Here’s a quick checklist of what you need to do when you accidentally hit a parked car so you can resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

What to do after you accidentally hit a parked car

Stop

If you hit a parked car, stop right away. Don’t flee the scene or try to move your vehicle. Fleeing the scene of the accident will only make your situation worse. Driving your car can also cause additional damage to both your cars, so as soon as you feel the impact, stop.

Relax

So you accidentally hit a parked car. You might be panicking at this point, and that’s normal. You should first gather yourself and relax. Panicking will not help you think straight.

Assess the situation

Accidentally hitting a parked car can result in a simple dent, or it can result in somebody needing emergency help. Assess the situation and take the necessary steps to address the current problem adequately. If somebody needs help, call 911 right away.

Take responsibility

At this point, the worst is over. It would be best if you took responsibility for the accident right away. Report the accident even if there is little or no damage. Some states will legally require you to report the accident and leave your information.

If the other car’s driver is not present, leave your name, phone number, driver’s license number, and license plate number in a note so the driver can contact you if they have any issues.

De-escalate the situation

There are situations where the parked car driver is present, and they are not happy with the accident. Assuming you have already taken responsibility for the accident, called the police, and provided the other driver with the necessary information, you need to de-escalate the situation.

There are multiple ways to do this, but the simplest way is to apologize and not join in on the other person’s frustrations. Hopefully, this will temper the anger and surprise of the other driver so things don’t escalate.

Take pictures

To lessen the chances of becoming a victim of fraud, take as many pictures or videos as possible. Make sure you include shots of the damage to the other car, their license plate, and other angles of the accident.

It’s also wise to take pictures of your vehicle as you may need them if you want to use your insurance to repair your car. If you left a note, take a video or picture of it placed on the vehicle. This will be visual evidence proving you followed the law.

Call your insurance company

Your insurance company should be notified of any accident your car is a part of. Even if you can’t locate the owner of the parked vehicle or if you left a note, you should still inform your insurance company of the accident. This ensures that you and your insurance company are protected and will have all the information needed.

Have Your Car Checked At T3 Atlanta

When you are part of an accident, it’s safe to assume that your car has suffered some form of damage. What could seem like a small dent on the outside may hide a more significant problem underneath. If you hit a parked car, you may want to have your car checked and fixed as soon as possible. If you are anywhere near Metro Atlanta, the experts at T3 Atlanta are ready to help you out.

T3 Atlanta has over 20 years of experience servicing Infiniti, Lexus, Toyota, and Nissan vehicles. Give T3 Atlanta a call today, and let us take good care of your car.

I think most, if not all, drivers will agree that parking skills are one of the top driving skills that one should master right away. When you become an expert in parking, you can quickly identify if a spot can fit your car and what you need to do to squeeze your vehicle into that space. Parking outside your favorite restaurant is one thing, but parking on hills can be challenging for several reasons.

Safety Tips When Parking On Hills

Before we move forward, let’s clear something up first: parking on hills will not damage your vehicle in any way. It doesn’t matter if the one who told you is a guy who drives a semi for 20 years. Hills are not bad for your car – as long as you do it right. That’s why we wrote this article – to tell you everything you need to know to avoid endangering yourself and the people around you.

1. Use your handbrake

Newer vehicles have a hill-start assist feature that prevents your car from rolling backward from a complete stop. This happens because the vehicle “holds” the brakes for a few seconds after you physically release the brake pedals.

Sadly, your car may not have this feature so that you can settle on the next best thing – your handbrake. When starting your vehicle while parked on a hill, keep your handbrake engaged until you feel your vehicle accelerating.

2. Keep a safe distance from other cars

Most of the time, parking on hills will require you to parallel park with other vehicles. If that is the case, it is always wise to give the cars behind and in front of you a bit of distance. This gap will allow everybody to drive out with as little danger as possible comfortably.

It would be best to always count for this “allowance” when looking for a parking spot as a responsible driver. If you feel like the space available will not allow for this allowance, it’s better to look for a different spot.

