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How to Perform Preventive Maintenance on Your Car

June 21, 2016 by t3atlanta Leave a Comment

It might not be the most entertaining subject ever, but vehicle preventative maintenance can actually save you a ton of money. Not taking care of your car doesn’t seem like a big deal at first. Over time, the neglect will create a situation where you have a vehicle loaded with problems, some costing thousands of dollars to fully address.

Using a vehicle preventative maintenance checklist like the one below will only cost you a small amount of money. Some items require specialized tools, so plan each job out before you start.

Oil Changes

The oil in your car is like its blood. It needs to be filtered all the time, but over time the filter clogs up and the oil breaks down. This happens by certain intervals, which the manufacturer lists out in the manual. By putting in a new filter and oil, you actually increase the life of the engine, avoiding some costly repairs down the road.

Air Filter Check

The air intake filter shouldn’t be clogged with debris, otherwise the engine can’t run efficiently. Check this each time you do an oil change. Replacement filters are cheap and incredibly easy to install, making this job a cinch.

The same thing goes for the cabin air filter, which is just as easy to swap out.

Monitor Fluids

At least once a month, ideally more often, you need to check over all of the fluids in your car. Some are easier to see than others. Use the owner’s manual to get familiar with the different reservoirs and dipsticks you need to reference. This is something you can do while refueling. If any of the fluids are low, top it off as soon as you can. When you notice that a certain fluid is constantly low, that’s a telltale sign of a leak or a more serious problem.

Vehicle preventive maintenanceSwap Wiper Blades

If you see that the wipers are leaving streaks on your windows, it’s time to replace the blades. This is an incredibly quick and easy job, but it can make a big difference between seeing in a storm and crashing, so don’t delay doing it.

Inspect the Belts

When you check all the fluids, that’s an ideal time to inspect the belts. If you find cracks or any pieces that are missing, the belts need to be replaced immediately.

Battery Cleaning

The cables on the battery terminals should be attached securely. If you can wiggle them off, that could cause your car to not start. Another issue that might leave you stranded is corrosion. When the battery terminals don’t look like shiny metal, you must clean them. This can be done with some baking soda and water, plus a small wire brush. Remember to rinse everything off with clean water afterward.

Tire Checks

Vehicle preventive maintenanceAlso about once a month, you need to check the tire pressure. You can find the correct psi in the owner’s manual or on the sticker located on the driver’s doorjamb. Keeping the pressure at that listed level will prevent unnecessary wear and help save on fuel.

While you’re at it, inspect the tread on each tire. Uneven wear can be a sign of poor inflation, or problems with the suspension. If the rubber has reached the level of the wear bars, which run across the tread, you need to replace the tires in the near future.

At regular intervals, you need to have the tires rotated and balanced. Your tire shop or mechanic should give you a schedule for this, so follow it. Unbalanced tires make for an uncomfortable ride, plus can wear out suspension components and cause other problems.

Manufacturer Recommendations

Each vehicle is different, and nobody knows better how to take care of them than the manufacturer. Inside the owner’s manual is a maintenance schedule, which you should follow as closely as possible. Certain items must be addressed at a certain mileage, while others are time-sensitive. Certain things on the schedule might also be on this list, while others aren’t.

If you bought a used vehicle and don’t have the manual, never fear. Automakers make the manual available through their websites, or you can order one through a variety of online sources.

Filed Under: Car Tips

What Kind of Gas Does Your Toyota Prius Use?

May 3, 2016 by t3atlanta Leave a Comment

One of the main draws or attractions for the Toyota Prius is efficiency. People who don’t want to spend too much on gas, or don’t like the idea of polluting a lot by driving, like that the car’s hybrid powertrain makes the most of every last drop of fuel. It seems only natural that people also have one big question: what kind of gas does a Toyota Prius use?

What Kind of Gas Should You Use for Your Toyota Prius?

what kind of gas does a Toyota Prius useUsing the wrong kind of gas can negatively impact a car’s fuel efficiency. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates, the 2015 Toyota Prius gets a whopping 51 mpg city, 48 mpg highway and 50 mpg combined. The car can also go an estimated 595 miles on a single tank of gas, which is much farther than quite a few other vehicles.

The fact is that there is a Toyota Prius octane requirement, or the type of fuel that can be put into the tank each time. As an owner, you need to know that rating, otherwise you might put in fuel that could cause issues for the car. To better understand why Toyota requires a certain octane rating for the Prius, it’s key to have an understanding of what octane ratings are.

