What the hay is DRY ROT, anyway?

  

   We had a customer come into the Royal Palm Beach location to use one of her 4 oil changes in the package we sell. It's actually a really great deal if you are ever interested. You have to get an oil change 4 times a year and why not have it be a $14.99 each with a discount on any other repairs?

She asked us to look over her car for anything else that might be going on. Well, she had dry rot on her tires. We told her at some point soon we will need to look into tires for her because of dry rot. What the heck is dry rot, anyway?, she said.

Well, my fellow Florida folks, this is for you. Dry rot happens from extreme heat like we have in Royal Palm Beach and Wellington, especially in the summer months. What happens to rubber is that it becomes less pliable with extreme conditions. It's not just tread that is wearing down, it's the quality of the rubber starts to change. It will have hairline cracks in it and not be as black in certain spots as it once was. A few spots is normal and not a danger, but many and on more than one tire can be.

If you have tread left on the tire, it doesn't mean you can't have dry rot. This most likely means the car isn't driven much or is in the sun day after day, or both. So there can be tread, but the rubber is deteriorating. The car is safe to drive short distances like 30 - 50 miles but not for longer drives or the highway. It can buy you about 3-4 weeks to start looking for tire deals.

We can get you in and out today! Our technicians will let you know if its a danger or if you can hold off.

 Call Bill Tyson's Auto Repair at either Royal Palm Beach 561-753-6122 or Wellington 561-753-6101.

5 Most Common Car Issues, your free sound advice from the Mechanics

 

 

 Do you get nervous when the CHECK ENGINE light comes on?  We understand.

Did you know the average car driving around daily is around 8 years old? Maintenance is the key to keeping it running healthy and from running into bigger problems.

Think of the light as a way to problems and extend the life of a car. Often, it's warning about problems that can be avoided by keeping up with regular maintenance before it turns into something big and expensive. Don't panic, we have the 5 most common problems and about what it can run you. Free, quality advice.

Faulty oxygen sensor

The sensor measures the amount of unburned oxygen in the exhaust and tells the car's computer how much fuel is in the tank. The car's gas mileage will go down and send incorrect information to the computer. It can be $200+/- to repair.

Loose or missing gas cap

This happens a lot! I know it sounds obvious but believe it or not we have this happen often. We tighten the gas cap for free, or replace it for a few dollars. If it's not replaced, gas will evaporate from the car and decrease its gas mileage. That means more frequent refills at the pump and who wants that?!

Broken catalytic converter

Prevention can stop you from paying in the neighborhood of $2,000. The catalytic converter uses a catalyst — a metal like platinum — to convert harmful gases left over from combustion to less harmful emissions. A catalytic converters generally won't fail unless a related part, like a spark plug goes bad. Keep up with scheduled maintenance and you can dodge the bullet.

Malfunctioning mass air flow sensor

This sensor measures the amount of air supplied to the engine, which determines how much fuel should be delivered. When it goes south, the car will move forcefully and spill in fuel  so you get a decrease in fuel economy. This goes from $450+/- to have it repaired.

Misfiring spark plugs

Spark plugs are small but essential, since they make the car go by igniting the compressed fuel in an internal combustion engine. Misfiring spark plugs can affect engine power and fuel economy and can also cost you a big ticket item, the catalytic converter.

The most expensive cars to repair? Hybrids. They remain rare enough that their parts are pricier and fewer technicians are trained to fix them. We are trained for this at Bill Tyson's and will always work to get you a fair price with the best warranties.


Just remember, don't panic. It can be a simple fix. We are happy to do it no matter what the fix is. Our mechanics in Royal Palm and Wellington are ready to give you an oil change, find out about your check engine light and even check out your car with a 21 point inspection. Its better to know how your brakes are doing before they go out! We are here to help.

Bill Tyson's Auto Repair, the name you know is the name you trust.

What Does It Mean If My Car Is Vibrating?

If you own a car long enough then there's a good chance you'll develop car problems to some extent. One of the most common issues is shaking. It happens slowly but surely and then one day you find yourself wondering how you drive like this! Is this safe? What does it mean if my car is vibrating? There is no substitute for our ASE certified mechanics. However, you can develop a good feel yourself for car problems that are relatively common, like the shaking.

 Here is some good and sound advice from us at Bill Tyson's as to why your car may be doing this, what it can mean and why you should bring it in.

The fix could be something relatively cheap and simple, like a tire rotation or balance. It could signal more serious car trouble - something not as simple, like steering or suspension problems. Coming in to our Wellington or Royal Palm Beach location to just have the car looked at may seem like a hassle at first. We understand and will try to get you in and out the door as soon as possible because we understand you have a busy schedule. We are here to save you from bigger car trouble down the road.

