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10 Signs Your Vehicle Has Pothole Damage

Fri, 18 Jan 2019 10:57:27 GMT

Pothole Damage and Your Vehicle

Potholes in Winnipeg can easily become your car’s worst enemy. These holes or pits on a roadway’s surface can seriously harm a car’s ride control system. Here at Dhillon Automotive Group, we advise that you have your automobile’s shocks or struts examined to make sure they aren’t damaged if you do drive over a dreaded pothole. Shocks and struts control how vehicles ride and handle. According to the Dhillon Automotive Group, the shock absorbers, or struts as they are known on late-model vehicles, act as a cushion to dampen the bouncing action of a car’s springs. The springs absorb the road bumps; without them, the vehicle would continually bounce and bound along the road, making driving very tricky.

Damages to Shocks and Struts

Shocks and struts likewise control spring and suspension motion to keep the tires in contact with the road. This affects steering, stability, and braking. A damaged shock or strut might alter the steering and handling of a car and produce driving hazards. The following is a list of 10 signs that your vehicle’s struts or shocks may need to be replaced:

1. The vehicle rolls or sways on turns.

2. When braking, the vehicle’s front-end dives or ‘dips’.

3. The car’s rear end squats when speeding up.

4. Vehicle steering pushing or pulling.

5. The automobile “bottoms out” or thumps on bumps.

6. The vehicle shakes or vibrates in any way.

7. The automobile sits lower in the front or rear.

8. There’s a loss of directional control during sudden stops of the car.

9. The car is leaking or has signs of physical damage, such as rusting or damages.

10. The automobile bounces or moves sideways on a winding, rough roadway.

Preventive Upkeep and Maintenance

Lots of parts impact a car’s handling. Having your automobile examined, if you experience any of the above signs, readies preventive upkeep and can help its parts wear less and last longer. “Do not hesitate to have your vehicle inspected for any damage after running over a pothole” stated Rocky Dhillon, Vice President of the Dhillon Automotive Group. “You really should have it looked at as soon as possible to prevent any further damage to your vehicle.” The Dhillon Automotive Group is the source of data for the “Dhillon Auto Tips” campaign, educating vehicle owners about the benefits of regular automobile servicing, maintenance, and repair.

A Clean Car is Money in the Bank

Thu, 11 May 2017 07:14:04 GMT

Purchasing a new car is a major financial investment. Keeping it clean is an easy and inexpensive way to protect its resale and trade-in value, says the non-profit Car Care Council.

“Many motorists procrastinate when it comes to cleaning their vehicles,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Whether you do it yourself or have it cleaned professionally, proactively keeping your car clean on the outside, and tidy on the inside, will pay big dividends when it comes to maintaining your vehicle’s value over time.”

The Car Care Council suggests five simple steps to keep a vehicle clean, helping protect it from the elements and preserve its value.

Declutter – Start the cleaning process by removing excess clutter from inside the car as it can be distracting and hazardous, especially when debris finds its way near the gas and brake pedals. Don’t forget to clear out items that have accumulated in the trunk as they can add extra weight and reduce fuel efficiency.
Clean the Interior – The next step is to thoroughly clean the interior, wash the windows, and clean and install floor mats. Be sure to vacuum on a regular basis. A clean and orderly interior allows you spot issues in the cabin so you can get them repaired before they get worse.
Wash the Exterior – Give your car a good wash from top to bottom using products specifically made for automobiles. Always clean the tires and wheels before washing the body, and don’t use the same washing mitt or cloth for both.
Wax Twice a Year – Waxing not only protects a vehicle’s finish, but it also makes subsequent washing easier. Before proceeding, make sure there are no foreign particles on the paint. It is important to note that waxing should be done in the shade, not direct sunlight.
Fix Chips – If you find minor paint damage, cover the paint chips as quickly as possible to prevent further damage. For a quick fix until you can get paint touchup supplies, dab a little clear nail polish on the scratch.

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For the latest car care news, visit the council’s online media room at http://media.carcare.org . To order a free copy of the popular Car Care Guide, visit the council’s consumer education website at www.carcare.org .

A Little Auto Care Goes a Long Way

Tue, 18 Apr 2017 07:22:18 GMT

Performing simple preventative maintenance on your vehicle will go a long way toward protecting your vehicle investment, says the non-profit Car Care Council.

“Buying a new car today comes with a hefty price tag when you add up the down payment, monthly car payments and higher insurance rates. Neglecting its care can mean even higher costs down the line in the form of more extensive repairs and lost resale value,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “By following a proactive auto care plan, the typical car should deliver at least 200,000 miles of safe, dependable, efficient and enjoyable performance.”

National Car Care Month in April is the perfect time of year to give your car some extra attention. The Car Care Council recommends following a vehicle service schedule , keeping a free copy of the council’s Car Care Guide in the glovebox and performing the most common routine maintenance procedures to keep your vehicle performing at its best.

Check all fluids, including engine oil, power steering, brake and transmission as well as windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant.
Check the brake system annually and have the brake linings, rotors and drums inspected at each oil change.
Check the tires, including tire pressure and tread. Uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment. Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots.
Check the hoses and belts to make sure they are not cracked, brittle, frayed, loose or showing signs of excessive wear.
Check the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system as proper heating and cooling performance is critical for interior comfort and safety reasons, such as defrosting.
Check the wipers and lighting so that you can see and be seen. Check that all interior and exterior lighting is working properly and replace worn wiper blades so you can see clearly when driving during precipitation.

“Be sure to fully inspect your vehicle annually, including performing a tune-up and wheel alignment,” continued White. “If you ever suspect there is a problem, it’s a good idea to address it quickly before minor repairs become more complicated, expensive repairs.”

Basic Tire Maintenance for Every Driver

Mon, 03 Apr 2017 07:25:28 GMT

The tires are the only thing between the vehicle and the road. When they are properly inflated and in good condition, the handling, stability and safety of the vehicle will be maximized. Conversely, when the tires are under inflated, worn out or damaged, all of the safety systems on the vehicle cannot overcome the loss of control that comes with a blow-out or hydroplaning situation. Air pressure in a tire is like oil in an engine; when it is low, the resulting internal damage is unseen until it is too late. Tires naturally lose 1-2 psi per month, so ongoing neglect will eventually result in a tire that cannot support the weight of the vehicle and the occupants. When this happens, the resulting blow-out can result in the loss of control and an accident.

It’s also important to rotate the tires on the vehicle every 5-7,000 miles. Today’s front-wheel-drive vehicles cause the steer tires to wear at a much faster rate than the tires on the rear axle. By periodically rotating the front tires to the back and the back tires to the front, motorists can achieve even treadwear on all four tires and increase the mileage and performance. Failing to rotate the tires often results in the front tires wearing out faster while the rear tires develop irregular treadwear patterns that cause vibrations. The same can be said for alignments. When the vehicle is not properly aligned, the tires will wear out faster which leads to increased operating costs.

Finally, drivers should perform a visual inspection of their tires on a regular basis, especially after hitting a pothole, curb or any type of road debris. Bulges, cuts and other visible damage weaken the internal components of the tire, which can lead to a blow-out. Regular visual inspections will often identify any potential problems before they result in an accident. It’s also a good idea to have the tires inspected by a professional before any long road trips to ensure there are no obvious out-of-service conditions that must be addressed.