I need a new serpentine belt but I don’t see any cracks in it. Does it really need to be replaced?

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Question:
My Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service technician said I need a new serpentine belt but I don’t see any cracks in it. Does it really need to be replaced?

Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service Answer:
I appreciate your concern. Old style neoprene belts would crack with age, making it pretty obvious to Grand Rapids drivers when they needed to be replaced. Nowadays, serpentine belts are made from a different material that doesn’t crack or glaze the way neoprene did.

Stepping back, the serpentine belt transfers power from the engine to various important accessories like the alternator, power steering pump, and air conditioning compressor – even the power brakes and water pump on some vehicles. Modern serpentine belts have several grooves running their length. These grooves mate with the pulleys on the accessories. When the belt is within its useful life, it spins the accessories at the designed speed.

Over time, belt material is worn away. When as little as 5% of the material is lost, the belt can slip and not properly spin the accessories leading to detrimental stress and expensive damage.

Using a special tool, your considerate Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service technician can measure the material lost in your serpentine belt. He will identify if it needs to be replaced.

It’s critical for Grand Rapids motorists to understand that the serpentine belt is part of the accessory belt drive system which also includes the serpentine belt tensioner and any idler pulleys. The belt tensioner has the same service life as the belt itself, so if it is time to replace the belt, you should also replace the tensioner and idler pulleys as well.

A worn belt tensioner can cause belt slip and enough belt-slap to really hammer the accessory upstream from the tensioner. Running too long with a worn belt, tensioner, or idler pulleys frequently causes excessive heat at the accessory pulleys, resulting in inefficiency, expensive damage and premature replacement.

Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service in Grand Rapids can perform a diagnostic examination to see if your belt or tensioner is worn and should be replaced. Ask your service professional if it’s time for a serpentine belt system replacement.

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Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service
939 Fulton Street NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616.459.8941

Gasoline Direct Injection- Grand Rapids Auto Repair

My new car has a “GDI” engine. What does that mean to me and other Grand Rapids drivers with this new type of engine?

Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service Answer:

GDI stands for Gasoline Direct Injection. It’s a type of fuel injection system that is becoming very popular on modern engines.

Let’s talk about the two most common forms of fuel injection. Port Fuel Injection has been common in Grand Rapids for the last several decades.

With Port Fuel Injection, there is a small port just outside the cylinder on the engine:
• The fuel injector squirts a bit of gas into this area just before the intake valve opens
• When the valve opens, air enters the port and mixes with the gas and then flows passed the valve and into the engine
• The gas and air mixture is compressed by the piston
• The spark plug fires, igniting the gas which pushes against the piston thus powering the engine

With Gasoline Direct Injection the process is a bit different:
• First, there is no port outside the cylinder
• When the intake valve opens, air is drawn into the cylinder
• The air is compressed by the piston
• At the correct time, the engine management computer signals the fuel injector to spray gasoline directly into the cylinder (hence, Gas Direct Injection)
• The pressurized gas and air are ignited by the spark plug, powering the engine

So why did car makers move to GDI? Well, by injecting the gas directly into the engine, the management computer is able to time the injection event more precisely. Also the gas sprayed directly into the engine cools the compressed air enough to allow for better combustion. This adds up to more power and better fuel economy for a given engine size.

Now these two types of fuel delivery systems call for different kinds of fuel injectors. Port fuel injectors squirt their fuel at 40 to 65 pounds per square inch – that’s like the pressure in a bicycle tire.

GDI injectors operate at over 2,000 pounds per square inch. Of course it’s always important to keep your fuel injectors clean – but it’s even more vital for GDI injectors. When they become contaminated, the affect performance and fuel economy.

Speaking of fuel system cleaning, different cleaners and cleaning processes are required for GDI engines. Intake valves get a fair amount of carbon build-up over time. With port injection, some gasoline flows over the valve when it opens to let in the gas and air. This has a cleaning effect – which doesn’t occur with GDI. So pouring a bottle of fuel system cleaner in your gas tank will not reach the backside of those intake valves. A professional fuel system cleaning process at Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service in Grand Rapids will take care of that concern for Grand Rapids motorists.

So, GDI will continue to be more prevalent in MI on everything from compact cars to pick-up trucks. Ask your Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service service specialist if your sedan could benefit from a fuel system cleaning.

