Do Pocket-Sized Plugin Devices for Your Vehicle Diagnose Your Car?

Posted on by Luke's Auto Service

You may have heard of The FIXD device as being known as the “Car Repair Sensor That’s Saving People $1000s” or the HUM device known for a “quick diagnostic”. But do these pocket-sized plugins truly diagnose your vehicle? Both tools are great informational tools that can give you the code or codes that your vehicle computer sees when you are having performance issues or if one of your dashboard lights turns on. These codes are not a diagnosis, they are a starting point that points you in a direction to work towards an actual diagnosis. Diagnosing a vehicle properly requires running tests and following the steps listed below:

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How Does My Vehicle’s A/C Work?

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For most car owners, the A/C system is a mystery, you press a button, and are met with a refreshing blast of cold air. But what happens behind the scenes is actually fairly complex, and very interesting. We already went over how your vehicle’s heating system works in our last blog post, but as the months get warmer your vehicle’s A/C system becomes that much more important. Did you know a vehicle’s air conditioning system does not create cold air? It takes the heat and moisture out of the air that is already in your car, giving you cooler air. Understanding how the components work can help to identify any repairs that may be needed down the road.

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My Car Won’t Start! Is it the Battery, Alternator, or Starter?

Posted on by Luke's Auto Service

 No car has ever broken down at the “right time”. Whether you’re sitting in a car that won’t start, or preparing for the future, this article will help you figure out what’s wrong with your car!

It is very easy to assume the worst or immediately suspect that your battery died. After reading this article, hopefully, you will be able to know if the issue is a  faulty battery, starter, or alternator. These three parts of a vehicle work very closely together, therefore it can be hard to tell which of the three is the culprit. Let’s take a closer look at each of their roles so it will be easier to diagnose which of the three has failed. Continue reading “My Car Won’t Start! Is it the Battery, Alternator, or Starter?” →

5 New Year’s Resolutions for Your Vehicle

Posted on by Luke's Auto Service

As the year winds down and we begin reflecting on the past year, it’s a great time to start thinking of some beneficial New Year’s resolutions. Year after year, most of us make resolutions that end by mid-February or by the first thought of how amazing a slice of chocolate cake would taste after dinner.  With that being said, let’s start 2021 off by making resolutions that we will actually stick with. As we look to improve our lives and those around us, there is one thing that we often take for granted and may not be thinking about — our vehicle. It is extremely important to keep your car healthy and running at its best to prevent underlying issues and long term repairs. Let’s show our vehicles some love this year by making these 5 simple New Year’s resolutions for your vehicle: 

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Sounds that are Signs Your Car Needs Auto Repair

Posted on by Luke's Auto Service

Is your vehicle making an unusual noise? Don’t turn the music up and ignore it! Your car may be telling you something. If you drive it frequently, you’re probably used to the normal sounds it makes, you barely notice them. That’s why any strange noise can be alarming. However, they may not have to be. Once you have an idea of what the issue might be that is causing the unwanted noise you may be relieved to find out that it can either easily be repaired or you could plan accordingly to resolve the issue in an affordable manner. We already talked about nine warning smells to look out for. Here are a few sounds that indicate your car needs maintenance that you should listen for if you want to know when to schedule service for your vehicle:

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October is Fall Car Care Month: 8 Maintenance Procedures to Get Your Car Ready for Winter

Posted on by Luke's Auto Service

With warmer weather fading away, it is now time to start thinking about getting your car ready for the colder months ahead. Being proactive and having your vehicle serviced while temperatures are still mild is an ideal approach to preventative maintenance which helps ensure safety and reliability when New Jersey’s winter weather strikes. October is fall car care month which means motorists should complete a seasonal vehicle checkup to maximize efficiency and maintain safety so there won’t be any surprises come wintertime. This fall, our certified technicians here at Luke’s Auto Service recommend you use this simple checklist of 8 basic maintenance procedures to keep your vehicle operating at its best:

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Why Keeping Your Paid-Off Car Saves You Money

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Buying a new car sure has a lot of appeals – squeaky clean, better features, even that new car smell. But did you know that by keeping your current vehicle longer, you can actually save more money in the end? The smartest way to get a solid return on your vehicle investment is to keep your car through what Car Care Council calls the “Cinderella Era”. What is the “Cinderella Era”, you ask? This is the period of time after your loan is paid off and your car is still in great shape, but only needs modest service and repairs. By simply allocating the equivalent of just 1 new car payment, you may be able to cover an entire year’s worth of basic car maintenance!

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Trusting Your Nose Because it “Knows”

Posted on by Luke's Auto Service

Did you know unusual smells in your vehicle could be the first indicator of underlying damage? Identifying these smells early on can help car owners avoid the hassle and expense of an unexpected breakdown. We recommend a “sniff test” of your vehicle to identify any unusual smells, here’s nine warning smells to look out for:

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Why is My Vehicle’s A/C System Not Cold?

Posted on by Luke's Auto Service

Picture this: You are packing up to come home from a long, hot beach day, only to finally get into your car and your A/C is blowing warm air. This isn’t the most ideal time to find out your vehicle needs A/C repair. A/C is more than just for comfort; it’s a safety issue too. In fact, one of the most dangerous places for someone to be during a heatwave is inside of their car without A/C since temperatures can spike to dangerous levels. If your air conditioning vents seem to be blowing out warm air or no air at all, one of the common problems outlined below could be the reason.

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