Recently, a customer came in complaining of vibrations from the wheels while driving. They previously took their vehicle to a chain shop. The shop rotated and balanced the tires, but the customer was ultimately left unsatisfied as the issue promptly returned.  After a quick test drive at JAMHS Auto, the problem was obvious. The tires were not properly balanced. The cause of the tire imbalance was probably not due to any fault of the previous shop's technicians. The particular vehicle in question had cladded wheels. 

Cladded wheels are wheels that have aluminum rims that are coated with plastic, often chrome-colored. The plastic is relatively fragile and is easy to chip when balancing or changing tires.
​

In older vehicles, it's easy to see the cracks and overall wear of the belts to assess their health. Newer belts, however, are made with more durable materials that generally will not crack. Common signs of a bad belt:

• squeaking from under the hood
• loss of A/C
• loss of power steering
• engine overheating
• loss of power

Technicians also have tools to check the wear on the belts, similar to how you check the tread depth on a tire. Generally, the belts should last anywhere from 60,000 up to 100,000 miles depending on the manufacturer. Check your vehicle's manual for specific intervals. If you experience any of the problems above, you should bring your vehicle in for a check-up immediately. JAMHS Auto will check for potential problems at every service to make sure you aren't blindsided by any issues that arise.

The front purpose of the differential is to manage the rotation of your vehicle's wheels. In front-wheel drive (FWD) vehicles, the transmission connects directly to the differential. In contrast, the differential in rear-wheel drive (RWD) sits between the two rear wheels of the vehicle. All-wheel drive (AWD) and similar vehicles will contain both a front differential and a rear differential. The differential is important in making turns and driving on uneven terrain. It allows your wheels to turn at different speeds to prevent skidding of the tires. It also works to prevent loss of traction in soft or uneven terrain (such as dirt roads).

Many will say flushing your power steering fluid isn't necessary. In the past, auto shops would replace the components of the power steering system as they went bad. With the advent of flushing systems, we can now flush and extend the life of the power steering components. The power steering fluid will wear over time due to daily driving and may become abrasive. It will also lose its ability to dissipate heat. The abrasiveness and overheating can lead to leaks and cracked seals, which are always expensive repairs. In extreme cases, the fluid will even form a thick sludge, further exasperating the effects of a worn fluid. ​

It is relatively easy to check your power steering fluid. Since the system is fully sealed, your vehicle should not be losing fluid over time. If you notice your levels are decreasing, you may have a leak that requires immediate attention. Your vehicle's manual should have service intervals as well if you are unsure about your power steering fluid's health. It's better to err on the side of safety, so JAMHS Auto recommends a power steering flush every 30,000 miles to extend the life of your power steering system.

as servicing your engine. Hobbyists and online forums will tell you that the only necessary service for your transmission is to drain and refill it, but a more involved approach is needed to keep you safe on the road. 

​There's a difference between a drain and refill of your transmission and a full flush. The drain and refill of your transmission pan only replaces as little as 20% of the fluid in your car's transmission, leaving you with dirty fluid. A full flush will involve using the machine to push out all of the old fluid, leaving you with fresh transmission fluid to minimize issues.

 As your vehicle's transmission ages, the gears will become worn, and this wear will cause some of the issues that might bring you to a shop: grinding or strange noises, problems with shifting gears, or gears slipping. Some older vehicles will have an issue when flushing their transmission for the first time. All the debris present due to a lack of maintenance gets dislodged, and your vehicle may initially underperform. A regularly performed transmission flush will prevent high-dollar repairs and extend the life of your vehicles. Transmission fluid is as important as the engine oil, and your repair shop should service it regularly. We here at JAMHS Auto recommend a transmission flush every 30,000 miles. Don't wait for transmission to give out before changing your fluid. 

Call us today to schedule your transmission flush. Regular maintenance prevents high-cost repairs!