by 4thlineautocom on March 22, 2012
Keep a watchful eye with arrival of pothole season
As the ravages of winter subside and temperatures rise, there is probably a pothole out there with your name on it, cautions Car Care Canada. Cold temperatures, snow and rainfall create the perfect storm for the motorists’ dreaded “perils of potholes period.”
Drivers know immediately when they hit a pothole. The heart-stopping, teeth-jarring noise is hard to mistake. However, it’s not always immediately clear if hitting the pothole caused damage to the vehicle, and to what extent.
Hitting a pothole can damage tires, wheels, steering and suspension, wheel alignment and more. Car Care Canada recommends that motorists who experience any of the following warning signs after hitting a pothole should have a professional technician at their local repair shop inspect the vehicle:
- Loss of control, swaying when making routine turns, bottoming-out on city streets or bouncing excessively on rough roads. These are indicators that the steering and suspension may have been damaged. The steering and suspension are key safety-related systems. Together, they largely determine your car’s ride and handling. Key components are shocks and/or struts, the steering knuckle, ball joints, the steering rack/box, bearings, seals and hub units and tie rod ends.
- Pulling in one direction, instead of maintaining a straight path, and uneven tire wear. These symptoms mean there’s an alignment problem. Proper wheel alignment is important for the lifespan of tires and helps ensure safe handling.
- Low tire pressure, bulges or blisters on the sidewalls, or dents in the rim. These problems will be visible and should be checked out as soon as possible as tires are the critical connection between your car and the road in all sorts of driving conditions.
Car Care Canada offers these tips to help protect vehicles against a pothole encounter:
Maintain full air pressure in all tires to provide as much cushion as possible between the pothole and the rim of the tire.- Watch for potholes by leaving plenty of space between your vehicle and the one in front of you.
- Before swerving around a pothole, be sure to check surrounding traffic.
- If you can’t avoid a pothole — at least slow down! Hitting a pothole at high speed increases the chance of damage to tires, wheels, shocks, struts or springs.
- When driving over a pothole-filled road, hold the steering wheel firmly to avoid losing control.
- Do not brake when directly over a pothole. Applying the brakes causes the car’s weight to shift to the front of the wheel and can increase damage from the impact.
- A broken shock or strut from a pothole encounter could alter the steering and handling of a vehicle and create dangers when driving at high speeds or in tight corners. Broken suspension components should be repaired immediately.
by 4thlineautocom on November 11, 2010
Toronto Star Wheels
Saturday, October 30, 2010.
Now is the time to buy winter tires. Not tomorrow, not next week and certainly not next month.
The reason for this is that by mid-November, there will be nary a winter tire in the manufacturers’ warehouses. All of the 2010 winter tires will be at dealers and tire distributors. The racks will be empty waiting for next spring’s tires to start trickling in.
For the consumer, that means choices in brands and haggling ability over price diminish as the clock ticks. This is especially true if you have a size that is not common. By mid-November, the tire dealer will be telling you what brand you can have and what price you will pay.
When you start shopping for winter tires, arm yourself with some basic information. Start by knowing what your tire size, speed rating and load index numbers are. READ MORE
by 4thlineautocom on October 27, 2010
It’s time for winter tires and with forecasts of a cold and snowy fall and winter season, don’t delay in getting prepared!
While most new vehicles are equipped with all-season tires from auto manufacturers, there is a definite difference between all-season and winter tires. In light snow road conditions, all-season tires provide enough traction, but in heavy snow, slush, and ice conditions, winter tires are the proven answer to better road grip, cornering, braking and overall handling.
In one recent independent tire test, a BMW equipped with ani-lock brakes and winter tires stopped in 17.28 meters (59 feet) on a snow-packed road, while the same vehicle with all-season tires did not stop for another 9.17 meters.
Testing of acceleration and cornering determined that vehicles equipped with tires designed specifically for winter driving out-performed all-season tires in every test. Even vehicles equipped with traction control and stability systems achieved safer and more efficient handling with winter tires.
Winter tires simply provide better traction and vehicle control, as well as safer winter driving. So consider these factors as the season changes and take advantage of our October specials on several quality brands of winter tires!!
by 4thlineautocom on October 19, 2010
With the winter season fast approaching, it’s that time of year to get your car geared up with Winter Tires. Winter tires’ treads have more biting edges for better grip on snow and ice, while their softer compound remains flexible even in extremely low temperatures.
Learn more by watching Winter Tire Demonstration videos here!
by 4thlineautocom on September 13, 2010
Exterior lighting on your vehicle is an important part of your vehicle operation and is a major contributor to road safety. According to a recent study, one of every five auto accidents caused by technical failure is a result of defective lighting.
Head lamps that are burned out or not aimed properly can cause accidents as drivers do not have full road vision during night time driving. Deer and other animals, pedestrians, and traffic entering the roadway are up to 10 times more difficult for drivers to see when head lights are not fully operational.
