Nick Stalfel from Lloyd's Automotive shares insights on vehicle maintenance, focusing on safe warming up practices, the importance of keeping fluids fresh, and troubleshooting common issues like radio malfunctions and door lock problems. The discussion includes practical advice on when to change transmission filters, the effects of driving on salty roads, and recommendations for lubricating door locks without attracting dirt. Listeners are encouraged to call in with their car care questions, making for an engaging and informative session.
Fixing fuses for your electrical systems. When to safely start your vehicle in your garage. Difficulty opening doors. When to change your air filter. Are vehicles getting more complicated? When to change transmission fluid. Where does the name Lloyds come from? Solutions to heating issues. Ask our car care expert Nick Stoffel of Lloyds Automotive. Visit lloydsautomotive.net 651-228-1316.
"Denny and Nick my 2014 f-150s radio has no sound"
The Ford F-150 is a popular truck that can be used for many tasks, like hauling and towing. The 2014 version has different engine choices and some modern features.
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup truck known for its durability and versatility, often used for both work and personal purposes. The 2014 model features a range of engine options and advanced technology for its time.
"You know the first time we're going to do is probably look at fuses, you know, depends on that the display is powering up... Just to determine if we have powers and grounds at the places that need to be so back in the radio the amplifier"
Fuses are small devices that help protect your car's electrical system. If too much electricity flows through, the fuse will break and stop the electricity, preventing damage.
Fuses are safety devices in electrical systems that protect circuits from overloads by breaking the circuit when too much current flows through. They are essential for preventing damage to electrical components in vehicles.
"...2017 Honda Civic with this CVT transmission the transmission fluid is changed every four years or 40,000 miles..."
The Honda Civic is a small car that is popular for being dependable and getting good gas mileage. The 2017 version has a stylish look and comes with different engine choices.
The Honda Civic is a compact car known for its reliability and fuel efficiency. The 2017 model features a modern design and various engine options, including a turbocharged variant.
"...2017 Honda Civic with this CVT transmission the transmission fluid is changed every four years or 40,000 miles..."
A CVT transmission is a special kind of automatic transmission that helps the car use fuel more efficiently. It can change gears smoothly without the noticeable shifts of regular automatic transmissions.
A CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) is a type of automatic transmission that can change seamlessly through a continuous range of effective gear ratios. This allows for smoother acceleration and improved fuel efficiency compared to traditional automatic transmissions.
"...what is an actuator? Well, it's an electric solenoid..."
An actuator is a part that helps move things in your car, like the locks on your doors or the vents for heating and cooling. It works by using electricity to make things move.
An actuator is a device that converts energy into motion. In automotive applications, actuators are often used to control mechanisms like door locks and climate control systems by moving components based on electrical signals.
An electric solenoid is a small device that uses electricity to pull or push something. It's often found in car locks and helps them open and close automatically.
An electric solenoid is a type of actuator that uses electromagnetic force to create linear motion. It is commonly used in various automotive applications, such as locking mechanisms and other automated systems.
"...because you know your powered door locks have an actuator..."
Powered door locks are locks that you can control with a button instead of having to turn a key. They make it easier to lock and unlock your car doors.
Powered door locks are locking mechanisms that operate electronically rather than manually. They allow drivers to lock or unlock their doors using a switch or remote control.
"...another actuator can be with the heating and cooling those actuators remove those doors..."
Climate control is the system in your car that keeps it warm or cool. It helps you adjust the temperature and airflow to make your ride comfortable.
Climate control refers to the system in a vehicle that manages the interior temperature and airflow. It includes components like actuators that adjust vents and temperature settings automatically.
"...that little pebble caught up in the brake caliper where the pad makes contact..."
The brake caliper is a part of the car's braking system that holds the brake pads. If small rocks or dirt get stuck in it, it can make a loud scraping noise when you try to stop the car.
A brake caliper is a component of the disc brake system that houses the brake pads and applies pressure to them against the brake rotor to slow down or stop the vehicle. If debris gets caught in the caliper, it can cause noise and affect braking performance.
Brake pads are the parts that press against the wheels to help stop the car. They wear out over time and need to be checked to make sure they are still thick enough to work properly.
Brake pads are the components in disc brakes that create friction against the brake rotor to slow down or stop the vehicle. They wear down over time and need to be inspected and replaced regularly to ensure safe braking performance.
