Like all vehicle parts, exhausts need a little TLC every once in a while. However, unlike vehicle parts that have a routine maintenance schedule, your exhaust will let you know when it needs repair. Here at RK Auto Repair, we specialize in all exhaust systems, especially custom exhausts in NH. If your exhaust system is showing any of the following signs, it may be time to give our team a call.
Engine Noise
One of the sure signs of exhaust failure is increased noise. Similarly, increased noise is typically the first sign that most drivers will notice. Because the system’s function is to keep engine noise down, a leak in the exhaust will result in loud rumbling grabbing the attention of the vehicle owner and all that pass by. A typical spot for a leak to occur is in the exhaust manifold. However, your engine may also leak at the manifold, which could cause possible harmful effects to both the driver and passengers. Thus, it’s always best to have your vehicle looked at as soon as possible if you’re noticing an increase in exhaust noise.
Decreased Fuel Efficiency
Another sure sign that there’s a leak with your exhaust system is a decrease in fuel efficiency. However, this sign is a bit easier to overlook if not paying close attention to your mileage. The reason for efficiency loss could be that your engine is operating at hotter temperatures than usual. If you notice you’re making more trips to the gas stations than usual, give your local auto repair shop a call. It’s always better to catch potential issues sooner than later. If small problems go ignored, they could become more costly headaches for you in the future.
Vibrations
Paying close attention to the normal conditions of your vehicle is imperative to noticing when something is off. For example, some older cars provide their owners with a massage when driven, and this is somewhat normal for them. However, if your vehicle suddenly provides feedback from the steering wheel or gas pedal, you may be facing an exhaust leak. Although it may not seem like too much of a concern, if left unattended, the vibrations could increase making vehicle handling a difficult task.
Here at RK Auto Repair, our team of experienced professionals can help you determine if your NH custom exhaust needs repair. For more information, visit us online at https://rkautorepairll.wpengine.com or call to schedule your next appointment 603.595.7575.
Your fleet is an investment. Like anything else, we protect what we invest in. Why would your business line of vehicles be any different? The livelihood your business depends on each day; your fleet needs to be reliable and performing at its optimal level. RK Auto Repair offers the best fleet maintenance in Nashua, NH. Providing their customers with unique service that goes above the rest, at RK Auto you are family.
Cost Effective
With the proper maintenance schedule, your fleet will provide years of reliable service. Eliminating unnecessary, costly repairs, RK Auto will help keep your budget in line with an effective preventive maintenance program. By adhering to the schedule, you will guarantee longevity for your fleet.
Timely Maintenance
We understand how hectic life can be. Therefore, at RK Auto, we like to go above and beyond for our customers. Keeping track of lengthy and timely reports are things of the past. After your maintenance program has been established, our staff will notify you when it is time to schedule your next upcoming service. Thus leaving you with a peace of mind that your fleet is in good hands.
Performance
Staying on top of all maintenance and repairs will keep your fleet running at its optimal performance. However, it is equally important to have communication with your first line. Your drivers know the vehicles better than anyone else. Be sure to have an open line of communication with them regarding the performance of their assigned vehicle. By addressing concerns as soon as they are noticed, you will save costly repairs.
RK Auto realizes the importance of your fleet to your business. Our experienced mechanics take preventative measures to keep your company on the road with reliable vehicles that you can count on. If you currently have or will have, a fleet needing fleet maintenance in Nashua, NH contact RK Auto at (603) 595-7575. Backed with knowledge and versatility, RK Auto Repair has been named one of the best mechanics in NH.
You love your car but need a change. Upgrades to your vehicle are a great way to give your vehicle a new look and feel. Custom exhausts can be the simplest and cheapest way to accomplish your need for change. With the proper size exhaust, your car will have a new look and sound. Beyond the appearance, you’ll notice benefits on improved fuel economy and performance. However, exhausts are not one size fits all. When you decide it’s time for your new custom exhaust in NH, contact the professionals at RK Auto Repair. With over 30 years of experience, the staff will be sure to customize the best exhaust type suited for your vehicle.
Axle-back
One of the quickest exhaust upgrades you can choose is the axel-back. This type of exhaust replaces the stock system from the rear axle to the muffler. Hence the name. Requiring no cutting of stock components, the typical turnaround time on installation is less than an hour. The driver will notice a small change in power. The most noticeable difference will be the sound your vehicle puts out. Overall, the axle-back has the least effect on performance and fuel economy enhancements.
