Friday, July 29, 2011

Your Vehicle's Transmission


View more presentations from paccauto

Know Your Car


Knowing and understanding your car is the first step towards increasing the life of your car. The second step is choosing a mechanic and staying with that shop. The final step is understanding the importance of preventative maintenance.

It is important to know your car. If you pay attention to your vehicles running habits, you will be able save gas, increase the life of your vehicle, and save money on costly repairs.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Common Questions About Your A/C System

What happens if I continue to use my AC even if it is not working properly?
If your car's cooling system is not working properly, heat can destroy your car's engine.


Water drips underneath my car when I use my AC. Is this normal?
This is a normal thing to happen.

A musty odor comes out of my A/C vents at times. Can anything be done about this?
When an air has mildew odor comes out the car air conditioning vents this indicates that the car air conditioning system has a drain pan problem. The evaporator drain pan is not draining properly and the reason is that there is clog somewhere the drain hose. 


My car's A/C system seems to cool intermittently and I hear a clicking on and off from underneath the hood. What does this mean?
Noise from the compressor usually means the compressor is on its way out. But noise can also be caused by cross-contaminated refrigerant (operating pressure too high), air in the system or the wrong type of compressor lubricant. Noise can also be caused by hoses or other parts rattling against other components in the engine compartment.


I have an older car that still uses R-12 or freon refrigerant. Does it make sense to switch it over to R-134a?
As long as the A/C system has no leaks and it cooling normally, there is no need to convert from R12 to the new "ozone safe" R134a refrigerant. But if your A/C system has lost its charge because of a leak, collision damage, or the need to open it to replace a compressor, hose or other component, you may have to convert from R12 to R134a when you recharge the system.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Don't get Stranded on Foot...

Extreme heat can ruin a mediocre cooling system. Come into PACC Automotive before 36,000 and have the BG cooling service performed at regular service intervals based on the manufacturer's suggested service intervals and get a lifetime guarantee on your cooling system.

Manufacturers use DEXCool. This is the most common formulation of antifreeze. It is green in color and orange in color in the after market world. This coolant uses ethylene glycol as a base with anti-corrosion additives mixed in. The ethylene glycol part of the formula provides crucial anti-freezing characteristics and the additives deliver the anti-rust and anti-corrosion capabilities.

Check your owner's manual for antifreeze usage specifications. Antifreeze, when mixed at a 50/50 ratio with water, provides excellent anti-freeze, anti-boil, and anti-corrosive properties. Come into PACC Automotive today and get your cooling system checked out. Remember preventive maintenance is cheaper than a major repair.