What’s Wrong When The “Check Engine Light” Comes On New Jersey?

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Paul Sansone, Jr.

Photo Credit: olx.com

It has most likely happened to some or all of us one point in time. You are driving your vehicle down the road and all of a sudden you notice your “check engine” light come on. What does this mean? It can be quite irritating when this happens because as you probably know, it could be any number of things. Whatever the problem, when your “check engine” light comes on it needs to be checked out!

When your “check engine” light comes on this is the onboard diagnostics system or OBD II, letting you know that something is wrong with your vehicle’s emissions, ignition or fuel system. These systems are there to detect when your vehicle is having any engine-related problems affecting the emissions system.

Whenever you start your vehicle, the “check engine” light will come on for a few seconds with your other warning lights, and then should go off as they all do. However, if it remains on, then that means that there is a problem. There could be many things going on with your engine, so it is best for a professional auto technician to take a look at your vehicle. You may be able to try a few things first based on what the “check engine” light is doing. Before bringing it in you can try tightening the gas cap. Sometimes if it is loose, it can set of the “check engine” light. If that doesn’t work you can also try replacing your gas cap if it is old and worn. However, if the light is flashing it is best to bring in your vehicle as soon as possible because this usually indicates a serious problem.

Once you have tried to fix the problem yourself, if the problem still persists, bring your vehicle in to be looked at. An auto technician can diagnose the problem by connecting to your vehicle’s onboard diagnostics system. For more information on your “check engine light,” visit www.blogs.cars.com. And if your check engine light is on, bring in your vehicle to your local new and used New Jersey auto dealer, Sansone Jr’s 66 Automall. Our service department will be happy to help with any problem your vehicle may have.

What Is The Life Of A Battery In A New Car New Jersey?

Posted on February 28, 2013 by Paul Sansone, Jr.

Photo Credit: news.discovery.com

When you purchase a new vehicle, you probably assume that everything, including the battery, will last for a while before you need to fix anything or do any maintenance. Unfortunately, a hot climate can have you replacing your battery before you anticipated.

Heat is the main culprit behind a shortened battery life, affecting the performance and reserve capacity of your new cars battery. There are two main reasons that you may experience a shortened battery life in your new car, heat and overcharging. You may be thinking that the cold has more an affect on your vehicle’s battery, as that is when the majority of batteries seem to have problems. It is true that more service calls are answered in the winter months, however this is due to the damage and weakening your battery withstands from the summer months. When the colder temperatures roll around, your battery will require a stronger electrical current to turn over as the engine oil thickens in the when the temperatures drop.

As some point, you should test your vehicle’s battery with the change in seasons. If high temperatures are part of your hometown climate, a new battery should be tested after two years of owning the vehicle and then every year thereafter. If the climate you live in is more temperate, you can wait four years before you have your battery tested and then every year thereafter. There are some things you can do to make sure that you get the most life out of your battery.

• Charge your vehicle’s electrical system at the correct rate. Under and over charging can damage it just the same.
• Regularly fill your battery with distilled water if it is the type of battery that requires this. It is a good idea to check it regularly, especially in the warmer months.
• If you need to replace your battery, the replacement battery should be rated the same or higher than what was originally used.
• Clean and maintain the top of your battery. Dirt can drain your battery power and corrosion can become an insulator, preventing the flow of the current.

For more information on the expected life and maintenance of your new battery, visit www.cars.com. And if you have any questions or need any maintenance on your vehicle’s battery, visit your local new and used New Jersey auto dealer, Sansone Jr’s 66 Automall. Our service department is here to help!

Don’t Ignore Your Check Engine Light New Jersey!

Posted on January 23, 2013 by Paul Sansone, Jr.

