Automotive Service Warning Lights That Your Vehicle Needs Automotive Repair!

Paying close attention to your vehicle’s warning lights is one of the surest ways to know whether your vehicle needs a minor automotive service, or a more extensive automotive repair. The dashboard lights are color-coordinated according to the severity of the warning (i.e., yellow is caution, red is serious). Each time you start the car, all of the lights and indicators appear as the car’s computer checks each system. When the lights go out, the computer has verified that each of the vehicle’s systems is functioning properly.

If an indicator light remains on several minutes after the car has been started, or if it comes on while driving the car, you should be concerned about it. You will want to treat all dash warning lights like traffic signals.
The two basic kinds of warning lights; Yellow and Red, are further described below:
Yellow Warning Lights –

On most cars, a yellow “Service Engine Soon” light means “proceed with caution.” Your car’s computer system has indicated a potential problem and is alerting the driver.

The computer system is capable of correcting some minor abnormalities, but if the light continues to come on after multiple car starts, it is telling you that you need to consult a technical manual and/or schedule an automotive service. If the light comes on while you are driving but doesn’t come back on again, the computer system probably corrected the problem without any further intervention.
Common problems that may cause the “Service Engine Soon” light to come on are:

* computer-related problems, such as faulty sensors
* anti-lock brake systems
* safety restraint systems, such as air bags
* emissions components

Red Warning Lights –

A Red Warning light indicates an immediate danger to your car and you should immediately pull over and turn off the car. Whatever caused the red light to come on can be a safety issue (i.e., brakes), so proceed with caution as you maneuver to stop the vehicle.

Unfortunately, when the red light comes on, the problem is already occurringthis is NOT a pre-warning. It can be a matter of seconds before permanent engine damage occurs. Call for road-side assistance for automotive repair.
Problems that normally cause red warning lights are:

* low oil pressure
* engine over-heating
* brake failure
* transmission over-heating
* low battery voltage.

Like smart phones, vehicles these days are ‘smart’ and are continuously monitoring the performance of your vehicle.

For professional automotive service, contact our ASE-certified technicians at A&C Automotive & Machine by calling 651-674-4733, or go online at http://aandcautomotive.com for more information. Since 1985, our auto center has served vehicle owners in North Branch, MN, and in the surrounding areas of Harris and Stacy, MN.

Maha Usa Manufacturer Of Innovative Automotive Lifts

Vehicle repair shops can be a lucrative business opportunity, especially in today’s difficult economic times, when new cars seem to be endlessly going up in price and older models need to be fine-tuned as often as possible in order to keep them in optimal condition. To undertake those auto repairs, mechanics need vehicle-lifting equipment to be able to assess the vehicle and decide what sort of repairs will be necessary.

When mechanics search for lifting equipment they can trust, they choose MAHA USA because they know that this leading manufacturer of automotive lifts has an impeccable record when it comes to safety testing. As an innovator within the mechanical engineering industry, MAHA USA has helped to create automotive vehicle lifts that exceed both client and industry expectations.

Based on an extensive background of forty years in the mechanical engineering industry, MAHA USA has developed a reputation for quality. Their subsidiaries and dealers across 130 countries worldwide provide customers with their expert brand of vehicle testing and maintenance equipment and play a key role as a contract partner in the development, planning and execution of country-specific test concepts.

Having the right size lifting equipment is imperative to having a well run vehicle repair shop. At MAHA USA, you will find an impressive collection of automatic lifts that suit your company’s individual needs. For example, you may wish to select from their exemplary collection of two post automotive lifts, which includes the HL Freedom 10,000. This outstanding piece of equipment offers the user 10,000lbs of lifting capacity and features an automatically engaging single lock release system on each column, for the pinnacle in safety and strength.

This exceptional manufacturing company also offers automotive lifts for heavy-duty vehicles such as large trucks. Among their extensive collection of innovative lifting equipment, they offer mobile column lifts that can lift vehicles weighing up to 144,000 pounds. These mobile column lifts are the perfect tool for any automotive or heavy-duty repair shop. In addition, due to MAHA USA’s dedication to safety, their mobile column lifts are not built simply to pass ALI certification standards, but to supersede those standards and guarantee unmitigated safety for repair shop usage. Clearly, MAHA USA is the best choice for automotive and heavy duty lifts that surpass every expectation.