"...i just drove 1400 miles through dry salt covered roads in a 1500 silvarado..."
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is a large truck that can be used for many tasks, like hauling or towing. It's popular for its strength and ability to handle tough jobs.
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is a full-size pickup truck known for its durability and versatility, often used for both work and personal purposes. It features a range of engine options and configurations, making it suitable for various driving conditions.
"...Should i replace the air filter before i left the oil change text said nah, it's fine..."
The air filter keeps dirt and dust from getting into the engine, which helps the engine run better. If it gets too dirty, it can cause problems, so it's good to check it regularly.
The air filter is a crucial component of a vehicle's engine system, designed to prevent dirt, dust, and debris from entering the engine. A clean air filter ensures optimal engine performance and fuel efficiency.
"...part of our routine safety inspection filters..."
A routine safety inspection is when a mechanic checks your car to make sure it's safe to drive. They look at important parts like brakes and lights.
A routine safety inspection is a regular check performed on a vehicle to ensure it meets safety standards. This includes checking brakes, lights, tires, and other critical components to ensure the vehicle is safe to drive.
"...that filter is going to dirty up a little bit faster, you know, same goes for a lot of wear and tear items..."
Wear and tear items are the parts of a car that get used up over time and need to be fixed or replaced. Examples include brakes and tires, which wear down as you drive.
Wear and tear items refer to components of a vehicle that experience gradual deterioration due to regular use. This includes parts like brakes, tires, and filters, which need to be replaced or serviced periodically.
"...you know your brakes you do a lot of city driving..."
Brakes are the parts of a car that help it slow down or stop. They can wear out quickly if you drive in heavy traffic or stop a lot.
Brakes are a crucial safety component of a vehicle that allow it to slow down or stop. They can wear out over time, especially with frequent use in stop-and-go traffic.
"...like the saturns or the old xj Jeep Cherokees with the six cylinder motor..."
Saturn was a car brand that made vehicles known for being easy to maintain and reliable. It was part of General Motors but stopped making cars in 2010.
Saturn was a brand of automobiles that was part of General Motors, known for its innovative approach and focus on customer satisfaction. The brand was discontinued in 2010, but many of its models were praised for their simplicity and reliability.
"...the saturns or the old xj Jeep Cherokees with the six cylinder motor..."
The Jeep Cherokee is a type of SUV known for being tough and good for off-road driving. It has been around for many years and comes with different engine choices, including a six-cylinder engine.
The Jeep Cherokee is a compact SUV that has been popular for its off-road capabilities and versatility. It has gone through several generations since its introduction in 1974, with various engine options including six-cylinder motors.
"...the emissions are much better the fuel economies are better..."
Fuel economy is how far a car can go on a certain amount of fuel. Better fuel economy means you can drive longer without needing to fill up, which saves money and is better for the environment.
Fuel economy refers to the distance a vehicle can travel per unit of fuel consumed, typically measured in miles per gallon (MPG). Improved fuel economy means vehicles can travel further on less fuel, which is beneficial for both the environment and the owner's wallet.
Car
Chevrolet 1956
"1956 Chevy it was a great beller. That was a great three three on the tree as we say"
The 1956 Chevrolet is a classic car that many people admire for its unique design and history. It's a popular choice among car enthusiasts and collectors.
The 1956 Chevrolet is a classic American car known for its distinctive styling and performance during the mid-20th century. It is part of the Chevrolet lineup, which has been a staple in American automotive history.
"But you didn't want to start that vehicle in a cold winter morning either because you're out there trying to hold the choke open"
A choke helps start the engine by making the fuel mixture richer, which is especially useful when it's cold outside. In older cars, you often had to adjust it by hand.
A choke is a device in an engine that restricts airflow to enrich the fuel mixture, making it easier to start the engine, especially in cold conditions. It is often manually operated in older vehicles.
"Texture says this my 2019 hard to see RV did not get the transmission fluid changed the drain and refill until 99,000 miles."
Transmission fluid is a liquid that helps your car's gears work smoothly. It's important to change it regularly to keep the transmission in good shape.
Transmission fluid is a specialized lubricant used in automatic and manual transmissions to ensure smooth operation and prevent wear. Regular changes are essential for maintaining transmission health.
