An air conditioner that is not working may be caused by a lot of reasons. It may be due to a leaky system, it may be overcharged, a plastic bag may be stuck inside the vent, a broken compressor belt, etc… Charging a leaky system will not only cause a more serious problem but may also cost you a lot of money and time for repairs. On the other hand, charging an aircon system excessively will cause the system’s cooling performance to deteriorate. AC systems that are not fully charged will be less efficient and will use up more fuel and will therefore damage the engine.

Determining what is causing the auto air conditioning system to malfunction is the first step the expert technicians do. If you suspect a leak in your system, major leaks should be found and repaired first before recharging the whole system. Below are what you will expect our service technicians will do to your car air conditioner:

1. The AC system’s efficiency will be tested using a temperature sensor. The sensor will then be inserted to the AC vent.
2. After that the technician will measure the temperature output and check which components work or not.
3. The pressure side of the system will be then connected to the recycling and recharging machine, high-pressure side then the low-pressure side of the system in that order.
4. The machine will retrieve the refrigerant and store it in the system. The whole AC system will run under a vacuum for about 30 minutes to check if there are leaks and to remove build up moisture inside
5. If everything goes well after that, the refrigerant will then be set upped to the system and will be topped off.
6. You can view the AC system through the glass window on the evaporator. If bubbles seem to be appearing on the sight glass or if the glass is not clear, there might still be trouble on your AC system.
7. The whole recharge process will only take an hour only.

Look for an auto repair shop that offers a complete air conditioning recharge service. The recharging process also includes cleaning up the AC system to clear it from accumulated bacteria as a result, unpleasant odor is eliminated.  They will make sure that your system has enough coolant, leak-free, and that the hoses, pipes and seals are in a complete functioning condition.

Drop by at Kar Automotive today and get a quality and reliable car air conditioner repair and service at a low cost! Contact us today at 616-241-9046.

1. You auto mechanic will initially check if your vehicle has a single or dual exhaust system. By doing so, it will help him know the number of inlets needed for your muffler. Your exhaust measurement also is an important factor in choosing the right muffler for your vehicle as you need it to match your existing exhaust measurement. Another consideration is the muffler’s measurement and its right clearance where it will be placed. Having the right length, right size of casing, right shape with the proper security to hold it in place, it will surely fit inside the vehicle’s exhaust system.
2. After inspection, the mechanic will let you choose the style of muffler you wish to have installed in your vehicle. There are three different muffler styles. Each of which have their own advantages and disadvantages.
• Turbo mufflers – use pierced tubes. A more restricted design as some may say due to its S-shaped pattern of guiding the gases to travel through a series of tubes which is way better in reducing the noise it produces.
• Straight-Through mufflers – a straight perforated pipe made of fiberglass casing which is wrapped in a material that absorbs sound that is designed to allow maximum flow of sound. It is a popular choice for sports car and custom-made cars which are used for racing.
• Chambered mufflers – this type uses a number of chambers inside the system which have the function to cancel each other’s sound waves causing a lessening of noise production. The reduction of noise or sound vibrations emitted depends mainly on the number and size of chambers the system has.
3. Another major consideration is the build of the muffler. Since mufflers functions are to take in force, to handle high pressure gases and to stand firm against rust, it needs to be built tough to handle these kinds of things. Mufflers, normally has a 3-layer body, an outside casing, an inner casing and a protective layer in between. The muffler is usually made of:
• Stainless steel – an expensive kind of muffler but it gives a better fighting against corrosion and can last for a very long time. To be sure that you get the best, long-lasting, most efficient type of muffler, be sure to choose the stainless steel type. They may not be the discount mufflers that you are looking for because it can be very expensive but rest assured that it can save you from efficiency and durability worries.
• Aluminized steel – less expensive than stainless steel mufflers and are also found to be less efficient.

Mufflers’ job may be simple however mufflers perform a diverse task. Mufflers differ in style, system, built, dimension and performance. Depending on design or style, a muffler uses a mixture of perplex chambers, perforated tubes and sound reduction components and materials to do their job accordingly. Makers of car parts and accessories put together these components in various ways to produce a variety of exhaust tones. Us, consumers, our main goal is to find less expensive and if possible, discount mufflers that are in good working condition to suit our vehicle’s sound reduction needs. To help you choose the right muffler for your car, seek a professional auto mechanic’s help.

Drop by at Kar Automotive today and get a quality and reliable muffler replacement at low cost! Contact us today at 616-241-9046.