Burned out tail lights are also a hazard as vehicles approaching your car need to see your tail lamps and brake lights clearly, especially inclement weather.
You also want your turn signals to work properly so other drivers know what your intentions are when making left or right hand turns.
Another common problem due to moisture, degeneration, and rock/debris damage, is the loss of high beam head lamps. High beams can be vital during night time road driving, particularly on unlit roadways or during rain storms.
In virtually all states and Canadian provinces, defective lighting is against the law and fines can be more than $100 in some cases.
So, with fall and winter weather approaching, make sure all your exterior lighting is functioning and head lamps are properly aimed for maximum night time road vision.
by 4thlineautocom on September 13, 2010
We offer complete head and tail light replacement, including proper head lamp alignment! Make sure your exterior lighting and turn signals are working properly for the upcoming winter season!
by 4thlineautocom on July 19, 2010
Shocks and struts are important to maintain as they affect your vehicle’s stopping distance, tire wear, and steering control.
The main purpose of shocks, struts, and even coil springs is to absorb the pressure when driving so you encounter a comfortable ride. Shocks dampen or eliminate spring oscillation (up and down movement) by using a plunger, a cylinder, and non-compressible liquid.
When you drive over rough roadways or encounter a pot hole, shocks and struts go to work to help maintain an even ride so your vehicle’s steering system is more in control and tires remain on the road surface.
Longterm spring oscillation or bouncing can cause shock and strut components to wear allowing for added bouncing and poor tire wear. It also takes longer to stop your car or truck when these parts are worn.
If you are encountering a bumpy ride, nose dives when stopping, or unusual tire wear, make sure to have your shocks or struts checked for worn parts. It really is all about driver safety and being able to properly steer, control, and stop your vehicle.
Bring your vehicle into Fourth Line Automotive and have your shocks & struts inspected!
by 4thlineautocom on December 14, 2009
Be sure to be safe this winter season! Bring your car or truck in to Fourth Line Auto and take advantage of our Winter Maintenance Special (
click here for coupon).
Winter Maintenance Special includes:
- Oil and filter service
- Multi-point inspection, including brakes
- Coolant Flush Service
- Inspection of all heater and radiator hoses
- Tire inspection, rotation and balance (if needed)
- Check and top off all underhood and vital fluids
- And more!
And while you’re out there on the roads, keep these following tips in mind:
- Make certain your tires are properly inflated.
- Drive with your headlights on.
- Avoid using cruise control or overdrive. Don’t let your car make a bad decision for you.
- Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up.
- If you lose traction and your vehicle feels like it’s floating, gradually slow down. Don’t slam on the brakes.
- Use caution when driving on bridges or concrete highways. These surfaces are the first to freeze and become slippery when the temperature drops.
- Slow down in advance of shaded areas, especially on curves. Shaded areas are cooler and may have ice that is difficult to see.
- Don’t pass snowplows or sanders, and don’t follow them too closely.
- Don’t get overconfident with four-wheel drive. It won’t help you stop any faster.
- Winter road conditions often result in longer stopping distances. Give yourself room. If you have anti-lock brakes, press the pedal down firmly and hold it. If you don’t have anti-lock brakes, gently pump the pedal.
- Slow down when approaching intersections, off-ramps, bridges or shady spots. These all have potential to develop black ice.
- Avoid abrupt actions while steering, braking or accelerating to lessen your chance of losing control.
- Look farther ahead in traffic. Actions by other drivers will alert you to problems and give you extra reaction time.
- Trucks take longer to stop. Don’t cut in front of them.
And just in case, make sure you pack an emergency kit in your trunk with the following items:
- Rechargeable flashlight
- Cell phone and car adapter
- Extra food and water
- Flares
- Tools: jack, lug wrench, shovel
- Road maps
- Blanket/sleeping bag(s)
- Extra warm clothes, boots, hat and gloves
- First aid kit (if you take prescription medicines, keep a few handy in your kit)
- Pocket knife
- Matches or lighter
- Battery jumper cables
- Ice scraper and snow brush
- Paper towels
- Extra washer fluid
Be safe and be warm out there!
Gino
by 4thlineautocom on November 28, 2009
Look for the peaked mountain with snowflake symbol when you purchase your winter tires. Tires marked with this symbol meet specific snow traction performance requirements and have been designed specifically for use in severe snow conditions.
Tires marked “M + S” (Mud and Snow), or “all season” tires that do not have the peaked mountain with snowflake symbol, may provide safe performance in most weather conditions, but are not designed for snow and ice-covered roads.
At temperatures below 7°C, standard tires begin to lose elasticity, resulting in reduced traction. Winter tires retain their elasticity to grip at much lower temperatures.
Wide, high-performance tires, other than those specifically designed as winter tires, are not suitable for use on snow-covered roads. As a tire wears, traction is reduced. Tires that are worn close to the tread wear indicators should not be used on snow-covered roads.
We carry a wide selection of tires. Call us today to find out which tires are best for your vehicle and driving needs.
Cheers,
Gino
