A wheel alignment is the process of adjusting your vehicle’s wheels to the manufacturer’s standards for a safe, smooth ride. Alignments help prevent your tires from wearing down poorly, meaning you’ll have to replace your tires less frequently over the lifespan of the vehicle. How do you know when it’s time to take your vehicle in for maintenance? Today, let’s talk about the top signs your car needs an alignment.

5 Signs Your Car Needs An Alignment

1. Your steering wheel sits at an angle when you are parked, stopped, or while you’re driving

Your steering wheel is designed to return back to a neutral, level center when you let go of the wheel. When your car is aligned properly, your steering wheel should be sitting evenly, and the emblem in the center of your steering wheel should be level whether you’re parked or in motion.

A tilt a couple of degrees in either direction is normal, but if your steering wheel is noticeably crooked, you should visit your mechanic to see if it’s time for an alignment.

2. Your car is pulling to one side of the road – and the road is flat

A car that pulls to one side or the other on a straight road very likely has an alignment problem. Your vehicle is designed to coast down straight roads with minimal input from the driver.

Since this sign can impact how your car handles, especially in situations where you have to react quickly, it’s best to get this problem addressed as quickly as possible.

3. Your tires are wearing down unevenly

When your wheels are aligned properly, your tires will wear down at an even rate. Misaligned wheels, on the other hand, can cause unusual wear marks such as worn sides, centers, or even patches around your tire.

It’s a good idea to check the depth of the tread on your tires on a regular basis. This may be when you refill your tires with air or when you do your fall or spring maintenance. While you’re at it, make sure the tread on your tires is wearing down evenly and visit your mechanic if the wear marks look off.

4. Your vehicle’s handling isn’t what it used to be

Your wheel alignment doesn’t just impact how your car rides or the way your tires wear down; it also changes the way your vehicle handles. Misaligned wheels can cause your vehicle to handle in a ‘loose’ or ‘sloppy’ way.

There are several potential reasons for your vehicle’s handling to change, such as worn out shock absorbers or trouble with your suspension system. In any case, since responsive steering and handling is important for your safety and the safety of others, it’s important to get this issue diagnosed promptly.

Is there a difference between a ‘wheel alignment’ and a ‘front end alignment’?

‘Wheel alignment’ is a blanket term that may refer to two or all four wheels, while ‘front end alignment’ specifically addresses the two front wheels on your car. Regardless of the term, the process remains the same.

Wheel Alignment And More At T3 Atlanta

Unlike routine maintenance items such as oil changes, there isn’t an exact mileage at which you need to get your wheels realigned. Factors such as road conditions, driving habits, potholes, speed bumps, and others can throw your wheels out of alignment. T3 Atlanta can help determine if your vehicle needs a wheel alignment and straighten out your wheels if needed. Give us a call and we’ll book you in for fast and friendly service!

It wasn’t long ago that electric cars sounded like a thing of the future, but their popularity has only continued to grow since they first set tires on the market. Many of the misconceptions about electric cars that started back then are still lingering today. So, we’re here today to bust five electric car myths.

Myth #1: Electric cars are expensive to buy

Electric cars aren’t always the cheapest, with lower-end prices ranging from $30,000 – $40,000 in 2021. Like gas-powered cars, the price of an electric car changes depending on brand, accessories, and add-ons. Many luxury electric cars, such as the Porsche Taycan, can be as expensive as their gas-powered siblings.

However, don’t forget that by purchasing an electric car, you’ll be saving thousands in dollars at the fuel pump – something that isn’t reflected in the price tag on purchase day.

Myth #2: Their range is very short

It’s true that electric cars currently have a shorter range than their gas-powered counterparts. However, there is always room for improvement when it comes to range, which Tesla has already proved with its S model’s range of 400 miles.

Many other manufacturers are offering vehicles that aren’t limited to city use, such as Hyundai’s Kona SUV (258 miles) and Chevrolet’s Bolt (259 miles).

You can read more about the ranges of electric vehicles in 2021 here.

Myth #3: They aren’t good for long trips because there aren’t enough charging stations

Are electric cars a bad choice for road trips since there aren’t enough places to charge them? In short, no. There are now 26,000 charging stations and 84,000 plugs in cities across the US, with the number only set to continue growing as more and more car companies are adding electric vehicle options to their fleet.

Taking a road trip in your electric vehicle may take a little bit of extra planning, but it isn’t impossible. You can find charging stations along your route here.

