What to Expect With a Power Steering Service
1. Schedule Your Appointment
Whether scheduling online or over the phone be sure and let us know what you're experiencing so we can provide fast and accurate service advice.
2. Diagnostics and Inspections
Drop off your vehicle and the shop will get to work with inspections and diagnostics using the same equipment as the manufacturers to determine issues and next steps.
3. Digital Vehicle Inspection Report and Estimate
Following the diagnosis we will text you a digital vehicle inspection report, containing pictures and videos of our findings and recommendations.
4. Review and Approval
A service advisor will reach out to walk you through the findings and recommendations to determine how you would like to proceed, or you can approve work directly in your DVI.
5. Work Performed or Scheduled
Most work can be completed immediately, or scheduled based on parts and customer availability.
Did You Know: It takes up to three football fields to safely brake in the rain?
Understanding Power Steering & Its Importance
Power steering is crucial for safe and smooth vehicle operation, providing the necessary assistance to turn the wheels with minimal effort. Regular check-ups can prevent steering failure and enhance your driving experience on San Antonio’s diverse roads.
This system uses hydraulic or electric actuators to amplify the torque applied by the driver, ensuring easier and more precise control. Especially in urban environments like San Antonio, where tight turns and parallel parking are common, a well-maintained power steering system significantly reduces driver fatigue and enhances safety.
Our Power Steering Service Process
Our power steering services are comprehensive, starting with a detailed inspection of your system to identify any potential issues. We focus on key components like fluid levels, belts, and the steering pump to ensure everything functions as it should.
You can expect:
- Inspection & Diagnosis: Our trained technicians thoroughly examine your power steering system. We use advanced diagnostic tools to pinpoint issues beyond the obvious, ensuring that current and potential problems are identified and addressed promptly.
- Fluid Check & Replacement: We inspect and replace steering fluid if necessary to prevent friction and wear. Over time, this fluid can degrade or become contaminated, affecting performance and leading to costly repairs if left unchecked. Regular fluid checks help extend the life of your steering system.
- Component Evaluation: Belts, hoses, and pumps are evaluated and replaced if worn or damaged. These components are subjected to everyday stressors and climatic changes typical to San Antonio, which can lead to their premature wear. By properly maintaining them, we help prevent breakdowns and performance issues.
Why Choose Us?
Here's how we set ourselves apart:
- Personalized Service: We tailor our power steering solutions to meet your needs, ensuring optimal performance.
- Community Commitment: As a San Antonio business, we understand the regional nuances affecting your driving conditions, offering services that cater to local requirements.
- Integrity & Transparency: Our promise is a transparent service journey, keeping you informed at every step without unnecessary upselling. Every diagnosis, recommendation, and service action is discussed with you, ensuring that you are part of the decision-making process from start to finish.
If your vehicle is showing signs of power steering issues, don't wait!
For reliable power steering service in Acworth, contact us at (210) 960-9810 or online today!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Common Signs That My Power Steering Needs Service?
Typical indicators include difficulty turning the wheel, squealing noises when steering, and low power steering fluid levels. If you notice any of these signs, it's important to contact a professional technician to prevent further damage to your steering system.
Ignoring these symptoms can lead to more serious issues like power steering pump failure or leaking fluid, which can diminish vehicle control and safety.
How Often Should I Service My Power Steering?
Regular maintenance is key to vehicle safety. We recommend having your power steering checked during every routine vehicle inspection, typically every 12,000 to 15,000 miles, or annually.
San Antonio's climate might necessitate more frequent checks. Frequent city driving can also accelerate wear and tear, meaning attentive care might be required more often than in less demanding environments.
Can Climate Affect My Power Steering System?
Yes, the climate can have a significant impact. The heat and humidity of San Antonio can lead to faster fluid evaporation and increased risk of leaks. It's essential to regularly check your power steering fluid and condition in such climates.
Drastic temperature changes may cause certain components to contract and expand, leading to issues if your system is not properly maintained or inspected regularly.
What Steps Do You Take During a Power Steering Inspection?
Our inspection involves checking fluid levels, inspecting belts and hoses for wear, and testing the power steering pump and rack. We aim to identify potential issues early to prevent costly repairs.
During an inspection, we also assess the alignment and balance of your wheels, as improper alignment can increase steering effort and cause uneven wear on your vehicle's tires.
What Should I Do If I Experience Power Steering Failure?
In the event of steering failure, try to safely navigate off the road. Avoid turning sharply or applying the brakes abruptly.
Contact our team immediately to assess and rectify the issue before it poses a greater risk. Fast professional attention can prevent the situation from worsening and ensure your safety, which is always our top priority.
FAQs
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Q. "How do I know if my power steering is starting to fail?"3 common signs are that your wheel is requiring more force to turn, whining noise when turning, or your steering shakes when idle. If you are worried about your power steering failing, contact your local Christian Brothers today to have our experienced technicians take a look.
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Q. "How often do I need to get my power steering fluid replaced?"The average recommendation is between 40,000 and 80,000 miles, but it varies depending on your manufacturer's recommendations.
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Q. "Why do I need to change my power steering fluid?"With time, the power steering fluid in your vehicle loses its potency and can become contaminated. Fluid with foreign materials and dirt floating around in it is less efficient, meaning the pump works harder and is worn down faster. Putting new fluid in is much more cost-effective than buying a new pump.
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Q. "What do I do if my power steering fails while driving?"If your power steering fails while driving, it will require quite a bit of force to turn the wheel. Carefully pull to the side of the roadand call a tow truck to safely get your vehicle to an automotive shop.
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Q. "What is a Digital Vehicle Inspection?"With a complimentary Digital Vehicle Inspection (DVI) on every visit, you’ll see firsthand photos of your vehicle from under the hood. We’ll let you know if everything is functioning properly or if there are any areas of concern. You can even approve or deny our service recommendations, all straight from your smartphone, or you can, of course, give us a call and we’ll explain our findings in further detail.
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Q. "Do you offer a warranty?"As part of our Nice difference.® commitment to providing our customers the best auto service experience possible, we also offer a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty on all the work that we do. We offer this warranty at every Christian Brothers Automotive nationwide, and it will be honored at any location, regardless of which branch did the initial work.
Have more Questions?
Our friendly auto service experts have the answers.
Call your local Christian Brothers Automotive car shop today
Hear What Our Customers Had to Say About Us
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"Eric and the guys (and gals) at the alamo heights location were awesome!!!! Eric was able to come in under his oRiginal quote and on time! The vehicLe was Repaired correctly the first time and everyone at the shop, from the receptionist in the front, to Th"
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