Posted on 6/11/2024

When it comes to vehicle maintenance, one component that often doesn't get the attention it deserves is the shock absorber. Yet, these unassuming parts play a crucial role in ensuring a smooth and safe ride. Let's delve into why shocks are so important for your vehicle's performance and your overall driving experience. 1. Smooth Ride Quality: Shocks are designed to absorb and dampen the impact of bumps, potholes, and other road imperfections. Without properly functioning shocks, every dip and bump in the road would result in a jarring and uncomfortable ride. By maintaining consistent contact between your tires and the road surface, shocks contribute to a smoother and more comfortable driving experience for you and your passengers. 2. Enhanced Vehicle Stability: Shocks help to stabilize your vehicle by minimizing body roll, sway, and pitching motions during cornering, braking, and acceleration. This stability is essential for maintaining ... read more
Posted on 5/22/2024

Many modern vehicles come with what manufacturers label as "lifetime fluid" for components like transmissions and differentials. This can be enticing as it suggests minimal maintenance, but is it truly best to avoid changing or servicing these fluids? What Is Lifetime Fluid? Lifetime fluid is designed to last the vehicle's lifetime under normal driving conditions. Manufacturers claim these fluids do not need to be changed, theoretically saving you maintenance costs and hassle. However, "lifetime" can be a misleading term. Pros and Cons Pros: - Convenience: No need for regular fluid changes, which can save time and money. - Cost Savings: Potentially lower maintenance costs over the vehicle's lifespan. Cons: - Fluid Degradation: Over time, even the best fluids can break down, leading to decreased performance and potential damage. - Driving Conditions: Harsh driving conditions (towing, extreme tempera ... read more
Posted on 2/14/2024

Alignment of vehicle wheels and suspension components is crucial for ensuring optimal performance and safety. Proper alignment, achieved through techniques such as laser and computerized alignment, enhances wheel geometry by adjusting camber, caster, and toe angles. This precision alignment not only promotes even tire wear, extending tire life and reducing maintenance costs, but also enhances fuel efficiency by reducing rolling resistance. Moreover, accurate wheel alignment ensures stable handling, improves steering response, and maximizes braking effectiveness. By aligning the chassis and suspension components, alignment procedures contribute to overall vehicle stability, comfort, and safety, providing drivers with a smoother and safer driving experience.https://www.youtube.com/shorts/18Jax5oh1Ys
Posted on 1/31/2024

VEHICLE CARE AND MAINTENANCE Which side are you on: Team Proactive Maintenance, committed to regular care and inspections, or Team Wait-and-See? At Dickerson Automotive, we firmly stand with Team Maintenance. While some may suggest we sell items not currently broken, our belief is that assisting you in maintaining your vehicle's peak condition will ultimately save you money. We've assembled a list of pros and cons to enable you to make an informed decision. Pros of Regular Vehicle Maintenance:Preventive Measures: Regular maintenance helps identify and address potential issues before they become major problems. Extended Lifespan: Routine servicing can prolong the life of your vehicle by keeping all components in optimal condition. Enhanced Safety: Well-maintained vehicles are safer to drive, reducing the risk of accidents due to mechanical failures. Improved Fuel Efficie ... read more
Posted on 7/6/2023
Fluid Exchanges Your repair shop is recommending fluid exchanges on your vehicle, what does that mean? We are all familiar with oil changes. Depending on the vehicle there could be up to 7 different fluids that require maintenance- transmission, coolant, brake, power steering, transfer case, front differential, and rear differential. Keeping these fluids “healthy” will keep all the moving parts of the vehicle fully lubricated and working to the best of their ability for longer. We recommend fluid exchanges either 30,000 or 50, 000 miles and keeping within that schedule. Some manufacturers say these fluids are serviced for life; they are in the market of selling vehicles not keeping them going long term. With every oil change the technician will get a sample of the fluids to determine the level of “health” Call today and make an appointment to check your fluids