Warning lights on your dashboard are usually the first sign of trouble with your car.check it out!

Don’t panic! Know what these car dash lights mean and what you need to do when they illuminate! – Partsavatar Performance Parts.

Dash lights are nothing new but the warning messages they give are. Not all warning lights are universal as they differ from manufacturer to manufacturer. It is advised to always follow your car’s owner manual when you are unsure about warning light.

Still Parts Avatar explains the meaning behind most common dash warning symbols.

Coolant Temperature Light

This light indicates the temperature of the engine has exceeded its normal limits. Hot engine leads to overheating.

What you need to do is check the level of coolant of car or leaks if the coolant is dripping out. Also check the fan operation and automotive radiator caps. Loose radiator caps sometimes cause the coolant to leak and hence increases the temperature inside the engine.

If you still cannot figure out anything, call your mechanic!

TPMS Light

If the Tire pressure monitoring system detects that one of your car’s tire is under inflated, the system sends a warning message in the form of TPMS light.You definitely can’t ignore this! This is because under inflated tires often cause road hazards and accidents.  Get your tires inflated properly!

Sometimes bad sensor generates false warning message. In this case you will need to manually reset the TPMS light or replace car's TPMS sensor with the help of professionals.

Oil Pressure Warning

If this light comes on, it means your engine is low on oil or loss of oil pressure. Stop at the safe place and shut down the engine.

The first thing you need to check is the engine oil level. If it is low, then top it up. If the warning light still persists even after filling the oil up to level, then you may need to visit your mechanic.

Engine Warning light

Usually called check engine light. There are numerous reasons behind the occurrence of check engine light.You may need to check and replace certain parts like automotive oxygen sensor, automotive spark plugs and mass air flow sensors. These auto parts are still cheap to replace and easily available at aftermarket prices.

But, just pray that your mechanic doesn’t tell you that your catalytic converter is malfunctioning. Catalytic converters are very expensive exhaust system parts.

Just keep your car properly maintained and check for worn out parts regularly if you want to escape a huge repair bill.

ABS Warning light

ABS lights indicate that the Anti lock Brake Computer code needs to be reset.

Don’t worry you are not going to have brake failure in this case. As the brakes work normally as they do without ABS. but for the sake of your safety, do yourself a favor and visit a technician for resetting of ABS code. 

  

Traction Control or ESP

Whenever you use anti skid or electronic stability system, the traction control light illuminates. What it generally indicates is that the traction control system in car is engaged.

Battery Charge Warning light

It means that car’s charging system is out of power.The voltage level goes below normal level and the vehicle’s charging system starts malfunctioning.

If you encounter this light, the first thing to do is inspect the battery terminals, alternator belts of car and battery condition. Malfunctioning alternator, loose or broken alternator drive belt and a slack battery cause this problem.

Call your mechanic and check for the cracks and worn out parts. Many aftermarket stores offer car batteries and auto alternators at budgetary prices, so consider buying these from online stores like parts avatar.

Brake System Warning Light

Low brake fluid level often causes the brake system warning light to appear. Other issues associated with this warning light are; parking brake is on or ABS problem.

In this case, make sure that the parking brake is fully released and check the brake fluid level.You will need professional assistance if the problem is with ABS.

It is wise to check the brake fluid level every few weeks to avoid such brake related problems.

Fog lamp Indicator

This indicates that the vehicle’s front fog lamps are illuminated. In the foggy regions it is essential to use fog lamps your and other motorist’s safety. But you need to be very careful with the usage of car lights as not every light is meant to be used in every weather condition.

If you don’t wish to get warning receipt from officer on the road, then read this article about correct usage of car lights.You can also Shop for good quality automotive Fog lamps at Parts Avatar with free shipping.

Security Light

It means that you may need a key with the proper transponder in order to trigger the ignition. Or worst, there is something wrong with car’s anti theft system.

You will need to take your car to a garage for professional diagnosis. 

Washer fluid reminder

auto Washer fluid level sensors send signal to the system indicating low washer fluid level in the washer reservoir.

In this case fill the washer reservoir with the fluid. Some cars have separate reservoirs for front and rear window washers.

 Traction control Malfunction

This light indicates that there is a problem with vehicle’s traction control/ anti skid or electronic stability system or it may have been totally shut off.

You will need to have professional diagnosis in this case.

If you need any assistance regarding purchase of aftermarket auto parts, feel free to contact experts at Parts Avatar Canada.

