In the following article, I’ll talk about all of the best ways to avoid having to pay for sun damage repairs. But before I do, let’s talk about the negative effects that the sun and heat can have on cars.

What Happens If You Leave Your Car in the Sun?

Most drivers know to avoid the sun — but not everyone knows why. The sun can actually cause extensive damage to pretty much all of the car components. The rubber and plastic parts can melt and fuse the various metal panels shut. What’s more, the various liquids can simply evaporate, forcing you to use them up faster than you’re expecting to.

Exterior Sun Damage

If you leave your vehicle in the sun for long enough, you can even see some color fading. Although, I should say that the color fading is primarily an issue for vibrant or dark paint. It’s also fairly easy to take care of with wax or a paint protection film. But we’ll talk about that a bit later.

Another type of exterior damage can also affect the rubber gaskets around your windshield and the car doors. In extreme situations, when the car hasn’t been moved for a while, the doors can even get fused shut.

After all, the temperature of the surface of your ride can reach up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s almost the temperature of boiling water! And though rubber has a higher melting point of about 260 degrees, it can still shift in that kind of heat. That’s mostly going to come into play later on when you discover that your windshield is now leaking water.

Interior Sun Damage

Like the exterior of a vehicle, the interior can also sustain much damage, including color fading. The dashboard plastic can also crack or bend in the heat — and it can even be uncomfortable to hold the steering wheel or even sit.

On hot summer days, it can actually get to 145 degrees Fahrenheit inside a car. At those temperatures, you shouldn’t only worry about your ride — you should also watch your skin.

People routinely singe the back of their thighs by sitting directly on their car seats in the summer. But what are we supposed to do, wear longer and thicker layers in the summer?

And that’s not even mentioning what can happen if you accidentally leave the wrong thing in your vehicle. One time, I returned to my car to find a suspicious smell in the cabin and pieces of colorful plastic scattered across the floor.

As it turns out, my friend had accidentally forgotten his lighter in the car and the greenhouse effect had done the rest. The gas in the lighter expanded in the heat, making short work of the already weakened plastic shell. Can you imagine that happening while you’re in the driver’s seat?

While this was certainly one of the more explosive examples of what can happen inside a hot car, it’s not the only one. I’ve found melted water bottles in my car on more than one occasion, even when I’d parked it in the shade.

Engine Issues

Finally, we’ve reached the crux of the matter. Your engine needs oil to run smoothly, and if your car gets overly hot, it can cause the oil to evaporate or cause structural damage through which it can start to leak out.

Additionally, your vehicle needs transmission fluid to allow you to shift gears smoothly and keep the transmission cool. Furthermore, during the summer, you also need to keep a close eye on the coolant liquid. All of these things can evaporate in hotter temperatures and cause serious malfunctions in your car. Fortunately, they’re all easy enough to prevent.

Now, if the choice is between having to make reparations or setting up preventative measures, I’m always going to go for the latter. So with that in mind, let’s see what steps you can take to avoid needing to reverse the effects of sun damage are.

Tips for Protecting the Exterior of a Car

When you think about it, all of the negative effects of the sun start with the surface of the car. As I’ve previously mentioned, the exterior of your car can get almost as hot as boiling water if you leave it in the sun on a particularly hot day. So here’s the most logical thing you can try to avoid paint fading.

Keep It in the Shade

The one common-sense piece of advice all drivers naturally know is to keep their ride in the shade. This decreases the chance of it suffering under the sun for too long.

But let me just tell you — that shade is elusive! Not only is it sometimes impossible to find, but it’s also kind of fickle. Naturally, shade moves with the sun, so you may find your vehicle under the full blast of the sun even if you had parked in the shade.

If you want to avoid this at all costs, you can find an underground parking structure if one is nearby. Also, if you know you’re going to leave your ride outside for long periods of time, you may want to get a car cover as well.

Wash Often and Hand Dry

High temperatures can fuse all of the dust and residue onto the surface of the vehicle. Between the regular debris and the bird excrement, the dirt on your car could cause serious damages to the paint or the clear overcoat. So if you want to avoid having to get a new coat of paint, you’re going to need to wash your car often.

Furthermore, manually drying it is also very important, at least if you’re washing it outdoors. After all, dust will settle onto the wet surface before you’ve even had a chance to take a photo of your squeaky clean ride.

Apply a UV Protection Wax

After you’ve done such a great job cleaning and drying your vehicle, you can add a few coats of automotive wax. Some of these products can actually provide your paint with long-lasting protection. For example, this CarGuys Liquid Wax has a built-in UV ray protection.

Use it on your paint, glass, and rims — just rub it in with the applicator pad that comes with the wax. The wax also comes with a microfiber towel you can use to dry the car off before applying the wax.

Consider Paint Protection Film

If you don’t think that wax is enough protection against the damaging ultraviolet rays of the sun, you could opt for another type of physical barrier. Paint protection films are much more difficult to install than applying wax. They can be in a roll, like this VViViD 3M Clear Paint Protection Vinyl Film, or cut up in ready-to-install pieces. Either way, you’ll probably need a professional to apply it.

Still, some people do prefer something like this to defend against scratches and paint fading. In fact, it would even make it easier to get rid of bugs and road tar. However, I should mention that this really won’t protect you from the heat, which is what we’re trying to curtail.

Check Tire Pressure

As you may have guessed, hot temperatures are also going to affect the shape of your tires. Generally, with every 10-degree Fahrenheit increase in temperature, the tire pressure will also increase by 1 psi. Although low tire pressure is much more dangerous than high pressure, there are still disadvantages to driving on overly taut tires. Namely, taut rubber is easier to puncture and damage.

So you may want to keep a tire pressure gauge in your glove compartment during the summer. That way, you can check in on your tires regularly or when you feel them performing badly. And most importantly, you can fix the issue immediately.

How to Protect the Interior of a Car From Sun

Obviously, the interior components of your ride are the ones that are going to suffer the most. All of that heat passes right through the metal and the glass shell of your car to create the perfect storm on the inside. If I told you how many pets have suffered a heat stroke because their owners had left them inside the car on a hot day you’d be absolutely horrified. So I suppose the first step here would be to avoid doing that.

That aside, the interior of your vehicle would also be fine if you parked in the shade. Still, if you can’t do that, your interior will likely do much better than your exterior with a few sun protectors. And another thing you could do to keep your car cool is to clean the inside of the car before cleaning the outside.

Clean the Inside of the Cabin

Just like I explained when we were talking about the exterior of the car, the interior can also get crusty and disgusting under the sun. Naturally, no one wants to see that. If you want to prevent that, you could just keep a microfiber cloth in your glove compartment and swipe over the dashboard once in a while. You can use water to scrub away the grime or, even better, car interior cleaners.

However, you should also give your vehicle a deeper cleansing once in a while. Get your carpets and floor mats out from under the seats. If the heat’s been really intense, they could have even fused together. You can either get new ones if you feel like you should or read this article to see how to clean them properly.

While the floor mats are drying, you can declutter and vacuum the car as well. All this will just get rid of the nasty gunk that can leave stains or cause unpleasant odors.

Use a Windshield Protector

As someone who lives in an area where summers can be pretty unforgiving, I can tell you that windshield protectors are going to be your best friend. These huge foil covers go right under the windshield glass, covering the entire surface so that the heat won’t be as bad when you return to the car.

Additionally, windshield protectors will prevent any other sun damages in most of the other areas of your car. Best of all, there are all sorts of fun options on the market, so you don’t even have to stick to the regular foil protectors.

Get a Dash Cover

Still, a windshield protector will only protect your dashboard while your car is parked. However, you could also get a dash cover to protect your dash from fading while you’re driving.

Additionally, dash cover mats, like the one I’ve linked to, could significantly reduce the sun glare that hits the dash, thereby bringing the internal temperature of the vehicle down. This is an especially good option for the people who spend a lot of their days in transit. Truckers and taxi drivers, for example, should invest in dash covers.

Put up Window Shades

Of course, the passengers would also be relieved if you had some sun shades in your car as well. In fact, you could also leave them on your windows when you park. Between the windshield protector and window shades on every window, you’d be greatly reducing the amount of unfiltered sunlight that gets into your vehicle.

Install Seat Covers

As I’ve said before, there’s nothing worse than getting into a stiflingly hot car on an already humid day only to get the back of your thighs singed off. That’s why having a good seat cover is so important.

Now, seat covers are a pretty personal choice for a lot of people, so I’m not going to recommend one of them. After all, it’s mostly about esthetics. Besides, different car models have different seats, so seat covers aren’t generally universal.

However, I do recommend using some sort of seat cover or at least a fabric protectant. If you have leather seats or another type of fabric that can be hurt by prolonged exposure to the sun, there are all sorts of commercial conditioners you can try to prevent cracking.

That being said, I am going to point out a seat protector I found interesting. The Modokit seat protector is essentially a waterproof towel. You can keep it in a roll in your glove compartment until you need it and wash it whenever you need to. The cover will protect your thighs from singing, and it even comes with two window shades.

