What is Included in Vehicle Inspection?

A vehicle inspection is a process that helps ensure your vehicle is safe and legal to operate on public roads. Depending on your jurisdiction, inspections may be required at regular intervals (e.g., every two years) or when specific changes are made to your vehicle (e.g., a change of ownership).

Inspections typically involve visually examining your vehicle's major components, including the engine, transmission, brakes, tires, and emissions control system. The inspector at an auto repair shop in High Point, NC, may also test-drive your vehicle to check for any mechanical problems. So, if you're due for an inspection or are considering purchasing a used car, it's important to know what is included in a vehicle inspection. There are three vehicle inspections: an in-depth inspection, an insurance policy examination, and a 12-point check. So let's look at each of these in more detail.

In-Depth/Courtesy Inspection

Inspect typical components (such as lights, oil, and wiper blades). This is generally done during an oil change or tire replacement.

Insurance Policy Examination

Provinces require an inspection for most vehicles over ten years old to evaluate the dangers of keeping the vehicle on the road. The auto repair shop technician will look for any red flags that would make your vehicle uninsurable.

12-Point Inspection

A complete inspection of your automobile. During your 12-point vehicle inspection, NC state vehicle inspections will check the following:

Fluid Levels

The professionals will inspect all your fluid levels to verify that they are correct, including your brake fluid, anti-freeze, and windshield washer fluid.

Rotating and Balancing Tires

Tires should be rotated 5,000 miles to promote even wear. The professionals will also inspect your tires for damage and uneven wear.

Tire Wear and Tread Depth

They measure the tread depth of your tires to ensure they are within the legal limit. And also inspect for any cracks, punctures, or other damage.

Wheels Balanced and Aligned

The professionals will check to see if your wheels are balanced and aligned. This is important for proper tire wear and to prevent vibration while driving.

Wiper Blades

Wiper blades should be replaced every six months. The professionals will inspect your wiper blades for cracks, tears, or other damage.

Lights

All of your exterior lights and interior dome lights will be checked. This includes your headlights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals. So if there's any chance a light is out, the professionals at auto repair near me will let you know.

Belts and Hoses

The technicians will check your belts and hoses to ensure they are in good condition and not leaking so that you don't have to worry about them breaking while you're driving.

Shocks and Struts

Shocks and struts help keep your ride smooth. The professionals will check for any leaks, cracks, or other damage.

Brakes

Professional brake repair will check your brakes for leaks, cracks, or other damage. They will also check the brake pads and rotors for wear. If any of your brakes are worn, they will need to be replaced to ensure your safety.

Battery

Batteries are the heart of your car. The professionals will check the battery for any corrosion or other damage. They will also test the battery to see if it holds a charge.

Timing Belt

The timing belt keeps your engine's valves and pistons in sync. If the timing belt snaps, it can induce major damage to your engine. The professionals will check the condition of your timing belt to ensure it is in good condition.

Cabin Filter

A cabin filter helps to keep the air in your car's cabin clean. The professionals will check the condition of your cabin filter and replace it if necessary.

Read here to learn the advantages of an oil change.

These were the three types of vehicle inspection. Each one is important to keep your car running smoothly and safely. So if you're due for an inspection, take your car to a professional auto repair shop. And if you are considering purchasing a used car, be sure to have it inspected before making the purchase.

What is The Tire Blown Out & How to Prevent Against It?

Tread failures are frightening for both newbies and veterans. You'll hear a loud boom and wonder who or what just hit you. If you're not well-prepared, you may lose complete control of your car and suffer an accident.

Fortunately, there are ways to avoid tread failures. Tire shop experts in High Point, NC, can help ensure that your tires are in good condition and properly inflated. You should also be familiar with the signs of tread wear to take action before it's too late.

In this post, we'll explore what causes tread failures and how to prevent them so that you can stay safe on the road.

What's a Tire Blowout?

Tires can sometimes erupt on the road, making a loud bang and losing pressure. They make a shrill noise and lose air pressure. That is a tire blowout.

Car safety has improved significantly in the last 50 years. With the latest cars, tire blowouts are not very common. But that is no reason to ignore the problem. In 2019 alone, many people died in tire-related accidents, some of which were caused by tire blowouts.

Why Do Tires Blow Out?

Tire blowouts can occur for several reasons.

Too Little Air Pressure in the Tires: Many drivers believe that underinflating their tires will protect them from a tire blowout, but this isn't the case. Underinflated tires are more likely to burst on the road. That's also because low-pressure tires lose their form and are easily overheated.

Overheated Tires: When the temperature of a tire becomes excessively high, strange things do occur. The tire air pressure rises, making a blowout considerably more probable.

Too Much Weight on the Tires: Large cars with heavy loads can stress their tires greatly. Too much weight can damage the edges of a tire and cause small cracks that can quickly become larger and cause a blowout.

Hitting Potholes and Curbs: Hitting a pothole at high speeds can puncture your tire and cause it to blow out. Curbs can also damage tires, so watch where you drive and avoid hitting curbs when possible.

Worn Tires: Worn tires are more likely to blow out because they have less tread. Tread is the grooved rubber outside of a tire that provides traction and helps channel water away from the tire.

