Morgan Automotive Repair

The holiday season is upon us, and for many people, that means they may be hitting the road for road trips. While the roads in the greater Central Valley are not normally icy or exposed to snow, you may be heading out to Tahoe, Reno or somewhere else where snow is present. Carrying specific items in your car can help to ensure you stay safe if you encounter a winter wonderland on a road trip. 

An Ice Scrapper

It is always recommended that you travel with an ice scraper in your vehicle when you are heading out on a winter road trip. Ice and snow may accumulate on windows or the top of the car. An ice scraper can help to properly remove all of the snow and ice, ensuring you can see while you are driving. 

Kitty Litter

Another item you may want to keep with you when you are traveling in winter weather conditions is cat litter or some type of road salt. If you slide off the road or are having trouble making it up a slippery driveway, just sprinkle some cat litter or road salt in front of or behind all of the tires to melt ice and help your car grip on the icy surface. 

Jumper Cables

Your car’s battery is more likely to fail in cold weather compared to hot weather. As such, even if your battery is fairly new, it is strongly recommended you always have jumper cables on hand when traveling to the snow. If your car dies at the grocery store or while you are out getting gas, you can quickly get it jumped again and get on with your day. 

Tire Chains or Cables

It is very common for there to be chain requirements if you are going up a hill in snowy or icy conditions, such as up Donner Summit or up to Lake Tahoe. If there is a chance you may need to chain up, it is strongly recommended that you purchase tire chains or cables before you hit the road. Buying ahead of time helps ensure you have the right size available should you encounter poor road conditions. 

An Emergency Kit

Finally, every driver that is heading out on a road trip should have an emergency kit in it. The kit should have safety items such as a flashlight and road flares. The safety kit should also contain minor medical items, such as bandages and over-the-counter pain relievers. Finally, your emergency kit should always contain a blanket, a few bottles of water and snacks in case you get stranded. 

Before you head out for a road trip, it is highly recommended that you bring your vehicle to a car repair shop to have your car inspected before heading out. Here at Morgan Auto Repair Shop with locations in Tracy, Manteca, and Stockton, we can inspect your vehicle and ensure it is ready to head out for a road trip. Call our auto repair shop now to get started. 

It is common for individuals to make mistakes removing ice from a car’s windshield. Unfortunately, these mistakes can damage the windshield. Learning how to correctly remove ice from a windshield can help to prevent unneeded trips to a car repair shop for repairs and can help to quickly get ice off the windshield. Here are three of the best ways to remove ice safely from your windshield. 

Use a De-Icer Product

If you live in a part of the valley where temperatures normally dip below the freezing mark, you will want to remove your regular windshield washer fluid and replace that with a de-icer windshield fluid. A de-icer will not freeze, and when sprayed on the windshield, will help to break ice apart quickly. Always check your windshield wipers as well, and if the rubber is damaged, replace the windshield wipers. 

Rubbing Alcohol

One of the fastest and cheapest ways to remove ice safely from a windshield is to mix two parts 70 percent or higher isopropyl alcohol with one part water in a spray bottle. Then, spray the mixture directly on the ice. The rubbing alcohol will warm up the ice and get it to melt away faster. You may need to spray multiple times to remove thick layers of ice. One of the benefits to rubbing alcohol is that rubbing alcohol does not freeze, so you can keep a spray bottle of the mixture in your car without having to worry about it freezing overnight. 

Defroster and Ice Scraper

The final way to safely remove ice from your windshield is to use your car’s defroster and a plastic ice scraper. This method does take time, but turning on your defroster and allowing your car to slowly heat up, all while gently breaking apart the ice, is one of the most efficient ways to remove ice from the windshield of your car. If you opt to use a scraper, it is important that the scraper should be lightly run along the windshield. Never dig in deep or push down heavily on the scraper or you can scratch your windshield. 

Never pour hot water over an icy car window or the window may shatter. Also avoid using metal ice scrapers, as they can etch into your windshield. Using the above three methods can help you safely remove ice from your windshield. However, if you have already made a mistake, and now your windshield is damaged, Morgan Auto Repair Shop, with locations in Tracy, Manteca, and Stockton can help you. Schedule an appointment with us today. 

Most auto and battery manufacturers recommend that you have your battery tested at least once per year, preferably in the fall. Hot summer temperatures can wear on your battery and freezing cold temperatures require your battery to work extra hard, so having your battery tested between the grueling summer months and before your battery works hard in the winter is ideal. Read on to learn more about having your battery tested this winter. 