Photo Credit: avbumpertobumper.com

Having problems with your vehicle or needing it repaired can be a very inconvenient event. Sometimes the culprit that puts your vehicle in the shop is your dreaded check engine light. According to Business Insider, 65 percent of Americans let there “check engine” light go unchecked because they don’t want to spend the money to fix whatever may be the problem. Ignoring this little light however, can lead to bigger problems if left unchecked. The following are the top five reasons your “check engine” light may be on:

1. O2 Sensor. The most common problem that can lead to your “check engine” light illuminating is a faulty O2 sensor. This can cause your gas mileage to decrease by 40 percent, which may lead to you throwing away $900 per year!
2. Damaged gas cap. Having a loose or missing gas cap is the cause of 147 million in evaporated gas every year. And this can reduce your gas mileage by .5 percent; so don’t let any more gas evaporate out of your vehicle.
3. Catalytic converter. Generally speaking, your catalytic converter will not fail unless a related part is not fixed or replaced. Once such part is a spark plug. A spark plug is left unrepaired will affect your catalytic converter and can cost up to $1,000 to repair.
4. Replacing ignition coils. Your ignition coils are another part that can be affected by bad spark plugs as well as overheating under the hood and old age. If the ignition coils begin to fail, your gas mileage can go down by 20 percent.
5. Mass airflow sensor. Your vehicle’s mass air flow sensor will need repair if you leave your air filters unchanged for too long or if you live in a dry, dusty region. Leaving your mass airflow sensors unrepaired can also reduce your gas mileage by as much as 25 percent.

For more information on what causes your check engine light to come on, visit businessinsider.com. And bring in your vehicle when the engine light comes on to your local new and used New Jersey dealer, Sansone Jr’s 66 Automall.

Driving Safely This Winter Season New Jersey! Part 1 of 2

Posted on December 11, 2012 by Paul Sansone, Jr.

It has been a while since we, as motorists have had to drive on snow and ice. Due to this, you may find yourself not as sure on the slick roads once the winter weather comes more regularly. The snow, ice and cold temperatures that come with Old Man Winter, however, can cause the most difficult road conditions for motorists. By preparing ahead of time for slick roads, you can help save lives. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends the following to help you prepare for winter road conditions.

Plan Ahead:

• Before winter starts, bring your vehicle in for a service check to make sure there aren’t any leaks, bad hoses or other problems.
• Check or have your battery checked to make sure it has sufficient battery voltage.
• Have your battery cable connections checked to make sure they are secure. Also have your charging system and belts looked at.
• Make sure your car’s coolant is at the appropriate level.
• Fill your windshield washer fluid to capacity before the first storm hits, and use a high-quality “no-freeze” washer fluid for the winter months.
• Keep an extra bottle of washer fluid stashed in your vehicle as well.
• Make sure that your windshield wipers work properly and do not streak when turned on. If this is the case, have them replaced.

For more information about driving on the snow and ice during the winter months, visit cars.com and follow the above tips to help keep you safe. And, if you need to have your vehicle checked or serviced for your winter driving, visit your local new and used New Jersey dealer, Sansone Jr’s 66 Automall. Our service department will get your vehicle tuned up and ready for driving on any winter weather conditions that may come our way.

Vehicles And The Aftermath Of Flooding New Jersey!

Posted on November 7, 2012 by Paul Sansone, Jr.

Photo Credit: weather.com

Many of us on New Jersey have experienced the devastation of flooding to our homes and our vehicles. For anyone outside of the damage area who watched the news during Hurricane Sandy, you probably saw footage of many, many vehicles flooded and submerged in water. As the states affected by the storm begin to clean up and survey the damage, one of the tasks at hand is to determine whether or not all the flooded vehicles are salvageable.

If a vehicle floods and it is your only mode of transportation, you may be able to drive it again, however, not without some issues. Often the best option is to have your insurance company declare the vehicle totaled and replace it. If this is not an option for you though, there are things some things you can do to try and repair it and determine if it is even in fact repairable.

