How do you know when your car battery needs replacing?

Many people don’t want to jump in there only to find that they have a dead battery!  If you are an experienced driver and know your vehicle, you can save yourself a lot of frustration by taking care of a needed car battery replacement before you get stranded in your driveway! 

So how do you know when your car battery needs replacing?  Here are several of the most obvious and common signs indicating that it’s time for a car battery replacement:

1. A car that is hard to start or won’t start at all.
2. You hear a quick clicking sound, signaling the available power is too low to crank the engine. 
3. The headlights are dim because they are not getting the power they want.
4. Electronic accessories, such as power seats, power windows, radio, dashboard warning lights, headlights, windshield wipers, and more, are unable to operate efficiently.  
5. A dashboard warning light is not only an indicator of a bad battery but that another part of the electrical system is failing, such as the alternator.
6. When the battery is consistently exposed to extreme temperatures the sides of the battery case can swell up, especially if it freezes, thaws, and freezes again on a consistent basis.
7. A car battery generally only lasts around 4 or 5 years, based on exposure to extreme temperatures and your driving styles.  
8. If the battery terminals are loose, it will seem as though the battery is dying.  Tightening the terminal connections may solve the issue.
9. Leaving a light on for an extended period of time may use up the charge in your battery.  If it is a good battery, a recharge may be all that is needed.

A word of advice:  If you notice any of the issues above, have an ASE-certified technician inspect your car battery to determine if it’s time for a car battery replacement!

Wondering how do you know when your car battery needs replacing? Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about a car battery replacement and to Request an appointment. Since 1975, our family-owned auto repair shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

How Often Should You Replace Brake Pads?

If it’s taking you longer than normal for your vehicle to come to a complete stop at red lights and stop signs, it’s time to have your brakes checked.  This may cause you to wonder about how often should you replace brake pads? Because the wear and tear on brakes are unique for every driver due to their driving conditions and styles, road conditions, and quality of brake materials, there is not a specific timetable stated in your owner’s manual for changing brake pads and rotors.  But as a general rule of thumb, it is wise to have your brakes checked at every oil change so you can be aware of their ongoing situation.

So, if you’re wondering how often should you replace brake pads, here are several common warning signs:

• Brakes screeching and squealing – A small, metallic shim indicator embedded in the brake pad will screech or squeal when it has worn too thin.
• Too thin – If it appears should be no less than ¼ inch thick (about 3 millimeters) in depth.  
• Brakes grinding and growling – This sound comes from the metal-on-metal contact between the discs and calipers when the brake pads have worn too thin.
• Warning light – A warning light on the dashboard panel will illuminate indicating that it’s time to replace the brake pads.  

A word of advice: Normally, brake pads, and rotors need to be replaced about every 50,000 miles on most vehicles. For the best stopping performance, replace brake rotors and brake pads at the same time.

Wondering how often should you replace brake pads?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive for more information about brake repair, including brake pads and brake rotors and to request an appointment. Since 1975, our family-owned auto shop has proudly served car owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

What Are the Signs Your Car Needs a Tune Up?

For older vehicles with non-electric ignition systems, it was easier to know when it was time for a car tune up. The recommended interval for replacing spark plugs, fluids, and filters was pretty normal, about every 10,000 to 12,000 miles.  Newer vehicles are equipped with electronic ignitions and fuel injection systems are scheduled to go from 25,000 miles to as many as 100,000 miles without needing a major tune-up. This test can detect internal issues that may be connected with the transmission and engine, oil and gas tanks, exhaust system, and other operating systems. 

So what are the signs your car needs a tune up?  If your vehicle doesn’t seem to be performing like you think it should schedule a car diagnostic service.  When your vehicle is getting close to the time that a tune up is needed, you may start to notice the most common issues listed below:

• The check engine light illuminates your dashboard while driving. 
• The engine idles rough, or stalls when you try to accelerate or braking.
• Decrease in fuel economy, meaning you’re filling up the tank more often.
• Noticing shifting issues, such as slipping gears, jerking, or hard to put into gear.
• Feel more vibrations than usual in the steering wheel or in the seat.

Do you want to know more about what are the signs your car needs a tune up?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive for more information about car tune up services and to make an appointment. Our family-owned auto repair shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

When Your Car Battery Should be Replaced?

Did you want to know that one of the top calls for roadside assistance is because of a dead car battery?  One of the most vital parts of your vehicle, the battery has to be strong sufficient not only to start your car but to power the on-board computers and all the accessories that are an essential part of today’s modern vehicles.  Servicing your car battery is not only one of the easiest forms of maintenance to keep your car running smoothly, but it is one of the most vital.  

Without any thought, many of us just jump into our vehicles and expect them to start.  However, the old adage “out of view, out of mind,” is often true for the car battery.  Because it resides under the hood and there is no usual mileage interval for a car battery replacement, it is easy to forget about taking care of this crucial component that makes your car run! 

But you may be wondering when your car battery should be replaced?  Just like a smartphone battery, every time you charge it, it gradually loses a bit of its efficiency.  A car battery can take anywhere from 3 to 5 years of usual use for it to become worn down and inefficient. It can then become totally unreliable, which then causes safety and reliability problems.  

