Mike's Brake & Alignment Shop

Honest & Quality Service

Tag: vehicle maintenance

How to Extend the Life of Your Car’s Alignment

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. 

What is ASE Certification & Why is it Important?

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.
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.
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!

Basic Tire Maintenance Every Driver Should Know

As the only thing between your car and the road, the tires carry quite a bit of pressure. With the amount of rotations they go through to the amount of air normally lost due to how often you drive, a lot can happen to cause excessive wear and tear on your tires. Keep reading to learn more about three of the basic tire maintenance steps every driver should know.

Checking the tire pressure.
Checking the tire pressure.

Check Tire Pressure

To ensure your gas mileage stays in a healthy range and you remain safe on the road, always check and fill your tire pressure. A car’s tires naturally lose about 1-2 psi every month which means continued neglect will result in a dangerous blow-out. Don’t risk your safety and the safety of others while on the road and check your tire pressure periodically.

Rotate Your Tires

Most mechanics recommend rotating your tires every 5-7,000 miles. This is due to the amount of wear most front wheel drive cars experience on their tires. By rotating your front tires to the rear and vice versa you will ensure an even better tread wear on your vehicle. Periodically rotating your tires will also allow you to maintain a good gas mileage. Not taking proper care of your vehicle’s tires will drastically reduce the gas mileage and performance of your car.

Mechanic rotating a car's tires.
Mechanic rotating a car’s tires.

Perform a Visual Inspection

Visual inspections of your tires are a handy way to ensure the tread is still within safety limits. While it is never a good sign that you can tell your tires are going flat, simply taking the time to inspect them will allow you to address any issues. Performing a visual inspection of your tires is an excellent way to spot any cuts or bulges on them.

Thoughts

From simply checking the tire pressure to using proper tire rotation schedules and even visual inspections, you will be able to keep a proper eye on your tire’s wear and tear. Be sure to call on the team at Mike’s Brake & Alignment Shop for all of your vehicle needs. Call us today to schedule an exceptional tire service!