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The Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee Guide To Servicing Your Differential

Posted on April 23, 2015 by Jim Nelson

Differential? What’s that? And what’s it for? I’ve been told by my service advisor that I need to get it serviced, but is that on the level?

Do these questions sound familiar? They’re not uncommon for Pewaukee auto owners. A lot of us in Pewaukee don’t know what a differential is or what it’s for. Every vehicle has a differential, and, yes, it does need to be serviced. In fact, it’s more important to the operation of your Sedan than the air conditioner or windshield wipers.

A differential allows your Sedan tires to move at different speeds. This happens more than you think. The best example is when a vehicle is turning. The inside wheel travels a much shorter distance than the outside wheel during a turn. This means the outside wheel has to move faster than the inside wheel. Without a differential, your tires would hop and skip while turning. They would also lose traction in sand or snow.

The location of your differential depends on what kind of vehicle you drive. On a rear-wheel drive vehicle, the differential is located in the back. For a front-wheel drive vehicle, it is located on the front, but it is usually called a transaxle. Four-wheel drive vehicles have three differentials: one on the front, one in the back, and one in the middle. This center differential compensates for differences in speed between the front and rear wheels.

Your differential contains strong gears that need to be protected from dirt, debris, water and other contaminants. A differential is sometimes referred to as a “gear box.” The work of these gears is to transfer power from the Sedan drive train to the wheels.

Your differential needs fluid to lubricate and cool the gears. This fluid, even though enclosed in the “gear box,” can get dirty because the gears grind down over time, releasing tiny bits of themselves into the fluid. Also, the additives in the differential fluid break down and need to be replaced. That’s why important preventive maintenance for your Sedan needs to include servicing the differential.

Your owner’s manual can give you recommendations on how often to service your differential. But you should also consult with your Friendly and professional Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee service advisor. Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee can give you some good auto advice on whether your vehicle needs to be serviced more frequently. For example, if you drive in hot or cold Pewaukee weather conditions, your differential will need to have its fluid changed more often.

Severe conditions will also affect your car care routine, and your differential. Check your owner’s manual for a definition of “severe service” conditions that affect your vehicle. Examples may include driving with frequent stops and starts, a lot of short trips around Brookfield, hot or cold WI weather conditions, and towing.

Off-roading is particularly hard on a vehicle’s differential. If you are an off-roader, especially if you cross WI streams or waterways, it is vital that you service your differential more frequently than the recommendations suggest.

Properly servicing your differential will extend its life and keep you out of Pewaukee auto repair shops. A smooth ride for Brookfield auto owners is the result of proper preparation and smart choices.

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Time Out: Suspension Problems in Pewaukee

Posted on April 15, 2015 by Jim Nelson

Your vehicle’s suspension system has two essential jobs: to prevent the passengers from getting tossed around inside the vehicle every time it hits a bump in the road and to keep the tires firmly planted on the road around every corner and over every bump.

To see your suspension system, you’ll have to look under your vehicle. Anything that connects the wheels to the vehicle’s frame is part of the suspension system. They’re heavy-duty parts that work hard while you’re driving and take a lot of wear and tear. Because of this, you should have your Friendly and professional Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee technician look at them once a year as part of your preventive maintenance routine. A good time for an automotive analysis is every time you get your alignment checked.

If your suspension is in trouble, you often feel it in how your vehicle drives. If the vehicle pulls to one side or wanders, if the steering is erratic, if your ride isn’t as smooth as it should be, or if your vehicle handles poorly, you should get a diagnostic examination of your suspension system. Uneven tire wear can also indicate worn parts in your suspension system. If your shocks are leaking oil then they definitely need to be replaced. All in all, if you don’t feel in control when you’re driving, go get your suspension inspected.

Shocks and struts wear out. Wheel bearings may need to be repacked every few years. Some parts of your suspension may need to be lubricated whenever you change your oil. Preventive maintenance is the key to keeping your vehicle under control. Good car care can prevent accidents for Brookfield car owners.

