MDP Diesel & Auto Blog: Maintenance & Repair Tips for Your Vehicle

Do you get grumpy about preventive maintenance for your vehicle? Lots of car owners do, so you’re not alone. But the problem with that is that preventive maintenance can solve a lot of problems for you before they’re actually problems. Here’s more information from MDP Diesel & Auto to help you prioritize preventive maintenance.  Routine Services Need to Be Done Consistently Your car needs consistent care in order to continue to run efficiently. The routine services recommended in the car’s owner’s manual are all pieces that work together to keep the car’s engine in tip top shape. If you start to skip services or delay them, or worse yet forget them altogether, then the engine’s performance will suffer and other systems in the car will start to break down, too. By keeping up with preventive maintenance, you’re ensuring that everything continues to work well together. Problems Don’t Always Make Themselves Known There can be plenty of signs and symptoms of car trouble, but they aren’t always super obvious. In fact, sometimes there are problems with the engine or another system of the car and you have no clue at all until that part actually fails. When you take the car in for preventive maintenance, it’s much more likely that experienced auto technicians are able to notice something that isn’t quite right and let you know about it right then. That helps you to avoid a breakdown or an expensive repair. Emergencies Are No Fun at All And finally, do you enjoy dealing with emergencies? Most people really don’t. Emergencies take up a lot of time and energy and they can be incredibly expensive, too. If your car breaks down and you’re stranded, there’s the repair bill, there’s waiting around for a tow truck, and there’s probably a lot of time spent waiting for the repairs to be completed. None of that is enjoyable at all. With regular preventive maintenance, you’re better able to avoid emergencies and emergency repairs. And you’ll be far less likely to have to worry about getting stranded anywhere, too. Want some help getting back into the swing of thinking about preventive maintenance? MDP Diesel & Auto in Jackson, MI is happy to help. Call us today and we’ll help you to work out a maintenance schedule that works with your life and helps you to keep your car in the best possible condition for a long time to come. The post Three Reasons to Prioritize Preventive Maintenance appeared first on MDP Diesel.

Suspension trouble is a lot bigger issue than most car owners realize. Your vehicle’s suspension takes a lot of abuse, and eventually, some pieces can wear out. MDP Diesel & Auto has some advice about what to be on the lookout for regarding suspension trouble. Handling and Steering Issues How your car drives and how easy it is to steer is all part of what the steering and suspension systems do. When there are issues in the suspension system, you might find that your car is tougher to maneuver. You might even feel as if you’re having trouble steering the car or getting it to go exactly where you want it to go. All of this can be down to suspension trouble. Uncomfortable Ride But it’s more than just fighting the car. You might also find that the car just doesn’t feel good to ride in anymore, either. You might feel every single bump, even the smaller ones, as if the car doesn’t have any cushioning anywhere. The car might also be more “wobbly” than usual, seeming to bounce a lot. That’s definitely a suspension issue. New Noises You might also be hearing some new noises when your car hits a bump or when you make a turn. These noises might be clicking sounds, pops, or even squealing sounds that you only hear when you’re turning the car. Often these noises are coming from parts in the suspension that are failing. Getting them checked when you start hearing odd sounds can help you to avoid getting stranded somewhere. It Just Looks Wonky If you step back and look at the vehicle, does it look like one side or one corner is a little bit lower than the others? That could be because of a suspension issue. Failing shocks or other suspension parts can sink a bit or have trouble supporting the weight of the vehicle. That results in the vehicle looking off kilter, sometimes by a lot. You might feel that same corner sink down a lot more than the others when you press on it from outside the car. We can help with suspension issues, no matter what you’re driving. Give us a call at MDP Diesel & Auto in Jackson, MI. We’ll set up an appointment for you and help you to diagnose what’s going on with your vehicle’s suspension. Once we know what’s going on, we can give you an accurate recommendation about what to do next. The post Four Signs of Suspension Issues in Your Diesel Vehicle appeared first on MDP Diesel.