The rotor is a round metal piece that spins with your car's wheels. When you press the brakes, the brake pads squeeze it to help stop the car.
The rotor is a metal disc that rotates with the wheel and is clamped by the brake pads to slow down or stop the vehicle. It is a critical component of the braking system.
"...t is that he actually donated I believe it's the rondo community that they actually uplifted it moved it..."
The Kia Rondo is a small van-like car that has a lot of room inside for passengers and cargo. It's a good choice for people who want a practical vehicle that doesn't cost too much.
The Kia Rondo is a compact MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) that offers versatility and practicality for families or those needing extra space. It is notable for its efficient use of interior space and has a reputation for being budget-friendly, making it a good option for those looking for a reliable vehicle without breaking the bank.
"...the sxm radio in the 2017 Yukon Denali works intermittently for the last couple of months sometimes..."
SXM radio is a type of satellite radio that gives you lots of channels to listen to, but it can sometimes have problems getting a signal, especially in certain areas.
SXM radio refers to SiriusXM, a satellite radio service that provides a wide variety of music, news, and talk radio channels. It requires a subscription and can be affected by signal issues, especially in areas with poor reception.
"...ron says I have a 2012 buiconclave in the recent freezing weather..."
The Buick Enclave is a large SUV that can fit a lot of people and cargo. It's designed for families and has many features to keep everyone comfortable and safe.
The Buick Enclave is a mid-size SUV known for its spacious interior and family-friendly features. It offers a comfortable ride and is equipped with various technology and safety features, making it a popular choice among families.
"...there's a little nut that holds that wiper arm in place..."
The wiper arm is the metal piece that holds the wiper blade. It moves the blade to wipe the water off the windshield so you can see better.
The wiper arm is the part that connects the wiper blade to the motor. It moves the wiper blade back and forth across the windshield to clear it of water or debris.
"...this listener sent this text. I have a 2010 Acura TSX..."
The Acura TSX is a car made by the Acura brand, which is a luxury division of Honda. It's known for being reliable and fun to drive, especially for a compact car.
The Acura TSX is a compact executive car that was produced by Acura from 2003 to 2014. It is known for its sporty handling and reliability, making it a popular choice among enthusiasts and daily drivers alike.
"Well today's day we call drive by wire. There's a sensor on that throttle pedal or gas pedal..."
Drive by wire means that instead of a physical cable connecting the gas pedal to the engine, there are sensors and motors that control how much air and fuel goes into the engine. This makes the car respond better when you press the gas pedal.
Drive by wire is a technology that replaces traditional mechanical linkages between the accelerator pedal and the throttle with electronic sensors and motors. This allows for more precise control of the engine's throttle response and can improve performance and efficiency.
Select text to request an explanation
Here it is another Saturday in CCO on the 7th day of February time to talk cars or trucks or vans or the problems
You might be having with yours
Let's say hello to next awful ASC certified technician of Lloyd's automotive, etc
Nick good morning
How was your week since we spoke last?
We was good, you know, I mean it looks like the forecast looks nice and a little bit more
Mild than we've had in the last month, but I'll take it. I'm ready for spring
So I know it's early February, but I'm ready most of us are for sure
I was looking as promised of saving some text messages
We did not get to last week and last week it was a lot chillier
So some of these texts do reflect that those cold temps
But if you have any kind of a car care question any kind
We'd love to hear from you sooner rather than later
We like to say that because our time goes by so quickly Nick will take his leave about 745
So any kind of a question we'd love to hear from you now
You can call it in if you'd like to chat with Nick or you can just send a text like some folks are already doing
Here's one number for either 6 5 1 4 6 1
9 2 2 6
Here's when we get from time to time and of course, we've got to get this taken care of
Denny and Nick my 2014 f-150s radio has no sound
When I started up during these cold periods in fact, it has not worked for a month. We can't have that
What what would happen at Lloyd's if if this texture brought it in?
Well, you're absolutely right. We need to get the WCCO a3o working for a month. Wow
Yeah, it's too long for sure. That's an emergency. You get in somebody's schedule Monday get that fixed up
You know the first time we're going to do is probably look at fuses, you know, depends on that the display is powering up
A lot of times you can install so it may be a popping sound maybe the amplifier
So we're gonna we're gonna find the fuses that control that system. There's probably more than one check those fuses
Fuses are good. They're gonna work our way through the circuit
Just to determine if we have powers and grounds at the places that need to be so back in the radio the amplifier
Possibly something with the antenna. So there's a couple different directions. We would
Investigate one of those will give us a clue once we have that clue. We can kind of dig deeper
Get that taken care of
Again, our number 6514619226 is an interesting question
It's kind of a slant on on how long should I warm up my car? This one is asking is it safe to warm up your car in the garage?
