AUTONET TV


Archive for September 2017

Problems with Suspension Solved at Triple A Automotive in Clovis

Posted September 28, 2017 9:34 AM

A vehicle's suspension system is tough. It can last for years and after lots of driving for Clovis drivers. But it can be damaged quickly by hitting a pothole, curb or rock, and it can wear more quickly if you frequently drive off-road or on bumpy roads. A workhorse vehicle — one that hauls heavy loads — is also going to be hard on its suspension system.

Because the useful life of your suspension system contains these elements of unpredictability, it is important for Clovis drivers to have them inspected periodically. Worn, broken and missing parts can be identified during an inspection at Triple A Automotive . An ineffective suspension system will decrease the driver's control over a vehicle, so when it is damaged it frequently leads to the worst kind of vehicular damage — dangerous accidents.

The suspension system is composed of springs and shock absorbers (or shocks). Springs suspend the weight of the vehicle above its axles. They allow the vehicle to “bounce” over bumps, which reduces the force of the impact on the vehicle. Shocks reduce the rebound of the “bounce,” smoothing out the ride of the vehicle. They also force the tires to retain constant contact with the road. Shocks are responsible for “handling performance,” or the ease with which the driver controls the vehicle.

The springs in the suspension system are heavy-duty and rarely break or wear out. Shock absorbers are tough, too, but they will wear out.

Your vehicle might be equipped with struts. Struts are a combination spring and shock absorber. Struts, like shocks, have a limited life span.

Inspecting shocks or struts for damage and wear should be part of your preventive maintenance routine. Since a good suspension system is ultimately a safety feature of your vehicle, it's always better to be proactive about its care. In this case, good car care can prevent accidents.

There are some signs that will warn you that your suspension system may be in need of attention. One of the signs might be a cupped wear pattern on your tires. This is caused by the shocks bouncing unevenly. Other signs of bad shocks manifest themselves in the handling performance of your vehicle. You may notice a drifting sensation when cornering, often referred to as a “floaty” feeling. If the front of your vehicle dips significantly when you brake or if it rocks back and forth after stopping, it's time for new shocks. Your technician at Triple A Automotive will check your shocks visually. If they're leaking, they need to be replaced.

Any one of these symptoms warrants an inspection of the suspension system. You should also get your suspension system inspected if you are involved in an accident involving one of your wheels. Clovis drivers should never put off suspension repairs. If you experience suspension system failure, it can cause a serious accident. If one of your shocks needs to be replaced, then replace all four of them. This allows for even handling of the vehicle. Replacing just one of the shocks is rarely good auto advice.

When you replace your shocks or struts, use parts that are equivalent to — or better than — the original shocks on the vehicle. The original equipment was for the weight and expected use of the vehicle, and Clovis drivers should never downgrade.

Upgrading, however, is another matter for Clovis drivers. If your suspension system gets a workout or you just want to improve your vehicle's handling performance, then you should upgrade to a better shock. If you haul heavy loads around Clovis or tow a trailer, then you should definitely be getting heavy-duty shocks.

 Triple A Automotive
972 Barstow Suite B
Clovis, CA 93612
(559) 299-9300
http://www.tripleaautomotive.com



Battery Basics for Clovis

Posted September 11, 2017 5:38 AM

drive

It's important for Clovis drivers to know battery basics. First, let's talk about which is harder on a battery – hot or cold CA weather. Most Clovis area drivers think it's cold weather because that's when we call on our batteries to have enough power to start a cold vehicle engine.

However, heat does more damage to a battery than cold. Truth is, our batteries start to die a little from day one. Keeping a full charge slows the process, which is hard with short Clovis trips because the alternator doesn't have time to fully recharge the battery from starting the engine. Clovis drivers can top off the charge with a computer controlled battery charger – say, once a month in the summer and every three months during the winter.

As far as how long a battery will last, statistics show that 70% have given up the ghost within four years. By that time, they aren't capable of taking a full charge like they used to, and your vehicle alternator has to work overtime to keep up. This causes your alternator to wear out early.

If you're pushing 4 to 5 years on your battery, see your friendly and knowledgeable Triple A Automotive service assistant for a battery test to see if it's recommended to replace it. Not only can you avoid getting stranded with a dead battery on a CA road, but you'll save unnecessary wear and tear on your vehicle alternator.

Give us a call.

Triple A Automotive
972 Barstow Suite B
Clovis, CA 93612
(559) 299-9300
http://www.tripleaautomotive.com

 



Battery Replacement at Triple A Automotive in Clovis

Posted September 5, 2017 7:48 AM

Hello, welcome to Triple A Automotive. Today's focus is batteries. It seems like everything in Clovis runs on batteries. Of course, the batteries we're most concerned with here at Triple A Automotive are those in our customer's vehicles. Just like the batteries in our smoke detectors or TV remote, drive they wear out and need to be replaced . This can be thought of as the power output used to start a cold vehicle engine. The number of cold cranking amps you need depends on your vehicle and where you live in CA, specifically how cold it is. (Many Clovis drivers have first-hand experience trying to start their car on a cold winter morning.) The two factors are that the colder your vehicle's engine is, the more power it takes to turn the engine over to get it started. It has all that cold, sluggish oil to contend with.

