Tag Archives: #columbiascusedcars

Meter with engine light On

Why You Shouldn’t Panic When Your Check Engine Light Comes On

You’re driving on the highway and your check engine light comes on and you panic. The first thing that might come to mind is, am I going to make it to where I’m going? Next, price of the possible repair and lastly, I can’t afford this right now. Remain calm, and try to stop the urge to panic. There are many reasons why your check engine light may have came on and most are fairly simple fixes.

More than likely, it’s not that serious

There are many different reasons why your check engine light may have came on and it’s mostly very inexpensive to fix. According to CarMD, the five most common check engine repairs are:

  • O2 sensor (part of the emissions system, monitoring and helping adjust the air-fuel mixture)
  • Loose gas cap (which will cost you nothing to fix)
  • Mass air flow sensor (monitoring the amount of air mixed in the fuel injection system)
  • Ignition Coil Packs (which are a little more expensive to replace)
  • Catalytic converter

You may not know what any of these things are, but that’s why you should visit a well trusted service department like Godwin Service, Godwin Motors’ in-house full-service center. You can easily set an appointment to check your engine light at http://www.godwinmotors.com/schedule-car-maintenance-or-auto-repair-columbia-sc.

Easily Diagnosed

Technology makes it easier to diagnose these types of issues. Today, most cars are equipped with an onboard computer system that is responsible for controlling things like the fuel injectors, spark plugs, the steering system and more. Godwin Service can easily tell you what the problem is with a diagnostic computer system. You can either call Godwin Service (803.252.8774) or set up an appointment online at www.godwinmotors.com to get your diagnostic as soon as possible.

Next time your engine light comes on, don’t panic. More than likely, it’s just a easy fix and most importantly inexpensive.

Meter with engine light On

Brakes

Before Your Brakes Fail

Have you ever heard your car squeal like a pig? Did you think to get your brakes checked or figured it would just go away? Our vehicles make lots of different noises, but squealing, grinding, clicking, and pulsating are usually not a good sign. And those sounds tend to get worse the longer you ignore them. Listen to your car and check with an expert before your brakes fail.

Be a Good Listener

Don’t think that your antilock brake system (ABS) light has to come on for there to be a problem with your brakes. Yes, you definitely need to pay attention to that light since there might be a wiring or electrical problem, but there are other signs you need to be concerned about. Here are some sounds associated with brake failure:

 

  • Squealing  (might mean your brake pads are wearing thin)
  • Grinding  (could mean you’ve worn down to the rotors)
  • Clicking  (spring mechanism holding your brake pad down may be broken)
  • Pulsating  (could be a warped drum or rotor)

 

You should also be concerned if your vehicle seems to pull from one side to the other or drags a little more when hitting the gas. This could be a problem with your emergency brakes, alignment, or fluid leaking on the brake pads.

 

Avoid an Accident

The last thing you want to happen is to get in an accident due to failed brakes. Regular maintenance can help you avoid the nightmare of not being able to stop before it’s too late. Godwin Service, Godwin Motors’ in-house full-service center, can help you diagnose whether the sounds you are hearing are brake related or not. You can now get quotes for your auto repair anytime with OpenBay repair and maintenance estimator. Just enter in some quick information about your vehicle and receive a quote. Make an appointment at http://www.godwinmotors.com/schedule-car-maintenance-or-auto-repair-columbia-sc . We also offer a Winter Maintenance Package that includes checking your brake wear along with all the other maintenance you need during cold weather months. Take advantage of the discount at http://www.godwinmotors.com/car-coupons-columbia-sc .