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Belts and hoses wear out faster than most mechanisms in your car. Watch for signs of damage and maintain recommended maintenance schedules. Otherwise, you'll find yourself sitting immobile in San Juan traffic, or worse.

Your timing belt is instrumental to crankshaft/camshaft operation. The process involves valves moving in synchronization with pistons. If this belt breaks, the engine goes kaput, followed by major damage. Listen for slapping noises. That's a clear indicator. The drive, or serpentine, belt powers the a/c compressor, cooling fan, pumps and more. 

Drivers might not know about every part and component inside their vehicles. Then, one day, something might go wrong. Why learn about, say, the differential system the hard way. Find out what it does and stay on top of maintenance. This way, you might avoid some potential problems.

The differential allows a car's wheels to rotate at different speeds. Doing so may reduce problems when turning and in other situations. Differences exist with differential systems depending on the vehicle. Front-wheel-drive cars aren't the same as part-time all-wheel-drive vehicles

Dash cams have become more popular in recent years due to the numerous benefits that they offer. The dash cam is mounted on your dashboard. It captures videos while you drive. Not only will it capture what is inside of the car, but it will also record things on the road.

If you have a dash cam, then you will have firsthand evidence of a car accident. You can use the video to prove that you were not at fault. Dash cams are also great for driving instructors and parents of teen drivers. You can use the video footage to…

You have likely been told that you need to change the oil every 3,000 miles. However, that is just one of the myths that need to be debunked. Synthetic oil is designed to help you extend the amount of time that you go without getting the oil changed. You will likely be able to go 5,000 to 7,000 miles without getting the oil changed, but it is a good idea for you to consult with the owner's manual.

Synthetic oil is used more often than conventional oil. You may have been told that synthetic oil can…

Charging of the battery is not as simple as charging your smartphone.it requires you to be careful, especially with lead-acid batteries, which produces explosive hydrogen when charging. It would be best if you took caution because its explosions can cause serious injuries. Below are steps of charging your car battery;

Disconnect the connecting cables
First, Disconnect the cable connected with a negative terminal to prevent a short circuit of positive terminal and ground. After that, disconnect the red cable connected to the positive terminal.

 

Brake issues got you nervous? They should. Brake failure can cause serious injury, damage to your car and even death. So, what are the main signs you should watch for when it comes to diagnosing bad brakes? We're glad you asked.

First, you'll want to take note of any odd behavior when you bring your vehicle to a stop. Does your car shake? Vibrate? Rattle? If so, it could be an indicator of an issue with your rotors. Another common sign that your brakes need attention, is when you you hear noises upon coming to a halt. These…

Your car’s fuel pump is an important component because its job is to help the gas travel from the gas tank to the engine. If your fuel pump is no longer functioning correctly, it will cause your car to stop running. At Acura of the Rio Grande Valley, we want you to be an informed driver who knows what to look for when a part is going bad. We also want to educate you on signs to look for that might indicate a faulty fuel system.

• Temperatures rising could indicate a faulty fuel pump.
• The engine sputters when driving…

Flat tires can be incredibly troubling to experience, but they may be unavoidable. Tires do suffer punctures and lose air. Roadside assistance might replace the tire with a spare, but you must be mindful of what type of spare you use. Some spares are for temporary use only.

An under-sized, temporary "donut" tire is at risk for a blowout if you don't switch it out for a full-sized one quickly. The manufacturer may put maximum speed and mileage limits on the donut. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's suggestions.

 

Although we all deploy windshield wipers whenever a drizzle kicks up, we often overlook this seemingly minor automotive component at other times. Then our windshield wiper blades malfunction in the middle of a storm, and we can't replace them fast enough. Our entire Acura of the Rio Grande Valley team has been there.

Preserve Windshield Visibility

Don't wait until your wiper blades are so degraded they can't squeegee your windshield at all. To be safe, replace windshield wiper blades at least once a year or up to every six months.

 

As an additional way to protect your vehicle throughout the year in San Juan, Acura of the Rio Grande Valley recommends that you invest in floor mats to protect your interior. There are a lot of messes that you trek into your vehicle on your shoes. Rather than allowing this mess to accumulate on the surface of your interior, floor mats can be removed and cleaned whenever needed.

All-weather floor mats are made of a more durable material. Whether they're rubber or more like plastic, this is a great option if you lead an active lifestyle or bring pets…