How To Tell If Your Car Is Out Of Alignment

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The wheel alignment of your car is critical to its performance. It can impact your fuel efficiency, the wear on your tires, how your tires perform as well as the handling and maneuverability of your car. There are some fairly easy ways to tell if the alignment of your car needs to be addressed so that your car is running at its maximum efficiency.

 

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/HYZZ36phAdE”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

What to Look for While Driving

While driving on a flat, dry road, you may notice that your car is pulling to one side of the road or the other. You may also notice that when you make slow turns, the car makes a squealing sound or that your steering wheel seems to be off-center. Your steering wheel may also vibrate as you drive. If your car is experiencing any of these symptoms, you need to bring it in for an alignment as soon as you can.

Tire Wear is Uneven

Your alignment determines how your tires meet the road. If you have noticed uneven tire tread on your car, it is possible your alignment may be off. Unevenly worn tires can also indicate that your wheel bearings are loose or worn. This can cause the tire to lean, leading to more wear on the inside or outside of the tire. It is also important to keep the right amount of air pressure in your tires to avoid alignment issues.

Alignment Checks

Even if you have not noticed issues with handling or wear on your tires, you should have the alignment in your vehicle checked at least once each year. If you routinely have your tires rotated, the service station should also check the alignment. During an alignment, a trained technician uses machinery known as the four-wheel alignment system to check whether alignment is necessary. Your car is placed on a large platform rack attached to diagnostic equipment. A visual inspection checks for suspension, steering and tire issues before the car is “driven” on the test platform. During the test, the machinery records the measurements of wheel and tire angles before comparing them to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Adjustments are made based on that recommendation to bring your car back into alignment.

If you have noticed handling issues or uneven wear on your tires after an auto accident, contact Elmer’s Auto Body today to schedule an appointment for a vehicle alignment. You can schedule the appointment by calling or completing the simple form online.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Troubleshooting Your Car’s Air Conditioning System

If you have noticed issues with your vehicle’s air conditioning system, you may be able to troubleshoot the problem on your own. Once you think you know what the problem is, you will be better able to explain it to your mechanic when you take it in for repair.

Weak Airflow

There can be many causes for a vehicle air conditioner to experience weak airflow. One cause could be mold or mildew that has accumulated in the evaporator core. This could prevent air from reaching your vents. It could also be as simple as a loose hose, usually a blower hose. If the fan is not blowing at all, your ventilation fan may need to be replaced. Weak airflow could also be caused by core case, blower house or evaporator core seal failure.

Air is Not as Cold

If the air conditioner is not blowing air that is as cold as it used to be, it is important to bring it in for a check as soon as possible. The problem could be a Freon leak, a clogged expansion tube or a refrigerant charging hose. It could also be a failed compressor or compressor clutch, a vacuum leak or damaged condenser or evaporator. A failed blower motor or blower motor resistor can also lead to warmer air from your air conditioner as can a failed switch, fuse, relay, control module, blend door or solenoid. If your air conditioning system has developed a leak, it is considered an open system which could allow moisture to enter the system and damage other parts. For this reason, as soon as you notice the air conditioner is less cool, you need to bring it in for an inspection or you could face very expensive repairs.

Air Starts Cool, then Turns Warm

If your vehicle has a clogged expansion valve, the valve that distrubtes refrigerant to yoru evaporator, it could cause the air conditioner to blow cool air at first before turning warm. This is because refrigerant cannot flow properly with the valve clogged. You may also have a faulty compressor clutch or a blown fuse. This could also indicate a leak which needs to be checked immediately.

Air Conditioner Smells Bad

If you have noticed an unpleasant “gym locker” odor coming from your air conditioner, you may simply need to change your air cabin filter. If the case’s drain is blocked, water may sit in the evaporator and mold can accumulate, leading to the unpleasant smell.