If you are in an accident, even a minor one, it can damage your suspension system or knock your wheels out of alignment. Even hitting a curb, pothole or large rock can damage your suspension. A wheel balancing or alignment won’t correct a suspension problem, and after any suspension work, you’ll may need to get an alignment.

At Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee, we advise Pewaukee drivers never to procrastinate essential repairs to their suspension system. A damaged suspension system can lead to loss of control of a vehicle in an emergency situation and serious accidents.

Potholes are unsightly nuisances around Pewaukee, but they’re also a major cause of suspension damage for Pewaukee auto owners. To avoid this, Pewaukee drivers should always keep their tires properly inflated. This gives the tires maximum resiliency. When you’re driving around the Brookfield area, avoid potholes if possible. If you can’t avoid one, then slow down before driving over it. Slower speeds limit pothole damage. But if you’re a little late detecting a pothole, don’t brake on top of it. This will throw the vehicle’s weight forward and increase the damage.

The suspension system may not be pretty to look at, but it provides Pewaukee drivers with a safe, comfortable ride — as long as they maintain it properly. You don’t have to show it off, but you should be proud of it.

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Cool Running In Pewaukee

Posted on April 7, 2015 by Jim Nelson

Unless you live in Death Valley, you really don’t hear much any more about cars overheating. That’s because cooling systems in vehicles have been much improved. That doesn’t mean you can’t overheat your Sedan engine, though. Without proper preventive maintenance, you could still find yourself on the side of the expressway in Pewaukee waiting for your Sedan engine to cool down.

When you service your cooling system at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee, your tech will check the condition of the coolant. It can become corrosive over time, which can damage a radiator — leading to an overheated engine. Changing the coolant periodically is good car care. Your Sedan owner’s manual can give you guidelines on how often to replace it.

If your engine overheated, your Friendly and professional service specialist will also check your coolant system for leaks. Check the Sedan radiator for cracks and the radiator hoses for leaks. He’ll also check your water pump. They don’t need to be replaced on a regular schedule, but they do need an inspection regularly. They can and do wear out.

The water pump is a critical component of your Sedan cooling system. It pumps the coolant to keep it circulating through the engine. The coolant is cooled in the radiator, then it travels through the engine, where it absorbs heat, then it returns to the radiator, where it releases the heat. And so on. But a water pump is something of a misnomer. The fluid pumped through your Sedan cooling system is not just water. It also contains coolant, which is actually poisonous. You should never consider your radiator as an emergency water supply.

There are many types of coolant. It varies from vehicle to vehicle, and using the wrong kind could damage your engine. Your service professional will know which kind your vehicle’s manufacturer recommends. The team of automotive professionals at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee is always a good source for auto advice. We’ve been providing quality automotive services at our convenient location in Pewaukee for 2 years.

Keeping your cooling system in good repair will help keep your engine running well, and keep you out of the Brookfield repair shop. This means that a regular cooling system inspection should be on your schedule for routine preventive maintenance of your vehicle. Your owner’s manual will tell you how often you need to do this. It varies depending on what kind of car you drive, what type of driving you do and where you live in WI.

At Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee, we help you keep your cool which will keep you in the driving lane.

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Wipe Out! New Wiper Blades For Pewaukee Drivers

Posted on April 2, 2015 by Jim Nelson

When Pewaukee drivers talk about vehicle safety, they think of tires and brakes. But do we think about our windshields? Isn’t the ability to see a prime safety factor when it comes to driving around WI? Yet we often don’t even notice our windshields until we can’t see through them, or until our wiper blades fail.

It’s estimated that around 46 million people are driving with wipers that won’t keep their windshields clear during a storm — that’s 46 million people with impaired vision during a storm. For safety’s sake, Pewaukee car owners need to change the way they think about wiper blades. Most of us, 78% in fact, only change our wiper blades after they fail. In other words, we don’t get new ones until the old ones become a harmful safety hazard. Instead, we Pewaukee drivers need to make wiper blades an important part of our preventive maintenance routine.

