Tag Archives: Automotive Maintenance

Peace of Mind on Every Road

Peace of Mind on Every Road

When it comes to vehicle repairs, one of the biggest concerns for drivers is reliability. Will the repairs last? What happens if an issue arises after you leave the shop? At Automotive Magic, we understand these concerns, which is why we proudly offer the NAPA AutoCare Nationwide Warranty—a 36-month/36,000-mile guarantee that provides our customers with confidence and peace of mind, no matter where the road takes them. What is the NAPA AutoCare Nationwide Warranty? The NAPA AutoCare Nationwide Warranty is a comprehensive coverage plan that protects you against unexpected repair costs for qualifying parts and labor. This warranty applies to repairs and services performed at any participating NAPA AutoCare Center across the country, ensuring that your vehicle remains in top condition no matter where your travels lead. This ... read more

6 Common Issues with the Pentastar 3.6L V6 Engine

6 Common Issues with the Pentastar 3.6L V6 Engine

Common Issues with the FCA 3.6L Pentastar Engine If you own a vehicle with the FCA 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine, you’re driving one of the most durable and reliable engines that Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram are rolling off of their production lines today. Known for its balance of performance, efficiency, and longevity, the 3.6L Pentastar is designed to provide years of trouble-free service with proper maintenance. That’s why this popular powerhouse has earned its place in millions of vehicles, from the iconic Jeep Wrangler to the sporty Dodge Charger, and even utility vehicles such as the Ram Promaster since its introduction in 2010.  However, building something great is never without its challenges. Since its introduction, Pentastar V6 owners have noticed a few common problems that tend to arise over time. Like any vehicle, it’s not completely immune to developing issues. As an owner, it’s important to be aware of the complicated problems that can arise. Fo ... read more

Winter Vehicle Check: Your Guide to a Safe Winter Season

Winter Vehicle Check: Your Guide to a Safe Winter Season

Winter brings unique challenges for your vehicle, from icy roads to freezing temperatures. Preparing your car for these conditions isn’t just a matter of convenience—it’s a safety necessity. A winter vehicle check ensures your car can handle the colder months and helps you avoid unexpected breakdowns during the worst time of the year. Here’s why winter checks are essential and a handy checklist to get your vehicle winter-ready. Safety First: Proper preparation ensures your car can handle slippery roads, low visibility, and freezing conditions. Prevent Costly Repairs: Catching potential issues early saves you from expensive repairs or breakdowns later. Enhanced Performance: Your vehicle operates more efficiently when it’s winter-ready, improving fuel economy and performance. The Essential Winter Checklist Battery Check Cold weather can reduce your battery’s capacity. Ensure the ... read more

Are Transmission Services Really Necessary?

Are Transmission Services Really Necessary?

Transmission Services; Why Are They Important? When thinking of vehicle maintenance, many people know their oil needs to be changed regularly and that their tires need to be rotated. One of the systems that is often overlooked is the transmission system, the key component that transfers power from the engine and makes it usable at the wheels. So why is it important to service the transmission and keep it maintained? We know it’s important to change our engine oil often, as there are tons of moving parts that need to be lubricated to create the power that keeps us getting to work, picking up the kids, and running to the grocery store. The transmission allows your car to move at different speeds while also managing the engine's power output.  With today’s technology and engineering, many different types of transmissions have come into play in our vehicles. Most of society has moved on from the ... read more

Transmission problems solved

Transmission problems solved

Recently, Brendan, One of the many skilled technicians at the Automotive Magic evaluated a Transit 150 with transmission problems for a commercial business owner. The vehicle had inconsistent transmission issues where the transmission would randomly start to buck and fall out of gear, or hard shift.  After some diagnostics, Brendan identified the root of the issue. The transmission output shaft speed sensor was losing connection randomly, causing the computer to determine the gear selection and shift point/speed incorrectly. To solve this problem, Brendan had to remove the sub-frame to access the transmission oil pan and expose the valve body assembly. However, the client decided to replace the entire transmission as preventative maintenance to prevent future downtime.  He replaced the transmission as the client requested and they were thrilled with the results. Brendan's hard work paid o ... read more

