When Should You Get New Tires For Your Car?

The answer to this question can have several variables.  Although most tire manufacturers say that tires on a new car can last for about 50K miles, the actual number of miles you can drive on a tire is dependent upon various factors, such as:

• What is the quality of the tire?
• Are your tires all-purpose for year-round driving, or snow tires?
• How is the tire mounted on your car?
• What is the tread-wear rating, or the expected tread life?
• How and for what purpose is the car driving? 

So how do you know when should you get new tires for your car?  By following the tire service tips below, the life of your tires is extended, preventing emergency tire repair:  

• Inspecting the inflation pressure – The right inflation pressure will ensure optimal contact with the road; improving fuel economy and helping the tread wear more evenly. 
• Rotating tires – Rotating tires to a different position on your car helps ensure they wear out in an even pattern. Many tire service shops don’t charge for a tire rotation service if you have it done at the same time as another service, such as oil changes.  Tires should usually be rotated every 6 months or 6,000 to 8,000 miles.  
• Wheel Alignment – The wheels are aligned with the suspension so that the angles of the tires maximize their contact with the road.
• Tire Balancing – Weights placed on the rim of the tire help balance the tire if one component of the tire is heavier than another portion.  This will ensure that your tires roll down the road as smoothly as possible. 

So why is quality tire service so important?  Because tires are the only components of your vehicle that really touch the road, taking good care of them will not only save you money on having to replace them, but it also increases the safety of your vehicle.

Did you know…Most tire manufacturers are rated with the specific lifespan of the tire so that car owners know how many miles to expect out of their new tires?  

Have more questions about how do you know when should you get new tires for your car?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about basic tire repair service and to request an appointment. Our family-owned auto repair shop has proudly served car owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

Wonder How Often Should Car Alignment Be Done?

This is a question many drivers find themselves asking their auto mechanic. The signs of a misaligned car and tires out of balance are so similar it’s difficult for the average driver to know the difference.  Be sure to ask your auto mechanic to inspect the wheel balancing as well as the alignment as these problems are more damaging than one would think.  And of course, as with many other problems, some types of damage are irreparable!

How often should car alignment be done, and what does it mean when your car is out of alignment?  Out of alignment simply means that your car’s tires are pointing not in the same direction as the steering wheel.  And what does it mean when your tires are out of balance?  It means that the weight around the tire is unevenly distributed.  Have your wheel balancing and alignment inspected whenever you start to feel issues?  The cost of correcting the alignment or balance is much less than a new set of tires or changing shocks!

Although wheel alignment issues can develop as the miles add up on your car, they are more likely to be caused by a specific incident, such as going over speed bumps and potholes too fast, hitting a curb, driving consistently on rough roads, or an auto accident, even a minor fender-bender.  

If your tires are out of balance or misaligned, these problems may present themselves as you drive down the road:

• You feel the steering wheel and seat noticeably vibrate.
• Your tire tread is wearing faster than normal in an uneven pattern.
• Fewer miles per gallon.
• Your vehicle pulls to one side or other of the road.
• The steering wheel may feel loose and is crooked while driving straight.

Wondering how often should car alignment be done?  Call our ASE Certified Mechanics at Clausen Automotive for more information about wheel balancing and alignment services and to request an appointment. Our family-owned auto repair shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

What are the Symptoms of Bad Struts?

Some auto mechanics advise that because there is no set mileage interval for replacing struts or shocks, it is important to your driving safety that you understand what are the symptoms of bad struts.  Though depending on how much wear and tear they have received, some auto mechanics say it is possible that struts or shocks should be replaced between every 50K to 100K miles.  

Just like all the other parts that make up a vehicle, it is inevitable that your car shocks and struts wear out as the miles up.  How you drive and the road conditions impact how long your car struts or shocks last. If you consistently travel over poor road conditions, they will wear faster than if you drive just short every day.  If the appropriate repair is neglected when needed, your brakes and car axles will be negatively affected and the driving safety of your vehicle is compromised.  

What are the symptoms of bad struts or shocks? Consider these two important problems:

1. Safety Compromised:  Bad struts or shocks will impact your braking capabilities.  It may take you longer or a further distance to come to a stop than normal.  Because the weight of the vehicle shifts during braking, it is possible to lose control of your vehicle.
2. Excessive Wear:  Driving with bad struts or shocks will accelerate the wear and tear on your tires.  Other parts of the suspension system, such as the springs and car axles, will also wear out significantly faster than normal.

If you notice that your vehicle is getting harder to control, have the car struts or shocks and car axles checked as soon as possible. When they are changed, you will notice improved stopping performance and increased control of your vehicle.  

Are you wondering what are the symptoms of bad struts?  Call our ASE Certified Mechanics at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about the suspension system and to request an appointment. Our family-owned auto repair shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

How do you know when your car battery needs replacing?

Many people don’t want to jump in there only to find that they have a dead battery!  If you are an experienced driver and know your vehicle, you can save yourself a lot of frustration by taking care of a needed car battery replacement before you get stranded in your driveway! 