Wiper blades should be changed twice a year, in the spring and in the fall. In WI areas that experience harsh winter weather, special blades are available that prevent ice and snow from collecting on the wiper. Ask your Friendly and professional Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee tech about wiper blades that repel ice and snow.

No matter what blades you use on your vehicle in the winter, don’t expect them to clear the ice and snow from your windshield after your vehicle has been parked for a while. Using your wipers will shred your blades and may even damage your wiper motor. And don’t drive on Pewaukee roads with a frosted windshield. That’s a serious safety hazard. It can cause accidents, and you could be held liable.

Wiper blades are subjected to harsh conditions in Pewaukee. They’re out in the Brookfield sun and in the cold. Over time, they become hard and brittle and lose their flexibility. Then they start to tear. Without flexibility, wipers just can’t clear a windshield of water or snow. And torn wipers can actually scratch your windshield. Then the entire windshield has to be replaced — along with the wiper blades. It’s a prime example of how preventive maintenance could have saved you a costly repair bill.

Pewaukee auto owners can purchase new wiper blades at an auto service center or at any Pewaukee auto parts store. They cost about the same. But the auto service center will throw in the installation.

Once you have good wipers installed, don’t forget to top off your windshield washer fluid. If you take your vehicle in for a full-service oil change at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee in Pewaukee, your washer fluid will get topped off then. But it’s good auto advice to purchase a jug of washer fluid to keep at home — just in case. And pack it in the car when you go on long trips.

While we’re on the subject, Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee advises Pewaukee drivers to always fill their washer fluid reservoir with window washer fluid. Don’t ever use water. Water can freeze in the reservoir, which can damage it. It can also freeze onto your windshield. Besides, plain water just can’t get a windshield clean. Think about it. Do you use plain water to clean your bathroom mirrors? And a bathroom mirror doesn’t get exposed to anything near the gunk that can end up on your windshield. Windshield washer fluid was designed to do one thing — to clean windshields. Let it do its essential job.

A clean windshield is not just good car care for Pewaukee motorists — it’s a vital safety feature. Let’s keep it that way.

Posted in Windshield Wipers | Leave a comment

Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee Service For Your Exhaust System

Posted on March 25, 2015 by Jim Nelson

Your Sedan’s exhaust system is more than just a tailpipe and a muffler. In fact, it is one of the most complex systems on your Sedan. Maintaining it is good Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee auto advice for Pewaukee drivers, but it’s also good health advice and good environmental advice.

The exhaust system includes your emissions system. Because this system may affect your health and the health of our Brookfield area environment, it is subject to strict government regulations. Satisfying these regulations demands some high-tech, computer-controlled equipment, which means that the emissions system is a lot more sophisticated than it was thirty years ago. Most auto manufacturers recommend that you have your Sedan exhaust and emissions systems checked by a qualified service specialist at regular intervals.

The exhaust system starts with the exhaust manifold. The manifold is attached to the Sedan engine. It collects exhaust from the cylinders and directs it into the exhaust pipe. Gaskets seal the connection of the manifold to the engine and to other joints. A cracked or loose manifold or a leaking or damaged gasket can allow dangerous gases to enter the passenger compartment of a vehicle. One of these gases is carbon monoxide, which is colorless, odorless and deadly. For this reason, it is critical that Brookfield car owners keep their exhaust system in good repair.

The pipes that connect the various parts of the exhaust system can rust or be damaged by rocks or other road debris. Such damage can cause dangerous gases to leak into the air. So it is vital that exhaust pipes get a diagnostic examination regularly.

