AUTONET TV

Keeping Yourself in Suspension (Control Arm Assembly Replacement)

When you are pointing your vehicle straight down the street, it should go straight.  That’s pretty straightforward, right? Sometimes, though, you may notice you have to keep adjusting the steering wheel to keep going straight.  While that could be caused by many different issues, one possibility is that you have a failing or bent control arm.

Another sign is that when you brake, your vehicle pulls to one side or the other.  Sometimes your suspension may sound noisy, especially when you’re traveling on rough surfaces.  A damaged control arm may also make it almost impossible for you to get a good wheel alignment. 

The control arms are part of your suspension, and some vehicles have upper control arms and lower control arms.  Not all have the same number of control arms, but one thing is important: If you have worn bushings on your control arms or a worn-out ball joint, the control arm on the other side should also be replaced.  The rubber bushings are susceptible to damage from age and exposure to the elements, and ball joints usually shouldn’t be replaced separately. 

Any time you have a suspension issue, it’s important that a technician inspects the other parts of your suspension as well.  If one part of it is showing its age, it’s not unusual for other components to show similar wear.  

One other thing.  If you’ve had one of your control arms bent or damaged in an accident, you must have it replaced.  Your suspension is an important part of your vehicle’s safety and handling, so you should keep it in good operating condition.  After all, your life is riding on it, literally.   

L and M Motors Inc
400 W 53rd Ave
Anchorage, AK 99518
907-563-4994

When it Comes to Air Filters, Change is Good (Clogged Air Filter)

Engine air filters may not seem like a big deal, but when they’re clogged up with dirt, dust, and insects, your engine could wind up choking for air and not delivering you the power and performance it was designed to give.

There are actually a couple of air filters in your vehicle.  One filters the air going into the cabin (the cabin air filter), and the other filters air going into the engine.  That engine filter is the one we’re talking about. After several months and long distances traveled, your engine air filter accumulates the junk it’s preventing from getting into your engine. You may notice your engine misfiring, your acceleration may not be what it used to be, it may make strange noises, and the Check Engine light may come on.

When you notice any of those signs, it’s time to bring in your vehicle to have us figure out what’s going on. We’ll visually inspect your air filter.  Keep in mind that your vehicle’s manufacturer recommends a replacement interval for your make and model.  Typically, many automakers suggest replacing the air filter every 10,000-15,000 miles/16,000-24,000 km.  But if you drive in areas that are dirty and dusty, you should have it checked more frequently.  Also, if you spend a lot of your driving hours in congested urban areas, stop-and-go driving can also tax your engine air filter.

When replacing it, it’s important to get the correct filter. Automakers often offer a variety of engines in the same model, so our technician will make sure you’re getting the one that’s made for your vehicle’s configuration.  Keep in mind that the air filter is protecting your engine from contaminants, and having one that properly fits is important with today’s modern, high-tech engines.  

Replacing your engine air filter can help prolong the life of your engine. You’ll both breathe better.

L and M Motors Inc
400 W 53rd Ave
Anchorage, AK 99518
907-563-4994

Getting Off to a Running Start (Starter Replacement)

When you start your vehicle’s engine, there’s another motor that makes that whole process possible.  It’s called the starter, and it’s a small electric motor that gets your vehicle running.  

As you can imagine, it’s quite a chore for a little electric motor to turn over the big engine that powers your vehicle.  And after hundreds of successful starting missions, after a while, it will start to give out.

You’ll know the starter is starting to give up the ghost when it turns too slowly or sometimes doesn’t do anything when you turn on the ignition.  Maybe it makes funny noises like grinding when you try to start your vehicle or maybe there’s just a click. Those are all reasons to get your vehicle over to us so we can see what’s going on. 

A technician will make sure the problem is the starter and not in the battery, a switch, or other electrical component or connections.  If all of those are ruled out, your starter will be replaced.  The technician will also make sure all the cables and connections to the battery are clean and solid.  

Often starter problems come on gradually, and they often give you advanced warning that it’s time to have it fixed—before you find yourself frustrated— and stranded.

L and M Motors Inc
400 W 53rd Ave
Anchorage, AK 99518
907-563-4994

Bump in the Road (Alignment)

There's something you can do that helps your tires last longer, wear more evenly and your vehicle handle better.  "Sign me up," you say! Wondering what that is? It's aligning your wheels, and it will literally point you in the right direction when it comes to a better and safer driving experience.

When your vehicle was designed, the engineers made sure your tires were all pointing the same way by designing the suspension to make optimal contact with the road. That way the ride is smooth, you don't feel vibrations or shimmying and your vehicle travels in a straight line, without pulling to one side or the other.

Unfortunately, your vehicle is not brand new; time and distance take their toll.  After hitting countless bumps, potholes, or the occasional curb, your suspension gets knocked a little out of kilter.  Those precise angles the engineers planned on for your vehicle? They get out of whack

Uneven or premature tire wear is one of the first signs your alignment may be off.  If you are driving straight and your steering wheel isn't pointing straight, that's another indication alignment might need checking. Tire squealing can also be a clue.

When you bring your vehicle in for an alignment, we use equipment designed to measure the tilts and angles of your suspension's parts.  The technician will also check to see if any of the vehicle's suspension components are worn or broken.  We will also check your steering angle sensor to make sure it's set properly. 

The process is different for vehicles that are front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, or 4-wheel drive. 

After your alignment, your tires should wear more evenly, your steering should be straight and your wheels vibration-free.  If it's been a while since you've had your vehicle aligned, bring it in and we'll check it.  Usually, your alignment will be a little off after one or two years of driving, and it's wise to follow your vehicle manufacturer's recommendation for how often your model should be checked.

L and M Motors Inc
400 W 53rd Ave
Anchorage, AK 99518
907-563-4994