Because of their unrelenting dedication to customer service, MAHA USA will work directly with you to discuss what sort of equipment will suit your facility. They can offer you suggestions in terms of size and structure, as well as discuss with you the technical details of the equipment so that you are given a complete picture when choosing from the company’s vast collection of superior automotive lifts and vehicle repair equipment.

MAHA USA equipment is ideal for a variety of automotive businesses. From auto repair to service centers and dealerships, MAHA USA has the right equipment for your facility. So why wait? Go to MAHA USA today and find out how they can help your business to speed past the competition.

About MAHA USA:

With subsidiaries and dealers in over 130 countries, MAHA USA is one of the world’s leading providers of systems for vehicle testing and maintenance. For more information, please go to Maha-usa.

How to install throw over saddlebags on your motorcycle

This article specifically for Harley Davidson Sportster motorcycles it also applies other motorcycles

We sell a great line of quality bargain priced motorcycle saddlebags in various styles that fit a huge number bikes. About once a day I get an email asking about fitting the bags on a specific bike.

Before we start let’s make sure they will fit:

Let’s assume you are interested in some of my great leather throw-overs that measure: 14″ WIDE X 7″ THICK X 11″ TALL

This means that each bag is 14 inches long (measured horizontally), seven inches thick and 11 inches tall (measured vertically)

First Measure from the top of your pipes or chain (if the chain is unguarded), whichever is higher, to the bottom of your seat. You need 12 inches, if the dimension is any less don’t buy the bags they are too tall. Don’t worry about the shocks. Throw overs go over the shocks.

INSTALLING YOUR SADDLEBAGS

1. Remove your seat. Most Sportster motorcycle seats are removed by unscrewing the Philips head screw located at the rear of the seat. Slide the seat forward while lifting up slightly to detach the keyhole bracket from the seat post. Then slide the seat to the rear to detach the seat tongue from the rear tank bracket. The process is the same for solo and two-up seats.

2. The yoke is the part of the bags that fits under the seat. Unlace the yoke, position both bags in the location you want them to stay. Overlap one side of the yoke over the other. Using a marker, mark where the yoke lays over any obstructing hardware and the outline of outer edge of the upper yoke where it overlaps the lower wing of the yoke. Note: The saddlebags typically lay over the shocks. Some saddlebags are supplied with an additional yoke extender to be used with extra -wide bikes. This is typically not needed.

3. Lay the bags out flat, place the yoke over a piece of wood, telephone book or something similar. Line the marks up that you made in step 2. The existing holes work for the vast majority of motorcycles.

If the holes don’t line up, use an awl, ice pick or drill and make about six holes through both pieces of the yoke. Use the piece of leather strip to lace them together.

NOTE: On most motorcycles it is not necessary to make new holes. Some combination of the existing holes should fit.

4. Place the saddlebags on your bike. Reinstall the seat. Use the lower tie downs to secure the bottom of the bags.

5. Give your bike a final safety check. Make sure the seat and saddlebags are secure and the bags cannot come in contact with your wheel, spokes, belt or chain.

As always don’t stab, slice, fold, spindle or mutilate yourself while using sharp instruments!

Winkler Automotive Wins Prestigious Customer Service Award

George Winkler’s goal of providing the area with the most complete and trusted independent automotive repair shop when he opened the doors to Winkler Automotive in 1982 was validated once again with the recent awarding of the “Excellence In Customer Service Award” from the Washington, Maryland, Delaware Service Station and Automotive Repair Association (WMDA).

The prestigious honor, from the region’s primary trade association for the industry, was bestowed upon Winkler and his staff at the organization’s recent Annual Convention & Mega Show in Ocean City, Md.

“This is the biggest honor we have received since we opened 30 years ago, and we couldn’t be more thrilled and proud with the recognition,” said Winkler. “We know the type of customer service we provide, and this is our No. 1 mission, but to be recognized for it is very special, and a tribute to our magnificent staff.”

The honor even attracted interest from Maryland state comptroller Peter Franchot, who personally wrote Winkler a note of congratulations, which read in part “you must be pleased that your work and professionalism have been recognized with this prestigious award.”