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Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service
939 Fulton Street NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616.459.8941

Auto Repair: Vent Cleaning

Auto Repair: Vent Cleaning

Ever get musky odors coming from your car’s air vents? It’s fairly common for Grand Rapids drivers. Moisture can often accumulate in the air conditioning/heating ventilation system allowing mold, mildew, fungus, and bacteria to grow.

Disinfecting and deodorizing is a doable process. Depending on how bad the problem is, there are a couple of approaches Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service may take to get rid of the unwanted smells. For mild situations (especially on newer vehicles), a special deodorizing disinfectant is introduced into the ventilation system. This may be an aerosol or a mist application.

The treatment kills the offending organisms and deodorizes the system. Sometimes in older vehicles, a good deal of mildew or other microorganisms can grow on the air conditioning evaporator, which is housed in the heating/air conditioning air blend box behind the dashboard. In cases like this the Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service technician fills the blend box with disinfecting foam that can eliminate stubborn organisms and return a fresh, clean scent. In all of this, don’t forget your cabin air filter. This is the essential filter that cleans the air coming into the passenger compartment of your vehicle.

Grand Rapids auto owners can ordinarily replace the cabin air filter to eliminate unpleasant odors. It is the first line of defense for Grand Rapids motorists. Changing the cabin air filter as needed can actually prevent further contamination problems downstream. If you are experiencing any unusual odors, sounds, vibrations, etc., talk with your considerate Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service service advisor. He can recommend the next steps to discover what the trouble is and what it will take to set it right.

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Spaanstra Bros. Auto Repair Grand Rapids-
939 Fulton Street NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616.459.8941

My friend just had a very pricey transmission repair in Ada. How can Grand Rapids motorists like myself avoid transmission trouble?

My friend just had a very pricey transmission repair in Ada. How can Grand Rapids motorists like myself avoid transmission trouble?

Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service Answer:

Next to your engine, your transmission is the most pricey component in your vehicle – so you and your fellow Grand Rapids motorists want to do all you can to avoid costly transmission repairs.

Grand Rapids motorists may have noticed a trend of engines becoming more and more powerful in recent years. At the same time, fuel economy has been improving in nearly every motor vehicle segment in MI. More power and better gas mileage have always been at odds. Some of the improvement in fuel economy has been due to engine design, but most of the increases in gas mileage can be credited to auto manufacturers’ advances in transmission technology.

Every engine has a sweet spot in which it most efficiently makes power. This is often referred to by Grand Rapids technicians as the power band – the optimal engine speed (measured in revolutions per minute, or RPM). The computers that control what gear your automatic transmission is in try to keep it in the right gear in order to maintain optimal engine speed – whatever your Grand Rapids driving conditions may be. Modern automatic transmissions have anywhere between four and ten speeds. The more “speeds” your transmission has, the more time your engine can operate at peak efficiency. Needless to say, transmissions have become more sophisticated and costly.

Transmissions are cooled and lubricated by transmission fluid. This pressurized fluid is directed through small passages to effect gear changes. When transmission fluid gets old and contaminated, the small passages can become plugged which adversely affects shifts. The dirty fluid circulating in the transmission can eat away at vital gaskets and seals causing detrimental internal leaks that also hurt shifting. This is why some vehicle manufacturers recommend that transmissions be serviced from time to time. The interval varies by vehicle, so check your owner’s manual or with your considerate Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service tech about your transmission service recommendations.

Old, harmful contaminated fluid is removed and new fluid is installed. Keeping up with the auto manufacturer’s recommended service schedule helps prevent harmful internal damage that may result in a significant transmission rebuild. Let Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service help you extend the life of your sedan and prevent expensive repairs with recommended preventive maintenance service.

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Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service
939 Fulton Street NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Auto Repair Grand Rapids: Diesel Engines

When someone mentions diesels around Grand Rapids – images of smoky, rattly trucks may spring to mind. The fact is that the modern clean diesel engine is much more refined than in the old days. Sure, diesel engines remain a very popular choice with heavy duty pick-up truck drivers in Grand Rapids, but they are finding their way into nearly every segment of the MI automotive market. Why is that? Well, its science.

Diesel fuel contains more energy than the same amount of gasoline. So it takes less diesel fuel to do the same amount of work as gas – so Grand Rapids diesel drivers get more miles per gallon and lower emissions. In Europe, where fuel is very expensive and high mileage is very important, around half of passenger vehicles are powered by diesel engines. This goes for small economy cars all the way up to the world’s most costly luxury vehicles.

