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Tips and Tricks for the Care of Jump-starting Car Batteries

Chances are, if you own a vehicle, at some point, you have turned the key only to hear a soft click, or worse, nothing at all. That is why it’s important to learn to care for and jump-start car batteries. Your Winter Garden, FL, auto repair supplier can recommend the right tools, so you are never stuck without a way to fire up the engine.

Maintenance

Stay ahead of issues with some simple maintenance tips:

Short trips are a battery killer; they need longer drives to recharge.
Keep jumper cables or a self-powered batteries jumper in your vehicle.
Get your electrical system inspected regularly.
Keep the batteries and terminals clean; if you notice corrosion, it may be time for a replacement.
Park in the shade or a garage to keep the battery cool.

Jumping a Battery

Vehicles today have several methods for jump-starting, so it may not be as straightforward as it seems. You must always follow the owner’s manual instructions to ensure you do not damage your electrical system.

But remember, you must never connect the black cable to the negative terminal on your dead battery, no matter what the make or model of your vehicle.

Follow all the steps exactly, and you will be back on the road in no time.

If your battery can’t hold a charge, even after a jump, take your car to an auto repair specialist. They will evaluate your battery and likely suggest a replacement.

Bringing Your Own Auto Parts to a Mechanic

The simple answer is “yes.” But the real question is whether you should bring your own auto parts to Apopka. It would be best if you considered all of the possible effects of bringing your own parts to your auto repair mechanic. Things to consider include:

Cost – If you think you are always going to save money when you bring your own parts to a mechanic, think again. Even with the ability to shop around, you will rarely find the same deals afforded to mechanics when they go to buy parts. It is also important to know that the cheap parts you find may not be compatible or of lesser quality. You might also lose out on any warranty the mechanic offers if the part breaks.

Vehicle – Parts change for different makes and models. They can also change through the years for the same makes and models. That means it is easy to end up purchasing the wrong part for your vehicle when you go looking for the best deal. It also drastically increases the chances of buying a lower-quality part that can end up doing more damage to your vehicle.

Mechanic – To be fair, most mechanics aren’t going to be thrilled about the idea of you bringing in your own parts. Installing an inferior component at the insistence of a customer could jeopardize their hard work. Mechanics have the experience and knowledge to find the best parts at competitive prices that can deliver performance and longevity. If a customer brings in a bad part and the mechanic installs it, they know it could lead to physical damage, personal injury, or a lawsuit—three things they don’t want to be associated with their business.

When you trust your auto mechanic enough to do the work on your car, you can trust them to select and use the best parts for the job.

What You Should Know About Car Batteries

The battery is the heart of your vehicle. Without a working battery, you’re not going anywhere. Whenever you need to troubleshoot or replace car batteries in Winter Garden, FL, visit our shop. In between visits, here’s what you should know about batteries to avoid failure and other issues.

How Long They Last

Auto batteries typically last between 3 to 5 years, but lifespan varies greatly. You can inadvertently damage your battery with bad habits like leaving lights, cooling, and sound on when stationary, only driving short distances (the battery needs long-distance driving to charge fully) and turning your headlights on before the engine. Likewise, extreme temperatures can shorten your battery’s life.

Signs of a Failing Battery

The best way to avoid getting stuck with a vehicle that won’t start is to take notice of easy warning signs and act early. Some red flags for car batteries are:

Slow Engine Crank
Check Engine Lights
Strange System Indicator Lights
Low Battery Fluid Level
Aging Battery

Dangers

While car batteries are overwhelmingly safe, they can harm your charging system or starter if they are too weak. When the battery is weak, your vehicle puts additional stress on your charging system and starter. These parts may malfunction due to drawing extra voltage to compensate for the lack of battery power. Avoid these issues by replacing your battery as soon as it starts getting low.

Preserve Your Car’s Engine with These Tips

You rely on your vehicle’s engine to bring you wherever you need to go. So, it can be a real hassle when it stops performing like it should. Fortunately, there are many steps you can take to extend the lifespan of your engine. Take a minute to read these tips about preventative auto repair in Apopka, FL.