New tires might not be something that was on your radar just yet, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t need replacing. MDP Diesel & Auto wants you to know some of these big signs that you need new tires. You’re Feeling Vibrations While Driving Vibrations, when you’re driving, can be from a few different causes, but the easiest one to rule out is an issue with your tires. Other handling issues can help you to confirm that it’s your tires or find another answer. Pay attention to when the vibrations are the worst and don’t convince yourself that they will go away because they won’t go away on their own. The Sidewalls Have Taken Some Damage Take a closer look at the sidewalls of your tires. The tread does the heavy lifting, of course, but the sidewalls also have a lot to do with determining whether your tires are okay or not. The sidewall can end up with a variety of types of damage, including scuffs and scrapes that seem like they’re just on the surface, but are actually signs of deeper damage. The Treads Are Uneven or Excessively Worn You also want to check the tread. If the tread is starting to look completely worn, that’s not good news. It’s also bad news if the tread looks as if it’s wearing a lot more in some spots than it is in other spots. That’s an indication that there’s a problem elsewhere and the tire is just a symptom of that. You’re Airing the Tires up Too Often Are you finding yourself keeping track of all the spots where you can stop and throw some air in the tires? That’s not good news and it means that there’s something going on with your tires. Age can cause problems with air pressure, but there are other potential issues, like valve stem issues and even a slow leak from a puncture. They’ve Hit Their Upper Age Limit Do you know how old your tires are? If they’re getting close to the upper limit recommended by the tire manufacturer, it is probably time for a new set. Time really can fly, and before you know it, your tires may be getting too old to keep doing their job. Let MDP Diesel & Auto in Jackson, MI help you to determine what’s happening with your tires. We’ll thoroughly inspect your car’s tires and let you know what you need to know to make the best decision about replacing them now or waiting. The post Are Your Tires Ready for Replacement? appeared first on MDP Diesel.

When your car’s wheels aren’t properly aligned, you’re burning more gas and you’re chewing up your tires. None of that is good news. Here’s what MDP Diesel & Auto wants you to know about how your wheels end up out of alignment. Wrecks Getting into an accident creates big problems for your car in lots of ways. Just one of the possible issues you might have to deal with afterward is misaligned wheels. In fact, any time you get into an accident, even a small one, it’s a good idea to double-check that your wheels are properly aligned. Curbs Most drivers find that it’s easy enough to avoid curbs, but every once in a while a curb ends up closer than you might have expected it to be. It happens to everyone, but something you should know is that even a little bump like that can cause your wheels to end up a small bit out of alignment. Over time that adds up. Holes Between potholes and other road hazards, your tires and your wheels never really stand a chance, honestly. The potholes that you don’t know about are the worst because those sneak up on you and can be a lot worse because of that fact. It’s always a good practice to avoid even holes that look like they’re small, because they can be deeper than you think and may also have sharp edges. They can also collect sharp items in the bottom of the hole, which can puncture your tires. Bumps If curbs, holes, and wrecks play havoc with your wheel alignment, you know that bumps don’t do any favors, right? That’s definitely the case. If you head over speed bumps, or any bump really, too fast you’re likely to eventually see a big difference in your car’s wheel alignment. The reality is, though, that driving involves going over thousands and thousands of tiny bumps constantly, which is part of why your wheels always need proper aligning eventually. Lack of Maintenance All of this leads you straight into the fact that doing preventative wheel maintenance on a regular basis is the key to protecting both your wheels and your tires. Getting your alignment checked and adjusted on a routine basis makes sense and saves you money in the long run. Not sure what’s going on with your wheels? MDP Diesel & Auto in Jackson, MI can help. Give us a call and we’ll set up an appointment to take a closer look. The post How Did Your Wheels Get Misaligned? appeared first on MDP Diesel.