PartsAvatar advises some useful tips for cars and trucks to beat the heat this summer!

Prevent your car from sudden break down on hot summer day!Learn these tips from Partsavatar Auto Parts!

Summer driving season is coming. Though in Canada, we pay more attention towards snow but the hot summer heat can effect everything from the paint to the tires of your car or truck. So, don’t take it lightly.

Extreme heat and long drives can be tough on a car. But according to a survey North Americans love to drive in summers despite hiking prices of gasoline. But you need to be prepared as under inflated tires, leaky radiators or dirty filter may cause your car to break down. You will ultimately ruin your car’s fuel efficiency by neglecting the maintenance.

Let’s take a quick look at summer car care tips every motorist should know.

Under Inflated tires

The very first thing to attend to is out car or truck’s tires. Though, most of us overlook this thing.In summers as the temperature outside climbs, the air inside tires starts expanding. Proper inflation of tires is necessary if you don’t want to waste money on buying expensive set of tires. You can follow the instructions on your car’s owner manual as it gives enough information on exact standards and specifications of tire’s air pressure needed.You can check the tire pressure by using pressure gauge, by installing car's TPMS sensors or the best is by visiting your mechanic. Note that if you ignore the under inflated tires, they will start bulging outwards and eventually they will blow.

Under inflated tires get quite risky on a rainy day as it will make less contact with the ground resulting in hydroplaning.

The very first remedy is to always get your tires properly inflated. If you sense that the pressure is low, visit your mechanic for tire pressure detection.Deploy proper tire pressure measuring equipments and always have a properly inflated spare tire in your car.

Oil and Oil filter

Motorists should check motor oil once a month. Oil keeps the engine parts running cool, clean and smooth. Same goes for oil filter. automotive Oil filters of car need maintenance every 7500 miles.

To check the oil, park your car on a level surface and shut off the engine. Let it cool down. Pull out the automotive oil dipstick and wipe it clean. Repeat this process and inserting the dipstick in and again pulling it out. Please note that by doing so you are checking two things: how clean the oil is and level of oil. The oil should be of clean brownish yellow color. If you notice dark colored oil, they you may need oil and oil filter replacement immediately. If you are low on oil, simply add another quart or just change the oil completely.

Un-Winterize your car

This is just like preparing for summer. So, the first thing if you live in a cold region is to de winterize your car and get rid of the snow tires. You will have to pay a lot of attention to certain under the hood components and fluids.

If you haven’t driven your car much during the winter, then you might need to check the level of fluids like brake fluid, coolant, Auto transmission fluid and automotive power steering fluids.Check the oil levels as oil gets thick and collects condensation in the winters if not used.

Use summer tires for summers. It is foolish to use snow tires in summers. So get a new set for summers or all seasoned tires are also good.

Hoses and belts

Cooling of engine is very important for a better summer driving experience. If the engine overheats, there would be no choice for you other than stranding on the road side and calling a technician.

Car Radiator Hoses play a vital role in cooling as they supply coolant to and from the engine block and the belts run the fan to cool down the system. Overheating can be caused if there are damaged and worn out hoses and belts attached to the radiator.

Check hoses for cracks, leaks and loose connections. Replace them if they have been worn out. Similarly,Auto fan belts of cars can be visually checked for cracks. It is advised to replace belts every 36000 miles to avoid the risk of belt failure and overheating.

Air filter

Air filter plays a pivotal role in increasing a vehicle’s fuel efficiency. One of the main reasons of a degrading fuel economy might be a clogged and dirty air filter of your car. 

Air filters should be replaced every 12000 miles or recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer. But depending upon the driving conditions sometimes you may need earlier replacement of air filter. For example, if you are driving in an environment which is quite dusty or sandy or even if you are driving on roads full of dirt, then the air filter is going to clog up much faster than usual.

So for an economic drive, air filters of cars are cheap to replace.

Brakes

Never ignore brakes! If you do, you are just putting your life on stake. By riding around on malfunctioning brakes, you are just putting your life in danger.

Check the brakes timely and visit your mechanic for further inspection of brake components.

if you notice grinding noises coming from the brakes, illuminating dashboard light, soft and mushy brake pedal or resisting brake pedal, then it is perfect time to visit your mechanic.

You might need replacement of your car's brake pads,auto brake rotors,automotive brake drums and automotive brake shoes as worn out brake system components may cause your brakes to malfunction.So if you notice any problem and need of replacement, don’t wait any further.

