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While the engine of your car is running, the alternator delivers voltage to the battery, headlights, stereo, spark plugs, and every other electrical component. Alternators typically last between 80,000 and 160,000 miles, after which they begin to fail and you'll notice some of the following issues. If you suspect your alternator is nearing the end, head to your local Mazda dealer for alternator repair or to purchase a new one. Does Your Mazda Need an Alternator Repair? Your Battery Fails To Recharge If the alternator isn't recharging the battery every time you drive, you may find yourself without any electrical power when the engine's turned off. This will prevent you from even starting the engine, which requires a healthy burst of voltage from the battery. Multiple Accessories Are Malfunctioning While driving, you probably use multiple electrical components without even thinking about it. If you ever find that many of these electronics are slowing down or failing at once, your alternator is probably to blame. These electrical car parts include your headlights, power windows, power steering, air conditioning, heated seats, dashboard screens and dials, phone charger, and much more. Your Engine Starts Misfiring Perhaps the most important electrical components in your car are the ignition coils and spark plugs inside the engine. If the alternator fails to deliver enough power to allow the spark plugs to spark, then your cylinders won't fire, and your engine will start misfiring before eventually stalling. You Hear Growling or Whining Sounds The alternator converts mechanical power from the engine into electrical power. This mechanical power comes from the serpentine belt, which connects to the engine's crankshaft. If this belt ever slips, your alternator will fail, and you're likely to hear growling or whining sounds as the loose belt rubs awkwardly against the pulleys. Your Battery Warning Light Is Blinking Whenever there's a problem with the car's electrical supply, sensors are designed to detect the problem and warn you with the battery warning light on the dashboard. If you see the battery symbol come to life, it may indicate either an issue with the car's battery or the alternator. You'll probably need a technician to determine the culprit. Your Mazda Dealer May Repair or Replace Your Alternator Bad alternators can sometimes be repaired. If the belt has come loose, your technician may be able to put it back into position or replace it with a new one. Faulty parts inside the alternator itself might also be replaceable, but if an alternator is very old and has multiple faults, the whole alternator may need to go. Visit Mazda of Wooster today to have your alternator inspected and repaired by experienced professionals. We're a trusted local dealership dedicated to delivering top-notch vehicles and customer service. Image Via Pixabay

One of the most dangerous situations for your car is your engine overheating. Your Mazda has an efficient cooling system that ensures your engine operates at a safe temperature. The key to the cooling system is the radiator, which removes the heat and exchanges it for cool air. These are a few signs that you need to visit your Mazda dealer for a radiator repair. 3 Signs You Need a Radiator Repair at Your Mazda Dealer Damaged Radiator Fins The radiator removes heat from your engine by heat exchange. Engine heat is transported to the radiator by the coolant. Inside the radiator, the coolant is directed into parallel radiator fins. The top section of each fin is angled to improve airflow and direct it over the fins. Air flows in through the radiator grille and cools the heat inside the fins as it passes over them. The fins are made from thin aluminum and can become dented or damaged sand, grit, or gravel blown in through the grille. Over time, the number of dented or damaged fins can increase, which limits the surface area for cooling. If enough fins are damaged, the radiator can't remove engine heat, and your engine can be damaged. We'll examine the fins and either repair them or replace the radiator to fix this problem. Broken Water Pump The water pump sends coolant through your engine at high speed. The pump starts working as soon as coolant is released, and it continues to move coolant through your engine until the engine temperature drops below 180 F. The pump is sturdy and has few moving parts, but it can still become worn or damaged over time. If the water pump fails, coolant will still be released into your engine, but it won't be able to move. The lack of coolant will cause your engine to rapidly overheat. We'll examine the pump and determine the cause of the problem. A blown fuse or damaged wiring could prevent the pump from working. Once we've identified the cause of the problem, we'll repair it or replace the pump if it's failed. Clogged Radiator The coolant absorbs heat from the engine, but it also absorbs dirt, grease, and other items as it travels to the radiator. As we've seen, the heat is removed from the coolant and the now-cool coolant recirculates through the engine again. The dirt and other items absorbed by the coolant are left inside the radiator as the coolant passes out. The debris deposited by the coolant will gradually build up inside the radiator and creates blockages. These blockages can prevent coolant from entering the radiator and being cooled. The first sign you'll usually have a clogged radiator is a steady increase in your temperature gauge. We can remove blockages by flushing the radiator and then reinstalling it. Don't risk damage from an overheating engine. Call us today at Mazda of Wooster. Image Via Pixabay

The catalytic converter is perhaps an underrated car part, considering the chemical magic it performs all day long. The ceramic honeycomb catalyst inside a catalytic converter is coated in precious metals that meticulously clean the fumes as they float through, turning them into vapor. But this amazing process can become interrupted by fluid leaks, oil leaks, external impacts, or age. If you detect the eight signs of trouble below, visit your local Mazda dealer in Wooster, OH for repairs right away. Your Exhaust Is Thicker When the catalytic converter transforms engine fumes into cleaner gases, it also thins your exhaust. So, if your catalytic converter becomes damaged or somehow ceases to function, emissions will pour unfiltered out of your tailpipe. You'll soon notice a thickening in your exhaust. If your exhaust ever turns into black smoke, pull over at once. Smoke can mean there's a fire inside your catalytic converter, which can sometimes be caused by leaking fuel. You Can Smell Your Exhaust While driving a modern car, you're very unlikely to smell anything more than a faint whiff of your car's exhaust. But if your catalytic converter stops working, you can smell the difference, especially when you step out of your car. These emissions may smell of rotten eggs. Your Catalytic Converter Is Rattling When damaged or falling apart from age, the honeycomb meshwork inside your catalytic converter will often break into pieces. You can hear these pieces rattling around inside when the engine's running. And if the catalytic converter itself becomes knocked loose by a pothole, you're likely to hear it rattling in its loosened brackets. Extreme Heat Under Your Car A failing catalytic converter generates even more heat than usual. This heat is created by the backup of emissions and enormous pressure as they try to force their way out of the exhaust pipes. You Lose Accelerative Power A faulty catalytic converter restricts the flow of air, which in turn prevents as much oxygen from entering the engine. This reduces the engine's power and slows its acceleration. Your Fuel Economy Drops When a bad catalytic converter reduces the engine's efficiency, you won't be driving as many miles for each gallon of gas your car consumes. If you quickly find your monthly gas expenses rising, consider getting your vehicle inspected. Your Check Engine Light Turns On Any of the engine problems mentioned can cause your Check Engine light to come on. You'll see it shining away on your dashboard. It's never wise to ignore the Check Engine light for long. Need a New Catalytic Converter in Ohio? During your regular servicing visits, the technicians at your local dealership will run tests on your engine and catalytic converter. They'll soon uncover any underlying problems and let you know if you need repairs or replacements. Have qualified professionals inspect and repair your car today at Mazda of Wooster. We strive to provide the drivers of Wooster and surrounding areas with a top tier buying and Mazda servicing experience.