Franchot went on to add “you are making a significant contribution to our great state of Maryland and I thank you. As Maryland’s chief regulator of motor fuel and tax collector, I understand the countless contributions that your industry provides to our state and its families.”

Winkler Automotive, located in Gaithersburg at 401 East Diamond Avenue, is AAA approved, and all its technicians exceed rigorous standards to be ASE certified. And Winkler Automotive performs maintenance and repair service on all makes and models, including European, American and Japanese cars, trucks, SUVs, vans and minivans, along with extended warranty work on all.

The Washington, Maryland, Delaware Service Station and Automotive Repair Association, (WMDA) was established in 1937 as a trade association serving independent business men and woman of service stations, repair facilities, convenience stores, and other related businesses. WMDA provides automotive and management educational training programs throughout the year for owners, managers and technicians with the primary objective of innovating and educating.

The WMDA award now hangs proudly in the waiting room of Winkler Automotive, and also serves as a reminder to the Winkler staff of its commitment to customer service.

“I always stress to my staff to put themselves in our customer’s shoes,” noted Winkler. “People trust us, and when it comes to having your car serviced, that’s most important.”

About Winkler Automotive
Winkler Automotive of Gaithersburg is an AAA approved and ASE certified auto repair shop now celebrating its 30th year. Since 1982, Winkler Automotive has been committed to providing the best, most honest and most reliable car care service in the area, offering customers complete satisfaction and one-stop shopping, as well as an alternative to expensive dealerships. Winkler Automotive performs maintenance and repair service on all makes and models, including European, American and Japanese cars, trucks, SUVs, vans and minivans, while extended warranty work is also accepted. For more information and web specials, visit www.WinklerAutomotive.com, or call (301) 258-2774 and ask for owner George Winkler.

Maintain Your Vehicle Working Nice With Scheduled Automotive Service

Automotive providers are part of a automotive proprietor’s life. There are quite various auto service procedures that are obtainable in varied automotive restore shops in Brandon, Florida. These automotive services might be categorised into two: automobile repair and automobile diagnostic services.

Automotive diagnostic companies is an auto service that can be a type of preventive car maintenance. Routine diagnostic procedures contain checking the completely different elements of the car to see if they’re still of their optimum condition. That is important in order that if something must get replaced, it’s changed immediately earlier than causing any major car problems.

Three of a very powerful car elements that ought to routinely endure diagnostics are transmission, brakes, and engine.

Transmission refers back to the gearbox. Nonetheless, some mechanic personnel the term to confer with the gearbox, clutch, and shafts as a group. Transmission is what provides the automotive pace and power. It has the flexibility to reduce the engine pace to slower wheel speed whereas growing energy within the process. The transmission is accountable in shifting automobile gears so any issues concerning transmission would require major automotive repair.

The engine, on the other hand, is the motor used to burning gasoline and convert the energy to mechanical motion. It’s an inside combustion engine which burns gas and use the produced hot gases for generating power. Most engine configurations are focused on increasing combustion effectivity and engine power. If one thing is improper with a automobile’s engine, the automotive is normally left to a car restore shop for quite a few days to get it fixed.

Lastly, automobile brakes are the gadgets used for stopping automobile motion. There are various kinds of car brakes, but all of them work for the same purpose. They’re one of the important safety characteristic of any vehicle. Brakes diagnostics is concerned with elevated increase of brakes in addition to brake restore and replacement.

On the subject of automotive restore, in style automotive companies embody AC restore and collision repair. Particularly for outdated autos, ac units usually are not working as easily as before. They constantly needs some parts to be replaced. Auto ac models absorbs warmth inside the automotive and expels it exterior so it’s a necessity particularly throughout summer. Auto ac items differ based on automobile fashions so it’s better if a mechanic is consulted before doing anything.

Collision restore, on the other hand, is part of auto body work and body work services. Collision repairs are performed for dented vehicles attributable to accidents or road mishaps. You can do these car repairs by yourself however they are such a meticulous process so it is much really useful for those who seek skilled help. Automotive repair services akin to these require sure abilities, techniques, and tools. There are individuals who had been skilled to specialize in such issues, so allow them to do their job. Simply just be sure you transact enterprise with a good automotive repair store that has aggressive costs in trade for prime quality work.