Palo Alto Auto Repair

Winter is pothole season and this year, they are packing a powerful punch. After hitting a pothole, most drivers wonder, “Is my car OK?” While the tires and wheels can be visually inspected, there could be damage to the steering, suspension and alignment systems that you just can’t see. To help determine if hitting a pothole has damaged your vehicle, watch for the following warning signs. Loss of control, swaying when making routine turns, bottoming out on city streets or bouncing excessively on rough roads. These are indicators that the steering and suspension may have been damaged. The steering and suspension are key safety-related systems. Together, they largely determine your car’s ride and handling. Key components are shocks and/or struts, the steering knuckle, ball joints, the steering rack/box, bearings, seals and hub units and tie rod ends. Pulling in one direction, instead of maintaining a straight path, and uneven tire wear. These symptoms mean t ... read more

Wether you are a new driver or a seasoned veteran it is never too late to lean the ABC’s of care care. A - Always follow a preventative vehicle maintenance plan. B - Be sure to have your car inspected when you suspect there is a problem. C - Correct the problem to help avoid the inconvenience and potential safety hazards of breaking down away from home. Most young people can’t wait to drive, but their car care education should begin well before their parents hand over the keys. “Understanding the basics of car care before taking the wheel will help keep new drivers safer on the road.” Check out these 10 car care inspection procedures that are an important part of any preventative vehicle maintenance plan: Check all fluids, including engine oil, power steering, brake and transmission as well as windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant. Check the hoses and belts to make sure they are no ... read more