3. Engage in first or reverse gear when parking on hills if you are driving a stick

If you are parking facing upward, put your car in first gear. If you are parking facing down, put the car in reverse. This is a manual “safety net” in case your handbrake gives out. Just don’t forget to set your stick back to neutral before starting your vehicle so you don’t accidentally hit the cars behind or in front of you.

4. Get a wheel chock if necessary

If you see yourself parking on hills a lot of times, you may want to consider buying a wheel chock. This will only become necessary if you are hauling heavy cargo in your vehicle while being parked on a hill. Regular vehicle owners won’t need a wheel chock, and a large rock or block of wood can also do the job.

5. Don’t forget your tire positioning

If by any chance, your brake, the gears, and your wheel chock fail, there is still something you can do that will prevent a bigger accident – proper tire positioning. It’s pretty simple as well.

• If you are facing uphill, turn your wheels away from the curb.
• If you are facing downhill, turn your wheels towards the curb.

This ensures that if your car rolls backward or forward, it will always hit the curb and serve as a chock.

Quality Car Repair Services In Metro Atlanta

Parking on a hill is not always easy, but by following the tips mentioned above, you can slowly master it. If you feel like something is wrong with your handbrake, your car’s hill-assist system, or gears, then you should go to a trusted repair shop so they can take a look.

Drivers in Metro Atlanta trust one name for all their Toyota, Nissan, Lexus, and Infiniti cars, and that’s T3 Atlanta. T3 Atlanta has been in the service of giving drivers peace of mind for over 20 years. Give T3 Atlanta a call today and let our expert mechanics take care of your car.

Looking at modern cars, you can’t help but be amazed at how far technology has taken us from trying to run cars using steam power to electric vehicles traveling as far as 200 miles in one charge. Advances in technology affect every aspect of the car, from the tires to the safety features of vehicles. But these developments are not without their fault. One particular safety feature always seems to catch drivers at the most inopportune time. You might be thinking of many things right now, but we are talking about getting your car stuck in park. Why does it happen? What should you do? Let’s talk all about it.

Why is my car stuck in park and what should I do?

Most modern cars will not shift out of the park position randomly without applying the brakes. This is a safety feature that prevents unknowing passengers from shifting the car out of park. This is a feature that many of us are pretty aware of, but it gets unnoticed most of the time.

However, there are cases when the shifter seems to be stuck in park, and no amount of steady pressure appears to be able to make it budge.

To better understand why this happens, you need to get to know the parking pawl. The parking pawl is a device that locks on a parking gear. The parking gear is then locked to the output shaft in the case of the transmission. This prevents the vehicle from moving when in the park position. As soon as the driver selects any other gear aside from park, the mechanism is released.

As to why your car gets stuck in park, there are a couple of reasons. The most common ones are the following.

Parking on an incline

When your shifter seems to be stuck in park when parked on a slope, this could be because the parking pawl gets wedged on the parking gear due to pressure. Just imagine the whole weight of the car and passengers being put on the parking pawl. There will be difficulty in shifting if this is the case.

When you find yourself in such a position, the best thing you can do is relieve the pressure. You can do this by having another individual rock the car back and forth. For cases where the incline is too steep, you may need the help of a tow truck.

To prevent this from happening, make sure you engage your parking brakes first before placing your vehicle in park. This ensures that the weight and pressure of the vehicle are distributed to the car’s braking assemblies and not on the parking pawl.

Shifter interlock failure

Another reason why your shifter gets stuck in park is the shifter interlock system. This system was initially implemented to ensure that the vehicle does not accidentally shift to reverse or drive. The system prevents the shifter from moving from the park position until you step on the brake pedal.

When this system fails, you can’t move the shifter even if you step on the brake. The good news is that most vehicle manufacturers install a shift lock release to solve such an issue. To bypass the interlock, you can turn your key to the accessory position then move the shifter to neutral. If this fails, there’s also a manual shift lock override that can be engaged with the help of a flathead screwdriver or key.

The location of the override can differ from car to car, so it’s wise to familiarize yourself with its location with the help of the owner’s manual.