Several factors help determine the octane required for a specific engine. Among them is the mechanical setup, geometrical configuration, compression ratio, and even the environmental conditions where the vehicle is running. Know that the bigger the number for the octane rating, the better that fuel is at resisting knocking or pinging when the engine is running.

Toyota Prius Octane Rating

what kind of gas does a Toyota Prius useThe vehicle manufacturer, in this case Toyota, is the one who makes the recommendation on fuel octane rating. If you have the owner’s manual, it lists the Prius gas type. However, if you don’t have it, fear not. According to Toyota, the 2015 Prius needs to be refueled using unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87. At many fuel stations, that’s the rating for “regular” gas, but you can look at the label on each pump for the octane rating just to be on the safe side.

Meeting the Prius octane rating is important, if you want the hybrid car to run as it was designed. At the same time, it’s not necessary to give the vehicle a “treat” by using gasoline with a higher octane rating, even on occasion. Doing so won’t magically boost fuel economy or provide any other benefits.

On the other hand, using gasoline with a higher octane rating certainly won’t hurt the Toyota Prius. In some situations, you might not be able to purchase anything with an octane rating of 87, forcing you to go with 89 or higher.

Certain vehicles need gas with a higher octane rating. This could be from using a high-compression engine or advanced electronic controls. With those cars, you can use a lower octane fuel, but it will negatively impact power output and fuel economy. Fortunately, that’s not the case with the Toyota Prius – you can use “regular” gas for the entire life of your vehicle without any adverse effects.

T3 Atlanta

The Toyota Prius is a ‘gas sipper’ compared to many vehicles, making it a fuel-efficient choice both for city-dwellers and people who travel regularly. Now that you know what kind of fuel your Toyota Prius uses, you can make more confident choices at the gas pump.

Have questions about your Prius’s performance? Call T3 Atlanta! Our friendly staff at our Smyrna and Decatur locations will be more than happy to help you.

Filed Under: Car Tips, Toyota

How to Take Care of Your Car

April 13, 2016 by t3atlanta Leave a Comment

Your car is a big investment. Not only do vehicles cost a lot of money these days, you depend on yours for transportation. It’s silly to let a thing like neglecting car maintenance throw your life into chaos, which is why it’s best to engage in some active prevention.

Even if you’re not mechanically inclined, you can follow these basic car maintenance tips. By taking charge of this area and not just depending on your mechanic to manage it, you’ll see additional savings, allowing you to spend that cash on other things. They also don’t require that much time, and once you’re in the habit they’ll be just a part of regular life.

Car Maintenance

Tires

Most people just plain forget about their tires, even though they’re arguably the most important safety item on a vehicle. If you take proper car maintenance - T3 Atlantacare of them, tires should last a fairly long time. If you don’t, you’ll go through tires quickly. Considering how expensive constantly changing out tires can be, this should be on everyone’s car maintenance checklist.

Driving around with tires that are underinflated will lead to faster and more uneven wear. Once any part of a tire’s tread is worn far enough, you must replace the whole tire or risk losing traction or a blowout. Either scenario can trigger a horrible wreck, so this is something to be taken seriously. Most modern vehicles have a low tire pressure warning light in the dash. Once that turns on, go to a gas station and use a gauge to tell how low the tires are, then refill them with air. It’s a simple thing that takes only a few minutes.

You should also have your tires rotated and balanced regularly. This also helps prevent uneven wear, making your investment last longer.

Fluids

The different fluids in your car are designed to prevent serious problems down the road, making them an incredibly cheap maintenance item.

You should be checking your car’s fluids no less than once a month. If your car is older, or if you notice drips on the ground where it’s been parked, checking more often is recommended. A great time to look over the fluid levels is when you go to a gas station. While the car’s filling up, pop the hood and check everything. If you find that one of the fluids is low, refill it to the recommended level as soon as possible.

Oil Changes

One automotive fluid is especially critical to running your car without major problems: oil. There are a lot of myths floating around about when the oil should be changed. Thanks to major advances in technology, it’s no longer necessary to get a lube job every 3,000 miles.

Different vehicles can go different distances between oil changes, so the best thing to do is to check the owner’s manual for the car maintenance - T3 Atlantamanufacturer’s recommendations. While you’re at it, stick with the type of oil listed there, because that will provide the best protection possible.

Easy-to-Change Items

Some items are so easy to change out, just about anyone can do it themselves. They also wear out fairly frequently, meaning constant care is required. Chief among them are the wiper blades and engine air filter. When you notice that the wipers leave streaks on the windshield or back window, it’s time to swap out the blades. With the air filter, you should check it periodically. Once it looks dirty, change it out for a new one.

