Wheel Alignment

As part of normal driving, parts of your car's suspension may become worn, and springs can be stretched out. Even a small accident or bumping a curb can disrupt your suspension, knocking some of the highly calibrated components off-kilter, making your wheels sit at improper angles. An alignment restores these angles to their correct measurements, making sure that your wheels sit straight.

Your car is likely out of alignment if:

• The tires are worn on the outside 
• Your car seems to be drifting to one side, even when you think you're driving straight
• Your steering wheel vibrates
• You are driving straight, but your steering wheel isn't centered

You should also check your owner's manual to see how often the manufacturer recommends having the alignment checked.

source: www.platinumautoservice.com

The most important benefit of an alignment is less tire wear. And when tires do wear down, they'll do so evenly on a properly aligned suspension. Tires can be quite expensive (easily $100 or more per tire) whereas an alignment often costs much less, making it a cost-effective procedure that should be part of regular car maintenance.

A wheel alignment service will ensure that your car drives straight and handles properly, making your ride safer.


Source: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/under-the-hood/diagnosing-car-problems/body/car-realigned.htm 

How Often Should You Wash Your Car?

Dirt, tree leaves, mist and bird droppings, affect the exterior look of the vehicle if not cleaned regularly. It can be done at home or at the car wash . It is, however, not certain how often the owner should wash their car. We think that it's best if cars are washed once a week, based on the following parameters:

Location: Coastal areas residents are required to clean their cars more often or as many times as possible within a month. This is because salt in the air and other dirt affect the car if you do not wash it often. If your residence is in a dust free zone, you can schedule the wash once a month. Industrial area residents should also clean their vehicles frequently as chemical particles may build up and destroy the body and paintwork of the car.

Travel: Those who travel a lot to different places regularly expose their vehicle to dust, vegetation and mud. That leads to scratches and cracks on the windows and the car’s exterior. Therefore, washing of such vehicles every week or two is necessary to preserve the shine for a long time.

blog.northtxhyundai.com

Climate : In winter, snow, salt and mud eat away the paint on the vehicle. In the springtime, there is lot of pollen and other things floating around in the air. In those cases, it's necessary to wash your car once a week. The same goes for vehicles in high humidity locations. Moisture attracts contaminants and promotes a variety of chemical reactions that can destroy your car’s chrome and paint. If you live in a climate where sand or salt is used on the road surface, be sure to rinse inside the wheel wells also. In seasons or climates less conductive to corrosion, a wash every two weeks or so is adequate. In areas with acid rain, a wash every ten days is advised.  

Temperature: Temperature accelerates the problem of erosion. Acid from bugs, bird droppings, tree sap and even tree leaves become more active when heated. Metal retains heat when sitting out in the sun, which in turn increases the chances of permanent stains when left on your car. For that reason, washing your vehicle every now and then is necessary to nullify the temperature hazard.


Source: http://www.detailxperts.net/blog/2011/10/20/how-often-should-you-wash-your-car/