Myth #4: Battery life in an electric car is short and batteries can’t be replaced

It’s true that early electric cars had shorter ranges and lifespans than more recent models. Advances in electric car batteries mean that their lifespan is much longer than they used to be — often as long as the life of the vehicle. They’re also replaceable.

These days, the batteries in most electric cars have a 10 year or 100,000 mile warranty, just in case your battery can’t keep up with the demands of your driving habits.

Myth #5: Electric car batteries are bad for the environment

Once an electric car battery is dead, it’s tossed into a landfill, and hundreds of thousands of batteries piling up in a landfill somewhere can’t be good for the environment, right?

Actually, electric car batteries still have up to 70% of usable energy after they’ve been removed from vehicles. They can either be recycled or turned into new devices and components to be used again.

Comprehensive Car Care Is At Hand With T3 Atlanta

Whether you drive an electric, hybrid, or traditional vehicle, T3 Atlanta can keep your car in top condition. We’ve been offering fast and friendly service for Nissan, Lexus, Infiniti, and Toyota vehicles in the metro Atlanta area for over 20 years. Give us a call and we’ll pen you in for an appointment today!

2021 is almost upon us, and that means it’s time for planning new year’s resolutions. While you may be planning to go to the gym more or eat more vegetables, have you ever thought about making new year’s resolutions for your car? Here are five easy ways to keep your car in top condition this year.

1. Get your oil changed regularly

All car owners have heard about the importance of getting regular oil changes. That isn’t just talk – oil changes help prolong the life of your car and improve the vehicle’s efficiency, saving you money over the long haul.

Check your owner’s manual to see how frequently oil changes are recommended for your vehicle. Alternately, give T3 Atlanta a call and we’ll be able to provide answers based on your vehicle make, age, and your personal driving habits.

2. Keep your car on its maintenance schedule

Your car maintenance schedule is effectively a list of recommended maintenance checkpoints that should be done throughout the year. Oil changes, tire inflations, fluid changes, and key component checks and/or repairs are just a few of the items that are on an average schedule.

Sticking to your maintenance schedule will not only help keep your car running smoothly, it will extend the lifespan of your vehicle and help preserve its resale value.

3. Wash your car

Washing your car may not do anything for the health of your engine or the vehicle’s components, but there are several benefits of giving your car a good scrub-down.

The biggest reason to wash and wax your car is, of course, to protect the paint from getting damaged. Not only does your vehicle look better, it will help with the resale value.

Car washes typically include a coat of wax. This isn’t just to make your car shiny. Putting a thin coating of wax on the exterior will make rain drops bead off of your windows, improving your visibility while you are driving in the rain.

If nothing else, a car wash will make your ride look great!

4. Make sure to winterize (and de-winterize) your vehicle

‘Winterizing’ your vehicle is the process of getting your vehicle ready for colder months. This typically involves replacing your windshield wipers, checking your tire tread, installing snow tires on your car (if you need them), checking your coolant and other fluids, adding antifreeze where necessary, and so on. It’s recommended to winterize your vehicle in the fall, before the weather gets too cold.

On the flip side, remember to de-winterize your vehicle this spring in preparation for summer.

5. Use the right kind of gas in your vehicle

It can be tempting to use the cheapest option at the fuel pump, especially with gas prices so high these days. However, the engineers who designed your car optimized the engine around a specific octane – the amount of pressure needed for fuel to combust – for a reason.

In general, putting high octane fuel into a car that runs on low octane fuel won’t hurt the vehicle. However, expensive fuel won’t give your car any additional benefits, either. Putting low octane gas into an engine that requires high octane fuel, on the other hand, can cause pinging, decrease fuel efficiency, and lead to other preventable issues.

Let T3 Atlanta Help You Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions For Your Car

These five easy resolutions can help keep your car working at its best, making sure you stay on the road instead of waiting for a tow truck. T3 Atlanta provides comprehensive auto service for Nissan, Lexus, Infiniti, and Toyota vehicles at our convenient Smyrna and Decatur locations. Give us a call and we’ll pen you in for an appointment!

Speed bumps serve a very important purpose, helping prevent drivers from traveling too quickly in areas with many pedestrians. Despite their lifesaving intent, speed bumps aren’t always kind to vehicles. How bad are speed bumps for your car’s alignment? Let’s find out.

How bad are speed bumps for your car’s alignment?

In order to answer this question, it’s important that we first need to make a distinction between speed bumps and speed humps.

