Shocks and Struts reduce vehicle weight transfer providing superior handling through the toughest conditions. Replace worn shocks and struts to help improve vehicle handling characteristics and comfort. Good news! A fresh set of shocks can enhance more than just your ride. They help improve braking and handling under certain driving conditions, and they make vehicles safer and easier to control. This helps make the road safer for everyone. 

Interconnected undercar parts that could affect a driver's ability to avoid accidents are stopping, steering, and stability. 

If you see or experience any of these symptoms call Cloquet Automotive at 218-879-1974 or your local automotive service provider. Protect what's important -- follow technicians's suggestions. 

Though you may never even see it, a wheel hub bearing unit is an important part of your car's wheel assembly, enabling you wheels to turn freely and playing a crucial role in the safety and handling characteristics of your vehicle. Comprised of precision-manufactured bearings, seals and sensors in one preassembled unit, a wheel hub bearing unit is critical to your car's performance, form the smoothness of the ride, to fuel efficiency, to the integrity of your anti-lock braking system (ABS). So when it's time to replace one, you'll want a replacement hub bearing that's as good -- and safe -- as the original that came with your car when it was new.

Your car's hub bearings include the wheel speed sensor that controls your anti-lock braking system (ABS). This sensor sends a constant signal to the ABS control system telling it how fast each wheel is turning. In an emergency situation, the ABS control system will determine if anti-lock braking is required. If the ABS sensor doesn't work properly or fails, the ABS system fails, so the quality of this sensor (how it is made and protected from damage) is critical to braking safety.

Your car's traction control system (TCS) uses a combination of electronic drivetrain controls in conjunction with the ABS system. Since it uses the same wheel speed sensors and components as the ABS system, it can be considered a subsystem and extension of that system. Together, ABS and TCS work to provide the driver with full control over the vehicle under potentially dangerous road conditions. 

Many manufacturers sell replacement hub bearings that are very low priced. Initially, you may think that is a great deal or value. Unfortunately, with that low price, you get a low quality hub bearing that is inferior to a premium, Original Equipment quality hub bearing. We call these hubs "value grade, " and experience has proven that these low performing "value grade" hubs are no real value in the long run. In fact, in many cases:

• Value grade hubs last less than half as long as premium hubs.
  
• Their cheaply made seals can allow moisture and contaminants to enter and destroy the bearing prematurely -- requiring you to pay for a new hub in as little as 10,000 miles. 
  
• They can produce annoying wheel vibration and noise
• They can cause your anti-lock braking system to malfunction, leading to safety concerns for your vehicle.
• They can even result in your wheel hub coming off while you are driving -- potentially causing a fatal accident.

YES! Value grade hub bearings are often made using low quality steel and/or improper manufacturing techniques. These hubs can degrade quickly and cause excessive vibration and noise. In some cases, the steel can fracture and cause a wheel to break off at high speeds.

Due to the electronics and newer technologies the recommended mileage between "tune-ups" or spark plug replacement has gone up to 30,000, 60,000 and even 100,000 miles! This means a $250 tune-up nowadays is cheaper than the 2 or 3 tune-ups you would've needed with the same amount of mileage. that were done for $100 25 years ago. Especially when you compare what $100 was worth then. Distributors are now gone and even spark plug wires are missing from many applications. Forget those adjustments, the onboard computer handles fuel mixture, timing and idle speed control. On many of the newer cars, just spark plugs, fuel and air filters, and PCV valves remain of the items that we used to consider part of a "tune up". Someday the spark plugs may disappear as well. Only time will tell.

Because the word "tune up" can mean so many different things the manufactures don’t list tune ups in their maintenance schedules. They list the items individually at specific miles or duration of time.

Ignition systems have become much more reliable over the years. Many engines don't even have distributors anymore; they use a DIS or Direct Ignition System. These systems can either mount one ignition coil on each spark plug, or share one coil for two plugs, thus eliminating the need of a distributor.

On engines that still use a distributor, it is a good idea to replace the distributor cap, distributor rotor and ignition wires according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

The spark plugs need to be replaced on a regular basis as well. Even though some manufacturers have extended those intervals to 100,000 miles, this doesn't apply to all engines. The best plug to use is the one the manufacturer recommends. This information is usually found on an engine decal located under the hood.

Belt basics
Perhaps the most critical engine component these days is the timing belt. Most manufacturers suggest replacing the timing belt every 60,000 miles.

Not all engines use a timing belt, but on those that do, it's critical that it be replaced before it breaks. If your car has an interference engine where the valves and pistons occupy the same place in the combustion chamber at different times, serious engine damage can occur if the belt breaks while operating. If your car has a non-interference engine, the worst that will happen is you get stranded somewhere.

Other engine drive belts should be checked on a regular basis — about as often as you change oil. In general, you should look for excessively cracked, glazed or frayed belts. Many accessories — including the alternator, power steering pump and coolant pump — are operated by drive belts. If these belts break or slip, the components they drive will fail to work, leaving you stranded.

One more thing to check while you're looking at the belts is the battery. Virtually all batteries are maintenance-free these days, except for a periodic terminal cleaning and inspection for cracks or leaks. In addition, ensure the battery is mounted securely.

Tire tips
Tires are one of the most important maintenance items under your car. The best way to get the most out of your tires is by having them rotated and balanced on a regular basis, about every 7,500 miles. This ensures they wear evenly and last as long as possible.

Balancing is important to eliminate vibration at road speeds, and a properly balanced tire reduces the stress and strain on shocks, struts and steering parts. Keeping the tire pressures set to specification will also go a long way in extending tire life and fuel economy.

Seeing clearly
Finally, you should get in the habit of replacing your wiper blades once a year. The Car Care Council recommends replacing them each spring, when you set your clocks forward for Daylight Savings Time.

Wiper refills are the most inexpensive safety feature on your vehicle. And if you doubt having good wipers is a safety feature, try driving with bad ones in a downpour at night.

If you live in an area that suffers cold and snowy winters, you may want to change to winter blades in the fall and go back to regular blades in the spring.

Following a regular vehicle maintenance program is the best insurance you have against unexpected breakdowns and expensive repairs. It also pays dividends by allowing you to get the most out of your transportation investment.

With a little forethought and TLC, that family chariot can reliably deliver a couple of hundred thousand miles of service.


If you have any further questions about "tune-ups" on your particular vehicle Cloquet Automotive is always here to help. Remember: "If you can't fix it the Trannyman can!"


218-879-1974
Cloquet Automotive
1310 18th Street 
Cloquet, MN 55720