Is your car AC not working? The team at Crain Hyundai of Little Rock is no stranger to car AC issues, so we’ve put together a quick list of signs that you can look for to determine the cause of your Hyundai AC issues. We’ll also take a look at how your favorite Hyundai dealer can help you resolve your car’s AC problems and get you back out on the road.

Electrical Failure

First on our list of signs to look for to determine the cause of your vehicle’s AC problems is an electrical failure. Electrical issues are perhaps the most difficult problem to diagnose when it comes to an AC unit that has stopped working, due to the complex nature of vehicle wiring. To find electrical issues, you’ll need to conduct a visual inspection of all the wiring to see if any wires are broken or frayed.

Cooling Fan Failure

Next on our list of signs to look for to determine the cause of your vehicle’s AC problems is cooling fan failure. When cooling fans aren’t functioning properly, your condenser may not receive adequate cooling. Your vehicle’s condenser is supposed to re-cool hot refrigerant once it has been compressed by using the airflow that comes through the front of your car as you drive.

For that reason, eventually, a failing cooling fan can cause your car to start emitting only hot air. The best way to check if the cooling fan is broken is through a visual inspection.

Compressor Failure

Last on our list of signs to look for to determine the cause of your vehicle’s AC problems is compressor failure. Your Hyundai compressor keeps your AC moving at all times. Without the compressor, the AC unit’s refrigerant cannot circulate through the system and you’ll never get any cold air.

The most common reason that a vehicle’s compressor fails is when the system goes for long periods of time without use. The lack of use tends to shock the system when it finally is used again such as in the spring or summer after being dormant all winter long.

Contact Your Hyundai Dealer to Resolve Issues With Your Car AC Not Working

Whatever the cause of your AC issues, reaching out to your local Hyundai specialists is the next step you should take. These professionals have experience with a wide range of vehicles, such as the ever-popular 2022 Hyundai Elantra, and can conduct detailed inspections on the fly to determine the cause of your Hyundai’s AC issues.

That’s it for our quick look at a range of AC issues and what you can do about them. To get help resolving your AC issues, reach out to the team at Crain Hyundai of Little Rock today!

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Your car’s electrical system includes a battery, a starter, and an alternator. When any of them malfunctions or fails, you will start to have all sorts of vehicle problems, from dimming headlights and blown fuses to smelling electrical odors and struggling to start your car. If you suspect your Hyundai Accent, Venue, or Elantra has electrical problems, get to your Hyundai dealer, and the qualified technicians will fix your vehicle’s electrical issues in a flash.

Your Brake Lights and Headlights Are Dim or Flicker

If your car’s brake lights and headlights are dim, various electrical issues, such as low voltage, a weak battery, loose wires, or a problem with the alternator belt, could be causing the issue. A voltage drop could affect your vehicle’s safety systems and prevent them from working correctly.

You Have Issues With Your Car’s Electrical Components

Your car’s components are all powered by electricity. If there’s a problem with the electrical system, you will have trouble with your car’s entertainment system, the heated seats, the electric windows, and your sunroof.

You Have Battery Problems

If you have electrical issues, it could be your car’s battery. A car battery is at the heart of the electrical system, and when the battery is weak, the cables are loose, there’s a bad cell, or there is corrosion around the terminals, you’ll have all sorts of electrical issues. Battery problems could also be due to a failing alternator. Ask your Hyundai technician to perform a battery inspection and test to determine if it’s time to replace the battery.

You Struggle With Blown Fuses

Blown fuses are a sign there’s an electrical issue and that something is drawing too much current, blowing the fuses. If you regularly have to replace fuses, ask your Hyundai technician to take a look and fix the issue.

It’s Hard To Start Your Car

The alternator charges the battery, and the battery provides the power to start the engine. A weak battery will make it hard to start your car, but it could also be due to a failing alternator not charging the battery properly. If you start your car and it stalls immediately, there’s a problem with the alternator not keeping the battery charged.

You Smell a Burning Plastic or Electrical Odor

The electrical system has a lot of wires, components, and fuses, and many are wrapped in plastic tubing for protection. Electrical issues can cause the plastic around the cables, or connections get hot enough to melt the plastic. This is a serious problem that needs attention from a qualified Hyundai technician.

If you experience any of these problems, don’t delay. Stop at Crain Hyundai of Little Rock today and ask a qualified Hyundai technician to repair the issue before it causes extensive damage to your vehicle.

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Your Hyundai’s tires are the only part of your car in contact with the road. Tires are stronger than ever before, but they can still suffer wear and damage. As your Hyundai dealer in Little Rock, AR, we can fit new tires for you when you need them. These are a few of the signs that you’re going to need replacement tires soon.