If the garage door is open all the way, what would you think of that?
I guess if the garage doors open all the way, why don't you just back the car out into the driveway?
Yeah, you know, it's why risk it, you know, if it's an attached garage
I just I think it's a bad idea. You don't need all that exhaust get it into the home accidentally, you know
Or inadvertently, you know, it's gonna find its way down make it down to this basement of the home or whatever might be
So I think if the garage is open back the car out
And I think that's probably the safest as far as plan. I think in years past
I think I
When I've started it in the from the garage and maybe I've kept it in there for a minute maybe and then backed it out
But I think yeah, you're right. I think I think generally speaking you should just back it out
To be safe. All right, but good question
Here is
2017 Honda Civic with this CVT transmission the transmission fluid is changed every four years or 40,000 miles
How often do you think do the two transmission filters need to be changed?
I wonder if they can find that on their maintenance schedule
Yeah, I would look the maintenance schedule. Maybe check with the manufacturer
A lot of times those filters are not very easily accessible
So if there's not having an issue the fluid looks to be probably
Worn out, I guess but don't need a debris. I'd probably leave them
If there's an easy access panel by all means, I think you know at some point, you know
If it's you know four or eight years, whatever might be whatever your routine is probably isn't the worst idea
But I would
I would not make more work than necessary because likely they are a lifetime screened
Like I said short of having excessive debris. It's probably not necessary. Okay
This does not say what type of a vehicle it is
But the the texture writes actuator is clicking
I assume I need to replace eventually it stops
But after the car shut off for a period of time and the door open closes
It starts clicking again
Even with the car not running is this normal and why would it do that? First of all, what is an actuator?
Well, it's an electric solenoid
I suspect we're talking maybe door locks because you know your powered door locks have an actuator
Open and closed also another actuator can be with the heating and cooling those actuators remove those doors
And sometimes there's something stripped in that with the plastic
Gears you hear a clicking noise. So likely you're right. You'll have to have it replaced
If it's a door lock, um, you know, just keep in mind that that door lock might stop working
So you might have to crawl if it's the driver's door crawl across from the passenger side
And some of us have gotten a little bit old. We don't want to do that. Um, so I would say, you know, it's probably not an emergency
But keep in mind that clicking noise is giving you a heads up telling you something's wearing out
And that's kind of your your warning to get on somebody's schedule
I don't recall the the original question from last week's show, Nick
Maybe you do but uh, this texture wrote in evidently there was some noise with someone's f-150
And with grinding brakes
Uh, this gentleman says I assume as gentlemen
2013 f-150 with the grinding brakes were known for stones
Getting caught in the paths just dump the stone out and go
Have you heard of such a thing with that particular model of a 150?
Not necessarily that particular model, but we do see that people will
Have driven down a dirt road or gone down an alley that they just uh oiled and put some sand down
And a lot of times those little pebbles will kick up and get caught
Brating them and it's almost impossible to make to make that shot
But you get that that little pebble caught up in the brake caliper where the pad makes contact
It's just this horrible scraping grinding noise. So the very well could be that, you know, the simplest thing to do
Get it into the shop get it up on the air
Pull the wheels off the vehicle visually inspect if the pads are good and thick
We're gonna have to investigate a little bit thicker, you know a little bit further
Maybe pull the caliper off. There you go. Something falls out
However, if the pads are worn thin likely the noise is the source of that brakes being worn out
I think I've had that done with uh cars and not just trucks
over the years
um, it does yeah, especially when they the oil like you said put the little uh
Stones in there. It can't get in there. It doesn't have to be a pickup. It happens. Uh, other other cars as well. All right
6514619226 this texture says this
I'm having trouble turning the key in my car door. Wow. How many of us do that anymore?
Uh, which is a good thing. We'll talk about that. What is the best way to fix it? Can I use wd 40?
That's a great product, but I wouldn't use it for that. How about what would you say nick?