Radiator

There is a limit of temperature that a engine can tolerate.Multiple components damage could be experienced if the temperature rises beyond normal. But certain cooling components like automotive coolants/antifreezes,thermostats of car and radiator hoses fan out the heat out of car and keep it in optimal temperature.

Major problems that occur in summers are related to cooling system of car. Low coolant levels, cracked hoses, broken belts, leaky radiator and missing radiator cap can cause the engine to overheat.

Check Under the hood components of cars properly. All fluid and coolant levels should be checked. You can flush out the radiator and clean the debris out of it. It is to be noted that a 50/50 mixture of water and coolant should be used instead of pure coolant as pure coolant can be disastrous for the radiator. Leaks in the radiator or hoses should be treated. Sometimes pooling of coolant can cause the engine to overheat.

If you feel that your radiator has gone bad due to some reasons, then it is time to get it replaced.Parts avatar offers durable car radiators at cheap prices.

Battery

There is a lot of load on car batteries in summers. Summer heat puts a lot of pressure on auto batteries as the chemical reaction fastens inside the battery. Heat also evaporates the fluid inside the battery thus damaging it further.

The best remedy is to regularly check and clean the battery and its terminals. If you need to replace your car’s battery, then you can get the battery which is suited for your car according to your manufacturer’s specifications.

Air conditioning

Keep your car cool when you are not driving. Air conditioners should be properly inspected. If your car is getting cold due to a/c then there might be a leak inside and you may have to spend dollars for its maintenance.

Check cabin air filters of your car , if you have one installed. You can take help from owner’s manual and replace the cabin air filters if they need to be.

Low level of refrigerant can also cause the car a/c to malfunction. Hand over your car to the professional and let him figure out where the leak is.

You can get best driving experience in summers if you follow above mentioned maintenance tips. If you are looking for aftermarket replacement parts with free shipping facility, then Parts Avatar Canada is the best option.

PartsAvatar Discloses Peculiar Causes behind Car Breakdown and Ways to Prevent them.

Want to know the most basic causes behind frequent breakdowns of your car? Save your money on expensive repairs and mechanics. – Partsavatar Vehicle Parts.

 We rely on your vehicles way too much. So it is possible that your car will cut out on you when you are driving down the road. You can avoid breakdowns and prevent your car from being town away by towing truck by knowing causes behind this. It is very important to keep servicing and checking your vehicle. Let’s have a look at some frequent causes and their remedies.

Dead Battery

This problem is one top of my list of causes. Sometimes when in the morning you turn the key and nothing happens. You just keep on repeating the process until you get sick of it and decide to call your mechanic.Don’t worry.

Battery can get damaged from regular short trips. It is very important to take a long drive at least one a week. Even poor electrical connections can result in battery damage. This problem frequently occurs in winters.

You can prevent the battery from getting damaged by taking long trips because the car’s alternator needs time to recharge your battery every time you drive. Short journeys drain the battery faster than the longer. You can sort this out by charging the battery overnight for every 2 weeks. These ways you will be able to keep it running longer.

Check the connections are secure and the battery terminals are clean and protected from corrosion. Loose or corroded connections need special attention to keep your car going.

You can Shop for good brand aftermarket car battery and its components at parts avatar Canada.

Flat Tire

Sometimes it is too late to check a flat tire after the damage occurs and the rim is already on the ground.The worst is you are left stranded on the road. Do routine check up on your tire.

Even a single nail could cause the tire to go flat. So inspect for any debris on the surface of the tire. There are certain things that are important to inspect as follows.

1. Tread depth:  check your tire’s tread depth of car regularly. Take a penny to check the low tread depth. Tread depth should be at least 1.6 mm.

2. Uneven wear: if the tread pattern is unusual or the depth is varying from tire to tire then let the tires checked or replaced if needed.

In case of heavy loads, make sure you adjust the tire pressure of car's tire to cope with the change. Owner’s manual provides information regarding tires so you can take its help.

You can install electric equipment like TPMS in your car .car's Tire pressure monitoring system sensors sense the under inflated tires and let you know it via an electric signal.

Overheating

Several reasons could cause a car to overheat. Damaged cooling system might cause the car’s engine to get overheated and ultimately the engine breaks down.It is strongly advised that if you notice that your car is overheating, do not continue to drive as you might be damaging other parts along with the engine.

