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A lot of people have heard the terms “hybrid car” and “Prius,” but don’t know exactly what it means. What is the huge craze with hybrid cars? Why are they so beneficial, but so expensive? But most importantly, how do they work?

Benefits of Hybrid Cars

A Hybrid Car Saves the Planet and Saves You Gas Money!

Hybrid cars use a combination of 2 motors to power the car-an electric battery motor and the standard gas engine. When pulling away from a stop, the electric motor powers the car, using energy from the battery at speeds up to 15 mph. Any cruising speed over that is used by the gasoline engine that normal cars use. While it may not seem like much of a difference, when you consider traffic, stop signs and red lights, the battery power from a hybrid car can save you hundreds of dollars each year on gas money not being wasted in stop-and-go movements.

Types of Hybrid Cars

Depending on the type of hybrid car you get, you could save up to 30 miles per gallon. Some hybrid cars have rechargeable batteries and have a plug that has to be connected to specific outposts to recharge. These are not quite as popular since the invention of newer models that combine electricity and gas, or natural gas and propane. If you have ever been to an IKEA, they have plug-in stations for the rechargeable electric cars.

Whether you are looking to save money or save the planet by lowering greenhouse gases emitted from your gas-guzzling car, hybrid cars are advantageous. If you need hybrid car battery repair or replacement in LombardLombard and Wheaton, IL, call J1 Auto Repair at (630) 932-4427 today.

The temperatures are just now getting hotter outside, which means it’s important that your car’s air conditioner is working efficiently. However, without proper maintenance, our car’s AC cannot work correctly or at all. If you think you need AC repair for your car, but aren’t sure, keeping reading below to learn about the signs of car air conditioner repair.

No Air

Unsure If You Need AC Repair for Your Car? Find Out Common Signs for Air Conditioner Repair Service.

You turn on your car and crank the AC, but there is no air coming from your vents. Something could be wrong with your AC’s fan or the actual switch to control the air conditioner could be broken.

Warm Air

You are excited to get in your car and turn on the air conditioner only to find out that warm air is blowing from the vents. This will definitely require AC repair because no one wants to be stuck with a car air conditioner that doesn’t blow cold air. The most common fix would be to recharge your refrigerant.

Weird Noises

The only sound should be coming from your AC vents is the sound of air blowing out. Unfortunately, there will be times when rattling or banging. There might be a problem with the AC’s condenser or there could be something stuck in the blower motor, either way, it’s important to have it checked out immediately.

Unusual Smell

As with sounds coming from your air conditioner vent, you shouldn’t be able to smell anything when the air is blowing in your car. If you smell something sweet it means there is a coolant leak and if there is a musty smell, there could be mold in the actual AC.

If you need air conditioning repair in Lombard, IL, call J1 Auto Repair today at (630) 932-4427.

Your car’s brakes are crucial to your safety. When they begin to age or wear, your vehicle could swerve, shake, or even not stop. However, these tips can help ensure your brake system is always in tip-top condition.

Ensure Your Brakes Are in Flawless Condition for Optimal Vehicle Safety.

Brake Pads

Your brake pads are the metal clamp-type constructs that actually stop yo9ur vehicle, and attach to the rotor. When your brake pads begin to wear, they will reduce in size and may begin to squeak, telling you they need to be replaced.

Rotors

This part of your brake system fits just behind the wheel. The rotor is what stops your vehicle from moving as the brake pad rubs against it. Worn rotors will prevent a vehicle from stopping and can cause brake fluid leaks. They will begin to show divots in the metal as they begin to wear, showing where the brake pad has rubbed.

Calipers

While these little clamps may not seem important, they actually hold the whole system together. The calipers fit over the brake pad on one side and the rotor on the other to clamp the two pieces together. Calipers should not be able to be moved when in place. If you can move your caliper without removing the brake pad, you may need a replacement.

Keeping your vehicle’s brake system in check is vital to the smooth operation of the car. Let the experts at J1 Auto Repair help ensure your brakes are always in tip-top condition by calling our expert technicians at 630-932-4427.

Save Money at the Gas Station By Improving Your Gas Mileage.

Gas mileage is a common concern for many people. The more you travel, the more money you have to put into keeping the tank full. Thankfully, there are ways you can improve gas mileage! If you are looking for ways to save money and keep your car in top shape, here are a few simple things you can do:

Keep an eye on the tire pressure! It is important that your tires stay properly inflated for better traction on the road and to keep your car running properly. Low tire pressure can affect how well the engine runs; the lower it is the more work the engine has to do to get the vehicle down the road.

Watch your speed. Making sure you are following the legal speed limits will not only keep you safer and prevents you from getting ticketed but also helps to ensure your car is using gas more efficiently. Sudden starts and driving above highway speeds will drain the has much faster and cost you more at the pump.

Make sure your car is in top shape too! Taking your car in for regular maintenance and inspections are good habits to have. They are also great ways to ensure that your car is running smoothly and you aren’t losing gas mileage due to any issues that may have gone unnoticed.

If you need car maintenance in the Lombard, IL area, contact J1 Auto Repair today! Our technicians can do a thorough check of your vehicle and perform any needed maintenance such as an oil change or tire rotations. Schedule your appointment by calling (630) 932-4427.

If you own your own vehicle, you know that you need to take care of it. Cars and trucks are very expensive, and the added maintenance may seem like an optional expense. However, it is essential that you keep up with all facets of your vehicle’s maintenance if you want it to last for a long time. today we will go over some very basic and affordable maintenance activities you can easily keep track of.

Check Your Lights

Is Your Car In Good Condition?

