Overbeck Auto

Let Us Take Care of Your Hybrid!

admin — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 19:28:55 +0000

At Cincinnati Hybrid we are equipped to handle all of your hybrid car repair and service needs, from routine maintenance to major engine and electrical work. We use manufacturer specific parts and fluids, and follow vehicle manufacturer preventative maintenance schedules to service all vehicles thus meeting the requirements of all bumper to bumper, power train and emission warranties.

Some of the services we offer include:

Scheduled Maintenance
- Oil Changes
- Transmission Services
- Coolant services
- 30/60/90/100K mile services

Hybrid drive motor testing repair and replacement
Hybrid Battery testing and replacement
Dashboard / display screen repair
Tire replacement
Alignment
Brake and suspension work
Batteries

Your Hybrid’s Battery
When someone thinks of a hybrid vehicle they usually think of batteries. Most people do not realize that hybrid cars have two batteries. There is a “big” hybrid battery, which usually ranges between 144 volts and 280 volts and there is a 12 volt auxiliary battery that actually starts the car. Now, starting a hybrid is different than starting a non hybrid car. In a non hybrid car you turn the ignition key and the 12v battery powers a starter motor and the engine “cranks” over. In a hybrid car when we “start the car” or properly stated “ready” the car, the 12v battery powers up all the electronics and turns on the high voltage system. At that point if the engine needs to start, the engine is started by the high voltage battery and one of the hybrid drive motors. This happens at a very high cranking speed so you never hear the engine “crank”, it just runs.

So if for some reason your hybrid will not start or power up, it can be jump started using conventional methods and your vehicles owner’s manual will be able to guide you thru that process. It is never recommended that you use your hybrid to jump start another vehicle.

We find that the 12 volt auxiliary batteries in hybrids will last a bit longer than 12 volt batteries in a non hybrid car. These batteries are often times an AGM type battery, which means Absorbed Glass Mat not flooded lead acid like a conventional car battery. These AGM batteries can be more expensive and often have to be purchased from the manufacturer as there are no aftermarket replacements. In no case should you ever replace a AGM battery with a flooded lead acid even if it physically fits in the same spot. Also avoid using a battery charger on an AGM battery unless it has a specific setting for AGM, otherwise you can damage the battery.

FAQ About The “Big Battery”
The number one question we are asked at Cincinnati Hybrid is: How often does my “big” battery need to be replaced, and how much does it cost?

The good news is that the batteries do not need to be replaced very often at all. Almost all hybrid batteries in hybrid cars on the road today use Nickel Metal Hydride technology (NiMH). These batteries are very stable, have good tolerance to hot and cold, and do not mind rapid charge and discharge cycles. We regularly see hybrid cars with 200,000 miles on them that have the original hybrid battery and that battery tests just as well as one with half the mileage. Bottom line is that the batteries seem to fail more due to age than mileage. For Toyota we see 10 years as being the typical lifespan of a high voltage battery and Honda batteries and failing a bit sooner at around 7 years, generally. Good news for Ford hybrid owners, battery failures have not yet been an issue.

When it comes time for a high voltage battery replacement, there are some options. Not many years ago the only option was having the dealership replace the battery with a new one, often times at a cost of $4000 to $6000. These days we have some more options with new developments every day. Our biggest seller right now is a remanufactured battery. These batteries are remanufactured using newer / stronger components and often perform better than the original. Plus they come with an 18 month unlimited mileage warranty and with a significantly smaller price tag. Most HV battery replacements are less than $3000. We have the ability to test and repair batteries in house and have done so in the past on rare occasions, however it is our experience than the remanufactured battery is a better repair that offers more value to the customer.

Questions and other Hybrid “Stuff”
If you are thinking of buying a hybrid or if you have specific questions or concerns about your hybrid, how it works, service concerns or problems please feel free to contact us.

CAN’T FILL THE GAS TANK?…MAYBE IT’S A BAD BATTERY!

admin — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 16:05:32 +0000

Our customer requested a 30K Mile Maintenance check on their 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid. The maintenance required light was illuminated. She also complained that often it was difficult to fuel her Camry. The gas pump kept shutting off every ¼ gallon or so. It was very annoying because it took so long to fill the tank.

After completing the 30K Mile Maintenance service and resetting the maintenance required light, it was time to find out why this thing is so hard to fill with gas.

First we downloaded the computer, even though no “check engine” light was on. There were three codes stored having to do with low voltage of the auxiliary (12V) battery. However there were no codes involving the evaporative emission system or filling the gas tank. Or did they?

Inspection of the battery terminals on the 12V battery (in the trunk compartment) showed scratches and wrench marks where the cables have been moved recently. Now it should be noted here that because this is a hybrid vehicle, the auxiliary battery does not, I repeat, does not start the car. It is used to provide power for the accessories. This is a special battery costing twice that of a conventional 12V battery and is available only from Toyota at this time.

A phone call to the customer verified she was jumping the battery periodically. A proper electrical test also verified that the battery was weak with extremely low voltage. Now that explains the stored error codes, but not why it was difficult to fuel.