Schedule

You need to know your car maintenance schedule and follow it faithfully. Every automaker creates a schedule for specific models and includes it in the owner’s manual. It should have a set of items that must be addressed at certain time or mileage intervals. Since the company that made the car knows when different items could wear out or might need replacing, this is an excellent guide to follow.

Some people are knowledgeable enough they can do at least some of the maintenance schedule themselves. If that’s not you, there’s no shame in taking your vehicle to a professional shop and having the items addressed that way. It’s better to do that than to neglect your ride and then deal with bigger, more expensive problems in the future.

 

Filed Under: Car Tips

How to Protect Your Car From Theft

April 6, 2016 by t3atlanta Leave a Comment

Few things are as violating as having something stolen from you. Vehicle theft can be especially difficult, because your car is often one of your most valuable possessions. There are some relatively simple steps you can take for car theft prevention, helping you to avoid the unpleasant situation and just enjoy life.

Car Theft Prevention

Garages

There are many car theft prevention devices out there, but the most effective is a good garage. Most criminals go for “soft” targets, or vehicles they can access easily and quickly. Only the most determined thieves will try to break into a garage, because it’s more difficult and car theft prevention - T3 Atlantacarries additional risk. While some thefts do happen during the daytime, you should especially park inside a garage at night.

Park Carefully

If you have to park outside, choose the location wisely. If you must park in a part of the city with a bad reputation, find a pay lot that’s patrolled, not a place where you pay a machine and no workers are visible. Try to get a spot where plenty of people are walking around, like near the entrance to a building or a public sidewalk. Thieves love to break into vehicles that are in the middle of a large parking lot, or in a back row where nobody is walking around, because they can use tools to get inside without anyone noticing.

Always leave your car in park. If you have a manual transmission, leave it in one of the gears. Also, point the tires toward a nearby curb or other obstacle. If a thief has a tow truck, this will make your vehicle much harder to grab and could attract plenty of attention.

At night, you need to find a spot where there’s plenty of lighting. Again, thieves love to work under the cover of darkness, so taking that option away decreases the likeliness they’ll go after your vehicle.

Lock Up

It’s amazing how many people want to know the best way to prevent car theft, yet they don’t even consistently lock their vehicle. Every time you get out, you should lock the doors. This is true when you’re in a grocery store parking lot and need to return the cart after unloading it. Same goes for parking in the driveway while you run in your house for a few moments. What’s even worse is if you leave the keys in the unlocked car, because taking it is simple.

You should also close the windows and sunroof when parking your car, because that’s just as good as not locking the doors.

Use the VIN

All cars come with a vehicle identification number or VIN on several locations. You can see one easily at the base of the windshield on the driver’s side. Thieves often steal cars and sell them to chop shops, which take the vehicles apart and sell the various components. They know where the VINs are on a car and are good at scratching them out or ditching those parts.

You can make your vehicle look like too much effort by having the VIN etched into the windows or other visible parts. It’s a sign that you’ve probably taken other measures to recover your ride if it’s stolen, likely discouraging criminals from even touching your car.

Hide Valuables

It might seem like common sense, but plenty of people leave valuable things sitting in plain view. This includes computers, purses, shopping bags, phones, textbooks, sports equipment, etc. Even if a bag doesn’t contain anything of real value, a person walking by doesn’t know that, car theft prevention - T3 Atlantaso it should be stowed where nobody can see it. If you have an SUV or wagon, throw a blanket over the items or get a retractable cargo cover.

Devices

Among the best car theft prevention tips is to use a security device. There are plenty to choose from. Some lock onto the steering wheel, making it clear to anyone walking by that you’re serious about stopping thieves. Alarms can be a good option, since they make noise that can attract unwanted attention. Some systems will send a notification to your phone when they go off, which is even better. There are also vehicle trackers, allowing owners and the police to see where a stolen vehicle is taken. While this doesn’t prevent the theft, it could help you get the car back.

Kill Switches

One of the most effective theft prevention devices is a kill switch. They cut off the ignition system in a vehicle, making it impossible to start the engine. Some setups require you to insert an extra key into the kill switch before turning the key in the ignition. Others involve simply pressing a button, which you can hide virtually anywhere in the interior. People have come up with clever spots for a kill switch, making the basically impossible for a thief to locate quickly.

