Alaskan winters can be difficult on cars, especially on your vehicle’s suspension system. With the constant freezing and thawing outside, water seeps into roadways, causing the pavement to expand and develop cracks and potholes. In return, your steering and suspension get a workout trying to make your ride smoother.

Alaskan Auto Center in Anchorage warns that if your vehicle’s steering and suspension system isn’t already well-maintained, you could experience problems, get stranded, or require costly auto repairs this winter.

What kind of steering and suspension maintenance is necessary? Your suspension works with other components of your vehicle for a smooth ride, so you should start by ensuring your car has properly inflated tires, and fully functional shocks and strut assembly with correct alignment of the front and rear tires to improve handling and performance during our harsh and slippery winter months

If you notice or hear your vehicle making abnormal sounds such as creeks or thuds when driving over rough road surfaces, it would be wise of you to have a steering and suspension inspection. You can test your car’s suspension easily by parking your car on a flat surface. Look at it from ground level. Does it sit lower on one corner? If so, your suspension isn’t prepared to handle the upcoming winter.

A professional auto technician such as those at Alaskan Auto Center can inspect the shocks and struts,ball joints, tie rods, idler and pitman arms within your steering and suspension system and replace them if needed. They will inspect drive lines and drive axels, u joints and drive train fluids and service as needed to prevent unnessary breakdown due to lack of, or contaminated fluid conditions.

To ensure your vehicle is capable of handling the roads during the upcoming months, call Alaskan Auto Center at (907) 522-7035 to schedule an appointment for an inspection today. You can also contact them online for more information.