Like most drivers, you probably don't think about your car's wheel alignment until there's a problem. And by then, it's often too late. A wheel alignment can correct problems such as uneven tire wear, steering wheel shake, and poor handling. This blog post will discuss five signs that it's time for a wheel alignment. Signs It's Time For a Wheel Alignment Uneven Tire Wear One of the most common signs that it's time for a wheel alignment is uneven tire wear. If you notice that your tires are wearing down more on one side than the other, it's a good indication that your car needs an alignment to avoid further tire damage. Steering Wheel Shake Another common sign of a wheel alignment problem is a steering wheel shake. If you're driving down the road and your steering wheel starts to feel loose and shaky, it's a good indication that your car needs an alignment. A vibrating steering wheel could also indicate problems with brake rotors. Steer ... read more

There's nothing more unpleasant than opening your car door to catch a reeking smell. When a bad smell lingers in your cabin, your first instinct may be to find the source. But if the smell is familiar, like the smell of rotten eggs, it is probably sulfuric acid coming from your catalytic converter.    The most common culprit for this spoiled smell is a bad catalytic converter. The catalytic converter is an integral component of your car's emission system that changes harmful engine byproducts into safer gasses before releasing them. When it stops being able to do this, all those gasses get mixed with the air, which can turn your car into a smelly mess.   If your catalytic converter is damaged, it will likely need to be replaced by a professional mechanic. In other cases, a bad pressure sensor can manipulate the catalytic converter to stop working. The best way to be sure is to have a trusted technician inspect it.   The Danger Of It All Unfortunately ... read more

A cracked windshield is one of the most annoying things a driver can deal with, and it is quite common. Minor chips or fractures can occur from everyday driving hazards like debris or temperature or pressure changes. While larger cracks can happen from accidents and large debris. Regardless, you should not leave a damaged windshield there for long.   Following an incident, you may wonder can you continue driving with it and how long can you go driving with the windshield damaged.   You’ll be glad to know that you can drive with a cracked windshield. However, that doesn’t mean it’s smart to do it. In some states, you can get tickets and fines for cracks that block the driver’s line of sight.   Furthermore, a fissure in your windshield can pose a safety hazard to you and your passengers. Driving with a large crack can obstruct your view of the road, especially if the damaged area is on the driver’s side. Plus, the damage can compromise t ... read more

The Total Peace of Mind Vehicle Repair Warranty A nationwide vehicle repair warranty is just that! It's a written agreement you can use at authorized auto repair shops nationwide, no matter their locations, to fix any qualifying repairs free of charge. So when you will be traveling out of town, feel confident in the fact that any vehicle problems you might run into will not be a costly headache. Please don't get it confused, though. A nationwide vehicle repair warranty is not an extended warranty but is a valid warranty that your auto repair shop offers. You can use the contract at specific repair shops across the nation, where they will cover any repairs with quality parts and labor. The nationwide vehicle repair warranty typically is valid for 24 Months/24,000 miles of use. However, Auto Fitness has extended ours further than the average, as we will cover 36 months/36,000 miles.  Never Worry About Your Car When You're on Holiday Again There is no greater peace of ... read more

Most of the time, car problems can be detected early on by having regular inspections. Knowing the warning signs and when to take your car to an auto repair shop can save you both time and money in the long run. Read on to learn 6 critical warning signs that indicate that your vehicle is in trouble: Check engine light on: If this yellow light is flashing on your dashboard, it’s a very serious sign that your car is in critical condition. It is almost always engine or emissions related. When you see this light, please pull over and call for a tow immediately.  Weird smells: if your car is emitting a foul or burning scent while driving, don’t take it lightly. It could signify any problems with your brakes, wheels, transmission, belts, or fluids. Loud metallic screeching: This noise is often associated with your brakes and can erupt when you step on the brake pedal. You should have your brakes checked to see if any components need to be replaced.  Smoke: Any odd-l ... read more

