An Insight Into The Maintenance of Steering and Suspension Systems

If you are a non-technical driver, you may not appreciate the extensive math and physics behind the seemingly effortless action of the steering and suspension systems in your car. When your car moves along the freeway, there are incredible force angles and vectors to be maintained, a lot of resultant forces to be put to stability using the equilibrium theory, and a myriad of vibrations to be countered. If you notice a problem with the unnatural way your body vibrates during the movement of your car, or the unexpected jerks and bumps you counter on a ‘flat’ road, there might be something that your power steering systems are trying to tell you. You are not to attempt a DIY on your suspension systems at all. Bring your car to us for any necessary car repairs, and we’ll be happy to assist you with the troubleshooting.

Possible Problems With Your Suspension Systems

If there are problems with your car related to your shocks or struts, steering and suspension, or even your brakes, get your car serviced before there is irreparable damage done. If your car seems to bounce repeatedly following a minor bump on the road, there is a possibility of your shock absorbers being leaked, cracked or worn off. If the wheels are getting too stiff and power steering requires a superhuman effort, there is a problem with the wheel alignment and lubrication. If your car veers to one direction, you might have a pressure problem in the tires or the fluid levels need to be checked. Any problem with the steering must not be neglected, especially if it includes vibrations, which could be fatal in certain cases.

Steering And Suspension Note of Caution

Even if you claim to be a car junkie, do not attempt an auto repair of the steering and suspension on your own. You will need a certified, authorized, and a completely qualified mechanic to work on your suspension systems. The entire safety of your car depends on the maintenance of the steering and suspension of your car, and thus, you are not to take cookie-cutter routes while attempting suspension systems overhauling.

Do Not Forget To Check The Other Steering and Suspension System Components 

It is important to take a note of regular steering and suspension systems so that they do not present you with a lot of expense later during auto repairs. The most common forms of automobile suspension system repairs include checking for damage, leaks, and repairs in the shock absorber systems; keep an eye for incessant bouncing, nose diving when you brake, and swaying of the car on the road. Another important area to check is the tire alignment. When you check for wheel alignment and tire pressure, make sure that the pressure, brake fluids and every other component is within the recommended level in the manual. The performance of the suspension and steering systems are related to the tire performances and thus, carry out both the checks at the same time to avoid complications in future. 

Winterize Your Car With Efficient Winter Safety Tips

With winter approaching, there are a few general car maintenance tips that every car owner needs to be aware of. The temperatures go below the freezing point in most parts of the country and cars bear the brunt of the temperatures. Add to that, the problem of snow and ice on the road and it is important that you buy a winter safety kit and add a few more auto repair essentials to your general maintenance checklist. Continue reading for efficient tips you can use to prevent your car from breaking down during the freezing temperatures of the winter season.

Make Sure Your Fluids are Topped Off All The Time

We’ll start with a disclaimer here: before you adhere to any fluid system related advice we post, confirm about the various fluids that your car is compatible with and any system requirements that have to be compiled with, from your manufacturer’s manual. This is particularly true in the case of imported cars. The most critical fluid to be checked regularly during the winter is the antifreeze. We recommend 50:50 ratios of antifreeze and water to keep your radiator working in smooth conditions. Also, be sure to never take off the radiator cover until the car is completely cooled down. This is one of the most important car maintenance tips to be followed during the winter.

Keep A Tab On The Fuel Efficiency And Transmission Levels In The Engine

Winters increase the viscosity levels of the fluids in the car and hence, the overall productivity of the engine is affected. Moreover, the increase in viscosity also affects delivery of said fluids to different parts in the engine and thus, there needs to be regular auto repairs to ensure that all fluids required by your engine aren’t causing an unnecessary problem down the road. Make sure that you use a lower viscosity oil in the engine. This will help you start the engine easily, and also prevent fuel transmission slippage, a very important consequence you need to consider during winters. Also, it’s a good idea to keep a note of the fuel efficiency and whether your car is able to maintain the mileage it does during the other times of the year.

Battery Inspections Are Particularly Important For Winter Safety

Winters are times when your car refuses to start in the morning, and it might cause you a lot of problems when you start for office. The cold weather significantly impacts the amperage capacity of a car battery and hence, the start-up is always difficult at this time of the year. You must keep your battery ready for the winter by ensuring that the alternator systems, transmission wires, and battery power are in top operating form. Check all the cable connections in the electrical systems of your car and ensure that there is no corrosion, leakage, and crack in the cables. You must also make it a point to check the charge level capacity of your battery before winter. If your battery is defective, investing in a new battery before the winter season begins is a good step.

