How can potholes damage your vehicle and tires?
For many Canadian communities, one of the telltale signs of spring is potholes.
Why does my front end shimmy after hitting a bump?
Between snow-hidden curbs in winter, potholes in spring, and kids and dogs sometimes blocking your view
Why is a Wheel Alignment Highly Recommended?
A wheel alignment is an often overlooked service that is necessary for increased tire lifespan and safety.
From new your vehicle’s suspension is degrading, the ride height changes, suspension bushings and other steering/suspension components wear.
This all leads to the wheel alignment going out of specification that will lead to tire wear. Tires are quite expensive so a wheel alignment and tire rotations are vital.
A wheel alignment is not a “basic” service in today’s day and age.
There are added adjustments and procedures to perform the wheel alignment correctly.
Our two wheel alignment technicians are highly trained and have the latest technology to support the modern wheel alignment service.
How often should a wheel alignment be performed on your vehicle?
You should always check your maintenance manual to learn the best mileage or time interval, but often your vehicle will require an alignment every 15,000 or 20,000 km.
Driving habits can heavily influence how often you need to get your vehicle aligned.
If you know anything about wheel alignment, you’ve probably heard the terms Camber, Caster and Toe-in. Below is a description of each of these alignment angles and how they affect handling, vehicle performance, steering and tire wear:
Wheel Alignment Angles 101:
Camber is the angle of the wheel, measured in degrees, when viewed from the front of the vehicle. If the top of the wheel is leaning out from the center of the car, then the camber is positive ,if it’s leaning in, then the camber is negative. If the camber is out of adjustment, it will cause tire wear on one side of the tire’s tread. If the camber is too far negative, for instance, then the tire will wear on the inside of the tread.
CAMBER WEAR PROBLEM
If the camber is different from side to side it can cause a pulling problem. The vehicle will pull to the side with the more positive camber. On many front-wheel-drive vehicles, camber is not adjustable. If the camber is out on these cars, it indicates that something is worn or bent, possibly from an accident and must be repaired or replaced.
CASTER is when you turn the steering wheel, the front wheels respond by turning on a pivot attached to the suspension system. Caster is the angle of this steering pivot, measured in degrees, when viewed from the side of the vehicle. If the top of the pivot is leaning toward the rear of the car, then the caster is positive, if it is leaning toward the front, it is negative. If the caster is out of adjustment, it can cause problems in straight line tracking.
The best way to visualize caster is to picture a shopping cart caster. The pivot of this type of caster, while not at an angle, intersects the ground ahead of the wheel contact patch. When the wheel is behind the pivot at the point where it contacts the ground, it is in positive caster. Picture yourself trying to push the cart and keep the wheel ahead of the pivot. The wheel will continually try to turn from straight ahead.
That is what happens when a car has the caster set too far negative. Like camber, on many front-wheel-drive vehicles, caster is not adjustable. If the caster is out on these cars, it indicates that something is worn or bent, possibly from an accident, and must be repaired or replaced.
TOE MEASUREMENT is the difference in the distance between the front of the tires and the back of the tires. It is measured in fractions of an inch in the US and is usually set close to zero which means that the wheels are parallel with each other. Toe-in means that the fronts of the tires are closer to each other than the rears. Toe-out is just the opposite. An incorrect toe-in will cause rapid tire wear to both tires equally.
This type of tire wear is called a saw-tooth wear pattern as shown in this illustration. If the sharp edges of the tread sections are pointing to the center of the car, then there is too much toe-in. If they are pointed to the outside of the car then there is too much toe-out. Toe is always adjustable on the front wheels and on some cars, is also adjustable for the rear wheels.
Additional Services we offer:
Domestic
Whether you have a Ford, Chevrolet, Dodge, or any other domestic vehicle, we have the expertise and experience to provide top-notch service for your vehicle.
We believe in transparent communication with our customers and will always explain any repairs or services needed in clear and understandable terms.
From routine maintenance to complex repairs, we are committed to providing exceptional service that exceeds your expectations.
Import
Japanese imports are known for their quality, reliability, and innovation, and we strive to uphold those standards with every service we provide.
Our team of technicians is equipped with specialized tools and the latest diagnostic equipment to ensure accurate and efficient repairs and maintenance.
European
European cars are sophisticated machines that require specialized knowledge and expertise to properly service and maintain.
That’s why European cars are one of our primary focuses. We employ highly trained technicians who have extensive experience working with European vehicles.
Who are Dale's Auto Service
Over the last 40+ years in business, our commitment to quality has helped us maintain the highest level of customer service and technical excellence.
You, the customer, are the most important component of our business. Our team is consistently trying to meet and exceed the demands and needs of our customers.