Jump-starting A Car

Jump-starting A Car

Have you ever been burdened with a dead battery in your vehicle? Most of us have experienced the pain of going to start our cars and getting nothing but a rapid-paced click, or nothing at all. A dead battery can happen at any time, and having the right knowledge and equipment is essential to get back on the road in an emergency. Jump-starting a car is a skill that every driver should know in case they’re ever stuck with a dead battery, so in this blog, we’ll be diving into How to Jump-start Your Car.   Why do car batteries die? Car batteries have a lifespan in which they will work as intended, typically four to seven years. After that, they’ll start to lose their ability to hold a charge. A car battery will also lose its charge if something draws power from the battery after the vehicle is turned off. This can be something as simple as leaving a light on, but can also be very intricate like a power draw fro ... read more

Dodge Ram With No Heat? Here's our fix!

Dodge Ram With No Heat? Here's our fix!

Our Repair of the Month is based on a Ram 5500 that came in with a heating issue. The customer explained that his heat was not working as efficiently as it used to and was only getting lukewarm. Another thing the customer noticed was that the heat on the passenger side seemed to be blowing warmer than on the driver's side. Based on previous experiences, we immediately knew that this was likely to be an issue with the vehicle's heater core.  The heater core is a part of the vehicle's cooling system that is responsible for heating the cabin when you turn the heat on. It is almost always located between the dashboard and the firewall, making the removal of the dashboard necessary to replace it. The evaporative core, part of the air conditioning system, can also be found behind the dashboard. This customer wanted to take preventative measures and replace the evaporator core too whi ... read more

Ford Timing Issues

Ford Timing Issues

Navigating Ford Timing and Cam Phaser Issues: Causes, Symptoms, and Solutions If you're a proud owner of a Ford vehicle, you may have heard about the occasional stories related to the timing system. Found in many of Ford’s vehicles, the 3.5-liter Ecoboost is a V6 motor that economizes on fuel efficiency and provides a nice performance punch, making it very popular. Unfortunately, many people including us here at Automotive Magic, have recognized that the timing system on vehicles with this motor tends to have some issues. Two critical components that can encounter issues over time are the timing chain and camshaft-phasers. Ignoring these issues, if encountered,  could potentially lead to catastrophic failure of the motor. In this blog, we'll explore the causes, symptoms, and solutions associated with Ford's timing chain and cam phaser issues in the 3.5-liter Ecoboost. The timing chain is a crucial component of an internal combustion engine, ens ... read more

Why Doesn't My Heat Work?

Why Doesn't My Heat Work?

Ram/General Heater Core Issues Just imagine winter is here, you go outside in the morning to start your car and let it warm up before you head out to start your day. You walk back outside and get in your car only to find cold air blowing out of your vents. “Ughhhhh, why is my car not warming up!?” Our team at Automotive Magic/Magic Lube & Rubber knows there could be a couple of issues that could cause your car to blow cold air instead of heat. Things such as low coolant, a broken blend door, or a stuck open thermostat could all be the culprits of having no heat. But the one we will be focusing on today is heater cores. While often overshadowed by its larger counterpart, the radiator, the heater core plays a vital role in ensuring your car's interior is a comfortable haven when temperatures plummet.  Heater Core Function  Now you may be wondering, what exactly is a heater core and what job does it perform? Here are some of the basics. Imagine the heater c ... read more

A lot of noise upsetting your ride

A lot of noise upsetting your ride

A recent situation that our client faced with their 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.7 Liter was a loud growling/humming sound coming from the rear of the vehicle while driving. This can be caused by failing pinion bearings inside the rear differential. Here at Automotive Magic, we have the expertise and equipment to diagnose and repair this sort of issue quickly and efficiently. Our expert technician used a stethoscope, just like a doctor, to confirm the problem and then disassemble the rear differential to replace all the bearings.  But, what causes the pinion bearings to fail internally? Lack of fluid changes is the primary culprit. Gear oil breaks down over time and becomes less protective and more abrasive, causing damage to the bearings. This is why it’s important to maintain all the fluids in your vehicle, including differential fluids, transmission fluid, transfer case fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid, and coolant.  At Automotive Magic, we understand the imp ... read more

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