Category: Uncategorized

All Lined Up (Alignment Inspection)

When you head down a straight road, does your vehicle pull to one side? Do you feel vibration in any of the wheels? If you’ve noticed any of these things, it’s probably time for you to get your wheel alignment checked.

When your vehicle left the factory, its wheels were parallel to each other and perpendicular to the ground. That maximizes traction for good steering and braking. Every time you take your vehicle on the road, normal wear and tear will affect your alignment. Hit a bump, a pothole or a curb and all those little knocks will add up

Bad alignment not only can cause your steering wheel to pull unevenly, it can also wear your tires out a lot faster than they should. In fact, if you look at your tires and see one side of the tread is a lot smoother than the other, it could be another sign of bad alignment.

Since different problems can cause similar symptoms, the first thing our trained technician will do is test drive your vehicle. Then, they’ll check the front end and steering linkage as well as look for tire wear. Then, the technician will put your vehicle on a lift and use computerized diagnostic equipment to measure alignment angles so they can precisely align your vehicle’s components.

There are different kinds of alignments. One is a front-end alignment that aligns components of the vehicle’s front axle. Another is a thrust alignment that makes sure the front wheels are lined up with the direction the rear wheels are pointed. A third type is four-wheel alignment which is usually used on all-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive vehicles. It’s also recommended for front-wheel drive vehicles that have independent rear suspensions. It makes sure the angles of all the wheels are where they should be relative to each other and also the vehicle’s body or frame.

Your steering wheel should be perfectly centered if you are heading straight down the road, so the technician will adjust it so it is. Finally, they’ll take your vehicle back on the road for a final test drive to make sure it’s performing the way engineers intended.

Your service adviser can recommend how often you should have your alignment inspection, since it depends on the type of vehicle you drive (SUV, sporty car, etc.) and your driving environment. Properly aligned wheels can help your vehicle perform better and save you from expensive repairs down the road.

Autotronics of St. Peter
111 Jefferson Avenue
St. Peter, MN 56082
507.934.9290
http://autotronicsstpeter.com

Something to Latch On To (Hood Latch Safety)

The other day, a driver was trying to open his vehicle’s hood so he could add some windshield washer fluid. But when he pulled the hood release inside the car, nothing happened.

Usually, opening any hood is a 2-step process. You pull the hood release (which is usually a handle under the dashboard to the left of the steering column) and listen for the hood to pop up slightly. (It doesn’t open all the way because it has a safety latch to prevent you from accidentally opening it up while you’re driving.) Then, you get out and find the latch, usually through the grille near the hood. There’s a little handle on it which you push, slide or pull (there are a few different types) at which point the hood can be opened up all the way.

But in this driver’s case, the hood would not release at all when he pulled the handle inside. Not knowing what to do, he called his service advisor, who told him to bring it over. The reason? A hood with a broken latch could be a safety hazard since it is possible it’s not securely closed. And in this condition, it’s possible for the hood to suddenly release while you are driving, obscuring your view of the road.

Latch issues can be caused by many things, perhaps a broken cable between the hood release and the latch. It’s possible that cable just detached or frayed after being opened so many times. If a hood release cable isn’t kept lubricated, it can corrode and just lock up.

In this driver’s case, the cable had corroded and broken, so it had to be replaced. Unfortunately, many times you won’t know you have a problem with your hood latch until one time you pull it and it breaks without warning. When your vehicle is in for routine maintenance like an oil change, a technician will often keep an eye out for signs that your hood latch needs attention so you don’t get “locked” out of your engine compartment.

Autotronics of St. Peter
111 Jefferson Avenue
St. Peter, MN 56082
507.934.9290
http://autotronicsstpeter.com

I Can See Clearly (Wiper Blade Replacement)

Warm weather can bring severe storms, and when the rain is coming down hard, that’s one time you really need to be able to see as clearly as possible out your windshield. Having wiper blades that are fit for the job are important to maintain that safe view.

Maybe you live in a climate where you use blades made for winter weather and you have haven’t changed them since the weather changed. Those blades are made of heavier materials and don’t work as well in warmer temperatures. Blades made for warm temperatures are lighter and clear water better in the warmer months.

The general rule of thumb is you should change your blades every six months, but if you use them a lot, you might have to change them more often. A couple of signs that your blades need changing? If you are seeing streaks on the glass or hearing a chattering sound when your wipers are working, time for a new pair.

Wiper blades have cleaning windshields on vehicles for more than 100 years. The original designs have a multi-part frame that are better for flatter windshields. But newer vehicle designs now have curvier windshields, so a more recent design is called a blade wiper. It’s designed to conform better to the glass so cleans it better.

Conventional wipers also aren’t as aerodynamic as blade wipers. Wind buffeting can reduce the pressure they apply on the rubber to the glass. With a spoiler as part of their design, blade wipers are pressed more tightly to the glass, an advantage in clearing water from it.

Another option is hybrid blades, essentially a conventional blade with a plastic shell around the wiper’s frame that makes it more aerodynamic and, some say, gives it a more aesthetic look.

There are lots of choices, so consult our service professionals for a recommendation on which blade fits your needs—and budget—best. Keep your eyes on the road and keep your windshield sparkling clean, rain or shine.

Autotronics of St. Peter
111 Jefferson Avenue
St. Peter, MN 56082
507.934.9290
http://autotronicsstpeter.com