The catalytic converter is the next critical component of your Sedan exhaust system. It sort of looks like a muffler. Its job is to change dangerous gases into harmless carbon dioxide and water. The catalytic converter doesn’t require any regular maintenance, but it can wear out. If it fails, you will need a new catalytic converter to pass an emissions test in WI. Call Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee at 262-691-7113 if you suspect a problem with your catalytic converter.

Oxygen sensors in the exhaust pipe monitor the oxygen content of the exhaust. This helps the Sedan engine’s computer keep the fuel-to-air mixture at optimal levels.

The muffler is also part of your Sedan exhaust system, but it deals with a different kind of emission. It keeps your Sedan from emitting bad sounds. Mufflers act like finely tuned musical instruments. They create a feedback of sound waves to absorb or decrease the noises made by your engine. Different mufflers can create different sound waves, so you can actually “tune” your car to produce a particular sound, anything from whisper to rumble.

It is essential for damaged mufflers be replaced immediately at your Pewaukee automotive service center, especially if they are leaking. Not only will the extra noise annoy your Pewaukee neighbors, a leaky muffler could be serious.

The entire exhaust system is attached to your Sedan by hangers and clamps. These fasteners can rust, come loose or break. The essential components of the exhaust system can get very hot, so when the hangers or clamps fail, these hot components can come into contact with other parts such as wires and hoses. These can melt, causing serious and costly damage to your vehicle. Good car care requires that you have your exhaust system inspected regularly.

Let’s not forget the tailpipe. It’s the last essential piece in the exhaust system — and of your Sedan, for that matter. Exhaust fumes exit your Sedan through the tailpipe.

If your Sedan has any of the following symptoms, it may have a problem with the exhaust system: it’s hard to start, it runs rough, it’s noisy, it’s smoking. Also, if your “check engine” light comes on, especially if it’s flashing, it is important to get your Sedan to Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee in Pewaukee right away. Often, the “check engine” light indicates a problem with the emissions system.

Caring for your Sedan exhaust system yields cosmetic benefits like quieting your engine sounds, but also may impact your health and safety. Your life, or the life of a loved one, may actually be on the line.

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Mercedes SL 55AMG intermittent check engine light fix

Posted on March 19, 2015 by Jim Nelson

For the past 10 months, this beautiful car has driven the Mercedes dealer and a body shop nuts over an intermittent blowing air pump fuse after some minor body work and a new air pump installation . Not very long after the initial repair, this fuse would blow and turn on the check engine light. He first returned to the body shop that did the work and they referred him to the Mercedes dealer. The dealer spent some time on it finding nothing and sent him on his way. After multiple visits back and many fuse replacements he brought it to us. Our team did a very comprehensive circuit inspection and found two issues. The first was a fuse box, the one in the right corner of the engine compartment, had some suspect water damage and excessive corrosion within the terminal runs. This we believe was causing some resistance issues obviously unrelated to the blowing fuse which was a little baffling. The cause of the blowing fuse was from the air pump itself, we found that while running an air pump test and lightly taping on the case the pump would stop and draw excessive current on our tester, enough to blow a 40 amp fuse. Once we removed the air pump, we found the case of the pump had a broken out piece. The broken piece was hidden in an area under the large mounting bracket. You could see, what looked like external damage, which was caused from something striking the pump. We disassembled the blower housing and spun the fan, you could tell there was play in the motor bearings and you could feel a spot where it could jam up. We will never know where the damage came from but we do know this is the problem that has been making everyone crazy.

This is the type of work we are known best for, complicated electrical diagnosis and repair. We are fortunate to have a team of people that have spent most of their careers fine tuning the skills to make this happen. If you are having problems like this with your vehicle, please send it our way, we look forward to helping you.

Posted in Diagnostics, Fuel System | Tagged Air Pump, Check Engine Light, Mercedes, SL 55 | Leave a comment

When Do My Shocks Need to be Replaced?

