While there are many types of sensors, electronic fuel injected engines typically use one of two types of mass air flow sensors.
a) Vane meter
b) Hot wire

These sensors are designed to be precise, and any small electrical or mechanical failure can cause the engine to operate at less than optimum performance levels, increasing fuel consumption and increasing wear on the engine.

For more information, Wikipedia has a great article here.

Braking systems in today’s vehicles are made up of a lot of parts that all work together to make sure that your vehicle stops correctly. In basic terms, when you press the brake pedal, you are causing the master cylinder to compress the brake fluid, which then sends pressure through the brake lines to your brake pads or shoes. No matter what your pads are made of, whether they’re ceramic, organic, or semi-metallic, your brake pads will erode a little bit every time you press the brake pedal. If they erode too far then the metal parts of the brake housing may come into contact with the rotors or drums. This can reduce your stopping power as well as increase the costs of repairs if the rotors need to be replaced or turned.

Signs you may need brake service

• Your brake warning light starts to come on.
• Your brake fluid level gets low.
• Your brake fluid looks dark and/or dirty.
• You hear a squealing or grinding sound when you press your brakes.
• You feel a give in the brake pedal when you press the brakes.
• Your vehicle pulls to one side when you press the brakes.

Repair your brakes immediately

If you do notice any of the above signs of faulty brakes, don’t wait any longer than possible to bring your vehicle in to Fast Car Services so we can do a brake check for you. The longer you wait to bring it in, the worse the existing parts will get, possible increasing your repair costs.

There are many advantages to the use of fuel injectors, among them are:

• Easier and more dependable engine starting.
• More dependable operation at very hot or cold temperatures.
• Longer periods without maintenance.
• Better fuel efficiency.

Fuel injection systems can react quickly to changing inputs such as sudden throttle  movements, and control how much fuel is injected to match the engine’s dynamic needs across a broad range of operating conditions such as ambient air temperature, engine load, fuel octane level, engine temperature, and atmospheric pressure.

A transmission flush is more thorough than a drain and fill. A transmission drain and fill is done by removing the drain plug, draining the old fluid, and then refilling with new fluid. While this is beneficial to the transmission, the fact is that there is still a significant amount of old fluid that doesn’t drain from the transmission. This means that the new fluid is immediately mixed with old fluid, thus reducing it’s effectiveness.

A transmission flush will actually remove most of the old fluid, so it can be replaced with new, fresh fluid. This is done by using equipment designed for the purpose. It can replace the fluid in approximately 10 minutes, usually with the engine running and in “Park”.

Conditioners may be used when the fluid is replaced, thereby extending the life of the fluid, revitalize the o-rings and seals, and make for a smoother shift. A conditioner might not be absolutely necessary, but if can help your transmission it may be worth the extra cost.

Process
Performing a radiator flush is not difficult but it is time consuming. First, the old coolant must be drained from the radiator. Then the radiator is filled with a special coolant/detergent mixture and water. This mixture is what actually dissolves the deposits and remove any build up of solids in the radiator. After the engine has ran and the cleaning is completed, the coolant is then drained and a fresh mixture of coolant and water is put into the radiator.

While this may sound fast and easy, there are times when the engine must be allowed to cool back down before proceeding to the next step.

Not all vehicles will benefit from an engine flush, so ask your technician if it is right for your vehicle.

Engine Restorers
A number of high-mileage oils contain a powder called Copper Silver Lead, also known as CSL. In a hot engine, this powder actually melts and fills in the small pits in piston rings, cylinder walls, and valve stems. Left untreated, these small pits can let oil get into the combustion chamber and also allow hot engine gases leave it. This can speed up the engine wear and decrease the lifetime of these parts.

Manufacturers may have slightly different guidelines regarding when to replace the oil and filter, but the generally accepted rule is that the oil and filter should be replaced every 3,000 miles. This is because the oil filter eventually reaches a point where it no longer works efficiently at removing deposits from the oil. That is why oil becomes black and doesn’t cool and lubricate the way it should.

In order to change the filter and oil, our technician removes the drain plug at the bottom of the oil pan below the engine and drains the oil for later recycling. He then removes the oil filter and replaces it with a new one. He then re-installs the drain plug and refills the engine with fresh oil of the proper type, grade and weight. The technician then starts the engine and checks for leaks. In the final step, he turns off the engine, checks the oil level again, and then resets the maintenance light when applicable.