Most Newport News area car owners don’t service their air conditioning until after it fails. Maintaining your sedan air conditioning system means that you always have enough refrigerant to properly do the job. Small leaks in the air conditioning system allow the refrigerant to escape and the system can’t cool the air as well.

Along with the refrigerant, a special oil circulates in the system. The oil lubricates air conditioning components, and keeps the seals resilient. Low refrigerant and lubricating oil means that the air conditioning parts will wear out prematurely, and we all know that air conditioning repairs can be costly in Hampton Roads.

Air conditioning service at B & L Automotive in Newport News starts with a visual inspection of the components for signs of damage or leaks. The compressor is driven by a belt from the engine, most often the serpentine belt, so it’s inspected for cracks or wear.

The air conditioning compressor and other components are checked for proper operation by your B & L Automotive service advisor. Then comes the leak test. If a leak is detected, often in a hose or connection, it’s repaired and the sedan system is retested. Your B & L Automotive technician will also perform a temperature drop test.

If needed, the old refrigerant is evacuated and the system is recharged with clean, fresh refrigerant. A final test insures that the air conditioner is working, and you’re on your way.

How often this should be done at B & L Automotive varies from vehicle to vehicle. Your sedan owner’s manual will have the manufacturer’s recommendation and, of course, your friendly B & L Automotive service advisor can tell you. It’s typically every two years.

Give us a call

B & L Automotive
13539 Jefferson Ave
Newport News, VA 23608

At B & L Automotive in Newport News VA (23608) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 757.833.0736. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

When all of a vehicle’s wheels are lined up exactly with each other, your wheels are in alignment. Hitting a road hazard in Newport News or even just the normal bumps and bounces of everyday VA driving can cause your sedan wheels to be out of alignment. This can lead to expensive premature tire and suspension wear.

Here are some alignment basics from B & L Automotive:
The first angle is called toe: do the wheels point in towards each other or away from each other at the front of the tire.
The next angle is called camber: do the wheels tip in or out at the top.
And finally, there is castor. Castor measures the angle where the front axles attach to the vehicle.

The ideal alignment for your sedan was designed by its engineers. B & L Automotive alignment service starts with an inspection of the steering and suspension – so see if anything’s bent, broken or worn out. Then the B & L Automotive technician will look at tire condition. From there, the sedan is put on an alignment rack and an initial alignment reading is taken. The wheels are then aligned to manufacturer’s specifications.

Your owner’s manual probably has a recommendation for how often your sedan alignment should be checked – usually every couple of years. If you suspect an alignment problem with your sedan, get it checked at B & L Automotive before you suffer expensive tire or suspension damage.

Give us a call

B & L Automotive
757.833.0736
13539 Jefferson Ave
Newport News, VA 23608

At B & L Automotive in Newport News VA (23608) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 757.833.0736. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

You may not be familiar with all of the items on B & L Automotive’s menu board so here is a quick description of some of the typical services that might be listed. Remember, the board is there for reference; speak to your B & L Automotive Service Adviser about other possible needs or services.

B & L Automotive Fuel System Cleaning: Over time, the fuel system gets gum and varnish built up. A fuel system cleaning at B & L Automotive gets rid of that and cleans out the fuel injectors. Saves gas as you drive around Newport News and on Hampton Roads freeways, by the way.

B & L Automotive Headlamp Replacement: Halogen and standard headlamps gradually fade. When one burns out, replace both so they’ll have the same brightness. Also, if your headlamp lenses are yellowed or cloudy, you can have them professionally restored to like new-condition. As your friendly B & L Automotive advisor for information.

B & L Automotive Inspections: Newport News drivers get inspections for many reasons. Maybe they’re going on a trip or just want to make sure their vehicle’s ready for summer or winter in Newport News. Maybe they just bought a used car and want to give it the once over. An inspection at B & L Automotive may reveal some things that are broken or are getting close to having a problem.

B & L Automotive Oil Change Service – there are several options: Some Newport News auto service centers offer just an oil change and new filter as an option. Most will also check and top off all of your other fluids and do a quick visual inspection with a full service oil change. There may also be options for higher mileage fluids or an upgrade to synthetic oil.