I agree anything that's going to attract the dirt is only going to make it worse over time. So
Some sort of like uh oil graphite as another thing
And patience, you know, maybe you have to work it in there and work it a few times
The last thing you want to do is force something break the key up in the cylinder
Now you have to get a locksmith involved or a shop
Or they're taking a door panel off and moving the cylinder and it can get quite costly. So a little bit of patience
Obviously, we also try our door locks from time to time as we talk about any
But yeah, just don't force it and don't use any kind of petroleum product
That's going to collect dirt because it might seem okay or better today, but it will get worse
It will collect a bunch of debris and make it harder to operate
What about a slight amount of uh, let's say white lithium grease something like that would that work?
Yeah, I think that that would work. Um, you know the silicone graphite something really light
That's not going to attract a lot of dirt and and and grime. Yeah, good point
Hang on nick. We're going to take a quick break. Let's invite our listeners to join in
With any kind of a car care question for ASC certified technician nick Stalfel from Lloyd's automotive. Let's uh,
Hear your call or text, whichever is easier six five one four six one
nine two two six otherwise
Uh, 13 is our current temp. We are heading to near 26
That's going to be the coolest day for a while because we're going to be a well above average 34 tomorrow
42 monday 39 tuesday and we'll be in the 30s at least mid 30s
The rest of the week right now 13 news talk eight three. Oh, this is w cco
Another good saturday morning to you. Welcome back to cco's car care show
We are here. Thanks to nick Stalfel from Lloyd's automotive every saturday right after the seven o'clock news break
Answering any kind of a car care question that is on your mind
Today is no different call us text us six five one four six one
nine two two six do it soon nick will take his leave about
745 but nick as we like to ask for those that need help from Lloyd's
Not only on the radio here, but we'd like to come and stop by
I know you guys accept calls as well. Uh, how do we find Lloyd's?
You're absolutely right denny. We will actually answer your questions
So before you go into your shop or dealership and you want a little more prepping. We're here to help
You can reach us at six five one two two eight
one three one six
And if you're in st. Paul out and about we're at nine eight two grand avenue
That's two blocks east of lexington parkway
If you need more information do check out our website, which is Lloyd's automotive dot net
Very good. We'll get you that info before nick takes his leave this morning as well in the meantime
Love to hear from you six five one four six one
nine two two six
Looking at a text. We just got a couple of minutes ago. Nick this listener says i'm listening from florida
That's great about the internet. I love it
This text says i just drove 1400 miles through dry salt covered roads in a 1500 silvarado
Should i replace the air filter before i left the oil change text said nah, it's fine
What about those 1400 miles driven on salty roads? Is that uh, does that affect
The air filter in those 1400 miles? Well, you know any
Any driving wheel, you know, obviously salty dusty roads dirt roads. We're going to kick up a little more
Stuff into the air that will collect in the filter. So you can have somebody visually inspect it
I don't think it's that mandatory thing to do but based on the inspection see how much light you can see through it
See if there's any debris collecting inside those
Folds of the filter and if there is
By all means replace it, you know, it's not horribly expensive. It's good maintenance. Good clean air into that engine
And you know take it from there
How often should one i'm thinking i might be doing that this weekend with my son's car
It's pretty easy to do in some cars. Maybe not all
But generally speaking it seemed to me i'm and again, it depends on your vehicle and the maintenance schedule and all that
It seems to me i've read like somewhere around 20 or 30 000 miles pretty safe to
To go that long and then change the air filter element
Yeah, i mean on the on the easier ones we'll inspect or inspect them on every service
So if the car comes in part of our routine safety inspection filters
You know once again on the easy accessible if you're disassembling the whole air intake and it's a long procedural process
We're probably going to follow the schedule a little bit more
But like i said earlier, it depends on how we drive if you live in a rural area and dirt roads constantly
That filter is going to dirty up a little bit faster, you know, same goes for a lot of wear and tear items
You know your brakes you do a lot of city driving
Stop and go traffic you're going to wear those brakes all faster than some is commuting from the distant suburbs
So that's that's when we do these inspections. We follow these maintenance intervals as a guide
Some people drive a little bit more a little bit less drive differently affects how those cars wear and tear
Yeah, good point
Let's take a phone call this morning. Clarence checking in from st. Paul. I believe thank you Clarence. What is your question for nick?