Lincoln Penny Test

This test is an old trick, but it works. Your tread is the raised area on your tires that allows them to grip the road surface. The tread takes more abrasion than any other part of your tires. Take the Lincoln penny and insert it upside down between the grooved of your tread. Your tires are in good condition if you can’t see much of Lincoln’s face.

If, however, you can see most of Lincoln’s face, your tread is wearing down and will need to be replaced soon. If you see the top of Lincoln’s head, your tires are severely worn and need to be replaced immediately. To see Lincoln’s head, your tread must be less than 1/16″ thick. This is below the legal limit for safe tires.

A Bulge in the Sidewall

The sidewall of your tire is the section that faces outwards. A sidewall is made from a softer rubber than the tread, and it doesn’t have the inbuilt reinforcement the tread has. This isn’t usually a problem unless the sidewall sustains a heavy blow, for example, your sidewall strikes the curb. This form of impact damage can have serious consequences for your tire.

A blow to the sidewall can damage the interior of the tire, and this causes a bulge to form. The bulge will be noticeable, and it’s also a weak spot in your tire. It’s filled with air, but the material over it is thinner than it should be. When you’re driving, the air in the bulge could heat up enough to burst the bulge. This will cause a blowout and also a possible accident.

You’re Driving on a Spare

Your spare tire is intended for use in emergencies only. If you have a flat tire, your spare will help you to get to us, and we’ll fit a new tire for you. Spare tires are made to a lower standard and have less strength and endurance than regular tires. As a general rule, you should never drive more than 50 miles or over 50 mph if you’re using a spare tire.

We advise replacing your spare tire with a new tire ASAP. This will keep you and your car safe on the road.

When you need replacement tires, come and see us at Crain Hyundai of Little Rock.

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After a collision, you should get your car fixed as soon as possible because this prevents safety concerns and further issues such as rust. But how can you find a mechanic who will provide you with high-quality collision repair? Before you reach out to a Hyundai dealer, read their website to make sure they are focused on customer service and have the experience necessary to do a good job.

Quality Collision Repair

In your local area, there are several technicians and dealerships offering car repairs. If you’re looking for a general mechanic, you won’t have any trouble finding one. But to get the best service possible, you should check the service center’s website and customer reviews before you contact them. Always choose someone with extensive experience, good qualifications, a high level of customer service, and a fair pricing policy.

Check the Experience and Qualifications

Whenever you let someone else work on your car, you have to make sure that they are trained to do so and have the necessary experience to diagnose and fix the issue at hand. A bad repair can cost you much more in the long run, so you should do everything you can to avoid it. At Crain Hyundai of Little Rock, we only employ people who have been trained specifically to work with this brand.

All our mechanics have taken courses to learn more about the various Hyundai models, so they won’t have any trouble finding your car’s problem and repairing it quickly. Because of our extensive experience, we can spot and fix even the smallest issues, so you never have to worry about the safety of your car. What’s more, our workmanship and all our spare parts come with a warranty.

Expect a High Level of Customer Service

You don’t want to work with an unreliable mechanic because they might not get the job done reliably and on time. Always make sure that a dealership offers good customer service before you book an appointment. Fortunately, great service is usually easy to spot.

When you first get in touch, pay attention to how the employees react to your request. If they are friendly and welcoming, it’s likely that you will have a good experience. On the other hand, you should choose someone else if the staff are rude or don’t respond to your request in a timely manner.

Look for a Fair Pricing Policy

Some mechanics add hidden fees and charges to their bills, but a good technician will always be upfront about the cost of repairs. When you call the service center about your repair, you should ask about the price and see how the employees respond. They should be willing to give you a detailed breakdown and offer you any deals or specials that are currently available.

In your local area, it’s not hard to find a good service center because you have access to a brand-name dealership. We will always provide you with the highest quality of service at a great price. Get in touch with us today at Crain Hyundai of Little Rock and ask to speak to a mechanic. We will be happy to book you in and get you back on the road.

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Your vehicle’s brakes are arguably the most important safety component there is, so naturally, every driver wants to keep their brakes operating flawlessly while they’re on the road. The best way to make sure you can count on your brakes is to get regular, routine servicing done at your local Hyundai dealership! Here’s a quick guide on how often you should be getting brake service done on your Hyundai to keep your brakes working smoothly!

What Is Included When You Get Your Brakes Serviced?

