Most people know when the alignment on their car is going out, but many do not know why it happens in the first place. Generally there are three major reasons for a car’s alignment to go out, all of which we discuss below in addition to what you should and should not do to help extend the life of your car’s alignment.
What to Do
Maintenance is always key! Properly maintaining your car will help to ensure that any worn parts are caught and replaced sooner rather than later. The suspension systems in cars are responsible for the alignment, and over time it’s normal for those parts to wear down and not work as effectively. It’s best to bring your car to a trusted mechanic one or twice a year for regular maintenance.
What Not to Do
A major cause behind some faulty suspensions and alignments are faulty modifications. For example, modifying a car so that it is lifted will require the suspension be adjusted as well, otherwise you risk causing alignment problems.
Additionally, a car’s alignment can be thrown off by sudden impact. Whether it be a car accident, a pot hole, or prolonged drives on unpaved roads, anything that causes your car to shake or lurch aggressively can lead to alignments issues as well.
Final Thoughts
Unfortunately being a car owner isn’t always economical, so it’s crucial to stay proactive and ensure your car receives the regular maintenance it needs. From alignment repairs to full service tire and brake repairs, the team at Mikes Brake & Alignment Shop strive to offer affordable, honest, and speedy auto services every time.
Is your car making strange sounds
on your morning commute? Have you been looking for a reliable mechanic to trust
your normal maintenance schedule with? One way you can know your car is being
well cared for is if the mechanic is ASE certified. Keep reading to discover what
it is and why ASE certification is important for your vehicle care.
*Note: If you’ve found an ASE
certified mechanic you can trust, give our other article a read
to learn how to properly work with your mechanic for a flawless maintenance
trip every time.
Mechanic and customer giving a thumbs up.
What is ASE Certification?
When it comes to choosing your
mechanic, finding one with that little blue and white sticker can be highly
reassuring for consumers. Standing for “Automotive Service Excellence,”
this certification process is designed to test and certify automotive
professionals. The certification process began in 1972 and is used as the
standard of excellence for every mechanic in the nation. It’s also useful to
note that clients can ask which mechanics in a specific shop are ASE certified
and request only their services.
Why is it Important?
With the need to properly
maintain and care for your vehicle, finding an ASE certified mechanic or shop
provides peace of mind in caring for your vehicle. For auto repair shops it’s
highly beneficial because they know they’ve hired knowledgeable and professional
mechanics to serve their clientele. Consumers will also rest easy knowing their
vehicles are being cared for by a professional mechanic with the necessary
training to keep their cars running the way they should.
How it Works
As a measuring tool for
consumers, it’s important to understand just how the certification process
works for your own knowledge. There are two types of ASE certifications with
specific requirements and criteria’s for each. ASE certification requires
mechanics to have at minimum two years of automotive experience and should be
able to finish and pass at least one of the specialty exams.
Mechanic smiling while working on a vehicle.
For an ASE Master Certification,
mechanics who’ve taken and passed the ASE exams on various subjects may choose
to go for their master certification. For each specific area there are multiple
tests which the automotive professional must pass in order to obtain their
certification. It’s also a requirement for all ASE certified professionals to
renew their certificate every five years in order to maintain their knowledge.
Thoughts
With so many
automotive shops and professionals to choose from for your vehicle care needs,
the search can be narrowed down by looking for that ASE certified sticker. From
understanding what ASE certification is to why it’s important, you’ll be able
to trust your car is being well cared for. If you’re still searching for your
personal mechanic, bring your vehicle into Mike’s Brake & Alignment
Shop where our ASE certified mechanics will be able to properly maintain and
care for your car. Contact us today!
While it is always important to be confident in your driving
skills, especially through difficult weather, it is important to understand the
dangers that can come with it. With the world throwing any type of rain or
shine at us however it sees fit, there is nothing more vital than knowing how
to handle the changing seasons when driving on the road. There is no better
example of a weather hazard than those that come up when it snows. Read further
to learn about the most common hazards that can arise when it snows and how to
avoid them.
Dying Battery From
the Cold:
A more indirect effect of snow, the extreme cold and
insulation created by your hood can result in the draining of your battery.
Cold naturally drains the energy out of any battery over time and considering
how important they are for a car to run properly, it is important to keep this
in mind and take steps to prevent it. The easiest ways to prevent your battery
from losing its charge are to get the battery checked before the cold season
comes to ensure it is not already low and trying to keep your car parked in
some kind of enclosure or garage at all times when it’s not running. Another
helpful tip is to give your car some time to warm up after you turn it on
before using any accessories; using the radio or heater as soon as the engine
is on may not give the battery enough time to recharge from the drain the cold
has called, meaning it could stall.
No Traction on
Wheels:
It seems like an obvious bit of advice, but it needs to be
said again because of how important it truly is to ensure you keep control of
your car while you drive. Snow causes an incredible amount of difficulty for
your tires to gain traction on the road, which means that as soon as you relax
on the wheel for even a minute, you could end up losing control if even the
slightest change of terrain occurs. The most dangerous and common concern when
it comes to snow is actually not even the snow itself, it’s the ice it may be
covering that you wouldn’t notice. Hidden ice on the road is often referred to
as “black ice” due to its extremely dangerous nature and the inability you
would have to control your car if you drive over it too fast. Ways of
counteracting this lack of traction is to constantly keep both hands firmly on
the wheel, don’t take turns too sharply and never drive your car too fast when
there are snowy or icy conditions.
Poor Visibility:
There is one constant when it comes to driving a car, if you
can’t see where you are going, you can’t drive. One of the largest obstacles a
person faces in any kind of bad weather is the issues that arise with
visibility. Rain and snow can cause serious issues when it comes to seeing the
road in front of you, which means you always need to have an increased sense of
vigilance as well as taking steps to lessen the effects. Keeping your heater on
the windshield setting while you drive helps to keep new ice from forming or
snow from sticking on the windshield while still keeping you warm. Keeping a
scraper in your car is also very important to help get the ice buildup off of
your windows before you even drive it, because with the air being so cold, it
would take way too long for it to melt on its own when you drive. Only use your
windshield wipers if there is true snowfall, because the friction of the wipers
on the windshield with the cold of the outside air could also cause the window
to fog up slightly, further reducing visibility.
Conclusion:
There are plenty of different ways in which you can prevent
yourself from danger while driving in the snow, but the most important thing is
that you always employ these tips and never get comfortable. The ice and snow
are constant hazards which require constant vigilance, so always take them
seriously. When it comes to preparing yourself with the best tires and
alignment for that upcoming cold season, there is no place better to go than Mike’s Brake &
Alignment Shop, so come on in and let’s tackle this winter together.