The first task that must be performed is to remove all of the water from the vehicle. Clean or replace the seats, carpet and interior panels. Bleach is also needed to attempt to kill any mold spores.
Remove the spark plugs and any water that may have gotten into the engine cylinders. If you do see water come out, the engine can potentially develop corrosion and fail. The motor oil and transmission oil need to be drained as they may have become diluted during the flooding.
Once you have performed the above tasks, you can start engine and check for any electronic problems.
If water has flooded your vehicle further than the floor, generally it is unsalvageable and should be totaled. If you still want to attempt to fix it, check the engine’s cylinders, electronic components under the seats and dashboard, electronic seat controls, electric windows, ignition switches and airbags.

Try the above mentioned steps when determining the condition of your flooded vehicle. For more information visit cars.com. And stop by your local new and used auto dealer, Sansone Jr’s 66 Automall. We can help you fix and determine the best course of action for you New Jersey!

Summer Car Care Tips For The Summer Months New Jersey!

Posted on August 22, 2012 by Paul Sansone, Jr.

Photo Credit: carinsurancechamps.com

The summer heat can wreak havoc on more than just your energy level. Your automobile can also get a beating from the summer sun. There are some precautions you can take however, to maintain your vehicle and keep the rays of summer from causing so much damage.

1. Cover Your Vehicle
The last thing you would think of putting on during the summer months is a sweater. However, your vehicle needs just that! When you leave your vehicle outside in the sun, put up a reflective sunshade to help protect the interior from heat and sun damage. Use a vinyl or leather protector on the seats and dash to safeguard against fading and discoloration.

2. Tint Your Windows
Tinting your windows can also help keep the sun out of your vehicle. Make sure that the tint you choose blocks out ultraviolet rays and be sure and check your local New Jersey law for legal tint shades.

3. Inspect Your Batter
Check your battery fluid level to make sure it is full. If it is too low your battery will need to be filled with distilled water. Check your automobile’s owners manual to see if your vehicle requires water and for specifications.

4. Top Off Your Coolant
Check your radiator coolant tank for the level. You can top it off whenever you need, but be sure to let your vehicle cool down for at least an hour before. When you remove the lid, do so slowly and with caution as the pressure in the tank might be high.

5. Check Your Tire Pressure
Measure and monitor your tire pressure with a tire gauge during the summer months. Do this after sunset, however, as your tire pressure rises during the day due to the higher temperatures.

6. Wax And Wash Your Vehicle
It is always important to keep your vehicle washed, but during the summer months your car automobile can collect heat absorbing dirt and oxidation that needs to be removed.

7. Get Regular Maintenance
As always, it is important to bring in your vehicle for regular maintenance checks. This will hopefully prevent something major going wrong with your automobile.

Stop by Sansone Jr’s 66 Auto Mall for all your maintenance needs!

After an Accident Remember These Tips New Jersey!

Posted on January 6, 2012 by Paul Sansone, Jr.

We all drive through New Jersey everyday; whether it’s back and forth from work and home, driving kids around to all their activities or taking a family road trip. We hop in our car and go, not thinking about or worrying if we end up in an accident. It’s not something any of use likes to think about, but it is a risk we take every time we sit in that drivers seat. I hope that no one is ever involved in a car accident but, if it unfortunately happens, try to remain calm and remember to follow these tips.

Stop Your Vehicle

After an accident occurs when you are in your New Jersey vehicle, stop your vehicle and assess the situation. In the case of a minor accident with no injuries, try to move the cars out of the way of traffic and off to the side, until further assistance arrives. If the cars are too damaged to move, put on your hazard lights to warn oncoming traffic. In the case of injury call for an ambulance and let the injured person remain where they are unless they are in danger of getting hit or further injured.

Get Help

Notify the police to report your accident and call paramedics if there are injuries.

Exchange Information

Each driver needs to provide their name, driver’s license number, license plate number, phone number and insurance information.