Do you think cars are getting too complicated today?
I'm thinking like like the saturns or the old xj Jeep Cherokees with the six cylinder motor
Were simpler and lasted longer and easier to work on
What do you think of that good question? What do you think nick?
Well, I think the longevity is better
But i've also joked that I think if they were to create a vehicle
That had simpler panels and controls that a lot of us that have gotten a little bit older might might appreciate it
You know the cars have evolved the emissions are much better the fuel economies are better
and in some of the requirements maybe cause
Some of the technologies to appear to wear faster
But if you go back to those years where you are 100,000 miles on a vehicle, it might be
Almost worn out. Well, now it's just getting started. You know, you get 200 300,000 miles out of a vehicle
You know, we talk about the conditions of the bodies of the vehicle. They don't rust out like they used to
So I think the vehicles have gotten better
I think maybe the bigger issue is that they're more complex in the sense that the cost of repairs
The labor times to repair some of these things, you know, they're squeezing more and more technology into smaller and smaller
Places so that that part is definitely got a little more complex
You know, the guy's fixing the cars, but it continues training to try to keep on top of things
So, you know, I agree with the the the call or like when they were simpler was a lot more fun to work on it yourself
But I also believe that they're much safer more reliable better on fuel. So overall, I think they're a better vehicle than they used to be
I remember I inherited my brother's
1956 Chevy it was a great beller. That was a great three three on the tree as we say
But you open that hood and you could crawl into that engine compartment if you can move in
But you didn't want to start that vehicle in a cold winter morning either because you're out there trying to hold the choke open
And somebody's pumping the gas and you're kind of doing the whole little dance and trying to hoping hoping across your fingers
It'll start up things have definitely improved
Texture says this my 2019 hard to see RV did not get the transmission fluid changed the drain and refill until
99,000 miles. I had that repeated at 107,000 miles. You think I'm okay. And when should I repeat the drain and refill?
Well, I do like if you forget a certain interval
Oil changes included and you do that
When you do have it done that they note that the fluid is the condition is excessively
Dirty or carboned up or there's a concern if we're any kind of buildup
I do like the idea of maybe shortening the interval the next time or two until you see that fluid coming out under a normal wear and tear
You know depending on what it looked like when it came out the second time. I would probably go a little bit longer
I don't think you need to go. I think this was 90 and then 107
You could probably go 30 25 30,000 miles and maybe do it again if the fluid looks
More conditioned like it should you're fine if you're still seeing excessive
Gunk or excessive burning or any kind of thing like that
I'd probably keep on the starter interval
Another additional time until it starts to look more appropriate for the mileage. Sure
Uh listener says this if I add text I found that this goes back to a
F-150 I found that on my scraping noise of the 2013 f-150 the brake pad literally came off the steel holder
And fell off between the rotor. Have you heard of pad adhesive?
Whatever they use to hold that pad on coming off had to replace the rotor and the caliper
We have um, you know in some cases they were riveted together some cases. They do use an adhesive
It's very rare to have that happen. I mean, I've been doing this my whole adult life
I've seen it maybe a handful of times ever
So I wouldn't be worried about this happening to most or any of us
But it can happen, you know, it is a part of a component that's designed and developed
Um, you know the heat of the road the cold of the winter the salt that we use on our roads
All those things are fighting against those components. So to have something feel like that can happen
Um, good thing that they had it fixed and repaired right away
If you start to hear anything abnormal a scraping rubbing noise
That's definitely a cue for the driver to say get this car and have it looked at
I'm looking at texanique that we haven't received
Uh in quite a long time and our buddy Dan Burns had to feel this question a lot and you have to
Why the name Lloyds?