 

Filed Under: Car Tips

What to do After Infiniti Car Collision

March 23, 2016 by t3atlanta Leave a Comment

Car crashes are never a fun thing to deal with. They often involve the police, plus insurance companies and even the people in the other vehicle. If the accident is serious enough, it can involve some extensive Infiniti car collision repair and maybe even big medical bills.

While all of this is something people just plain don’t want to think about, you need to be prepared in case it does happen. The things that you do and say after a crash can affect different aspects of the outcome.

What to do After Infiniti Car Collision

Never just leave the scene of the accident. You could be charged with hit-and-run, especially if someone was injured or killed. Even if you think the crash was your fault, do not apologize to anyone or admit this in any way. It’s natural to feel some guilt, and you might not be thinking clearly, plus these words could be used against you later.

Infiniti car collision repair - T3 AtlantaTake any pictures you can. Likely you won’t remember everything as it actually was, so photos help. They can also be used as evidence if the other party wants to push for legal action.

Always call the police and follow their instructions. It’s best to wait in your vehicle, if the damage isn’t too bad. Turn on the hazard lights so other drivers realize what’s going on. While you’re waiting, check over your passengers for any injuries. Whether the police come to the scene or not, always be sure to get the contact and insurance info for the other driver. Your car collision repair estimates might be pretty steep, and if you’re not at fault the other insurance company needs to foot the bill, otherwise you could see an increase in your premium.

Infiniti Car Collision Repair

No matter if your Infiniti sustained little or severe damage, you’ll need to shop for auto collision repair. If the vehicle needs to be towed, the police will ask what shop you want it taken to, or they can just choose one that’s nearby. You don’t have to use that location for any repairs, but can have the car towed anywhere else later.

Infiniti car collision repair - T3 AtlantaShopping a few locations could be a good idea. This is especially true if the damage to your vehicle is pretty extensive. You should keep in mind that a lower offer isn’t always a better one, because the shop that goes in low could be cutting corners or not taking into account everything needed for your Infiniti.

Another important point to look at when shopping for a collision repair center is certifications. If a shop can’t show that their technicians have received training from a credible source, it’s best to stay away. You want someone who knows what they’re doing to restore your Infiniti to its proper condition.

Never let an insurance company tell you that you have no choice in who repairs your vehicle. By law, insurance companies can’t dictate only one collision repair center you use, so you have the right to make a choice.

The best thing you can do is to stay calm after an accident and not make any rash decisions. At T3 Atlanta we pride ourselves in providing top-notch service, without pushing customers into decisions.

Filed Under: Car Tips, Infiniti

How To Reset Toyota Maintenance Light

March 9, 2016 by t3atlanta Leave a Comment

Toyota, like every other automaker, recommends that owners regularly service their vehicles. This is to help ensure everything from the engine to the brakes, suspension and other components all operate smoothly, especially as the car ages.

How To Reset Toyota Maintenance Light Toyota Prius- T3 AtlantaDepending on the exact model, you should be having your Toyota car, truck or SUV thoroughly serviced every 5,000 miles or six months so you can continue a relatively problem-free ownership experience. Exactly what should be done each time by the technicians is laid out in the official Toyota maintenance schedule, which a reputable shop can and will reference and follow exactly.

If you so choose, you can perform the maintenance work on your Toyota by yourself. Just like technicians, you need to follow all of the prescribed items for each service interval. A number of different servicing items need to be attended to at the different intervals. Your owner’s manual lists them out for the specific model, or you can go to the Toyota Owners official website and pull up the documents there.  

An oil change is always required, as well other items that could be of varying degrees of difficulty to perform, depending on the model and the exact service interval. Whether you should try taking on this kind of a task on your own really depends on your mechanical abilities, so read through the requirements before making a decision. Performing the servicing work yourself can be a way to save some money, but if you do not take the vehicle in for servicing at a shop, that maintenance light won’t just turn off magically. That is why you need to know how to switch it off yourself.

The light is set to turn on at the set intervals, or actually a little before then, so you have time to set up an appointment and take care of it. The car’s electronic sensors can’t tell when you have the oil changed or other specific maintenance items addressed, which is why the light must be purposely turned off by you or a technician. Just keeping the light on is a bad idea, because you as the vehicle owner won’t have that reminder to get the car serviced again later, which can lead to some bad consequences.

Because the light just comes on based solely on mileage and time, drivers should not panic when they see it. The light does not mean there is something wrong with their car, truck or SUV, only that it is time for the scheduled maintenance.

