When Should Car Batteries Be Replaced?

How Long Do Car Batteries Last?

The Answer: Lead acid car battery life expectancy is 3-5 years. Auto battery life is shorter in regions with hot climate due to water loss and sulfation.

The most simple and effective way to extend the life of an automotive battery is to keep it charged close to 100%. Periodically check the state of charge of your battery and charge it with a dedicated charger device when necessary.

 Consequently, try to avoid deep battery discharges that can happen, for example, if you leave your car's lights on.

Hybrid car battery life expectancy and electric car battery life expectancy is about 8 years.

Need a new battery or need to have it charged to last longer, click HERE for Autovantage.

Oxygen Sensor, How Do They Work!

What is an Oxygen Sensor and how does it work?

Every new car, and most cars produced after 1980, have an oxygen sensor. The sensor is part of the emissions control system and feeds data to the­ engine management computer/

 The goal of the sensor is to help the engine run as efficiently as possible and also to produce as few emissions as possible.

A gasoline engine uses oxygen to burn gasoline. There is a particular ratio of air and gasoline that is "perfect," and the most common ratio is 14.7:1 (different fuels have different perfect ratios ) If there is less air than this perfect ratio, then there will be fuel left over after combustion. This left over fuel creates pollution.

 If there is more air than this perfect ratio, then there is excess oxygen. More nitrogen-oxide pollutants are created in this situation and can cause poor performance and even engine damage.

Th­e oxygen sensor is positioned in the exhaust pipe and can detect the mixtures. The reason why the engine needs the oxygen sensor is because the amount of oxygen that the engine can pull in depends on all sorts of things, such as the altitude, the temperature of the air, the temperature of the engine, the barometric pressure, the load on the engine, etc.

When the oxygen sensor fails, the computer can no longer sense the air/fuel ratio, so it ends up guessing. Your car performs poorly and uses more fuel than it needs to.

Want an expert to help make sure this device works? Click HERE for Autoadvantage.com.

How Often Should I Change My Spark Plugs?

There is no single correct answer to this question. As spark plugs age, they lose their sharp edges as material from the center and ground electrodes is slowly eroded away.

 As the gap between these two points grows, the voltage required to bridge the gap increases. Even the best ignition systems will be stressed to supply enough voltage to completely burn the fuel.

Replacing worn out spark plugs with new ones effectively restores the ignition system's efficiency. Misfires are reduced, power is restored, economy of operation is enhanced and emissions are reduced.

The best guide is the manufacturer's recommendation for your vehicle, as this particular service varies from brand to brand and model to model.

In the absence of this information or in conjunction with it, you can rely on the advice of a mechanic who is familiar with your type of vehicle.

Click HERE to call the technicians at Autovantage Service Center for expert advice to keep your vehicle running at its best.

Car Won't Start? What do you Look For?

Your Car won’t start – what do you look for?

There is nothing more frustrating than a car that won't start. There are many possible causes to a no-start problem, but if you take some time to do some troubleshooting, you will feel a bit more in control of the problem and able to explain the issue to your automotive technician.

Turn the key, if there is no sound and no lights, you may need a new battery or a jump start. If you don't have a dead battery, it might be the starter. Wiring or blown fuse can also cause a starting issue. Your fuel injection can be an issue if the problem occurs when trying to start a "cold" vehicle. If it is a "hot" start, the distributor or fuel pump could be the problem.... could be a lot of things, but let us help you sort out your car won't start problem.

Your vehicle is a complex machine but narrowing down the problem can help same time and money. For more information, Call your experts at Autovantage Service Centers.

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Check Oil Light - What Does it Look Like and What Should I do?

If this light turns on while driving you should pull over and turn the car off. Check the oil level and add oil if necessary. An oil pressure warning light (or low gauge reading) means one of two things: either your engine has dangerously low oil pressure or the oil pressure sending unit that triggers the warning light has failed.We recommend you contact your local shop or Autovantage Service Center so as to not cause any damage.

What is an Airbag Fault Indicator Light and Why is it Important?

The picture above represents the Air Bag Fault Indicator Light. If this light stays illimunated after starting your vehicle it indicates that vehicle has found a fault in the airbag system and the computer has set a code. With this light on solid your airbag system may not deploy as it should in case of an emergency. We recommend that you contact us at Autovantage Service Center at 530-823-3456 should this light be on in your vehicle, to have it diagnosed.

Signs of Air Conditioning Problems Inside Your Vehicle

Summer is coming fast and soon we will reach for the AC button in our vehicles.  Below are some common symptoms which will let you know your air conditioning needs servicing.

-Wet carpeting on hot, humid days can indicate a clogged air conditioner drain. When the drain is working correctly you'll see water dripping onto the pavement under the vehicle after you park.

-A vibration or abnormal noise when the fan is on could indicate debris in the blower fan

-A reduced amount of air coming out of the vents, especially if it happens after driving for awhile, might mean the air conditioner's evaporator is freezing up.

-A musty or mildew odor when the fan is first turned on, or all the time when the system is running, can indicate that mold or mildew is growing in the evaporator box.

As the weather starts to warm up, make sure you take care of your vehicle's air conditioning unit now and it will take care of you in July.

Give us a call. Autovantage Service Centers