Keep It Clean

Over time, dust, grime, and debris can make their way into your engine—not to mention leaves, insects, and dirt from the road. This can lead to blocked filters and overheating caused by excess grease. Your best option is to use a degreaser carefully around the outside of your engine.

Clean Your Sparkplugs

Periodically cleaning your sparkplugs will ensure that your combustion chamber remains free of dirt and grime. This small task will contribute greatly to the longevity of your engine.

Lubricate Properly

Your engine is full of countless moving parts, all of which must be able to move freely to achieve peak performance. For this reason, it’s crucial to reduce any friction that can cause your engine’s components to wear down. The best way to do this is to apply high-quality lubricants to the crankshaft, cylinder, and piston rings.

Change Your Oil

It may seem obvious, but regular oil changes are one of the most important ways to prevent your engine from breaking down early. Be sure to have your oil changed every six months.
Contact Millikan Battery & Electric for more advice about auto repair and keeping your engine running smoothly.

Signs You Need a New Car Battery

Imagine that you’re running late for an important appointment. You anxiously hop in the car, turn the key, and—nothing. A dead battery has a uniquely awful way of ruining your day. At Millikan Battery & Electric, our team completely understands this.

We’re in the business of car batteries in Winter Garden, FL. To keep your plans from coming to a dead halt, watch out for these signs that your battery is on the way out. If any of the below applies to you, we can help.

Your Vehicle Struggles to Start – When it takes longer to crank your engine, the lights flicker as you start the car, or you hear an odd noise, there’s a good chance your battery is facing imminent failure.
You Haven’t Driven Your Car for an Extended Period – Car batteries recharge as you drive; by letting your car sit idle for longer than usual, you are actually letting the battery lose its charge.
Your Battery Struggles with Seasonal Changes – The weather can adversely affect car batteries. Summer heat causes evaporation that can contribute to battery corrosion, and the winter chill can slow down the battery’s chemical reaction and make it harder to start the car. If your battery is older and it struggles with the changing temperature, you probably need a new one.
Your Car’s Battery Light Is On – Most of today’s cars won’t make you guess if there’s a battery or starting issue. When you see the battery light turn on, that’s a strong and obvious indicator that you should address your car’s battery ASAP.

What You Should Know About Your Radiator

It’s no secret that car engines get hot during a drive. While most of that is vented through the exhaust system, the rest has to go through a cooling system to keep your vehicle from overheating. That is the purpose of your radiator. Local shops like Millikan Battery & Electric offer auto repair in Apopka, FL, specifically for radiators to help keep them working properly. You’ll want to have your mechanic drain or flush it regularly and repair or replace it when needed.

Radiators eliminate the last of the heat by pumping it through cooling fins and core tubes and sending the coolant mixture back into the engine. Because they’re at the front of the car, they can be hit by debris from the road. If that debris bends the fins, the heat gets trapped inside instead of being dispersed. Speak to your mechanic about radiator auto repair if yours is experiencing that issue or any of the others listed below. These experts can determine both what the problem is and what solution is needed to fix it. Some common causes are:

Constant Overheating
Coolant Leaking
Mineral Buildup
Rust
Scaling
Stress
Wear and Tear

How to Troubleshoot Strange Sounds Coming from Your Car

You know how your vehicle sounds when you start, park, and turn it off. It is probably just a matter of time before you notice something that sounds different. It could result from a temperature change or indicate the start of a serious problem. Instead of ignoring what you are hearing, be proactive and seek auto repair in Apopka, FL.

All Sounds Are Not the Same

A squealing sound when you turn off the engine sometimes indicates an issue with your belts. If they are loose, the belts may require adjusting, but if they are frayed or cracked, it may be time to replace them.