Install Thermal Insulation

Of course, the ultimate solution for internal heat damages would be to use thermal insulation products. Noico makes a lot of automotive thermal and sound insulating products. Their products are one of the most popular ones.

I recommend using these insulation mats under the hood and maybe even elsewhere. Keep in mind, you will need to remove your headliner in order to get this up there. So ask a friend or a professional car mechanic to help if you’ve never done this before. Still, this could be a great way to keep things under the hood cool.

Protecting the Engine From Sun Heat

If you install thermal insulation under the hood, you should be pretty much set for the summer. However, there are still some things you’ll need to keep an eye on throughout the season.

I’m talking, of course, about checking the various fluid levels under the hood. Motor oil, transmission fluid, power steering, and brake fluids are all incredibly important for the functioning of the car. You should always know what type of each of these fluids your car uses and have them on hand in case you need to replenish them.

Car Battery

Since heat often causes battery fluid to evaporate, you’re going to have to check in on the car battery often. It’s best to avoid having to repeatedly charge the battery since that would significantly shorten its lifespan. However, just because a battery is misbehaving in the summer, it doesn’t mean that heat is the reason why.

The issue could also be caused by a bad starter, so make sure that you know what you’re dealing with. Keep checking the fluid levels just in case, and take it to a mechanic if you notice something wrong. You should also test the battery a few times during the summer somewhere where you can replenish its electrolyte levels.

Cooling System

You really don’t want your coolant to fail you in the middle of summer. So this is one of the things you’ll need to drain and replenish by the book. And by that, I mean the car’s manual.

And while the coolant keeps your engine cool, you’ll ideally be under the car’s AC. If you notice that the AC is malfunctioning, you can take the car to a mechanic. They may be able to change the refrigerant charge level or fix anything else that comes up. Also, if you’re not feeling the AC as much as you’re used to, one of your windows could be letting air in. However, those issues are typically easy to fix with a good window sealant.

Air Filters

Lastly, if you want to keep the air inside your vehicle cool and breathable, deal with your air filters. Because of all the dry dust outside the car, your filters may be more clogged during the summer than they are during colder months. And dirty air filters won’t just affect you in the cabin — they’ll also affect the car.

To Conclude

No matter how much we all love basking in the sun, most of the time, it’s really not our friend. So do for your car what you should be doing for yourself as well — sunproof it!

Keep your ride clean and check in on the general condition of the tires and the fluids it needs to function all throughout the summer months. You can give it a good waxing at the beginning of the season and use the interior sun protection shields. If you follow all of the tips I’ve explained in this article, you’ll have nothing to worry about until winter.

The post How to Protect Your Car From Sun and Heat: Interior & Exterior Tips appeared first on Car Roar.

Many vehicles can run on premium or regular gas, and mixing them is generally harmless. However, if your car requires high-octane fuel, you should limit mixing premium with regular gas. Doing so may cause a dip in performance, as well as detonation, which could lead to engine damage.

Read on to know the difference between premium and regular gas. This article will discuss the effects of using both types of gasoline and why some vehicles require high octane fuel.

The Difference Between Regular and Premium Gasoline

Premium and regular fuels are both unleaded crude oils. The main difference between the two gasoline grades is their octane rating, a number used to signify fuel’s ability to cope with improper engine combustion.

Regular gasoline has an octane rating of 87, which is adequate for most cars with naturally aspirated engines. Premium gasoline has an octane rating of 91 or 93 and is required for vehicles with turbocharged or high compression engines.

Mixing Premium and Regular Gas

If your vehicle runs on regular gasoline, refueling with premium gas will not be harmful, nor will your car benefit from it. Some believe that using premium gasoline can increase performance or clean your car’s fuel system, but this is not true. Cars that run on regular gasoline should stick with regular gasoline. 

On the flip side, using regular gasoline could be harmful if your vehicle requires you to refuel with premium gasoline. So, if you’re running low on fuel and only regular gas is available at the gas station, just put enough in to get you to the next gas station with premium fuel.

Mixing regular with premium fuel will cause the octane rating of your fuel to fall below 91 octane. The octane rating will depend on the ratio of regular and premium fuel in your tank.

Octane Boosters

Using an octane booster is one way to protect your engine if you have to use regular gas on an engine that requires premium gasoline. Octane boosters are fuel additives that increase the octane rating of your fuel.

The K&N Performance Octane Booster (available on Amazon) is specially formulated to clean your injectors and other engine components, aside from increasing your fuel’s octane rating.

Why Some Vehicles Require Premium Gasoline

Some manufacturers will recommend using premium gasoline for added performance, while others will require it to prevent damaging the engine. In most cases, premium gasoline is recommended for cars with forced induction or high compression engines.

Forced Induction Engines

Engines that use forced induction or those with a high compression ratio typically require premium gasoline. Forced induction engines use turbochargers or superchargers to increase air intake. Allowing more air into the combustion chamber increases cylinder pressure and compression.

High Compression Engines

There are also (naturally aspirated) engines that don’t have turbos or superchargers with high compression ratios. Engines with high compression ratios have better thermal efficiency and can extract more power from combustion using less fuel. The disadvantage of having a high-compression ratio is an increased tendency for engine knock, resulting from premature gas combustion.

Engine Knock

Another word for engine knock is detonation, which occurs when fuel in the combustion chamber ignites earlier than it should. The combustion timing has to be extremely precise for an engine to achieve optimal performance and efficiency. When premature combustion occurs, the piston disrupts the movement of the crankshaft, causing the engine to lose its momentum.

Engine knock produces a disturbing pinging sound which intensifies as you accelerate. Aside from the annoying sound it makes, engine knock compromises performance and efficiency.

If engine knocking happens frequently, it may also cause severe engine damage due to added friction on the cylinder walls, pistons, and crankshaft bearings.

You may also find the following article interesting: Best Oil Additives to Stop Engine Knocking.

The Advantage of High-Octane Fuel

High octane fuels are more heat resistant and burn slower, significantly decreasing the chance of premature ignition of gas that results in engine knocking. Regular gasoline is more likely to ignite under high compression spontaneously.

If you’re tempted to use regular gasoline because it’s cheaper, just remember that saving a few cents per gallon at the pump might cost you more money down the road if your vehicle requires high-octane fuel.

How to Tell What Type of Fuel to Use on Your Vehicle

Most cars work well with regular gasoline, particularly those with naturally aspirated engines.  Given the increasing demand for more fuel-efficient vehicles, manufacturers use turbocharged engines to make up for smaller displacements.

It would be remiss to say that all high compression engines must run on high octane fuel since there is always an exception to the rule. One such example is the turbocharged Mazda 3 with a high compression SkyActiv engine, where the manufacturer gives a horsepower rating based on the type of fuel you use.

It shows that a car can run on regular gasoline despite using a high compression engine with forced induction. This is because modern vehicles are equipped with ECUs (electronic control unit) that can alter engine timing to accommodate lower octane fuels. But that also doesn’t mean all modern cars with ECUs can use regular gasoline.

The best way to determine what fuel to use is to check the back of your car’s fuel lid. Most cars will have a sticker stating the minimum octane rating required. Check your owner’s manual or consult your dealership if your car doesn’t have a sticker behind the fuel lid.

Mixing Gasoline From Different Brands

Gasoline is essentially the same regardless of which gas station you go to. The difference lies in the quality, quantity, and type of additives each gas company uses.

The Clean Air Act is a federal law that aims to reduce and control air pollution throughout the country. As such, the United States EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) is required to regulate fuels and additives used in motor vehicles.

Fuel additives can clean fuel lines and injectors, improve performance, and lower emissions.  There is a minimum requirement for the amount of additives each fuel company must use in their products. Cheaper brands often use the bare minimum, while more prominent names like Shell and Mobil use more additives.

So, getting your fuel from different gas stations isn’t harmful to your vehicle, but sticking with reputable brands isn’t a bad idea since they usually have better additives.

To Sum Up

Mixing premium and regular gasoline will not harm if your vehicle doesn’t require premium fuel. Most automobiles requiring premium gasoline have high compression engines prone to detonation or engine knock.

The ECUs of some high compression engines can cope with regular fuel by adjusting their timing. However, you should still limit mixing premium and regular gas if your car manufacturer requires premium gasoline.

RELATED POSTS:

• Can You Pump Gas With Your Car On?
• What Happens If Water Gets in Your Gas Tank?
• Can You Mix 5W-30 and 5W-40 Engine Oil?
• At What Temperature Does Gasoline Freeze?

The post Can You Mix Premium and Regular Gas? Let’s Find Out! appeared first on Car Roar.

Your car might be burning oil so fast because there’s a leak that spills oil outside the engine or into the combustion chamber, causing it to burn. Worn gaskets and seals are the most common culprits for oil leaks, but there could also be a more serious issue.

