AUTONET TV

Making Sense of the O2 Sensor (Oxygen Sensor Replacement)

As you know, today’s vehicles rely on a lot of computers in them to keep them running clean and efficiently.  Those computers depend on information delivered by several sensors throughout the engine and exhaust system.  And one of the most important is the oxygen sensor.  

Known as the O2 sensor for short, it looks for too much unburned oxygen that has made it into the exhaust. That signals something isn’t right with the engine’s air-fuel mixture.  The sensor sends signals to the engine’s computers, which can then make adjustments to make sure the engine is running as it was designed to.

Some vehicles can have several O2 sensors, and since they can measure oxygen at various points in the combustion/exhaust process, the computers can pinpoint where the problems lie.  For example, an O2 sensor can detect how much oxygen is coming out of the engine’s combustion chamber, and another one can measure oxygen coming out of the catalytic converter.

As you can see, it’s important that those O2 sensors are working correctly.  If they’re not, the computer is getting bad information.  Garbage in, garbage out. That can result in lousy fuel economy and excess pollution coming out of your tailpipe. It can also affect your vehicle’s performance.  Sometimes your Check Engine light will illuminate when one of your O2 sensors goes bad.  Or you may notice your engine misfiring or idling roughly. 

If you notice any of these symptoms, bring your vehicle on in, and a technician will pinpoint the trouble spot.  

L and M Motors Inc
400 W 53rd Ave
Anchorage, AK 99518
907-563-4994

Putting a Stop to Brake Problems (Brake Service)

It's safe to say that most drivers take their brakes for granted.  You press on the brake pedal and the vehicle slows down or stops.  It's easy to see why it is so important for your vehicle's brakes to be working correctly.  Brakes are an important safety feature of any vehicle.

When it comes to your brakes working correctly, maintaining them regularly will ensure that you will always be able to slow or stop your vehicle in any situation, whether on a sunny day on dry pavement or a bad weather day on slippery surfaces.  And that is why regular brake service is such a sound investment for all drivers. The combo of brakes" and "surprises" doesn't usually end well.

You might already know about some of the parts of your braking system.  Terms familiar to you might be pads, rotors, and calipers. In short, the calipers press the pads, which in turn contact the rotors.  The resulting friction slows your vehicle.  Another type of brake uses a drum and brake shoes.  But both count on friction to work.

When you come in to have us check your brakes, we'll make sure those parts are all in good working together and meet the specifications of your vehicle manufacturer.  But there are other important components as well.  Your brake system has several parts of a hydraulic system that uses fluids to conduct the pressure you put on the brake pedal to the brakes on all of your wheels.  There are hoses and lines that can sometimes degrade because of road salt or debris.  

Last and not least, your vehicle has an emergency or parking brake. It's something you'll need to prevent your vehicle from rolling when you park on a steep incline. Your parking brake also is an important backup if your hydraulic brakes fail.  

Give your brakes some tender loving care with regular service and they'll be there when you need them.

L and M Motors Inc
400 W 53rd Ave
Anchorage, AK 99518
907-563-4994

A Bright Spark (Ignition Coil Replacement)

Ever wonder how your vehicle’s engine is able to take the 12-volts from its battery and ramp that up to as high as the tens of thousands of volts it takes to fire its spark plugs? The secret is something called an ignition coil.  Most newer vehicles have an ignition coil at each cylinder, but older ones have a coil that serves all of the spark plugs. 

There are telltale signs that you have an ignition coil problem.  As you might expect, one symptom is it’s hard to start your engine or it won’t start at all.  If your engine is misfiring or not running smoothly or you see the Check Engine light come on, those all could point to an ignition coil failure.

Several things can contribute to ignition coil trouble in addition to normal wear and tear. Moisture and dirt may have gotten inside the coil, plus the heat and vibration of your engine over time can contribute to them going bad.  Bad spark plugs or plug wires can also be a cause.  

While ignition coils can last 100,000 miles/160,000 km, depending on how you drive and in what conditions.  If you start noticing some of the signs and symptoms just described, it’s a good idea to schedule a visit to see us so a technician can diagnose what’s wrong. Driving too long with an engine misfiring can damage your catalytic converter, and that can be expensive to replace.

A technician will thoroughly check your ignition system and determine where the failure is.  If it’s only one coil that’s bad, it may be the only thing that will need replacing.  If your vehicle has a distributor, it may also need to be replaced.  Properly-working ignition coils will help your vehicle operate at its best and help prevent future engine damage.

L and M Motors Inc
400 W 53rd Ave
Anchorage, AK 99518
907-563-4994

Clean Machine (Fuel and Air Induction Cleaning)

As your vehicle ages, its performance isn’t quite what it used to be, but many of us never notice the change because it’s gradual.  So here are a few questions to ask yourself.  Does your vehicle feel like it doesn’t have the pep that it used to? Have you noticed your fuel economy isn’t quite as good as it once was? Does it idle roughly or is it hard to start?  Do you hear the engine knocking? Has it recently failed an emissions test?

All of those can be signs that your fuel and air induction systems are dirty and need cleaning.  Your fuel system takes gasoline from the tank to the engine’s combustion chambers where fuel injectors spray fuel that mixes with air and is ignited by spark plugs.  Black carbon deposits eventually can build up, obstructing fuel flow and diminishing your engine’s performance and fuel efficiency.

The air induction system is what allows air to go into the engine’s combustion chamber.  Getting the proper air flow is necessary for you to quickly start your vehicle, accelerate, and perform the way it should and idle smoothly when you’re standing still.  Like the fuel system, your air induction system can get blocked up with deposits and other contaminants.

A professional fuel and air induction cleaning can help restore your performance and fuel economy, especially when you are experiencing problems.  A technician will use specialized chemicals that can remove the carbon buildup.  In extreme cases, they will remove the fuel injectors and clean them with specialized tools.  

After cleaning, you may notice how much more pep your vehicle has and how smoothly it runs.  Keep your fuel and air induction systems clean and enjoy your vehicle’s performance improvements.

L and M Motors Inc
400 W 53rd Ave
Anchorage, AK 99518
907-563-4994