Earsplitting and odd sound that’s coming from the muffler indicates that there is a hole in your car’s exhaust system or in the event that you lost the engine’s power, the muffler is probably congested. Your car should undergo muffler repair or replacement if:

• The muffler’s exterior is covered with stain, rust or dirt.
• If it makes a very loud, hissing or unnerving noise.
• If when tapped, the inner barrier rattles.
• If the muffler’s noise becomes louder and louder.

A broken muffler permits the exhaust to enter the passenger compartment area. The best option is to bring your car to a certified automobile mechanic for an inspection and muffler repair. A professional auto mechanic will:

1. Check if your vehicle has the right muffler installed for your car model. Muffler noise can be significantly lessened by using the muffler that matches your car.
2. Check the exhaust system if there are dirt, stain, rust, debris or anything that may be the cause of those irritating noise from the mufflers. He will also check if there are loose pipes or leaks.
3. Will then check if the exhaust hangers or muffler straps are connecting the muffler to the end of the vehicle. Sometimes, noises come from broken muffler straps. If the straps are broken, the mechanic will replace it.
4. After inspection, the engine will be turned on to know what kind of noise the muffler is making.
5. From there, the mechanic will decide what to do and carry on with muffler repair for your vehicle.

The amount of noise the muffler emits depends upon the kind of engine and exhaust system that is installed in your vehicles. To reduce the noise in your exhaust system, the mechanic may do the following:

1. He may install a wrap around on the muffler and pipes that are in high-temperature to diminish the vibrations that may go through the exhaust to the cabin.
2. He may repair the leaks, if he happens to find one.
3. He may install a sound humidifier pads at the metal surfaces inside the vehicle (between the carpets and door covers) or a resonated exhaust tip that is made of fiber glass which will be placed at the tip of the exhaust system to reduce the sound vibrations entering and exiting the vehicle.
4. If the muffler cannot be repaired, he may suggest a replacement for a new set of mufflers.

The best way to eliminate that irritating muffler noise coming from your vehicles is to have it inspected and repaired by a professional.

Drop by at Kar Automotive today and get a quality and reliable muffler repair service at low cost! Contact us today at 616-241-9046.

How to know when your vehicle needs a tire replacement ? When deciding to have your tires replaced, you need to be cautious of these following things:

1. Watch out for the tread wear. The tread’s function is to avert water from underneath the tires to improve grip. We need to watch out for tread wear as it may cause our safety. When our tires tread are worn, the vehicle cannot have a good grip on the road and may react inadequately in bad weather such as rain and snow.
• Using a penny, you can test if your tires are still good or if it needs to be replaced. First, place a penny upside down, at the thickest part of your tire’s tread. You have to make sure that the coin if facing you. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head or his hair, a tire replacement is deemed needed because this means that your tires are already worn out and shallow. However, if Lincoln’s hair is not visible, your tires do not need to be replaced yet.
2. Our tires’ exposure to different kinds of elements such as heat and ultraviolet rays emitted by the sun can cause much damage to our tires, too. Tires that have cut, cracks, blisters, or damaged caused by road hazards should be replaced immediately for it will weaken the tire’s internal structure and exposing it more will lead to a more serious breakdown. Have your tires checked regularly to make sure it can still carry out its utmost performance.
3. Another important thing to watch out for is the tire’s age. Tires should be cautiously inspected once in a while to check if they are still in good condition and if there are underlying damages.

• Tires which have been used for more than six years should be replaced as it may not be as serviceable as before.  Most tire manufacturers recommend having tire replacement every six years to 10 years the most as it is the tire’s legal wear limit. It is best to check your tires manufacturer’s recommendations.

You are responsible for every tire that is installed on your vehicle. Using wrong sized tires for your vehicles can lead to an accident or much worse, death. The things listed above are only guidelines. For more information on tire sales, tire repair and other car care services, please contact us at 616-241-9046. Our technicians will take good care not only of your tires but your whole vehicle as well.

Wheel alignment

A wheel alignment consists of adjusting the wheels so that they are parallel to each other as they are vertical to the ground. There are several reasons why your cars get misaligned. Your vehicles lose its alignment may be because of these following reasons:

1. When you accidentally bump into a concrete stall.
2. When you accidentally hit a curb as you drive.
3. When you accidentally drive through pot holes.
4. Worn tires can cause wheel misalignment as well.