If you see a significant drop each time you check the dipstick, read on to learn why your car burns oil faster than usual. This article will tackle how to tell if your car is burning oil, what you should do, and discuss the reasons behind it.

Reasons Why Your Car Is Burning Oil So Fast

Motor oil keeps your engine running smoothly by ensuring it is well lubricated to reduce friction between moving parts.  It also cleanses the engine from dirt and contaminants. Therefore, aside from keeping oil at adequate levels, you also need to change the oil periodically. 

By design, the oil should remain contained within the engine, and a regular oil change should suffice in keeping the oil level sufficient. Refilling about a quart of oil every 2,000 miles is not unusual. However, if you have to top up more often, you must investigate why your car is losing oil.

Unaddressed, oil leaks can lead to more costly repairs. So, it’s critical to isolate and fix the issue as soon as possible. Below are possible reasons why your car is consuming extra amounts of oil.

1. Dirty or Worn-Out PCV Valve

The PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) valve is an emission control device. It’s a small plastic hose with a spring inside that sucks excess combustion gasses. These gasses then pass through the intake manifold before being burned in the combustion chamber a second time. This process lowers harmful gas emissions from the vehicle’s exhaust system. 

If the PCV valve gets clogged or damaged, excessive pressure can build up in the crankcase, causing oil to seep through the seals and out the engine. Oil can also get sucked into the intake manifold instead of the combustion gasses, leading to your car burning more oil.

Aside from oil leaks, you can tell your car’s PCV valve is faulty if it exhibits the following symptoms:

• The engine fails to idle smoothly.
• Misfiring occurs.
• Acceleration becomes rough.
• Check engine light turns on.
• Excessive smoke from the exhaust pipe.

2. Worn Out Piston Rings

A more severe issue that can cause the oil in your car to burn faster is worn-out piston rings.  The piston rings in an engine form a seal between the piston and cylinder walls to regulate the oil that lubricates the cylinder. They also keep the oil sump free from combustion gasses. 

When piston rings become worn out, a gap forms between the ring face and cylinder wall, allowing oil to enter the combustion chamber. The worn piston rings will cause an increase in oil consumption and, in some cases, serious engine damage due to a blow-by. 

Symptoms of worn-out piston rings include:

• Excessive consumption of oil.
• Engine overheating.
• Poor acceleration and lack of engine power.
• Blue or white smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe.

3. Cylinder Wall Damage

Damaged cylinder walls can also cause excessive oil consumption. Even if your piston rings are not worn out, a gap may still form between the piston and cylinder, allowing oil to enter the combustion chamber. This happens if the cylinder walls are coarse or deformed. 

Cylinder wall damage can occur when the engine is not sufficiently lubricated. The oil acts as a protective layer on the cylinder walls each time the pistons move up and down. If there isn’t enough oil, the pistons or the rings can scrape and damage the cylinder walls.

Engine overheating can also damage the cylinder walls due to thermal expansion. Further damage can occur when the cylinder walls become deformed due to metal-to-metal contact between the cylinder wall and pistons.

Yet another cause of damaged cylinder walls is dirty engine oil. It causes damage by leaving carbon deposits on the walls. This is why it is crucial to change your oil regularly and keep it at acceptable levels.

4. Damaged Valve Seals

Damaged valve seals can also cause low oil levels. Despite being made of heavy-duty rubber, valve seals can degrade over time or if you put a lot of miles on your vehicle. 

Valve seals control the amount of oil that goes into the valve stem system. They also keep oil from entering the combustion chamber, thus your engine can end up burning oil if the valve seals fail.

One way to check if your valve seals are worn out is by performing a cold engine test. The test is done by starting the engine after leaving it sitting overnight and checking for bluish smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe. Bluish smoke indicates that the oil left on the top of the valve cover head has entered the combustion chamber and that your valve seals need replacement.

Other symptoms of broken valve seals are similar to those displayed by worn-out piston rings. However, always have your valve seals checked before moving on to other parts that may require a more extensive overhaul.

Valve seals are relatively inexpensive, but the cost of labor needed to replace them might not be.

5. Damaged Valve Cover Gasket

A damaged valve cover gasket will also cause oil to leak. The oil will not enter the combustion chamber, but low oil levels can damage piston rings and cylinder walls. 

The valve cover is a metal or plastic cover bolted on top of the engine’s cylinder head. It is essentially the skull of the engine that protects internal components while keeping oil contained and dirt out. All valve covers have a gasket that forms a seal between the cylinder head and valve cover.

If the gasket becomes worn out, it will cause oil to seep out of the engine. This will lead to visible sludge around the valve cover and a burning smell or smoke if the oil reaches the exhaust manifold while it is hot. 

You may also like: Symptoms That Show You Have Oil on Your Spark Plugs.

How To Tell Your Car Is Burning Oil

Since most of the parts that keep oil from reaching the combustion chamber are internal engine components, there won’t always be visible oil leaks under the hood. Hence, the best way to tell whether your car is burning oil is by regularly checking your oil levels.

Checking your vehicle’s oil level only takes a few minutes and should be done once every two to three weeks. Of course, there’s no harm in doing it more often since a little effort can prevent massive headaches and expenses in the long run. Here’s how to go about it:

1. Before checking your oil level, make sure the car is parked (with the parking brake engaged) on an even spot. 
2. Locate the dipstick, pull it out, and wipe the oil off with a rag. 
3. After wiping the oil off, you should see an oil level indicator in the form of lines. Other vehicles will have “full” or “add” on the dipstick. In any case, you should fill the oil level to the bar on top.

To confirm your car is burning oil, monitor the oil levels every week for a month. If you have to add more than a quart of oil within 2000 miles, there may be an oil leak.

Again, not all oil leaks are visible, so you may have to look out for other symptoms such as excessive smoke coming from the exhaust, rough idling, and poor acceleration.

What To Do if Your Car Is Burning Oil

If your car is burning oil excessively, have the car diagnosed and repaired immediately. Prolonging the fix will just cause more severe problems. 

Some people use oil additives to address the issue, but this is a band-aid solution and does not solve the root of the problem. 

A car that’s burning oil may require a significant amount of money to fix. However, you can try to isolate the minor potential causes like a damaged PCV valve or valve cover gasket prior to having any major repairs done.

Ironically, most of the costly issues, such as damaged piston rings and cylinder walls, are usually caused by lack of lubrication. So, the best way to save money is by constantly checking your car’s oil level and making sure there’s enough of it.

Final Thoughts

It’s pretty typical for automobiles with internal combustion engines to burn oil. Nonetheless, refilling your vehicle’s engine oil each month is excessive.

Finding out why your car is burning oil so fast can be tricky since numerous components can trigger the problem. What’s worse, the symptoms are almost the same, and the repairs can cost a pretty penny.

Still, despite how much it costs to seek professional help to pinpoint the issue, fixing the problem immediately will cost less than dealing with more serious issues down the road. 

RELATED POSTS:

• How to Tell if the Engine Is Damaged From No Oil
• Can You Put Too Much Oil in Your Car’s Engine?
• Best Oil for High Mileage Cars (Over 100K Miles)
• How Long Does It Take to Change Oil in a Car?

The post Why Is Your Car Burning Oil So Fast: 5 Possible Reasons appeared first on Car Roar.

Discount Tires doesn’t do wheel alignments in any of their shops. Instead, they offer quick and accessible services for any other related issues to help prolong the life of your tires.

Keep reading to learn why Discount Tires doesn’t do alignments and which services they do offer. I’ll also explain the importance of wheel alignments and signs that your tires are in need of alignment.

Why Discount Tires Doesn’t Do Alignments

Discount Tires doesn’t do alignments on your vehicle because they do not have the tools or capability to perform tire alignments at this time.

However, they will give you information about how alignment settings can affect your tires. Fortunately, they commit to maintaining relationships with local alignment and auto repair shops.

You can get a single wheel alignment for as little as $75 at a local repair shop or a warranty for just over $200.

What Services Does Discount Tires Provide?

Discount Tires provide several services to help increase the life of your tires and keep you safe on the road. They do perform the following services across all their stores nationally:

• Tire inspections
• Flat repair
• Pressure Checks
• Heat Cycling
• WInter Changeover
• Road force balancing
• TPMS services

For a list of all services Discount Tires offer, click here.

Unfortunately, the one service they don’t offer is tire alignment. Instead, Discount Tires focuses on providing world-class service and affordable prices for tires and wheels.

Signs That Your Tires Need Aligning

If your tires need aligning, you’ll start to notice small changes in the ways your car performs. Just using your senses, you should be able to spot when something is wrong or unusual about your vehicle. Some common signs of poor tire alignment include:

• Uneven tire wear
• Steering wheel being crooked while you drive straight
• The vehicle pulls to one side
• Tires that squeal
• Rim repair

If you notice some of these symptoms, schedule a tire check immediately.