Cat-back
A step up from the axel-back system, a cat-back exhaust will provide drivers with more noticeable enhancements. This custom exhaust replaces stock components from the behind the catalytic converter to the muffler. The replacement provides a fairly decent increase on the original performance and fuel economy. Some upgrades can make a vehicle noncompliant with smog emissions. One of the best features of a cat-back system is that your emissions will remain the same.
Header-back
The header-back system is a complete replacement of stock components with aftermarket components. If your goal is to have the most significant impact on performance and fuel economy, this is the upgrade for you. That being said, not all vehicles are ready for this type of upgrade. In most cases, preparations need to made to the vehicle before installation can occur.
With Spring around the corner, now is the best time to consider a custom exhaust in NH. Depending on the vehicle and desired results, choosing the type of exhaust system can be tricky. Contacting your local professionals at RK Auto Repair will ensure the best and safest installation for your vehicle. Contact them today at (603) 595-7575.
The saying goes “You can’t reinvent the wheel.” As far as car parts go, the tires are the only part you won’t get anywhere without. Sure an engine, accelerator, exhaust, and every other part is important, but without those, you could still roll. You depend on your tires in Nashua to get you where you’re going, but how often do you check them? Every piece of a car has a shelf, life including your tires in Nashua. With proper care and maintenance, you can extend that shelf life considerably. Here are some ways you can make the most of your tires.
Tire Pressure
How long your tires last relies heavily on the tire pressure. Without the proper inflation pressure, your tires can’t perform the way they’re supposed to. While underinflated tires are more common, overinflated tires are just as hazardous to the lifespan of your tires. Not every car has the same required tire pressure. Luckily you can find the proper inflation pressure listed along the side of your tire.
Alignment
For your car’s wheels to wear evenly, you need to maintain proper alignment. On top of your tires, having your wheels out of alignment can signify other mechanical problems. The last thing you need is a wonky ride.
Remember to Rotate
Depending on which position on your vehicle the tire occupies, different forces are applied. Without rotating your tires, they will begin to wear unevenly, putting some at a higher risk for damage. The only way to keep an even wear is to rotate your tires. Mechanics recommend rotating your tires every 5000 miles.
Balance is Key
If you’ve ever noticed a vibration while driving, it could be a sign that your balance is off. On top of being annoying, an unequal balance can contribute to tire wear. The more factors that wear away at your tires, the shorter their lifespan becomes.
When it comes to tires in Nashua, every driver is responsible for taking care of them. Knowing the factors that can lead to worn out tires is the first step to preventing damage. The better care you take of your tires, the longer they will last you. If you are in need of new tires, contact RK Auto or visit us online.
As anyone who lives in New England can tell you, there’s a significant difference between driving your car in the summer and driving in the winter. Aside from the frost on your windows and ice on the roads, the cold weather impacts how the different parts of your vehicle work. If you don’t let your car warm up before taking off, you may end up searching for auto repair in Nashua NH.
How Brakes Work
It seems simple. You press on the brakes, and your car slows down. This is a process of cause and effect. You step on the brake pedal, and the brakes apply hydraulic pressure to the brake pads, so they press against the rotor. This slows the vehicle down. One thing to be remembered is that energy isn’t created or destroyed, only converted into heat. The heat is released through the vents in the rotor. When it’s cold outside, the process remains the same but with different results.
Cold Weather
The energy that moved your car is converted to heat through friction. Friction, in turn, results in heat. Brakes can become so so hot that they stay heated long after you’ve turned your car off. Heavy braking can result in brake fade over time. On cold days, you won’t experience any difference in brake performance. However, the lifespan of your brakes will be affected. Because cold days often come with wet roads, the moisture acts as a lubricant on your tires. This allows them to heat up at accelerated rates. So, your brake pads will wear away faster, forcing you to seek auto repair in Nashua NH.
Living in New England means that winter is unavoidable. The cold weather shows up around mid-October and sticks around until mid-March. Knowing how the cold affects the maintenance of your car is essential for any responsible driver. It can help you to avoid accidents. When you do need auto repair in Nashua NH, contact RK Auto at 603-595-7575 or visit us online.
Safety is of the utmost priority any time you set foot behind the wheel. Being inattentive to the inner workings of your car can lead us to become complacent. It isn’t always the easiest to tell when your vehicle needs to get to an auto mechanic in Nashua, but it’s something to be aware of. Broken parts can lead to hazardous situations for you and other drivers. A safety feature of primary importance is your brakes. Without brakes, cars cannot go on the road, no questions asked. Over time, brakes can wear and need replacements. Here are five signs that your brakes may need an upgrade.
