Alignment
To track properly down the road, your wheels and tires must be pointing in the same direction. This is called alignment. To be able to turn, and move properly over bumps and dips in the road, the wheels and tires work with the suspension,…
Alternator
Your vehicle’s alternator is the heart of the electrical system. Like a human heart, it “pumps” electrical energy into the battery for use on an as-needed basis by your engine, chassis, or interior cabin. Proper operation is vital, as…
Axle Replacement
Axles transmit the power of your engine to the drive wheels. They are usually set into the transaxle on a front-wheel drive vehicle, or into a differential if the vehicle is rear wheel drive. Modern all-wheel drive vehicles will typically use both. Axle issues usually become noticeable due to vibration,…
Battery
Your battery stores and distributes electrical power to the various needed locations throughout your vehicle. It is filled with a reactive chemical and lead plates, making it a very heavy item. Most are located under the hood with the engine, but automakers today are…
Belts
Your vehicle may have a single engine drive belt (called a serpentine), or it may use several belts if it’s an older car or truck. These drive belts roll over pulleys which turn and generate rotational energy into each accessory attached to your engine. They typically drive the alternator,…
Brakes
We have our vehicles so we can jump in and go somewhere...but once we get close, it’s important to stop there! Your brakes are located on each wheel, and they use friction to slow the rotational energy of the wheels so you can slow down and stop where desired. They are complex systems using hydraulic…
Check Engine Light
Your “Check Engine Light” is simply a warning light that has received information from a sensor connected to your vehicle’s ECM, or “engine control module”. It can be an indicator of needed maintenance, or it could also be warning you of a major component failure. Each sensor connected to the ECM will…
