5 Benefits of Preventative Maintenance

September 7, 2023 by

When it comes to your vehicles, a well-maintained fleet is a safer fleet. Preventive maintenance is more than just the process of changing oil and fluids on a single car. It is a valuable option for individuals and businesses of all sizes. If you are not already taking preventative measures for your vehicles, now’s the time to consider doing so. It is a wise investment that can save you money and headaches in the long run.

Here are 5 benefits of preventative maintenance you need to know.

Increased Safety
A vehicle should get you from one destination to another without accidents or breakdowns. But you can’t predict when or where you’ll be when that failure happens. Fleet maintenance not only helps ensure the safety of the vehicle’s operator but those on the road around them as well. Preventative care includes regular inspection, cleaning, and servicing to identify and fix small issues before they become bigger down the line.
Less Vehicle Downtime
Work can come to a grinding halt when a company vehicle is broken down on the side of the road. Proactive fleet maintenance can reduce this risk and minimize repair downtime. Any worn down or damaged parts will be checked and replaced. Additionally, preventive maintenance can be scheduled during off-peak hours, such as nights or weekends, when vehicles are not being used as much. This can help to reduce the impact of downtime on operations.
Extended Vehicle Lifespan
When it comes to a vehicle’s lifespan, the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule should be followed to ensure that the vehicle is properly maintained. Additionally, using high-quality parts and fluids will prevent them from premature failure. Periodic inspections are a few ways to keep heavy-duty vehicles running smoothly and safely for a long time.
Reduced Repair Costs
The cost of preventive maintenance is typically much lower than the cost of unplanned repairs. If you don’t repair them early, the problems can continue to grow worse or cause damage to other parts of your car. You can prevent serious damage from occurring to the mechanical parts inside and prevent the need for potentially expensive repairs.
Fewer Interruptions to Business Operations
Equipment that sees routine preventive maintenance also runs more efficiently. Oil changes, examining hoses and filters, checking spark plugs, as well as careful inspection of a vehicle’s brakes and overall engine health are just a few examples of routine maintenance. These regular checkups will greatly improve your vehicle’s performance, mileage, durability, and longevity. With less time being spent on repairs, more time can be put towards other important matters.

Contact Vanaxle Today for Preventative Maintenance

A full service will keep your car in top driving condition at all times. 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. 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 your truck or trailer repairs and maintenance.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our certified technicians.

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.

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