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3 Tips to Help You Handle a Battery Indicator Light

Electrical power plays an important role in the function of modern automobiles. The battery and alternator are the two primary components that work together to generate electrical energy. The battery stores the electrical energy created by the alternator, and this energy is used when starting your vehicle or powering accessories while the ignition is off.

If the battery indicator light is illuminated on your vehicle’s dash, this could mean that your car is running solely on the electrical energy stored inside the battery.

Don’t ignore your battery indicator light. If you don’t have an experienced mechanic diagnose the problem immediately, you may find yourself stranded on the side of the road with a vehicle that won’t start.

1. Complete a Charge System Check

The first thing you should do when you see your battery indicator light illuminated is complete a charging system check. This check will allow you to determine the status of your vehicle’s charging system.

Each time you move your key between the on, off, and run positions in the ignition, the charging system runs a self-check. You will see the battery indicator light illuminate for a few seconds while this self-check takes place.

If the charging system is working properly, the light will turn off automatically after a few moments. If the light remains illuminated, then the charging system has detected a problem that will need the attention of an experienced mechanic to repair.

2. Conserve Electrical Energy

Once you have determined that the battery indicator light is staying illuminated, you need to immediately conserve any electrical energy in your vehicle. This means turning off all non-essential accessories that are powered by the charging system.

Don’t use your air conditioner or heater. Turn off the radio and make sure all interior lights are in the off position. Disable your headlights if you are driving during the day. Unplug your cell phone from its charger.

By cutting the power to these accessories, you can reserve as much electrical energy as possible to power your vehicle’s engine. This will allow you to drive to your local repair shop safely before your vehicle completely runs out of electrical energy and the engine dies.

3. Check Your Temperature Gauge

You might not think that your charging system and the temperature inside your engine bay are related, but problems with the alternator can spell disaster for your vehicle’s engine as a whole.

The alternator and water pump share a belt in many modern vehicles. If the alternator (a critical component in your charging system) is no longer working, the belt on the water pump might not be working either. This will cause the water pump to shut down completely.

The water pump circulates cool liquid throughout the engine bay to help keep operating temperatures low. A temperature gauge on your dashboard will allow you to monitor the engine temperature at all times.

If you see the temperature gauge rising or notice that the temperature light is illuminated on your dash along with your battery indicator, stop driving your vehicle immediately. The continued operation might cause your engine to overheat, resulting in irreparable damage and the need to replace the engine along with any malfunctioning charging system components.

The battery indicator light serves a valuable purpose in helping you maintain the safety and performance of your car. You need to know what to do if the battery indicator light in your vehicle turns on so that you can avoid causing additional damage to the mechanical components in your car.

Contact White’s Automotive Center for help diagnosing and repairing problems related to your vehicle’s battery indicator light today.

My Car Stinks! Smells That Signal Your Car Needs Help

If your car develops an unusual odor, you may be tempted to overlook the smell, especially if your vehicle is running well and no indicator lights are illuminated on the dash. However, smells are often the first sign that something is awry when it comes to the health of your vehicle.

Odors can be subtle or strong, but all unfamiliar smells require a visit to an automotive center to prevent breakdowns or damage to your vehicle.

Hot Oil Odor

Oil leaks in vehicles often lead to a strong odor when motor oil comes in contact with a hot exhaust manifold. On top of the odor, you may notice drops of oil on your garage floor or driveway if your crankshaft is leaking. Some oil leaks may also cause the exhaust to smoke.

Rotten Egg Odor

The breakdown of your vehicle’s catalytic converter can cause the offensive smell of rotten eggs or sulfur. A catalytic converter that is functioning properly converts hydrogen sulfide from your engine’s exhaust into odorless sulfur dioxide. When the system fails, unburned fuel remains in the catalytic converter and produces a rotten egg or sulfur odor.

Musty Odor

A musty odor inside your vehicle may be caused by something as simple as moisture from spills or window leaks. However, a musty scent coming from your vents may mean you have mildew or mold residing in your air conditioning evaporator.

A musty odor that isn’t caused by spills or window leaks should be checked out, as mold can trigger allergy attacks in sensitive individuals or may even lead to respiratory issues and breathing difficulties.

Gasoline Odor

A slight gasoline odor after fueling your vehicle is normal, but the scent should fade within a few minutes. A gasoline smell that lingers or is strong can be a symptom of a fuel line problem, a fuel injector issue, or a fuel tank leak. Fuel leaks can be dangerous and may lead to fires if not remedied.

Burnt Odor

Problems with brakes can cause a strong burning carpet smell that may be constant or intermittent depending on the cause. You may notice this odor more when you are driving in town and applying the brakes frequently and less when driving on a highway. Brake-related odors may be caused by a dragging brake or worn brake pads.

A burnt toast odor may signal problems with components in the electrical system of your car. This smell can occur by short circuits or overheated insulation in the electrical unit of the vehicle. Any electrical issues should be addressed immediately to avoid possible fires.