B & L Automotive PCV Valve Service: PCV stands for Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve. It’s a little part that releases pressure from the engine. It can get gummed up and that can lead to engine damage. Just needs to be changed now and then.

B & L Automotive Power Steering Service: Often overlooked. Your B & L Automotive technician will evacuate the old fluid, clean out the system and replace it with clean fluid. Keeps the system running well for a long time.

B & L Automotive Serpentine Belt Replacement: That’s the belt that powers the engine’s accessories like the alternator, air conditioner, power steering and brakes. You’ll want to replace the serpentine belt at B & L Automotive before it breaks or wears down too much, because that’ll lead to other problems.

B & L Automotive Shocks and Struts Replacement: This starts with an inspection of the suspension components. Shocks last a long time and wear out slowly, so many Newport News motorists don’t notice when it’s time to change them. If they’re worn or leaking, they need to be replaced.

B & L Automotive Transmission Service: This involves removing the transmission fluid and replacing it with clean fluid. It’s like an oil change for your transmission.

B & L Automotive Tire Rotation and Wheel Balancing: The tires are rotated from front to back using the recommended rotation pattern. This helps tires wear more evenly. Wheels need to be balanced from time to time to keep them turning without any wobble or bounce. Helps the ride and saves tire wear as you drive around Newport News.

Give us a call

B & L Automotive
757.833.0736
13539 Jefferson Ave
Newport News, VA 23608

At B & L Automotive in Newport News VA (23608) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 757.833.0736. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

Your sedan cooling system’s job is to keep your engine cool. Coolant (also called antifreeze) mixed with water flows through your engine and absorbs heat. The mixture then flows out to the radiator where it’s cooled by air flowing over the radiator. From there the cooled mix circulates back through the sedan engine to absorb more heat.

Coolant, or antifreeze, is specially formulated to keep your engine safe in a wide range of environmental and operating temperatures in Newport News.

Without coolant, the sedan’s metal engine parts would expand so much that the engine would seize up and stop running.  Expensive parts could be broken or warp so badly they would have to be replaced at B & L Automotive in Newport News. It could even be so bad that the whole engine is ruined and has to be replaced.

Also, if it’s freezing outside in Newport News, the water in your engine could freeze while your vehicle is sitting out in the VA cold. This is why you check coolant levels frequently and have your cooling system inspected for leaks. Also your manufacturer has a maintenance requirement for draining and replacing your coolant. These recommendations can vary widely, so check your Newport News owner’s manual or ask your service advisor at B & L Automotive in Newport News.

The reason you need to change the coolant is that it has additives in it to protect the cooling system. As you can imagine, with all the heat, the cooling system’s a pretty harsh environment. The additives keep the fluid from becoming corrosive and damaging the radiator and other Newport News cooling system components. Over time, the additives are depleted and the coolant just has to be replaced. A simple pH test can measure the coolant’s acidity.

You may have noticed that there are different colors of antifreeze at B & L Automotive: it is very important that you use the correct type.  The different coolant types are different colors so you don’t mix them up.  Manufacturers use different materials to make the cooling system, and they require different types of antifreeze to protect them.

So check with your friendly B & L Automotive service advisor or owner’s manual for the right kind because using the wrong coolant can void the warranty for your sedan cooling system.

Ask us about oil changes, factory maintenance and electrical system diagnosis.

Give us a call

B & L Automotive
757.833.0736
13539 Jefferson Ave
Newport News, VA 23608

At B & L Automotive in Newport News VA (23608) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 757.833.0736. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

A lot of people in the Hampton Roads area want custom wheels. When you do this yourself (over the internet . . .) you could run into trouble if you’re not careful. Sometimes they just don’t fit right: The tires rub in turns or over bumps. Consulting a tire professional at B & L Automotive in Newport News can ensure you get the right fit for your sedan. First he’ll ask you a series of questions about your driving needs and what you want in your new wheels.