Posted on March 17, 2015 by Jim Nelson

A good suspension system gives a vehicle a smooth, even ride while providing Pewaukee drivers with good handling and control. But like any system on your Sedan, important parts of the suspension system can wear out, leading to a lower ride quality and safety concerns. So it’s a good idea for Pewaukee auto owners to remember an automotive analysis of their suspension system in their schedule of a critical preventive maintenance. Springs do most of the work of the suspension system. The most common types of springs are coil and leaf, but air springs and torsion bars are becoming more common. The body of the vehicle is “suspended” by the springs.

If springs were the only working component in your suspension system, however, you’d spend your travel time bouncing up and down like a bobblehead. That’s where your shocks come in. They keep the rebound, or bounciness, of the springs under control. Shocks also keep your tires on the road, which keeps the driver in control of the Sedan. Some vehicles have struts in their suspension system. Struts are a compact combination of springs and shocks. They do the same vital job but in a single package.

Shocks wear out gradually, so it can be difficult for Pewaukee car owners to notice when they need to be replaced. There’s no definitive point when a vehicle’s ride goes from smooth and controlled to a bit imprecise. To check if your shocks or struts are worn, you should first do a visual inspection on them. If they are leaking fluid, they need to be replaced.

There are other less obvious signs that your suspension system needs important attention. For example, an uneven, cupping wear on your tires may indicate that your shocks are worn. If your vehicle feels “floaty” when you turn, or, in other words, you don’t feel that you have full control of the vehicle, you should check your shocks. Also, if the front end of your vehicle dips noticeably when you stop, it’s time for new shocks.

Your owner’s manual gives recommendations on how often the shocks should be checked, usually between 15,000 and 30,000 miles (24,000-50,000 km). If one of your shocks does need to be replaced, you should replace all four. This will keep your suspension even and ensure good handling of your vehicle. If you carry heavy loads, tow a trailer or drive on uneven Brookfield area terrain, you might also consider upgrading to a heavy-duty shock.

Regular shocks contain hydraulic fluid. The important fluid helps them absorb the bumps or “shocks” of the road so the impact doesn’t transfer to the Sedan’s body. Premium shocks are filled with compressed nitrogen gas, which costs more but does a better job of controlling body motions. Regular shocks can develop air bubbles that reduce their effectiveness; the premium shocks don’t have this problem. So if you want higher handling performance, if you drive off-road around WI or if you just want added comfort, you should think about upgrading to premium shocks or struts.

Replacing struts can put your Sedan out of alignment, so an alignment check should always follow this type of repair. Talk to your Friendly and professional technician at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee in Pewaukee.

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Road Trip: Be Ready for Anything With a Trip Inspection at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee

Posted on March 12, 2015 by Jim Nelson

Road trip, anyone? Nothing spoils a great vacation for us Pewaukee car owners then ending up stranded on the side of the road or spending a week in a rundown motel while our vehicle sits in the shop. Long days on the road can bring out the worst in your vehicle, so before you leave, prepare it for the journey by getting a diagnostic examination at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee in Pewaukee. After all, you wouldn’t travel without clean socks, why ask your vehicle to travel with a load of dangerous dirty oil?

The first step in a trip inspection at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee is to look at your travel plans. What kinds of roads will you be driving on? Will you be in the WI backcountry or on the freeway? Will you be crossing mountains? Off-roading? What will the weather be like? How many miles away from Pewaukee will you be traveling? How much are you hauling? Will you be towing a trailer or lugging a rooftop carrier? Will you encounter dust, mud, snow or sea salt? All of these questions can help Pewaukee auto owners confirm which Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee services are the most needed. And don’t hesitate to meet with your Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee service advisor. He can give you good auto advice on what trip conditions are hardest on what systems of your car and what kinds of services your vehicle realistically needs. Start with the tires and survey them for tread wear and proper inflation. Replace or rotate them as needed. If you need to change them out for winter tires, then do so.

