Custom Automotive Care

That’s a good question for Lincoln drivers. All batteries wear out and need to be replaced – but some are replaced before their time. For example, if your battery is dying and you need a jump-start, it could very well be that you have a bad battery. But you should have your battery tested first to see if it’s actually bad. The problem could be parasitic drain or a bad alternator that’s not properly charging your battery. One of the tests that we perform at Custom Automotive Care is alternator output. A surprisingly high percentage of “bad” batteries brought in are actually just fine: the problem is a failed alternator or control fault that is not turning the alternator on. On most modern vehicles the alternator is energized by the PCM (powertrain control module) or the BCM (body control module). These computers can change how much and when the alternator charges. A worn serpentine belt and/or belt tensioner can cause the belt to slip, as well. If the belt ... read more

Your skeleton provides the structure to hold up your weight. Your joints cushion you as you walk and allow you to change direction. Your vehicle’s suspension system is similar: It bears the weight of your vehicle, absorbs bumps in the road and controls the body as you steer through curves on Lincoln roads and streets. Your suspension system keeps your car up off the road. From there, it’s responsible for a smooth and comfortable ride. Like the bones in your body, vehicle suspension parts are connected by joints that allow all the components to move as they should. Over time and miles, the joints start to wear and your suspension gets loose and doesn’t operate as precisely as before, reducing proper tire contact with the road. An accident, pothole or hitting a curb or rock can also damage or break vehicle suspension components. If you’ve ever hurt your foot, you know you’ve had to walk differently to keep it from hurting as bad ... read more

Some people may be confused by charges for diagnostic services for a vehicle repair, even though many other services in life include diagnostic fees – things like computer service and appliance repair. Even when we go into the doctor for a medical problem, we’re paying her to diagnose our ailment and of course for the tests that go along with it. So receiving a diagnostic charge for a tricky automotive problem shouldn’t be a surprise. Automotive diagnostics can cover quite a range. If you hear a noise in your brakes, a quick visual check is usually enough to know what needs to be done. If you’re having an intermittent problem with your engine, diagnosis may be much more involved. Some think that when the check engine light comes on, the engine computer tells the technician exactly what the problem is. The reality is much different. The trouble code just tells your technician what engine parameter is out of range, not what’s causing it. Your tech ... read more

Many Lincoln drivers have had their check engine light come on. It’s an amber colored light that shows on your dashboard. What is the purpose for the check engine light? Most of your vehicle engine functions are controlled by a computer, not surprisingly, called an engine control computer or ECM. The computer is able to adjust many engine parameters for environmental conditions, engine condition and even the way you drive in Lincoln. In order to make these adjustments, the vehicle computer relies on a network of sensors to provide data. The computer knows the proper operating range for each sensor. When a sensor reading is out of range the computer runs some tests and may turn on the Check Engine Light. If your vehicle check engine light is flashing, that means that something is wrong that could cause severe damage to the catalytic converter or other components. Drive the vehicle as little as possible and get that taken care of right away. If your check engi ... read more