When a car is out of alignment, the usual signs are:

1. Drifting away from the straight line.
2. Roving on a straight level road.
3. It has jagged or uneven tire wear.
4. The spokes of the steering wheel seems to be heading towards one side while on a straight and level road.

Wheel alignment checks are recommended by most vehicle manufacturers whenever suspension, steering or front wheel drive parts are replaced or during every oil change. It is also recommended most especially if new tires are installed or if customers suspect tire wear on one side of a tire. The type of alignment to be performed is usually restricted ahead of the adjustments to be made on a particular vehicle as well as the automotive repair shop’s capabilities and equipments.

Here at our Kar Automotive shop we offer wheel alignment services to cater to all of your alignment needs. Our services include:

Alignment Check-up and Process

• Our alignment experts first inspect your vehicles’ steering and suspension systems then the tires’ conditions along with air pressure.
• Our experts will put your vehicle on the alignment rack then mount the sensors on your vehicles. With our new computerized alignment system, it can diagnose your vehicles alignment problem in no time.
• After diagnosis, the initial alignment reading will be printed.
• According the initial reading, with the help of our modern equipment, our technician will now perform the installation and adjustments to the caster, camber and toe angles according to the manufacturers specifications  and the needed correction will be done quickly and practically without errors.
• The final alignment readings will then be printed out to verify if the alignment performed is within requirement for the vehicle.
• The final step will be the road test drive to make sure that the settings have been performed properly.

However to perform a proper alignment, it is essential to adjust all of the four tires together. Gone are the days of two-wheel-only alignment. In this day and age, vehicles are more advanced. You need to maintain all your wheels’ performance, not just the front wheels. All the wheels must be working with one another. Your vehicle must be properly aligned to protect your tires and to stay away from harmful effects of poor alignment. For more info or to schedule a free estimate of your Wheel Alignment needs, contact the ASE Certified mechanics at Kar Automotive today! 616-241-9046

You’re ready to go – straight to Kar Automotive today – start your summer out right!  Contact us today or stop in for your automotive needs!

There are a series of questions in diagnosing engine problems, that when answered with diagnostic testing, can provide the path to the solution.  You may not be able to speak to your car’s diagnostic system in the language necessary, but the state of the art diagnostics software used today by repair experts can do this!  However, the onboard computer system will tell you when something is wrong – you will get a message on your dashboard via a lighted character message.  It may be something as simple as “check engine.”  I don’t know about you, but if it were me, I’d be thinking – oh, really?!  Exactly what do I check?!

There are numerous parts that can go wrong when you are getting the “check engine” message, and you need to be aware that when this light comes on, you had best get it checked by a reliable automotive repair shop.  You do not want to disable your car by ignoring this signal.  When engine diagnostics are run, they will narrow down the problem, which is usually a problem with emissions, causing the “check engine” light to go on.   There are several federal regulations also which govern what needs to be done to control emissions, so it is essential to get your car engine checked out to ensure it continues to run smoothly and within regulatory guidelines.

A reputable company like Kar Automotive will carefully go over with you what the diagnostic testing has shown, and what needs to be done to keep your car running safely and smoothly – both factors enter in to the repair needed.  Cost of the fix will also be discussed.  If you are indicating that the “check engine” light did come on once or twice, but it hasn’t in a few car runs, your auto repair expert should advise you that there still could be a problem and it should be seen.

Don’t leave your engine health to chance – see the experts – call or stop in to Kar Automotive today – and you will get answers and quality, reliable service at low cost!  Contact us today! 616-241-9046

First, you look at the overall condition of the used tire – what meets the eye as you look the whole tire over. To be sure – you have to know what to look for, and a reputable dealer like Kar Automotive of Grand Rapids knows exactly what to purchase in the way of used tires for their loyal customers.  They know that you have to look at the evenness of the tread – and make sure the tire is not unevenly worn.  Tires that have an even tread pattern will not only give you more efficiency on the road, but also a longer tire life.  Tires that have been put on cars that have suspension or alignment issues may well cause the tread to be worn unevenly.  You certainly want to question whether a tire has had repairs, also, and inspect for any damaged area.  Scalloping on the edges of the tire treads can also be a danger signal, as tires with this damage are going to make for a noisier ride and not handle as reliably.

Last but not least is in buying used tires can you rely on the benefit of expert automotive technicians to mount and align the used tires correctly? This is a sure benefit of buying from a reputable automotive dealer such as Kar Automotive, as they will get the balance and alignment perfect every time, and extend the life of your “like new” tires.  Call us – and we’ll be there for you!  616-241-9046!