Typically, getting your brakes serviced will be comprised of a set of services that will ensure your entire braking system is in good working order. This usually begins with the Hyundai technician inspecting all the components of your braking system (the brake pads, rotors, brake fluid, calipers, etc.) to identify any potential issues or components that might need repairing, replacing, or even just cleaning.

Following this inspection, any issues identified would be addressed so that your vehicle leaves the shop with brakes that you can feel confident about!

How Often Should Routine Servicing Be Done?

The exact frequency with which you should be having your brakes serviced will depend on the model you are driving. The easiest way to find out is usually to check the owner’s manual for your vehicle, which should include information and timetables for routine servicing. Another option is, of course, to call your local dealership and ask a Hyundai mechanic, who would be happy to figure that out for you!

A good, general rule of thumb is that getting your brakes looked at every 6 months or so is a good idea. In fact, many drivers will often lump this service in with their routine, twice-yearly tire rotation.

How Can You Tell if You Need Your Brakes Serviced Before Your Routine Appointment?

There are certain situations in which you should get your brakes inspected and serviced even if you are not due for a routine servicing. Some of the signs that you should be getting your brakes looked at include brakes that create a loud squeaking noise when being used, or that cause excessive vibration in the vehicle when engaged.

You might also notice that your vehicle is pulling a little more to one side or the other when your brakes are engaged, or that your brakes aren’t working as effectively as they normally do, resulting in a longer time required to slow down and come to a stop. If you notice any of these signs, it’s a good idea to get your brakes check out as soon as possible!

Following these guidelines for keeping your brakes healthy and functional, you can feel confident that your vehicle will be ready to come to a stop whenever you need it to. Come visit us at Crain Hyundai of Little Rock today, and our team of trusted mechanics will have your brakes serviced and working perfectly in no time!

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Your car air filter has the vital job of filtering the air before it enters your engine. Your engine needs vast amounts of air for effective combustion, but this air needs to be clean of dust, dirt, and other contaminants. Your filter traps these particles, keeping them from damaging your engine. The filter will eventually wear out, and when it does, your friendly Hyundai dealer can fit a new one for you.

Stong Fuel Smell

The clean air that enters your engine through the filter will mix with fuel in the combustion chamber, and the spark plugs ignite this mixture. Effective combustion requires a 14:1 mix of air to fuel, allowing your engine to perform just as it was designed to. Your filter will become blocked with dirt, and the more blocked the filter becomes, the less air will enter your engine.

Less available air means that your combustion will be fuel-rich, and the lack of air makes combustion more challenging. A large part of the fuel in the chamber won’t combust due to a lack of air. You’ll begin noticing a strong smell of gas when you accelerate, and a stronger fuel smell from the exhaust. This smell is caused by the excess fuel expelled from the exhaust.

Coughing Sounds From the Engine

If you hear strange coughing or hiccupping sounds from your engine, this means that the air-fuel mix in your engine is wrong. There are several possible causes for this, but the most likely is a blocked air filter. As we’ve seen, a lack of air due to a blocked filter alters the air-fuel mix and makes combustion more difficult. It can also cause damage to the spark plugs.

Excess fuel in the chamber that can’t burn causes a buildup of sticky black carbon on the spark plugs. This covering prevents the plugs from firing as they should. You may also notice misfiring as some of the plugs fire correctly and others don’t. The coughing sound is caused by your engine trying and failing to draw in the fresh air. These strange sounds will disappear when we replace the filter.

Dirty Filter

Your air filter is usually replaced every 3,000 miles, and at the same time that your oil filter is replaced. Depending on driving conditions, you may need to have your filter replaced sooner. If you think your filter may be clogged, you can check its condition. Your car manual will show you the filter box’s position, and you just need to pop the hood and find it.

A new filter is white or cream, but as the filter absorbs dirt and debris, it will become darker. If your filter looks brown or black, it’s time to replace it. Our technicians can quickly replace the filter while you enjoy a great cup of coffee in our offices.

If your filter shows signs of wear, call us right away at Crain Hyundai of Little Rock.
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Your vehicle does a lot of work day-to-day, so it’s important to keep an eye on how healthy the engine that keeps it running is! Running an engine diagnostic test at your local Hyundai dealer is a great way to ensure you’re up to date on how your car is doing and any repairs it needs to keep it safe. We’ve compiled a quick list of 5 important things you can learn from running a diagnostic test on your vehicle!

1. The Reason Your “Check Engine” Light Is On

If your “check engine” light is on, there’s probably a reason, and it’s probably a good idea to find out why. Running a diagnostic test on your vehicle will give you an overview of the current working condition of your vehicle, including any codes that are causing your “check engine” light to turn on. Even if you haven’t noticed anything different in your car, a “check engine” light is a good reason to start investigating further, and a diagnostic test will help with that!

