Acworth Auto Repair

A professional wheel alignment is essential when it comes to safe vehicle handling. All of your car's wheels need to be pointing in the right direction at the right angles in order for your car to travel straight. They also need to be aligned to avoid premature wear. When you drive with bad wheel alignment, your tires will wear down fast and unevenly, and you may experience difficulty steering or handling your vehicle. This is why mechanics advise that you take care of wheel alignment as soon as an issue is detected. Several things can force your wheels out of alignment. They are typically related to poor driving habits, bad weather, and unsuitable road conditions.  What Can Cause Misaligned Wheels?  Driving over potholes Hitting curbs or road debris Minor vehicle collisions Bad shocks and struts or other suspension parts Vehicle mods such as lifting What Are the Symptoms of Misalignment? If your wheels are not pointing straight, you may notice one or more of the f ... read more

Wheel bearings are needed for your vehicle's hub, tire, and wheel assemblies to function adequately. A wheel bearing comes in a pair of round, metallic parts known as ball bearings. These little pieces enable smooth wheel rotation, movement, and overall handling. In other words, they play a critical role in your vehicle's steering system. Each wheel has its wheel bearings, so the average car should have four sets total. It would be very hazardous to drive with old or worn wheel bearings, as it may cause your wheels to stop turning unexpectedly.   On average, you only have to replace your wheel bearings approximately every 85,000-100,000 miles. However, this number is merely an approximation, as it can vary on other factors: the quality of the bearings and how you care for your car. Another thing you should know is that you don't have to replace all of them at once unless you need it. Unlike tires, you only have to swap out the overworn ones.    Signs of O ... read more

Most of us have all had our fair share of mishaps behind the wheel. We have habits that are sometimes difficult to break, and sometimes we don't even recognize that they are wrong because they come so easily to us. You may have gotten away with doing a handful of things, like talking on the phone, eating, or not signaling, but what happens when you don't? You are taking the chance of getting into an accident or even majorly injured. If you are on the road daily, we encourage you to please practice safe driving practices!   MOST POPULAR DRIVING HABITS IN THE US:  Speaking excessively or loudly to passengers Talking or texting on your phone* Driving with headphones on* Eating or drinking (non-alcoholic) beverages  One-handed driving Not signaling when switching lanes, turning, or parking* Riding the tail end of other vehicles on the road* Not buckling up or using your seatbelt* Speeding* Fidgeting with sound and temperature controls Looking in the mirr ... read more

It's that time of year for traveling to watch your favorite football, basketball, or hockey team. Tailgating is a long-time tradition that brings friends and families together for delicious food and fun before a sporting event begins. When we hear tailgating, most people think of it taking place at a stadium or arena. However, tailgating can take place for those dedicated fans in their hometown! So whether you're at your at the game or you're just grilling up at a residence, please remember these tailgating safety tips: This rule applies to those at the game, where there are large crowds of thousands of people. If you're driving around a tailgating area, please be very careful of your surroundings. There are going to be a lot of pedestrians, including children.  A lot of drinking takes place before sporting events. Please be sure to have a designated driver to take you and your loved ones home safely.  You're probably going to use cameras to take pictur ... read more

Since your vehicle relies on various fluids to function, you're bound to experience a leak at one point or another. Some fluid leaks are more troublesome than others, but overall, leaks are never a good sign. Here are some of the different vehicle fluids that your car may leak:   Coolant Leak -  Coolant puddles tend to be bright green, orange, or pink. Leaking coolant would be considered normal for old cars, but modern vehicles are better designed to prevent leaks. Your automobile may be facing a mechanical issue if there is coolant leaking.   Oil Leak - A black puddle or stain is usually the top symptom of an oil leak. Oil leaks occur around the oil pan and in gaskets that are located in the engine. If an oil leak transpires and puddles under your car, it means that your gasket has an issue and must be inspected by a professional.   Transmission Fluid Leak - Transmission fluid leaks leave a pink-ish red puddle or stain under your car. It is essential t ... read more