Then survey your shocks or struts for wear. Replace them if needed. You’ll want that extra comfort on your trip. Be sure to survey your alignment. Steering a vehicle that is out of alignment is tiring, and dangerous. Don’t overlook your brakes. With extra passengers and baggage, your brakes are going to get a workout. You want them in top condition.

In addition, inspect belts and hoses. If any of them are close to wearing out, have them replaced before your long trip does them in.

Change your engine air filter if it needs it or if it’s close to needing it. For every gallon of gas you burn, your air filter processes 12,000 gallons of air. A clean air filter will protect essential electronic sensors that effect how your engine runs.

Get an oil change at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee in Pewaukee if it’s coming due. Make it a full-service oil change while you’re at it. That way, all of your fluids will get checked and topped off. Change any dirty or old fluids. Pewaukee car owners don’t want to overstress their cooling systems or transmissions with detrimental dirty fluid during a long trip.

Does your vehicle smell? Check the cabin air filter. The bad smell could also indicate an exhaust leak, which can be fatal on a long trip. So don’t ignore bad odors; check them out.

If your air conditioning hasn’t been up to snuff, then give it an overhaul. You want your vacation to be relaxed and pleasant, and that means keeping the passenger compartment comfortable.

And be sure to inspect your wiper blades and your headlamps. You may find yourself driving in unfamiliar territory at night after a long day. You’ll want to be able to see as much as possible.

Of course, almost everything listed here is just part of vital preventive maintenance for smart Pewaukee auto owners. If you keep up with your car care on a regular basis, a trip inspection will be a breeze at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee.

Taking care of your vehicle before you leave for a road trip will pay you back in safety, peace of mind, improved comfort and better MPG. It will also help your vacation go as planned by keeping you on the road and headed for that next great adventure. Just don’t forget to pack your socks.

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Coolant/Antifreeze Service At Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee

Posted on March 4, 2015 by Jim Nelson

Anyone that drives a car in Pewaukee knows that engines get hot when they run. But did you know that engines need to be cooled to keep running? Heat inside an engine can cause the metal parts to expand, which can seize up an engine and make it stop running. It can even ruin the entire engine! Good car care requires keeping your Sedan cooling system in good condition.

A vehicle’s cooling system circulates water and antifreeze (coolant) through the engine where it absorbs heat. It then flows to the radiator where the water and antifreeze are cooled by the air that flows over the radiator. Then it circulates back into the Sedan’s engine to absorb more heat.

Why shouldn’t Sussex drivers just use water? Because water boils at temperatures that are often reached inside of an engine. Steam won’t cool your Sedan engine and is hard to contain within the cooling system. The antifreeze keeps the water from boiling.

So why do we call it antifreeze? Shouldn’t it be antiboil? Truth is, the antifreeze performs another critical task. Water freezes in cold WI weather. That would spell disaster for your Sedan’s engine. So antifreeze also keeps the water in your cooling system from freezing in all but the most extreme cold. Pretty neat stuff!

Taking care of your cooling system is part of good preventive maintenance for your Sedan. Brookfield motorists should check coolant level often and regularly inspect your cooling system for leaks.

That is just good auto advice. Your Sedan’s manufacturer has maintenance requirements for draining and replacing engine coolant. Consult your owner’s manual or ask your Friendly and professional Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee tech for these recommendations, as they vary widely from among car makers.

Changing your coolant is also part of good preventive maintenance. Water is great at collecting all kinds of dissolved substances, especially when it’s hot. Water circulating through an engine picks up dirt, debris, pollutants, and other stuff. It actually becomes corrosive over time. This can damage engine parts and your radiator.

Replacing your coolant regularly keeps the Sedan cooling system functioning well and doesn’t allow it to sneakily become the cancer that wipes out your engine.

But don’t just slop any antifreeze into your vehicle. Check your owner’s manual or ask your Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee service specialist if you don’t know what is the right type of antifreeze for your vehicle. Using the wrong kind can void the warranty on your Sedan cooling system.