Importance of Wheel Alignments

Tire alignment makes sure your wheels are performing at their maximum potential. However, driving every day can cause natural wear and tear, eventually leading to poor alignment and damage to your car.

It’s recommended to check your alignments every six months or any time your suspension takes a hit; this could be as simple as hitting the curb or driving through a pothole.

Here are some reasons why wheel alignment is so important:

Resistance in Your Tires

Incorrect alignment in your vehicle will cause your car to work harder than it needs to; there’s a significant increase in resistance between the road and your tire. As the more resistance on each tire, the wear on the tread will become worn down and uneven. It’s hazardous to drive on uneven tires.

The Efficiency of Your Car

Having poor wheel alignment can cause a decrease in fuel efficiency. With gas prices already hitting a record high, it’s important to keep your alignments in the correct position, or you could be spending money on more than just extra gas.

Comfort While Driving

If your wheels are poorly aligned, it may cause a slight discomfort while driving. You may feel an increased vibration on your steering wheel, and your vehicle could also produce more noise if the treads are uneven. If the comfort levels of your car decrease, it’s usually because of poor alignment.

Can You Perform a Wheel Alignment at Home?

You can complete a tire alignment at home, but you must have the right tools and some experience before attempting to do so. Keep in mind, however, you won’t be getting the same accuracy as professional measuring tools.

Still, if you want to save some money and extend the life of your tires, it’s entirely possible to do a wheel alignment in your own backyard.

The Bottom Line

Unfortunately, Discount Tires does not perform wheel alignments due to their lack of tools or capability, but they can perform various other services to your tires:

• Flat Repair
• Tire Inspections
• Pressure checks

Discount Tires offer great advice for those looking for a tire alignment and have local links to services.

Check your alignments every six months or if your suspension takes a hit, use your senses to feel if anything is wrong, making sure your tires will wear evenly. Proper tire alignment helps increase your tire life and makes your vehicle more efficient, comfortable, and safer.

RELATED POSTS:

• Reasons Why Your Steering Wheel Shakes at High Speeds
• How Much Does Walmart Charge for Tire Installation?

The post Does Discount Tires Do Wheel Alignments? appeared first on Car Roar.

Here’s how you can make an appointment at Walmart Auto Center:

• Call Walmart directly
• Use the Walmart mobile App
• Schedule an appointment in person

Scheduling an appointment ahead of time is a great way to make sure you are accommodated when you go in for whatever services you need. So, you’ll want to do it right. This article will show you how.

1. Call Walmart Directly

It may seem a little old-fashioned, but the most common way of scheduling an appointment at Walmart Auto Care Center is through a phone call.

However there are 2,500 of these Auto Care Centers across the United States. So how do you know which one to call? Figuring it out is simple.

Walmart’s website has an Auto Care Center store finder feature. All you have to do is enter a ZIP code, city, or state.

Once you hit the “Set location” button, you’ll be given a list of Auto Care Centers that are closest to your location.

For each one of these, there will be information you’ll need, such as the opening and closing hours, directions to the store, and of course, a phone number.

Make a call to that number and speak with the representative to arrange the details of your appointment.

On the set date and time, drive your car over to the Auto Care Center and you will be accommodated.

2. Use the Walmart Mobile App

The Walmart Mobile App gives customers the convenience of perusing and shopping from Walmart’s depository from wherever they are.

The mobile app, which can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play, also comes with a store finder feature to help you quickly locate an Auto Care Center near you and provide you with the details you need.

There is also a dedicated feature for setting a tire installation appointment directly in the app with just a few taps.

This can be done when you purchase tires through the app. You will be given two options before checkout:

• Pickup only – no installation
• Schedule tire installation

If you go with the second option, you will then have to pick a date and a time for the installation. When the appointment is set, you can then proceed to checkout.

Note that the installation costs between $15 and $25 per tire and that each tire will take about an hour to install.

3. Schedule An Appointment In Person

It may not be the most convenient of the three options, but going to a Walmart Auto Care Center to schedule an appointment works too.

If you don’t already know where to find one, you can use the store finder feature I’ve previously mentioned, either through the Walmart website or on the mobile app.

When you have the directions to the store, you can make your way there and speak with an associate about scheduling your appointment.

Walmart Auto Care Center Services

At Walmart Auto Care Center, you can get oil changes, tire installations, and general maintenance services, with a certain fee for each specific service.

Tires

Tire services at Walmart Auto Care Center extend beyond the installation of newly purchased tires. Among others, there’s tire rotation and valve stem installation.

The cost for tire services is generally per tire. But the TPMS re-learn and 50-mile re-torque are offered free of charge.

Oil Change

You can get your vehicle’s oil change done at Walmart Auto Care Center with different kinds of oil available.

The standard, high-mileage, semi-synthetic, and synthetic oils each offer different levels of engine protection and performance improvements and also come at different prices.

Maintenance

Walmart Auto Care Center’s vehicle maintenance services include fuel systems with different oil changes and installation of batteries and various fixtures.

Battery and air filter installations (except for vans) are available for free when products are purchased at Walmart.

Why Choose Walmart Auto Care Center

In a nutshell, the 2,500 Walmart Auto Care Centers across the United States offer the following services:

• Tire installation
• Battery testing and installation
• Oil and lube services

There may be several automotive shops around, but Walmart Auto Care Centers remain the #1 option for many clients because of the high quality of their services, not to mention the convenience of it all.

You can bring in your vehicle on the day and time of the appointment and leave it with the certified technicians while you go ahead and do your shopping at the same time.

You’ll be able to stay posted on the status of your vehicle using the “Track the Service” option found on the Walmart mobile app. When it’s all done and ready to go, you’ll get notified through text.

Perhaps one of the best parts about Walmart’s Auto Care Centers is that your vehicle’s service history is accessible in all their outlets nationwide.

So whatever city or state you’re in, you can drive up to an Auto Care Center, and they’ll have all the history and information they need to best go about servicing your vehicle.

Final Thoughts

The long wait to have your car serviced can be a stressful affair, both for the lines of customers and for the technicians at the Auto Care Center. For this reason, Walmart’s dedicated auto service shops ask that their customers schedule appointments ahead of time.

This can easily be done through a quick phone call, a few taps on the Walmart mobile app, or by personally setting an appointment at the store.

These simple steps will open the door for you to the wide range of services Walmart Auto Care Center offers. You’ll be thankful you made that appointment.

RELATED POSTS:

• Does Walmart Do Wheel Alignments
• Can You Sleep in a Walmart Parking Lot?

The post How to Make an Appointment at Walmart Auto Center appeared first on Car Roar.

The average cost of tires and installation for economy and sedan cars ranges from $50 to about $75. For sports cars and SUVs, the price jumps significantly to somewhere between $100 and $300 a piece and can even go higher sometimes.

I’ll take you through the process of tire change, balancing, and installation in the next segment of this article. This will help you better understand what goes into a tire change and why professionals charge so much for the service.

The Basics of Tire Pricing

The price for new tires and installation has changed over the years. Tires have become more complicated, and the automotive industry regulations are changing rapidly. The discontinuation of lead wheel weights, the adoption of improved tire pressure monitoring systems, and the craving for larger stylish rims have made the process even more complicated and pricey.

You can’t install economy or sedan car tires on a sports vehicle, nor can you install SUV tires in a pick-up truck. Based on a car’s rim size, suspension system, and volume, you’ll have to look for specifically sized tires. Moreover, manufacturers recommend specific tire sizes and types, and you should stick to their recommendations if you want to avoid causing severe damage to your car. Remember, each tire size and type has its price tag.

Your best bet in estimating how much the tires and installation will cost would be to contact your mechanic with your exact tire size and type for a price estimate. But what entails the entire tire installation service? And how much does each process cost?

How to Determine Tire Size

Once you’ve determined that it’s time for new tires, you’ll want to know the correct tire size for your car. You can check your car’s door jamb for tire size information in the car’s manual. Ensuring your tire replacements match the manufacturer’s instructions requires your understanding of how tire size works. The string of numbers you rarely pay attention to on your tires contains tire size information.

Assume the string of numbers and letters on your tire walls is P 225/70R16 91S. Each of these numbers and letters stand for the following:

• P: Vehicle type – P stands for passenger vehicle, LT for light trucks, etc.
• 225: Tire width – Measurement in millimeters from one sidewall to the other.
• 70: Aspect ratio – Manufacturers calculate the tire’s aspect ratio as a percentage by dividing the tire’s height off the wheel by its width. In short, it tells you how tall the tire profile is. 70 means 70%.
• R: Construction – designates the form of internal construction responsible for tire stability. R stands for radial. Others include D and B for Diagonal and Bias Ply, respectively, but Radial construction is the most common in the US.
• 16: Rim diameter – Diameter (in inches) of the rim onto which you can mount the tire. In this case, the rim has a diameter of 16 inches (406.4 mm). Wheel diameters range between 13 inches (330.2 mm) to 24 inches (609.6 mm).
• 91: Load index – Tells you how much load, in pounds, a fully inflated tire will support. The number corresponds to a given load capacity rather than a precise amount of load.
• S: Speed rating – corresponds to a given speed capability. S-rated tires can speed up to 112 mph (180 kph), R to 106mph (171 kph), and so on.

