When properly aligned, all of your wheels are pointed in the same direction. Your vehicle will track true and handle the way it is designed. Cleveland auto owners often associate our wheels being “knocked” out of alignment with an event like an accident, hitting a pothole, curb or some other object.
While these can certainly take your wheels out of alignment, the bumps and bounces of everyday St. Peterdriving take their toll on wheel alignment as well.
Additionally, your automobile can lose alignment over time with just normal driving. When your wheels are out of alignment, Autotronics of ST Peter in St. Peter can return your wheels to the auto maker factory settings. Most owners’ manuals suggest an alignment check every year or two.
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Autotronics of ST Peter 507.934.9290 111 Jefferson Avenue St. Peter, MN 56082
Many St. Peter car owners have been hearing about technological advances in power steering, specifically, electric power steering. Some very high-end cars have been featuring electric power steering for a few years now. An electric motor directly provides the power assist to make steering easier. Undoubtedly we’ll see much more of this in St. Peter as full electric cars and electric hybrids become more common.
The vast majority of cars and trucks serviced at Autotronics of ST Peter in St. Peter use a hydraulic power boost system. With hydraulics, fluid is pressurized by a pump which actuates a hydraulic cylinder to reduce steering effort. Some of these pumps are powered by an electric motor. Most pumps are powered by the serpentine belt driven by the engine.
Power steering fluid has the necessary hydraulic properties and the ability to lubricate the internal parts. The power steering fluid also protects minivan components from rust and corrosion. St. Peter car owners should be aware that automobile manufacturers recommend that the fluid be replaced on schedule. At Autotronics of ST Peter, the old fluid is drained and the system cleaned thoroughly. Fresh fluid is then installed.
Unfortunately, many St. Peter drivers don’t realize how vital it is to service their power steering, and some may not even know that it’s necessary in the first place. A neglected power steering system can develop leaks that will shorten the life of the pump.
St. Peter motorists should be aware of warnings that indicate possible power steering problems: the need to constantly add power steering fluid, a loud whining from the pump, erratic power assist or high steering effort. If you’re experiencing any of these problems, have your power steering checked out at Autotronics of ST Peter in St. Peter.
In addition to the pump and hydraulic system, there are vital mechanical parts in the steering system. The rods, arms, joints and knuckles that actually turn the wheels can become worn or damaged. A standard alignment service at Autotronics of ST Peter includes an inspection of steering components.
If you notice any play in the steering wheel, that the steering wheel is off center, or a noise coming from your front wheels, especially when turning, have your knowledgeable Autotronics of ST Peter service advisor do an inspection so the problem can be corrected. Waiting too long could cause uneven tire wear and may even lead to steering failure. Call Autotronics of ST Peter today at 507.934.9290.
Most Cleveland folks worry about running out of gas or having a breakdown on the side of the road. That is why we practice preventive maintenance on our vehicles — that and to keep our repair bills down. But one important part of preventive maintenance that may get overlooked by St. Peter car owners is a periodic alignment inspection.
Poor alignment causes tires to wear rapidly, unevenly or both. This means they will have to be replaced early, and new tires are more costly than an alignment check in St. Peter. Bad alignment can also cause damage to suspension and steering systems, which can be expensive to repair in Cleveland.
Tire wear on misaligned wheels can also lead to blowouts, which are dangerous, can lead to serious accidents, and can seriously damage your minivan. Also, poor alignment itself can be the cause of an accident, since the minivan may not steer properly.
One or more wheels on your minivan can be knocked out of alignment by running over a curb or a pothole on a bumpy St. Peter street. An accident, even a minor one, that involves a wheel on your car can lead to misalignment. The small bumps and bangs of everyday Saint Peter driving can also gradually put your wheels out of alignment.
If you have had wheel damage to your minivan, or if you suspect that your wheels are out of alignment, you should get your alignment checked NOW. Any Autotronics of ST Peter technician will give you that piece of auto advice. But good car care suggests that you also get your alignment inspected on a regular basis. At Autotronics of ST Peter in St. Peter, we can take care of that for you.
Your owner’s manual or Autotronics of ST Peter service advisor can give you a suggestion on how often your alignment should be checked. If it doesn’t, then once a year is a good rule of thumb. However, if you drive a lot and especially if you drive on rough surfaces a lot, then you may want to consider a diagnostic examination more often. Ask your knowledgeable service specialist for a recommendation.
If your minivan is out of alignment, one or more of the wheels is not tracking correctly and will “pull” against the others. Thus, one sign of poor alignment is that your minivan pulls to one side when you drive around Cleveland. Also, if you are driving a straight path and your steering wheel is off-center, that usually indicates an alignment problem.
St. Peter auto owners should also check the wear on their tires. If they seem to be wearing out too quickly, or if you notice that a tire is wearing on one side more than the other, you should get your alignment checked.
When you get an automotive analysis, your vehicle will be put on a rack and all the parts of the steering and suspension systems will be inspected for wear or damage. The alignment of the tires will be charted and compared to the original factory settings. If no repairs are needed on the steering or suspension systems, the wheels will then be adjusted to bring them back into alignment.
This may seem like a lot of bother for Le Sueur car owners, but it’s a lot less trouble than a blowout or an accident. The old adage is good auto advice for all St. Peter residents: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
So keep on driving, and keep all four tires on the road.
