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| Ignition Control Modules |
The ignition control module, located on the engine, regulates the ignition system. It sends power to the ignition coil, which creates a spark that starts the engine. There are several signs of a bad ignition control module.
Poor Acceleration
If the ignition control module is faulty, the car may shake or jerk with increasing speed. Also, the vehicle may seem to slow down instead of speed up when the gas pedal is pressed.
Failure to Start
The vehicle may not start. The engine may turn over but never crank. Also, turning the ignition key may produce a clicking sound from the engine, but no spark.
Overheating
The vehicle may show signs of overheating. If the temperature of the engine rises above normal, the vehicle will lose power. After the engine cools down, the vehicle will start again. If the ignition control module is the problem, the engine will overheat repeatedly, causing further damage that will prevent it from starting at all.
Replacement
A faulty ignition control module results when other parts, such as the spark plugs, fail. Accordingly, a repair shop will check other parts of your vehicle's ignition system for damage. Any parts that are found faulty should be replaced along with the ignition control module to avoid a recurrence of the initial problem.
Info taken from eHow Facts.
To read more tidbits like this one, visit our Auto Care Tips page.
Tires are one of the most important parts on your vehicle that you need to maintain and make sure they are in good condition. Having a blowout on the freeway, or not being able to get into your neighborhood after a snowstorm because your tires are bald is very inconvenient. By keeping an eye on your tires and the condition they are in, you can eliminate a lot of headache on your part.
Always check your owners manual to see what kind of tires you need for your specific vehicle. If you can't find the information, ask us and we can look it up for you. At our recent FREE Women's Auto Care Workshop: Knowledge Is Power, we handed out information sheets on Load Index, Speed Rating, and Tire Size. You need to take all of these into consideration when purchasing tires. Know the right kind of tires for your specific vehicle! As always, if you ever have any questions on your tire size, just ask us! We would be glad to go over it with you and explain it to you.
When purchasing a tire, you are going to want to know when that tire was made. Buying tires that are too old can cause you problems such as blowouts and flats. We also handed out an information sheet on Determing The Age Of A Tire at our Women's Auto Care Workshop that will help explain how to determine how old the tire is. The date the tire was made is found in the U.S. D.O.T. Tire Identification Number. 
If at all possible, keep a star wrench in your vehicle for when you need to change your tire. If your lug nuts are on tight, they are easier to get off with a star wrench. While pushing forward with your foot, you can also pull back with your hands. It is also easier to get the lug nuts on tighter with a star wrench.
Here is the picture that will be posted on our Facebook page tomorrow, Thursday February 3rd.. The first person to correctly identify this vehicle part will receive $10 off their next service. Remember, do not start guessing until it's posted on our Facebook page tomorrow, and good luck!
You can drop the items off to our shop during regular business hours. (8am to 6pm Monday through Friday)
