CAR CARE TIPS BLOG

As an informed vehicle owner, you probably understand that the transmission system is constantly exposed to both heat and stress. You know that if you want to keep your vehicle for very long, you will make sure to follow the intervals for transmission service recommended in your vehicle owner’s manual (i.e., every 60,000 to 100,000 miles).

Signs of slipping can appear in a number of forms when you are driving, including:

• High RPM (over 3,500)
• Delays in acceleration
• Inability to reverse
• Unusual or burnt smells
• Check engine light flashes
• Difficulty shifting gears
• Shifting gears produces a harsh response or strange noises.

Car batteries have always been an integral component in the operation of automobiles. But today’s batteries are getting more and more of a workout from more sophisticated vehicle electronics in newer model cars, not to mention the myriad of electronics that drivers and passengers use.

When a battery fails it’s a serious problem that needs immediate attention and most of the time, it doesn’t happen at a convenient time or place. There are tips that every vehicle owner can utilize to help extend the life of their vehicle’s battery. These are not complicated; it’s something every driver can do. Here are the six most common tips on how to make your car battery last longer:

To help your vehicle drive in the safest and best condition possible, it is important to make sure that you maintain the correct car alignment and wheel balancing. Because it is difficult to know the difference between wheel alignment and wheel balancing, it is important to have them checked on a regular basis at your auto shop. Whether it’s a misalignment or a lost tire balance, it will eventually damage your tires, your suspension system, and/or your steering system. When these problems are ignored, your vehicle becomes a safety hazard on the road.

You may be wondering how a tire gets “out of balance.” Imperfections, blemishes in the rubber, and damage to a tire or rim can throw a wheel "out of balance." That means that one section of the tire or rim is heavier. So how is a tire balanced? One wheel at a time is removed from the car and placed on a computerized machine and spun around to determine which side is the heaviest. A small lead weight is then attached to the tire to counter-balance any heavy spots. Once the weight is the same on all sides of the wheel, the wheel will spin on the machine with ease. You should have your wheels balanced any time your tires are repaired or rotated.