At some point in our lives, most of us will experience this upsetting event.  You get into your car, turn the key in the ignition and all you hear is clicking.  After several frustrating attempts to start the car, you call the towing service and Menke’s Auto Repair.  You might hope that your car has a dead battery or even electrical problems, but instead the alternator has died.  You need an alternator replacement.  Don’t worry, we’re here to help.

When to Anticipate Alternator Replacement

Using power from the engine, the alternator is the component that’s responsible for recharging the battery.  The alternator keeps the battery from losing its charge and eventually dying.  When the battery dies, all the electrical features included on your vehicle go right along with it.  Alternator failure can affect the radio, the GPS navigation system, power mirrors, windows, heated seats, and any other vehicle electrical equipment.  Cars are being built every year with more and more complex electrical systems and devices that put extra strain on your alternator. The life of an alternator is determined by many factors, such as how much electrical equipment is regularly in use, the make of the car, and the conditions in which it’s used.

When you hear the word suspension, you may think back to those energetic days of grade school. Well, your car’s suspension is actually a good thing because it keeps your car up off the road and helps provide a comfy ride. It needs to keep your wheels firmly planted over bumps and through curves. Your suspension system has many parts. If you look under your car, it’s basically everything that connects your wheels to the car’s frame. These are heavy duty parts that do a lot of work. They need to be inspected for damage and excessive wear at least once a year. A good time for this is when you get your annual alignment service.

Every day you open the door of your vehicle and trust that it will take you and your family to your destination safely.  Unfortunately, without regular maintenance you can’t always depend on the safety of your car.  Regular brake pad replacement is one of the most important ways that you can not only increase the longevity of your car’s brake system, but also ensure the safety of its performance.

Brake Maintenance Saves You Money

Brake pad replacement is something that many people put off until it’s too late.  If brake pads are worn down, the rotors can be damaged, and brake rotor replacement is a much more labor intensive and costly sort of brake repair.