The original owner so
Harold Lloyd started it. I believe it's 1946 or 1947
And then at some point in time, I don't know the year
He sold it to a gentleman who worked for him for a long time in down the bell
And then I believe it was 1990
Dan bought Lloyds from down the bell. I started working for Dan in 1998
And then I had the opportunity to buy Lloyds from Dan in 2021. So
There's a quick history of Lloyds over the last 75 80 years
So the guy's name originally was like the actor Harold Lloyd
So that's that's where it came from Lloyds
Great place though. And I know that you know, I've talked about when
Dan had to kind of jump through a lot of hoops with the city of st. Paul to kind of get that
That beautiful building built on grand, didn't he? I mean it was it's a great look. Yeah, there was a there was a duplex
Where our parking lot is that he actually donated
I believe it's the rondo community that they actually uplifted it moved it down the road
And it's probably about four or five blocks away from where Lloyds sits now. So they were able to save a save a save a duplex for
You know for the future use, I guess
Excellent. All right
Thanks for that text. We have more more to come right after the break. We're gonna have a look at that forecast that warm up
Promise from the weather center. Let's let's do that
And if you have any kind of a car car question, we have a few more to pick up on here 6514619226
This is new stock a3o w cco and welcome back to this portion of our car care show
We're here every saturday right after the seven o'clock news break
Thanks to nick stoffel from Lloyds on emotive on beautiful grand avenue in st. Paul answering those questions every week
On nick still have a bunch of text messages folks to help out now
If you want to call in before we run out of time nick will be here for about another eight ten minutes or so
6514619226
All right. Here's another radio question. We got to get this fixed too
The sxm radio in the 2017 Yukon Denali works intermittently for the last couple of months sometimes
Indicating it's searching for a signal
Sometimes just cutting out and sounds like a scratchy eight track tape
Waiting for the signal to come in again. We've never had this problem before what could be up with this?
Wow another radio thing
Yeah, I wonder if the antenna the fact that they said it's searching for a signal and you know you get in poor connection
So I'd let the first place, you know that the antennas on the roof of the vehicle
You know a car wash a low clearance space might have clipped it or caught it and knocked it loose
So I would probably start with
Investigating that
You know then let me go back to the same thing
We got to get into the dashboard to where those connection points are to see if something has come loose
Or worn I'm not sure how you measure the signal to be honest
But there probably is a way to determine whether or not
That that antennas are receiving the signal and making this way to the radio
That could be a little challenging in some of the vehicles I would assume
Um
I'm looking at another text from ron says I have a 2012 buiconclave in the recent freezing weather
I turned on the rear wiper and it was apparently frozen
And the gear inside must have stripped how challenging is this to replace?
Well before you assume that it's stripped there's a little nut that holds that wiper arm in place
It's possible that that that nut came free once it became free that wiper
Arm kind of came off of this spring load
It came it came off like that that set a little bit allowed to move back and forth without rotating so I would
Have somebody take a look make sure you have it shut off the right positioning because you also want to have an index correctly
So when you reinstall it you're covering the windshield not the back of the vehicle
So take a close look see if that nut has come loose if it has make sure the wiper is off
And it's in the park position line it up correctly tighten that nut again and see if it doesn't operate properly again
We're good
Here's a 2018 pilot only warm air from the heater unless
I'm stepping on the gas it then gets hot. What's going on there?
I
Wonder if we have a circulation problem obviously when you increase the engine speed
The water pumps can turn faster rotate faster if it's a mechanical pump electric pump obviously the same regardless
But we must have a restriction or lack of flow of a coolant there. So water pump
Possibly a thermostat restricted. There's a couple of areas that we'd want to check out
Um, you know kind of my standard response though is like if something's not working as its design or not how it used to
Keep in mind that's kind of your heads up. Don't ignore it because you go from where you're having poor heat
Now you're out on the highway and the vehicle overheats now you're stranded somewhere
So when we have these types of issues noises and stuff
That's just kind of your heads up say I need to make this a priority
Get on the schedule somewhere, you know the wintertime shops are busy
So you might be a few days or a week out
So keep that in mind before you have a problem and you're stuck somewhere. Okay
Dexter says this nick does driving a vehicle with the headlights on during the daytime
Continuously shorten the life of the battery
No, the battery is real purpose to get the vehicle started
And obviously it completes this circuit. It's a reserve
But once the vehicle is running the alternators kind of providing the power to keep all the electronics lights radio fans operating
Okay, very good
This listener sent this text. I have a 2010 Acura TSX
Usually get 29 miles per gallon in the winter, but this year only about 23
It's got 218,000 miles on it change the plugs at 206,000 clean air filter. What else can I look for?