If you want to change your tire size and type, consult an expert for advice. As you’ve already seen, different tire options have varying load capacities and require different rim widths and diameters.

Of course, I don’t want to delve deeper into the science of tires, so I’ll only focus on the cost aspect: different tire sizes and types will be priced differently.

Average Price of Tires

Below is a table giving cost estimates of the different tire types and sizes:

What Does a Professional Tire Installation Service Entail?

Regular tire mounting cost is no different across various automotive repair shops.

A professional tire installation service entails professional mounting, installation, and wheel balancing. Proper wheel balancing guarantees optimum tire life and your car’s safety. Incorrectly balanced tires cause unpleasant vibrations and make your tires and suspension wear prematurely.

You may also like to check: How Much Does Walmart Charge for Tire Installation?

Tire Replacement and Installation

Tire and Wheel Removal

When you take your car into an auto repair shop, the mechanic starts by unscrewing the wheels from your car. At this point, the mechanic can quickly inspect your brake and suspension systems, but this shouldn’t replace full brakes and suspension system inspections.

The technician should also inspect the condition of the wheel studs and lug nuts to ensure that the wheel is secured safely and firmly. You shouldn’t pay for this; it’s part of the installation.

Tire Removal From the Wheel

Once the technician removes the wheel, the next step should be to remove the tire from the wheel (rim). Specialized equipment is needed. The process isn’t for the hands of your regular home mechanic.

First, the technician removes balancing weights and the valve system to deflate the tires. Next, the mounting machine presses the tire out of the wheel, and the mechanic pulls and pries at the tire to carefully detach it from the rim.

Wheel Inspection

The mechanic inspects the wheel for potential damage and cleans it of dirt and debris. Defects to the wheel may affect how well it bonds with the tire and how it will balance when mounted back to the car. The mechanic should also thoroughly clean bead areas where the tire touches the rim.

Tire Pressure Monitoring System (Tpms) Inspection and/or Renewal

Newer car models feature a tire pressure monitoring system to keep tabs on air pressure in the tires. The technician should inspect and service the TPMS sensors with new seals for smooth operation. Check whether the TPMS serving cost is included in the installation fee. If not, the TPMS service kit should cost $5-$10 per wheel.

Sometimes the sensors will be faulty and will need replacing. In most cases, TPMS sensor replacement cost isn’t included in the installation fee. TPMS pressure sensors’ cost ranges from $50-$250, depending on your car model.

Mounting the New Tire to the Wheel

The technician will then use a tire mounting machine to press the tire bead over the rim, replace the valves, inflate the tire, and check for leaks. The technician should be careful not to damage the TPMS sensors.

Wheel Balancing

Imbalanced wheels impact your driving experience by causing excessive vibrations, accelerating tire wear, and causing possible damage to the undertrain or suspension system.

The next (and one of the most important steps) is wheel balancing. The technician will use a tire assembly balancing machine to spin the assembly at high speed to detect heavy spots. The machine will pause the spin at the exact spot where weights are needed to balance the wheel. The mechanic will repeat the process until the whole tire assembly is balanced.

Again you should check whether the wheel balancing cost is included in the installation fee. Some repair shops offer a complete package, which is higher than the standard wheel installation cost, and some don’t. Depending on your location and car, you can expect to pay between $40 and $75 for balancing all four wheels.

Mounting the Wheel Back to the Car

The technician will then mount each wheel assembly back to the car and torque the lug nuts to the correct tightness. This process is naturally included in the service fee, and you shouldn’t be expected to pay anything extra. While still on the service bay lift, you can request wheel alignment.

Wheel Alignment

The technician may also recommend an alignment. Wheel alignment, also known as breaking or tracking, is standard automobile maintenance that involves adjusting the vehicle’s wheel angles back to the automaker’s specifications. Wheels’ alignment angle refers to the wheel’s angle to each other and the vehicle’s body.

Misaligned wheels cause unnecessary wear to the steering, brakes, tires, and suspension. Aligning your wheels will improve the vehicle’s stability, maximize tire life, and improve car handling performance.

It would be best to have your wheels aligned every 6000 miles (10,000 km) or when you start feeling changes in the driving experience or ability to handle the car.

If you lost track of your alignment schedule, make sure you align your wheels if you experience the following:

• Your car pulling to the right or left while driving
• Unequal tread and tire wear
• If your car’s steering gets off-center even when you’re driving straight

If wheel alignment isn’t part of the installation package, you can request for the same or if the mechanic sees it fit.

The cost of front-end alignment, which typically involves the two front wheels only, can cost anywhere from $50 to $75. All-wheel alignment costs more, typically from $100 to $150. You can expect to dig your pockets deeper if you own a luxury car.

This Youtube video explains the difference between wheel balancing, rotation, and alignment.

Lower the Vehicle From the Service Bay Lift

After rechecking everything, the mechanic will lower your car from the lift. Once on the ground, the technician can use a torque wrench to recheck the lug nuts’ tightness to ensure the wheels are stable and firmly fixed as they should be.

Moreover, the tire pressure should be set to correct levels as recommended by the manufacturer on the tires’ placard.

Mileage and Road Hazard Warranties

Tire retailers offer a road-hazard warranty to cover you with prorated discounts if your tire is damaged. The warranty comes for a small fee, which might or might not be included in the installation cost.

On the other hand, tire manufacturers offer mileage warranties to guarantee that you won’t have to replace the tires before a specific mileage. Typical mile range is 20,000-80,000 miles.

In return, you must align your wheels regularly and perform rotational maintenance so that the tires don’t wear out prematurely. High-mileage warranty will cost more but will be beneficial if you drive a lot. However, not all tire makers offer mileage warranties, so you’ll want to ask about this when choosing the make of your tire replacement.

Worn-Out Tire Disposal

Tires are hazardous waste, and disposing of your worn-out tires will cost you anywhere from $2 to $6. The cost varies depending on whether you dump them off at a recycling facility or pay a tire dealer to dump them for you. You can also generously donate them to someone who needs them.

Signs That You Need to Change Your Tires

Your busy schedules shouldn’t stop you from checking your tires thoroughly for wear and damage. But how would you know they need replacing?

• Weathering: Common indicators of tire weathering include cracks between the treads and on the side wall.
• Bulging: Building occurs when you hit a pothole hard or could be caused by production defects, leading to air getting in between the inner and outer layers of the tire material.
• Tread Depth: You should replace your tires if their treads are worn to 2/32 inches (1.6mm). A treat depth gauge would be better in this case. I don’t like the ‘science’ of using a coin. It’s more of trial and error. However, you can’t get it wrong with the tread depth gauge.

You can try this Steelman Digital Tire Tread Gauge available on Amazon.com. It reads tread depths from 0-25mm or 0-1 inch.

In Conclusion

A lot goes into maintaining a car, and taking care of your tires is an essential part of the process. They are the components that carry the vehicle and are thus prone to wear and damage.

Replacing tires costs money, as does maintaining your car’s suspension system. The cost of replacing and installing new tires will depend on your car’s tire size and type. And, of course, your car model matters too.

RELATED POSTS:

• How Much Do Rims Cost
• When Is the Best Time to Check and Inflate Your Car Tires?
• How Long Do Winter Tires Last in Summer?
• How to Store Tires During Off Season

The post What Is the Average Cost of Tires and Installation? appeared first on Car Roar.

Walmart no longer offers wheel alignment services since 2021. You can visit other stores like Mr. Tire and Big O Tires for wheel alignment services. Walmart offers other auto services, including wheel mounting, wheel rotation, and valve stem installation in its Auto Care Centers.

In this article, I’ll discuss everything related to Walmart wheel alignments, including whether Walmart offers free alignment checks, how good their wheel alignment services were, and where you can get your wheel alignment done now that Walmart no longer offers the service.

What Is Wheel Alignment?

Wheel alignment is the process of resetting your car’s wheels to the proper orientation. It includes adjusting the angle of your tires so that they’re pointing in the same direction.

During a wheel alignment, a technician will use a special machine to measure the alignment of your car’s wheels. They’ll then make adjustments to fit your car, driving preferences, and manufacturer’s recommendations.

The goal of a wheel alignment is to improve your car’s handling, fuel efficiency, and tire life. It’s an important part of regular car maintenance, and it’s recommended that you get your wheel alignment checked after one to two years of use or every 6,000 miles (9,656.06 km).

Does Walmart Do Free Alignments?

Walmart doesn’t offer free wheel alignments, but they offer a free alignment check. This is a visual inspection of your car’s alignment, and the technician will look for any signs that your car’s wheels are out of alignment.

