The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current, March 31, 2018, Page 12A, Image 12

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    12 A
SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2018
Schedule An Alignment
H
ave you noticed your vehicle veering to one side during your travels? This is a good indicator that an alignment is in order. An unaligned
vehicle not only causes uneven wear to your tires, but also is a safety concern, as it affects your control and handling.
Alignments are typically
required any time you re-
place the tires on your vehi-
cle, but it also can be a part
of routine maintenance.
Luckily, it is a relatively
quick process that isn’t too
hard on the wallet. Talk to
your dealer or a qualifi ed
service center to get your
vehicle in line and ride in
comfort.
Why It’s Important
Aside from taking away the
amount of control you have
over your vehicle, there are
expensive issues that come
with driving a vehicle that
isn’t properly aligned.
According to Consumer
Reports, family-car tires
can last for up to 70,000
miles. Keep in mind that
is with scheduled rotations
and proper care.
When a vehicle is un-
aligned, uneven tire wear
is a common occurrence.
Tires will require replace-
ment much sooner, and
you will also notice a de-
crease in fuel mileage.
Comfortability is anoth-
er advantage of a properly
aligned vehicle. Th e need to
constantly correct a veering
automobile can not only be
annoying but can create
dangerous distractions.
for alignment. It should
be performed when symp-
toms are noticed.
A vehicle can easily be-
come unaligned by hitting
potholes or curbs or aft er
a minor accident. If you
experience one of these
occurrences, be sure to ask
a professional if you’re in
need for service.
How It’s Done
Wheel alignments require
a service center that off ers
a special alignment rack.
When It’s Necessary
Once a vehicle is placed on
You’ll know your vehicle this innovative tool, it is
is in need of realignment analyzed by sensors to de-
if you notice the steering termine the actual angles of
wheel will no longer line up each wheel.
straight, or your front-end A technician will then ad-
shakes aft er hitting a bump. just each component until
Most vehicle manufactur- the vehicle’s specifi cations
ers don’t recommend a spe- are met.
cifi c mileage or timeframe
Inspect Belts & Hoses
Th e impact belts and hos-
es can have on your vehi-
cle’s performance might
surprise you. Belts play a
key role in operating every
part under the hood with a
pulley, and hoses keep the
cooling system running.
With spring’s arrival, be
sure the rubber in your
engine compartment is
in good working order to
avoid becoming stranded.
Warmer temperatures cre-
ate under-the-hood condi-
tions that can aggressively
deteriorate older belts and
hoses.
of hoses, but do you know
what they do?
Some are there to trans-
port fuel, air-condition-
ing refrigerant and even
air to vacuum-controlled
components, such as a
cruise-control
actuator.
Your vehicle’s cooling sys-
tem also relies on hoses to
carry important coolant to
regulate engine tempera-
tures. When an engine
overheats, it causes im-
mense damage to its inter-
nal parts.
Early detection of a fail-
ing cooling-system hose
can save you big bucks in
Role of Cooling-System repairs as well as keep the
Hoses
wheels turning during a
If you have ever looked in spring vacation.
your engine compartment, Here are some signs you’ll
you likely have seen a maze notice when your hoses
start wearing down, as re-
ported by the American
Automobile Association:
• Visible fl uid leakage un-
der your car. It’s a good
idea to know what kind of
coolant your vehicle oper-
ates with, so you’ll know
which colors to look for.
• A sweet burning smell
can oft en indicate a cool-
ant leak is present.
• Visible steam or smoke
from beneath the hood.
Hoses take a lot of abuse,
oft en being exposed to
drastic temperature chang-
es that may cause swell-
ing, cracking or bulging.
Regular inspections can
give you the advantage in
catching a problem before
it requires an expensive re-
pair.
Essential items for roadside emergency kits
Motorists
never
know when prob-
lems with their vehi-
cles may force them
to pull off the road
and onto the shoulder.
Whether it’s a flat tire,
a sputtering engine or
an empty gas tank,
such circumstances
are never welcome.
But such situations
need not be so unbear-
able. Drivers who keep
roadside emergency
kits in their vehicles
may find themselves
getting back on the
road more quickly the
next time an unfore-
seen problem forces
them to pull off the
highway.
The following are
some must-have items
drivers should include
in their roadside emer-
gency kits.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Roadside flares
First-aid kit
Jumper cables
Warm blankets
Flashlight
Screwdrivers (flat-head and Phillips)
Tire-pressure gauge
Spare tire and jack
De-icing agent
Nonperishable snacks and water
Extra fluids (i.e., motor oil, brake fluid,
antifreeze, windshield washer)
• Pliers
• Cell phone charger
• Important phone numbers (i.e.,
mechanic, auto insurance company)
PUT SOME
SPRING BACK
Understanding Belts
Most of today’s passenger
vehicles rely on a single
belt to power important
components, such as the
alternator, AC compressor
and even power steering.
Th ey are called serpentine
belts, and they feature ribs
that ride on the pulleys to
operate each part.
Th e AAA suggests signs of
a failing belt can include:
• A squealing noise as the
engine accelerates;
• A whirring or grinding
noise from a pulley while
engine is on; and
• A slow, rhythmic slap-
ping sound at idle.
Noticing cracks or nois-
es coming from your belt
usually means a replace-
ment is necessary. Most
vehicles feature a diagram
for the correct routing po-
sition.
Changing a belt can be
accomplished without the
need for special tools, but
may be better left to pro-
fessionals unless you feel
comfortable doing the re-
pair.
Don’t fi nd yourself strand-
ed this spring. Make sure
the rubber in your engine
compartment is ready for
the warm weather.
acrauto.com
• Repairing all
makes and models
• Serving Florence
for 37 years
18 Mon
th
Unlimi ,
ted
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Warran
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1736 West 15th Street • Florence
541-997-6700
joel@acrauto.com
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541-997-8287
541-902-1955
WINNER
READERS
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Complete Auto Repair
www.hobergsautorepair.com
IN YOUR TIRES.
SPRING IS HERE, AND AS THE SEASONS CHANGE,
YOUR TIRES SHOULD TOO. COME AND SEE US DURING
OUR SPRING TIRE SALE IN MARCH AND APRIL.
SPRING TIRE SALE
Florence
4325 Highway 101
541-997-7178
New
Service d
Offere
FREE Taxi Ride via: River Cities Taxies
Florence City Limits Only
From our shop to your home or work
345 Hwy. 101 • P.O. Box 357
Florence, OR 97439-0012
541-997-2413
Kevin McMullen
3rd Generation Owner
hobergsautorepair@gmail.com
Serving Your Auto Needs Since 1945