A low oil level or a defective valve may cause ticking that you hear while the engine idles. However, a loud knocking could indicate a serious engine problem, so automotive professionals recommend you pull over and turn off the car right away to prevent extensive damage.

Check your automobile’s suspension system or shock absorbers if you hear a clunk-type sound when you drive, particularly if you hit a bump. The team at Millikan Battery & Electric has the knowledge, skills, and experience to find the source of your car’s trouble and provide you with auto repair and maintenance that resolves the problem. Reach out to us with any of your questions.

Take Better Care of Your Car’s Battery

Replacing your car battery is inevitable, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t steps you can take to cut down costs. With the right knowledge, you can save on service fees by avoiding premature drain. When it comes to protecting your car batteries in Winter Garden, FL, follow these quick tips for success:

Keep an Eye Out — Every few months, pop your hood and do a quick visual inspection of the battery. You’re looking for signs of corrosion, cracks in the casing, and issues with cables that might need to be addressed.

Do a Quick Clean — If you do spot corrosion, taking the time to clean it off can help you extend your battery life. A toothbrush dipped in a mixture of baking soda and water should do the trick!

Go Long — Avoiding short trips as much as possible means that your battery has a chance to fully charge while you drive. Likewise, it’s important not to leave your vehicle sitting in a parking lot for too long without firing up the engine, since batteries naturally drain over time.

Invest in Service — You can do a lot on your own to help your battery out, but only professionals can provide the full range of insight and care your car needs. Don’t hesitate to stop by a battery shop for assistance when you need repairs, inspections, or replacements.

How to Avoid an Engine Oil Leak

Your car engine runs hot, and unless you have adequate oil lubricating the parts, you could end up with major issues. Learn what to look for and when you might need to speak to an expert in auto repair in Apopka, FL. Since oil is so critical to the function of a vehicle, it’s the concern car owners worry about the most.

Regular Oil Changes

It’s important to schedule your car for regular oil changes and maintenance checks. Dirty oil is very hard on engine parts, so staying on a schedule can help to ensure your oil never gets beyond its usefulness or causes damage.

High-Quality Oil

Using high-quality oil will also maintain the integrity of your engine. Choosing the correct viscosity is vital; too thin and the friction becomes high, too thick, and the engine must work too hard. Your automotive repair professional will know which oil is best for your vehicle.

Stay Ahead of Problems

An experienced mechanic will be able to spot problems before they start. Correct installation of parts like gaskets, components, seals, and flanges is vital to preventing issues for your engine. If you spot a leak from under your car, call us to get it checked out right away. The last thing you want is for your vehicle to run out of oil.

What To Do When Your Car Is Smoking

Anyone who sees a smoking car knows that something’s not quite right, but the vast majority of people couldn’t guess what the problem is or the best way to address it. Fortunately, paying close attention to the color and scent of the smoke can provide you with a good indication of the next steps you should take. We encourage you to learn about different smoke colors and smells and what they signify when it comes to auto repair in Apopka, FL.

White Smoke

Tailpipe smoke that is white in color can indicate that one of your engine’s internal parts is burning inside of the combustion chamber. Alternatively, white smoke accompanied by a pungent and sweet odor can be the result of a blown radiator hose incorrectly spraying coolant onto your engine.

Blue or Gray Smoke

If you notice blue or gray smoke with a pungent odor exiting your tailpipe, it’s likely that your engine is burning oil. This could be a result of worn piston rings, leaking valve seals, a clogged PCV valve, or even the failure to change your oil regularly.

Black Smoke

Black smoke that smells of gasoline is a sure sign that your vehicle is burning through raw fuel. There are several possible ways this can happen, from a leaky fuel injector to a malfunctioning sensor.

What You Should Do

If your car is smoking—regardless of color—it’s important that you pull over immediately to address the situation. You can check the gauges and warning lights to see if there are any obvious problems. However, your best bet is to contact professionals that specialize in auto repair in Apopka, FL. The team at Millikan Battery & Electric can inspect your vehicle and determine the best solution to get you safely back on the road.