As a way to continue to empower women, this newsletter will bring you
facts and information about the automotive world. Maybe they will be things you already know, or just maybe you will learn something you can pass on to another woman who also wants to understand more about her vehicle.

What's That Noise, Maybe I Should Just Turn Up The Radio!
While many people hear a noise and think it will go away, I recommend that you always check into the following noises. All of these could lead to potentially costly repairs and some are even safety issues. So don't turn up the radio, get it looked at!

Brake noise

There are several noises that you may hear coming from the brakes. The most common would be a rubbing noise while you're driving with your foot off the brake. For the most part many of these noises are normal. Because brake pads can be made of different types of materials, sometimes the rubbing of the brake pad against the rotor will make noise. Most of the time you may notice this noise goes away once you drive the vehicle for a little bit and everything warms up. If however the noise goes away when you apply the brakes, you should have your brakes checked. It may mean that the brake pads are getting low and the noise you're hearing is actually the warning devise on the pad doing its job. Any loud clunking or metal scraping noise is not normal and should be checked right away by a service facility.

Belt squeal

Belt noises are only heard when the engine is running. It may go away as the belt warms up, but should be fixed. A common fix for most people is to spray the belt with a "belt quieter" product. This is not the answer. Belts squeal for a couple different reasons and should be properly attended to. The belt may not be adjusted properly and if loose will make noise. You may also get a noise if a pulley that the belt travels on is not turning properly. A seized pulley will eventually break a belt, so it's best not to let this noise continue. If you're not sure how to adjust the belt or check the pulley, take your vehicle to a service station and have a technician look at it.

Noisy Steering

Here's a noise you hear in a lot of cars as their making turns in a parking lot, or at slow speeds. This is a loud moaning noise that is only heard when you're turning the steering wheel from one side to the other. This usually indicates a problem with the power steering system. One possibility may be that you have air in your power steering pump. When the power steering fluid gets too low it will suck air into the system. You may be able to fix the problem yourself by adding power steering fluid. Keep the cap open, fill to the full line and turn the steering wheel back and forth in full turns until you notice no bubbles coming up from the fluid or the noise goes away. Make sure that you use only the fluid recommended for your vehicle by the manufacturer, or you may cause more damage. When you're finished make sure the fluid is full to the line and close the cap. If the noise returns you most likely have a leak in the system and should take your vehicle to a service station to have it serviced.

Clicking noise coming from the wheel when turning

This noise is mostly heard when you are driving around a corner. This noise sounds like a clicking coming from the wheel and may go away once the wheels are driving straight again. This is usually an indication of a bad CV Joint. In most cases the boot that covers the joint has ripped and the lubrication for the joint leaks out. This problem should be addressed right away. Leaving this problem could eventually cause the CV Joint to break and the driver could lose control of that particular wheel. It will also be a much more costly repair if the whole CV Joint has to be replaced because of damage.

Tapping in the engine when the vehicle is running

A tapping noise coming from the top of the engine could mean a couple things. The first thing to check would be low oil level. With the engine turned off, pull the dipstick and check the level. If the oil is low, add more oil while regularly checking the dipstick so as not to over fill. Start the engine and see if the noise goes away. If the oil is at the proper level then you may need to have your valves adjusted. Check your owner's manual for proper service for a valve adjustment. Many vehicles today have self-adjusting valves, so this may not apply. If this is the case, then you should have your vehicle serviced by a trained technician. Leaving this problem will only create bigger problems down the road.

Green Tires?
And I'm not talking about the color! Check out this article from Ask Patty on how even tire manufacturers are realizing the importance of "going green".

Green Tires Reduce Rolling Resistance

Cool Gadgets!
CarMD is a great way to check for codes when your check engine light comes on. This allows you to know what problem your vehicle is registering before you take it to a shop and check for codes on a used car before you buy it. Take a look at their website to learn more. CarMD

T-Shirts Are Available Online!
For those of you who took the class and didn't get a chance to purchase a T-Shirt, you can get them on-line.

This is a 100% cotton fitted T made for women. We also have the traditional T-Shirt style available as well.

To purchase a shirt go to:
LSYE Gear

Sincerely,
Lori Johnson