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There are many systems required for a car to start properly, so regular maintenance is necessary to keep your vehicle starting reliably. First, there are many electrical components needed to start successfully. A well-charged battery is necessary to turn the starter. The battery will also provide voltage to the ignition coil(s), as well as provide power to the fuel pump and fuel injection system. Spark plugs need to be clean and have a proper “gap” to allow the fuel in the cylinder to ignite. As you can see, the electrical system, the fuel system and other sub-systems […]

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Engine operation management requires the input of a few systems working together. The filtered air of the inductions system, the fuel delivered to each cylinder, and the emissions system all feed information to the ECM (or PCM) and the computer calculates the proper amount of fuel for each running condition. Being a computer, it can measure and correct parameters like the air/fuel ratio thousands of times per minute! It also takes input from the electrical system in determining load and how much timing advance the engine requires for optimum operation. Regular maintenance This is […]

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Your vehicle has a variety of filters to keep small particles of dirt from circulating in the operating systems, causing damage and eventually failure of moving parts. Cabin Filter The cabin filter works just like the filter for your air conditioner at home. It filters dust and dirt from the outside air prior to being treated by the climate control system. Keeping this filter serviced at proper intervals will ensure fresh, fast moving air is always available inside your vehicle. Oil Filter The oil filter traps contaminants in your engine oil. Even […]

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Several states now require regular (annual or biannual) emission tests. These tests have different names; the most common are inspection/maintenance (I/M), SMOG, or OBD-II emission testing. The tests may involve visual inspection of certain emission-control systems, measuring tailpipe emissions at specified engine speeds or as the vehicle runs on a dynamometer, or verifying the proper operation of the emission system on 1996 and newer vehicles with a scan tool. A poorly maintained emission system can cause the vehicle to fail these tests, diminish gas mileage and more. Call Moxie Auto Care & […]

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The electrical system in your vehicle is like the nervous system in your body…sensors generate impulses that are distributed, then processed, and those processed impulses are sent to some other area to display information, actuate another sensor or mechanical device, or provide power for device operation. Electrical starting systems In the early days of the automobile, the only electrical system was to allow the engine to operate. Later, lighting was added, and the more expensive cars received electrical starting systems. Today, electrical systems are extremely complex and interface with every other […]

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If our climate control system is working properly, we never give it a second thought. For some, it’s just “set and forget”. For others, if the air blowing from the vents is the right temperature, it’s all good! But keeping the cabin at the desired temperature requires a complex system of electronic, mechanical, and gaseous systems working at peak efficiency to keep us comfortable, and each system has specific maintenance needs for proper operation. Inside Air Temperature Electronically, your system may use a variety of sensors and switches to keep the […]

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Your “Check Engine Light” is simply a warning light that has received information from a sensor connected to your vehicle’s ECM, or “engine control module”. It can be an indicator of needed maintenance, or it could also be warning you of a major component failure. Each sensor connected to the ECM will register a code within the ECM that tells technicians the nature of the item needing service or replacement. While reading these codes is a fairly simple operation, it requires very expensive equipment, and many years of experience to understand […]

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We have our vehicles so we can jump in and go somewhere…but once we get close, it’s important to stop there! Your brakes are located on each wheel, and they use friction to slow the rotational energy of the wheels so you can slow down and stop where desired. They are complex systems using hydraulic fluid, mechanical parts, computer controls, friction material, and electrical sensors. Some systems on hybrid vehicles also use generators on each wheel to put power back into the battery pack when slowing the vehicle to a stop. […]

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