How To Reset Toyota Maintenance Light

While it is true most DIY mechanics have no idea how to reset the maintenance light on something like a Toyota Tundra, Prius, Sequoia, etc. the problem can also crop up when owners take their rides to a quick lube shop or even a smaller mom and pop mechanic. Sometimes those locations simply have no idea how to reset the light either, so it’s still on even though the work has been properly done.

Fortunately, it is really not that hard to reset the light, turning it off until you get near the next service interval. Before you start, have on hand the ignition key, which you obviously should have pretty easily accessible.

  1. Start by inserting the key into the ignition and turning it to the “On” position. If your vehicle has a start button, push it but do not put your foot on the brake pedal. The gauges and “dummy” lights should come on. Depending on the vehicle, you want either the odometer or the trip meter to be showing, which are digital and only display once the car is powered. Press the button on the gauge cluster until the “Trip A” number is showing, not the odometer or “Trip B” readout.
  2. At this point, you want to turn the key back to the “Off” position. With the start button, push it twice rapidly, still keeping your foot
    How To Reset Toyota Maintenance Light Toyota-Sequoia - T3 Atlantaaway from the brake pedal. Don’t turn on the engine before doing this, otherwise you might need to start over. Next you will want to push down and hold the button that you normally use to reset the trip meters. Depending on which Toyota model you own, it could be the same button that helps you cycle between showing the odometer readout and the two different trip meters.
  3. Keep your finger on the button, pushing it down as you turn the key back to the “On” position again. Like before, you don’t want to start up the engine, just illuminate the gauges and other dash lights. At this point, the odometer should not be showing any numbers, but instead will just have several dashes that go away one at a time. Once the last one disappears, keep holding the button down while zeros appear where the dashes were. You can let go of the button once the zeros go away as well and the odometer numbers are back.

After you go through these steps, the Toyota maintenance light should have turned off. This is when the vehicle will begin counting down to the next 5,000-mile service interval, so you will see it turn on once that time rolls around.

This procedure should work on virtually all 2005 to 2015 model-year Toyota vehicles. If you find that it didn’t work the first time, go through the steps again, making sure to follow them closely.

T3 Atlanta

For any of your Toyota servicing needs, T3 Atlanta is available to take care of them. With a clean facility and professional technicians, you will enjoy the best experience possible. Contact us today to make an appointment.

Filed Under: Car Tips, Toyota

Windshield Wipers: How They Work

February 10, 2016 by t3atlanta Leave a Comment

With windshield wipers, you barely need to think. All it takes is turning a switch or flipping a stalk on the steering column, and they just work. While many drivers feel they don’t need to know more about wipers, the truth is that such knowledge will help you spot potential problems early, which in turn can help save you money on bigger and more complex repairs.

Windshield Wipers: How They Work

The wipers are powered by an electric motor, which is hidden from view underneath the dash of your car. Also included in the setup is a worm gear reduction, which has the ability to increase the torque output from the motor by as much as 50 times, or reduce it by 50 times. That’s how you’re able to select so many settings for your wipers, from slow to incredibly fast.

Windshield Wipers - T3 AtlantaConnected to the gear reduction is a linkage, which is what actually moves the wipers back and forth across the windshield. A short cam is the piece that’s attached to the motor’s output shaft. As it spins while the motor runs, a long rod attached to the other end of the cam shifts back and forth. Attached to the other end of the long rod is a short rod, which is what turns the wiper blade on one side of the car (usually the driver’s side). Another long rod connects to the other wiper.

The actual wiper arms are attached to the ends of the linkages with a single bolt. On modern cars, that bolt is covered with a cap made of plastic or sometimes metal. This keeps snow, ice, salt and other debris out of the connection, avoiding corrosion as the car ages. This is the first thing to check if one or both of the wipers is flopping while operating, or won’t move at all. If tightening the bolt doesn’t do the trick, then the problem is with the linkages or the electric motor itself.

There’s also an electronic sensor that detects whenever the wipers are sitting down. In the event you switch off the wipers when they’re still in the up position, this sensor keeps the power on until the wipers are folded down, completely out of your line of sight. It’s this same sensor that makes it so the wipers stay at the bottom of the windshield between swipes when you’re using the intermittent setting. Obviously, if your wipers don’t sit at the bottom of the windshield when you turn them off, this sensor is likely broken.

