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The belts and hoses throughout your vehicle wear out over time. Your exhaust system includes a number of hoses that need to be replaced when exhaust starts to leak. Belts help to keep your engine running, certain fans, and your air conditioning.

There are signs that indicate you need to have a belt replaced on your car. Squealing noises when the vehicle is running,, or problems with your transmission slipping can mean you need to have your timing belt replaced. Hoses deteriorate, and you might notice an odor coming into your vehicle when one needs to be replaced.

Getting an alignment for your vehicle is essential to keeping the wheels aligned with the frame. Over time, factors like hitting curbs, driving over potholes, and general wear and tear can cause the steering systems and suspension to become misaligned.

Tire wear can be uneven due to misalignment, and this can cause them to fray more quickly and reduce their lifespan. It can also affect the stability and handling of your vehicle. When these are inconsistent, your automobile may pull to one side, making it difficult to control and boosting the risk of an accident.

The engine in your car is a complex machine that requires constant maintenance to ensure it runs smoothly. One of the most important services you can give your car is a radiator and engine cooling service. While this type of service may seem like just another expense, it’s actually one of the most cost-effective ways to keep your car running well for years to come. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the importance of car engine cooling and radiator services and how they can benefit you and your vehicle.

The Basics of Engine Cooling Systems

Let’s start…

Have you been driving in Springfield when it's raining and noticed that your vehicle was skidding? If so, you've probably experienced hydroplaning. This happens when your tires can't move water away from the vehicle, so water builds up under the tires, which causes the tires to lose contact with the road. Read on for tips from your team at Susan's Auto Mall on how to avoid hydroplaning.

Keeping your tires in good shape and safe driving habits can help you avoid hydroplaning. The tread depth of your tires is a key factor when it comes to…

Similar to medical board certification for doctors, ASE certification demonstrates that an auto mechanic is an expert on the latest advancements in auto repair. It also symbolizes that an auto mechanic has extensive hands-on training in automotive repair service that meet/exceed the highest industry-wide standards.

What Exactly is ASE Certification?

ASE certification is a broad term referring to different certifications in the area of automotive service. Entry level certifications test and certify an auto mechanic's theoretical and hands-on knowledge of:

• The performance and 

If you need to shop for a new set of tires for your vehicle, a bit of research might be needed. There isn't just one type of tire that you can use. The two main varieties include winter tires and all-season tires. They both have their own price point and features. What you choose really depends on where you drive, how often, your budget, and your vehicle.

Winter tires tend to have a more substantial tread that will help you grip the road when it is snowing or there is ice present. In the summer months, you'll want…

As the only thing between you and the road at 65 miles per hour, the health of your tires is vital. A worn tread or low pressure can cause a blowout or reduce your gas efficiency, and since both of these will cost you money, keeping your tires in fit condition is in your own best interest.

A penny will show you if your tread is low. Insert one into a tread with Lincoln head-first. If you can see his entire head, your tread is too low. Check your owner's manual for the correct pressure your tires require, and…

Whether you only drive around town or you regularly venture far from our area, you should know how to change a flat tire. This knowledge can save you time. We at Susan's Auto Mall wish to offer a few tips for replacing a flat today.

A safe tire change begins on firm, level pavement with the car's engine off and its parking brake engaged. Before you jack up your car, partially loosen the flat tire's lug nuts. The ground's leverage will assist you. After you swap tires, start your spare's lug nuts with the car…

Driving all year around on winter tires is something that is tempting to a lot of people. The idea occurs to them because they assume that if they can get better traction from winter tires in snowy and cold weather then they ought to keep them on all year long. However, this is not recommended.

The same material that makes winter tires work so well during those winter months is exactly what can undo them in the warmer months. They start to wear down and you run the risk of lowering the performance of your vehicle on the road in…

Road salt is one of the best ways to keep ice from forming on asphalt during winter weather. The catch is that it can destroy the paint on the exterior of your car if left to sit and corrode the top coat. Get a jump on winter weather conditions by applying a wax coat to your car before the season even starts.

Once you can see some road salt left behind on your car's paint, wash it off right away. Do not attempt this if the temperature is still below freezing. Wash your car thoroughly because any road salt…