A weak battery can affect your car in several ways, including:

• Auto electrical system – Although your car may still start with a bad battery, it can be affecting other features that require significant power demands. 
• Constant battery drain – Newer vehicles have powerful computers that are operating all the time, continuously drawing energy from the battery even when the vehicle is turned off. 
• Stop-start technology – This technology places a greater strain on the battery because the car is continuously stopping and starting again.

With cold temperatures here for a while, it would be smart to have your car battery checked at every oil change.  A car battery can be at 90% performance one day, and go down to 20% a short time later.  By keeping track of the health of your battery and knowing when it’s time for a car battery replacement, you can avoid being stranded out in the cold.

Are you wondering when your car battery should be replaced?  Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about a car battery replacement and to request an appointment. Our auto repair shop has proudly served car owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

How Do You Know If You Need An Oil Change?

If you’re a new vehicle driver, you may be asking how do you know if you need an oil change?  There is no easy answer.  In years past, the normal answer used to be every 3 months, or 3K miles, whichever came first.  With the advancement of technology in the automotive industry, this advice is obsolete.  There is a lot of debate among automotive specialists about the right interval for oil changes.  Many auto mechanics still recommend the 3,000-mile oil change.  But, with today’s latest engines, certain types of high-quality synthetic oils can go for many more miles, possibly as many as 10,000. 

Although you may be able to go more miles between oil changes, you will find it beneficial to schedule oil changes on a regular basis.  This is the time that your auto mechanic will check out the condition of other fluids, plus other parts and systems that are subject to a lot of wear and tear, such as hoses, shocks, and brakes. 

Do much researches before deciding on an oil-change interval for your vehicle?  Check out the recommended interval in your owner’s manual and also talk with your auto mechanic.  How you answer the 3 questions below will help you in making a decision:

• What type of oil do you use? 
• How old is your car and what is the make and model? 
• Is your driving “normal”?

Remember to ask your auto repair shop if they offer oil change coupons.  Many auto shops offer these coupons so that their customers find it more affordable to take good care of their cars.

Are you wondering how do you know if you need an oil change?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about their oil change coupons and to make an appointment. Since 1975, our auto repair shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

What Does Car Maintenance Include?

Fall is here with all its splendid colors.  Your car has survived the warm temperatures of summer, but the s temperatures of winter are on their way.  Do you know how to make sure your vehicle is as reliable as possible to prevent breakdowns on an icy snowy day?  Do you want to know what does car maintenance include?  It’s no secret—follow the vehicle maintenance schedule listed in your owner’s manual. 

If you have read your owner’s manual, these car maintenance items may look familiar:

• Every week or month inspect:
• Dashboard Warning Lights
• Lights, exterior and interior
• Condition of the tires 
• Windshield Washer Fluid
• Engine Oil Level
• Every 3 Months/ 3,000 Miles inspect:
• Automatic Transmission Fluid
• Battery and Cables
• Engine oil and filter
• Muffler and Exhaust 
• Hoses and belts
• Power Steering Fluid
• Every 6 Months/6,000 Miles inspect:
• Chassis Lubrication
• Wiper Blades
• Every 12 Months/ 12,000 miles inspect:
• Brakes
• Cabin Air Filter
• Coolant
• Steering and Suspension
• Car Alignment

The list above can seem to be overwhelming, but let your auto mechanic take care of your vehicle.  They are trained and knowledgeable when it comes to understanding and following the vehicle maintenance schedule for your specific vehicle.  You can drive your car with confidence knowing it is as safe as possible!  

Need to know more about the vehicle maintenance schedule?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about what does car maintenance include and to make an appointment. Since 1975, our family-owned auto repair shop has proudly served car owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

How Can You Tell If You Have A Bad Radiator?

Although our days are still warm, it’s time to get your vehicle ready for winter.  An important part that drivers often overlook in winter is the radiator.  When it’s icy outside, the coolant in the radiator expands and contracts, adding stress to the radiator.  If cracks and leakages in the radiator go unnoticed, the end result could be damage to the transmission.  

As strange as it sounds, an engine can overheat even during cold temperatures.  Don’t delay for this to happen before thinking about scheduling a radiator repair.  Damage to the radiator can cause an undulate effect throughout the vehicle and cause the vehicle to stop running altogether.  What could have been a minor repair to the radiator can turn into a major transmission job!

So how can you tell if you have a bad radiator? 

• Engine Overheats – The flow of coolant could be limited due to air inside the cooling system, clogged hoses, or too low of coolant level. 
• Leaking Radiator – The constant icy and expanding of fluid could cause cracks in the radiator unit.
• Hose Leak – A hose from the radiator to the engine allows the coolant to flow and cool off the engine.  Over time, these hoses wear our so have them checked frequently. 
• Thermostat Failure – The thermostat regulates the amount of coolant that is recirculated and ensures that the coolant in the engine stays within a particular temperature range regardless of the outside temperature. A failing thermostat prevents the flowing coolant to the engine.
• A Smoking Muffler – Actual smoke coming from the muffler could mean that the head gasket has been broken from an overheating engine.

Before winter come to full force make sure the antifreeze/water mixture in your radiator is still effective.  Your Auto mechanic may recommend flushing the cooling system, or easily topping it off.  

Are you wondering how can you tell if you have a bad radiator?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about radiator repair and to make an appointment. Since 1975, our family-owned auto repair shop has proudly served car owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.