What to Do If Your Tire Blows Out on the Road

You could run over a nail or another object and have your tire blow out while driving. It does happen. Understanding what to do if this occurs might save your life.

To begin, remain cool. It's natural to be shocked by the blast, but you must maintain your composure.

Second, don't brake or steer the wheel. Breaking will cause your automobile to spin since you'll only have three working tires.

Instead, hit the accelerator. However, don't drive like an F1 driver; rather, maintain a steady cruising speed. Driving over a tire failure helps you regain control of your vehicle.

Then, after the initial seconds, gradually remove your foot from the gas pedal while applying the brakes softly. Remember to keep the wheel as still as possible. The goal is to reach the side of the road without causing an accident.

Once you are stopped, put on your emergency lights, and call an auto repair shop to have your tire fixed or replaced.

Preventing Tire Blowouts

There are a few measures you can take to avoid a tire blowout:

Make Sure Your Tires are Properly Inflated: When the pressure in a car's gas tank gets too low, the newest vehicle models alert you to this with a bright light on the dashboard. If your vehicle does not have this function, follow the user's guide for the optimum air pressure level. Or take your car to a tire store and ask to check the pressure. They will find and adjust the pressure of your tires.

Don't Overload your Vehicle: Even the most oversized passenger vehicles have weight restrictions. Check with your vehicle's manufacturer to discover their suggestions and follow them.

Keep Your Eyes Far Ahead on the Road: Pay attention to the road and look ahead. This will help you avoid potholes, curbs, and other obstacles that might damage your tires.

Replace Your Tires Before They Are Worn Out: You might think you can get a few extra miles out of your tires before replacing them, but this is not a good idea. Worn tires are more likely to blow out than newer ones, so regular replacement is a good safety precaution.

Read here for reasons to choose brand-name tires for your car.

In Conclusion

Having a tire blowout can be a frightening experience, but there are steps you can take to keep yourself safe. Make sure your tires are properly inflated and not overloaded, maintain control of your vehicle while driving over the blowout, and replace worn tires before they cause an accident. Additionally, remember that driving safely will help prevent future blowouts and keep you safe on the road.

Get in touch with a reputable tire shop in High Point, NC, if you are looking to get a new set of tires.

Reasons for Wheel and Tire Alignment Problems

We've all been there: on a long journey when your car pulls to the left or right. Although you're not changing tracks, you have to correct the steering wheel to keep going straight. This is just one of the classic symptoms of a wheel alignment problem and tire alignment issue, and it should not be overlooked.

A wheel and tire alignment aim to adjust a vehicle's suspension components to set the wheels and tires at particular angles, resulting in improved handling, performance, and tire wear. When the wheels do not roll in the same direction, they will drift, the steering wheel will shake, and the tires will wear unequally. Tire shops in High Point, NC, can help you keep your vehicle driving smoothly.

But you might be curious about what causes these alignment issues in the first place. So, here are the common reasons for wheel and tire alignment problems!

Reasons for Wheel and Tire Alignment Problems

Check Out the Tires

When your automobile begins to drift, the first thing you should do is inspect the tire pressure. Check your tire pressure regularly at an auto repair shop in High Point, NC, to ensure it is correct. If a tire is low, the vehicle is most likely pulling in that direction due to the lower rolling diameter of the low tire than that of the properly inflated tire on the other side, which adds drag.

Get the tire re-inflated to the required PSI and see if that stops the drifting you've been experiencing. If your tire's pressure continues to drop, there's a good chance you leak, and you should get it fixed as soon as possible.

Your mechanic will also be able to notice uneven tread wear and determine whether it's time for a wheel alignment. Of course, it's also conceivable that a tire repair or replacement will take care of the problem.

Have a Professional Check Your Brakes

If your automobile drifts more rapidly than usual, your brakes could be an issue. Some portions of the braking system can stick, keeping one side of the vehicle's brakes in contact with the wheel. The tires' friction generates drag, causing the car to pull in the same direction of brake pressure. If you're having these severe tugs while driving, schedule an inspection at an auto repair near me.

Examine Your Suspension Parts and Hardware

Many components of your automobile's suspension system and hardware might cause it to become misaligned. Tires out of balance will tilt due to worn or loose wheel bearings. This can lead to the tire being set at an incorrect angle. Other components, such as frayed tie-rod ends and ball joints, a shaken steering gearbox, or other issues, might also pull to the left or right. You should go to a professional tire store to see if a repair or wheel alignment is required.

Your Car is Due for a Re-Alignment

If you haven't experienced any of these problems but still see the drift, your vehicle may require a new tire and wheel alignment. Having your wheels aligned at least once a year is critical, but this might vary depending on where you live and the road conditions. If you travel on unpaved roads or regularly hit the odd curb or speed bump, get your tires aligned more frequently.

In Conclusion

If you experience any of these signs, getting a wheel and tire alignment is essential as soon as possible. Whether your tires simply need air or you require a brake repair, a reputable tire shop in High Point, NC, can help. Don't wait until it's too late--contact Tire Max Total Car Care to get your vehicle back in good shape!