AUTONET TV

Fuel Injector Cleaning at Muffler & Go

In very simple terms, a fuel injector is a valve that squirts fuel into your vehicle engine. Your engine control computer tells the fuel injector how much fuel to deliver as well as the precise time it should be delivered. Of course this happens thousands of times a minute in every single fuel-injected vehicle driving down Fenton roads.

Most fuel injectors for gas engines are known in the Fenton automotive community as port fuel injectors because they deliver the fuel to a port just outside the cylinder. The fuel pump provides pressure needed to squirt the right amount of fuel into the engine.

A few have recently introduced gas direct injection systems on some engines. They are now available at some MI dealerships. These systems inject the gas directly into the cylinders under very high pressure – many times the pressure of port injection systems.

Although more complicated, direct injection technology promises greater power with improved fuel economy. MI motorists can expect to see more of it in the future.

High temperatures under your vehicle hood and variations in Fenton gas quality cause fuel injectors to be fouled with wax, dirt, water, additives and carbon. Injectors can become partially clogged, preventing them from delivering the proper amount of fuel at the correct pressure.

When injectors are dirty, the fuel doesn't burn as efficiently resulting in poor fuel economy and loss of power. So it's wise for Fenton residents to keep their fuel injectors clean.

Your technician at Muffler & Go can perform a fuel system service for you in which the fuel injectors are cleaned so that they operate properly and deliver the right amount of fuel at the right time.

Proper maintenance of your vehicle fuel system means that you will spend less on gas, enjoy strong performance and prevent repair bills down the road.

Muffler & Go
1478 N Leroy St
Fenton, MI 48430
(810) 629-1066
www.mufflerandgo.net

I Can See Clearly (Wiper Blade Replacement)

Warm weather can bring severe storms, and when the rain is coming down hard, that's one time you really need to be able to see as clearly as possible out your windshield.  Having wiper blades that are fit for the job are important to maintain that safe view.

Maybe you live in a climate where you use blades made for winter weather and you have haven't changed them since the weather changed.  Those blades are made of heavier materials and don't work as well in warmer temperatures. Blades made for warm temperatures are lighter and clear water better in the warmer months.

The general rule of thumb is you should change your blades every six months, but if you use them a lot, you might have to change them more often.  A couple of signs that your blades need changing? If you are seeing streaks on the glass or hearing a chattering sound when your wipers are working, time for a new pair.

Wiper blades have cleaning windshields on vehicles for more than 100 years.  The original designs have a multi-part frame that are better for flatter windshields.  But newer vehicle designs now have curvier windshields, so a more recent design is called a blade wiper.  It's designed to conform better to the glass so cleans it better. 

Conventional wipers also aren’t as aerodynamic as blade wipers. Wind buffeting can reduce the pressure they apply on the rubber to the glass.  With a spoiler as part of their design, blade wipers are pressed more tightly to the glass, an advantage in clearing water from it.

Another option is hybrid blades, essentially a conventional blade with a plastic shell around the wiper's frame that makes it more aerodynamic and, some say, gives it a more aesthetic look. 

There are lots of choices, so consult our service professionals for a recommendation on which blade fits your needs—and budget—best.  Keep your eyes on the road and keep your windshield sparkling clean, rain or shine.

Muffler & Go
1478 N Leroy St
Fenton, MI 48430
(810) 629-1066
www.mufflerandgo.net

Why Maintaining Your Windshield Wipers and Washers Matters (Windshield Wiper and Washer Inspection)

What do mud, bird droppings and frost all have in common? When they’re covering your windshield, they can temporarily obscure your view of the road, leaving you driving blind.  And when you can’t see the road clearly ahead of you, it can be really scary. 

That’s one of the reasons it’s important to maintain your windshield cleaning system, which includes your wipers, blades and washers.  They’re three vital components that work together to ensure you’re clearly seeing what’s going on with the road and drivers around you.

Your wipers are doing the physical work on the surface of your windshield’s glass.  The rubber or silicone is what touches the surface of the glass, and after time and exposure to the elements, wiper blades can get brittle, lose their flexibility, rip and tear to the point where they simply can’t clear the glass.  

What holds the wiper blades close to the glass is important, too.  Conventional blades use a metal frame which holds flexible rubber inserts.  Just the inserts can be changed which keeps replacement costs down.

Another type that’s gaining more popularity is called a beam blade.  It doesn’t have a frame but instead has a stiff beam and blade combination.  Beam blades can conform more snugly to the curved glass used in many recent vehicle designs.  Plus they have a sweeping shape which harnesses the pressure of the air that passes over them to apply more pressure during wiping, especially effective at highway speeds. High-tech rubber wiper blades, what …?! Seriously, they are pretty cool.

If you crossed the conventional frame blade with a beam blade, you’d have the hybrid wiper.  It’s constructed like a traditional wiper with a plastic frame that takes advantage of the aerodynamic shape of a beam blade.

Equally important to your windshield is the washer system since wiper blades simply don’t work on dry glass.  The washers use a pump to shoot fluid on your glass to remove debris, dust and other contaminants. 

All these systems need to always be at the ready since we never know what elements we’ll encounter on the road. Regular inspections and maintenance of your wipers and washers can ensure you’ll be able to see far down the road ahead of you for clearer vision and safer traveling.

Muffler & Go
1478 N Leroy St
Fenton, MI 48430
(810) 629-1066
www.mufflerandgo.net

Why is My Vehicle Overheating?

When it comes to your vehicle overheating, the signs can be loud and clear when you have a problem.  You may see a thermometer-shaped warning light come on or a temperature gauge whose needle is pointing in the red zone.  When either of those happen, it’s important to take quick action to avoid serious damage.

An overheating engine usually results when the cooling system can’t remove heat fast enough. Among the most common reasons for overheating is that the amount of coolant in your engine is low. That coolant circulates through your engine, absorbs heat and then heads toward the radiator, where it can get rid of the heat.

So, what causes that coolant to be low? Often there’s a leak somewhere in the system.  The radiator, water pump or the engine block can all develop leaks as can the hoses that carry the coolant from one part to the next.  You can also get leaks when the clamps that connect them fail.

Another part that can go bad is the thermostat, which can cause the engine to heat up quickly. So can a broken water pump. The pump is supposed to keep coolant moving through the system. But when it fails, the coolant isn’t moving and therefore can’t carry heat away from the engine.

Other possible causes of overheating is a clogged radiator or a fan that’s not circulating air through it. Also, don’t forget that the coolant in your vehicle has to have the correct mix of water and antifreeze. 

Why is a cool engine so important? Because heat is your engine’s worst enemy. Having a technician regularly keep an eye on your cooling system can help prevent problems before they start.

Muffler & Go
1478 N Leroy St
Fenton, MI 48430
(810) 629-1066
www.mufflerandgo.net