Tire Rotation vs. Wheel Alignment: What’s the Difference?

Tire safety is an important part of driving safely. If you feel like your vehicle is jiggling whenever you are driving, especially after hitting a massive pothole, you might need to schedule a tire service just to make sure that everything is okay.

Whenever you go in for a tire service, our mechanics will usually ask whether you want a tire rotation or wheel alignment. And, if you are not familiar with car maintenance language you might end up being confused. To help make things more transparent and ensure that you order the correct tire service, read on below to find out more about the difference between tire rotation and wheel alignment.

What Is Tire Rotation (Tire/Wheel Balancing)?

If your vehicle seems to shimmy from side to side when driving, it might be in need of a tire rotation service. Also referred to as tire or wheel balancing, tire rotation involves the movement of tires from one position/side to another so as to ensure even wear.

Your vehicle’s tires normally wear as you drive simply because they are the point of contact with the road surface. Tires normally undergo uneven wear due to the varying levels of friction on each one. For instance, front-wheel drive cars normally have more wear on the front tires than on the rear tires; the opposite applies to rear wheel drive vehicles. Uneven weight distribution can also lead to uneven tire wear.

Tires should be rotated every now and then to ensure even wear.

What Is Wheel Alignment?

If your vehicle keeps drifting to one side whenever you are driving in a straight line, then you might need a wheel alignment service to resolve the issue. Wheel alignment can be described as the process of straightening your car’s front tires to ensure that they perfectly match up to the rear tires and steering. Wheel alignment issues may come about as a result of your car hitting a huge pothole when driving. If left unattended, unaligned wheels can lead to uneven tire wear, tire movement and also affect your vehicle’s performance and ability to steer properly.

Wheel alignments should be done as soon as possible after detection of the issue.

Signs Your Car Battery Has To Be Replaced

Dealing with a car battery that is not as strong as it used to be is concerning. It can lead to a long list of issues car owners don’t want to face while driving.

Here is a look at five common signs that your car battery has to be changed as soon as possible

1) Difficulty Turning On The Vehicle

When the car has to be turned on, it will start sputtering. This is a sign the car battery is not charging as it needs to and that means it is not driving power to the rest of the vehicle. At first, this is not going to be as noticeable. Over time, the sputtering will continue to get longer and longer. This is frustrating and a clear-cut sign that battery is losing juice.

2) Poor Performance In Cold Weather

When it is cold outside, the battery is not warmed up. If the battery is not at 100%, this is going to be a major concern because cold weather puts a tremendous amount of pressure on this part of the vehicle.

If it does not turn on easily during the winter, this is a sign it’s time to change the battery.

3) Electrical Malfunctions

If the doors are not locking properly or the windows aren’t going up using the button, this is likely due to the car battery not powering them effectively.

It’s best to change the battery when this happens because it will get worse with time.

4) Dashboard Lights & Lighting Issues

When the dashboard lights start flashing, this is a sign the battery is dying. Several issues arise and that is when warning lights show up on the dashboard.

This can include the alternator not returning charge, which happens when a battery is weak.

5) Strange Odor

When there is a distinct smell coming from the vehicle, it is a common sign there is something wrong with the battery. This smell is often referred to as being like “rotten eggs” and it is a smell that continues to worsen with time.

The reason this happens has to do with the battery leaking gas. The sulfuric acid in the battery starts to come out. This is a major sign that a change is required right away.

Which Oil Change is Better: Conventional or Synthetic Oil?

What You Didn’t Know About Oil Changes

When it comes to an oil change, you can either do it on your own or go to the best local express lube shop. Oil changes don’t cost a lot and don’t take very much time, so why avoid them? Absolute Car Care will make sure that the correct premium oil is used in the service of your vehicle and that your oil change is done right and on time. Read on to know more about car oil changes.

Synthetic Oil vs Conventional Oil

Synthetic oil is a motor oil made up of chemical compounds that have undergone a chemically engineered process. Conventional oil, on the other hand, is a refined crude oil-based product formulated from viscosity grades and quality levels of different ranges and is designed to lubricate engines, products, and machines. Synthetic oil is better than conventional because it offers great overall engine performance and protection. In addition, it uses higher quality base oils contrary to the conventional oil that uses less-refined base oils.

There is a need to find the best oil for your car for it to run smoothly. It is never about how much oil your car has but the quality and the purpose it serves your vehicle. However, note that when choosing an engine oil, there are factors to consider. They include the driving environment, viscosity grade, oil standards, car manufacturer and series, and engine oil types. Ensure you look at your car’s manual because it has crucial recommendations for certifications, specifications, and viscosity.

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