• Speed bumps: These are compact, steep, obstacles that can be jarring for you, your vehicle, and your passengers regardless of how fast you are going.
• Speed humps: These look more like small hills across the road and are much gentler on your vehicle – as long as you aren’t speeding, anyway.

Speed humps are unlikely to damage your car unless you are going too fast. Speed bumps, on the other hand, must be taken slowly in order to avoid damaging your suspension or bottoming out your car.

How damaging are they?

Vehicles with low ground clearance are more likely to be damaged than trucks or cars with higher clearance.

If you encounter a speed bump and don’t slow down enough – or worse, you don’t see it at all, or until it’s too late – speed bumps can throw your car’s alignment off.

Further, speed bumps can damage other parts of your car, including:

• Oil pan
• Chassis
• Exhaust
• Shocks
• Suspension system
• Steering system

Can you prevent alignment damage from speed bumps?

The best way to prevent your alignment – or any of the other parts underneath your vehicle – from getting damaged is to take speed bumps slowly. If your car rides particularly low, approaching these obstacles diagonally can help prevent damage.

How do you know when it’s time to get a wheel alignment?

Speed bumps can damage your alignment and, in turn, shorten the lifespan of your tires as they begin to wear down unevenly. However, your wheels can become misaligned for many reasons, including hitting curbs, accidents, hitting deep potholes, driving off-road, and more.

How do you know when to get a wheel alignment? Unlike oil changes, which are recommended to take place on a regular basis, there isn’t such a recommendation for your wheel alignment. Instead, you’re more likely to notice a change in the way your car drives.

Signs your car needs a wheel alignment include:

• Your vehicle pulls to one side even though the road you are driving on is straight
• Your tires screech or squeal when you make turns
• Your tires start to wear unevenly
• It takes more steering than usual to keep your vehicle going in a straight line
• Your steering wheel sits crookedly when your car is sitting still and the wheels are pointed directly ahead

Alignment Repair And More At T3 Atlanta

Whether a particularly rough speed bump has thrown out your car’s alignment or it’s just time to get work on the suspension, T3 Atlanta can help. We service Nissan, Infiniti, Lexus, and Toyota vehicles at our two convenient Metro Atlanta locations. Give us a call today and we’ll help keep your car in top condition for years to come!

If you’re a car owner, you’ve no doubt heard time and time again to change your oil on the regular. At the 3,000 mile mark, you go to the auto shop, grab a bottle of oil off the shelf, and realize after you’re home that you’ve purchased the wrong type. What could possibly go wrong after putting the wrong oil in your car? Oil is oil, right? Well, it’s a little more complicated than that.

The Symptoms Of Putting The Wrong Oil In Your Car

The technicians who designed your vehicle recommend a certain type of oil for a reason. The right type of oil helps your engine function optimally by reducing friction and preventing overheating. Putting in the wrong type of oil may not be a catastrophic mistake, but you may start to notice your vehicle acting a little differently than usual.

1. Your oil is leaking

Oil leaks can happen for several reasons, one of which is adding the wrong type of oil to your engine. This particular issue typically occurs when you add synthetic oil to an older vehicle that is designed to use conventional oil. Synthetic oil flows more smoothly and flows through tight areas inside of your engine more easily than conventional oil, which can cause it to leak between components.

2. It’s difficult to start your car when it’s cold outside

If you’ve added oil that is too thick for your vehicle in a cold environment, it won’t flow easily when you try to start the engine. This can make it difficult to start your car, although it will function normally once your engine has warmed up.

3. You’re hearing a ticking sound from your engine when it’s cold

For the same reason as the point above, thick oil in a freshly-started cold engine can cause the components inside your engine to knock or ‘tick’ against each other as it idles. Once the engine and the oil have warmed up, the ticking sound will stop.

4. Your gas mileage isn’t what it used to be

Thicker oil is valuable in certain cars and environmental conditions, but it isn’t used universally for a reason. In effect, your engine has to work harder than usual to get the same amount of power when it’s pumping oil that is too thick. If you’re noticing lower gas mileage and more frequent trips to the gas station after adding oil to your car, too-thick oil may be the culprit.

Like many of the other items on this list, gas mileage is another problem that can stem from many sources. If you’re noticing lower gas mileage but haven’t changed your driving habits, it may be a good idea to visit your mechanic to make sure there isn’t something more serious going on.

5. You smell burning oil

Burning oil can happen for several reasons. If you’ve recently changed your oil and weren’t sure if you added the right oil, then the wrong type of oil may be the culprit. This problem typically occurs if your oil is too thin in hot conditions. As your engine runs, too-thin oil gets hot and starts to overheat, causing the burning smell.

