Taking the Heat (Batteries in Hot Weather)
Posted June 21, 2020 11:30 AMQuick question. Which is tougher on a vehicle's battery, the heat or the cold? Believe it or not, it's the heat. Think about it. The battery often sits in the engine compartment next to that motor generating lots of heat. That can accelerate corrosion in the battery and may even cause water in it to evaporate. That will weaken the cranking power of your battery and shorten its life span.
To take care of your battery, here are a few suggestions. It's a good idea to have it checked out to see what shape it's in. At your vehicle service facility, they have diagnostic equipment that can evaluate its condition. That can help you know how long you can expect it to last before having to replace it. At the same time, you should have your charging system evaluated. If your battery is not getting charged properly, it can be in great shape but not very useful when it comes to starting your vehicle. A technician will also check the cable connections that should be free of corrosion and tight.
Keep in mind that under certain conditions, a vehicle battery can cause an explosion if close to an electrical spark. This is why the safe way to go is to have a qualified, trained technician do the work.
Your battery is important both in hot and cold weather. When it comes to starting your vehicle, make sure it's always up to the job.
Folsom Autotech
1126 A Sibley St
Folsom, California 95630
(916) 985-0274
Why Alignment Matters (Vehicle Alignment Maintenance)
Posted June 7, 2020 9:22 AMIt's one of those things that can happen on a multi-day road adventure or a quick trip to the grocery store. You hit a pothole, go too fast over a speed bump, nail a curb. When it happens, you think, "I wonder if that was hard enough to do any damage?" But things seem ok and you continue on your way.
Keep in mind that any blow to your vehicle's suspension can throw it out of alignment. It can be a hard knock from the road or from another vehicle, such as being involved in a minor accident. When your suspension is out of alignment, it means that the wheels aren't all pointing where they should. And after a while, it can make your tires wear unevenly and cause problems with steering and handling.
Let's go back to that pothole or curb you hit hard. Even though you think there was no damage done, if you wait until you see tire wear, you may need to replace all four tires, not an inexpensive proposition.
That's why it's a good idea to make sure your alignment is regularly checked by a qualified technician. If you get regular oil changes (a MUST!), consider having an alignment check while your vehicle is in. That's especially important if you drive roads that resemble the lunar surface. If you buy new tires, it's also strongly recommended that you have your alignment checked.
You can have your front wheels aligned or all four, and if your vehicle is newer, it's not a bad idea to spend a little extra for the four-wheel alignment check. Good alignment pays off with better steering and handling, less tire wear and—BONUS—better fuel economy since aligned wheels offer less resistance when they roll on the road.
Folsom Autotech
1126 A Sibley St
Folsom, California 95630
(916) 985-0274