You know, you're doing a lot of good maintenance. The throttle plate might be a little bit dirty
Um, the fuel
Makeup has changed a little bit in the winter time. We obviously let the vehicles run a little bit longer in the winter time
So maybe some of your routines your habits have changed. Maybe more short-term driving obviously on a colder engine
We're using more fuel versus when it's warmed up. So
Um, typically if something's happened within the vehicle where it's consuming too much fuel, there's gonna be some mornings
There'll be a check engine light a lot of the sensors won't be happy if it's running that rich that long
So I just wonder something that we don't realize has slightly changed where I got a new job
Or my kids are going to a different school where my habits have changed a little bit that might cause
That fuel economy in the winter months to vary a little bit
Talk a little bit about you mentioned the throttle plate cleaning it. It's dirty. How does the technician do that cleaning it?
well, the
throttle plate the butterfly
it's the
The item that controls the air into the engine
So when you depress the gas pedal it used to be you were controlling the carburetor, you know
You would the carburetor would turn the flap would open more air would pull through and then the
Vent area of the fuel would pull the gas into the engine and it would go
Well today's day we call drive by wire. There's a sensor on that throttle pedal or gas pedal
So when you depress a certain percentage it tells the computer to what extent you're depressing the pedal
And then it takes a little motor and operates that throttle plate
So as the throttle plate opens more air goes into the engine
The computer system and fires the fuel injectors give you more fuel and that's how we accelerate
So over time we do have air filters the air filter do a wonderful job
But we still can get some carbon some stuff cooking up on that throttle plate
And from time to time we'll take that air intake tube off
And we'll clean that throttle plate to make sure it's good and clean so it properly opens and closes
The amount of air getting through is appropriate. It keeps the car idling and driving fine. Okay
Listener says
Technician told me I have see if I can read this correctly probably means 7 30 seconds a tread. Is that good?
Typically tires around 10 to 12 30 seconds of an inch when they're brand new
So 7 7 30 seconds you're probably still three quarters of a life of a tire
I would suspect of a couple years of driving. We keep down to that
three threes kind of the minimum
Sometimes even if you get to four heading into the winter we'd start to say
You know if you haven't poured driving handling situations
You might want to replace the tires before you have an incident where you have an accident or sliding to something
But three is kind of the bare minimum but seven I would suspect you got plenty of time to go
All right, good. Let's say we have time for a phone call. Julie calling in from Minneapolis. Thank you, Julie
What is your question?
Turn down your radio. Hey Julie turn down your radio, please
I need to have my transmission. What how do you have to change it and why?
So the transmission fluid is no different than the engine oil it lasts longer
Usually it's a drain and fill most vehicles in the last, you know decade or so
There's a drain plug just as the engine you drain the fluid out
There's a field plug and you replace it with the proper amount of fluid
But keep in mind you want to make sure you're using the appropriate approved fluid for that transmission
Unlike mortar oil where there might be two or three different weights of oil
But transmission fluid is probably a dozen different varieties. So it's just maintenance and if you
Neglect that or forget to do it you run the risk of damaging the transmission
Once it's damaged oftentimes it can't be repaired without replacement, which can be really expensive. So follow that maintenance interval
oil changes transmission fluids
All those wear and tear items need to be maintained
Thank you, Julie. Appreciate the call
Uh, and here's the question. This is going to be our last one
And boy who hasn't had this problem
A windshield I've tried to clean and clean and clean texture says but it still seems kind of greasy
Nick you've we've talked about that
What's the answer for that? What kind of cleaner can you use?
Well, first off, if it's on the inside of the windshield, we're concerned that that's coolant or antifreeze
Coming from a heater core that may be leaking. So we need to have that investigated
Um, I think you've told us Benny. I think a very light amount of non-soap warm water
Wipe it down get it cleaned white vinegar and then maybe some wind depths at the end of it to kind of finalize it
But it might be a two or three step process. Yeah
I never thought about the uh
A heater core good point. All right, you know, of course, there's a plastic that has those off gases too that
That creates that smudgy thing Nick. We have to run. How do we find other good folks at Lloyd's automotive?
Yes, sir. If you have a question you can always call we're here to help
651 228 1316 if you're in st. Paul the corn of grand in Chatsworth and always check out the website
Which is Lloyd's automotive net
I did notice your forecast and had to check to see I'm up in hermand town where it's still below zero
So hopefully we're headed headed your way into the 20s. Well, come on warm up. Yeah, come on come on back home
We'll talk next week. What do you say?
That sounds like sounds great, Danny. Good deal. Nick Stoffer from Lloyd's automotive
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