2. Whether You Have Any Electrical Issues

A diagnostic test on your engine isn’t only effective for the engine itself, but can also point you in the direction of potential electrical issues that may arise with your vehicle. Electricity is essentially your vehicle’s mode of communication within itself, so if there are electrical problems they will likely create problems in terms of how the rest of your car functions. A diagnostic test can help you get ahead of these by testing the electrical system within your car for faults.

3. If Your Emissions System Is Up To Standards

If you’ve noticed your fuel economy decreasing, or that the color or smell of your vehicle’s exhaust has changed, there may be issues with your vehicle’s emissions system that need to be diagnosed. Vehicles that don’t meet the emissions standards set out by regulatory agencies risk not passing inspections, being ticketed, and damaging the environment.

4. How Healthy Your Engine Is

A diagnostic test on your engine will give you a general picture of how healthy and happy your vehicle is overall, which is essential for maintaining a safe and efficient car, and can really add to your peace of mind when you’re on the road! Running diagnostics on your vehicle will show you the whole spectrum of how your engine is doing and can help you pick up on things you may not have noticed while doing your day-to-day driving.

5. What Repairs Are Needed for Your Vehicle

If there is something that needs attention in your vehicle, a diagnostic test will help you find out exactly what it is. Whether you’ve been noticing some weird sounds and changes in how your vehicle feels on the road, or have uncovered a component in need of TLC during a routine inspection, a diagnostics test will help you hone in on exactly what your vehicle needs to get it back up and running safely.

With one simple diagnostic test, you really can learn a lot about the health of your vehicle. Come visit us at Crain Hyundai of Little Rock and let our team of skilled mechanics walk you through a full-picture diagnostic view of your vehicle today!

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A tire rotation involves swapping each tire on your car to a different position to ensure that the tires wear down evenly. Ask the technician at your Hyundai dealer to regularly rotate your vehicle’s tires to get the best out of your tires, make them last longer, and save money.

1. Your Tires Will Last Longer

Ask your Hyundai technician to swap your car’s tires around every time you take your vehicle for an oil change to make your tires last longer. The technician will switch the tires to different positions to ensure that the tread on all four tires wears down equally and at the same rate. Check your Hyundai owner’s manual for your specific model’s oil change intervals and rotation schedule.

2. Your Tires Will Wear Evenly

The tread on each tire wears down differently due to the functions the tire performs. If you drive a front-wheel-drive car, the front tires are used for steering, turning, and braking, making them wear down faster than the rear tires. Your technician will swap the front tires straight back to the rear, cross the rear tires, and mount them to the front of your car.

Regularly switching your car’s tires will ensure that they wear down evenly, making your tires last longer. Check your owner’s manual for your car’s rotations patterns, or ask your Hyundai technician for information on rotations.

3. You Will Save Money

Regular rotations will ensure even wear across all four tires, and because the tires are wearing at the same rate, they last longer. This means you won’t have to replace your tires as often, saving you heaps of cash in the long run.

4. Your Will Feel Fewer Vibrations

When your car’s tires wear unevenly, it could cause vibrations that you will feel through the steering wheel. Over time the vibrations will affect your car’s wheel alignment and balancing and could cause damage to vehicle components. Regularly switching your tires will ensure even wear across all the tires, reducing vibrations and providing a much smoother ride.

5. You’ll Be Safer on the Road

Swapping your car’s tires around will keep the tread depth on the tires the same for extra grip when accelerating, braking, and cornering. Increased traction will improve your vehicle’s overall handling capabilities and performance, especially on wet and slippery road surfaces, ensuring your safety on the road.

6. Your Tires Will Be Inspected Often

The Hyundai technician will rotate the tires and perform a thorough tire inspection when taking your car for an oil change. The technician will check the tread depth on each tire, inspect the tires for damage such as cuts, cracks, and bulges, and inflate the tires to the correct tire pressure levels. Always inflate your car’s tires to the proper PSI to ensure even wear, prolong the life of your tires, and save money on gas.

Swapping your car’s tires saves you money, ensures your safety, and increases your car’s handling and performance on the road. Visit Crain Hyundai of Little Rock today for a rotation. The qualified Hyundai technicians will thoroughly inspect your vehicle’s tires for wear and damage and perform an expert rotation.

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The process of combustion produces toxic chemical byproducts, and these chemicals are dangerous to the environment. The catalytic converter in your Hyundai converts these dangerous chemicals into less harmful substances. This process, however, takes its toll on the converter, and it will eventually need to be replaced. As your Hyundai dealer, we’d like you to know the signs that you need a new converter.