Sometimes leaks in radiator or improper level of coolant fluid cause overheating of the engine. You can notice leaks around radiator welds or hoses. Visit you mechanic for replacement of car radiatorand car radiator hosesor automotive coolant.

You can further check the thermostat by feeling the upper radiator hose when the engine has warmed up. If you notice that the hose is still feeling cool then the thermostat is stuck shut. Repair or replace the auto thermostat as recommended by your mechanic.

Sometimes the air entering the cooling system via leaks could cause the engine to overheat. Hence due to air lock, the cooling system stops circulating the coolant and the remaining coolant inside the engine becomes superheated. So, it is very important to inspect the leaks.

The foreign objects or mineral deposits that block the radiator could cause the engine to overheat as it hinders the flow of coolant.

Water pump failure is one of the most common and regular cause for engine overheating. If the water pump is showing the signal of wear or breakage, engine starts overheating.The water pump wears quite often so you may need to change the car's engine water pump periodically.

In cold weather, coolant gels up inside the engine or radiator and cause a blockage. It can also cause internal damage in components like radiator.

Overheating could cause serious engine damage so it is very important to be proactive. Fill the coolant to the proper level and flush out the dirty coolant or fluid that causes the system to overheat. Do not drive an overheated vehicle as you will just damage the entire engine by doing so.

Clutch Cables

If you feel unusually weird while pressing the pedal, there might be some problem with the clutch cable. It is not a good sign.

If you notice a worn or stiff clutch cable then after applying additional pressure on the pedal, it might break. So be careful with hard pedals.

When you are driving up the hill, the car may slip in or out of gears. Clutch cables might have worn out so replace them before it becomes too dangerous for you to drive. Partsavatar offers durable car clutch cables, have a glance.

If you notice jerking of vehicle on slow speeds, slipping of gears or stiff pedals, then get your clutch cables checked by a professional.

Failing starter motor

We sometimes assume the reason behind the stalled vehicle might be failed radiator. But it might be starter.

Starter often produces grinding noise if the starter drive gear is worn out. Do not avoid it as it may damage flywheel if ignored.

When you turn the key and nothing happens, or you turn the key to crank the engine and the engine turns over slowly and stops. The starter motor has been damaged. Call your mechanic immediately and get the starter motor of car or even car starter replaced if necessary. Parts avatar offers free shipping on starters so get the benefit.

Insufficient lubrication

Every engine needs oil not only reduce friction but also to carry away the heat. The oil is primary means by which the rods, pistons and bearings are cooled. So any reduction or improper lubrication may cause these parts to run hot or seize.

Low oil pressure often causes engine failure. You should not starve the engine for oil as this result in failed oil pump, a plugged oil pickup screen inside the oil pan or low oil level.

Keep your engine moving with regular oil change and always choose high quality oil for your car’s engine and its lubrication.

Visit PartsAvatar Canada for Aftermarket Performance and replacement auto parts and accessories at budgetary prices with high reliability.

Is an OEM Starter worth buying?? Know the Pros and Cons of New Starter VS Re-manufactured Starters @Parts Avatar

Is starting your car becoming difficult?Need a Re-manufactured or a New Starter? Learn about the difference between them here – Partsavatar.ca Vehicle Parts.

Car starter is a pivotal component of starting process of your vehicle. It is generally located at the rear of the motor. The gear on the starter is responsible for the ignition process to give life to the engine. Thus any damage to starter may just cost the life of engine and eventually your car won’t move. So, when it comes to replacement options, there is variety of choices before the customer in the form of New, Re-manufactured or Rebuilt starters. Opinions over the choice vary from customer to customer. So, in this article, Parts avatar tries to differentiate between New and Re-manufactured starters in this article along with the symptoms of a bad starter.

It should be noted that auto parts whether brought aftermarket or from original dealer that are up to the standards and specifications of your vehicle will give you proper performance otherwise you are just dumping your money if you do not consider the standards carefully.

Let us read about starter’s failing symptoms.

What are failing symptoms of Starters?

When the starter begins to wear out it will directly impact your ability to drive the car. The main components that are majorly damaged inside the starter are it solenoid and starter motor. Though, the parts can be repaired or fixed individually but it is advised to replace the whole starter to prevent future breakdown.

Noted below are the symptoms of a failing starter.

