How Winter Weather Can Affect Wheel Alignment

October 28, 2022 by

If you live in a cold area, then you know how the climate and weather can affect your vehicle during the winter months. Winter is one of the roughest seasons on cars. That’s why it’s important to get your car checked before the winter season begins, especially the wheel alignment.

Proper wheel alignment is obviously important in terms of preventing premature tire wear, and to maintain predictable and controllable handling and braking. But in winter weather, where you’re likely to encounter slippery conditions, wheel angles become much more important. Winter tires are meant to help you handle ice and snow, but they can’t do this if your wheels aren’t properly aligned.

Here are 3 ways winter weather can affect wheel alignment.

1. Winter Weather Reduces Tire Pressure

The weather plays a significant role in determining the condition of your tire pressure. When the temperature outside drops below 32 degrees Fahrenheit for multiple days in a row, then you will notice a drop in the tire pressure.

Generally speaking, there will be 1 pound of pressure loss for every temperature drop of 10 degrees. But this isn’t necessarily a reason to be concerned. This can easily be taken care of by adding more air to the tires. Additionally, you can bring your vehicle in and we can inspect it for you. This way, we can ensure you’re driving in a safe and reliable vehicle all winter long.

2. Cold Weather Can Cause a Loss of Traction

Your tires are the only part of the vehicle that are in contact with the road, so they have a lot of friction, naturally. This also means that if you drive your car on rough or rocky roads, it will wear out faster. Therefore, it’s important to get your car checked out before and even after the winter season. Getting your alignment done periodically keeps your car running properly, and ensures that you can enjoy a smooth ride.

3. It Can Throw Your Car Off Balance

Poorly aligned wheels can throw off your vehicle’s balance on snowy or icy roads. If not properly maintained, misaligned wheels could potentially cause you to skid out of control. This is especially true if you drive an all-wheel-drive vehicle. You will experience more significant (and usually uneven) tire tread wear. Additionally, the brake pads and brake system mechanics can wear out more quickly. Any issues with this and other drivetrain components could lead to damage and costly repairs, or at least maintenance services being required more often than necessary.

We Provide Alignment Services for Trucks & Vehicles of All Sizes

The need for wheel alignment service significantly increases when faced with adverse weather conditions. If you want more information about the effects of cold weather and the proper measures you should take to maintain your vehicles, we can help. VanAxle specializes in medium-duty truck alignment, alignment for heavy-duty commercial trucks, including industrial cranes and heavy equipment, and every vehicle in between. Our knowledgeable, friendly and experienced team of mechanics will go the extra mile for every client that we serve.

Contact VanAxle now to schedule an appointment or inquire about our truck alignment services.

Truck Suspension

May 3, 2022 by

All of the parts that make up a vehicle are important, especially its suspension system. If you’ve noticed that your truck’s handling has declined or is no longer smooth, there may be an issue with its suspension system. Read on to learn more about truck suspensions and how they operate.

What is a Truck Suspension System?

Composed of a series of springs and shock absorbers, a suspension system is designed to cushion both the driver and the vehicle from potentially uncomfortable and/or hazardous road conditions. Your vehicle’s suspension system works hard to withstand a considerable amount of stress compared to other major vehicle systems.

Why is Truck Suspension Important?

Truck suspensions are crucial to providing stability on the road. When it comes to heavy-duty vehicles like work trucks, the suspension system plays a critical role in helping support the different operations the vehicles perform. Truck suspensions are important for improving a vehicle’s ride and handling along with passenger safety and comfort.

Signs of Suspension Trouble

Your suspension system works hard to ensure a comfortable driving experience. Recognizing the warning signs of suspension system problems can mean the difference between needing major or minor repairs. But how can you tell if something is wrong with your vehicle’s suspension?

Here are a few signs to look out for:

The vehicle forces you to slow down more than usual for cornering
New tires wear out quickly with no obvious cause
You find moisture on or near your shock absorbers
Steering is difficult when traversing bumps
Your vehicle dips forward when you brake

Truck Suspension Components

The suspension system of your car is complex and made up of many different parts. All vehicles typically have a front and back suspension system, as all four wheels are connected differently. The suspension system components are located between the frame of the vehicle and the road.

Here are a few essential parts that control how your vehicle handles the road:

Springs: The springs are the foundation of a suspension system. Their primary job is to hold up the weight of the vehicle and its cargo. There are three types of springs used in suspension systems: coil, leaf, and torsion bar.
Shock absorbers: These pump-like devices absorb or dampen the compression and rebound of the springs and suspension. Not only does this control the unwanted and excess spring motion but it keeps your tires in contact with the road at all times. The smoothest riding shocks you can get would be ones identical or nearly identical to factory tuning, typically something like the Bilstein B4 series, KYB Excel-G Series, or Monroe OE Spectrum. All of these have the most forgiving valving for road handling and comfort.
Linkage: The steering linkage is composed of all the parts of the steering system that connect the steering wheel to the front wheels. The steering linkage transfers the motion of the steering gear output shaft to the steering arms that turn the wheels to maneuver and control the direction of the vehicle.
Control Arms: Often called A arms, A frames, I arms, or links, control arms connect each wheel to the frame of your vehicle. This gives you better control and stability over rough surfaces and sharp turns.
Stabilizer Bars: Stabilizer bars give you control, preventing your vehicle from unnecessary swaying and lurching.