Hydrogen Sulfide Smell

Hydrogen sulfide is a poisonous, invisible gas that’s produced through combustion. In your engine, air mixes with fuel and is ignited by the spark plugs. Most of the fuel is consumed by combustion, and the remainder is ejected from the cylinders as they reopen. This small reminder of burnt fuel is forced towards the converter and the exhaust pipe.

This burnt fuel reacts with the platinum, rhodium, and other metals that make up the converter, and the harmful gases are removed. If your converter is failing, this conversion process won’t happen, and the sulfur dioxide and other chemicals will pass through and exit the exhaust pipe. The characteristic smell of rotten eggs from the sulfide is a sign that the converter needs to be replaced.

Black Smoke From the Exhaust

Normal exhaust smoke is white or gray-white and doesn’t have a very strong smell. If you see black smoke billowing from your exhaust, this means that there’s a problem with your converter. The black smoke is composed of carbon from unburnt fuel that hasn’t been converted. When your converter is working correctly, it will remove the excess carbon before it reaches the exhaust.

Our technicians will check the converter for the cause of the problem. The converter may have failed and is no longer removing the carbon, and we would need to replace the converter. It may also have been blocked by an excessive amount of carbon from a combustion problem, like misfiring cylinders. If the converter is undamaged and only needs cleaning, we can fix it.

Reduced Efficiency

If the converter is blocked due to a carbon build-up, this will block the outflow of exhaust gases. Since the gases can’t leave through the exhaust, they will create backpressure. This backpressure meets the gases being forced out of the engine due to continued combustion. The pressure created in your engine by these gases will cause problems for your engine.

You’ll notice that acceleration decreases, so instead of your Hyundai leaping forward when you step on the gas, it will feel like it’s lurching. The backpressure will also lead to fuel inefficiency as the gas buildup creates a fuel-rich environment. Your engine will produce a strong fuel smell, and the spark plugs will be damaged by the excessive amount of carbon in the system.

Your converter will usually last for many years, and if your car is regularly serviced we can check its status regularly. If your experience problems with your converter, call us immediately at Crain Hyundai of Little Rock.

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Your brake pads are a vital brake part that provides the pressure and friction needed to slow down and stop your car safely. If you notice any of the following warning signs, act fast and ask the technician at your Hyundai dealer to replace the pads to ensure your safety on the road.

1. The Pads Are Worn and Thin

New pads are between eight to twelve millimeters in thickness. For the pads to provide you with enough stopping power, they must be thicker than 6.4 millimeters. If the pads are thinner than 3.2 millimeters, it’s best to replace them promptly to prevent your brakes from failing.

Look between the wheel spokes and check the thickness of the pads. If the pads look worn and thinner than a quarter of an inch, ask your Hyundai technician to replace them as soon as possible.

2. Your Car Takes Longer To Stop

When the pads are worn and thin, your brakes will be unresponsive. You will notice that you have to press down on the brake pedal harder to get your car to slow down and come to a complete stop. To avoid further reducing your stopping power and the pads from wearing down altogether and risking your safety, ask your technician to replace the pads ASAP.

3. You Hear Squealing Sounds

If you hear high-pitched squealing and screeching sounds when you step on the brake pedal, it’s the wear indicators warning you that the pads are wearing thin. The wear indicators are tiny monitoring devices built into the pads by the manufacturer. When you hear that tell-tale screech, it’s time to replace the pads.

4. There Are Awful Grinding Noises

If you didn’t replace the pads when you heard the high-pitched squealing and screeching sounds, you will soon begin to hear awful grinding noises. The pads have now worn down to the bare metal, and the grinding noises you hear are from the bare metal scraping against the steel and causing damage to the rotors.

5. You Feel Vibrations Through the Brake Pedal

When your pads get too thin and worn, it will cause vibrations that you will feel through your brake pedal when you step on the brakes. When your technician replaces the pads, the vibrations will be a thing of the past.

6. Your Car Veers to the Side

If your car veers to the side, the pads could be worn down unevenly. Your car’s pads don’t wear at the same rate, and when one side is more worn or thinner than the other, it will cause your vehicle to pull to the right or left. Ask your Hyundai technician to replace the pads to sort out the issue fast.

When you notice any of the signs mentioned above, don’t wait until it’s too late and you don’t have the stopping power when you need it. If you hear high-pitched squealing or grinding noises, feel vibrations, your car pulls to the side, or takes longer to come to a stop, visit Crain Hyundai of Little Rock today for a thorough brake inspection performed by qualified Hyundai technicians.

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