Looking
Humankind was given their five sense for a reason. The best way to get a feel for the environment around is to use your sight, smell, hearing, touch, and taste. When it comes to your brakes, sight is going to be super helpful. You can look at the brake pads through the spokes in your wheel. There should be about a ¼ inch of padding there. Any less means you need to see an auto mechanic in Nashua.
Less Response
Response time is the key to safe braking. You need to know that you can stop on a dime in case of unexpected circumstances. You never know when a child can run into a road, so your car needs to respond accordingly. If you notice the response time of your brakes getting longer, your brakes may need replacing.
Pulling
Pulling refers to the action of your car moving more toward one side. When you brake, your vehicle should stop evenly on both sides. Sometimes people find they move more toward one side than the other when they step on their brakes. This can be a sign that your brakes pads have worn unevenly and need replacing.
Grinding
This is where another sense will play a role in identifying brake problems. You shouldn’t be able to hear your brakes bringing your car to a stop. Sometimes over the years, brakes start to make a grinding and growling sound. Listening for this can let you know it’s time to visit an auto mechanic in Nashua for brake replacement.
Vibrating
Another common result of old brakes is vibrating. The point of a car is to run smoothly and comfortably. As brakes wear down, it takes more effort to stop your tires. The pressure of the brakes can rub and lead to vibrations as you stop. Get your brakes checked as soon as you feel vibrations to prevent accidents and collisions.
Every driver should put vehicular safety at the top of their to-do lists. For any trouble with your brakes, visit an auto mechanic in Nashua. Contact RK Auto at 603-595-7575 or visit them online.
To the rest of the country, New England is this idyllic region with apple orchards, beautiful trees lining the streets, and people who talk without pronouncing their R’s. It’s essentially a perfect place. Those of us who live in New England know better. Winter in the area is never as lovely as it looks on Christmas cards. We usually don’t see snow until it’s most inconvenient. Once we do get snow, it takes three months of shoveling to get rid of it. Winter driving conditions can get hazardous quick. Be prepared this winter and consider getting winter tires in Nashua for your car.
Air Capacity
Here’s a little science lesson: as temperatures rise and drop, air expands and retracts. It’s similar to how wooden doors warp when it’s hot out and return to their regular shape in cold weather. If you’re driving on old tires in Nashua, the temperature can cause issues that result in flat tires. New tires are durable and can handle the change in temperatures during the winter.
Tread
The best way to judge your tires’ tread is the penny test. If you place a penny in the tread of your tire and can still perfectly see Abraham Lincoln’s face, your tread may not be up to snuff. The tread of your tires is what keeps you on the road. It grips the surface you’re driving on so you can move forward and brake.
Handling
Tires have a lot to do with how your car moves. For one, their spinning motion causes the rolling that gets you going. However, other factors such as turning become much harder with old tires. If you find you can’t take turns as naturally as you could, or you hear skidding as you change directions, it’s time for new tires.
Peace of Mind
With advanced safety features, driving is theoretically getting safer every year. However, nothing is certain. The best way to feel safe in your car is to know it is prepared for anything. If you’re entering the winter on old tires, you’re increasing your risk of an accident. Give yourself the peace of mind you need to get through the winter by investing in new tires.
Don’t take any chances with your safety or the safety of others. New England winters are nothing to joke about, and road conditions can be hazardous. Invest in winter tires in Nashua this season. Contact RK Auto Repair at 603-595-7575 or visit them online.
As you drive your car, the engine runs and heats up as it does. As the engine runs, it can reach temperatures of over 500° Celsius. Overworking your engine can cause your car to overheat and break down. Luckily, your car is equipped with a coolant system to keep your engine temperature in check. Of course, just like any part of your vehicle, your coolant system can get damaged over the years. If you’re worried about your car’s coolant system, consider getting auto repair in Nashua. Here are three warning signs that your coolant system may need to be checked.
Leaking
A warning sign of low coolant levels is white smoke coming from your exhaust. Yes, you will always see smoke coming from your exhaust, but the smoke to look out for will be thick and white. This is an indicator that there is a leak in your coolant system, allowing the heat to burn up your antifreeze. Another sign of a leak will be pooling of a green substance under your car. No puddle is too small. If you ignore a small puddle, chances are the leak will get worse. In instances of white smoke and green puddles, consider auto repair in Nashua.
Sweet Smell
While sweet smells can be a sign of good things like cookies or fruit, a sweet smell in the cabin of your car is not. Not to say an air freshener isn’t a good idea, but an unusual, sweet smell popping up should raise a red flag. Antifreeze smells sweet, and the scent can waft into your car if your coolant system is leaking or overheating. When a sweet smell pops up in your car, get to a mechanic to run diagnostics on your coolant system.