1. Grinding noise when starting the motor

The noise is often produced when the gears that connect the starter to the flywheel are worn out. If you hear grinding noise, you should call your mechanic immediately as if the problem is with starter motor then it could spread to automotive flywheel hence damaging it. The repairing cost of flywheel along with starter would be quite expensive. Call the mechanic as soon as you notice the sound and get your starter motor of car and flywheel replaced.

2. Smoke when starting the motor

Sometimes you may notice smell or smoke coming from underneath the engine. This problem may have been caused by short circuit or blown fuse in ignition system or even overheating of car's engine. Basically, the starter needs electricity for its operation. Sometimes, it gets overheated because of continuous power supply to the starter.In this case, along with the starter, the engine and ignition system parts also get damaged. So switch off the engine and call the mechanic immediately.

3. Starter activates but does not spin the motor

Sometimes when you turn the ignition switch, the motor does not spin.There may be problem with the gears. Either the gear has been stripped or has been dislodged against the flywheel. You may need starter replacement either way. Contact your mechanic to inspect the problem for you.

4. When you turn your key and nothing happens

It is the most common symptom. There are many causes behind this issue. Some are bad battery, electrical problems or worn solenoid or starter motor. Call your mechanic and let him decide what the real issue is without wasting the time.

So when your car shows signs of problems when starting, there may be issues with battery or ignition systems. It is better to have them replaced or checked if necessary. You can get aftermarket car battery and auto ignition system parts at budgetary prices.

Remanufactured VS New Starter

Re manufactured starters are virtually indistinguishable from new ones. Rebuilt ones generally have high degree of reused components.As we have choice, we are often confused. The major thing is make and model of your car. If the product is not up to your car’s specifications, then it is just waste of money. Lets us read about pros and cons of re-manufactured and new starters.

Remanufactured

We are often suggested by our mechanic to buy a new starter. But remanufactured starter motors are built for extreme heat and cold. Remanufactured starter manufacturers often say that remanufactured products are indistinguishable from the new ones.

Basically when the remanufactured, the worn out internal components are replaced.Auto parts companies remanufacture the starters keeping in mind that the end product of this remanufacturing process should meet all the specifications of new unit. Many aftermarket auto part stores offer car's remanufactured starters at lucrative prices. So based on your vehicle’s specification, you can replace them with remanufactured starters.

Pros

1. As it has undergone major replacement and teardown of damaged components with the new ones, they offer same warranty as the new starters.

2. Even though remanufacturing is the job of third party companies, but some OE suppliers have also stepped in this process.

3. As they meet the standards and specifications of the new one, so they can be expected to last as long as the new starter.

4. Remanufactured starters provide optimum starting performance of the engine.

5. Each unit is remanufactured using the highest quality material and advanced technology.

6. Every component is 100% factory tested prior to remanufacturing to ensure that it meets the standards of the new one.

7. Their cost is quite cheap as compared to the original or new starter.

8. Sometimes for old cars or trucks, the remanufactured parts are the only option as the new products are not available of that standard. So in this case, remanufactured starters can be used easily.

Cons

1. One of the major cons of the remanufactured starters is its warranty. The warranty will not be as good as the new one offer. But, warranty is not an issue if you buy the remanufactured starter from a trusted store and it works properly.

2. You may not know if the product is tested according to original specifications. It is advised to make sure the manufacturer had tested the product before shipping.

New Starters

Mostly, when there is any issue with our car’s starter we often think to replace it with the new car starter.Though the end result of both new and remanufactured starter is the same,but the thing matters is the trusted brand and warranty they offer.So, there are some pros and cons of the new starters.

Pros

1.The major benefit of buying a new starter is the warranty and guarantee offered by the manufacturer. New starters often exceed the OE part installed by the vehicle manufacturer.

2. The specifications perfectly match with the make, model and design of your vehicle, so you need not worry about the standards.

Cons

The major con of new starters is there price is high as compared to the re-manufactured starters.

Ending note

Rebuilt starters may or may not meet the standards of original ones. So, it should be checked if they are properly tested before installing rebuilt starters.

Between Re-manufactured and New starter, the choice is yours. You can buy new starter because you see the trust and warranty of their product or you can opt for re-manufactured one if you prefer product reliability and value.As long as the starter fits your vehicle’s specifications and performs properly, cost does not matter. But the choice can be made wisely, as there is not much difference between both.

Partsavatar hopes that this guide will help of choose the starter easily. You can shop for other aftermarket or replacement auto products or accessories here at cheap prices. Get the benefit of free shipping for shopping over $99.