Now, not every wheel can go on every vehicle. Care must be taken so that tires and wheels are not too large or that the wheel is centered too far towards the outside or the inside. If you don’t want to make any modifications to your sedan, you would need to focus on a wheel and tire combination that would fit. With trucks, some Newport News people like much bigger tires so they need a suspension lift.

Also, most Newport News people don’t realize that you need to keep the rolling diameter of your new tires – that’s the overall height of the tire – very close to what came from the factory in order for your anti-lock brakes and stability control systems to work properly.

The sedan computers that control these systems are calibrated to a certain size tire. When you go bigger or smaller, the computer doesn’t know what changes you made so it can’t tell how fast you’re going. This, of course, means it sends commands to the brakes and traction control that are based on the wrong sensor information. If you go with a different rolling diameter, your sedan vehicle control computer can be reprogrammed for the new tire size. At B & L Automotive, we can give you information about control computer reprogramming.

Either way, there are hundreds of wheel and tire choices to choose from in Newport News. You can pick the style of wheel you want and then talk with your Newport News tire professional about how big the wheel should be – and select the right tire to meet your style, performance, ride and handling needs – and the best way to do all this is to have your friendly B & L Automotive tire specialist see your sedan in person so mistakes are not made.

At B & L Automotive, we also offer timing belt and factory maintenance.

Give us a call

B & L Automotive
757.833.0736
13539 Jefferson Ave
Newport News, VA 23608

At B & L Automotive in Newport News VA (23608) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 757.833.0736. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

The crankcase is the bottom area of the engine that holds the oil. When the sedan engine’s running, fuel is burned to generate power. Most of the exhaust from combustion goes out through the exhaust system. But some exhaust blows by the pistons and goes into the lower engine, or crankcase.

These hot gases are about seventy percent unburned fuel. This can dilute and contaminate the oil, leading to damaging engine oil sludge. It can also cause engine corrosion in your sedan. At high speeds, the pressure can build up to the point that gaskets and seals start to leak.

Yorktown car owners need to know that over time, the vented gases will gum up the PCV valve and it won’t work well. That can lead to all of the problems I’ve already described, oil leaks, excessive oil consumption and wasted gas.

Fortunately, it’s very easy to test the PCV valve and quick and inexpensive to replace it at B & L Automotive. Even so, it’s often overlooked because many Yorktown drivers don’t know about it.

Check your sedan owner’s manual or ask your B & L Automotive advisor. If this is the first time you’ve heard of a PCV valve, you might be in line for a PCV valve replacement.

Please ask us about your PCV valve. For the price of a couple of burger combo meals, you can avoid some very expensive deep engine repairs.

At B & L Automotive in Newport News VA (23608) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 757.833.0736. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

First, the serpentine belt drives your air conditioning system. Next, the belt powers the alternator.

The serpentine belt may also run the pumps for both the power steering and power brakes. In some sedans, power steering may have an electric drive and power brakes can be vacuum driven.

And, on many vehicles, the serpentine belt powers the water pump (on some cars, the water pump is powered by the timing belt).

Your B & L Automotive service technician can perform a visual inspection of the belt to see if it has any cracks that signal the belt could fail soon and will measure the amount of belt material to make sure there is enough.

Newport News drivers should be aware that there’s a special, spring loaded pulley attached to the engine called the tensioner pulley and sometimes an extra pulley call the idler pulley. Their job is to make sure there’s a constant tension on the serpentine belt so that it doesn’t slip. The spring can become worn and no longer provide the necessary pressure to keep the belt tight. That’s why it’s often recommended that the tensioner, and the idler pulley if so equipped, be replaced at the same time as the serpentine belt.

All in all, the serpentine belt’s an important part for the function of your sedan. And it’s not that expensive to replace at B & L Automotive – so it’s good to do so before it fails.

At B & L Automotive in Newport News VA (23608) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 757.833.0736. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

Now when you hear “severe service”, you may think it doesn’t apply to you because you don’t feel your driving conditions are severe or extreme – it’s just normal everyday driving around Hampton Roads. At B & L Automotive, we discuss the conditions that manufacturers classify as severe so that you can make the judgment on your own driving.