Steam
500° Celsius is the equivalent of 932° Fahrenheit. The average person starts complaining at around 83° Fahrenheit. This extreme temperature can cause your engine to overheat and release steam if your coolant system isn’t running correctly. The moment you notice white smoke or steam coming from the hood of your vehicle, pull over immediately. This is a surefire sign you need auto repair in Nashua.
You’ve heard the phrase “A car is worth more than the sum of its parts,” but your car isn’t worth much if those parts aren’t functional. Your coolant system is a necessity when it comes to keeping your engine at a manageable temperature while driving. If you notice any of these three sings, find auto repair in Nashua. Contact RK Auto Repair at 603-595-7575 or visit them online today.
The winters of New England are no joke. Weather drops below freezing, so the air hurts your face, and the snow pummels everything. Driving becomes much harder in the winter than in other seasons due to the ice and snow. In extreme cases, roads are closed off. It can be intimidating to drive when you know the weather is going to get rough, which is why it’s important to make sure your car is prepared for anything. Here are a few tips to get your vehicle winter-ready from the best mechanics in Nashua.
Tire Pressure
Tire pressure and tread depth are going to play significant roles in how your car handles in winter weather. As the temperature fluctuates, the air in your tires expands and retract. This causes your tire pressure to fluctuate as well. You can test your tire pressure with a gauge and fill it with an air compressor to your manual’s recommendation. As for tread depth, you can use a penny to test that. Place a penny in the tread with Abraham Lincoln’s head pointing up. If you find his head is still visible at the top, it’s a sign to replace your tires before winter hits.
Supplies
As a safety precaution, you should make sure you have a supply kit in the trunk of your car. While you should always keep an emergency kit in your car, you should make sure it is well stocked as winter comes around. Your kit should include essential items like road flares and a flashlight, a first aid kit and a radio. To customize the kit for winter, you should add blankets, a warm change of clothes, an ice scraper, and a bag of sand to get traction on the road.
Coolant
Making sure your car’s coolant and antifreeze levels are ready for winter is the key. The only thing keeping your engine from freezing and stalling in the winter chill is your coolant. You can check your coolant levels at home with a kit or bring your car to the best mechanics in Nashua to make sure it’s done right.
Driving in the winter is an intimidating thought that becomes less intimidating when you know you’re prepared. Making sure your tire pressure and coolant levels are at peak performance are the first steps. For extra safety, be sure to update your emergency kit with winter supplies. For any questions on how to prepare your car for winter, contact RK Auto Repair, the best mechanics in Nashua at 603-595-7575 or visit them online!
When it comes to your vehicle, it never hurts to know as much as possible. Many people have heard of tire rotations throughout their life, but many don’t know what it is or why it should be done. Tire rotation is the process of moving the position of the tires on your vehicle to ensure more even wear and therefore a longer lifespan for your tires in Nashua. Though each car has a different necessity, the standard rule is to get your tires rotated every 5000 to 7500 miles. Here is a breakdown of tire rotation so you can know what’s going on with your car.
Front-Wheel Drive
Cars that operate on front-wheel-drive by using the front tires to steer. The front tires are putting the power into the road. Because of this, front-wheel-drive can lead the front tires to wear at a faster rate than the rear tires. To rotate tires on a front-wheel-drive vehicle, you should move the back left tire should move to the front right position with the back right tire moving to the front left position. Then the front left tire to the back left position and the front right tire to the back right position.
Rear-Wheel Drive
There is one significant difference between front-wheel-drive and rear-wheel-drive vehicles. For rear-wheel-drive, the front tires still control the steering of the car while the rear tires transfer the power from the car to the road. This distribution of work leads to more even wear on the front and rear tires. This means that to rotate your tires in Nashua, you should move the front left tire to the back left position. The front right tire should be transferred to the back right position. When bringing the back tires to the front, you should place the back left tire on the front right side and the back right tire on the front left side.
Four-Wheel Drive
For four-wheel-drive, or all-wheel-drive, vehicles, the wear is even more evenly spread. Four-wheel-drive tire rotation will follow the same pattern as rear-wheel-drive vehicles. The two tires in the front will remain on the same side as they move to the back. The back tires will move to the front, swapping sides as they do.
While tire rotation can be done at home, it’s safer to have it taken care of by professionals. Let the mechanics at RK Auto Repair take care of your tires in Nashua. Contact them at 603-595-7575 or visit them online.