By SARAH DEASON

smd025@latech.edu

 

Tired of listening to the same old songs? Then turn down the music and listen to the car.

Weird sounds emanating from the depths of a car usually indicate when something is about to go wrong.

Scott Beard, Automotive Service Excellence certified mechanic, services cars on a daily basis as shop manager for Kirbow Tire, located at 615 S. Monroe St.

“About 5 percent of females and 25 percent of males have any idea what’s wrong with their car,” Beard said.

“Usually the problem fits into one of five categories of the most commonly experienced car problems.”

Kirbow’s is the only shop on campus employing ASE certified mechanics, Beard said.

Thanks to Beard, students can now refer to this list as a preventative measure.

If the car belongs to any of these categories, there just might be trouble.

• If the car squeaks, the brakes need maintenance.

“If your car squeaks when you apply pressure to the brakes, you probably need brake maintenance,” Beard said.

“If your car squeaks when you’re just driving down the road you might have a problem with rubber bushings.”

Rubber bushings are installed in cars to allow flexibility of movement, Beard said.

• If the car rattles, anything could be wrong with the car.  See a mechanic as soon as possible to prevent further damage.

Maribeth Ford, a senior photography major, let her car rattle for days before taking it to a mechanic.

“When my car started rattling and vibrating, I took it to the shop to find out two lug nuts on my wheel were missing, and another was about to go,” Ford said. “If I hadn’t seen a mechanic, I would have had worse problems than rattling and vibrating.”

• If the car vibrates, there might be problems with the wheel balance or tires.

“If you’re traveling at speeds between 45 mph and 60 mph, your wheels may be off balance, or you may possibly have worn tires,” Beard said. “If you’re traveling at lower speeds between 15 [mph] and 30 [mph], you might have a bubble on your tire or warped parts.”

• If the car pulls, the wheels need to be aligned or the radial belt needs replacing.

“It is important to check your tire pressure before seeing a mechanic, because low tire pressure may be causing some pulling,” Beard said. “Normal tire pressure is around 32lbs/in.”

On the driver’s side car door, there is printed information where it is hinged to the body about the car’s tires, said Beard. Look there when in doubt.

• If the car bounces, there are probably problems with the shocks or struts, Beard said.

Caleb Nelson, a senior finance major, gets his shocks maintained regularly. He said, “I know a bouncing car can be fun sometimes, but not when your bad shocks are the cause.”