Sometimes a shake or shudder will come from the engine compartment, because the engine isn't getting enough air, fuel or spark that it needs to run in top condition.

Symptoms like:

• Shudder or jerking when speeding up
• Sharp, disconnected shaking like driving over cobblestones within a specific speed range
• Car starts and drives fine and later begins to vibrate

These symptoms could be signaling that it's time for a new set of spark plugs. If the plugs are fine, it could be that the spark plug wires need to be checked (connected in the right order) or replacing them.
A dirty air filter or clogged fuel filter can starve the engine of the oxygen or fuel it needs. Easily prevented by replacing them at the manufacturer's recommended time frame.

Is the shaking coming from the steering wheel? On most modern cars, wheel bearings are meant to last the life of the car/or truck. But as you may already know, if you drive worse-than-typical wear-and-tear (off-roading, hard driving, high mileage), it's going to wear out.
Another thing to look for is how much a wheel deviates from a perfectly circular rotation when it is turning.
Other sources of wobbly wheels include the tie-rod ends or ball joints. If they're worn out, they'll allow too much play in the wheel.

Tires can contribute to the shakes:

• Car vibrates at certain speeds= tire balance
• Tires have separated tread or roll unevenly = needs replacements
• Uneven tire wear = tire rotation

Please feel free to call seven days a week. We can narrow it down even more. Make an appointment or just bring it in and tell us what is going on. Our mechanics are seasoned and will find what is wrong in a hurry. We will always tell you what you need and won't try to sell you something you don't. Honest work at a great price so you can get back on the road safely.

Summer Tips - What Makes a Car Overheat & Avoiding Overheating

 

   

 

Happy summer! Vacation, the beach, no school and barbeques are all things to look forward to, but there are also parts of our lives the summer effects that we don't think about. The summer sun and extreme weather can mess with your car, but in places like South Florida it can really effect your car's mechanisms and even the mileage it gets. The sizzling temperatures and high humidity are not only dangerous for people and animals but also to the cars we rely on to get us to and from home each day. Did you know that there are operating systems in your car, just like a computer, that cannot function to their ability if it becomes overheated? We have suggestions for you on how to cool down when the heat is on.

Get A Tune-Up

If you have not yet scheduled your car for a summer tune-up, call us to make an appointment today. Extreme heat can weaken belts, hoses and other parts needed for your car to function without pushing it to an unsafe limit. Before the blistering days keep rolling in, have an ASE certified technician inspect for any damage that may indicate a break down in the future. You should ask for an inspection of your cooling system to prevent hot weather problems from occurring.

Giving The Engine A Break

As the temperature outside rises, the temperature on the road surfaces soar. Air conditioning will keep the inside of the car cold, however the strain on your engine could prove to be too much. If your car is showing signs of overheating, turn off the AC, wind down the windows and give your engine a break.

Avoid Hot Situations

We know changing the weather is not an option. What you can control to an extent is where and when you are driving. Driving during the hottest point of the day will be harder on your vehicle more than the early morning or late evening. If it is possible avoid routes with construction or stop and go traffic. These changes might be enough to ward off an overheated engine that can lead to bigger issues and expenses.

Our full service maintenance and repair services include everything from "while you wait" services such as oil changes or a wheel alignment. We also will give complementary rides to you when there is a major service needed like a transmission flush, brake repair and new tires or full service repairs but you need to go somewhere else or maybe just need a ride home.

Where We Come In

Bill Tyson's Auto Repair takes great pride in our beautiful shops, our friendly and experienced ASE certified mechanics, and a very welcoming environment. We service foreign, domestic, hybrid, and classic vehicles. We have the best warranties in the business and are competitively priced. Bill Tyson's Auto repair wants to take care of your car, your family and their safety.

While your car is in the care of our experienced mechanics, be secure in knowing you are having exceptional auto repair service. Our store managers will be honest and open about prices, wait times, and the services your car needs now, may need in the near future, or those that can be put off for awhile without affecting anything negatively. We want to be the best auto repair shop for you with the best value in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, Florida.

We know from our own experiences that chain shops, dealerships, quick lube and fly by night tire stores can sometimes be a hassle to deal with. Sometimes is can involve the long waiting times, being strong-armed by the dealership, the overly expensive repairs, the upselling from the counter person who works on commission, and even being without a car for the rest of the day. We understand your frustrations and that you have a busy schedule. Bill Tyson's Auto Repair want to offer you a different kind of automotive experience that won't stress you out. We want you and your family to count on us for comfort, honesty, quality, affordability, and the inviting atmosphere of our living room style shops.

 

 

 

Call us today at 561-753-6101 in Wellington, Florida 33414 or 561-753-6122 in Royal Palm Beach, Florida 33411. We have 10%off, 15%off and 30%off offers with fantastic package deals.