Clarksville Auto Repair

This blog series explores automotive diesel engines’ history, evolution, and maintenance. Be sure to check out Part 1 if you have not read it already. In Part 2, we will look at diesel car maintenance tips, including time intervals for an oil change, filters, and coolant service. We will also cover a few performance and efficiency suggestions for your diesel car. HOW DIESEL CARS WORK Diesel engines operate via compression-ignited injection. Diesel fuel is vaporized and sent into a high-temperature combustion chamber where ignition occurs. Additionally, unlike gasoline combustion engines, diesel engines do not use spark plugs. DIESEL CAR MAINTENANCE TIPS Road conditions, climate, and driving styles can impact the frequency of necessary vehicle maintenance. Therefore, one of the best ways to care for our diesel cars is to be aware of their performance and efficiency changes. A noticeable difference in power output o ... read more

There’s always a lot of noise about the future. We talk about new technology, innovations, and inventions almost daily. Sometimes, it’s nice to look at the past to see where things originated. Modern passenger vehicles with diesel engines have a fascinating origin story. Want to find out who invented the diesel engine, how compression creates power, and why glow plugs are essential? This blog series will address those questions and explore diesel repairs and maintenance tips for diesel cars, diesel trucks & SUVs, and finally, diesel commercial vehicles. THE HISTORY OF DIESEL ENGINES Officially, the credit for designing the first diesel engine goes to Rudolf Diesel. He received a German patent for his original design in 1892. After additional research, Rudolf revised his initial design and obtained another patent in 1893. He completed and tested his first official working diesel en ... read more

Before you hit the road this winter, be sure you have completed all the factory-recommended winter auto maintenance on your car. Traveling in winter weather can be hard on you and your vehicle. Be sure to thoroughly inspect your tires, wipers, HVAC system, defroster, and antifreeze levels. WINTER AUTO MAINTENANCE During winter, the colder temperatures require a bit more auto maintenance diligence than during the rest of the year. The winter months bring freezing temperatures, heavy rains, sleet, and snow. There is a higher drain on the car battery, and your engine has to work harder to pump cold-thickened fluids. Even your tires experience a more demanding workout on wet, slick, or icy roads saturated with road salt. Let’s look at how we can keep our vehicle running safely this season through some basic winter auto maintenance. TIRES Check out your tires weekly. Inspect them for damages, including the tread, sidewalls, and pressure valve. Ensu ... read more

It can be frustrating to get no acceleration from your engine after you stomp on the gas, especially when trying to pass a big rig on the highway. After all, your vehicle is supposed to go faster when you need it to. What should you do if your car won’t accelerate? I’d recommend scheduling an auto repair diagnosis with your local mechanic. There are many reasons why your vehicle won’t accelerate, and they can vary depending on the type and age of your car. A qualified technician can diagnose the problem and tell you if it is an issue with your timing belt, bad sensors, or faulty parts. REASONS YOUR VEHICLE WON’T ACCELERATE BAD SENSORS Car manufacturers design modern vehicles with a ton of sensors that operate the various components within your engine. Most of the time, when one (or more) of these sensors go bad, it will trigger a dash warning light. Your mechanic can identify the diagnostic code once that happens. However, if the bad sensor do ... read more

With more and more hybrid car options available these days, it’s good to know what type of batteries are used in your hybrid and how to care for them. The technology for Hybrid auto batteries is constantly evolving and improving. Let’s look at the most common battery packs in use today, explore what regenerative braking is, and how charging stations work. WHAT ARE HYBRID AUTO BATTERIES? Manufacturers made the early hybrid auto batteries out of nickel-metal hydride (NiMH or Ni–MH). The automobile industry considered these early batteries both stable and reliable. However, the batteries were also quite bulky and heavy. By 2008, manufacturers produced more than 2 million NiMH style batteries for hybrid cars worldwide. Moving forward to the year 2020, most hybrid vehicles now use lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, which are smaller, lighter, an ... read more