Your vehicle’s differential is a critical component of your vehicle assembly that enables you to safely make a turn or bank a curve while driving. Without this important component, your vehicle would most likely lose control and traction during a curve or turn.
In this month’s blog, we examine the function of the differential and what some of the common issues are that can affect the proper operation of your vehicle’s differential. Continue reading “Your Vehicle Differential”
If you have ever been stuck on the side of the road with a broken belt or hose, you understand how important these two vehicle components are for the smooth operation of your vehicle. Belts play a role in supplying power to vehicle systems and hoses carry vital fluids throughout your vehicle. Without these two components, many vehicle systems would not function. In this blog, we consider the purpose of the belts and hoses, and how to keep them performing their job for your vehicle. Continue reading “Belts and Hoses”
Back in the early days of automobiles, prospective buyers would kick the front tires as a quality test before making the purchase. The phrase “kick the tires” eventually became synonymous with assessing the quality of something before making an investment.
When it comes to your vehicle’s tires, merely kicking them will not tell you a lot about their quality or condition. In this month’s blog post, we examine four practical ways to keep your tires maintained and stay confident that they are performing effectively and safely for you and your vehicle occupants. Continue reading “Basic Tire Maintenance”
Summer is now a distant memory and it is time to get back to school. With school season underway, you are dealing with more vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians on the road. If you participate in a daily or weekly carpool, you may have several kids dependent on you to get them to and from school. In this month’s blog, we highlight some important maintenance tasks that should be completed during this season to keep your carpool running, and you, your passengers, and pedestrians safe. Continue reading “Back to School Safety”
Is your ride feeling a big rough or bumpy lately? Do you notice significant squeaking or bouncing when making a turn? If you are dealing with these issues or other unusual driving sensations, you may have a problem with the shock absorbers (shocks) or struts within your vehicle’s suspension system. In this month’s blog post, we examine how shocks or struts play a role in your suspension system, and what to look for if there are developing problems. Continue reading “Addressing Shock or Strut Problems”
If you have not had a wheel alignment lately and you have been doing some rough driving, you might consider adding this inexpensive maintenance item to your periodic service routine. This important but often overlooked service is critical for keeping your vehicle driving smoother and increasing the longevity of your tire treads. In this month’s blog post, we cover the common cause for wheel alignment issues, and discuss the importance of keeping them properly aligned. Continue reading “The Importance of Wheel Alignments”
Consider this nightmare road scenario:
You are driving along a dark country road late in the evening and a belt suddenly breaks. Your vehicle is inoperable. It’s late, and you fumble to find your phone in hopes that you can reach a roadside service for assistance.
Scenarios like this can happen, especially if you ignore important maintenance items like your vehicle belts. In this month’s blog, we examine the function of your vehicle’s belts, and look at a specific problem you might encounter with a component of the belt system – the belt tensioner. Continue reading “The Belt Tensioner”
While springtime is a great time to get out on the open road, driving can be hazardous this time of year for your vehicle because of potholes. According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), “…1 in 10 drivers sustained vehicle damage significant enough to warrant a repair after hitting a pothole. With an average price tag of almost $600 per repair, damage caused by potholes cost drivers a staggering $26.5 billion in 2021 alone (Source: AAA, March 2022).” Continue reading “Road Hazards: Potholes”
Every driver knows the importance of regular oil checks and replacement. Oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle, and without it, the engine would cease to operate. Motor oil lubricates important engine parts, helps to regulate temperature, and works to keep your engine parts clean.
What many drivers may not know is that several of their vehicle’s systems also utilize fluids that share a similar purpose as oil does for the engine. While these fluids do not require the aggressive maintenance checks as oil, they do need to be serviced at some point in the lifecycle of the vehicle. Continue reading “Vehicle System Fluid Flushes”
With the costs of just about everything on the rise, making major financial decisions requires a greater emphasis on a process of research and practical economics. This approach is a wise one to apply to deciding whether to repair or replace your vehicle.
A new purchase decision should never be based purely on emotions but should be rooted in facts. In this month’s blog, we lay out five steps to help you arrive at a decision to repair your vehicle or make an investment in a new or used vehicle purchase. Continue reading “Repair or Replace Your Vehicle?”