How to Perform a Basic Winter Tire Inspection

Winter is coming, and that does not simply entail the cold. Winter has been getting more extreme with each year, and has been occurring later on in the year, broaching on some of the spring months. Thus, it would benefit you well to learn how to perform a basic tire inspection so that you can ensure you are totally safe during the coming season. Because when it comes to ice and snow, even slush and water, you want to know that your tires are going to be up to the job, and give you the traction that you need to keep you and your family safe while on the road. 

The Tire Inspection Look Test

The first part of a basic tire inspection involves simply looking over your tire. You are looking for a few specific things. First off, you are looking for any cracks in the tire. The rubber that tires are made out of can, and will, crack over time. Cracks are not always a problem, unless they are deep. Other wise, they are simply just an eye sore. But you do not want to take for granted that that’s all they will be. If you find any cracks, test to see if your finger nail can fit in them. Do no push or work at the crack; you are simply checking how wide and how deep it is. Next, look for any gouges. Gouges can occur in your tires for any number of reasons, such as glass on the road that you ran over, or other sharp items. Even clipping curbs while parking can take a hunk of rubber out of your tire. Finally, look for flat spots. Tire pressure is important to maintain through out the winter, and you will want to ensure your tires are not too flat. If you found any worrying cracks or gouges that you are not sure about, you are best off coming to our auto repair shop to have us take a closer look. Do not try and play the professional; winter is dangerous enough as it is.

The Tire Feel Test

The next thing you will want to look at, is the tread on your tires. Bare tires are easy to spot and this is because there is not much room for anything to get stuck on the flat of the tire. This happens after so many miles, and is a common assurance. Feel for ridges on the flats of your tires. If they feel smooth, chances are they are bald, or close to being bald. In this case, you will want to bring your car in and get a new set of tires put on. It is not a good idea just to replace one; you need to have even traction through out your entire vehicle. 

What You Can Do

If your tires look a bit flat in the look test, check the pressure and fill them up until they are at the pressure described in your cars’ owner’s manual. Do not use the tire’s pressure label to go by; it is the maximum pressure the tire can hold. 

The Winter Vehicle Maintenance Check List

Winter can be a deadly season for even veteran drivers. This is due to two separate factors. The first is the slippery conditions of the road; with ice, snow and a whole lot of water to seep through it all, roads can be treacherous. But the main problem is not you; it’s other drivers. So what can you do to stay safe? The best thing is to ensure that your vehicle is up to par with the season, so that you will have the ability to handle any shaky situations. Here is a list of things you should check on your vehicle this coming winter to stay safe on the road.

Tire pressure

Very often over looked in the winter, tire pressure has a direct impact on your vehicle and its ability to handle in snow, on roads covered in rock salt, and especially on ice. Check your tire pressure regularly during the winter; the cold air can and will suck air from them.

Brakes and brake pads

This is a job best left to a mechanic. However know that this is one of the most important things in the winter; brakes are dire in many situations where ice and snow are involved, and good brake pads and brakes do save lives.

Steering and suspension check

Another job best left to a mechanic. Steering and suspension are extremely important in the winter time. If you want to be able to control your vehicle this winter, you will want to ensure that the steering and suspension are both up to par for the season.

Tire Alignment

Going to a mechanic would be best for this. Tire alignment allows your vehicle to be more fuel efficient, but most importantly, it also allows your vehicle to handle better in the snow and on the ice. 

Light Check

Winter is a notoriously dark season at times. The day light lasts for some times as few as five hours. Thus it is important that you check and be sure all of your head lights and tail lights are working properly, and that none or burnt or blown out.

Battery

Nothing is more dangerous than getting stuck on the high way in the winter. Snow is bad enough when you are in a moving vehicle, but when you are in a vehicle sitting still and others are driving around you, it can be highly dangerous. Check your battery at the start of the winter, or change it if you can, to avoid having any unpleasant surprises. 

Fluid check

Every fluid in your vehicle has a purpose; from brake fluid, which allows your vehicle to stop and slow down, to antifreeze, which helps maintain the temperature of your engine. Going to a mechanic to have a fluid check done if you do not know how to perform one yourself at the start of winter is a very good idea. 

Bumper to bumper inspection

If you are unsure of your vehicle’s ability to handle the coming season, bring it in to a mechanic for a full, thorough safety inspection.