If they find any issues, they’ll recommend you get a full wheel alignment. However, keep in mind that this is just a visual inspection, so it’s possible they could miss something.

It’s always best to get a full wheel alignment from a reputable shop specializing in alignments. This way, you can be sure that your car’s wheels are properly positioned and that you’re getting the best possible service.

Are Walmart Alignments Good?

Although Walmart no longer offers wheel alignment services, they did offer the best wheel alignment services at affordable prices. The technicians at Walmart Auto Care Centers are highly trained and use state-of-the-art equipment to assess your car’s suspension.

A satisfaction guarantee always backed Walmart’s wheel alignment services, so you could be sure that you were getting a good value for your money. It would cost you between $30 and $95, depending on the branch and the type of service you needed. 

A simple front-wheel tracking adjustment without a wheel alignment would cost you around $30 to $65, while a full four-wheel alignment would set you back between $70 and $95, depending on your car’s type.

Signs You Need a Wheel Alignment

Understanding the signs that indicate you need a wheel alignment can help save you time and money. It’s best to get your car’s alignment checked as soon as possible to avoid more serious and expensive problems down the road.

Some of the signs that you might need a wheel alignment include:

• Your car drags to one side while driving
• The steering wheel is off-center
• Tires wearing unevenly
• Your car feels like it’s shaking or vibrating
• Noisy steering
• Squealing tires

If you notice any of these signs, it’s crucial you take your vehicle to an experienced technician for a thorough inspection and, if necessary, a wheel alignment.

Causes of Wheel Misalignments

There are several factors that can cause your car’s wheels to become misaligned. It’s important to be aware of possible culprits if you want to take steps to avoid them. Common causes of wheel misalignment include:

• Hitting a pothole or curb
• Driving over a speed bump too fast
• Accidents or collisions
• Running over or colliding with a parking barrier

These scenarios can knock your car’s wheels out of alignment. If you hit a pothole or curb, it’s important to get your alignment checked as soon as possible. Even if there’s no visible damage, the impact can alter your car’s alignment.

Benefits of Wheel Alignments

Like regular oil change and battery replacement every 2-4 years, wheel alignments are an important part of your vehicle’s maintenance. Unfortunately, it’s an often forgotten or neglected service that can lead to serious damage if not taken care of. Some of the benefits of getting a wheel alignment include:

Improved Fuel Efficiency

Poor wheel alignment decreases gas mileage by up to 10%. Misalignment causes your car’s tires to drag, causing your engine to overwork to propel your vehicle forward. 

This wastes fuel and puts unnecessary strain on your engine, which can lead to more serious and expensive problems down the road. A wheel alignment service ensures your wheels are aligned correctly, allowing your car to run more efficiently and saving you money at the pump.

Smoother Ride

Nothing wrecks a road trip quite like a bumpy ride. If your car’s wheels are out of alignment, you’re likely to feel every minor imperfection on the road.

Besides, you will need to constantly adjust your steering wheel to keep your car going straight, which can be tiring and dangerous. A wheel alignment allows you to experience a smoother and more comfortable ride.

Improved Vehicle Safety

Besides being annoying, driving with misaligned wheels can also be dangerous. Misaligned wheels can cause your car to pull to one side, making it difficult to keep your car in a straight line. 

This increases the risk of accidents and collisions, especially on highways and at high speeds. Properly maintaining your car’s alignment can help improve its safety and protect you, your passengers, and other drivers on the road.

Longer Tire Life

Since wheel alignments help improve your car’s fuel efficiency, it also indirectly helps extend the life of your tires. Misaligned wheels cause your tires to drag, putting unnecessary wear and tear on them. This can shorten their lifespan and lead to having to replace your tires more often – which is not a cheap fix. 

Uneven wear can also cause your tires to blow out while driving, which can be extremely dangerous. A wheel alignment balances your car’s suspension, which helps distribute the weight of your car evenly across all four tires. 

Reduced Expensive Auto Repairs

A car is a collection of many moving parts, all of which need to be in alignment for your car to function properly. When your wheels are misaligned, they throw off the rest of your car’s suspension as well. This can lead to severe and costly problems, such as:

• Worn out shocks and struts
• Premature tire wear
• Excessive engine wear
• Leaking fluids
• Reduced fuel efficiency

A wheel alignment helps keep all of the moving components of your car in place, which reduces wear and tear and the need for expensive repairs.

Other Places To Get a Wheel Alignment

Although Walmart no longer offers wheel alignment services, plenty of other shops do. It’s essential to find a reputable shop that has experience aligning different types of cars. This ensures they’ll be able to properly align your car’s suspension, regardless of its make or model. 

Before choosing a shop, be sure to read reviews to ensure you’re getting the best possible service. Some of the best places to get a wheel alignment include:

• Mr. Tire
• Sears Auto Center
• Firestone Complete Auto Care
• Goodyear
• Tire Discounters
• Big O Tires

Wheel alignment at these shops typically costs between $50 and $100. However, the costs can vary depending on the type of car you have and the severity of the misalignment. Many of these shops offer coupons and discounts, so check their websites before making an appointment.

Other Walmart Auto Services

Walmart Auto Care Centers remains one of the best and most affordable places to get auto care services. Its in-store Auto Care Centers offer competitively priced services, including free 50-mile (80.47 km) re-torque and TPMS relearn services. Other tire services Walmart offers include:

• Tire rotation: $2.50 per tire
• Lug nut replacement: $2 per tire
• Flat tire repair (tubeless): $15 per tire
• Valve stem installation: $3 per tire
• Road hazard warranty: $10 per tire
• Tire mounting (carry-in): $10 per tire
• Tire mounting: $5 per tire
• Lifetime balance and rotation: $14 per tire

The store also offers oil change and general maintenance services for $19.88 – $49.88 and $3.50 – $45, respectively. You may incur additional charges for non-featured oil changes. To book tire or other maintenance services at Walmart, you can use their online Store Finder tool to locate a store near you and make an appointment.

Conclusion

While Walmart’s in-store Auto Care Centers no longer offer wheel alignment services, you can still take advantage of their other affordable tire and maintenance services.

If your car needs wheel alignment, there are plenty of other reputable shops to choose from, including Mr. Tire, Sears Auto Center, and Firestone Complete Auto Care, that offer wheel alignment services for $50 to $100. Read customer reviews before making an appointment to ensure you’re getting the best service possible.

RELATED POSTS:

• Does Discount Tires Do Wheel Alignments?
• How Much Does Walmart Charge for Tire Installation?
• Can You Sleep in a Walmart Parking Lot?
• Does Costco Do Tire Alignments?
• Why Your Steering Wheel Shakes at High Speeds

The post Does Walmart Do Wheel Alignments appeared first on Car Roar.

Costco doesn’t do tire alignments. Reasons for this include the cost of purchasing and maintaining alignment kits, staff training expenses, and low demand for the service. Moreover, Costco tries to keep wait times low, and if every member got new tires aligned on a busy day, productivity would drop.

Read on as I discuss other exceptional perks from patronizing Costco for new tires despite forgoing alignment. Further down, you will also learn why Costco doesn’t perform alignment services in more detail.

Does Costco Do Tire Alignment for Free?

Owing to Costco’s budget-friendly nature, it’s normal to have high expectations about its pricing for tires. How much does it cost to install them? Will you get them aligned for free?

Costco doesn’t do tire alignments for free – or at all. However, from the sale to other installation procedures, they offer some of the best prices. Also, the warehouse club offers regular discounts on selected tire brands. You’ll get $70-$80 off in the sale & pay just a cent per tire installation.

What You Get per Costco Tire Installation

Although you aren’t getting your tire aligned by Costco, the other incredible extras offered might make up for it, especially cost-wise. For every tire installed, you will get:

Lifetime Maintenance Services

Throughout the life of your tires purchased from Costo, you will get free maintenance services, including:

• Tire rotation
• Tire balancing
• Flat tire repairs, and
• Inflation pressure checks

Although there are some limits to this advantage, these services can prove costly in regular auto repair shops.

Regardless of how relatively affordable or expensive the tire brand you bought is, you’re sure to enjoy this part of your Costco Installation Package.

High-Quality Inflation and New Valve Stems

Costco inflates your tires with nitrogen and not compressed air like most other vendors. According to research on automotive tires, nitrogen-filled tires vibrate less at the same speed. It decreases your vehicle’s fuel consumption as a result.

Filling tires with nitrogen can also reduce their rolling resistance, which reduces their wear, and increases their lifespan.

Costco will also fit new rubber valve stems when installing your new tires. If you prefer it over metal, then that’s a plus. Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) valve stems and accessories are also available at extra charges.

Road-Hazard Warranty

Rest assured that you’re not alone even after leaving the warehouse to flaunt your new tires. Costco’s five-year Road Hazard Warranty covers you against tire wear damage and failure.

It means Costco will fix or replace tires damaged during the regular and legitimate operation of the vehicle.