Why Should You Have Your Car Battery Tested Before Winter? 

During the summer months, hot temperatures can lead to fluid evaporating out of your battery. This causes wear on the battery. Then, when the temperature drops, your battery has to use extra power to turn on. This creates a perfect storm for older batteries. Having the battery tested in fall helps to ensure that your battery has the strength to make it through the cold winter months without unexpectedly leaving you stranded. 

Where Can You Have a Car Battery Tested? 

When you take your car to a mechanic and get your battery tested, they will hook it up to a diagnostic battery tester and check the battery for free-flowing current and voltage. Additionally, they will recharge the battery, if possible and if needed. They will also check the battery connections and the terminals to look for signs of wear and tear and will remove any built-up corrosion, which will maintain an unobstructed flow of current to the battery. Your mechanic can extend the life of your battery and make sure you make it through the winter. 

Should You Replace the Battery Even If It Still Works? 

When it comes to ensuring you have a battery that will work through the cold winter months, you will want to consider the following. First off, if your battery is less than three years old, you will likely have a good battery. However, you still want to check for clear and clean connections and signs of corrosion. Secondly, if your battery is older than three years, a proper diagnostic check is recommended. In any circumstance, if you see issues with your battery, it is advised that you get a replacement battery and not be caught out in the cold with a dead battery. 

Here at Morgan Auto Repair shop, with locations in Tracy, Manteca and Stockton, we can help to test your battery, clean your existing battery and/or replace your battery as needed. If it has been a while since your battery was last tested, bring it to us and let us test it. This helps to ensure your battery will make it through the winter months without leaving you stranded. Call our car repair shop now to schedule an appointment. 

The winter months can be cold, and when you start your car up, you expect the heater to make things more comfortable for your drive. Unfortunately though, just like any other part of your car, the car’s heater may fail to work. Ideally, you should check the heater before the cold months so you can have any repairs made before winter. Here are a few of the most common reasons why your car heater may not be functioning. 

Low Coolant or Antifreeze

One of the top reasons why your car’s heater may not be blowing out hot air is because your car is low on coolant or antifreeze. When your car is low on this fluid, enough fluid does not make it to the heater core to heat up the engine, and thus, your car cannot produce the hot air needed to run through the heater. If your car is low on coolant or antifreeze, your heater will blow out cold air. Check your fluids if you notice this issue and top them up to see if it solves the problem. 

Faulty Thermostat

Another common reason why your car’s heater may not functioning is that the thermostat is faulty. The thermostat is essentially a temperature sensor in your car. If the thermostat is not working correctly, your car may think that it is already warmed to its desired settings, and thus, may not kick on. Thermostats typically need to be replaced every five to ten years, depending on the make and model of your car, as well as the temperatures the car is routinely exposed to. 

Faulty Heater Fan or Blower Motor Resistor

The final common reason why your car’s heater may not be functioning is that the heater fan or blower motor resistor is damaged or not functioning. This can happen due to age, wear or even car accidents. The heater fan and blower motor resistor both play a role in blowing the hot air the engine creates through your car’s vents, thus heating your car. If the fan or blower is not functioning, the heat will sit on the engine and will not circulate throughout your car. Typically, if this is the problem, you will not feel any air circulating through your vents when you turn the heater on. 

If you feel cold air when you turn on your car’s heater, or you do not feel any air at all, there are a number of different causes. Pinpointing the exact reason why the heater is not working can be difficult. Bringing your vehicle to a car repair shop, such as us here at Morgan Auto Repair shop can help you to get your heater issues resolved, ensuring you feel warm when you are out driving this winter. Call us at our Tracy, Manteca or Stockton locations today to schedule an appointment. 

Most people have heard gearheads state oil is the lifeblood of an automobile.  Oil reduces friction within the vehicle’s engine, ensuring it functions as designed and transports drivers from point A to point B.  The average driver is aware that the failure to change a vehicle’s oil in a timely manner will spur the need for an engine replacement.  However, most drivers do not understand if oil dripping from the underbody of their vehicle is a sign of a potential repair. 

Why Oil Leaks are Cause for Concern

Though there is the potential for the air conditioning system to develop moisture/condensation that results in a leak below, it is better to be safe rather than sorry by having the car repair specialists examine your vehicle.  The little bit of money you pay for auto repair will pale in comparison to replacing a compromised engine resulting from old or dirty oil.