So how do you know when your car battery needs replacing?  Here are several of the most obvious and common signs indicating that it’s time for a car battery replacement:

1. A car that is hard to start or won’t start at all.
2. You hear a quick clicking sound, signaling the available power is too low to crank the engine. 
3. The headlights are dim because they are not getting the power they want.
4. Electronic accessories, such as power seats, power windows, radio, dashboard warning lights, headlights, windshield wipers, and more, are unable to operate efficiently.  
5. A dashboard warning light is not only an indicator of a bad battery but that another part of the electrical system is failing, such as the alternator.
6. When the battery is consistently exposed to extreme temperatures the sides of the battery case can swell up, especially if it freezes, thaws, and freezes again on a consistent basis.
7. A car battery generally only lasts around 4 or 5 years, based on exposure to extreme temperatures and your driving styles.  
8. If the battery terminals are loose, it will seem as though the battery is dying.  Tightening the terminal connections may solve the issue.
9. Leaving a light on for an extended period of time may use up the charge in your battery.  If it is a good battery, a recharge may be all that is needed.

A word of advice:  If you notice any of the issues above, have an ASE-certified technician inspect your car battery to determine if it’s time for a car battery replacement!

Wondering how do you know when your car battery needs replacing? Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about a car battery replacement and to Request an appointment. Since 1975, our family-owned auto repair shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

How Often Should You Replace Brake Pads?

If it’s taking you longer than normal for your vehicle to come to a complete stop at red lights and stop signs, it’s time to have your brakes checked.  This may cause you to wonder about how often should you replace brake pads? Because the wear and tear on brakes are unique for every driver due to their driving conditions and styles, road conditions, and quality of brake materials, there is not a specific timetable stated in your owner’s manual for changing brake pads and rotors.  But as a general rule of thumb, it is wise to have your brakes checked at every oil change so you can be aware of their ongoing situation.

So, if you’re wondering how often should you replace brake pads, here are several common warning signs:

• Brakes screeching and squealing – A small, metallic shim indicator embedded in the brake pad will screech or squeal when it has worn too thin.
• Too thin – If it appears should be no less than ¼ inch thick (about 3 millimeters) in depth.  
• Brakes grinding and growling – This sound comes from the metal-on-metal contact between the discs and calipers when the brake pads have worn too thin.
• Warning light – A warning light on the dashboard panel will illuminate indicating that it’s time to replace the brake pads.  

A word of advice: Normally, brake pads, and rotors need to be replaced about every 50,000 miles on most vehicles. For the best stopping performance, replace brake rotors and brake pads at the same time.

Wondering how often should you replace brake pads?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive for more information about brake repair, including brake pads and brake rotors and to request an appointment. Since 1975, our family-owned auto shop has proudly served car owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

What Are the Signs Your Car Needs a Tune Up?

For older vehicles with non-electric ignition systems, it was easier to know when it was time for a car tune up. The recommended interval for replacing spark plugs, fluids, and filters was pretty normal, about every 10,000 to 12,000 miles.  Newer vehicles are equipped with electronic ignitions and fuel injection systems are scheduled to go from 25,000 miles to as many as 100,000 miles without needing a major tune-up. This test can detect internal issues that may be connected with the transmission and engine, oil and gas tanks, exhaust system, and other operating systems. 

So what are the signs your car needs a tune up?  If your vehicle doesn’t seem to be performing like you think it should schedule a car diagnostic service.  When your vehicle is getting close to the time that a tune up is needed, you may start to notice the most common issues listed below:

• The check engine light illuminates your dashboard while driving. 
• The engine idles rough, or stalls when you try to accelerate or braking.
• Decrease in fuel economy, meaning you’re filling up the tank more often.
• Noticing shifting issues, such as slipping gears, jerking, or hard to put into gear.
• Feel more vibrations than usual in the steering wheel or in the seat.

Do you want to know more about what are the signs your car needs a tune up?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive for more information about car tune up services and to make an appointment. Our family-owned auto repair shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

When Your Car Battery Should be Replaced?

Did you want to know that one of the top calls for roadside assistance is because of a dead car battery?  One of the most vital parts of your vehicle, the battery has to be strong sufficient not only to start your car but to power the on-board computers and all the accessories that are an essential part of today’s modern vehicles.  Servicing your car battery is not only one of the easiest forms of maintenance to keep your car running smoothly, but it is one of the most vital.  

Without any thought, many of us just jump into our vehicles and expect them to start.  However, the old adage “out of view, out of mind,” is often true for the car battery.  Because it resides under the hood and there is no usual mileage interval for a car battery replacement, it is easy to forget about taking care of this crucial component that makes your car run! 

But you may be wondering when your car battery should be replaced?  Just like a smartphone battery, every time you charge it, it gradually loses a bit of its efficiency.  A car battery can take anywhere from 3 to 5 years of usual use for it to become worn down and inefficient. It can then become totally unreliable, which then causes safety and reliability problems.  

A weak battery can affect your car in several ways, including:

• Auto electrical system – Although your car may still start with a bad battery, it can be affecting other features that require significant power demands. 
• Constant battery drain – Newer vehicles have powerful computers that are operating all the time, continuously drawing energy from the battery even when the vehicle is turned off. 
• Stop-start technology – This technology places a greater strain on the battery because the car is continuously stopping and starting again.

With cold temperatures here for a while, it would be smart to have your car battery checked at every oil change.  A car battery can be at 90% performance one day, and go down to 20% a short time later.  By keeping track of the health of your battery and knowing when it’s time for a car battery replacement, you can avoid being stranded out in the cold.

Are you wondering when your car battery should be replaced?  Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about a car battery replacement and to request an appointment. Our auto repair shop has proudly served car owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.