For the warranty to be active, you’ll need to have your original receipt and keep up with the free periodic maintenance like inflation checks, tire balancing, and rotations. Your warranty is also subject to proper tire care.

There’s no better feeling than knowing Costco protects you from unforeseen damage for five years.

Does Costco Include Alignment in New Tires?

There’s no doubt that Costco understands the essence of aligning tires. Their Tire Basics post contains an in-depth view of tire alignment, but there is no claim that they offer this service. From experience, will Costco include alignment in new tires?

Costco does not include alignment in new tires. There are many confirmed and speculated reasons for this decision, but you can still enjoy other maintenance services offered. For example, the clubhouse technicians will perform tire balancing, rotations, and inflation pressure checks chargeless.

Why Costco Doesn’t Perform Tire Alignment in New Tires

For a long time now, members have always questioned why Costco doesn’t perform tire alignment. Here are some of the reasons:

Reduces Wait Times

Christina Polovina, an employee (now manager) at Costco for 18 years, confirms that Costco doesn’t do an alignment in new tires to keep wait times low. Although it might seem convenient to one member, others on the waitlist are spending longer than usual time there.

Costco strives to keep wait times for installing tires within an hour. It becomes improbable if employees add tire alignment, especially on busy days. Members will resent the long wait times, which Costco wouldn’t want.

Equipment Purchase and Maintenance Cost

Tire alignment requires special equipment Costco doesn’t have. They are expensive to buy and maintain. The cost to transport and install them in their hundreds of warehouses is also a concern.

Hence, most members online feel that Costco may not fancy the relatively long Return on Investment (ROI).

Expense To Train or Recruit Staff

A tire alignment system needs experts to operate it. It means that Costco will need to fund employee training or hire certified technicians in the field.

It will have vast one-time costs and significantly affect their payroll either way. The trained employee’s salaries will also rise due to their new abilities and schedules.

Low Demand

Despite some members expressing their dismay that Costco doesn’t offer wheel alignment service for new tires, public demand is still relatively low. Until there becomes a louder clamor for this service, it is unlikely for Costco to include it any time soon.

Costco Doesn’t Sell Service

Costco is a big-box retail store that primarily sells products. Although there are some subcontracted services, alignment isn’t one of them, and selling products remains the priority. For you, this means wheel alignment is a job for mechanics in an auto repair or tire shop.

In Conclusion

Costco does not do alignments in new tires sold because:

• The clubhouse tries to keep wait time low.
• Wheel alignment requires special equipment, which is costly to purchase and maintain.
• It requires a unique skill set.
• There isn’t a high demand for the service.
• The company prioritizes selling products over services.

However, Costco offers other unmatched maintenance services, including free tire rotation, balancing, and inflated pressure checks. You will also get a five-year road hazard warranty in your Installation Package. It essentially means that Costco will replace your tires at no cost if they wear within that period.

RELATED POSTS:

• How Much Does Walmart Charge for Tire Installation?
• How Often Should You Change Your Tires?
• Best Tire Shines for a Sleek Appearance
• When Is the Best Time to Check and Inflate Your Car Tires

The post Does Costco Do Tire Alignments? appeared first on Car Roar.

Valvoline is a good, budget-friendly option for engine oil. It’s a synthetic oil that helps your engine run smoothly and works great in high and low temperatures. Valvoline is a tried and trustworthy household name that has proven to be effective in lubricating and extending the life of your engine.

In this article, I’ll explain why Valvoline is an excellent option for any motor vehicle owner. I’ll also cover the importance of motor oil for engines to see how Valvoline measures up.

Benefits of Valvoline Oil

Valvoline is a brand known for distributing products that help vehicle owners care for their transportation. Their products, such as Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic Oil (Amazon) are not only sold for an affordable price but also come highly rated – and with good reason. Here are some of the many benefits of Valvoline brand engine oils:

Effective in Extreme Temperatures

One of the significant benefits of Valvoline oil is its ability to keep its texture and effectiveness at extreme temperatures. When the engine runs at an extremely high temperature, the oil doesn’t burn or get sludgy. Instead, it remains fluid and works to keep the engine from overheating.

Similarly, the oil doesn’t freeze at extremely low temperatures and keeps its fluid and smooth texture. For those that experience intense winters, this is a huge benefit that helps cars start up quickly, even in the freezing temperatures.

Increases Efficiency

Another significant benefit of Valvoline oil is the type of oil it is. As mentioned, it’s a synthetic oil which means it’s purer than regular motor oil. To make synthetic oil, companies distill the oil to remove the impurities that lead to sludge build-up and make it difficult to start your car in cold temperatures.

Ultimately, this helps to increase the engine’s fuel efficiency. This benefit is significant because it gives you more range on a tank of gas.

Prevents Corrosion and Friction

Valvoline oil is known for its ability to prevent corrosion and friction. It’s been certified by many auto manufacturers and assures top-notch engine performance. It’s also recyclable, which is a plus because it can save you money. Instead of only using the oil once, it can be reused a few times after being drained.

Most Popular and Highest Rated

According to many auto websites, mechanics, and manufacturers, Valvoline is thought to be the best synthetic oil. Much of this credit is because the oil Valvoline makes is thinner than the synthetic oils made by other brands. Viscosity is the measure that’s used to determine the thickness and is based on the internal friction of the product. Valvoline oil has a viscosity of 0W compared to similar competitors with a viscosity of 5W.

Though Valvoline is thought to be one of the best synthetic oils on the market, it’s compatible with other synthetic motor oils. This means that you’re able to mix this oil with others. However, it should be noted that mixing can reduce its effectiveness.

Certified By Car Manufacturers

The final significant benefit of using Valvoline’s synthetic oil is that it has been certified by car manufacturers. This means that the oil is up to the standard and meets a list of requirements put together by car manufacturers.

In most cases, this means that using synthetic oil in your engine won’t void the car’s warranty. Of course, be sure to read the manual provided by the manufacturer to be sure you’re using it correctly, so the warranty isn’t voided because of a simple mistake.

Mileage Range

As auto mechanics and manufacturers recommend, it’s common practice to change your oil every 3,000-4,000 miles (4,828-6,437 kilometers). Understandably, this can be a lot to keep up with, especially if you often drive many miles at a time.

Valvoline does recommend this standard as it can protect your engine for up to 6,000 miles (9656 kilometers). Of course, it’s not recommended to push your vehicle’s engine that far, yet it’s good to know that it won’t die on you just for going a little over the standard mileage.

The total mileage that Valvoline guarantees its synthetic oil can protect your engine is 300,000 miles (482,803.2 kilometers). Valvoline oil will keep you on the road longer as long as you change your oil regularly and don’t push the engine too far over its limit.

Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic SAE 5W-30 Motor Oil 5 QT

• Advanced protection against the four main...
• Delivers 40% stronger wear protection than...
• Provides 15% better deposit defense vs...
• Up to 2.5X better heat protection vs...

Check on Amazon

The Downsides of Valvoline Oil

There are only two negative things that have been said about Valvoline’s oil:

• Valvoline oil cannot be used on diesel engines. This is because the oils aren’t compatible with any synthetic oils. This is an unfortunate downside for those that drive vehicles with diesel engines. It’s also not great for aviation engines or bikes.
• The cap used to seal the container of Valvoline oil breaks easily. It sounds silly, but consumers need to know, so they don’t break the cap and accidentally spill oil. Just be mindful of the fragile cap and take care when handling it.

The Purpose of Motor Oil

Many of us have been lectured a time or two by our dad or other relatives about its importance, but motor oil is a necessary part of motor vehicle ownership. If you’re tired of the lectures, here’s a breakdown of what the oil is doing for your vehicle so your dad can rest assured that you have it all taken care of.

Motor oil does a few essential things for your vehicle, including cooling, cleaning, lubrication, sealing, and performance restoration. As you’ll see, Valvoline oil handles all these tasks with ease and efficiency.

Cooling

Engine parts constantly rub against each other and create friction, resulting in the production of heat. This heat causes the overall temperature of the engine to rise. Though coolant is typically used to prevent your engine from overheating, the motor oil in your engine does some of the work as well.

Coolant only cools the upper part of the engine; motor oil cools the lower part. The specific elements that motor oil is responsible for cooling are the timing gears, pistons, crankshaft, camshaft, and rod bearings.

The motor oil’s lubrication (which we’ll discuss later) allows the heat to escape through the lubrication circuit, which prevents the rubbing parts from causing the engine to overheat.

Cleaning

An overlooked aspect of motor oil is its ability to help clean the engine. Debris like dust and residue from combustion can get stuck in the engine and clog it up. If the junk in the engine isn’t cleaned out, the clog will reduce the engine’s performance and lifespan.

The oil cleans the engine by catching the impurities as they flow through the engine and getting them to the oil filter. The filter traps the contaminants and keeps them from causing issues within the engine.