Sweet or Syrupy Odor

While not as offensive as some car odors, a sweet or syrupy smell in your car may mean your cooling system needs servicing. A leaky radiator or radiator hose may cause this as well as a leak in the heating unit. These leaks can lead to your heating system failing or a dry radiator and shouldn’t be ignored.

Rubber Odor

If you smell burning rubber, it may mean a drive belt is slipping or a hose in the engine compartment has come loose and is resting on a hot engine component. Belts or hoses that are loose may be about to burst and can lead to unexpected breakdowns. If you smell burning rubber, you should have your vehicle’s hoses and belts inspected and replaced if necessary.

When you notice strange or unusual smells coming from your vehicle, it always warrants a visit to an automotive center for a diagnostic checkup. Unpleasant odors can alert you to mechanical failures that need to be addressed before you experience a breakdown.

Contact White’s Automotive Center to schedule an appointment to have your car’s unusual odors evaluated and keep your vehicle in top-notch running condition.

Smart Tips To Deal With High Humidity In Your Vehicle

Although Georgia may seem like the most humid state in the U.S., it actually ranks 17th with its 71.1- percent average relative humidity. While not the highest humidity, this is still pretty high. Here are a few tips to help you keep Georgia’s moisture from damaging your vehicle.

Know the Signs of a Moisture Problem

A car with excess moisture inside the cabin will most likely have foggy windows. Windows that are inside excessively humid cars can cloud up when the heat is turned on during cold seasons. Interior moisture can also freeze on the inside of windows during deep winter freezes.

Other signs that your car has a moisture problem include:

• Damp-feeling seats and carpet
• Sharp or musty smell
• Mildew or mold forming on carpets and/or seats
• Electronic issues
• Rust and corrosion of metal components

At 60 percent relative humidity, rust and corrosion are in their ideal breeding ranges. Your vehicle’s chrome, paint, and vital engine components may show signs of rust and corrosion when high humidity penetrates the metal.

Remove Any and All Wet Objects

Any moisture inside the car becomes condensed when exterior heat and the sun’s rays increase the temperature inside the vehicle. However, cars left sitting on both cold and warm days trap the humidity inside vehicles.

Routinely remove the following damp or wet items from your car in all seasons to lower the moisture levels inside:

• Damp swimsuits, towels, and clothes
• Wet umbrellas
• Damp outerwear and footwear
• Food and drink

Remember that an open can of soda or rotting apple is enough to cause moisture to condensate inside your car, so it’s important to remove excess items that can cause moisture buildup.

Air Out Your Car

Crack or roll down your vehicle windows on sunny, mild days. Air circulation helps remove moisture from the interior air. However, always ensure you close your windows completely when rain is in the forecast.

Roll down the windows when you drive to allow air to flow into your car or truck. Run the heater at the same time (if tolerable) to further dry out the vehicle. On cold days, run the AC for a bit after you have the vehicle toasty and warm. Your AC system can dehumidify air during both the winter and the summer.

You should also turn your climate control recirculating button or knob to the off position in humid environments. The recirculating feature keeps the same damp air recycling in your vehicle. When you turn the recirculating button off, you let fresh air enter the vents.

Clean and Inspect Vehicle Surfaces

If your car seats or carpets are damp from spills or rainwater, dry the fabric with a hairdryer. Keep the vehicle windows open as you dry the seats and carpet so moisture escapes the interior.

Gaskets on your trunk lid and windows should keep moisture out of the interior of your vehicle. If you’re having issues with moisture getting into your car, check your trunk and window gaskets for tears or missing places. Repair any openings in the rubber to prevent rainwater and moisture from entering your car.

You should clean any gunk and debris off the windows, window gaskets, and other interior components of your vehicle. Routinely wash dirt from the exterior of your car, too. Dirt attracts and holds moisture, so a cleaner car is a drier car.

Seek Help from an Auto Professional

If you believe humidity is affecting your vehicle’s wiring or corroding your vehicle’s components, seek help from a qualified auto mechanic. Serious issues with electronics or corrosion can be caught by the pros before significant damage occurs to your vehicle.

Your mechanic will likely check your air filter, heater, and other components to ensure there are no leaks coming into the car from bad or worn parts. They may also recommend products including dehumidifiers and auxiliary defrosters to help keep windows clear and the interior dry.

Get help with your vehicle’s humidity issues by contacting White’s Automotive Center today. Our full-service facility and ASE-certified mechanics can help you sort out humidity issues for a safer, more comfortable driving experience.

5 Factors To Consider When Choosing A Local Service Center

Everyone who owns a vehicle should have a local auto service center that they rely on for routine maintenance and unexpected repairs. Using the same place anytime a vehicle needs work helps mechanics get to know both a driver and their vehicle. If you don’t have a local service center, consider these five factors as you search for one in your area.

1. Where the Service Center is Located

First, consider how far the service center is from either your home or place of work. When you find a place close to where you frequent, it makes repairs and services a lot more convenient.