Reliable Service From a Dependable Company

A vehicle’s suspension system tends to be out of sight and out of mind until there’s a problem. If you’re overdue for routine maintenance, it might be time to schedule an appointment for your commercial car or truck with Vancouver Axle & Frame.

We’re proud of our enduring history of quality and professional services for our customers. Our knowledgeable, friendly and experienced team of mechanics will go the extra mile for every client that we serve. We want to be your first call for preventative maintenance and a thorough inspection of your vehicles.

Vehicle Maintenance & Inspection: What You Should Know

April 8, 2021 by

Every vehicle owner knows how tempting it can be to put off inspections unless an issue arises. However, a maintained fleet is a safer fleet. No matter what type of vehicle you’re driving, you’ll want to ensure that it runs well for years to come by keeping up with routine car maintenance and inspection. At Vanaxle, we’re proud to work on vehicles from small passenger cars to medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks, including RVs, trailers and fifth wheels in the Fraser Valley, BC.

Why Commercial Vehicle Maintenance Is Important

Cars and trucks are intricate machines in need of regular care in order to properly function. This is especially important if you use them as a regular part of your business. After all, the safety of your employees and fleet is of utmost importance. We know that you want your commercial vehicles to perform at their absolute best. Not only will this help extend the life of your fleet, but it reduces the need for expensive vehicle repairs down the road.

Basic Check-Ups You Can Do Yourself

You don’t have to be an auto mechanic to keep your car well-maintained. There are a few regular cleaning and maintenance habits that you can do to keep your trucks looking and running like brand new. Keep these tips in mind as you go through your cleaning and inspection process.

What to Check Monthly

Engine light
Headlights and tail lights
Clean the interior and exterior

What to Check Every 3 Months/3,000 Miles

Windshield washer fluid
All lights inside and out
Engine oil and filter
Power steering fluid
Tire pressure and tire treads

What to Check Every 6 Months/6,000 Miles

In addition to the above preventative maintenance, you’ll want to do complete these checks:

Windshield wiper blades
Car battery and cables
Polish the exterior

What to Check Every 12 Months/12,000 Miles

Brake system
Coolant/antifreeze levels
Steering and suspension

Completing Your Fleet Inspection

Taking proper care of your vehicles is essential for managing and maintaining a productive business. A final follow-up inspection afterward will give you peace of mind that you’re ready to hit the road. It will be beneficial to keep your fleet free from garbage and make sure that everything is wiped down. It may also help to regularly pressure wash the exterior of your vehicle to keep up its visual appeal.

When your vehicle isn’t performing as it should, then you know it’s time to schedule an inspection. Issues like a lack of acceleration, wheel misalignment, and other problems are signs you won’t want to ignore. Be sure to keep track of any issues that might need to be addressed by experienced professionals.

Reliable Service from Experienced Professionals

If you’re overdue for routine maintenance, it might time to schedule an appointment for your commercial vehicle with Vancouver Axle & Frame. We’re proud of our enduring history of quality and professional services for our customers. Our knowledgeable, friendly and experienced team of mechanics will go the extra mile for every client that we serve. We want to be your first call for preventative maintenance and a thorough inspection of your vehicles.

Or call now (604) 882-5112

VANCOUVER AXLE AND FRAME THAT IS ACCOUNTABLE AND RELIABLE

To whom it may concern Vancouver Axle and Frame has been looking after Telus vehicle Service and CVI inspections since 2012 It is a priority that our vehicles are regularly maintained and safe for Telus employees to operate. They consistently accomplish both of these tasks and go the extra mile to insure that they are giving us what we need. The team has committed to working with Telus to get the trucks completed in a timely manner, and if issues arise they will communicate the delay and an estimated return to service date. As a fleet manger it is nice to know that we have a company like Vancouver Axle and Frame that is accountable and reliable working with us to help maintain our Fleet in the GVRD. I recommend to others to find out what Vancouver Axle and Frame can do for you.

GORD HOUGHTON, TELUS FLEET MANAGER

DEPENDABLE, FRIENDLY AND OPEN OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS

We are very pleased with the business relationship we share with Vancouver Axle & Frame. We have found their repair services to be dependable, friendly and open over the past 20 years. Their attention to detail and willingness to listen to our needs is extremely important to our company.

TOM LAMB, COMMERCIAL TRUCK SALES