Windshield Wiper Blades

Most people know a thing or two about wiper blades, because they’re parts that have to be replaced on a pretty regular basis. Windshield Wipers - T3 AtlantaBasically, they’re made of rubber, with metal strips that help them maintain a constant shape. This is so the thin rubber edge that sits against the windshield swipes off water evenly. As the rubber ages, it starts to chip and crack, causing the wipers to leave streaks. Sometimes this streaking is caused by dirt buildup on the wipers, which is why it’s a good idea to clean them when washing your car.

Having your car sit out in the hot sun during the daytime in the summer, or out in the bitter cold of the winter night can accelerate the aging of the wiper blades. In other words, garaging your car as often as possible will extend the life, saving you money. The most common problem with wipers comes from not replacing the blades as they age out.

The windshield wiper fluid helps with clearing debris off the windshield, like when there are a lot of bugs in the air. Little nozzles that sit on the hood, or at the edge between the hood and bottom of the windshield, actually spray the fluid out. From time to time these nozzles can become partially or completely clogged by dirt, salt or other debris. If that happens, you can clear it yourself by inserting a thin needle into the nozzle. Also, if it snows or there’s ice on your car, you have to clear that completely from the nozzles for them to work properly.

T3 Atlanta Can Replace Windshield Wipers

Wiper problems can be serious, since they affect your ability to see the road and other vehicles. The trained technicians at T3 Atlanta can quickly take care of any situation, ensuring you stay safe and happy.

 

Filed Under: Auto Repair, Car Tips

Best Car Accessories

February 1, 2016 by t3atlanta Leave a Comment

Most people like to customize their car to one extent or another. This practice is engrained in American culture and our fierce independence. Even if we buy a popular vehicle such as a Camry or Tacoma, we want to do something that makes it stand apart.

Best Car Accessories

The truth is that not all car accessories are made equal. Quite simply, some are better than others. If you’re confused by the sheer variety of options out there, read on for suggestions of the best car accessories, then decide which ones are best for you.

All-Weather Mats

Best Car Accessories - T3 AtlantaMost cars come with regular carpeted mats. The problem with these is when the weather turns ugly, they get ugly in a hurry. You can shampoo the carpeting on them, but some grime is tough to get out. Not only that, regular mats might wear out in a hurry if you’re constantly trudging through dirt, mud, snow, ice, salt, etc.

All-weather mats are designed to take this kind of abuse and not show the wear. They’re made of heavy-duty rubber and have lips that keep water, snow, ice, mud, etc. contained. While usually not cheap, they’re worth every penny.

Locking Lugs

Unfortunately, not everyone’s honest. While newer cars have become harder to steal for your average thief, the wheels are still big targets. This is especially true if you have nice wheels, because they can be quickly taken, transported and sold for good money.

The way to stop this problem is to invest in some locking lugs. They have a unique shape to them, so you need the “key” or a matching socket wrench that’s included in the set to get the locks off. You put one on each wheel (including the spare tire on vehicles like the FJ Cruiser where they’re out in the open) to stop thieves dead in their tracks.

Towing Packages

If your vehicle doesn’t come with a towing package, it’s a handy feature to have. A towing package involves more than just a trailer hitch. They include ways to keep the engine and transmission from overheating while pulling the additional weight, making this accessory well worth the investment.

Door Edge Guards

One of the most common areas for paint damage is the edge of doors. They can come into contact with walls, poles, other vehicles, etc. Over time chips, dings and scratches pile up, then corrosion takes hold and can start spreading across the door and to surrounding parts.

With the door edge guards, all of these problems are eliminated. When professionally installed, they look seamless and are barely noticeable.

Paint Protection Film

Sometimes called a “clear bra,” this protective film is like a suit of armor for the front of your car. A layer of incredibly durable urethane keeps the paint free of blemishes from rocks and other road debris you’ll undoubtedly come across. Each section is designed to fit the highest risk areas of your car, like the front bumper, hood, front fenders and side mirror caps.

The paint protection film goes on clear, so people don’t even notice it’s there. It’s a great way to preserve the clean look of your vehicle for years to come.

Rear Spoiler

Best Car Accessories - T3 AtlantaA tasteful, body-colored rear spoiler can add a nice look to your car. It provides a sporty flair that also sets your vehicle apart from others. Genuine spoilers also fit with the overall look of the car, maintaining the originally feeling instead of looking garish and out of place.

Not only do spoilers look great, they perform a function. A spoiler forces the back end of the car down at highway speeds, providing increased stability as a benefit.