You may have noticed that different types of antifreeze are different colors. Manufacturers tint them different colors to make them harder to mix up. It’s easy to notice that you have purple fluid when you normally use green! That way, you have less chance of damaging your Sedan engine by using the wrong antifreeze.

One last word of warning — a little outside the area of car care. Never, ever let anyone or pets drink coolant/antifreeze – it is deathly poisonous.

Take care of your car, and take care of yourself! Just some good car care tips from Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee to keep you on the road and help your life in Pewaukee run more pleasantly.

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Keep Your Tires Well Rounded in Pewaukee: Tire Rotation and Wheel Balancing at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee

Posted on February 24, 2015 by Jim Nelson

Taking care of our tires is a vital part of car care for Pewaukee drivers. We know they have to be replaced when they wear out, but tires also require some essential preventive maintenance. This maintenance will improve MPG and extend the life of the tires, so it’s well worth the effort and expense for Pewaukee drivers to get it done. Tire maintenance includes keeping tires properly inflated, rotating tires and balancing wheels.

The recommended tire pressure for a vehicle’s tires is printed on a sticker on the inside of the driver’s side doorjamb. A lot of engineering goes into calculating the correct pressure, so it’s a critical number for Pewaukee drivers to know. Not following this recommendation can throw off the suspension system and can lead to costly tire damage. Underinflated tires wear out more quickly than properly inflated tires. Vehicles also get better traction, handling and fuel efficiency on properly inflated tires. Check your tire pressure at least once a week and add air if necessary.

Don’t be tempted to add a bit of extra air to your tires when you fill them. Overinflated tires will cause the center tread to wear unevenly because of improper contact with the road. It will also impair the handling performance of your vehicle.

Rotating tires allows all four tires on a vehicle to wear evenly. Front tires get more wear than rear tires because they do most of the work on turns. Tire rotation allows all of the tires to spend time on the front of the car so they all experience the extra wear.

For most vehicles, tire rotation is simply a matter of moving the front tires to the rear and vice versa. Some vehicles, however, recommend a cross-rotational pattern. Other vehicles use asymmetrical tires, which means the right tires have to stay on the right side of the car and the left tires on the left. Some vehicles use differently sized wheels on the front and back of the car and should not have their tires rotated.

What kind of rotation do you need? Check your owner’s manual or talk to your Friendly and professional Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee service specialist. Your owner’s manual will have information about how to rotate your vehicle’s tires as well as letting you know how often you should get it done. For most vehicles, that’s usually every 5,000 miles. Your Friendly and professional Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee tech can also offer auto advice about tire rotation. A quick tire inspection can also indicate whether or not your tires are due to be rotated.

When it comes to tire maintenance for Pewaukee motorists, wheel balancing is usually what we know least about. Balancing a wheel is necessary to keep it in constant contact with the road. If a tire is not balanced properly, it actually hops along the roadway. You can feel this hopping as a vibration in your steering wheel if the unbalanced tire is a front tire. You’ll feel the vibration through your seat if a rear tire is unbalance. Properly balancing your tires is essential and will extend their life span, improve handling and improve the safety of your vehicle. When you replace your tires, the new tires need to be balanced.

Never use different sized tires on the same axle of a vehicle. In other words, your front tires need to be the same size and your rear tires need to be the same size. Mixing sizes can lead to some serious handling problems for Pewaukee motorists.

If you have an all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive vehicle all four tires need to be the same size. If your tires are wearing out, you can sometimes make a new tire purchase fit within your budget by only buying two tires at a time. When you do this, the new tires should be installed on the rear of the vehicle. Rear tires are more in need of the traction than your front tires to avoid spinning out on slippery surfaces. If you drive a vehicle around Brookfield, you need tires, so Pewaukee drivers need to know how to care for them. The safety of your Sedan can depend on the condition of your tires.

Posted in Tires and Wheels | Leave a comment