AUTONET TV

Keep It Smooth: Chassis Lubrication

If you have a truck, SUV or older car, chances are your vehicle has grease chassis fittings that need regular maintenance.  Having them lubricated can give you a smoother, quieter ride and prevent more expensive repairs down the road. 

It’s especially important on parts that have to move a lot, especially when you are carrying heavy loads.  Components such as ball joints, U-joints, tie rod ends and control arm bushings need fresh lubricants which prevent metal rubbing against metal, friction, heat and early wear.  

When you bring your vehicle in to us to have your chassis lubricated, you’ll likely notice that your steering will feel more responsive, just like it used to.  Plus, you’ll get a smoother, quieter ride, with little or no squeaking when going over bumps. Another benefit is your vehicle will keep its alignment better, and your ride will generally feel more comfortable.

Chassis lubrication is recommended for many vehicles about every 6,000-8,000 miles/10,000-13,000 km.  One easy way to think of it is that you should have it done about the same time you get an oil change.  After all, it’s kind of like an oil change for your chassis. It’s especially important if you drive on rough surfaces, in harsh weather or carry heavy loads.

If you drive a newer car, you probably don’t need this service, since the latest automobiles have sealed suspension components that are designed to not require lubrication.  

But if your vehicle has a suspension that needs lubricating, consider it a good investment in your vehicle’s safety, repair costs and your comfort. 

AutoChoice Service Center Inc.
2009 S. Yost Ave.
Bloomington, Indiana 47403
812-339-9898

Grinding, Jerking and Slipping

Gone are the early days of driving when people had to manually shift gears in their vehicles.  Now, though, we are spoiled by automatic transmissions that seem like they’ll go forever.  Like everything mechanical, automatic transmissions can develop problems. 

Signs trouble is brewing sometimes starts with small changes in how your vehicle feels, sounds or responds.  Knowing these signs can save you from major repairs.

One to watch out for is shifting that’s rough or delayed. Sometimes your vehicle will hesitate before it changes gears, or there’s a jerk when it shifts.  Maybe it feels like the transmission is slipping out of gear.  These are all signs you should bring it in for one of our technicians to check out.

Another thing to pay attention to is a new noise you don’t ever remember hearing before.  Your shifts should be quiet, but if you hear a clunking, grinding or humming sound during shifts, this could be a sign of low transmission fluid or worn-out parts.  It could also indicate worse things to come.

Use your nose to know if something might be wrong.  If you smell burning, it could be a sign of transmission fluid that is overheating or deteriorating.  Your eyes also might spot leaking fluid around your vehicle, especially if it’s red or pink.  That’s a good time to have us check yours for leaks.

Other signs of transmission issues are an illuminated Check Engine light, hesitation during acceleration or your vehicle not moving at all when it’s in gear. 

Your transmission delivers power from the engine to the wheels, and being aware of small changes in how your vehicle shifts, sounds or feels can be clues  problems are developing.  When you notice them, give us a call and have us check them out before you find yourself up shifts creek without a paddle.

AutoChoice Service Center Inc.
2009 S. Yost Ave.
Bloomington, Indiana 47403
812-339-9898

Tread Carefully: What Normal Tire Wear Looks Like

Every day we get in our vehicle and drive, we are putting wear and tear on our tires. Some wear is, of course, normal, but it’s important to know what’s NOT normal. Not only can that alert you to potential safety issues, I can also save you money and fuel.

Your tire’s tread (the part that contacts the road and has a pattern cut into the rubber) should be even from one side to the other.  It should also be at least more than 2/32 inches deep. It IS normal to have tread wear, and most front-wheel-drive vehicles’ front tires wear more quickly because the front wheels are powering the vehicle.  

Your tires should be wearing consistently.  In other words, you shouldn’t see bald spots in one area and not in another.  You should also not see a feathered edge on one side of your tire or any uneven ridges.  

Besides looking at your tires for wear, you can start to notice signs of tire wear while you drive.  For example, if you feel vibrations while you’re traveling, it could be the result of wheels that are out of balance or tires that are wearing unevenly.  You may notice the vehicle shaking at higher speeds.  