Your diesel truck puts in a lot of work every single day, and that takes a toll on the transmission. But how can you tell when the transmission is working too hard? MDP Diesel & Auto has some tips that can help you to recognize when you need to have your truck’s transmission checked. You’re Smelling Something Burning Failing transmissions often get too hot. And when that happens, you’re likely to smell it. There’s nothing quite like the smell of an overheated transmission, and if transmission fluid is leaking, too, that’s another layer of hot smells. The biggest reason that your transmission is likely to overheat is that the transmission fluid is too low, possibly because of a leak, or because the transmission fluid is too old. The Transmission Is Having Trouble Shifting Gears or Responding at All You rely on your diesel’s transmission to do its job so that your truck can keep doing its job. What you might notice happening instead is that the transmission isn’t properly responding, it’s having a tough time shifting gears, or you’re experiencing a lot of vibration that isn’t typical. All of these are signs that your truck’s transmission needs to be inspected. You’re Hearing Strange Noises from the Transmission Another symptom of transmission trouble is the noises you might be hearing from that area. Transmissions that are working properly operate smoothly. They’re well lubricated and all the gears move well and freely. A failing transmission is making a lot more noise, typically because parts don’t fit together the way that they should and they may not have the lubrication that they need. You’re Seeing the Check Engine Light on the Dash The worst problem with a failing transmission, besides the fact that the transmission is not working well, is how quickly that can affect your diesel truck’s engine. The check engine light is going to be your first indication that the transmission trouble you’re experiencing is getting much worse. Once you see the check engine light, that’s your sign that things are getting much more serious. If you’re noticing even one of these issues, it’s time to get your diesel’s transmission checked. Give us a call at MDP Diesel & Auto in Jackson, MI today. We’ll inspect the transmission and make sure that everything else is working properly. Once we’ve got the problem diagnosed, we can give you a plan for repairing the issues. The post How Can You Tell Your Diesel Truck Needs Transmission Repair? appeared first on MDP Diesel.

Did you know that your car’s transmission fluid can be different colors? The color of the transmission fluid can tell you a lot. But the bottom line is that if you’re seeing transmission fluid at all, you need to have your car’s transmission inspected right away. MDP Diesel & Auto has this information for you about your car’s transmission fluid. Red Brand-new transmission fluid is see-through and red in color. That’s what you’ll see as you pour it out of the bottle. Ideally, you’re not going to ever see a puddle of new red transmission fluid underneath your vehicle, because that means you’ve got a problem. Brand-new transmission fluid is perfectly able to lubricate the transmission parts and keep your transmission running well. Brown As the fluid hangs around for a little while and does its job, it picks up dirt and gunk in the transmission. It also starts to break down little by little. While that is happening, your transmission fluid slowly starts to turn brown. It also gradually fades from a clear, see-through fluid to one that is a little more opaque. This happens over time. Black  Eventually, there’s no more room for the transmission fluid to keep picking up anything. It’s also been keeping the transmission cool for a while, and that means it’s nearing the end of its usefulness. At this point, the transmission fluid is either really dark brown or black. You won’t be able to see through it and you might even be starting to experience some trouble with your car’s transmission. Pink The real problem can be if you see bright pink transmission fluid under your car. This means that water has somehow gotten into your transmission, which is seriously terrible news. Your car’s transmission is meant to stay a greasy, oily environment and water is not good for it by any stretch. If you do see pink transmission fluid underneath your car, it’s best not to drive your car so that you don’t damage the transmission any further than it already is. It’s also very likely that you have been having some trouble with the transmission by this point. Do you suspect that there’s something going on with your car’s transmission fluid? Let MDP Diesel & Auto in Jackson, MI take a look for you. We can inspect the entire transmission and let you know what we find. If your transmission does need repairs, you’ll know exactly what is necessary. The post What Do the Different Colors of Transmission Fluid Mean? appeared first on MDP Diesel.

