Posted on 2/27/2022
Your vehicle has lots of doors including that one usually near the back on the vehicle's side. That's the fuel door, something you use every time you gas up. These endure hundreds of open-and-close cycles, usually without any problems. But when they act up, it can be a major inconvenience for you. When they stick in the "open" position, it can present real dilemma. You can still pump your gas, but do you just drive around with that flap sticking out the side? What happens if someone steals the gas cap or it gets damaged? What happens if it rains? Yep, it's decision time. A fuel door that sticks open can be due to a number of factors. The hinge on the door may have broken, possibly from corrosion or it may have been hit sometime. Some vehicles have a cable that operates the door and it could be loose. The latch that holds the door shut could have broken or it, too, could be bent from something hitting it. You probably want to take care of ... read more
Posted on 2/20/2022
How do NAPLES drivers know if an odometer is telling the truth?Well, back in '86, Congress passed the Truth-in-Mileage Act to protect FL consumers against mileage fraud. It says a FL seller must certify the mileage reported is the actual mileage.To have your odometer checked in NAPLES, FL, stop by Happy Wallet Quality Auto Repair: Happy Wallet Quality Auto Repair3661 MERCANTILE AVE STE ANAPLES, FL 34104 If it isn't, the seller must say why; for example, maybe the odometer is past its mechanical limits. Some older odometers only go to 99,999 and then start over at 0. Or, the odometer has been tampered with, broken or replaced.If the seller tells you the mileage isn't accurate, there's not much chance of putting a good number to it. And there's the unscrupulous seller who claims the reading is true, but it isn't. What can NAPLES vehicle owners do?You can go to www.CarFax.com, where, for a small fee, they ... read more
Posted on 2/13/2022
No one likes to be greeted in the morning by having someone screech at you. The same goes for a loud, high-pitched noise your vehicle greets you with every time you start the engine. If you're wondering if that's normal, no, it isn't. And it is worth getting checked out. The good news is that it might be nothing serious. Then again, it may be. The first things to suspect any time you hear a high-pitched sound coming from the engine are belts. They have tension on them and they're trying to turn lots of different pulleys, pumps and other equipment the engine needs to work properly. The noise could come from the belts starting to wear out and dry out. If one of those belts breaks at an inopportune time, not only can it strand you somewhere, the damage to the engine could be very expensive to fix. Other things that will cause a high-pitched sound are the pulleys and tensioners. The tensioners keep the right amount of pressure on the belts an ... read more
Posted on 2/6/2022
Brakes really aren't optional equipment for NAPLES drivers' vehicles. And taking care of them isn't optional either.A regular brake inspection is on every FL driver's vehicle maintenance schedule. At Happy Wallet Quality Auto Repair, our team will check your brake system and let you know if there are any problems. Of course, if you're having trouble with your brakes, get your car into your NAPLES service center right away. And watch out for these problems: Low or spongy brake pedal Hard brake pedal A brake warning light that stays on Constantly squealing or grinding brakes Vibrations or clunking sounds when you apply your brakes There are two types of brakes: disc and drum. Disc brakes have a rotor that's attached to the axle. Calipers straddle the rotor, kind of like the brakes on a bicycle. Drum brakes are more common on back wheels. Pads, called shoes, push against the inside of the drum to slow the vehicle.There are several things that need to be service ... read more