The other factor is that the chemical reaction in the battery that creates electrical energy is less efficient when the temperature dips. Let's say it's 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees C) in Clovis. At that temperature, 100% of the battery's power is available. At freezing, only 65% of battery power is available, but it requires 155% as much power to start the engine as it did at 80 degrees F (27 degrees C).

As you can see, the colder it gets, more power is needed, but the available power drops.

So if you live where it's cold in CA, you need a battery with more cold cranking amps than you do where it's moderate or hot. The battery that originally came with your vehicle was based on averages. At Triple A Automotive, we like to remind Clovis drivers that they should always get at least as many cold cranking amps as their vehicle manufacturer recommends but may want to upgrade if they live where it gets real cold.

Triple A Automotive
972 Barstow Suite B
Clovis, CA 93612
(559) 299-9300
http://www.tripleaautomotive.com

 



Search



Archive

April 2016 (16)
May 2016 (5)
June 2016 (4)
July 2016 (4)
August 2016 (5)
September 2016 (4)
October 2016 (5)
November 2016 (4)
December 2016 (4)
January 2017 (5)
February 2017 (4)
March 2017 (4)
April 2017 (4)
May 2017 (5)
June 2017 (4)
July 2017 (5)
August 2017 (3)
September 2017 (3)
October 2017 (5)
November 2017 (4)
December 2017 (2)
January 2018 (5)
February 2018 (4)
March 2018 (4)
April 2018 (5)
May 2018 (4)
June 2018 (4)
July 2018 (5)
August 2018 (4)
September 2018 (5)
October 2018 (4)
November 2018 (4)
December 2018 (5)
January 2019 (5)
February 2019 (4)
March 2019 (5)
April 2019 (4)
May 2019 (4)
June 2019 (5)
July 2019 (4)
August 2019 (4)
September 2019 (5)
October 2019 (4)
November 2019 (4)
December 2019 (5)
January 2020 (5)
February 2020 (4)
March 2020 (5)
April 2020 (4)
May 2020 (5)
June 2020 (4)
July 2020 (4)
August 2020 (5)
September 2020 (4)
October 2020 (4)
November 2020 (5)
December 2020 (4)
January 2021 (6)
February 2021 (4)
March 2021 (4)
April 2021 (4)
May 2021 (5)
June 2021 (4)
July 2021 (4)
August 2021 (5)
September 2021 (4)
October 2021 (5)
November 2021 (4)
December 2021 (4)
January 2022 (6)
February 2022 (4)
March 2022 (4)
April 2022 (4)
May 2022 (5)
June 2022 (4)
July 2022 (5)
August 2022 (4)
September 2022 (4)
October 2022 (5)
November 2022 (4)
December 2022 (4)
January 2023 (5)
February 2023 (4)
March 2023 (4)
April 2023 (5)
May 2023 (4)
June 2023 (4)
July 2023 (5)
August 2023 (4)
September 2023 (4)
October 2023 (5)
November 2023 (4)
December 2023 (5)
January 2024 (5)
February 2024 (4)
March 2024 (4)

Categories

Air Conditioning (11)Alignment (13)Alternator (2)Auto Safety (6)Automotive News (5)Battery (15)Brake Service (1)Brakes (10)Cabin Air Filter (4)Check Engine Light (5)Cooling System (15)Dashboard (3)Diagnostics (5)Diesel Maintenance (1)Differential Service (2)Drive Train (9)Emergency Items (1)Engine Air Filter (2)Exhaust (8)Fluids (14)Fuel Economy (8)Fuel Pump (1)Fuel Saving Tip: Slow Down (1)Fuel System (42)Headlamps (4)Inspection (8)Keys to a long lasting vehicle (4)Maintenance (43)Monitoring System (2)Oil Change (4)Older Vehicles (3)Parts (7)Safe Driving (1)Safety (6)Serpentine Belt (5)Service Intervals (8)Service Standards (8)Shocks & Struts (7)Spark Plugs (2)Steering (8)Suspension (3)Timing Belt (6)Tire Rotation and Balancing (1)Tires (6)Tires and Wheels (34)TPMS (1)Transmission (8)Trip Inspection (2)Warranty (1)Water Pump (1)What Customers Should Know (50)Wheel Bearings (1)Windshield Wipers (5)Winter Prep (4)

Partners

California Bureau of Automotive Repair
ALLDATA
CARQUEST
IATN (International Automotive Technicians' Network)
ASE Master Technician
ASCCA
Repair Pal
Car Care Aware

What our clients are saying about us

We have established longterm and stable partnerships with various clients thanks to our excellence in solving their automotive needs!

This business has good people, they are transparent with prices and issues with your car and have been helpful to me many times. I highly recommend their services. quotes-image
, 03/05/2024
reviewicon
Always professional. Always fixed right the first time. One of the few mechanic shops I trustquotes-image
, 01/30/2024
reviewicon