Report the Accident

File a report with the New Jersey state police department and with your insurance company. If there is a police officer present and they are filing a report, be sure and get a copy for your insurance company and insurance report. This will help your insurance company with its claims process and hopefully, help make the whole process a little faster.

If an accident happens to you, try to remember the tips above to help the process go a bit more smoothly. We wish you safe driving from your New Jersey car dealer, Sansone Jr’s 66 Automall. Stop by anytime to view our newest Nissans, Suzukis and Kias.

Running Your Vehicle on Empty is Bad News New Jersey!

Posted on December 4, 2011 by Paul Sansone, Jr.

Your gas light turns on and the alert goes off, yet you decided you make it to your next destination. And your next, and your next and then before you know it your vehicle is stalling out and you’re wondering why. Could it be the battery? The engine? No, you’ve just simply run out of gas. This is an unfortunate situation you have now found yourself and now comes the hard part. Should you call a friend and risk getting weeks, possibly years of ridicule and jokes that you had to be rescued from the side of the road because you ran out of gas. Or do you call roadside assistance? If you have a newer Nissan, Kia or Suzuki and you’re still within in terms of your warranty you should do the latter and call your roadside assistance for help.

Not only running out of gas can be embarrassing, but it can also cause some damage to your vehicle. Now that’s something you want to think twice about before you decide to push your vehicle to make it to your next destination on the last drop. So what can go wrong? A lot of things!

When you’re low on gas the fuel-pump motor starts to suck in air which creates heat and can cause problems with the fuel pump. In fact, gasoline acts like a coolant for the electric fuel-pump motor, so keeping your tank at least one quarter of a tank full is good for everyone!

Fuel pump damage can be minor which could be premature wearing to something more serious which would be complete fuel-pump failure. And unfortunately fixing it could be at least a couple of hundred of dollars.

And as I’ve mentioned above, another problem with running out of gas in your vehicle is that it can leave you stranded! Never mind the jokes that will be made, but it does leave you in an unsafe situation…stranded on the side of the road.

But thankfully, all of this is preventable if you keep your eye on your fuel tank. Here are some helpful tips from your New Jersey car dealer, Sansone Jr’s 66 Automall:

Don’t let your tank less than a quarter tank full
To get the most bang for your buck, fill up when it’s coldest (mornings in the summer) and pump slowly
Download gas price apps so that you’re not driving all around town
Fill up before at the beginning of the work week or before a long trip

Keep an eye on your gas tank and don’t let it get to low! Keep your gas mileage good with regular scheduled maintenance check too. And always, stop by Sansone Jr’s 66 Automall for the greatest new and used vehicles New Jersey!

Do You Have a Smoking Tailpipe New Jersey?

Posted on November 28, 2011 by Paul Sansone, Jr.

It seems that the winter weather can bring out some interesting problems in your vehicle that you really didn’t know you had. For example, tailpipe smoke is definitely one thing that you can see much better in the cold weather versus the warmer weather. More times than not, tailpipe smoke is not a very serious issue, but on some occasions it can be. There are four different types of smoke your vehicle can emit and of course you don’t want to have a bad tailpipe smoking issue so below are some tips on how to tell what type of smoke you may be seeing.

Thin white smoke: No need for concern

If your tailpipe is emitting a thin cloud of white smoke which looks more like a vapor then there is no need for concern. This thin white smoke should dissipate quickly after leaving the tailpipe. This is the result of a normal condensation buildup inside of the exhaust system. It may even be accompanied by some drops of water as well, and this is also no need for concern. The condensation has usually built up over the nighttime and is most commonly seen during the first start up in the morning.

Thick white smoke: Call the tow truck or Get to Sansone Jr’s 66 Automall Service Department

If billowing white smoke is coming out of your tailpipe and does not look anything like the vapory white smoke as describe above then you most likely have a serious problem and need your vehicle to be seen by the service department at Sansone Jr’s 66 Automall. This thick white smoke is an indication of engine trouble and if you continue to drive the vehicle there is potential that it could overheat and you may be faced with even more damage. Possible engine problems could be a blown head gasket, damaged cylinder head, the engine burning coolant or a cracked engine block. All of these are serious problems that need immediate attention as they affect your engine.