Bed Extender

If you have a pickup truck, you’re likely going to haul things on a pretty regular basis. Sometimes items are too long for the payload, which is where the bed extender comes in. It’s essentially like a cage that sits over the extended tailgate, bumping out the cargo space that much further.

Unlike other solutions, a bed extender is see-through, so other drivers can still spot your taillights, keeping with local laws. The extender also locks in place, properly securing your stuff. When the tailgate is folded up and locked, the extender is also locked in the bed, keeping it safe from would-be thieves.

At T3 Atlanta we can install all of these car accessories or more, helping you to achieve the custom look and functionality you desire.

 

Filed Under: Car Tips

How Do Transmissions Work?

January 23, 2016 by t3atlanta Leave a Comment

Without a transmission, vehicles literally wouldn’t go anywhere. Since you can’t really see the transmission in your car, it’s often misunderstood. Knowledge is power, and knowing how your transmission works will help you maintain it better.  

How Do Transmissions Work?

You likely know that there are two main types of transmissions: manual and automatic. Without getting How Do Transmissions Work? - T3 Atlantatoo technical, there are several gears fixed on two shafts. As the car is shifted into different gears by the driver or a computer, the gears from one shaft engage with the ones on the other.

In manual transmissions, drivers must push down the clutch pedal to break the connection between the engine and transmission. The gears can then be moved, then the driver releases the clutch pedal and the connection is established again. It’s essentially the same process with an automatic, only the computer uses a torque converter instead of a clutch, at least in most setups.

Dual-clutches sit somewhere in the middle between manuals and automatics.  Continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) have been increasing in popularity recently, and they eliminate individual gears completely.

Toyota Recommended Transmission Service

Toyota recommends specific service schedules for its vehicles, and that includes making sure the transmission is maintained. In general, you should have the clutch components inspected and the transmission fluid replaced every 30,000 miles. Doing this will help avoid larger problems later. The service schedule for individual Toyota models can vary, so it’s always a good idea to consult the owner’s manual or speak with a trained technician.

Signs of Transmission Trouble

There are many signs that your transmission needs to be looked at. One is if it just won’t go into gear. This can include the stick on a manual not moving, or an automatic skipping a certain gear. Several potential problems could trigger this, including low transmission fluid, the wrong fluid being used and even maladjustments for the clutch linkage or shifter cables.

Another common problem is slipping gears. That means the car starts to travel or is even going down the road, but the transmission slips, making the engine race while slowing down your momentum. This is a potentially dangerous situation. You need to have the car checked over ASAP, because several issues could be the culprit.

Sometimes transmissions make noise. If that happens when it’s in neutral, there are a few possible How Do Transmissions Work? - T3 Atlantacauses. Low fluid or the wrong type can cause some bumping sounds. If the transmission is particularly noisy, it could be from serious mechanical damage, such as worn bearings or gears. If the problem includes grinding or shaking, that can be from a worn clutch, maladjustments or other worn components.

Finding bright red, sticky fluid where your car’s been parked indicated a transmission fluid leak. The source could be in one of a number of locations. A technician can usually pinpoint it fairly quickly with the vehicle on a lift. From there, it’s just a matter of figuring out the best way to patch the leak, which may or may not involve replacing some parts.

If you smell burning coming from the transmission, that’s not something to ignore. It could indicate that there’s a problem with overheating. As the fluid burns, it can’t lubricate the gears and other components properly. The problem can be triggered by dirty fluid that needs to be swapped out, or a leak caused by a bad seal.

Vehicles with a manual transmission can experience a dragging clutch. You push on the clutch pedal, but the engine and transmission are still connected, and the transmission makes a horrendous grinding noise. Often the problem is with too much slack in the linkage between the pedal and the clutch disc.

Despite the name, your check engine light coming on can indicate a problem with the transmission. Modern vehicles have sensors that trigger the warning, like unusual vibrations you can’t even feel. When you see the check engine light turn on, it’s best to bring the car in and have the code read, avoiding bigger problems later.

T3 Atlanta For Transmission Serivce

If you hear the transmission whining or humming, that can spell trouble. At the first sign of these unusual sounds, you need to have the transmission checked over. The same goes for transmissions that don’t engage immediately after you push on the accelerator pedal.

When you experience any of the above symptoms, that’s the time to contact T3 Atlanta or stop by for an inspection. Our highly trained, professional technicians can quickly and accurately diagnose the problem.  