Can you really do anything about your car’s gas mileage, or is that a number that’s predetermined by the manufacturer? MDP Diesel & Auto wants you to know that there’s a lot about gas mileage that is totally under your control. Slow Down a Little Driving fast can be a lot of fun, but it burns more gas. Sticking to the speed limit, or as closely as possible, is going to help you to get the most out of each gallon of gas. If you’re not sure this can help you, try tracking your gas mileage for a few days of slower driving and compare it to your mileage when you drive how you want to drive. Avoid Rapid Driving Changes Something else to consider is rapid driving changes, meaning jackrabbit starts and abrupt stops. These cause your car’s engine to work harder which burns more gas. Taking a calmer approach to how you drive can have a big impact on gas mileage. Watch What You’re Hauling If you drive a truck or SUV and tow other items, you already know how added weight can affect how hard your engine works and therefore your gas mileage. But did you know that this matters if you drive a sedan, too? Hauling around a lot of stuff in your car’s trunk adds weight and makes your car’s engine work harder.  Keep Tabs on Your Tire Pressure Tire pressure matters a lot for the lifespan of your car’s tires, but it also affects gas mileage. Lots of car owners are shocked to learn that, but it’s true. If your tires are underinflated by even a few pounds of air pressure, that can have a significant impact on your car’s fuel economy. Get Regular Oil Changes Oil serves a variety of purposes for your car’s engine. It keeps the engine clean and lubricated and it also helps to keep it cooler. All of those functions ensure that the engine is working at peak efficiency. When you skip or delay oil changes, that makes the engine work harder, which definitely contributes to poor gas mileage. Don’t Ignore Wheel Alignment When your car’s wheels are misaligned, that causes the tires to hit the road at a bad angle. Because of that, poor alignment creates drag on the tires instead of letting the tread meet the road straight on. And that causes gas mileage issues. Dealing with bad gas mileage and you don’t know why? Contact us today at MDP Diesel & Auto. We’ll help you to track down the problem and offer you solutions. The post How Can You Improve Your Car’s Gas Mileage? appeared first on MDP Diesel.

If you’re already a diesel engine lover you probably know all the reasons that diesel engines are better than gasoline engines. MDP Diesel & Auto wants to share with you some very specific reasons why diesel engines are a better choice overall.  Diesel Has More Power  Gasoline engines aren’t known for their towing power. When you really want something that can haul heavy items, you turn to diesel engines. That’s because diesel engines produce a lot more torque than gasoline engines do. That also means that diesel engines don’t just haul, they can maintain speeds while towing. Some of the most powerful engines in the world are diesel engines, and they do a lot of heavy lifting. Better Fuel Efficiency Gasoline engines have terrible fuel mileage when compared to diesel engines. That’s because diesel fuel is energetically denser than gasoline is, yielding sometimes 25 percent more miles per gallon than gasoline does. For drivers that rack up a lot of miles, particularly on the highway, diesel is the more economical choice. Diesel Fuel Is Less Volatile Gasoline is highly flammable, which makes it a scary substance to have around in certain circumstances. Diesel fuel, on the other hand, is a lot more stable than gasoline is. That means that it’s not as likely to combust in an accident and it’s easier to store outside of the vehicle as well. Diesel engines are also a little less picky about their fuel than gasoline engines are. Diesel engines can run on standard diesel fuel or on biodiesel fuels made from things like grease, vegetable oil, and more. Diesel engines can potentially recycle used oils into useable fuel. Diesel Engines Have Long Lifespans Diesel engines tend to have longer lives than their gasoline counterparts. They operate at a lower RPM than gasoline engines do, which means that there’s less wear and tear in general. Diesel engines also tend to have sturdier parts to begin with, including all of the valves and pistons. That means that diesel engines can handle more abuse in general. Need help making sure your diesel is in perfect running order? MDP Diesel & Auto in Jackson, MI would love to help. Contact us today and we can set up an appointment to schedule your next necessary maintenance. We can also quickly and professionally diagnose any issues you might be having with your diesel engine, getting you back on the road as fast as possible. The post Four Reasons Diesel Engines Are Better than Gasoline Engines appeared first on MDP Diesel.

