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Why
does my Car or Light Truck shake or vibrate?
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When a vehicle
shakes or vibrates at low speeds it is usually a
problem with the tires or wheels. When a vehicle
shakes or vibrates at high speeds it is usually a
problem with the tires. When a vehicle shakes or
vibrates when applying the brakes it is usually a
problem with the brake system.
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If
my vehicle drives straight down the road why do I need
an alignment?
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Vehicle alignment
affects several different handling characteristics of
your vehicle. A vehicle that is out of alignment
can cause one or more of the following problems:
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A pull to the
left or right at speeds of 40 mph and up.
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Premature wear
out of the front and/or rear tires tread.
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Cupping of the
tires tread that will result in the vehicle
experiencing a rough ride and also a loud growling
noise at speeds of 35 mph and up.
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Poor handling
in wet weather.
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Steering wheel
is not centered when vehicle is moving straight
ahead.
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Feeling of
looseness or wandering.
Research indicates
that the average vehicle is driven about 15,000 miles
per year. A vehicle with a toe alignment just
.34 degrees (.7 inches) out of specifications has
dragged it's tires sideways for 85 miles by the end of
the year. This will result in premature tire
wear out, tire cupping and also decreased fuel
economy.
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Should
I "plug" or "patch" a flat tire?
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The use of plugs in
repairing a tire are for temporary use only. You
should only use a plug to repair a tire when you have
a tire emergency and then you should get the tire to a
service center and have the tire permanently repaired
(patched). All tire manufacturers warranties are
voided if a plug is installed in the tire. The
use of a tire plug does not seal the tire from the
inner liner and allows air to escape into the belt
area and cause separations.
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Can I
replace the tires on my vehicle with a different brand
that was put on at the vehicle manufacturer?
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Simply put, Yes.
You should replace your vehicle's tires with tires of
the same size and the same performance rating, but
they do not have to be the same brand that came on it
from the factory. Many times the vehicle's
manufacturer chose the tires that were installed at
the factory because they were the cheapest price. Many
original equipment tire manufacturers sell their tires
at a very greatly reduced price to the automobile
manufacturers in hopes that when the consumer goes to
replace the tires they will buy that brand again. This
is why many original equipment tire manufacturers
replacement tires are priced very high to the retail
consumer. Basically the original equipment tire
manufacturers give their tires away to the vehicle
manufacturers hoping to make their money on the retail
consumer.
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How
often should I rotate my vehicle's tires?
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Tire and vehicle
manufacturers recommend rotating your tires every
6,000 - 8,000 miles. With today's front wheel drive
cars/vans the importance of tire rotation is very
important. If the tires are not rotated at the
recommended intervals you can loose up to 40% of the
life of your tires. Another benefit of tire rotation
is that it enables a service professional the
opportunity to inspect your vehicle so that you will
not have any unforeseen brake, suspension or
mechanical problems.
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Should
I follow the recommended service in my vehicle's
owner's manual?
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If you want to have
a vehicle that is dependable the answer is YES. It is
much more economical to follow the manufacturers
recommended service schedule than it is to drive the
vehicle until it breaks down and then to do major
repairs. It is also less stressful to schedule the
vehicle's repairs than to have the vehicle break down
and to leave you stranded. When the vehicle is
serviced regularly the minor repairs are performed
before they become major repairs. Some of the most
important services are:
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How
do my Anti-Lock Brakes work?
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ABS basically works
by limiting the pressure to the wheel which
decelerates too rapidly. With standard brakes when the
brake pedal is applied too hard, the tires skid, which
prevents them from giving directional control. When
directional control (steering) is lost, the vehicle
skids in a straight line wherever it is going. With
ABS braking systems the wheel speed sensors at each
tire send an electronic pulse to the computer. If tire
skid is detected during braking, the computer signals
the ABS valve to limit the hydraulic pressure to that
tires caliper or wheel cylinder. The computer does
this by instructing the ABS valve to "pulse"
the brake line pressure to that tire so it does not
skid. With all of the movement of brake fluid in an
ABS braking system it is crucial that the brake fluid
is kept clean by flushing it out and installing new
fluid every 30,000 miles.
The ABS brake
system tests itself every time the vehicle is started
and every time the brakes are applied. If a defect is
detected, the computer then turns the ABS system off,
leaving the standard braking system unaffected and
working properly. If the computer detects a problem
with the ABS system the "ABS" light will
illuminate on your vehicles dash. You should bring in
the vehicle to us as soon as possible to evaluate the
ABS system failure.
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Do
I have to take my vehicle to the new car dealership
for service during it's warranty period?
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You may take your
vehicle to any qualified service center during the
vehicle's warranty period and also after the vehicle's
warranty period. There is a federal law called the
"Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act" that became
effective on January 4, 1975 that basically states
that no purchase of a particular brand of product or
the purchase of a service from a particular company
can be required of you to keep your vehicles warranty
valid.
Many new car
dealership's try to scare people into bringing their
car into them for service so it does not
"void" their warranty. If this happens
remind them of the "Magnuson-Moss Warranty
Act".
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