Black Death

One problem that can occur in vehicle air conditioning systems is what is known as Black Death. Although not as gruesome as the plague that killed millions in the 14th century, it is just as deadly to your car’s air conditioning system. Refrigerant in your air conditioner acts as a lubricant, much like oil in your engine when it is running. If the refrigerant breaks down due to leaks or other problems, parts of your air conditioning system can start wearing, sending sharp metal particles throughout the unit. If this should happen, you may need to replace your entire air conditioning unit.

If you are suffering from problems with your air conditioning system after a collision, contact Elmer’s Auto Body today. You can set up an appointment online with the simple query form or give us a call so that we can review your air conditioning system and get you back to riding in comfort.

What Are The Safest Cars To Survive an Auto Accident?

What Are The Safest Cars To Survive an Auto Accident?

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Despite advances in car safety, death and injury continue to rise on the nation’s highways. In the first nine months of 2017, 27,650 people died in car accidents, higher than the 27,618 who died in all of 2016. Lower gas prices and vehicles with better fuel economy are causing more cars to be on the road, which may lead to more crashes. We also have more distractions in our vehicles, from cell phones that are constantly ringing due to texts, emails and calls to DVD players that keep our kids occupied. For this reason, you want to be sure that your family is riding in the safest car possible. Here are a few things to look for when you are buying a new vehicle.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/0fNAbIFG7WY”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Safety Guidelines

The IIHS is the main authority in the United States for determining the safety of vehicles on the road. They use the following criteria to determine how safe a car is:

  • Frontal crashworthiness – cars that do well in the federal government’s 35 mph head-on test as well as the IIHS 40 mph moderate overlap test are considered safe
  • Side crashworthiness – if your car has a good rating in the IIHS side-impact test, you are 70 percent less likely to die in a side-impact crash
  • Roof strength – good IIHS roof-strength ratings will protect you better in a rollover crash than those with a poor rating
  • Head restraints – a good IIHS head restraint ratings means you are 15 percent less likely to suffer a neck injury in an accident
  • Electronic stability control – cars manufactured after 2012 have this as a standard feature and lowers the risk of fatal single-vehicle crashes by around 50 percent and risk of fatal rollovers by 80 percent
  • Car weight – IIHS says that the safest cars weigh between 3,500 and 4,500 pounds. Smaller, lighter vehicles do not offer as much protection as larger vehicles

It is also important to check the NHTSA recall database periodically to be sure your vehicle does not have a recall notice you are unaware of. If you find that it does, you need to get it to a repair shop immediately.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Top Safest Vehicles

According to the IIHS, the Toyota Avalon Sedan and RAV4 Mini-SUV are in the top five safest vehicles you can buy for under $30,000. The Volkswagen Passat, Nissan Maxima Sedan and Chrysler 200 also fall under this category. Autobytel lists five vehicles for under $40,000 that their editors find safe. These include the Honda Odyssey Minivan, Hyundai Genesis Sedan, Toyota Hylander SUV, Volvo S60 and XC60. Below are the 2018 IIHS Top Safety Picks:

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”1838″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]

Small Cars:

Midsize cars:

Large luxury cars:

Midsize SUVs:

Midsize luxury SUV:

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_custom_heading text=”Download the IIHS Status Report 2018″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Felmersautobody.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F03%2Fsr5209.pdf|||”][vc_single_image image=”1840″ img_size=”full” onclick=”custom_link” link=”https://elmersautobody.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/sr5209.pdf”][ultimate_ctation ctaction_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Felmersautobody.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F03%2Fsr5209.pdf|||”]Download the IIHS Status Report 2018

[/ultimate_ctation][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”1839″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]

Small cars:

Midsize cars:

Midsize luxury cars:

Large cars:

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”1839″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]

Small SUVs:

Midsize SUVs:

Midsize luxury SUVs:

Minivans:

Large pickup:

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]At Elmer’s Auto Body, we want your family riding in the safest vehicle possible. If you’ve been involved in an accident, bring your car in today for a complete check-up to be sure it is operating safely and efficiently. You can schedule an appointment online or give us a call today. For more information on vehicle testing and ratings visit iihs.org/iihs/ratings.

 

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]