GEORGE'S COMPLETE AUTO REPAIR Cape Coral Auto Repair

A hose that leaks your car's coolant may cause overheating that may cause further damage to your engine parts. Also, if your water pump belt snaps, your car's cooling system may become ineffective. Your vehicle's hoses and belts ensure proper power transfer through the hydraulic and belt systems. These components also make your car's cooling systems operable. Why are your vehicle's hoses and belts important? The belts in your vehicle help different car systems to work smoothly by transferring power from your car's crankshaft and camshaft to different pulleys that move various engine components. The timing belt helps synchronize the engine valves with the pistons. Without the timing belt, your car won't run properly. On the other hand, the drive or serpentine belt provides power to the power steering pump, cooling fan, and AC compressor. The hoses in your car carry fluids that help cool the vehicle's components or transfer power through hydraulic flu ... read more

Hurricanes are no stranger to those in Cape Coral, FL, and surrounding areas. They are devastating to many victims as they can do a great deal of damage to our property, including our vehicles. With strong winds, heavy rain, and flooding, you need to be careful. Preparation is helpful and necessary when the time comes.  Here are some of our top vehicle preparedness tips for hurricanes: Tip #1: Maintenance When an evacuation is required in the event of a hurricane, your car is going to be what you rely on the most. If you have time to prepare a solid evacuation plan, don’t forget to get your car in the best shape. This includes changing its oil, inspecting its brake fluid, checking its tires, testing the battery, replacing wipers, and more. If you need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the local experts at George’s Complete Auto Repair.  Tip #2: Create An Emergency Kit Next, you’ll want to craft an emergency k ... read more

The engine is arguably the most important component in your car. Issues involving the engine are also very costly. But most of the people are oblivious whether a blown engine can be fixed. For those who don't know, a blown engine occurs when this auto component is severely damaged and either need to be completely rebuilt or replaced. And with the modern tech and expertise, if your engine is blown out, it can be fixed. So, What Happens when an Engine is Blown Out? The engine comprises two parts: the cylinder block and the head gaskets. The head gaskets act as a cushion that facilitates the coolant to freely circulate in the engine block. It also plays a crucial role in sealing the cylinders firing pressure. This part of the engine withstands massive pressures and stresses. And eventually, the part can yield to the forces and tap out leading to blown out engine. What are the Symptoms of a Blown Out Gasket? The gasket has perforations that allow the coolant to pass through the en ... read more

Most cars rely on coolant fluid to help maintain a stable engine temperature. Coolant fluid also has anti-corrosion properties as well. Over time, rust, dirt, and other contaminants can build up in many of your cooling system components that make contact with the fluid. Some examples include the radiator and heater core.    When your coolant is no longer clean and effective, your vehicle runs the risk of overheating and causing extensive engine damage. To avoid this, you should maintain the cooling system with regular coolant fluid exchanges or flushes.    Coolant flushes are a vital part of preventative maintenance. The process is more cost-effective than having to pay for a brand new radiator or heater core, which will put you out for hundreds of dollars. The process involves draining the dirty coolant out, cleansing the system, and replacing it with new and cleaner coolant.    Most drivers don’t know this, but the service is recommended in t ... read more

Since most of us use our cars every day, we know the ins and outs of how it drives. That is why vehicle sluggishness can be quickly spotted. If your car is running slow or quick-responding as it usually does, you may have a vehicle problem on your hands.   A laggy car can be annoying, but it can also bring about hazardous conditions. Below are several issues that can be linked to a laggy vehicle. Dirty Air Filter With a clogged filter, your engine will struggle to get a sufficient amount of clean air to perform the combustion process. It may falter when you try to accelerate as the air and fuel mix is unbalanced. Issues with Fuel System A challenge with your car's fuel system, including a faulty fuel pump or dirty fuel injectors, can mess with the flow of fuel. And if your engine doesn’t get the correct amount, your car may feel slower than before.  Clogged Catalytic Converter A malfunctioning catalytic converter can likely alter engine performance as the en ... read more