Visibility is extremely important for the safety of your vehicle, especially when you are driving it. Part of that visibility involves having working lights. You need to be able to see at night, and you need other vehicles to be able to see you. Frequently do a visual check of your lights to make sure they have not fogged over or started to dim. Keeping the headlight covers polished will do wonders in improving visibility, but you can also consider upgrading to LED or halogen light bulbs.

Adjust Your Tire Pressure

Tire pressure is another important component of keeping your vehicle safe and functional. Make sure that your tires are never over or under-inflated. Improper inflation of your tires can lead to unnecessary wear and tear, as well as impact your fuel efficiency. Most importantly, incorrect air pressure can leave your vehicle less safe when driving.

Replace Your Windshield Wipers

Did you know that your windshield wipers aren’t designed to last forever? In fact, most should be replaced before or at 2 years of age. This ensures that whenever it rains, you can still see and drive safely. Inspect your wipers regularly for brittleness or dryness. If they are no longer flexible, it’s time to replace them.

For any and all of your car maintenance needs, give our team a call at (630) 932-4427!

Is Your Car’s Battery Ready For Winter?

With winter approaching, you may be in a hurry to get your vehicle prepared, and that’s a great idea! If you’ve been a car owner for a while, you may have also noticed that when your car battery dies, its seems to happen in winter. Many people believe that cold temperatures kill batteries, but actually, hot temperatures and time kill car batteries. However, cold temperatures make it more difficult for a weakened battery to start, which is why the damage usually becomes apparent in winter. Instead of waiting for the old to kill your battery completely, today we will share a few tips on how to recognize battery failure early on.

Slow Start

If your car seems to be sluggish when you start it, or like it may not start, this can be due to a failing battery. Be sure to have it checked, and if needed, replaced ASAP.

Odd Smells

Rotten egg smells are often a sign of car trouble. One thing that this smell can indicate is a bad battery, so you should have your vehicle inspected ASAP.

Old Age

If you can’t remember when you bought your battery, or if you aren’t sure of how old it is, it’s probably about time to replace it, or to start saving for the replacement.

Jump-Start Required

If you left your headlights on overnight, it makes sense that you will need to jump-start your battery. Other than something like that, if you find yourself jumping the battery on a regular basis, you need to have it replaced, OR you need to have your alternator checked.

If you need help with your battery, or any other car services, give us a call at (630) 932-4427!

Do Your Part To Enjoy More Open Roads!

One of the most puzzling and annoying things we experience as drivers is traffic jams. It’s hard to understand how one minute traffic is moving quickly and then then comes to a sudden halt seconds later. Today we will discuss the reasons why.

What causes traffic jams?

Admittedly, construction and accidents are obvious culprits that cause traffic jams, but what about the ones that seem to happen for no reason? It basically comes down to physics and impatient drivers. A physicist at a Michigan university states that “It’s the science of complexity. In large group dynamics, special things happen because each individual is trying to maximize their own benefit.”

In combination with heavily congested roads, delayed reactions mixed with tunnel vision will swiftly slow down traffic. When a driver is travelling too slowly for the individual behind them, that individual might get frustrated and quickly switch lanes in order to pass. This causes the driver they cut in front of to abruptly slow down to avoid collision. Next, the person behind that person has to slow down and the cycle continues down the line.

This domino effect causes one lane of traffic to slow down. Drivers who are stuck in this lane get frustrated and start darting into the fast moving lane. Soon, the faster moving lanes start slowing down due to people cutting in and out of lanes and eventually all lanes are slowed down. People who tailgate, and people who text while driving readily contribute to this problem.

So for a better driving experience, leave safe following distances, and pay attention to the road. If everyone works to drive at a consistent pace, we can avoid unnecessary traffic jams. To learn more about safe driving, or to schedule a fast and affordable repair for your vehicle, contact us today or visit our shop!

If your car was struck with a flat tire today, would you know how to fix it? While you can call AAA if you run into any trouble, a flat tire is actually pretty simple to replace, assuming you have a spare handy. Today, we will go over a few easy steps to changing your own flat tire. 

What you’ll need: To begin, you’ll want to make sure that you have these tools in your trunk at all times. A spare tire, a jack, a lug wrench, and a flashlight. There are additional helpful items, such as cones, flares, gloves, and wheel wedges, but you can work without those if needed.

If you’re driving and you’ve realized your tire has gone flat, turn on your hazards and make your way to the side of the road. If you can safely exit a busy road, do so, but if not, get as far onto the shoulder as you possibly can. This way you can keep yourself, and other drivers safe.

Do You Know How To Change A Flat Tire?

Loosen The Lug Nuts: Locate the flat tire, and loosen the lug nuts holding it in place. For now, only loosen them, don’t remove them. (Remember that right is tight and left is loose!)

Raise The Vehicle: Now, use your owner’s manual to determine the proper placement for your jack. Then, use the jack to raise your vehicle about 6 inches off of the ground.

Remove The Tire: Now you can finish removing the lug nuts, and pull the tire off of the vehicle. Be careful not to lose any of your lug nuts! The simplest way to remove the tire is to pull it toward you.

Install The Spare Tire: Next, push the spare tire in place, and put the lug nuts back on just enough to keep the tire in place.

Lower The Vehicle: Now you may lower your vehicle back to the ground, and put your jack back in the trunk.

Secure The Lug Nuts: Now you may tighten the lug nuts as needed, return your tools to your trunk, and head over to the tire shop!

For all of your car repair needs, you can count on the experts at J1 Auto Repair. Give us a call today at (630) 932-4427 to get started!