The driving experience is also very good with diesel engines – in fact Grand Rapids motorists may not even be able to tell the difference between riding in or driving a diesel powered vehicle. So what are the factors to examine when deciding whether or not to choose a diesel engine?

One consideration is price. Diesel engines cost more to build and are an extra cost option for most vehicles. So Grand Rapids drivers need to do the math to see how long it will take the increased gas mileage to pay for the extra up-front cost of a diesel engine. The cost of diesel fuel in Ada is also a factor. There is no clear correlation between gas prices and diesel prices because the refining and distribution systems are so different. This means that the difference in price per gallon for diesel and gasoline can vary a great deal depending on where you live in MI. Just watch diesel and gas prices for a while (or talk with a diesel owner in Grand Rapids) so you can get a feel for how much price per gallon figures into your purchase decision.

Also important to look at is your expected use of the vehicle. For example, if you tow heavy trailers or haul heavy loads around Grand Rapids, the extra power many diesel engines offer (while getting better gas mileage than a gas engine) may impact your decision. Your highway/city driving mix may play into the decision as well. Diesels shine in the highway mileage department. And the more you drive in a year, the more attractive diesel engines become.

If you opt for a diesel engine, remember that it still requires important maintenance like your gas powered vehicles always have. Oil changes, cooling system service, power steering, brakes, tires, etc. – all need to be maintained. Some of the schedules may be different because of the unique design of diesel engines. Your considerate Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service service advisor will be able to help you properly maintain your diesel vehicle, helping it last longer and continue to deliver great performance and fuel efficiency.

Spaanstra Bros 
Auto Repair Team Grand Rapids

Service Professional Auto Maintenance: Wiper Blade Design

Wiper blades may not be the most exciting topic for most Grand Rapids drivers – but they are pretty important. Most of us Grand Rapids car owners have had an experience when a sudden snow or rain storm hits while we’re driving; then when we turn on the wipers – nothing but streaks. This can be especially disconcerting at night when the glare of on-coming headlights distorts your vision.

Simple answer: change your wiper blades BEFORE they fail. Check them out every couple of months just to see how they are working. Of course, the more you use your wipers, the sooner they’ll wear out. Grand Rapids motorists with lots of storms or those who drive a lot in MI where there are bugs and road grime will use their blades more.

But even when you’re not using your blades, they are exposed to sunlight, ozone, soap, and extreme hot and cold MI temperatures which lead to deterioration. Your blades can just rot away and fall apart before you need them. Of course, using your wipers when the blades are torn can lead to scratches in your windshield. Grand Rapids motorists don’t want to risk a significant windshield replacement over the cost of a couple of wiper blades.

Now let’s talk about wiper blade upgrades. Grand Rapids drivers can upgrade both the design and the wiper material. Let’s start with the material. Traditional black rubber blades do a great job of clearing your windshield when they are new. Over time all of the conditions mentioned above damage them and degrade their performance. Silicone blades are far less affected by environmental conditions and will simply perform better for a longer time for Grand Rapids auto owners.

There are two elements to the design. First, the wiper blade itself: Some have a single wiping edge. Others have multiple edges – kind of like a multi-blade razor. The idea is to maximize wiping power during both swipes of the blade.

The other design element is with the wiper frame. This is the structure that applies pressure on the blade as it passes over the windshield. A conventional frame has four to six contact points on the blade. These apply pressure used to clear water and snow. A beam frame provides uniform pressure along the entire surface of the wiper. Their shape catches the wind passing over the vehicle to provide additional downforce to help get a clean swipe. A hybrid frame has four to six contact points as with a conventional blade, but also incorporates an airfoil to provide additional downforce as with beam blades.

So which blade should you opt for? Well always use at least the grade and design that came with the vehicle from the auto manufacturer. Upgrade for better performance and longer lasting blades. The extra cost of premium blades is a good value for this essential safety system.

While you’re at it, make sure you have plenty of windshield washer solvent (use a winter formulation when Grand Rapids temps drop below freezing) and that your washer nozzles are working well. Talk with your considerate Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service service specialist about upgrading your wiper blades.

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Spaanstra Bros. Automotive Service
Auto Repair Grand Rapids
939 Fulton Street NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616.459.8941