If your vehicle pulls to one side, it could mean one of your tire’s belts has separated or the tire is wearing unevenly.  If you hear a thumping as you drive, your tire treads could be cupped or one tire could be separating inside.  Any  rhythmic thumping you hear or feel as you drive is something you should have checked right away.

Most newer vehicles also have a tire pressure monitoring system that warns you if one or more of your tires are underinflated.  That is another possible sign of tire wear.

Your tires are what literally connect your vehicle and the road. When they wear out, your braking distances are longer, your traction decreases, you can hydroplane on a wet road and you may have a blowout on the highway.  Keep your eye on tire wear, and if you see, hear or feel any signs, bring it in to us right away to have a technician check things out.  

AutoChoice Service Center Inc.
2009 S. Yost Ave.
Bloomington, Indiana 47403
812-339-9898

Don’t Ignore the Grind

Your wheel hub assembly is probably not one of those things on your vehicle you think about very often.  In fact, you may not even have even heard of it.  But it’s one of the most important components that keeps your vehicle stable, smooth and safe on the road.

The hub assembly houses the wheel bearings and connects the wheel to the suspension, allowing it to rotate freely while supporting the vehicle’s weight. But when this part begins to fail, the effects can be felt in many ways.

Safety is one of the biggest reasons wheel hub assembly replacement is so important. A worn or damaged hub can cause excessive wheel play, uneven tire wear and unpredictable handling. In the most extreme cases, it can even lead to a wheel separating from your vehicle. Early signs of trouble include grinding noises, vibration or the ABS warning light coming on.  Don’t ignore them.  Bring your vehicle in so one of our technicians can pinpoint the problem. 

If you have a failing hub assembly, it can also affect your braking system. Many modern hubs include built‑in anti-lock braking sensors that monitor wheel speed. When the hub wears out, these sensors can malfunction, reducing braking efficiency and compromising traction control systems. When that hub is replaced, it can restore proper sensor function and ensures your vehicle can stop safely and consistently.

In addition to safety, a new wheel hub assembly will improve your overall driving comfort. You’ll notice the humming, rumbling or wobbling that worn bearings create will be gone, giving you a smoother, quieter ride. It also protects surrounding components (tires, rotors and suspension parts) from premature wear.

Replacing a worn wheel hub assembly is an essential investment in safety, performance and long‑term vehicle reliability.

AutoChoice Service Center Inc.
2009 S. Yost Ave.
Bloomington, Indiana 47403
812-339-9898

Wobbly in Turns? Your Sway Bar May Be to Blame

When you take a corner in your vehicle, it’s supposed to feel controlled and stable.  But you might notice one day that your vehicle feels like it is unstable, or even like it’s floating.  It can be a scary sensation that gets your attention.  If you feel that as you change lanes or when turning a corner, it’s important that you not ignore it because the culprit may be your vehicle’s sway bar.

Another term for it is an anti-roll bar, and helps keep your vehicle balanced while you take a turn.  The sway bar connects your suspension’s left and right sides, helping to distribute its weight evenly.  When it’s working the way it’s supposed to, those turns feel predictable and rock-solid.  But when there’s a problem, you’ll notice your handling isn’t as reliable as it used to be. 
 
One of the most common issues involves worn sway bar links or bushings. A sway bar link is a small rod that connects the sway bar to the vehicle’s suspension.  A bushing is what secures the sway bar to the vehicle’s frame or subframe. Keep driving on rough roads and they’ll begin to wear out.  Your vehicle might lean in turns, “clunk” when you hit a bump or your steering will feel loose.

Don’t ignore these symptoms.  While you might think you can put up with an uncomfortable ride, failing sway bars can increase stopping distances.  Plus, you might find it harder to keep your vehicle under control on a slippery road. You might be wearing out other parts of your suspension, too, which can lead to expensive repairs down the road.

Bring your vehicle to us so a technician can inspect the sway bar, links and bushings. When the problem spots are found and fixed, you’ll get back your solid, precise handling, turn corners with confidence and enjoy the safe handling you remember.

AutoChoice Service Center Inc.
2009 S. Yost Ave.
Bloomington, Indiana 47403
812-339-9898