In an ideal situation, the center will be close enough that you can walk home or to work after dropping your vehicle off. With such close proximity, you don’t need to worry about getting a ride from someone else or borrowing a vehicle.

Often, a service center within walking distance isn’t available. If you don’t have one right next to your neighborhood or office, check places that are only a short drive away. Many people won’t mind giving you a short ride from the service center occasionally, but they may not want to spend a long time in traffic.

2. When the Service Center is Open

Second, check what hours the service center is open during a normal week.

For maximum convenience, look for a place that’s open beyond standard business hours during the week and at least one day on the weekend. Extended weekday hours let you drop your car off before work and pick it up afterward, and Saturday hours ensure you don’t have to wait the entire weekend for an emergency repair.

3. Whether the Service Center Has Rental Cars

Third, look for a service center that has rental cars available should you need one while your car is being worked on.

Even if you can normally get by without using another car for a little while, you never know when your vehicle might need extensive work and be unusable for an extended period of time. Should you find yourself in this situation, being able to rent a car will help you get around much easier while yours is in the shop. Few people can let someone else borrow their car for a long time.

4. Whether the Service Center Tows Vehicles

Fourth, find out whether the service center tows vehicles that are unsafe to drive. Many shops offer this service, but not all local ones do.

While you can hire another company to tow your vehicle to a shop, being able to call your service center for a tow when your vehicle breaks down is easier. You only need to contact one business rather than two, and you don’t need to worry about whether the tow truck driver knows how to get to your preferred shop or where the shop’s key drop is.

5. What Work the Service Center Does

Fifth, you want to look for a service center that does a wide array of automotive work. Since this is going to be your default shop to bring your vehicle to, you want them to handle both routine maintenance items and more advanced repair work. The most qualified shop will offer all of the following:

• Oil changes and fluid checks
• Tire and wheel sales and installation
• Brake inspections and replacements
• Transmission services and replacements

A comprehensive shop will probably offer many additional services besides these, but these are the basics that you should look for.

If you need an auto service center that does all of this, contact White’s Automotive Center to schedule an appointment for your vehicle.

Your Checklist for Optimal Fuel Economy: 6 Steps to Take

Have you noticed your vehicle’s gas mileage is suddenly not up to par? This poor fuel economy may be attributed to several factors. While some issues are easily fixable, others may require an automotive technician’s expertise. When trying to optimize your vehicle’s fuel economy, here are six things to consider and measures to take.

1. Check Your Car’s Air Filters

A dirty or clogged air filter may attribute to your poor gas mileage. If you haven’t had a professional check out your air filters, the time may be right to do so. Your service technician can easily change out your old dirty air filters with new ones. You may notice a difference in your gas mileage after the new air filters have been installed, so ask your technician about this.

2. Bring Your Vehicle In for a Tune-Up

Poor fuel economy may be a result of engine tune-up issues. The safe way to correct this is to consult your auto technician. A tune-up may be necessary. They may examine spark plugs and fuel injectors and replace parts as needed.

A tune-up should be a part of your routine vehicle maintenance, and your technician can inform you of how often this service should be done.

3. Assess Your Driving Habits

How fast do you tend to accelerate while driving? If you exert a lot of hard pressure on the pedal, this will require more fuel in order to accelerate. What is a simple solution?

Simply go lighter on the pedal and don’t accelerate too hard and too often. If you accelerate lightly, you may notice your vehicle’s fuel economy improves somewhat. Also, try to slow down by coasting rather than braking abruptly, and don’t rev the engine as this may also attribute to poor gas mileage. Idling the engine is another factor that may be a contributor to bad fuel economy.

As another helpful tip, try to maintain a consistent speed while driving. Doing so may help you conserve fuel. If your car is equipped with cruise control, you might want to use this option while driving on the highway.

4. Check the Air Pressure of Your Tires

Low air pressure in a vehicle’s tires is an easy fix, but this is often overlooked. If your car’s tires don’t have proper inflation, they need more fuel to move. Low air pressure in the tires wastes fuel, and in addition, may cause poor alignment. Check your owner’s manual for recommendations or consult your auto technician.

5. Use the Air Conditioning Sparingly

If you constantly run your car’s air conditioning, you will most likely notice a drop in gas mileage. While you may inevitably need to run the car’s air conditioning on very hot and humid days, turn it off when you don’t need it. Open the windows instead to conserve fuel.

6. Don’t Use Your Vehicle to Haul Cargo

Take heed of a simple rule and lighten up the load in your car for better gas mileage. If you load up your car with heavy cargo, the engine must work harder and use more fuel. Less weight in your car may improve your gas mileage.

By the same token, have a look at the roof of your car. Have you attached a roof rack or bicycle on top? Doing so also attributes to the weight and makes your tank guzzle more gas.

If following the above measures does not seem to improve your vehicle’s gas mileage, stop into your automotive center today. Consult your expert service technician for advice. If your vehicle requires replacement parts, don’t delay, as this may make a significant difference.