Last updated 4 months ago
In addition to maintaining your car’s engine, transmission, and suspension, you also have to worry about the constant velocity (CV) joints—critical mechanical components that are essential to your car’s function. The CV joints transmit power smoothly from the drivetrain to the wheels, and keep spinning even when they are at sharp angles. If you notice any of the following signs of CV joint deterioration, bring your car to an automotive repair expert immediately.
Popping Noises While Turning
CV joint problems, particularly on front-wheel drive cars, will often present themselves when you turn a corner. In front-wheel drive cars, the drive wheels also steer the car, so the CV joints experience extra force when turning. If they are damaged or improperly lubricated, you may hear a loud popping noise when you turn the wheels far in either direction. To avoid a costly collision, have a mechanic examine your CV joints once you hear this noise.
Grease Stains on Your Hubcaps or Rims
To ensure that the CV joint stays properly lubricated, it is encased in a sheath called the boot. The CV joint boot must be flexible, so it is made from rubber or plastic. Over time, the boot can deteriorate, and when it does, dirt, dust, and sand can get into the joint and lubricant fluid can leak out. Leaking CV joint boots can cause dark stains on the inside of your wheels.
Vibrations While Accelerating
Your car should accelerate quickly and quietly. If you feel strong vibrations in the car during acceleration, especially through the steering wheel, your outer CV joints may be worn out. When you feel car vibrations, check your wheels for the telltale grease stains and bring the vehicle to a repair shop immediately.
If your CV joint fails while you are driving, you may experience a dangerous collision or accident. Call Greulich's Automotive Service & Collision at (480) 389-2358 if you notice any of the above signs of CV joint wear. With 13 convenient locations around the Valley, a Greulich’s near you is ready to provide friendly, professional automotive repair.
Last updated 4 months ago
If you found our recent blog posts interesting, please explore the information provided below. These links contain useful information about automotive repair and maintenance that can help keep you and your passengers safe on the road. To learn more about our repair services, call Greulich’s Automotive Service & Collision at (480) 389-2358.
Check out this article from Edmunds to learn about recent advancements in automotive safety.
Read this article from the Automotive Safety Council to learn about the evolution and history of automotive safety.
For more information about tire maintenance and safety, read this article from AOL Autos.
To learn more about vehicle stopping distance, check out this page from How Stuff Works.
Check out this article from MSN Autos to learn about auto maintenance mistakes you ought to avoid.
Last updated 4 months ago
Keeping your tires in good shape can improve your car’s safety and improve its efficiency. Moreover, basic tire maintenance can be performed without the help of an expert.
In this video, you will learn all about tire maintenance. The best thing you can do for your tires and car is to make sure that they are always properly inflated. When you are measuring your tire pressure, make sure to get a reading in the morning before you start driving. As you drive, the air in your tires heats up and expands, which can give you an inaccurate reading.
Taking a few simple precautions and maintaining your tire pressure can go a long way toward saving you money. To learn more about how tire maintenance can save you money and keep you safe, call Greulich’s Automotive Service & Collision at (480) 389-2358.
Last updated 4 months ago
Few things affect your car’s safety and performance more than the condition of its tires. Despite this fact, tires tend to be one of the most neglected components when it comes to auto repair and maintenance. Drivers often delay replacing old tires and fail to regularly check air pressure levels. Here are the answers to a few common questions about tire replacement:
When Should You Replace Your Tires?
Assuming that you have maintained your tires properly, the penny test is a simple method by which you can determine when it is time to replace your tires. In order to apply the penny test, simply place a penny upside down on your tire’s treads. If the top of Lincoln’s head is covered, this means that your tires have sufficient tread and do not need to be immediately replaced. Unfortunately, gauging the health of your tires is rarely this simple. Failing to regularly align or rotate your tires, for example, can lead to uneven wear. Uneven wear is not only dangerous—it forces you to replace your tires prematurely at great expense.
What Are the Hazards of Postponing Tire Replacement?
Postponing tire replacement poses many dangers. When your tires are “bald,” or without tread, they are more susceptible to blowouts and punctures. In addition, worn tires compromise your ability to maintain control for your vehicle. Automotive engineers use a figure called a traction coefficient to measure stopping distance. As your tire tread wears thin, the traction coefficient decreases and stopping distance increases. When your stopping distance is higher, it can be more difficult to avoid collisions and stay safe on wet or icy roads.
If you suspect that your tire treads are worn, do not put off tire replacement. While the prospect of spending money to replace your tires may not be particularly attractive, postponing replacement puts you and your passengers in danger. To learn more about the importance of tire maintenance, call Greulich’s Automotive Service & Collision at (480) 389-2358.
Last updated 4 months ago
Safety is not only the top concern of every driver—it’s also the number one priority for car manufacturers across the board. For this reason, car makers are always researching and developing new technologies designed to improve automotive safety. Here are some new automotive technologies that are helping drivers avoid collisions:
Adaptive Cruise Control
Conventional cruise control makes driving easier by allowing you set a target speed and remove your foot from the gas pedal. While cruise control is certainly convenient, it can also pose a danger if you’re not paying close attention to the road. This is where adaptive cruise control comes in. Unlike conventional cruise control, adaptive cruise control automatically adjusts speed based on proximity to other vehicles. For example, if another vehicle approaches too close to your own vehicle, adaptive cruise control will automatically reduce your speed and maintain a safe distance.
Lane Departure Warning
The proliferation of advanced sensor technology has been responsible for many of the innovative safety technologies in recent years. One example is the lane departure warning system. Lane departure warning is designed to alert drivers when they start to inadvertently drift into another lane. Drifting can occur when drivers become distracted or doze off behind the wheel.
Emergency Brake Assist
It should come as no surprise that brakes are an integral part of staying safe and avoiding collisions. Indeed, there have been many groundbreaking innovations that have improved brakes. Antilock brakes are a great example of a safety technology that has helped drivers avoid collisions. Emergency brake assist works differently, however. Emergency Brake Assist senses the amount of pressure on the brake pedal and determines whether the driver is in an emergency situation. In the event of an emergency, the Emergency Brake Assist system applies extra pressure on the brakes to help minimize stopping distance.
Understanding the latest automotive safety technology can help you stay safe on the road. To learn more about how safety features can help you avoid a collision, call Greulich’s Automotive Service & Collision of Scottsdale at (480) 389-2358.