What if you mix the types of oil in your car?

It happens to the best of us – you forget whether you put synthetic or regular oil in your car or what weight you even used last time. Without having the old bottle in hand to know what you grabbed, what happens if you mix the types of oil in your car?

• Over the course of one oil change, it likely won’t make much difference if you mix your oil with a thinner type.
• If you mix your oil with a thicker type, you may notice some of the symptoms we discussed above.

Does it hurt if you mix brands?

If you mix brands for one oil change, it likely won’t make much of a difference to your car’s performance as long as you put the right type of oil in. However, the additives that each brand uses differ, so try to stick with the same brand from one oil change to the next.

Easy Oil Changes And More At T3 Atlanta

Some of the symptoms of putting the wrong oil in your car overlap with other vehicle issues. Remove all doubt and get to the bottom of the problem with T3 Atlanta. We’ll help you stick to your regular oil change schedule and identify if the problem lies elsewhere. We can optimize the lifespan of your Lexus, Nissan, Infiniti, or Toyota for years to come. Give us a call and we’ll pen you in for an appointment today.

You’ve been told time and time again that getting regular oil changes is an essential part of your routine car maintenance. But those oil changes can get expensive after a while, especially if you’re a driver who puts a lot of miles on their car in a given year. When you’re at the auto shop, you may notice the budget oil sitting on the shelf and wonder: is it really so bad to put cheap oil in your car?

What can cheap oil do to your car?

The fact of the matter is that like a lot of other things in life, you get what you pay for when it comes to oil. Cheap oil is, unfortunately, low quality. Even though the initial cost is low, the long-term cost can be significant. That’s because cheap oils break down faster than their more expensive cousins, potentially doing a lot of damage to your engine.

Cheap oil can…

• Gum up and ‘fail’, increasing the friction and heat inside your engine instead of decreasing the friction.
• Inadequately lubricate the parts inside your engine, leading to excess wear and tear on your engine.
• Fail and contribute to ‘sludge’, a thick, dark substance that can damage or destroy your engine if left long enough.
• Gum up around compression or oil rings, causing oil to enter the combustion chamber and burn there.
• Increase your engine’s fuel consumption since the parts are working harder than they should.
• Reduce your engine’s normal power levels.
• Cause blockages in your engine, leading to issues with your car’s exhaust system.

Quality oil, on the other hand, is designed for long-term operation. This means less wear and tear on the engine parts, better fuel economy, and no impact on your engine’s power level. This type of oil often contains additives to help your engine operate smoothly, such as detergents that help keep the interior of your engine clean. These additives can increase the lifespan of your oil, meaning you’ll have to stop in for oil changes less frequently.

You’ll quickly notice that there are a lot of types of quality oil available, but which should you buy?

Which engine oil should you use?

First of all, you need to check your owner’s manual to find the recommended type of oil for your vehicle. The technicians who designed your vehicle have already gone through extensive testing to figure out which type of oil will help your engine last as long as possible without losing efficiency. (Note: Sometimes, your recommended oil type is listed on or near your oil cap.)

With this number in hand, the shelf at the auto store becomes slightly less daunting. Now, all you need to figure out is which type to use – conventional, synthetic, or a blend. What’s the difference?

• Conventional: Conventional oil is typically less expensive than synthetic or synthetic blend, but it’s important to know a few things about this option. First, it can contain impurities that lead to deposit buildups. It may also be less effective at reducing the friction between engine parts, increasing the wear and tear on vehicle components. Conventional oil also doesn’t have as wide a range of temperatures in which it can perform optimally, so extreme heat and extreme cold can affect its efficiency.
• Synthetic: Synthetic oils are often designed for specific uses, such as high-mileage, high-performance, or even high-use vehicles such as work or tow trucks. This type of oil is highly refined and contains few impurities, creates few deposits, and has minimal friction. Synthetic oils also work well in many types of temperatures.
• Synthetic blend: Just like the name suggests, synthetic blends both conventional and synthetic oil for a good intersection between cost and performance, and is a good option for everyday driving.

Oil Changes And More At T3 Atlanta

If you need to have your oil changed, get routine maintenance, or have more significant repairs due to an accident, T3 Atlanta can help. Our friendly, knowledgeable staff has over 25 years of experience repairing Nissan, Lexus, Infiniti, and Toyota vehicles in Atlanta. We’ll help your car stay in great condition so you can sit back and enjoy your ride.