Automotive

Your dashboard is designed to keep the driver informed of vehicle health. Decode the dash lights and understand what your car is trying to tell you! The illustrations below are representations of warning lights, each vehicle may display a slight variation based on make and model. __________________________________________ Dowell Automotive If your vehicle has a light on the dash that needs attention or cleared, please contact us. Dowell Automotive would be happy to check the OBD2 code and diagnosis any issues with your vehicle. We offer honest recommendations and quality repairs, at a fair price. To make an appointment give us…

Have you noticed oncoming drivers flashing their lights at you or that your lights tend to illuminate the tops of trees along the roadside instead of the road? Then there's a good chance you need to realign your headlights. Driving with misaligned lights is extremely dangerous and should be adjusted as soon as possible. Headlights not only light up the driving path but help illuminate road signs and any animals or debris that might be coming into the road. Adjusting headlights is fairly simple and most people can handle in their driveway or garage, but if you have halogen or…

Put the key in the ignition, turn it, and nothing but a weird clicking sound? Your battery could be dead. Use jumper cables to jump start it. To safely use jumper cables on your vehicle, make sure the working jumper vehicle has as much voltage as the dead vehicle, and you hook up the cables properly (see steps below). How do I jump start a car safely with jumper cables? Find/Drive a good vehicle up next to the dead vehicle, so the hoods (battery locations) are as close as possible. Place both vehicles in park or neutral with parking brakes…

What fluids do I need to check in my vehicle? The six fluids you should check are Engine oil, Coolant (Antifreeze), Power steering fluid, Brake fluid, Transmission fluid (in an automatic transmission vehicle, not a manual), and Windshield washer fluid. Check these regularly to ensure proper vehicle function and longevity! Make a schedule and always watch out for unusual noises, odors, or vibrations. What is the purpose of the fluids in my vehicle? Keeping proper fluid levels play a huge part in almost every function of your car - including fuel economy and longevity. With engine components spinning thousands of…

Fuel Octane: Choosing the Right Gasoline What is octane rating? Octane rating is the measure of a fuel's ability to resist knocking, caused by the air and fuel mixture released prematurely in the engine, during combustion.   What fuel should I use in my vehicle? Check your owner's manual for the octane rating required for your vehicle by the manufacturer. You should choose that fuel when at the gas pump. Most gasoline vehicles run on 87 octane, but others are designed to run on higher octane fuel.   Why do some manufacturers require higher octane gasoline? Engines that use higher…