Posted on 11/4/2024
How Do I Know if My Wheels Need to Be Aligned? If you've noticed that your car doesn't feel quite right on the road, it might be time to consider a wheel alignment. Misaligned wheels can cause various issues, from safety concerns to costly repairs. Here are some common signs that indicate your wheels might need realignment: 1. Your Car Pulls to One Side When you're driving straight and notice your car drifting to the left or right, it’s a telltale sign that your wheels need alignment. Proper alignment keeps your vehicle on track, reducing the need to constantly adjust your steering. 2. Uneven Tire Wear If you see that your tires are wearing down unevenly, it could mean that the wheels are out of alignment. Proper alignment helps distribute the weight evenly across all tires, extending their lifespan and saving you money in the long run. 3. Steering Whee ... read more
Posted on 8/1/2024
Why is My Check Engine Light On? | The Oak Tree It's a common question: "Why is my check engine light on?" At Wayside Garage, we see this issue frequently. Your car's check engine light can illuminate for various reasons, and understanding why is crucial to maintaining your vehicle's health. Understanding Your Vehicle's Diagnostics Modern cars are complex, equipped with 30 to 50 computer modules. When we perform diagnostics, we're plugging into your car's onboard diagnostic port and scanning these computers for error codes. Think of your car’s diagnostic system as an oak tree: - Diagnostic Port: The trunk, where we connect our equipment. - Computer Modules: The branches stemming from the trunk. - Subcomponents: The smaller branches and leaves. When the check engine light comes on, we identify the main "branch" causing the issue and then inspect the ... read more