West Monroe Auto Repair

Unfortunately, injuries and fatalities from driving accidents are extremely common. While distracted or drunk driving tends to be the lead cause of accidents, unfortunately, even sober and attentive drivers can make small mistakes — and sometimes, they suffer big consequences. By staying aware of some of the most common mistakes drivers make that lead to accidents, you can improve your proactive driving and reduce your risk of being involved in a car accident. With that, here are some of the most common mistakes people make while driving. Failing to yield. One of the most difficult aspects of driving is the unpredictability of other drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. Following the rules of right-of-way is important, and when in doubt, driving predictably and yielding as needed to prevent a collision is often the best course of action. Improperly using your headlights and high beams. If you don't use your headlights in conditions of poor visibility like darkness and bad w ... read more

Most people don’t realize how important their vehicle speedometers are until it goes bad. The reality is that we use this device every day to keep track of our speed. When the speedometer is faulty, we aren’t able to gauge whether we are speeding or not. Plus, you can be putting yourself at risk of a speeding ticket and accident if you’re not careful. If you notice something off with your vehicle’s speedometer, please visit the repair specialists at Parker Tire & Alignment soon. How to Tell If Your Speedometer is Malfunctioning Your vehicle’s onboard computer is able to detect many different problems, including a bad speedometer. Therefore, in some cars, the check engine light may come on if your speedometer is off. Next, a bad speedometer will also cause the cruise control system to be inoperative. However, the most apparent sign of a failing speedometer is if it stops or glitches. For example, if the needle is dancing all over the place, please hav ... read more

Have you noticed that every time you apply brakes your car vibrates? Even when you are driving on a smooth tarmac road, your car still vibrates immediately when you apply brakes. This is called Brake Shudder. Brake Shudder is the vibration felt through the brake pedal and steering wheel when the brakes are applied. Causes of Brake Shudder You can tell whether the issue is on the rear brakes or the front brakes by where you feel the vibrations from. If the vibrations are felt on the brake pedals, this means that the rear brakes are faulty and need fixing. When the vibrations are felt on the steering wheel, this means that the front brakes are faulty. There are a few reasons why your vehicle may shake when you apply breaks. The next time you apply breaks and experience a vibration, here are some reasons why. When braking rotors are used over time, they tend to wear out unevenly. For braking to be smooth, the braking pads need to be in complete contact with rotors. This is why if th ... read more

The steering wheel of any vehicle plays an important role. It lets you maneuver your vehicle safely to wherever you need it to go. When your car's steering wheel tightens or locks up, it can present many hazards. If it fails to respond, you're left with leaving your safety at stake. Plus, neglecting a troubled steering wheel can cause damage to other car components. Let's take a look at which power steering components can contribute to a stiff steering wheel. Low or Compromised Power Steering Fluid If the power steering fluid gets too low, old, or dirty, it will increase the rigidness of your steering wheel. This is due to the fact that your steering components aren't getting enough lubrication. In some cases, you may need a top off or a complete flush altogether. Malfunctioning Steering Rack The steering rack is made up of a rack and pinion. Steering can become challenging when this rack wears out. However, it may only feel stiff when you start driving and loosen u ... read more

The tire pressure monitoring system, or TPMS, light is designed to alert drivers when their vehicle's tire pressure is too low or considered unsafe. It doesn't take a car expert to know that tire pressure is integral to your vehicle's safety and performance. It is your responsibility to have correctly inflated tires to extend the life of your tires, promote fuel efficiency, and prevent your vehicle from hydroplaning. In rare cases, a TPMS light may come on due to an error in the tires' sensors. However, that typically doesn't occur until a vehicle has significantly aged. Below are the steps you should take when you catch the TPMS light on your dashboard.   Check Your Tire Pressure After seeing the warning, the first thing you should do is check your tire pressure manually. Gauges are accessible and a great item to keep in your car at all times. However, gas stations with air pumps will also have them on the hose. Once you have the gauge in hand, you should f ... read more