 

Filed Under: Auto Repair, Car Tips

Brake Maintenance Simplified

January 13, 2016 by t3atlanta Leave a Comment

For most people vehicle braking systems are a mystery. They step on a pedal, and the things under the wheels slow down the forward (or backward) momentum. It’s something few think about too much, until there’s a problem. By knowing a thing or two about how brakes work, you can actually spot potential problems early, which in turn reduces the size of the repair bill.

How Do Modern Brake Systems Work?

Modern brake systems actually use hydraulics. The force you apply on the pedal is transmitted to the actual brakes through a special fluid. If you open up the hood on your vehicle, you can check the brake fluid reservoir to see if it’s low. Too little fluid means the brakes won’t work as well, so it’s critical to monitor the level on a regular basis (usually once a month is sufficient).

Brake Maintenance Simplified - T3 AtlantaOf course, the brake system is actually set up to multiply the force you apply with your foot. After all, it would be pretty difficult to use sheer physical strength to stop the progression of a 4,000-plus pound vehicle traveling 65 mph. The actual pedal is designed as a lever, which multiplies the force you exert. The hydraulic force also multiplies your effort, routing through the brake lines and a master cylinder before winding its way to the wheels.

If you look at cars with fairly large gaps between the wheel spokes, you can see the brake disc underneath. When the hydraulic force is applied through the system, it squeezes a caliper that sits over one part of the disc. Attached to the caliper are brake pads, which are soft enough to not damage the discs. They create friction, slowing down the vehicle.

When everything is working fine, your car will slow down predictably time and again. There are some signs of trouble you should always be on the lookout for, because having your brakes go out or even work in a diminished way is never an enjoyable experience.

Brake Fade

You might notice that it’s necessary to push down on the brake pedal further than usual to get the car to slow down or stop. This is called brake fade, and it can happen gradually, so you might not even realize what’s going on for some time. When you do, that’s a sign that something could be wrong. The brake fluid might be low, making it necessary to push the pedal further, the brake pads could be worn down, or both.

Check Your Brake Fluid Levels

Checking the brake fluid is easy enough to do by yourself, if you’re so inclined, or our technicians can look over all your fluids at once to be safe. They also can read the thickness of your brake pads quickly, telling you if they need to be replaced, or are getting close to the point that they will need to be swapped in the near future.

Brake Maintenance Simplified - T3 AtlantaOne possible reason for low brake fluid is a leak. It could be present anywhere in the system, which runs throughout the undercarriage. Tracking down a leak can be tricky for someone who doesn’t have the right equipment, experience or training, which is where our techs come in. Ignoring the problem can make it worse, putting you and anyone riding in the car at risk.

Turn Down Your Music and Listen To Your Brakes

You should regularly turn down your music and maybe even roll down the windows while driving. Pay attention to any noise coming from the wheels when you apply the brakes. A squealing sound might be the indicator or a metal shim in the pads. Its job is to warn you when the pads have become thin enough they need to be changed. Hearing the squealing once in a while can be normal, thanks to temporary rust or road debris buildup, but if you notice it regularly that’s a sign to have the brakes checked.

Grinding and Growling Sounds

Grinding or growling when you push on the brake pedal is even worse. This can indicate the pads are completely worn, with the discs and calipers rubbing against each other. If that’s the case, you might need new discs and pads.

Brake Pedal Vibrations

Vibrations when you push on the brake pedal can indicate that you need new discs. The heat generated by braking can warp the metal. It’s possible the sensation is from unbalanced tires or other symptoms, which is why it’s a good idea to have a tech look at the car.

Pulling To One Side

Finally, your car might pull to one side or the other when you brake. This can be from the pads wearing unevenly, which might indicate other problems that should be addressed immediately. The problem can also be triggered by debris in the brake fluid, making it necessary to have the system drained and refilled.

T3 Atlanta For Brake Maintenance and Repairs

If you have concerns about your brakes, or any other part of your car, remember that T3 Atlanta is here to help. Our technicians are highly trained professionals that can quickly and accurately pinpoint the cause of problems, saving you time and money. Contact us today or stop by so we can get started.

Filed Under: Auto Repair, Car Tips

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In 1994, our founder, Charles Wright, wanted to leave the corporate/professional environment and start his own company. After months of reading business planning books, he decided to establish an auto service company. He recalled reading that auto repair people were the first or second least trusted group of people among service providers, and Charles wanted to provide Atlanta car owners with a trustworthy auto repair shop. He learned how the service business was structured, and opened T3 Atlanta to offer customers an affordable and efficient service company. To learn more about Lexus, Infiniti, Toyota, and Nissan auto repairs at T3 Atlanta, please contact our office!

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