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 Mileag e Warran ty 1736 West 15th Street • Florence 541-997-6700 joel@acrauto.com RV’ers, we are your complete Mobile & Dry Rot Repair Service “Complete RV Truck & Auto Repair” PARTS SERVICE 541-997-8287 541-902-1955 WINNER READERS CHOICE BEST AUTO REPAIR AND OIL CHANGE Cel 70 ebrat + Y ing ear s! Hoberg’s 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