New Technology Automotive Service Inc.

Welcome to our technical pages.  The information here helps you to make informed decisions about repairing your car.  Feel free to call us with any questions about your car or service.

Caution: Last week I saw an infomercial about something called a "car doctor".

 A consumer plugs this tool into the data link connector and it "tells you everything thats wrong with your car". Three payments of $39.95 plus S&H. Part of the sales pitch is how it prevents getting RIPPED OFF by every mechanic out there. This tool reads a diagnostic trouble code, which pertains strictly to the computer system/ emissions controls and not mechanical issues like worn out steering or brake components or tires....

After retrieving the code a dignostic trouble flow chart is used to pinpoint the problem. Can you follow a detailed flow chart and do an accurate diagnosis?

We also utilize "Direct Hit" www.directhit.com and "The IATN"  www.iatn.com (International Automotive Technicians Network). Both of these internet based services allow us to join minds and experiences with thousands of professional Auto Technicians world wide in a massive data base of known problems with established patterns of faults.

Personally I use WEB MD for health information but in the end I leave the ultimate health care decisions to my physician. If you are technically savy enough to be interested in a code reading tool there are several available and should cost under $100.00.

Stop in or call and we can discuss these tools and what you can expect from them.    

                                                                                                                                          Thanks,   RUDY

Winter 2011-2012

Mid Winter is usually the coldest time of the winter, Although todays technology has eliminated many of the old winter starting problems it remains important to keep all starting and key vehicle systems (like spark plugs, filters, and fluids) at their peak operating performance.

When I arrive at the shop and go about starting all the cars left for the overnight my first inclination is to listen for the sound the starter motor makes cranking the engine. I know if it sounds weak after a 30 degree night it probably wont turn over fast enough to start the engine when the real cold temps arrive. But why? Why does a wet cell storage battery loose capacity so noticably based on ambient temperatures?  

Battery

technology has been a subject of great interest lately as electric vehicles, hybrid, and fuel cell vehicles start to populate the market. From NiCad's (nickle cadmium, popular in cell phones and small electronics) to lithium (fuel cell's) have shown increases in battery capacity but at a very high price. SO the good old Lead Acid (wet cell) standard battery that is now in its second hundredth anniversary still remains the major source of starting and power storage for today’s cars. This style battery has been hard to beat for available power and life span vs. cost.  Although the hybrid vehicles that we now see so many of sport up to 300 volt NiCad’s they also have 12 volt systems backed up by the good old wet cell. So let’s examine how this technology works.

http://www.vonwentzel.net/Battery/00.Glossary/ this website was very comprehensive but left out the chemistry (thankfully)

 Electrolytes are the key here, in the battery there is a dilute solution of sulfuric acid. This allows for movement of electrons, negatively charged particles, between the lead plates. As the battery ages a coating or "sulfating" occurs when the sulfur from the sulfuric acid coats the lead plates blocking the chemical reaction. The battery capacity is reduced and eventualy reduced to a point where it can not supply enough power to start the engine.

Cold temperatures slow the chemical reaction even more reducing the available power. Hot weather also can damage a typical lead acid battery. Sometimes suddenly and without warning.

 A typical lead acid battery should give approximately 5 years of continuous service. In the last 12 to 18 months of service power output capacity reduces by as much as 50%. When this occurs cranking voltage, the available voltage potential while the battery is under loaded conditions, drops enough to affect other electical circuits like the igniton or computer control system. The alternator or charging system goes into overtime trying to charge up a battery that can not be brought up to full charge status and this could lead to very expensive alternator failure.

To be sure, if your cars battery is 5 or more years old have it tested. chances are that it will be time for replacement.

We will be glad to give you a free evaluation of your battery condition and state of health.

We carry Car Quest* Batteries.  

   See rebate special on our coupon page ************************************************************************

Something to keep in mind about Batteries.......

While there are many brand names of batteries, there are relatively few actual manufacturers. At recent visit to the East Penn manufacturing plant by our CarQuest Representative. He witnessed Car Quest, Deka, and several other  recognizable "brand" name batteries rolling off the assembly lines.

Automotive batteries are classified by a "BCI" group number for physical size and by "CCA" rating.

CCA  rating is how much power the battery can produce measured in amperes of current at 0 degrees F. It serves as a standardized rating. Vehicle manufacturers specify a CCA rating for every car. You might use a larger CCA rated battery but never use a lesser CCA rating than specified.

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Car Quest Batteries are manufactured by East Penn manufacturing. East Penn is best known for the "Deka" "registered trademark" brand battery.

 East Penn is one of the largest manufacturers of batteries in the world.They have virtually 100% coverage for all automotive, truck ,and marine applications.  Call us today for a price quote.

Find the battery for your application at the link below:

http://www.eastpenn-deka.com/default.aspx?pageid=454

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 Interstate Battery "registered trademark" is a nationwide distrubutor of batteries manufactured by Johnson Controls. The cases as well as all internal specifications are made to Interstate Battery Specs. 

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_Batteries