An oil leak is likely to result from a degraded oil seal or gasket.  Such components are fallible, meaning they will eventually break down.  If the oil is dirty due to age, the components will erode that much faster.  Furthermore, there is also the potential for your vehicle’s pans or oil gaskets to endure damage.  Road debris can easily contact these components.  Even a rough road that causes a hole to form can lead to an oil pan leak.  Oil pan gaskets with even moderate wear and tear or damage really can lead to a leak that necessitates car repair.

Lean on the Experts to Determine the Quality of Gasket Installation

If your vehicle is leaking oil, do not hesitate to reach out to the automotive repair professionals for guidance.   Our team might determine one of the gaskets that ensure oil remains within the engine was not properly installed.  We might also find the gasket’s oil pan or valve cover was tightened too much.  Even the failure to tighten these covers at an equal force across the board can cause a leak.  In other cases, the oil filter is not properly attached, causing a loosening that spurs a leak.

The Engine Might be Overheating

Motor oil is an important determinant of the engine’s temperature.  If the oil is old, dirty or otherwise flawed, it will not properly lubricate the pistons.  Pistons that do not glide as they should within the housing due to a lack of oil will grind against engine components, creating heat that might cause the engine to stall.  If the oil level drops down low, the engine is likely to overheat, potentially to the point that it requires a full replacement.  Replacing an engine will cost several thousand dollars.  The better approach to a potential oil leak is to bring the vehicle to a car repair shop for analysis and potential repair.

Morgan Automotive is at Your Service

Our auto repair experts are here to get your car back to normal as quickly as possible.  Contact our auto repair shop today to schedule your vehicle repair.  You can reach our car repair shop by phone at (209) 836-4909.  If you prefer to reach us online, we invite you to fill out our estimate request form.

Your vehicle might be in need of repair yet there is no guarantee you will be aware of that need before considerable damage occurs.  You and only you drive your car on a daily basis, meaning you are the sole individual responsible for identifying red flags that necessitate repair.  Below, we provide a look at some signs that indicate car repair is necessary. 

1. More Exhaust Smoke Than Usual

If you find more exhaust smoke emanates than usual, it is an indication something is wrong with your vehicle.  The bottom line is any alteration in emissions is a legitimate reason for concern.  The color of the smoke provides some clues as to what the underlying issue is.  Black smoke is an indication that the vehicle is burning more fuel than necessary.  If the smoke is white, it is an indication the engine has a coolant leak.  Blue smoke is a sign that oil has moved into the combustion chamber.

2. Odd Sounds

Vehicles make all sorts of odd noises when systems falter.  Brake pads tend to screech at the point in time when they need replacement.  If you hear any such unexpected sounds while driving, bring your vehicle to our experts for analysis and repair.

3. Leaks

Plenty of automobile owners overlook fluids leaking from the bottom of their vehicle during the summer, spring and fall as they assume operating the air conditioner is the cause of such excessive condensation.  However, the leak dripping from the bottom of your vehicle might actually be a sign that there is a problem.  If you find fluids drip from your vehicle even when you are not running your air conditioner, do the smart thing by contacting our auto repair shop.

4. Smoke Emanating From Beneath the Hood

If smoke is coming out from below the hood, it is an indication there is something seriously wrong with your vehicle.  There might be excessive heat in or around the engine that causes it to overheat.  The only driving you should be doing after smoke emanates from your engine is to our auto repair shop.  If the smoke is excessive, be on the safe side by having your vehicle towed to our car repair experts.

5. Reduced Fuel Efficiency

A decline in fuel economy is a clear indication the vehicle needs repair.  It is possible a tune-up will remedy the issue.  However, there is also the potential for repair or part replacement.  Our team will determine whether your vehicle needs a new air filter, a sensor cleaning or its spark plugs changed.

6. Recurring or Sudden Transmission Issues

If your car’s transmission is acting up, don’t assume it is a normal part of the vehicle aging process.  Sluggish responses or surges are abnormal.  These transmission problems are a clear indication your vehicle should be closely analyzed by our auto repair specialists.

Contact Morgan Automotive Today

If you notice any of the signs above, contact our auto repair team right away.  You can reach our car repair shop by phone at (209) 952-7901.  If you prefer to reach out to us online, we invite you to fill out our appointment request form.