Although the car's battery receives most of the credit, it should be the alternator that gets the best award for keeping your vehicle powered while driving. The battery should only receive credit for getting your car powered while the alternator takes over in powering your car while you drive. The alternator converts the mechanical energy from the engine's rotating pulley into electrical energy to charge the car's battery. All the electrical system in your car depends heavily on the alternator. A faulty alternator will, therefore, interfere with your car's electrical features and might entirely drain your battery, leaving you stranded. The following are some signs to look out for when you suspect the alternator might be faulty: Electrical Failures When your car's alternator is faulty, you will notice a lag in the vehicle's electronic accessories. Features like power windows, windshield wipers, and power seat adjustments might begin to lag. Your headlight and d ... read more

Applying your brakes become second nature when you’ve driven your vehicle hundreds or thousands of times. When you step on the brake pedal next time and it vibrates, it may feel odd. The road is smooth, so what could be the problem?    Car vibrations can mean various things. Below are some common explanations for vibrations when braking: Off-balanced Alignment When the front wheels are out of alignment, it can cause vibration. There could also be suspension issues in addition to the imbalance as well. Either way, you should have your brakes, suspension, and wheels inspected to be safe. Worn Or Uneven Brake Pads Brake pads naturally wear out over time. When you apply the brakes with worn brake pads, you may feel shakiness and hear loud squealing. While it may not seem like a huge problem at first, it is worth having them replaced sooner than later. Warped Brake Rotors Like your brake pads, brake rotors don't last forever either. Your vehicle's braking sys ... read more

It can get pretty hot in Cape Coral, FL, especially during the summer, and the heat can take a toll on your car. With temperatures on the rise, you need to make sure your vehicle stays hydrated with all its fluids. If your car is not properly maintained, regardless of the age, make, or model, the heat can take a hit on your car.     Similar to the human body, your car needs to stock up on essential fluids. The same goes for your car. Your vehicle’s essential fluids include motor oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid, and coolant. These are lubricants that allow your car to run seamlessly without burning up.   Since your car warms up to high temperatures, these fluids can wear down quicker with the additional Florida heat. When you bring your car to our shop for proper maintenance, we’ll check all the fluid levels. We’ll top you off on fluids so that you can beat the summer heat.   Out of all the essential fluids, coo ... read more

Every year on Earth Day, it is important to remember to do what we can to help preserve the environment. With so much to keep track of in our day-to-day lives, it can be easy to forget what is important. Here are some quick tips to keep in mind to help reduce your carbon footprint. Alternative Transportation We are all accustomed to hopping in the car every time we need to run an errand. Instead, try thinking about what tasks you can do using different modes of transport. For short trips, walking is a great way to get some exercise while producing zero emissions. Talk about a win-win scenario! A bicycle is another fun option for trips that are a little longer. You can even add a basket to your bike for small grocery trips, and a cute bell for a little flair. Public transportation can also step in when you have a longer trip ahead of you. Bundle Your Driving Naturally, there are going to be times when taking your own vehicle can't be avoided. Keep track of the different errands ... read more

The short answer to the question is: it means one or more of your tires have low pressure. This dashboard warning light is symbolized as a tire and exclamation mark inside it. It will light up once sensors pick up that your tire pressure has fallen below 20% of the manufacturer's recommended psi, or pounds per square inch.   Twenty percent is a significant amount of under inflation, and it is considered a safety hazard. You may experience a loss in handling. And your tires are likely going to wear unevenly. It also increases your chances of a tire blowout, ultimately requiring you to replace your tires.   Cape Floral drivers should never ignore a TPMS light. And more importantly, you should not use it as a method of monitoring your tire pressure. You should manually check your tire pressure at least once a month for the most accurate results.    How Much Air Should Go In My Tires? Before you measure or adjust your tire pressure, you ... read more