Your battery needs to be in good working condition to start your vehicle. It's also responsible for supplying power to all the electronic components throughout the car (radio, lights, power windows, electric power steering, etc.). If your battery drains or is growing weaker, you will likely notice some significant signs. The lifespan of the average car battery is 5 to 7 years. After that several years, it will need to be replaced. Depending on your vehicle and other usage factors, it may last longer or die quicker.   Sometimes, a jump start, using jumper cables, is all you need to get it running again. Still, all car batteries ultimately begin to lose their charging potential, and eventually, they will need to be replaced with newer and more efficient ones.   Top Signs of a Dying Battery Trouble Starting Car. The first telltale sign that you have problems with your battery is when you start to encounter problems firing up your car. Flickering/Dimming Lights. Another ... read more

Fourth of July (also known as Independence Day) is one of the most celebrated holidays in the United States. And it has already made its way back onto our calendars. Since most of us are more than ready to get out of the house and get back to a sense of normalcy, it can be overwhelming to figure out holiday plans. We've compiled a list of fun activities you can do - all from your car - to celebrate America's birthday.   Here is the list of activities you do this 4th of July (all with your car!): 1 - Go on a road trip There is nothing better than planning a fun family getaway for the fourth of July. Whether you intend to go to the beach or to visit family far away, make sure you are packed with all the safety essentials for you and your vehicle.  2 - Throw a family cookout in the park If you do not feel like hosting a barbeque at your house, then you can opt to host one at a local park. Load up your car with all your favorite grill foods, snacks ... read more

You've probably heard the term "catalytic converter" many times. But do you know what it is? Its function is quite easy to understand, even though its name sounds complex. A catalytic converter deters vehicle pollution. Found between the engine and muffler, it uses assorted metals, or "catalysts", to change pollutants into non-harmful gases. When Things Go South Located underneath vehicles, catalytic converters have the potential to sustain damage due to poor road conditions. Driver error can also cause harm. Aside from this, catalytic converters, just like everything else, age. The average lifespan is over ten years. Ultimately though, it's somewhat inevitable that a vehicle could possibly require at least one catalytic converter replacement in its lifetime. Here are some of the major symptoms that show when a catalytic converter goes bad. 1. A Rattling Sound The breakdown of catalytic converter components is a common occurrence. Wear and tear over ti ... read more

After driving for long enough, every car will need a tune-up at some point. But it isn't always obvious when the time comes. In its own way, your car is trying to tell you when it needs a tune-up. You just have to know what signs to watch out for. 5 Signs That Your Car Needs a Tune-Up   1. Shaking If your car shakes or vibrates in the steering wheel or seat while you're steering, braking or starting it up. This shouldn't happen and it could point to a number of issues. Make sure you take your car in to find out what the problem is. 2. Brake Problems If your car isn't braking properly or is making a lot of noise when you brake, this is not a good sign. Brakes are important when you're driving and they protect you and your loved ones so you want your brakes to be in top shape. You wouldn't want your brakes to fail while you're driving on a busy street. 3. Stalling If your car suddenly stalls while you're driving, it could indicate a problem wit ... read more

You step on the gas pedal as you attempt to merge into traffic, but your car is slow and seems to lose power. Why? This is a sure sign of problems in the fuel or emission systems. There are three major reasons for sluggishness. First, your car has fuel system troubles. It may have a clogged fuel filter. When that happens, your fuel pump needs to work harder to do its job. A clog will impede flow of fuel to the combustion chamber. Or your fuel injector may be clogged or faulty. Normally, the injector controls the rate of fuel flow properly. When it doesn't, fuel delivery becomes difficult. Or it could be a defective fuel pump. The pump draws fuel from the tank into the injectors. When it fails, gas won't get to where it needs to go. Second, you may have a worn-out clutch. When your clutch can't engage your transmission with the engine properly, you will suffer from acceleration issues. If the clutch feels loose or if your car decelerates or accelerates wi ... read more