Ryan’s Servicenter

Driving around town, we’ve all heard a car or truck that needs a new muffler. But there’s more to the exhaust system than just the muffler. The exhaust system has three main functions: To safely get hot exhaust gas from the engine out the tailpipe Treats the exhaust to remove harmful pollutants Muffle the engine noise Exhaust gas is poisonous; no one wants the exhaust getting into their passenger compartments. For example, carbon monoxide can be deadly. That’s why you should never run your engine in a closed garage. If you have a leak somewhere in the exhaust system, exhaust could get into the passenger cabin and make you sick or even kill you. If you ever happen to smell…

Automotive Fluids If your walking through the automotive fluids section at an auto parts store, you’ll know how overwhelming the sheer number of products available can be. How can drivers know what’s right for their vehicle? As you know, these fluids all serve a function in making your car run. The manufacturer of every vehicle has specified a particular type of fluid for every system from the motor, to the cooling system, brake fluid and so on. When you realize that not every variation is applicable to your vehicle, the task becomes more manageable. Why are there are so many varieties; starting with motor oil, every vehicle requires specific viscosities of oil. Meaning that in order for the engine to run as designed,…

When your check engine light comes on, you may be torn between utter panic and just wanting to ignore it and hope it goes away. That’s perfectly understandable. That same check engine light could come on for anything from a serious engine or transmission problem all the way down to a loose gas cap. There’s a very common misconception that the trouble codes stored in your engine computer when your check engine light comes on will specifically identify a problem. It’s really more like pointing to the symptoms of a problem. Call Ryan’s Servicenter at 609.693.2966 for help with your check engine light. Think of taking your temperature. Say it’s 101. Your heat sensor – the thermometer – tells you that your temperature is out of…

Wiper blades may not be the most exciting topic for most of us,  but they are pretty important. We have all 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 and bumps . This can be especially bad 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. Areas with lots of storms or those who drive a lot in NJ where there are bugs and road…

The cooling system in an engine has five components: the radiator, the radiator cap, the hoses, the thermostat and the water pump. The water pump is literally the heart of the system. Just as your own heart keeps your blood circulating through your body, the water pump keeps coolant circulating through your engine. The water pump is driven by a belt, chain or gear and only operates while the engine is running. It has a limited life span and sooner or later will have to be replaced. You can check your owner’s manual to find out how long your water pump should last. Some can fail at only 40,000 miles, but almost all of them fail by 100,000 miles. Water…