If your vehicle's front suspension components need to be taken apart, chances are, you will need to have the wheels realigned when everything's put back together. This is because the removal of parts will invalidate adjustments previously done and thus cause the vehicle to veer to the left or to the right.
If you notice a hairline crack on your vehicle's windshield, you should look into getting a replacement as soon as possible. This is because cracks tend to grow very quickly and may cause the glass to fail without warning.
Suddenly stiffened steering in older cars can be a sign of deteriorating or damaged ball joint. If not addressed and corrected, it could fail completely, creating a serious safety hazard.
If you notice that your vehicle is tracking left or right when you let go of the wheel, chances are it's due for an alignment. Of course, this is something that can only be done at a professional garage as the job will require using a specialized alignment machine.
When reading the label on an oil container, do you know what the "W" means? Nope, not weight. It stands for winter, and refers to its viscosity in cold temperatures.
Brake and power steering fluid levels should be monitored. Because these systems should not lose fluid, any drop may indicate a problem somewhere along the lines. The cause needs to be diagnosed and repaired.
If you drive a car or truck with a diesel engine, if the idle stop solenoid is old, defective, loose, or worn out, it can cause problems when you try to shut it off. It needs to be addressed before it causes serious (aka expensive) damage.
What is the annual cost to maintain a car? Well, the average consumer spends $400 a year on diagnostics, scheduled maintenance, and tune-ups. That's a little more than a dollar a day.
When a car's windows are down, it can cause the gas mileage to be reduced.
Are you having all the maintenance milestones for your car or truck attended to? Doing so helps you get every penny out of your investment and increases your ride's resale value. The owner's manual provides you information on what and when maintenance is needed.
If your vehicle's halogen headlight bulbs are due for replacement, you may want to hold off buying the standard part and go for an upgrade. LED bulbs in particular are a good option as they provide better illumination, while consuming less energy.
When the airflow to a diesel engine is restricted, performance suffers. If your engine lacks an indicator on the air filter housing, have us inspect the filter on a regular basis to make sure it's in good condition.
Did you know that manual transmissions need transmission fluid in order to perform properly? If shifting has become difficult or is different, or the fluid color has changed or grit is present, it's time to bring your car or truck in.
If you turn the ignition key of your car and all you hear is a clunk, you may have a bad battery. However, if the one you have installed is fairly new and the vehicle is used often, then you may have a charging issue which is something that will require professional repair.
Jonathan Ive, Head of Design, Apple Computers, has truly said, “The car has become an article of dress without which we feel uncertain, unclad, and incomplete in the urban compound.”
If your windshield wiper is making scraping noises, it means - not surprisingly, that you need new wiper blades. Change them now before the bad weather makes driving in reduced visibility dangerous.
When washing your vehicle, it's important to use separate buckets for washing and rinsing. This helps to reduce the chances of dirt scratching the paint.
While any given car has about 30,000 parts, almost 80 percent of an automobile or pickup truck is recyclable, including the battery which can be fully recycled.
Worn shocks can increase the braking distance needed to stop when driving. In addition, they can also increase the chances of skidding on wet surfaces, increase tire wear, and have a negative impact on the vehicle’s suspension.
While you may be able to change a blown fuse on your vehicle, you need to keep in mind that something made the particular fuse you replaced fail. As such, you may want to have an auto repair technician take a close look especially if the fault happens again.
With proper maintenance, it's reasonable to expect your vehicle to run for at least 200,000 miles. Regular oil changes, lube jobs, fluid changes, brake maintenance and timely repairs will keep your vehicle in top condition.
If your mechanic needs to use an electric welder on your vehicle, he will need to unhook the battery first. If he fails to do this, there's a very good chance that the expensive engine control unit (ECU) will be irreparably damaged by the surge of electricity that will course through the car or truck.
Shock absorbers deteriorate so gradually that you become used to the subtle changes in control and make adjustments as you go. Have them checked every 20,000 miles or so to see if they need to be replaced.
If you have a lot of miles on your car and you notice the gas mileage decreasing, or the car is running erratically, it may need to be tuned up. We can have it singing like a lark in no time.