Brake switch failure

Another reason why the interlock feature does not disengage appropriately is because the system does not detect the brake pedal being depressed. To diagnose if this is the issue, have another person check if your brake lights light up when you step on the brakes. If they fail to light up, this can be the reason why you can’t shift your car from park.

If you get your car stuck in park, you should have it checked right away. Even if it’s just due to the pressure of being parked on an incline, it should still work. This means your vehicle might require maintenance work. For the other two reasons, you need a trusted repair shop to take a look at your car to fix the problem.

Fast And Friendly Auto Repair In Atlanta

If you are in Atlanta and get your car stuck in park, don’t hesitate to give T3 Atlanta a call. T3 Atlanta offers general repair services for Infiniti, Lexus, Toyota, and Nissan cars. With more than 20 years of experiencing the cars of Metro Atlanta, you can rest assured knowing you are in good hands with T3 Atlanta.

Imagine driving through a picturesque landscape enjoying the breeze when you feel your car jerk and jump. You hear that familiar sound of metal hitting the pavement. That’s when you realize you just hit a giant pothole. But how bad is hitting a pothole for our cars? How much damage can one pothole do to your vehicle, and what are the most vulnerable parts of your car when you hit a pothole? Why are potholes bad for your vehicle? Let’s take a look.

What is a pothole?

A pothole is a general term that refers to any depression in the road surface where traffic has removed broken pieces of the road. As a result, a hole is created on the road surface. Several things can cause potholes, but the most common culprits involve water in the underlying soil structure and heavy traffic passing over.

Hitting a pothole is not a rare thing. You probably hit a big one now and then, which does not mean you are a terrible driver. Sometimes we just can’t avoid potholes, whether due to other traffic on the road or pedestrians. Even seasoned drivers have their own pothole story.

While potholes are more prevalent in some areas with poor road construction, no street is immune to developing them, especially when the street regularly experiences heavy traffic. Even on miles of flat and even roads, a pothole can still appear out of nowhere.

Why are potholes bad for your car?

Potholes are bad news for your car, as hitting one can cause damage to your vehicle. The damage will depend on how hard you “hit” the pothole. The faster you are going, the more problems it can cause. That is why it is always wise to go slow in areas riddled with potholes. But what actual damage can potholes do? Let’s find out.

What kind of damage can potholes cause your car?

1. Tire blowouts and wheel damage: In the worst cases of pothole encounters, you can see tires get split or punctured. This may result in a blowout and possible wheel damage. If you are going at a reasonably high speed during such an accident, you can end up losing control of your vehicle and veer into other cars or oncoming traffic.
2. Misalignment of your steering system: When you hit a pothole hard, it can cause damage to your car’s steering system. The sheer force of the hit can cause a misalignment, which can then affect how well you can control the vehicle. This severely increases your chances of getting into an accident.
3. Damage to the exhaust system: Some potholes are deep enough that your exhaust system scrapes or just crashes into the ground. The damage can be critical enough to affect your engine. A damaged exhaust system may also affect you and your passengers with carbon monoxide poisoning.
4. Physical damage to your vehicle: If you hit a pothole hard enough, you will probably hear some scratches and thuds. This is your car hitting the road or ground below. Aside from causing problems to your exhaust, wheels, or steering system, hitting a pothole can also cause other physical damage to your car. Cars with shallow clearance are prominent victims of such accidents. For starters, your fenders and side skirts might get damaged when you hit a pothole.

Steer clear of potholes at all times

If you want to save yourself the trouble of worrying about the damage potholes can make on your car, you should steer clear of potholes as much as you can. You can do this by paying close attention to the road at all times and maintaining just enough speed so you can react to seeing a pothole. This is especially true if you are not familiar with the route you are going through.

If, despite your best efforts, you hit a pothole hard in Atlanta and you feel like your vehicle is experiencing some problems, give T3 Atlanta a call so we can have a look. Our team of expert mechanics can check your car to diagnose what’s wrong and what needs to be done to fix the problem. Give us a call and we’ll book you in for an appointment today!