Lubrication

Lubrication is arguably the most important job that motor oil has in an engine. When an engine is fired up, the parts within it move and create friction which causes heat and the engine’s temperature to rise. As speed is increased, the parts in the engine work harder to pump oil through the engine and keep the vehicle moving.

The oil’s job is to lubricate parts so they move across each other easier. If the parts aren’t lubricated, it can cause overheating and decrease the overall performance of the engine. Essentially, the compression in the engine is reduced and makes it more difficult for the engine to keep up with speed and performance, therefore causing it to break down faster.

Sealing

Another benefit of motor oil in an engine is that it helps with engine sealing. The motor oil seals the pistons and cylinders, parts within the engine. As the oil flows through the engine, a layer is deposited between the parts and protects them from being affected by any clearances.

Performance Restoration

An engine that has covered many miles will eventually begin to perform poorly. High mileage and synthetic motor oils (like Valvoline) are known for helping restore an engine to its factory state. Of course, it’ll never be perfectly fixed. However, these motor oils provide more compression and increase the engine’s performance so that it can continue to operate smoothly.

You may also like: Is Castrol Engine Oil Good?

In Conclusion

Valvoline synthetic motor oil is a great oil to use in your car engine. It keeps your engine’s parts lubricated and keeps the overall temperature of your engine from getting too hot. Valvoline can also sustain extremely cold and hot temperatures without breaking down or burning.

Better yet, the product comes at an affordable price and is guaranteed to keep your car running smoothly if the oil is changed regularly. Auto mechanics and manufacturers both recognize Valvoline as one of the best options for gasoline cars. All in all, Valvoline is the go-to choice for car owners everywhere.

RELATED POSTS:

• How to Check the Engine Oil Level in Your Car
• Best Oil for High Mileage Cars (Over 100K Miles)
• Using 5W-30 Oil Instead of 5W-20: Can You Do It?
• Best Oil Additives to Stop Engine Knocking

The post Is Valvoline a Good Oil? (Valvoline Oil Review) appeared first on Car Roar.

Power steering fluid isn’t the same as brake fluid. Power steering fluid and brake fluid have been designed to serve specific functions in your vehicle. As a result, power steering fluid and brake fluid have different properties, characteristics, and ingredients to perform particular operations.

Continue reading to break down the differences and similarities between power steering fluid and brake fluid. I’ll examine what can go wrong with each type of fluid and what you can use in place of them if you’re ever caught in a jam.

Can You Use Power Steering Fluid in Place of Brake Fluid?

Power steering fluid and brake fluid aren’t precisely the same, although they’re both used in hydraulic systems in cars and they both perform similarly, for different functions. Therefore, you should be able to use power steering fluid to top up the brake fluid in an emergency, right?

You can’t use power steering fluid in place of brake fluid. Power steering fluid and brake fluid have different chemical compositions. As a result, using power steering fluid in place of brake fluid could cause severe damage to the brakes, causing expensive damage or an accident on the road.

Using the power steering fluid in place of brake fluid is a significant risk for little to no reward. If you do this, you’ll likely cause expensive damages to your vehicle that’ll need repairing. You could end up jeopardizing the functionality of your brakes, resulting in a crash that could cause severe injury or death.

As a result, it’s absolutely a bad idea to use power steering fluid in place of brake fluid. Maintaining safety is the number one priority in this situation.

What Happens if You Accidentally Put Brake Fluid in the Power Steering Reservoir?

By this stage, you’re well aware that brake fluid and power steering fluid aren’t interchangeable. Brake fluid and power steering fluid have different compositions and are designed to serve other purposes. So what happens if you put brake fluid into the power steering reservoir by mistake?

If you accidentally put brake fluid in the power steering, it will cause severe harm to crucial components of the power steering, including the power steering pump. However, if you notice you put the wrong fluid in the wrong place before you start the car, expensive damages can be avoided.

If you notice that you’ve put brake fluid in the power steering reservoir and you’ve not yet started the engine, you need to drain the reservoir immediately. Open one of the lines that come from the bottom of the reservoir to drain the brake fluid.

To ensure that all of the brake fluid is removed from the system, rinse the reservoir through with power steering fluid a few times. This will remove any traces of brake fluid that did not drain out when you emptied the reservoir.

Does Power Steering Affect Brakes?

Power steering and brake fluids are different liquids used in separate hydraulic systems. Brake fluid is used to stop the vehicle, while power steering fluid controls the vehicle.  As a result, you’d expect an issue with one system to have little effect on the other.

Power steering does affect the brakes in a vehicle. Power steering systems offer boosts to the brakes when you press the pedal. As a result, when there’s issues with the power steering fluid, it can make the brakes very hard to push and make the vehicle dangerous to drive.

While power steering and brake fluids are kept in separate systems in the vehicle, the systems themselves are connected. Power steering hydraulics assist the brake system. As a result, an issue with the power steering may affect the brakes. This is especially common in diesel vehicles.

What Can Be Substituted for Brake Fluid?

You already know that you can’t use power steering fluid in place of brake fluid. However, is there anything you can use as a suitable substitute for brake fluid if you’re ever caught in an emergency?

Soap and water can be substituted for brake fluid. Soap and water are readily available everywhere, and they’ll cause little to no harm to brake systems as long as they’re only used for a short period. Alternatively, you can use petrol or diesel, but both are corrosive and will harm the brakes.

You should always use brake fluid for your brakes whenever possible. However, if you’ve broken down and lost brake fluid, you can use a mix of soap and water to get you to a garage or home. Once you get home or to the garage, drain the soap and water and refill with the appropriate fluid.

It’s not advised to put soap and water into your brake fluid, as it can cause harm. This tip is only for emergencies, and you should call an expert for help or use brake fluid whenever possible.

What Can Be Substituted for Power Steering Fluid?

Engine oil, transmission oil, axle oil, and hydraulic fluid can be substituted for power steering. However, these liquids will rust or damage the power steering system. As a result, using any of these substitutes will likely cost you a fortune in repairs for damages caused.

Just like with brake fluid, you should only ever use a substitute for power steering fluid in an emergency, and you’ve no other options. Damages to your power steering are almost always expensive to fix, and if the issue occurs while driving, you may lose control of the vehicle.

Will the Emergency Brakes Work Without Brake Fluid?

It seems like a risk relying on brake fluid remaining in your vehicle to stop in case of leaks. What happens if the brake fluid lines are damaged while driving and all the fluid leaks onto the road? Is there any way of stopping the vehicle when the brake fluid is completely gone?

The emergency brakes will work without brake fluid. Unlike the foot brake, the emergency brake isn’t a hydraulic system. As a result, if the brake fluid leaks out from the car, the emergency brake can be used to stop the vehicle.

The emergency brake is also referred to as the parking brake or the handbrake. It works using cables and not hydraulic fluid; it’s an entirely mechanical system that works regardless of brake fluid or power in the car.

Does Power Steering Fluid Need to Be Changed?

Power steering fluid doesn’t need to be changed in most vehicles. Typically, power steering fluid is only changed after an issue has occurred. However, some car manufacturers recommend a power steering system flush every few years as part of servicing the vehicle.

In most cars, power steering fluid is not part of regular maintenance. Instead, drivers choose to change the power steering fluid when they encounter a problem. If the car makes a whining noise as you turn, or the steering has become stiff, these are the primary indicators that the power steering fluid has gone bad.

You can check the power steering fluid quickly in most cars. The power steering reservoir is usually straightforward and visible when you lift the car’s hood. Power steering fluid should be clear; however, the fluid may shift red and still be in good condition.

If your power steering fluid is dark in color, it’s likely gone bad. If you’re in any doubt, consult a mechanic to find the source of the issue and replace the power steering fluid.

Does Brake Fluid Need to Be Changed?

Brake fluid does need to be changed. Brake fluid should be changed every four or five years in most cars. It costs about $100 in most cars to replace the brake fluid. Therefore, the average cost of maintaining the brake fluid in your vehicle is only about $20 a year.

A great way to keep track of your brake fluid is by asking your mechanic to check the brake fluid every time you get your oil changed or your car serviced. The mechanic can check the brake fluid levels in the system and assess the condition of the braking system overall. This ensures that you can safely drive your car with effective brakes.

Final Thoughts

Power steering fluid and brake fluid are both used in hydraulic systems in your car. However, power steering fluid and brake fluid aren’t the same. If you use brake fluid instead of power steering fluid, or the other way around, it’ll cause severe damage to the vehicle. On top of this, damaging either the brakes or steering is dangerous.

It’s essential that you keep track of the brake fluid levels in your car. The brake fluid typically needs replacing every five or so years. Power steering fluid, on the other hand, doesn’t need to be replaced.

RELATED POSTS:

• Is Power Steering Fluid the Same As Transmission Fluid?
• Best Transmission Fluids and Additives for Your Vehicle
• Where to Put Windshield Wiper Fluid?

The post Is Power Steering Fluid the Same As Brake Fluid? Fluids 101! appeared first on Car Roar.