• Most trips are less than four miles
• Most trips are less than ten miles and outside temperatures are below freezing in Hampton Roads
• You drive in very hot VA weather
• Driving at low speed most of the time (under 55 mph)
• Stop and go driving
• Operating your vehicle in dusty, polluted or muddy conditions
• You tow a trailer, regularly carry heavy loads or carry a car-top carrier on your sedan

Most Hampton Roads drivers operate under severe driving conditions at least some of the time. How do you know which schedule to follow for your sedan?

Carefully think about your driving conditions and decide if you should do your preventive maintenance closer to the severe service recommendation or the regular recommendation. Of course, your B & L Automotive advisor can help you with your decision.

At B & L Automotive in Newport News VA (23608) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 757.833.0736. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

Let’s focus on stopping in wet Newport News conditions. In order for a tire to have good contact with the road, it has to move the water out of the way. If it can’t move the water, the tire will actually ride on top of a thin film of water.

That’s called hydroplaning. At B & L Automotive we want our customers to know that if it’s really bad, you can actually spin out of control. At best, you won’t stop as fast.

So how does a tire move water? It has channels for water to flow through. Look at a tire and you’ll see channels: channels that run around the tire and channels that flow across the tire. They’re designed to direct water away from the tire so it can contact the road better.

And the deeper the channel, the more water it can move. A brand new tire has very deep channels and can easily move a lot of water. As the tire wears down, the channels become shallower and can move less water. When it wears down enough, it can seriously affect your ability to stop on wet Newport News roads.

So that’s why it’s so important for Newport News drivers to replace the tires on their sedans when they get worn. Consumer Reports and other advocate groups call for a standard of 3/32 of an inch and they have the studies to prove it.

By comparison, you’ve probably seen the wear indicator that’s molded into tires. When tires are worn 3/32 of an inch, the tread wear bar is visible. So the recommended standard has twice the tread depth as a completely worn out tire.

And that little bit of additional tread makes a big difference. Stopping distances are cut dramatically on wet roads. A safe stop from VA freeway speeds with 4/32 of an inch of tread would result in a crash with worn out tires.

There’s an easy way to tell when a tire’s worn to 4/32 of an inch. Just insert a quarter into the tread. Put it in upside down. If the tread doesn’t cover George Washington’s hairline, it’s time to replace your tires. With a Canadian quarter, the tread should cover the numbers in the year stamp.

You’ve probably heard of this technique using a penny and Abe Lincoln’s head. That measure gives you 2/32 of an inch – half the suggested amount.

Of course, tires are a big ticket item for Newport News car owners. Most of us want to get as many miles out of them as we can. But there’s a real safety trade-off. It’s your choice.

At B & L Automotive in Newport News VA (23608) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 757.833.0736. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

In addition to just wearing out, B & L Automotive customers need to know that suspension components can be damaged in an accident or by a hard impact – like a pothole, hitting a curb or a rock in the road.

Because the life span of shocks can vary so widely, your sedan manufacturer and B & L Automotive recommend periodic inspections. During an inspection, your Williamsburg service technician will check for worn, broken or missing parts.

Signs that shocks or struts are wearing out: The tires may have a cupped wear pattern. This is from the shocks bouncing unevenly as you drive around Williamsburg. You may notice a floaty or drifting sensation when cornering. If the front of your sedan dives excessively when stopping, or rocks back and forth after you stopped, your shocks may be worn out. And if they are leaking fluid, it’s definitely time to replace them.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, come into B & L Automotive for a suspension inspection. Same if you’ve been in an accident that involved one of your wheels. Worn or broken shocks can cause premature wear or failure on other sedan suspension parts such as ball joints and other steering components as well. If your suspension actually fails, it could lead to a serious accident, so let us take care of your suspension components at B & L Automotive.

When you replace your shocks, it’s usually a good idea to replace all four at the same time. That’ll give you more even handling. Talk with your service advisor at B & L Automotive because you don’t want a big difference between the performance of your shocks from wheel to wheel, and replacing all may be the safest bet.

At B & L Automotive in Newport News VA (23608) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 757.833.0736. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.