Similar to motor oil for your engine, your transmission needs fluid to keep its transmission components cool and lubricated. You should always have clean transmission fluid to make seamless gear changes. When you have a transmission fluid leak, or your transmission fluid levels dip too low for other reasons, you may notice one or more of the troubling signs below:  Burning Smells - You run the risk of overheating whenever your vehicle runs with not enough transmission fluid. As a result, you will smell burning odors. Continuing to ignore this smell will lead to further transmission damages. Clunking Noises - You may also hear unsettling noises whenever you make gear changes. Trouble Shifting Gears - Speaking of gears, you may not be able to get your automobile into proper gear at all. In other words, your car may refuse to go into drive or reverse. Furthermore, it's very common for a troubled transmission to slip out of gear and go back into neutral in the middle of driving ... read more

Even though Airbags aren't actively used every day by drivers, they have such an essential purpose in the overall safety of your vehicle. Airbags have saved hundreds and thousands of lives, but when did they become a major safety feature in the automotive industry? And how have they affected society? As the innovation of airbags continues to be studied and improved today, let's discuss the history of how airbags came to be.   The airbag was conceptualized and created by a gentleman named Walter Linderer, who was from Germany. It had been patented as early as the 1950s; however, it was initially coined as a safety cushion back then. Unfortunately, Linderer's design failed. One major flaw was that it required a cue from the driver to inflate.   American John Hetrick wanted to make the previous design better, as he was a vehicle accident victim. Hetrick was the individual who called his design "airbag". However, the automotive industry still failed to r ... read more

Winter can be a very dangerous time to drive in your car. But you don't have a choice if you need to go to work or run errands for the busy holiday season. There are ways that you can make driving in winter safe for yourself and those around you. Here are some important winter driving tips every car owner should know.   Windows and Mirrors Make sure that you remove all ice and snow from your windows and mirrors. You can use a windshield scraper to get rid of snow and ice or you can use a windshield defroster. You need to make sure that your windshield and mirrors are clear for you to communicate with other road users when necessary.   Windshield Wipers Before driving make sure that your wipers are not stuck to the windscreen. Also, make sure that your wiper blades are in good condition and that they press against the windscreen. This will help to wipe snow and ice from your windscreen.   Make sure there is washing fluid in your washer. You can use anti-freeze ... read more

Drive axles are axles on engine-powered automobiles. It is responsible for transferring the energy from the engine and torque from the transmission onto the front and/or rear wheels. Drive axles respond to your steering wheel movement to determine how much power will be distributed to the wheels. The drive axle comprises of: Constant Velocity (CV) Joints Drive Shaft Differential Universal Joint Axle Housing If the drive axle is malfunctioning, the vehicle will not move properly. Most automobile experts agree that it is unsafe to drive when your drive axle is compromised. It can lead to severe accidents and injuries. One of the most problematic parts of the drive axle is the constant velocity (CV) joint. It can suffer from poor lubrication and worn-out boots. However, the entire drive axle can also suffer from weight overload.   Symptoms Of Drive Axle Trouble Automobile owners need to understand the common problems that drive axles may face. However, it's just as crucia ... read more

If your windshield has suffered minor damage (small cracks or chips), have you thought about going to get it fixed soon? Now might be the time to as you could get yourself in more trouble than you previously thought. Timely windshield repair is vital for many reasons, some of which you might not even know. If you need some encouragement to visit Auto Fitness, these are some of the reasons why you shouldn't wait any longer! Reason #1 - Interfere with Driving Visibility When you neglect a chip or crack in your windscreen, several things can cause it to grow. Even if the damage isn't currently conflicting with your driving, there's a good chance it will result in that soon. Do not put yourself and your passengers' safety at risk by simply getting the necessary repairs. Reason #2 - You Can Get a Ticket According to Georgia law, it is prohibited for motorists to drive with a cracked windshield or rear window, where the crack is over 3 inches by 3 inches in size. So if yo ... read more