Black Smoke: See Sansone Jr’s 66 Automall Service Department

If the exhaust of your vehicle is emitting something that looks more like a coal burning train then you may need to get your vehicle checked out right away as your engine may be burning too much fuel. There are two different kinds of black smoke, one being okay and the other not so much. If you start your car in cold weather and get back smoke, but then it clears up as the engine warms up then it’s not really anything to worry about.

However, if the black smoke keeps on coming out, then it may be an indicator of a dirty or clogged air filter, a clogged fuel injector, or a faulty sensor. Regardless, you will need to get your vehicle checked out.

Grey or Blue Smoke: See Sansone Jr’s 66 Automall Service Department

Oil being burned in the engines combustion chamber may result in thick grey or blue smoke coming out of your tailpipe. This problem can range from something minor as a clogged oil passages or something more serious.

One big concern if your engine is burning oil is that your oil level will be decreasing and will need to be checked often and topped-off too. If this problem is not fixed you can encounter problems with your engines spark plugs.

If your vehicle is emitting questioning smoke from its tailpipe then you need to get to your New Jersey car dealer and see the service department at Sansone Jr’s 66 Automall today!

The Top Vehicle Winterizing Tips New Jersey!

Posted on October 10, 2011 by Paul Sansone, Jr.

It’s finally cooling off so that means even colder weather will soon be on its way. Before that happens I highly recommend getting your vehicle prepared for the winter weather. You never know when Mother Nature will decide to dump an early snow on us, so I think it’s much better to be prepared earlier than get caught in a snowy situation unprepared.

Below are some tips on how to get you and your vehicle prepared for the winter months!

Check your vehicles belts and hoses. These were most likely checked at your last routine maintence tune-up, but unless it was done just a few months ago I would suggest taking it to a service department to get looked at. Sansone Jr’s 66 Automall is a great place if you ask me!
Pack an emergency kit for your car. With cold weather you have be even more prepared in case you find yourself in a not so good situation. In your winter emergency kit you should have an ice scraper, warm blanket, non-perishable food, candles and gloves should be added to your usual emergency kit.
Make sure to keep up to date on your oil changes. You don’t want your engine overheat due to lack of oil.
Check, and if necessary, replace your windshield wiper blades. You should also keep close tabs on your windshield wiper fluid as well.
Your defrost and heating units need to be in proper working order. You really need to be able to see out of your windshield if fog builds up as well as be warm and comfortable in your car. But if you have to chose one or the other, make sure your defrost is working.
To keep safe I recommend that you don’t let your gas tank get below half of tank. Should you get stuck in an embankment you’ll be glad that you can run the car for the heater that much longer since you have some gas.
Your tires and tire pressure need to be checked. Make sure you have enough tread on your tires as this is crucial in the wet road conditions.
An often overlooked under the hood item to get check is your battery. Have it checked to see how much juice it has. Batteries need replacing over time and you don’t want to be caught off guard with a dead battery.
Make sure four-wheel drive works correctly. If you have four-wheel drive, chances are that you don’t really engage it much in the summer. If that’s the case you should test out when you have some wet or slippery conditions,preferably in a large, empty parking lot. Check your users manual to refresh your memory on how to engage four-wheel drive if it’s been awhile.
Antifreeze is a must to keep your vehicle cool in the hot months as well as not-to-cool in the winter months. Check your antifreeze levels and add more if necessary.

You can never be too prepared for a roadside emergency situation in my opinion. I highly recommend coming in to Sansone Jr’s 66 Automall to get your vehicle check ed out and properly serviced for the winter. What are some items you keep in your emergency winter kit?