If driving a diesel vehicle is a new experience for you, you might not know what to look for in terms of engine trouble. The check engine light is a big clue, of course, but it isn’t the only one. MDP Diesel & Auto wants you to be able to recognize these signs of trouble. Tough Starts When your diesel just won’t start or delays in starting, that’s frustrating. You trust that when you go out to fire up your car, SUV, or truck that it’s going to start right up. If you’re seeing hard start issues, there may be a variety of contributing factors that need to be addressed. Contaminated Fuel Your diesel has a fuel filter that helps to reduce fuel contamination, but there are still ways that the fuel can get contaminants in it. When that happens, you can have all sorts of engine problems, including some serious damage. You’ll probably see a check engine light letting you know that there’s a problem. Too Much Noise A diesel engine is naturally a bit louder than a gas-powered engine is. That’s something you might be used to already, though. When you want to be concerned is when you’re noticing that there is a lot more noise than usual and you’re hearing new sounds as well. Knocks, pings, and other unusual sounds really do need to be checked out. Excessive Black Exhaust Diesel engines do let out a bit more exhaust smoke than gas-powered vehicles do. Typically, that’s not a big issue. It does become an issue when you’re seeing big clouds of dark black exhaust. That usually means that there is a problem either with sensors or in the engine itself. Regardless, it needs to be looked at more closely. Damaged Glow Plugs Gas-powered engines use spark plugs, but diesel engines use glow plugs. When glow plugs burn out or they become damaged, they’re not able to get your diesel engine started. There are multiple glow plugs in the engine, so if one goes bad you might only experience small symptoms, like tough starts. Ignoring that for too long might mean that you end up facing a bigger problem. MDP Diesel & Auto in Jackson, MI can help you to sort out any diesel engine problems you’re having. Give us a call and we’ll set up an appointment for you as soon as possible so that we can diagnose what’s happening. The post Five Common Diesel Engine Problems appeared first on MDP Diesel.

Your car or truck walk a delicate line between producing the power necessary to do what you want it to do and remaining cool enough to function. If you’re experiencing overheating issues, MDP Diesel & Auto has these suggestions as to what might be causing the problem.  Head Gasket Issues The one problem you don’t want to have is an issue with your vehicle’s head gasket. This piece seals the space between the cylinder head and the engine block. Fluids that don’t need to be in the wrong area stay on their side because of this gasket. They fail occasionally, and that leads to almost instant overheating. If the temperature gauge suddenly pegs in the red area, you might be looking at a head gasket failure. Thermostat Trouble The thermostat in your vehicle’s engine has one very simple job. It opens when the temperature rises to a certain point and then it closes again when the temperature falls. This allows coolant to flow as needed in order to cool the engine properly. When the thermostat fails, as they sometimes do, it’s no longer doing it’s job and your vehicle is likely to start overheating rapidly. Low Coolant Levels Coolant does need to be topped up periodically. This is a liquid that travels through extremely hot areas and does evaporate a bit. Eventually old coolant burns up, which is another reason that flushing and refilling coolant periodically is an important service. Thankfully, coolant levels are usually easy to check because the reservoir is usually easy to spot and has a little bit of visibility to the contents. If the reservoir is empty, you need to top up. Leaks or Blocks in the Cooling System The entire cooling system for your vehicle’s engine consists of a variety of hoses and components. The water pump, the radiator, and the heater core can all spring leaks, losing essential coolant from the system. Beyond that, hoses can get brittle and spring leaks, too. If any of these same areas develop a blockage, that’s just as bad, if not worse. If you’re running into trouble with your vehicle overheating, let us help you troubleshoot the problem. Give us a call at MDP Diesel & Auto in Jackson, MI and we can set up an appointment to run some diagnostic testing. Once we know what’s wrong, we can give you a plan for getting back on the road without overheating. The post Why Is Your Vehicle Overheating? appeared first on MDP Diesel.