| Difficult handling,
a rough ride, vibration and poor performance are symptoms you can
feel. They almost always indicate a problem. |
Difficulty starting
the engine. |
Poor transmission
performance may come from actual component failure or a simple disconnected
hose or plugged filter. |
The vehicle pulls
to one side when the brakes are applied. |
| Misaligned front wheels and/or
worn steering components, such as the idler or ball joint, can cause
wandering or difficulty steering in a straight line |
The "check engine" light
on the instrument panel is lit. |
Delayed or no response when shifting
from neutral to drive or reverse. |
The brake pedal sinks to the floor
when pressure is maintained. |
| Pulling - the vehicle's tendency
to steer to the left or right - can be caused by something as routine
as under-inflated tires, or as serious as a damaged or misaligned
front end. |
Rough idling or stalling. |
Failure to shift during normal
acceleration. |
You hear or feel scraping or grinding
during braking. |
| Worn shock absorbers or other
suspension components - or improper tire inflation - can contribute
to poor cornering. |
Poor acceleration / Poor fuel
economy. |
Slippage during acceleration.
The engine speeds up, but the vehicle does not respond. |
The "brake" light on
the instrument panel is lit.
Engine |
| While there is no hard and fast
rule about when to replace shock absorbers or struts, try this test:
bounce the vehicle up and down hard at each wheel and then let go.
See how many times the vehicle bounces. Weak shocks will allow the
vehicle to bounce twice or more. |
Excessive oil use (more than one
quart between changes). |
Abrupt or hard shifts between
gears. |
|
Springs do not normally wear
out and do not need replacement unless one corner of the vehicle
is lower than the others. Overloading your vehicle can damage the
springs. |
Engine continues running after
the key is removed. |
|
Balance tires properly.
An unbalanced or improperly balanced tire causes a vehicle to vibrate
and may wear steering and suspension components prematurely.
Brakes |
|
