Mason Auto Repair

Turbocharged engines make impressive power from relatively small displacement, but that extra performance comes with a challenge. Compressing intake air raises its temperature, and hot air is less dense than cooler air. That means the engine can receive less oxygen than it could if the compressed air were cooled before entering the cylinders. That is where the intercooler comes in. It sits between the turbocharger and the engine intake, removing heat from the compressed air before that air reaches the combustion chambers. When the system works correctly, the engine can make power more consistently while keeping intake temperatures better controlled. How the Turbocharger Heats the Intake Air A turbocharger uses exhaust energy to spin a compressor wheel. That compressor forces more air into the engine than the engine could pull in naturally. As the air is compressed, its temperature rises. The turbo itself also operates in an extremely hot part of the engine bay, so ... read more

Turning on the air conditioning adds work to the engine. The A/C compressor has to be driven by the belt, and the cooling fans may begin operating at the same time. A healthy engine usually compensates by adjusting idle speed and fuel delivery, so the change should be minor. When the engine begins shaking, stumbling, or nearly stalling with the A/C on, the added load is exposing a weakness. The cause may be related to the compressor, belt drive, engine mounts, throttle body, ignition system, or the controls responsible for maintaining idle. The A/C Compressor Adds Load To The Engine The compressor circulates refrigerant through the air conditioning system. When its clutch engages, or its internal control changes output, the engine has to supply additional power. At idle, that added demand is easier to feel because the engine is already turning slowly. A brief change in engine tone can be normal. Repeated shaking, a large RPM drop, or a feeling that the engine may s ... read more

Most drivers have seen the tire pressure light come on at some point. Sometimes it is a simple case of low air in one tire. Other times, the light keeps coming back even after the tires have been filled properly. That is usually when the frustration starts. At our shop, one of the first things we think about in that situation is the TPMS. TPMS stands for Tire Pressure Monitoring System. Its job is to alert you when one or more tires are too low on air. It is a helpful safety feature, especially because a tire can be underinflated without looking obviously flat. The tricky part is that the system itself can develop problems over time, especially as sensors age. A failing TPMS sensor can make it hard to tell the difference between a real tire pressure issue and an electronic one. That is why the warning signs matter. If you know what to look for, you are much less likely to waste time guessing or keep driving around with a problem that needs attention. What TPMS Sensors Actual ... read more

Honda earned its reputation in the US the old-fashioned way. Drivers kept buying the cars, passing them down, commuting in them, teaching teenagers to drive in them, and bringing them in for service with hundreds of thousands of miles on the odometer. That kind of trust does not happen from one model year. The Civic, Accord, and CR-V helped shape how many drivers think of Honda: practical, efficient, comfortable, and dependable when properly cared for. Each model has its own personality, but all three share the same basic appeal. They fit real life without demanding much attention until maintenance is skipped. 1. Honda Civic: The Small Car That Grew Up Well The Honda Civic has always had a practical side. It is easy to park, usually efficient, and simple to live with for commuting, school, errands, and first-time drivers. Older Civics built a loyal following because they were affordable and easy to keep on the road. Newer Civics feel more refined than many people ... read more

When most people think about pollen season, they think about itchy eyes, sneezing, and that yellow-green dust coating everything in sight. What they do not always think about is how that same pollen affects their car. At our shop, we see the impact every year. Customers come in asking why their windshield smears so badly, why their cabin smells stale, or why their vehicle looks dirty again right after a wash. A lot of the time, pollen is part of the answer. Pollen may seem harmless because it is light and powdery, but it can create a surprising number of problems for your vehicle if it starts building up. Some of those issues are cosmetic, while others can affect visibility, air quality, and how well certain parts of your car function. The good news is that a little attention during pollen season can help keep those small annoyances from turning into bigger headaches. If your car spends a lot of time parked outside, especially near trees, the effects can show up fast. One day your ca ... read more