After digging deeper into Toyota’s Technical Service data, the gasoline problem became clear. When you pull into a gas station, you shut the engine off, pop the fuel door, remove the gas cap, and proceed to fill the tank. Unbeknownst to you when the gas door is opened, a switch makes a connection telling the onboard computer that you are about to add fuel. The computer then sends a signal to the vapor containment valve (VCV) located on the gas tank. This allows the gas tank to vent to the charcoal canister and fueling can proceed without interruption. If the auxiliary battery voltage is low, the switch does not function and the fuel pressure is trapped causing the fuel pump nozzle to cut off repeatedly.

We replaced the 12V battery, cleared the computer, and tested the vapor system.

The sophistication of today’s vehicles, especially hybrids, requires a special breed of technician with the proper education, with access to factory diagnostic data and equipment. A mechanical engineering degree doesn’t hurt either.

THE $2000.00 ENGINE MOUNT

admin — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 15:58:24 +0000

A gentleman took a 2004 Acura TL with 136K miles on the odometer to his local tire store with the complaint of noise coming from the front of the vehicle while driving over rough roads.

The tire store diagnosed the problem as worn out suspension components: front MacPherson struts and rear shock absorbers. Estimate to replace: $1700.00.

Guess what? After the new parts were installed, the same noise was still there.

Attempting to diagnose the source of the noise, the tire store kept the vehicle for 1 ½ weeks, replacing numerous bushings and rubber components. The additional work cost $300, and still the noise persisted. Now the gentleman is upset and reaches out to Overbeck Auto Services.

We test drove the Acura to verify the noise. Then the hood was opened and an engine bay inspection was done. Immediately our technician noticed the torn motor mount cover on the front right frame rail. Further investigation revealed that the rubber mount had deteriorated to the point where it had separated. Total estimate to replace the motor mount was $398.

We replaced the motor mount and test drove the vehicle. Noise is gone; problem solved.

Moral of the story: any mechanic with tools can put parts on, it requires a qualified, experienced technician to diagnose which parts to replace.

Should I Buy New Or Used Parts For My Vehicle?

admin — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 22:28:08 +0000

Check out this recent article about using used parts to fix your vehicle. Used, salvage, or recycled it is all the same, basically a part taken off of a car that was wrecked, flooded, or just plain worn out. It is pointed out that you should never choose or accept to use any used or salvage parts for anything safety related especially airbags and seat belts. This is always true, but there are also other times where it does not make sense to use a used part. In particular, any part that requires a lot of labor to replace. Common parts such as fuel pumps can be expensive to buy new, but resist the urge to call the local salvage yard for these items as these parts often require a lot of labor to replace. If the used part fails next week, the salvage yard may get you another one, but you will have to pay to have the job done again. This argument can also be made for the use of the low cost parts often found at the big box parts chain stores as well. Many independent shops will allow you to use a recycled part, and in some cases will quote you a price for a used part if you ask about it. Always ask about the warranty, in most cases the warranty will only cover the part itself for around 30 to 60 days. Labor is almost never covered in the warranty of a used part. As the average age of cars on the road increases we are finding that some parts are no longer available from the manufacturer and salvage is the only option. Along with body parts, exterior and interior trim parts, frequently used salvage parts range from differential units, gas tanks, sub frames, some suspension parts, sometimes even onboard computers and modules. In any case make sure you and your shop are on the same page in terms of what parts will be replaced, the labor involved, and the warranty. By law, any repair shop using a salvaged part, must disclose the fact that the part is a salvaged or recycled part on the final repair order. Plus remember using salvaged parts is “GREEN”.

Check Your Lights!

admin — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 17:42:02 +0000

During the dark days of winter it is very important to make sure all of the exterior lights on your vehicle are working properly. Some vehicles may warn you that a light is out with an indicator on the dash, but most do not. You could be driving around with a burnt out brake light or turn signal and not know it! Checking your lights is pretty easy and will only take a few seconds if you can get someone to help. Sit in your car and start the engine while having your assistant stand in front of the car and off to the side. Turn on your headlights, high beams, and actuate the left and right turn signal while your assistant assures each bulb is working. Your vehicle may also have fog lights that need to be turned on by a separate switch that you should be sure to check as well. Have your assistant take note of any bulbs that are not working.

Now have your assistant move to the rear. While the headlights still on, check for red taillights in the rear as well as the small clear lights above your license plate. Step on the brake, your assistant will notice the red tail lights get brighter and the high mount stop light (3rd brake light) in the back window or trunk lid should light as well (if your car is equipped with this feature). With your foot on the brake and assistant out of the way, pull the shifter into reverse to ensure the white reverse lights come on as well. Finally, place the vehicle back into park and with your foot off the brake, actuate both the left and right turn signal once again to ensure they work properly. Now if you identified a bad light bulb, depending on your skill level, you can go ahead and replace the faulty bulbs yourself or bring it to your trusted repair facility for replacement. In most cases, any of the bulbs you may need will be available at your local auto parts store. Use caution, however, because some bulbs can be tricky to get to and may require a small degree of disassembly to access. In any case, most repair shops can replace a faulty bulb in minutes for not much more than the cost of the replacement bulb itself. At Overbeck Auto Services, we make a practice of checking for and replacing faulty light bulbs during every oil change service we do.

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admin — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 16:25:09 +0000

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